Page:Personal beauty how to cultivate and preserve it in accordance with the laws of health (1870).djvu/219

 most of the soapstone quarries in the United States, and after considerable search we found an article, in every way equal to the very best imported. This is from the mountain region of North Carolina, and is ground and sold for various purposes by a Cincinnati firm. We have called their attention to its value as a cosmetic, and it richly deserves to take the place of the long-celebrated craie de Briançon.

Venetian chalk, so-called, is not a chalk either, but talc. It is inferior to the French both in color and adhesive power. In order to whiten it, the manufacturer exposes it to a high heat. This improves its color, but diminishes its adhesive qualities.

Another substance, said to be an especial favorite in some portions of our country, is finely-powdered, light carbonate of magnesia. This is also harmless, but is in other respects inferior to the French chalk.

All these powders have the objection that the hue they produce is not a very decided and brilliant one. Therefore the cosmetiqueur, with daring hands, has invaded the domain of pharmacy, and laying hold of some of its most potent and dangerous drugs has carried them to his shop to sell to the first chance-comer. This is unwise, and many a tolerable complexion has been wizened into a piece of parchment, many a woman has poisoned her constitution, by ignorantly using these perilous stuffs.

We do not say that all are injurious. We must