Give ear, my Daughter, and receive my wisdom, for the _husband-hunt_
leadeth over many hurdles and the trail of the Eligible Thing aboundeth
in pitfalls.
Lo, the woods are full of men, but men are full of strange suspicions;
and in elusiveness the fox is simple beside them.
I charge thee, seek not to be a fashion-plate; for a human “shriek”
giveth warning and affrighteth the game. Verily a _becoming_ frock of
home manufacture is more to be desired than a French creation which
maketh thee to resemble a bad dream!
Costly thy smile as thy dentist shall make it; for a pearl in the
mouth exceedeth two on the finger. And it is better to be dead than
_unkissable._
Cheap thy gloves, if need be, but expensive thy sachet; for a man
knoweth not scent from sentiment.
Few thy rings, but many thy bangles; for a musical jingle fascinateth
him even as the sound of a rattle fascinateth a babe. Yea, manicured
nails and _perfectly_ clean cuffs are more to be desired in the
world of business than a knowledge of stenography. Modest thy hats,
yet chic withal; and thy hair glorious. For a _cheap coiffure_ is an
abomination, but a made-to-order switch is a woman’s “crown of beauty”.
Look not upon the rouge-pot when it is _too_ red, but delicate thy
blushes and thy complexion put on with a fine brush and self-restraint.
Plain thy coat, but frilly thy petticoat and of all silk; for a
feminine “swish” is as poetry unto the masculine ear.
Then, I say unto thee, waste not thy substance upon style. For a man
knoweth not last year’s left-over from this year’s fad, but he knoweth
a “vision” when he seeth her.
Verily, a wise virgin hideth her light under a bushel of simplicity,
but a foolish damsel goeth forth resembling a human snare. She painteth
her cheek as with house paint, and gildeth her hair with much gold. She
adorneth herself with feathers and weareth dangling ear-rings. And at
sight of her men fly on wings of fear.