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The mirror of the graces; or, the English lady's costume: combining and harmonizing taste and judgment, elegance and grace, modesty, simplicity and economy, with fashion in dress; and adapting the various articles of female embellishments to different ages, forms, and complexions; to the seasons of the year, rank, and situation in life: with useful advice on female accomplishments, politeness, and manners; the cultivation of the mind and the disposition and carriage of the body: offering also the most efficacious means of preserving beauty, health, and loveliness. The whole according with the general principles of nature and rules of propriety
(1811)
Peculiarities in carriage and demeanour, pp. 154-173
Page 154
IPRCULIARITIES IN CARRIAGE AND DEMANOUR, As order is the beautiful harmonizer of the universe, so consistency is the graceful com. biner of all that is in woman to perfection. In reference to this sentiment, her manner must bear due affinity with her figure, and her deportment with her rank. The youthful and delicate shaped girl is allowed a gaiety of air which would ill-become a woman of naturer years and larger proportions; but at all time of life, when the figure is slender, with a swan like neck, and the motions are naturally sway- ing, for that girl or that woman to affect what is calleda majestic air, would be as unvdinag as absurd. It is not in the power of a figure so constructed ever to look majestic. By stiffening her joints, walking with an erect mien, and drawing up her neck, she would certainly be upright; she would seem to haew had a determined dancing-master, who, in spite of nature and grace, had made her Add up her head; but she would never look lke 1i4
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