CHOOSING BY HAND--CHOOSING BY FOOT--GIRLS'
DOBMITORIES--EARLY RISING--PRAYERS.
"Let woman be as soft as down, as sharp as a lancet, as sparkling
as the diamond, and as pure as Stainer's fount." [1]
[Footnote 1: See p. 149.]
Woman is the object of much solicitude and consideration, and enjoys
many privileges. The tendency of her education is to qualify her for the
position which nature intended her to hold as the companion and helpmate
of man. However she is instructed, though not to so great in degree, in
many branches of art and science, cultivated by the stronger sex, the
design being to enable her to appreciate the efforts of man and to
encourage and comfort him in his progress, but not to take his place.
With us women are happy and contented, and words of complaint rarely
fall from their lips.
Great precaution, however, is taken lest they should overwork themselves
in the severer studies, or even in the lighter occupations, the tendrils
of their nerves being so delicate, that, if once injured, they would
seldom be restored to their normal condition.
There is this marked difference in the education of the two sexes. Boys
are educated in manly and athletic sports, in all that can give them
strength and physical development, and call out their masculine
qualities, while the occupations and exercises allotted to girls tend to
confirm and develope their natural delicacy, gentleness, and sweetness.
The result, is, that whilst men are large of frame and endowed with
great force and strength, the women in Montalluyah scarcely ever exceed
the middle size. They are beautiful, and thoroughly feminine in form and
feature, while in disposition they are sprightly, ingenuous, and
truthful. Their carriage and movement are marked by elegance and grace,
their voice is of melodious softness, and they are altogether
distinguished by a peculiar charm and fascination.
Most of our women are brunettes, with rich black silky hair and eyes--
large and beautiful as those of the gazelle; but the fair with blue eyes
are considered the more beautiful--probably on account of their rarity.
The beauty of the woman, like the muscular development of the man, is
greatly aided by the care now taken of children from their birth. Women
were formerly left to themselves, and many, either from ignorance or
want of thought, neglected to do justice to their proper qualities and
charms, whilst they became enamoured of ostentation and indulged in a
thoughtless extravagance which served to kindle the envy of their
neighbours, and to bring ruin to their husbands. Whilst seeking
extraneous aids to beauty, they neglected the simplest precautions for
its preservation, though, when their charms had faded, they eagerly
sought means to repair what were incorrectly called the ravages of time,
but were only the unavoidable consequences of their own neglect. The
heavenly light of their eyes had become dim; their complexions,
originally of a warm purity, had become of a yellow tinge; their skin,
soft to the touch and beautiful to the eye, had become shrivelled and
hard; their dark and beautiful hair had become grey or fallen off,
deprived of the nourishment which had been prodigally wasted, and the
undulating and elegant form had often sunk into a misshapen mass.
We have now a belief that the harmonious development of the body is not
only physically and aesthetically desirable, but assists in the
healthful development of the mind, to which, for a time, that body
belongs; beauty being regarded as "a precious gift from Heaven which it
behoves every woman to preserve and improve." The exceptions to beauty
are now rare, and women are scarcely less lovely in age than they were
in youth. In many cases time has actually enhanced their attractions,
improved, through the additional charm impressed on the countenance, by
the sweetness and gracefulness of their nature.
Cosmetics for the reparation of beauty are not needed, but women of all
ranks are enjoined to use various precautions for its preservation. We
have cosmetics very efficacious for protecting the face from the burning
sun, for keeping cool the natural moisture, for preserving the
complexion, and for preventing wrinkles. In our climate the heat
distends the skin, and by inducing excessive perspiration, reduces the
fat required to support it. But for our cosmetics, wrinkles would be
formed at an early age. As it is, the skin and complexion, as well as
the form and features, are now preserved to the last period of life.
The hands and feet, and indeed all the details of beauty, are much cared
for. The toes of the feet are exercised in a variety of ways, and are
almost as elastic and pliable as the fingers, being, as well as the
ankles ornamented with jewels. Soles, secured with sandals protect the
under part of the foot. On many great occasions the sandals are
dispensed with, the sole being secured by a preparation rendered
adhesive by the warmth of the foot. This preparation is easily removed
by the application of a sponge and water.