Beauty, however, will ever vary according to age, place, taste, and prejudice. We could not expect all to admire the black, sparkling eye, black hair, and dark, rich complexion of Cleopatra; many would like the pale, melancholy blonde. No formula can satisfy all opinions. To do this it would have to meet all the sentiments, passions and instincts that inspire to the worship of beauty. In youth it is the plump damsel, pulsating with budding womanhood, fresh and lovely in her innocence, with waxen complexion, carnation lips shaped like Cupid's bow, laughing eyes, white teeth and shapely arms, that we admire. In after years it is the matured, self-poised woman, quiet in repose, with charms defined and pronounced, majestic in air and carriage, serene and dignified in deportment a beauty like that which Montalembert ascribes to Elizabeth of Hungary, the most beautiful woman of her time. He says, "Her beauty was regular and perfect, her entire figure left no improvement to be desired in it. Her complexion was dark and clear, her hair black, her figure of unrivaled elegance and grace, her walk full of nobleness and majesty."

But what constitutes true beauty in man or woman, and how can it best be preserved and increased? The most common method employed is to make a liberal use of brush, powder, pencil, etc. But beauty which is only surface deep is liable to prove as evanescent as the passing cloud. We shall not go, however, into the mysteries of the toilet here, or stop to consider definitely the value of cosmetics and rouges. There are some legitimate aids to natural forces in this matter, and these can be sought out and applied

at leisure. But real, enduring beauty of face or person must come not from any external applications, but from within. Good health, proper habits, regular exercise, diet and dress, all have more or less to do with it, but the main source of beauty is in the mind.

The intellectual powers, when regularly trained and employed, cut and chisel the features into proportion and grace by removing from them all signs of sensuality and sloth by which they are blunted and deadened, and substituting energy and intensity for vacancy and insipidity (by which alone the faces of many fair women are utterly spoiled and rendered valueless), and by the keenness given to the eye, and the fine moulding and development of the brow.

It has been well said that the highest style of beauty to be found in nature pertains to the human form, as animated and lighted up by the intelligence within. It is the expression of the soul that constitutes this superior beauty. It is that which looks out at the eye, which sits in calm majesty on the brow, lurks on the lips, smiles on the cheek, is set forth in the chiseled lines and features of the countenance, in the general contour of figure and form, in the movement, and gesture, and tone; it is this looking out of the invisible spirit that dwells within, this manifestation of the higher nature, that we admire and love; this constitutes to us the beauty of our species.

Hence it is that certain features, not in themselves particularly attractive, wanting, it may be, in certain regularity of outline, or in certain delicacy and softness, are still invested with a peculiar charm and radiance of beauty from their peculiar expressiveness

and animation. The light of genius, the superior glow of sympathy, and a noble heart, play upon those plain, and it may be, homely features, and light them up with a brilliant and regal beauty. These, as every artist knows, are the most difficult to portray. The expression changes with the instant. Beauty flashes. and is gone, or gives place to a still higher beauty, as the light that plays in fitful corruscations along the northern sky, coming and going, but never still.

The same is true of the moral and social feelings of the heart. Love is a great beautifier of the face. The emotions which do most disfigure the countenance are pride, sensuality, fear, cruelty, agitation, enmity, cunning, deceit, anger. While on the other hand the great moral and social beautifiers are self-command, unagitated trust, deep-looking love, faith, and goodness. In fact, all virtues impress fairness upon the features, and exercise an influence upon the whole person. Even movement and gestures, however slight, are different in their modes according to the mind that governs them, and on the gentleness and decision of just feeling there follows a grace of action, and through continuance of this a grace of form, which by no discipline may be taught or attained.

It

This kind of beauty perishes not. It wreaths the countenance of every doer of good. It adorns every honest face. It shines in the virtuous life. It moulds the hands of charity. It sweetens the voice of sympathy. It sparkles on the brow of wisdom. flashes in the eye of love. It breathes in the spirit of piety. It is the beauty of the heaven of heavens. It is that which may grow by the hand of culture in every human soul. It is the flower of the spirit which

Every soul may plant

This is the capacity

blossoms on the tree of life. and nurture it in its own garden. for beauty that God has placed within the reach of all. Though our forms may be uncomely, and our features not the prettiest, our spirits may be beautiful. And this inward beauty always shines through. A beautiful heart will flash out in the eye. A lovely soul will glow in the face. A sweet spirit will tune the voice, and wreath the countenance in charms. There is a power in interior beauty that melts the As N. P. Willis has truly said:

hardest heart.

The

Beauty may stain

eye with a celestial blue-the cheek
With carmine of the sunset; she may breathe
Grace into every motion, like the play
Of the least visible tissue of a cloud;
She may give all that is within her own
Bright cestus-and one glance of intellect,
Like stronger magic, will outshine it all.

Therefore Mrs. Osgood gives the following pertinent advice:

The blush will fade,

The light grow dim which the blue eyes wear,
The gloss will vanish from curl and braid,
And the sunbeam die in the waving hair.
Turn from the mirror and strive to win
Treasures of loveliness which will last;
Gather earth's glory and bloom within,
That the soul may be young when youth is past.

DECORUM AND DRESS

Study with care politeness that must teach
The proper forms of gesture and of speech;
That moves with easy, though with measured pace,
And shows no part of study but the grace.

-STILLINGfleet.

What's a fine person or a beauteous face,
Unless deportment gives them decent grace?
Blessed with all other requisites to please,
We still do need the elegance of ease.

-CHURCHILL.

HAT beauty is to the person, that decorum or politeness is to the intercourse of social life. And just as a beautiful form and face add attractiveness and

convey pleasure to the home circle, or to the social gathering, so elegant manners adorn and make agreeable the whole round of human companionship, whether existing in business, social, or religious life. General amiability, as has been well said, will oil the creaking wheels of life more effectually than any unguents which can be supplied by mere wealth or station.

Chesterfield says: "As learning, honor, and virtue are absolutely necessary to gain you the esteem and