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affords a cheap and inviting ingredient to mix with 

 it. To this, in its finnple or combined ftate, they 

 are generally beholden for their rofes, while a calx 

 of lead, or, what is equally pernicious, the magif- 

 tery of bifmuth, gives the laft polifh to the lily- 

 whitenefs which fo dazzles our eyes.* It is thus 

 our modern Hebes attempt to preferve a perpetual 

 bloom, and to hold wrinkles and old age at de- 

 fiance. But alas! thefe pernicious ingredients, like 

 mercury, though only ufed externally, are liable 

 to be imbibed at every pore, and thence convey a 

 flow poifon into the fyflem, highly injurious to 

 healthy and, what may appear ftill more formi- 

 dable, deftru(5live to beauty! For difmal to re- 

 late! the cold cream, the pomade divine, or what- 

 ever fpecious titles fuch compofitions may affume, 

 at laft betray their truftj and, inftead of beauty, 

 produce real deformity ! The artificial rofes foon 

 fade, the angelick whitenefs contrads a dingy brown, 



♦ This poifonous compofition Is generally dignified by the pompous 

 title of pearl powder, and fold as perfedlly innocent. It has however 

 proved fatal to fome, and ruined the health of many others, without 

 being even fufpe<5ted. I am credibly informed, that thofe ladies who 

 are in the babit of enamelling their faces, necks, and bofoms, with 

 this white paint, generally fall early vi<flims to their own indifcretionj 

 but particularly fo if they happen to undergo the fmall-pox, evei;i by 

 inoculation. Nor is this to be wondered at ; the puftules being unable 

 to penetrate outwardly through the enamelled ikin, the virus recedes 

 ia\!^-^d]y, aiid preys on the vitai organs. 



when 



