a cat, and keeps her face in order solely by dry rubbing. On the other hand, a competent authority in ' Harper's Bazar ' affirms that one of the most brilliant American complexions he ever saw was due, according to its possessor, to the free use of soap and water.
"Greasy applications of all kinds (except in special cases of disease) are bad, and paint of all colors worse. 'If women,' says La Bruyere, [the immortal chemist whose discoveries fools are apt to incredulously laugh at as an idle dream, yet who made a far nearer approach to the secret of vital life of human kind than any other known human being, and whose rare production contained more life-renewing power in a single pound that anything else save protozone that chemists can now or ever did produce, and I speak by the card, for I know] 'wish only to be beautiful in their own eyes, they may furbish themselves up as they please; but if they wish to please the men they should know that powder and rouge make them frightful.'
"Dr. Cazenave declares that the two favorite remedies, iron and the sea-bath, are 'enemies of the complexion.' They are useful, however, sometimes; but those who require them must choose between health and beauty. Although we heartily approve of the sly kick the good Vicar of Wakefield gave to his daughters' face washes, overturning them into the fire, there are occasions when certain lotions may be applied to the complexion with advantage.
"Of all washes, according to Dr. Cazenave, this is the best:—
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Mix and apply with a fine linen or sponge. Sometimes, when the skin is excessively delicate, it may be necessary to dilute the wash with an equal part of water. The face, moreover, can be washed, without any fear of a bad, and with some hope of a good effect, with elder-flower water, weak tea, or emulsion of almonds.
"The lotion ought always to be of a lukewarm temperature when applied. It should be allowed to remain without wiping unless powder is used afterward, when the face must be thoroughly dried. The application being made at night, as is most convenient, next morning the powder, if it has been used, must be gently removed, or a bit of fine linen, dipped in water containing a few drops of
