Woman's Eyes.

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 44

Woman's Eyes.

Where is the poet — ancient or modern — who has not sung of woman's eyes? Sentimental or allegory, reality or ideality, natural or symbolic, what matters it? Whichever way you look at it, the eye attracts moie than any other feature of the face, be it as blue as the skies, ox dark as night. Noble deeds have been performed for it, and sins — ave> sins— have been committed for a glance

from it. Putting expression on one side, all j eves to be beautiful, should be large, especi- j ally dark eyas, and the darker they are the j larger they 'should be. Otherwise, dark eyes j are not se attractive as blue eyes, which are ■, beautiful 'in themselves, and require no con- j ti'ast of white (as dark eyes do) to makd I them seem more beautiful! I Blue eyes- are the privileged eyes of nature ; they are always expressive, ever if their size be small; and their fascination is all the more powerful because it requiies no auxiliary. There can be no gt eater mistake, therefore, than to blacker? the rims of blue eyes. By doing so the natural expression and character of cho eye is lost. Black eyes for passion, but blue eyes for affection. The colour blue in itself is the symbol of science, love, brotherly affection, generosity, and justice. It is also symbolic of innocence and purity. It is the colour of the sapphire, tliat sacred gem emblematic of magnanimity, elevated thought, and perfect love. " BJue eyes," says somo great author, " have, descended from heaven to show us its glories."

However, whether innocently blue or dangerously dark,- all eyes should be clear, brighfc/'and steady. They must not bevtoo clear and bright, however, for ' that would show an unnatural condition, due to illness or over-excitement or stimulation. Fat spoils the size and expression of the eyes ; and bile does the same by casting a yellow tint over them. Red are, perhapsj even more disfiguring, and are mostly due to over-eating over-drinking, over-smoking, over-study, over-everything. Severe cold, fogs, want of sleep, nervous depression, and even rheumatism may cause red eyes. Knowing the cause, remedy is easy, and, usually, within everyone's power. Tonics and reasonable exercise Avill always be found efficacious. Weak and watery eyes are mostly due to nejvous causes, and must be treated accordingly. Strengthen 'the nerves, and the eyes will be strengthened. Restless eyes are due to nervousness. In children this defect may be cured Dy teaching them to fix certain objects for some length 'of time, 'and to make them look steadily at anyone with whom they may be speaking. Good training will always remove defects of movement' in the eyes ; but the defects must not be allowed to become habits, otherwise it may lje impossible to cure them completely. Many persons arc subject to a trembling of the eyelids. This defect is usually ■ caused by indigestion. Remedy this, and the tremor ceases.

Large pupils are supposed to be i beauties. But they must riot be too large, for very large dilated pupils are signs of nervous exhaustion, over-excitement, and unhealthy habits/ Healthy large pupils of the eyes can be naturally acquired only by improving the health in general. Nothing is more fatal to the eyes than dyspepsia, and nothing cures this sooner than very light food, fruit, and lemonade drinks. "Italian peasants, so celebrated for their large liquid eyes, owe their beauty to their diet, consisting chiefly of fruit, oils, onions, and garlic. The constant use of parsley, also makes the .eyes large and strong. I also advise sprays of salt water to strengthen and enlarge the eyes. Skilful training will cure weak sight and likewise near sight, rendering glasses unnecessary. Above all things, avoid reading bad print. Weak sight would be almost unknown if books and newspapers were printed better.

Truly healthy and well-formed eyes should be neither too open nor too closed. The white should be of a bluish tint, iand the pupil perfectly transparent. Protruding eyes and sunken eyes^ are equally defective. Both defects, however", can be somewhat lessened, with care and attention to the health in general. Too vivid light is injurious, and never attempt to face a vivid light after having ,been in complete darkness. Exposure to snow and hot sunlight reflected on walls, water, sauds, etc., should also be avoided unless the eyes be protected by dark glasses. It is on this principle that Indian mothers sprinkle soornea into their infants' eyes to protect them from the sun's glare. And this accounts for Indians blackening round the eyes. They do it as a protection against the sun. Travellers in snowy regions have lately done the same, and have found great benefit from the practice. To besmear the eyes with black powder is therefore almost as good a protection to the eyes as to wear dark glasses. Wheci the eyes are over-fatigued with reading- or needlework they are also much relieved by wearing dark glasses for a time. Cold water baths are at all times beneficial to the eyes. Short sight may be avoided if S roper' care of the ej r es, be taken in childood. As soon as a child' is seen to look at objects too near the eyes the objects should be gradually distanced from the child, and thus short sight may be avoided, or, at least, lessened.

