es, to enhance the clearness and
brilliancy of their eyes before appearing in public, are in the habit
of exposing them to air slightly impregnated with the vapor of prussic
acid. This is done by placing a single drop of the dilute acid at the
bottom of an eyecup or eyeglass, and then holding the cup or glass
against the eye for a few seconds, with the head in an inclined
position. It has also been asserted, and I believe correctly, that
certain ladies of the demimonde rub a very small quantity of
belladonna ointment on the brow over each eye, or moisten the same
part with a few drops of tincture of belladonna. This produces
dilation of the pupil, and gives that peculiar fullness and an
expression of languor to the eyes which, by some, is regarded as
exceedingly fascinating. The use of these active medicinals in this
way must be manifestly injurious; and when frequent, or long continued
or carried to excess, must necessarily result in impaired vision, if
not in actual blindness.

The following means of repairing and restoring the sight, which has
for some time been going the round of the press, being based on
scientific principles, may be appropriately inserted here:

For nearsightedness, close the eyes and pass the fingers, very gently,
several times across them outward, from the canthus, or corner next
the nose, towards the temple. This tends slightly to flatten the
corner and lens of the eye, and thus to lengthen or extend the angle
of vision. The operation should be repeated several times a day, or at
least always after making one's toilet, until shortsightedness is
nearly or completely removed. For long sight, loss of sight by age,
weak sight, and generally for all those defects which require the use
of magnifying glasses, gently pass the finger, or napkin, from the
outer angle or corner of the eyes inward, above and below the eyeball,
towards the nose. This tends slightly to "round up" the eyes, and thus
to preserve or to restore the sight. It should be done every time the
eyes are washed, or oftener.

TO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL MOUTH AND LIPS.

The beauty of the human mouth and lips, the delicacy of their
formation and tints, their power of expression, which is only inferior
to that of the eyes, and their elevated position as the media with the
palate, tongue, and teeth, by which we communicate our thoughts to
others in an audible form, need scarcely be dilated on here. The poet
tells us that: