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30
The Science of Dress.
[CHAP. 11.

nished faculties of nutrition have caused the embonpoint of middle age to fall away, the skin, which when extended does not again readily contract, is left to crease and wrinkle like that of a shrivelled apple.

It is when, by unhealthy ways of life, women fall into this condition before their time, or when the fulness of years has in no way diminished ingrained vanity, that they fall into the hands of quacks and professed "beautifiers." Some years ago an ingenious artiste, who called herself "Arabian perfumer to the Courts of Europe," advertised that she could make such ladies as would avail themselves of her discovery "beautiful for ever." Whatever inroads time had made upon their attractions, this was to be done, and it was to be done by a process of enamelling.

Many elderly ladies resorted to the "jolie parfumeuse," and submitted to have the enamel laid on in successive washes, holding their faces over a charcoal brazier during the process.

Need I say that the longed-for end was not secured? Those who have read the preceding pages can readily understand that such a result could not possibly be obtained by the means resorted to, which were so injurious that I believe the proceedings ended in a criminal prosecution.

Those who wish for beauty, or to retain beauty, must live healthy and regular lives, cultivate cleanliness, take outdoor exercise, sleep a proper number of hours, but not too long—eight hours is about the proper time for an average adult, and above all,