Squinting is rare now, for everyone knows how to prevent, and even cure it. When it occurs, however, it is usually the result of placing the child's bed or cradle sideways against some strong light to which the child's eyes will continually turn and assume the habit- as it grows. 'Here again the remedy is too obvious to need explanation. Real illnesses of the eyes belong to the doctor's province, at which boundaries my simple hints must stop. Common ailments, such as I have mentioned, may always oe cured by care and diet, but if they increase instead of decreasing then the oculist must be immediately consulted. The greatest beauty of the eye lies in its expression. It may be large, small, black, hazel, blue, or grey, but if it lacks expression it lacks beauty. What beauty is there in the eye which cannot sparkle at Nature's beauties, which cannot glow at the sight of genius, which cannot x*eflect joy, sorrow, love ; which cannot show us a part of the soul within, and which cannot speak to us without the aid of words?

No cosmetics can give expression. That depends solely on ourselves, and is entirely within the reach of all of us. The cultivation of the heart's best feelings, and also the cultivation of the mind, good thoughts, good reading which elevates the soul, happi-' ness, and a noble aim in life will all give expression to the eyes and make them beautiful, whatever their size, shape, or colour may be. It is only the expressive eye, indeed, which is truly beautiful, only the" eye which receives and transmits the various impressions which live in the heart and soul. - It is not. the eye that makes expression, it is expression that makes the ejyej and that, I once.

more repeat, is within the power of all to acquire. The magnetism o* an expressive eye is almost miraculous. No one can resist it. A final word ; Beware of eyes that never look you In the face.

OC7' Scssflptloni; oi bellt, *0., must &« endorses Xtj tlUxtr the Witnsu correspondent for the district or bj the «scretiirjr to tb« ball committee. The MS. ot anj correspondents "who do ns ooni(iW with thin rule nill be sent to the' secretary far endori tnent prior to •ppearing.- EMMELIN'E.

To ensure publication in the forthcoming issue, letteri should roach the Witness office if possible *n Saturday night, but ob n* account Inter than Monil j- i.1.-ht.

WEDDING AT KAIHIKU.

