Page:Australian enquiry book of household and general information.djvu/144

 personal appearance till beyond recall, and many girls directly after marriage give up all the little arts and graces they used before to make themselves beautiful as if marriage was the end, and there was no further need for them to take pride in their face and figure; instead of which they should redouble their efforts to look beautiful, for it is far easier to gain a man's admiration than it is to retain it. A man may laugh at a woman and possibly make fun of her for using face washes, &c., but all the same he likes the effect and very soon finds out when his wife's complexion loses the bloom and brightness he has been accustomed to in his courting days. I am by no means an advocate for expensive washes and powders, many of which once used have to be continued; but a young woman can by very simple means retain her beauty, and certainly without spending more than the merest trifle on it. Here are a few hints that anyone can follow:—

First and foremost the laws of bodily health must be attended to and regulated. A blotched pimply complexion frequently results from an irregular condition of the bowels, and if neglected may lead to more serious complications.

The diet comes next, but only in the event of indigestion, biliousness, or other stomachic [sic] troubles need any restrictions be placed upon the table.

Indigestion often causes a red nose and blotches, so should be attended to at once. As I have given many simple remedies for this and other everyday disorders elsewhere in these pages, it is unnecessary to repeat them here. If these fail, a medical man should be applied to, but unless there are other complications of the system, one or other of the simple remedies will give relief.

Biliousness gives a yellow, dull tone to the skin and the whites of the eyes, while the limbs are heavy and tired. If only temporary, this is soon set right, but unfortunately very many young people suffer from chronic biliousness, brought on, more often than not, by a want of exercise and a generally unhealthy mode of living. Many young girls take an extraordinary dose of medicine once every three or four months, and are greatly surprised at their internal economy requiring anything more.

Exercise is one of the chief beautifiers as it is one of the chief aids to health. A young girl should walk at least two miles every day. Sauntering and dawdling along the streets is not walking, nor is it exercise. In a town or neighbourhood where there are a number of young people they can form a walking society, and in this way add to their health and beauty, while enjoying each other's society. One may be upon one's feet all day and feel very tired, but that is not exercise; and nothing is, save and except the sharp brisk walk which sends the blood coursing through the body, and brings a bloom and glow to the cheeks.

Exercise we will take as the first aid to beauty.

The bath comes second, and is almost, if not quite, as important as the first.

The third aid to beauty includes or consists of the hundred and one little details one's own common sense suggests, and which are as often as not matters of time and opportunity.

Fourth comes rest and sleep. Late hours take from a young girl's bloom as soon almost as ill health. She should always have a stated hour for rising in the morning, never later than six, so that she can wash her face in the dew. And for going to bed never later than 10.30. But when later