A CHAPTER FOR GIRLS 443 



through this means that she becomes a mother, which 

 is one of the grandest and noblest functions of woman- 

 hood. It is the motherly instinct that causes little girls 

 to show such a fondness for dolls,— a perfectly natural 

 feeling, which may be encouraged to a moderate degree 

 without injury. 



How Beauty Is Marred.— As already remarked, 

 mental, moral, and physical health are the requisites 

 for true beauty, and to secure these, obedience to all 

 the laws of health is required. The most beautiful 

 face is soon marred when disease begins its ravages in 

 the body. The most beautiful character is as speedily 

 spoiled by the touch of moral disease, or sin. The face 

 is a mirror of the mind, the character ; and a mind full 

 of evil, impure thoughts, is certain to show itself in the 

 face in spite of the rosy cheeks and dimples, ruby lips 

 and bewitching smiles. The character is written on 

 the face as plainly as the face can be pictured by an 

 artist on canvas. 



To be more explicit, the girl who disregards the 

 laws of health, who eats bad food, eats at all hours or 

 at unseasonable hours, sits up late at night, attends 

 fashionable parties, and indulges in the usual means 

 of dissipation there afforded, dancing, wine, rich sup- 

 pers, etc., who carefully follows the fashions in her 

 dress, lacing her waist to attain the fashionable degree 

 of slenderness, wearing thin, narrow-toed gaiters with 

 French heels, and insufficiently clothing the limbs in 

 cold weather, and who in like manner neglects to com- 

 ply with the requirements of health in other important 

 particulars, may be certain that sooner or later, at no 

 distant day, she will become as unattractive and homely 

 as she can wish not to be. Girls and young ladies who 

 eat largely of fat meat, rich cakes and pies, confection- 



