Page View
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)
[On the detail of dress cont'd], pp. 125-137
Page 128
MIRROR OF TUR GRACUS. a lace shirt and long sleeve between your skin and the pearls." These observations would place the too frank adviser in a similar situa. tion with that of Gil Blas when correcting the manuscripts of the conceited prelate of Gra- nada ;-and, therefore, we cannot expect that any friend would run the risk of incurring our resentment, when they might retain our fa. vour by only permitting us to make ourselves as ridiculous as we please. Let me then, in the light of an author who cannot be supposed, in a general address, to mean any individual personal reflections, ad. monish my readers, one and all, not to neg. lect composing their complexions with the hues and brilliancy of the gems offered to them to wear. Clear brunettes shine with the greatest lustre when they adopt pearls, dia. monds, topazes, and bright amber. The fair beauty may also wear all these with advan. tage, while she exclusively claims as her own emeralds, garnets, amythists, rubies, onyxes, &c. &c. Cornelian, coral, and jet, may be 128
Top of Page
This material may be protected by copyright law (e.g., Title 17, US Code).| For information on re-use, see http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/Copyright