318 FLORA HISTORICA. 



Galen notices the use of the Bugloss root as a 

 cosmetic in his time, and the rouge made from 

 the roots of this plant is said to be the most an- 

 cient as well as the most innocent of all the 

 paints that are prepared for the face, and it is 

 also said to possess considerable advantages over 

 other kinds of rouge, as it lasts some days with- 

 out rubbing off, and water renews it in a similar 

 manner, as it refreshes the natural colour; and 

 we are farther assured that it does not wither the 

 skin so much as other kinds of rouge, but we 

 would add, that all kinds of paint for the face are 

 dangerous, for, however delicately it may be 

 used in the first instance, it is sure to increase, 

 although, imperceptibly to the wearer, until it 

 becomes a perfect mask. We have remembered 

 several ladies, who, from having been accus- 

 tomed to the use of rouge from an early age 

 increased the colour from year to year until their 

 cheeks were but a few degrees behind those of 

 Grimaldi in a Christmas pantomime. Some 

 years back we wished to pay our respects to a 

 lady of rank on the day of her arrival at a sea- 

 side hotel, where, on inquiring for Lady Sarah 



C , we were asked if it was the lady with a 



striped face. The question would have been an 

 enigma, had not a door opened at that moment, 

 which presented Lady Sarah with her cheeks as 



