EDITOR'S
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EDITORIAL CHIT - CHAT . their sex of mingled poverty and toil. We have seen some of these wretched creatures, whose very semblance to THE BEAUTY OF AMERICAN WOMEN.- The superior beauty humanity seemed well nigh crushed out of them. Of of his countrywomen is one ofthe facts that an American, course, there are exceptions. Sometimes we see an excestraveling in Europe, recognizes with pride. The writer sively handsome girl come of people miserably poor; and, versa, peering out of à sumptuous carriage the face of of this was in Rome, last year, and wherever he saw a new vice a young Gorgon. But, as a rule, where wealth, and leisure, face that was pretty, he was almost invariably told that it and consequent culture exist, health and beauty naturally was the face of an American . What was true of Rome, follow in the second generation. was true of Naples, Florence, Milan, Venice, Vienna, Berlin, If there is any mistake in this, it is in exaggerating the Paris, and London. There is something more refined, per- importance of wealth. It is not necessary to be rich in haps high-bred would be even a better term, in our coun- order to be beautiful. There is hardly any walk in life, trywomen, than in any women of the world. The Roman except, perhaps, that of actual poverty, which forbids that princesses, almost without an exception, are positively equal development of the intellectual and physical natures, ugly. Even the boasted English female aristocracy do not which is the foundation of all real beauty. Most American come up to their reputation for beauty. More lovely women women have, in their household duties, a sufficient diverare to be seen at the opera, in either Philadelphia, New sity of employment. Some, indeed, are overworked. But York, or Boston, than at the Haymarket or Covent Garden, we hope this is not general. Now, if to ordinary housein London. We think this superiority, on the part of our hold duties are added exercise in the open air, the cultivacountrywomen, is to be explained by their superior intel- tion ofthe intellect and the taste, and judicious indulgence lect. In the United States woman has a larger develop- in harmless amusements, we have all the elements out of ment of brain, and a finer nervous organization than else- which to make, and keep, women beautiful. The very where. Part of this is the result of our institutions, part rich have not sufficient occupation, and hence plunge into may come from climate. But the fact is indisputable. gayeties, always excessive, and often injurious to more Hence that high-bred look of which we have spoken. than the health. The moderate circumstances, which are Everywhere here, one sees faces that have more marks of the lot of the majority of American women, afford, on the ancestral culture than any, except the very best, faces whole, at least in intelligent families, the best chances for abroad. beauty. Heretofore the physical health of our women has been neglected: at least this was the case generally for the first THE PRINCESS METTERNICH, as is well known, ranks high half of the present century. The mind was cultivated, not, among the witty and accomplished women of the French indeed, too much, but cultivated at the expense of the Court. She always appears to be inspired with some novel body. The consequence was dyspepsia, which finally be- and fresh idea. A few weeks ago a party of intimate accame hereditary. With dyspepsia followed excessive ner- quaintances were assembled at her house, when the subvousness, debility, flat chests, consumption, hollow cheeks, ject of the eccentric toilets of the present day was started, bad figures, and that im-milk complexion, which one in- whereupon the hostess proposed that every woman should variably associates with the old, and now exploded notion compose her toilet according to her individual taste and of a " blue-stocking," or a " school-marm." But the evil, at character. The idea once started the company set to work, last, cured itself. The necessity of physical exercise for and commenced composing the dress of a frivolous woman girls, as well as for boys, and the folly of taxing the brain by giving her a butterfly for emblem, and continuing with with excessive lessons at school, became so apparent, that the sentimental woman, the witty woman, etc., etc. The now, for nearly the whole of a generation, the vitality and Muse was to wear laurel in her hair, a lyre for a waisthealth of American women have been steadily improving. { buckle, a dress studded with stars, because she loved etheOne of our best literary weeklies, in a late article on this real regions ; then the lower part of her skirt was to be subject, holds the following language : embroidered with all her attributes, arts, sciences, natural The women of America are growing more and more hand- history, etc. A sentimental woman, on the contrary, should some every year for just this reason. They are growing be decorated with hearts, arrows, doves, half-opened roses, rounder of chest, fuller of limb, gaining substance and de- etc. It was to be regretted that some clever artist, with a every velopment direction. urgedWe to rapid pencil like Gustave Dore, for instance, was not premay be fact. Whatever this to be a demonstrable believe contrary,inwe the have been accustomed to hear dismal moans over dyspepsia sent to sketch these toilets, so ingeniously composed. The and the heat of stoves, bad food, and bad habits of life gene- idea, however, captivated, and a few evenings after the rally, that an impression of degeneracy finds place in many same company met at the Princess' house, and some were minds, and the proposition, therefore, that American women are visibly growing handsomer, may at first provoke a good robed in a very fanciful, although highly successful, mandeal of dissent. We believe, however, that reflection and ner. The most captivating was a warlike costume intended observation will endorse and sustain it. The change may be less marked among the poorer classes, and may be more for a heroine. The dress was white satin striped with gold pronounced in the chief centers of population and refine- cannons; the low coat bodice was crimson velvet, crossed ment; but that it has taken place, is progressing, and is with a black ribbon, which was striped with every variety probably destined favorably to affect the community at the different ribbons used for decorations; large, we have not the least doubt. When the rising gene- of color, to recall ration of American girls once began to wear thick shoes, the epaulets to the coat consisted of gold fringe ; round the to take much exercise in the open air, to skate, to play waist there was a gold band, to which was suspended a croquet, and to affect the saddle, it not only began to grow turned back a l'antique, more wise, but more healthful, and-which must follow as miniature needle-gun ; the hair was the night the day-more beautiful. Wealth indubitably and the head-dress was a small helmet in chased gold, enhas a tendency to produce refinement of feature, for reasons crusted with precious stones. or through causes which here need no elaboration ; simultaneously, unless its privileges are abused, it also tends to TO TALK WELL you must first think: then, if you are induce both health and symmetry. Poor emigrant women, whose figures and faces are alike misshapen and imbruted, sympathetic, you will be interesting; but if you know furnish us with plenty of sad illustrations of the effect on nothing, and never think, you cannot expect to talk well. 308
