Although the size and shape of the lips afford an index of coarse or
refined ancestry, the mouth is commonly the most self-made feature in
the countenance, because it is such an important seat of individual
expression. Herein lies a soothing balm to those who, owing to the
stupidly irregular and incalculable laws of heredity, have inherited an
ugly mouth from a grandfather or a more remote ancestor.
A pleasing impression, oft repeated, leaves its traces on the facial
muscles. Kant gives this advice to parents: “Children, especially girls,
must be accustomed early to smile in a frank, unconstrained manner; for
the cheerfulness and animation of the features gradually leave an
impression on the mind itself, and thus create a disposition towards
gaiety, amiableness, and sociability, which lay an early foundation for
the virtue of benevolence.”
So Kant evidently believed that we can beautify the soul by beautifying
the body. And the reverse is equally true. As Mr. Ruskin remarks: “There
is not any virtue the exercise of which, even momentarily, will not
impress a new fairness upon the features.... On the gentleness and
decision of just feeling there follows a grace of action which by no
discipline may be taught or obtained.”
If educators and parents would thoroughly impress on the minds of the
young the great truth that good moral behaviour and the industry which
leads to intellectual pre-eminence are magic sources of youthful and
permanent Personal Beauty, they would find it the most potent of all
civilising agencies, especially with women.
Drs. Brinton and Napheys, in their work on _Personal Beauty_ (1870),
which is especially valuable from the point of view of medical and
surgical cosmetics, but which is unfortunately out of print, offer the
following suggestions as to how the shape and expression of the mouth
may be improved:—
"For cosmetic reasons, immoderate laughter is objectionable. It keeps
the muscles on the stretch, destroys the contour of the features, and
produces wrinkles. It is better to cultivate a ‘classic repose.’
"Still more decidedly should the habit of ‘making mouths’ be condemned,
whether it occur in conversing in private or to express emotions. It
never adds to the emphasis of the discourse, never improves the looks,
and leads to actual malformations.
"Children sometimes learn to suck and bite their lips. This distorts
these organs, and unless they are persuaded to give it up betimes, a
permanent deformity will arise.
“When the lips have once assumed a given form, it is difficult to change
them. Those that are too thin can occasionally be increased by adopting
the plan of sucking them. This forces a large quantity of blood to the
part, and consequently a greater amount of nutriment. When too large,
compresses can sometimes, but not always, be used to effect. We have
employed silver plates connected by a wire spring, or a mould of stiff
leather. Either may be worn at night, or in the house during the day.”
It is astonishing to note how many persons are utterly unconcerned
regarding the appearance of their mouths in talking, smiling, and
laughing, sometimes revealing the whole of the teeth and even the gums,
like savages, or as if they were walking tooth-powder advertisements.
Self-observation before a mirror is the best antidote against such
grimaces.
Chapped lips sometimes call for constitutional treatment, but ordinarily
they can be easily cured by obtaining a lip-salve of some reputable
chemist. Glycerine is almost always adulterated and injurious, and
should only be used on any part of the skin when chemically pure.
Pale lips are commonly an indication of ill-health, and therefore call
for exercise, tonics, or other medical treatment. And the colour of the
lips is an index of emotion as well as of health—
“Whispering, with white lips, ‘The foe! They come! They come!’”—BYRON.
That sound teeth, though they should never be seen except in glimpses,
are an extremely important element in facial beauty, may be seen by the
fact that the loss of a few front teeth makes a person look ten years
older at once. The art of dentistry has reached such marvellous
perfection that there is no excuse for having unsightly teeth. They may
be easily preserved to a good age, if properly exercised on solid
food—bread crusts, etc. Very hot and very cold food and drink is
injurious, especially if cold and hot things are taken in immediate
succession. The teeth should be cleaned twice a day, on rising and
before retiring. The brush should not be too hard, and a harmless
powder, wash, or soap should be obtained of a trustworthy chemist for
the threefold purpose of whitening the teeth by removing tartar, of
killing the numerous microbes in the mouth, and purifying the breath. An
offensive breath is shockingly common, probably owing to the fact that
many brush only the outside surface of their teeth. They should be
brushed inside as well, and on the top, and the tooth wash or soap
should be brought into contact with every corner and crevasse of the
mouth and teeth. An offensive breath ought to be good cause for divorce,
and certainly it is a deadly enemy of Romantic Love.