Pomades, when properly prepared, contribute, in an espe-
cial manner, to preserve the softness and elasticity of the skin,
their effect being of an emollient and congenial nature; and,
moreover, they can be applied on retiring to rest, when their
effects are not liable to be disturbed by the action of the at-
mosphere, muscular exertion, or nervous influences.
The use of paints has been very correctly characterized as
"a species of corporeal hypocrisy as subversive of delicacy of
mind as it is of the natural complexion," and has been, of late
years, discarded at the toilette of every lady.
The Hands. — A fine hand contributes greatly to the ele-
gance of the personal appearance. Its shape depends, of course,
64 ETIQUETTE.
in a great measure, upon physical conformation, though, doubt-
lessly, exertion early in life, such as continual musical practice,
may disturb its symmetry. We refer more especially to the
harp, which makes the fingers crooked and render their tips
hard and thick. This may also apply to many kinds of me-
chanical employment and manual labor. A white, soft hand,
small in proportion to the height of the person, moderately
muscular, with slender, straight fingers, and well-formed, trans-
parent nails, is, perhaps, as near the standard of beauty as any
given outline can be.
The texture and color of the skin, and the appearance of
the nails, show how much care and culture the possessor has
bestowed upon them, and, consequently, may be regarded as
evidence of his or her taste. To preserve the hands soft and
white, they should be washed with fine soap in warm water,
and carefully dried with a moderately coarse towel. The rub-
bing should excite a brisk circulation, which alone will pro-
mote a soft and transparent surface. The palm of the hand
and the tips of the fingers should be of the color of the inner
leaves of a moss rose, with the blue veins distinctly visible.
The transparency of the nails may be preserved by the use of a
firm brush, and the skin which encroaches upon the fine circle
forming their base may be pushed back by a firm towel while
the hand is wet. The nails worn moderately long form not
only a protection to the fingers, as intended by nature, but
look graceful and finished. Exposed, as the hands often are
in accidental pursuits, to discoloration, their whiteness may,
for the time, be restored by a little lemon juice, and, when
washing, by the use of lemon soap. In preserving the delicacy
of the hands almond paste will be found serviceable and agree-
able. Gloves should always be worn on exposure to the at-
mosphere, and are graceful at all times for a lady in the house,
except at meals.
The Feet. — If simply considered as the organ of locomo-
tion, the foot is one of the most important members of the
human frame. When suffered to exhibit the untrammeled for-
mation and proportion of nature it is, indeed, beautiful, but as
it is, is an appropriate and elegant finish to the fig:ire. The
usages of society in modern Europe, at once judiciously com-
ETIQUETTE. 65
Page 43
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Pomades, when properly prepared, contribute, in an especial manner, to preserve the softness and elasticity of the skin, their effect being of an emollient and congenial nature; and, moreover, they can be applied on retiring to rest, when their effects are not liable to be disturbed by the action of the atmosphere, muscular exertion, or nervous influences.
The use of paints has been very correctly characterized as "a species of corporeal hypocrisy as subversive of delicacy of mind as it is of the natural complexion," and has been, of late years, discarded at the toilette of every lady.
The Hands. — A fine hand contributes greatly to the elegance of the personal appearance. Its shape depends, of course,
in a great measure, upon physical conformation, though, doubtlessly, exertion early in life, such as continual musical practice, may disturb its symmetry. We refer more especially to the harp, which makes the fingers crooked and render their tips hard and thick. This may also apply to many kinds of mechanical employment and manual labor. A white, soft hand, small in proportion to the height of the person, moderately muscular, with slender, straight fingers, and well-formed, transparent nails, is, perhaps, as near the standard of beauty as any given outline can be.
The texture and color of the skin, and the appearance of the nails, show how much care and culture the possessor has bestowed upon them, and, consequently, may be regarded as evidence of his or her taste. To preserve the hands soft and white, they should be washed with fine soap in warm water, and carefully dried with a moderately coarse towel. The rubbing should excite a brisk circulation, which alone will promote a soft and transparent surface. The palm of the hand and the tips of the fingers should be of the color of the inner leaves of a moss rose, with the blue veins distinctly visible. The transparency of the nails may be preserved by the use of a firm brush, and the skin which encroaches upon the fine circle forming their base may be pushed back by a firm towel while the hand is wet. The nails worn moderately long form not only a protection to the fingers, as intended by nature, but look graceful and finished. Exposed, as the hands often are in accidental pursuits, to discoloration, their whiteness may, for the time, be restored by a little lemon juice, and, when washing, by the use of lemon soap. In preserving the delicacy of the hands almond paste will be found serviceable and agreeable. Gloves should always be worn on exposure to the atmosphere, and are graceful at all times for a lady in the house, except at meals.
The Feet. — If simply considered as the organ of locomotion, the foot is one of the most important members of the human frame. When suffered to exhibit the untrammeled formation and proportion of nature it is, indeed, beautiful, but as it is, is an appropriate and elegant finish to the fig:ire. The usages of society in modern Europe, at once judiciously com-