ars it is
the indication of a depraved coquetry, which checks the admiration it
invites.

It is always requisite for a lady to exert her own taste in the choice
of form, colour, and style, and not leave it to the fancy of her
dress-maker, as although the person she employs may be eminently
qualified for her profession, a lady who possesses any discernment can
best judge of what is suitable to her style of countenance and figure.

In dress there should be but one prevailing colour, to which all
others should be adapted, either by harmonising with it, or by
contrast; in the latter case the relieving color should be in small
quantity, or it would overpower the other in effect, as a general
rule, sombre negative colours show off a woman to the greatest
advantage, just as the beauties of a painting are enhanced by being
set in a dull frame; still, there are some occasions with which the
gayer tints accord better, and as propriety and fitness are matters of
high consideration, the woman of taste must be guided in the selection
of her apparel by the knowledge of the purport for which it is
intended, always endeavouring to fix on that shade of colour which
best becomes her complexion.

CHAPTER VI.

Effect of Diet on Complexion.

As the color of the skin depends upon the secretions of the _rete
mucuosum_, or skin, which lies immediately beneath the _epedirmis_, or
scarf skin, and as diet is capable of greatly influencing the nature
of these secretions, a few words respecting it may not be here
entirely misplaced.

All that is likely to produce acrid humours, and an inflamatory or
impoverished state of the blood, engenders vicious secretions, which
nature struggles to free herself from by the natural outlet of the
skin, for this organ is fitted equally, to _excrete and secrete_.
Fermented and spirituous liquors, strong tea and coffee should
be avoided, for they stimulate and exhaust the vital organs, and
interrupt the digestive functions, thereby producing irritation of
the internal linings of the stomach, with which the skin sympathises.
Water, on the other hand, is the most wholesome of all beverages, it
dilutes and corrects what is taken into the stomach, and contributes
to the formation of a perfect chyle.

Milk is very nutritious, it produces a full habit of body, and
promotes plumpness, restores vigour and freshness, besides possessing
the property of calming the passions, and equalising the temper.

Egg