TO A PAINTED LADY.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 69, 27 September 1884, Page 7

TO A PAINTED LADY.

" When powder is applied to the cheeks to the utter destruction of the complexion it is time to speak out. Fashions change, and a time may come when it will be fashionable to be healthy, when normal hair will be popular and natural skin thence." — Mr Malcolm Morris at the Health Exhibition. Say why with those horrid cosmetics and dyes Your complexion you try to enhance, To cause your admirers unpleasant surprise, Every time that they happen to glance? The bismuth and rouge, dear, are simply a sin, Though they add to the hairdresser's pelf ; But why do you plaster the exquisite skin, That is fairer when left to itself ? Go read Mr Morris, and learn how its' bad To mike up with such horrible things You'd think that a savage was certainly mad, With his nose and his lips hung with rings. But look at yourself, Lidy mine, in the git ss. When you've put on the white and the red The ravage in foolishness some falks surpass, For they .should have more sense in the hoad. Don't darken the sockets to show up the eyes, And so imitate wasting di«ense ; Don,t toituru the hair with vile mineral dye* 8 -. When it^ natural colour will please ; Don't powdor the cheeks to look p.iinfully pjlle. Though the f,i-,hon incites to the plan ; Be sure all .->ii"li aititirv «v<»r will fail In the c.ipture of son-ible man. Don't pad out your figure and pull in your stays, Tt di-'iiU'-ts every person "f ta-te, And doctors have told us \ou shwrien your i d.iys — When you foolishly tighten your w.ifat. And, what will wei^h with you much more, I suppose, For 'tis so id that pride never feels pain, It's certain tight-lacing will redden your no«e, And the powder-puff dab it in vain. A d.iy may arrive when Hygeia must win, And all natural charms be the rage, When fashion forbids you to whiten the skin, And the longing is left to the stage. Then, Phyllis, be first in this Woman's Crusade, And so cease your complexion to mar ; Pj ay show us j'oursself, and notwbdtart has made — And you'll find you are fairer by far. — Punch.