Games and Beauty.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 25, 22 June 1907, Page 54

Games and Beauty.

The modern idea is a quest for health. I think, rather than beauty, though I am ready to confess Hurt health is beauty, and that there is no beauty without health. Therefore, perhaps, I had better say grace in place of beauty, in regard to it taking the second place, with health in the chief place. Because, of course, you may be healthy, quite healthy, and yet not be graceful; and. indeed, the way of athletics and games by which many in these days seek health is hardly the path of grace. We have only to look at the champions of our sex who have made their mark in any game to prove this. Hard they are, and healthy, nut there is too much muscle for grace, and the line of strict beauty has given place to something more serviceable. I think the truth of the matter is that a moderate amount of physical culture is good for a woman’s appearance ; but that any exercise or game

which exceeds this is not conducive to good looks in a woman. The ancient Greek women played games, hut it was the gentle one of ball, in which the fleetfooted excelled. It was not a hard game such as we play, but one which, though we would disdain it as childish, yet held in it the foundation of their suppleness and grace. Agility rather than muscle, suppleness rather than hardness is what is needed for grace. Health, too, requires a certain moderation in games and physical culture, which some missing have regretted long and deeply; in fact, moderation should govern our sex in all things.