Without woman's almost savage love of display, man
would be robbed of nearly all the pleasure which
PERSONAL ORNAMENTS
now give him. He loves woman, just as she is. Just as she is she is much
above the level of the thing he would love had he not her to claim his
rapt attention. Man smiles at woman's weaknesses, but if he thought of
his great meanness of soul when his mercy and fidelity are in the scale
against her own, he would look grave and troubled. She dresses with
expense and variety, because it is the first ordinance of her master.
Her very love of dress is the sign and seal of her intelligence. If it
be folly, arraign man at the dock! Says
STAID OLD DR. JOHNSON:
"We see women universally jealous of the reputation of their beauty, and
frequently look with contempt on the care with which they study their
complexions, endeavor to preserve or supply the bloom of youth, regulate
every ornament, twist their hair into curls, and shade their faces from
the weather. We recommend the care of their nobler part, and tell them
how little addition is made by all their arts to the graces of the
mind.
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