THE GENTLE ART OF BEAUTY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 34, 22 August 1891, Page 301

THE GENTLE ART OF BEAUTY.

THE FORM. HE form, the * human form divine,’ as it has been termed by those poetically inclined, is a subject which is open to lengthy discussion, and were it not for the limited space at my disposal, I might be tempted to add more than my mite, and to use much paper and ink over the matter.

Certainly the human form, although in this it is probably neither better nor worse than anything else, oilers itself as the object, and a very worthy object too, bien entendu, for opinions innumerable, indeed so many, so varied are they as to be absolutely confusing at times. For some, the stately proportions generally attributed to Juno are the perfection of feminine beauty. Others see a wondrous charm in the daintily-rounded minute form, which might, nay does, belong to a veritable sylph injhuman guise ; somedeclare—from an anatomical and, perhaps I should add, medical point of view, they are undoubtedly correct—that the celebrated statue of Venus, despite the fact that her or rather its — waist measures con-

siderably more inches than we—speaking for the majority of our sex—would care boldly to own to, at all events in our premi&re jeunesse, is the ideal of all that is beautiful in woman. Some say the

shoulders should be sloping, others set square, almost like those of a men, and at least many of the tailor - made gowns of the day are padded, to give this effect. Some like a length of limb, particularly of arm and leg, the latter from thigh to knee, which contrasts strongly with the short, shapely appendages appreciated by others, while again, some mueh prefer a complete development of muscle, even until the limbs more resemble those of a miniature Hercules,

than of a female, instead of the soft rounded arms and legs (I suppose as this column is intended only for the perusal of the fair sex, I may make free use of the latter word), dimpled at shoulder and wrist, knee and ankle, which always appeal so very strongly to me, and are in my opinion, at least, the perfection of all that is womanly. But naturally tastes differ, and well for us that it is so, as it would never do for one and all to think alike. In decrying a muscular appearance, my readers must not for one moment imagine that it is unnecessary to the human frame to possess muscle. A certain amount is absolutely essential, but however powerful that amount may be, it should be so well covered with flesh as to render the fact of its being there unsuspected by the uninitiated. The development of the muscle means naturally the improvement of the flesh, which should be firm, almost solid, rather than presenting the flabby—if I may be allowed the term—appearance it so often presents, particularly in women who are, or profess to be, delicate, and in consequence of such claim the privileges (save the mark) of an invalid. The wise woman, with an eye to more than the pretty face, which is all that a good many folks think is imperative, will go through a regular morning performance as carefully and steadily as a soldier at drill, indeed looking upon it as a species of drilling. Immediately on rising, she will always, providing it agrees with her constitution, or is not forbidden by medical authority, take a cold or at least a tepid bath, but in cases where this is prohibited, it is as well to know of a substitute which is almost if not equally as effective—for a delicate constitution at all events. Stand on a folded bath towel which must be quite dry, then wring a large sponge out of cold or tepid water, the former if possible, and pass it very quickly all over the body several times in succession (never mind the drippings, the towels will catch them) and dry on a large rough towel, rubbing each part thoroughly until quite waim. After this dress partly, as far at least as petticoats, stockings and shoes, but no corsets, and then have ten minutes or a quarter of an hour’s calisthenic exercise, using dumb-bells, by all means, if you have them. Let most, if not all the movements have a backward swing, as this serves to keep the shoulders well set back and expands the chest; and here I cannot do better than give a few useful exercises in the words of an authority who has written a very clever article on the question of * Physical Training ’ in addition to other things: (1) Bring forward the two arms, raise the forearms, and place the fingers of each hand lightly on the front of each

shoulder. Then, with a quick movement, without removing the fingers from the shoulders, jerk the arms outwards, then back again, and repeat. (2) Bring down the arms in front, gracefully rounded, the fingers of each hand touching the others at the tips ; raise them gradually over the head, where let the hands go apart, and bring them down behind with the arms turned as far as possible outside. Another is: Stand quite erect; extend the arms above the head, interlace the thumbs, and keep the forefingers in tench. Then, keeping the knees quite rigid, bend the trunk gradually, until without unlocking the thumbs, the fingers touch the toes. This is a very good exercise, seldom successful without a little practice.—Venus, in the Gentletrainan.