If you have patiently followed rne thus far, I think you
will now agree with me that a lady's dress should always be
clean, suitable and comfortable, and any girl who will work
on that foundation may safely be trusted to make her dress
also pretty and attractive by a careful and modest use of
color, a wise choice of material and fashion, and a systematic
avoidance of everything glaring and unreal.
And now there are but two other points upon which I
wish to speak, and I have purposely reserved them for the
last, for they are not only matters of dress, but of morality
as well.
You must never use articles of toilette which belong to
your companions, but must yourself be supplied with all that
you are likely to require, so that you need on no account
trespass on the belongings of other people. Tooth brushes,
combs and brushes, washcloths, sponges, etc., are sacred to
the use of their owner, and I do not know anything more
ON HABITS AND MANNERS.
3*
indicative of a want of refinement than a promiscuous use of
these things. The utmost intimacy will not justify you in
any carelessness in regard to articles which, in the strictest
sense, are personal property, and with your nearest friend you
should never permit yourself to become lax in this particu-
lar. Also in respect to minor articles of dress — pocket hand-
kerchiefs, collars, ribbons, etc. — it is wise to borrow and lend
as little as possible. Have a sufficient number of these things,
let them be plainly marked with your name, and while
guarding your own rights be careful to respect the rights of
your neighbor, for nothing is more likely to lead to petty
thefts (a vice about which I shall speak to you elsewhere)
than the habit of indiscriminate borrowing.
My second and last warning to you is against a shame-
ful practice, of which, I hope, you yourselves see the folly.
While a lady should take every care of her teeth, her hair,
and her skin, no lady should use cosmetics in any form.
Paint and powder, however skilfully their true names may
be concealed under the mask of " Liquid Bloom," or "Lily
Enamel,'* can never change their real character, but remain
always unclean, false, unwholesome, a disgrace to those who
use them, and certain ruin to the skins they are supposed to
beautify. Put such things away from you entirely, and be
sure that the adornment they afford is unworthy of good
32 ON HABITS AND MANNERS.
women, for it is an offense against the laws of health, a
foolish and paltry attempt at deception.
CHAPTER VI.— Dress.
FOR YOUNG MEN.
If you, as young men who desire to maintain the exter-
nal appearance of gentlemen, were to ask me what are the
characteristics of a gentleman's dress, I should answer you
with little hesitation, "Cleanliness, quiet colors, and well
brushed boots." If you have these three requisites you need
not be over-carcful about the cut of your coat and trousers,
or the fashion ot your hat : but even with these attained you
have not yet reached the foundation of the matter, tor your
dress really begins, not with the garments which are usually
visible, but with the underclothing, and on this point I want
you to understand very clearly what are the essentials.
Page 12
Presented as published in 1888. 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
If you have patiently followed me thus far, I think you will now agree with me that a lady's dress should always be clean, suitable and comfortable, and any girl who will work on that foundation may safely be trusted to make her dress also pretty and attractive by a careful and modest use of color, a wise choice of material and fashion, and a systematic avoidance of everything glaring and unreal.
And now there are but two other points upon which I wish to speak, and I have purposely reserved them for the last, for they are not only matters of dress, but of morality as well.
You must never use articles of toilette which belong to your companions, but must yourself be supplied with all that you are likely to require, so that you need on no account trespass on the belongings of other people. Tooth brushes, combs and brushes, washcloths, sponges, etc., are sacred to the use of their owner, and I do not know anything more
3*
indicative of a want of refinement than a promiscuous use of these things. The utmost intimacy will not justify you in any carelessness in regard to articles which, in the strictest sense, are personal property, and with your nearest friend you should never permit yourself to become lax in this particular. Also in respect to minor articles of dress — pocket handkerchiefs, collars, ribbons, etc. — it is wise to borrow and lend as little as possible. Have a sufficient number of these things, let them be plainly marked with your name, and while guarding your own rights be careful to respect the rights of your neighbor, for nothing is more likely to lead to petty thefts (a vice about which I shall speak to you elsewhere) than the habit of indiscriminate borrowing.
My second and last warning to you is against a shameful practice, of which, I hope, you yourselves see the folly. While a lady should take every care of her teeth, her hair, and her skin, no lady should use cosmetics in any form. Paint and powder, however skilfully their true names may be concealed under the mask of " Liquid Bloom," or "Lily Enamel,'* can never change their real character, but remain always unclean, false, unwholesome, a disgrace to those who use them, and certain ruin to the skins they are supposed to beautify. Put such things away from you entirely, and be sure that the adornment they afford is unworthy of good
women, for it is an offense against the laws of health, a foolish and paltry attempt at deception.
CHAPTER VI.— Dress.
FOR YOUNG MEN.
If you, as young men who desire to maintain the external appearance of gentlemen, were to ask me what are the characteristics of a gentleman's dress, I should answer you with little hesitation, "Cleanliness, quiet colors, and well brushed boots." If you have these three requisites you need not be over-carcful about the cut of your coat and trousers, or the fashion ot your hat : but even with these attained you have not yet reached the foundation of the matter, tor your dress really begins, not with the garments which are usually visible, but with the underclothing, and on this point I want you to understand very clearly what are the essentials.