WEDDING AT KAIHIKU. Dear Emmelink. — A marriage took place at " Bruceton," Kaibiku, ou May 24, the contracting parties beicg Mr B. A.nsrombe, Waiwera.-an'd Miss Douglas Watt, Kaihiku.^ Ttie brida.was * given away by her brother. Mr Duncan -Watt, Balciutha, the bridesmaids being Mis» Maggie Watt (the biide's Jsister) and'Mis3 Annie Watt (her little niece). The biidegroom was accompanied by his brother, Mr Bert Antcombe, Caverahani. The bride was dressed in a peßrlgrey fancy material trimmed with white silk, wore thp customary veil and orange blossom, and carried a beautiful bridal bouquet. Miss Maggie Watt's dress was cream *,erge trimmed very, prettily with pale green silk, the little bridesmaid-being attjred in cream trimmed with silk embroidery.' Mrs Watt (the biide's Smother) wore a black "figured rtpp trimmed with black breche silk, and » stylish cap composed of cream lace and ribbons. Mrs An'scombe (the bridegroom's - mbther^wore -a" nfat' ■ black' costume ; Miss Watt, crram serge trimmed with pale gre«n silk ; Missei Nellie and -Mary. Watt, grey {dresses " vfith white silk ;"Hrs CiaAvford, green ai-d black costume trimmed with -^reeri silk ; Mr D. Watt, black dress tnmmedj-with jst'and lace: Mrs P. Watt', black cashmere trimmed with silk; Mrt Stewart, grey tweed' costume '; Miss Anscombe, cream figured lustre bedice trimmed with cream lace, and a grey skirt ; Miss Edith Anscombs, a very pretty dress, a combination of cream and blue ; Miss Connie C. Meeking (Pukerau), a pref ty ! brown costume; the Misses Falconer (Milton), stylish black dresses. After tlv> wedding breakfast the happy couple drove to Clinton, to take the southern express en route for the Lakes, where the honeymoon is to be spent. The bride's travelling dress was a brown cloth costume made with s coat and skirt, brown velvet vest trimmed with gimp, a browc cape, and brown felt hat trimmed with brown satiu' ribbon, pink velvet, and- browp tips — a costume wbicl> suited the wearer exceedingly we]!. The marriage preseuts were botb beautiful and cosily— silver, china, »nd- crystal being pi eminent, besidos articles too Duuierous to mention. In the evening Mrs Watt, with her usual hospitality, eatettaiued a ■ few friends 'at her" residence,' "Bruceton," where a very pleasant evening- was spent with music, games, etc. The dvesfes in the evening were botb pretty and stylish, but too r.urrserous to partiou larise.- A Guest. WEEDING AT PKMBKOKIr. Dbau Emhemne,— The marriage on \V>dr.rac?ay, May 25, of the Eev. W. K. Grant to Mih.t Bella Russell >i as an ey,ent looked forward to with great interest on account of the lifelong connection of the ltftsstll family with, the "district in which the bride was bom. The ceremony" was performed in Mrs Russell's hall, _th« Rev. James Cumming, M.A., of Cromwell, beicg^the officiating clergyman. ' Mr A. G. Thomson acted as best man. while Mr Theodora ■ ItusselL the bride's brother, pave' her away.' The ; bridesmaid's were | Miss May Russdl (the bride's. sister) and Mr Peter I MtDcugall's two little girls" (the bride's nieces).' Miss Beatrice Sacli tier presided at the organ, and -opened and closed fhe-ceremony with appropri;it« hyrants, in which the congregation joined. -After j the wedding breakfastrMr "and /Mrs .Grant dr,ova off en itnite for Gleaorchy, where-the honeymoon is to be spent. At the ceremony the bride wore a white, figured lustre, yeil^and^rangeblossom ; Mis-s May Russell' (bridesmaid), .white figured musHn, -white htt, pale green chiffon tash ; little Misses M'Dougall {bridesmaids), tartan trimmed with velvet and pink ribbon ; Mrs 0. J. Russell (bride's mother), handsome black silk trimmed with black lace ; Mrs P. M'Dougall (bride's I sister), grey dress trimmed with tartan ; Miss \ Graut (sister of the bridegroom), green dress and hat to match ; Mrs Ewiog (bride's aunt), black - dress; Miss Ewifg (cousin), black dress: Mw" Semmens (cousin), yellow-figured silk blouse trimmed with cbiffon : Mrs Thomas -Russell (bride's aunt), black dress ; Mrs M'Craoken (Cromwell), navy blue coat and skirt, blue silk vest ; Misses Miller (2), navy blue velvet blouses, cream trimmings ; Mts G. Miller, black dr«-ss ; Mrs M'Lenuan, grey cashmere; Mrs Weir, navy blue serge ; Mistes Gough (2), black dresses tiimraed with ciape ; Mrs M 'Skimming, fawn druss, silk trimmings ; Mr^ M'Rae, Tarras, black drees ; Mrs ft.' H. Norman, tweed skirt, blue blouse ; Mrs Sachtler, black silk dress ; Misi Sachtler. brown »ilk bodice trimmed with la.cc, white chiffon hat ; Mi«ses Thomson (2), dark 'dresses ; Mrs Andrew M'Dougall, dark f dress ; Mrs Cuniming (Cromwell}, dark diess ; Mrs David Anderson, grey die**- : TWr* A--<irew M'Kay, black dvess