s seldom
to be found with the arms of ladies, which are so constantly kept
covered as to be protected from the influences of weather. It is
characteristic of a cook, a dairymaid, a housemaid, a field-hand, to
have red arms, and it is probably from this association that they have
fallen into such extreme disrepute.

The use of violet-powder may be condoned when it modifies the contrast
between red arms and white evening dresses. The application being only
temporary, it can only very slightly affect the well-being of the
pores, but it should be very carefully used, or it will come off on
the coat sleeves of the partners of the red-armed one.

When the arms are very thin the sleeves should not be too tight,
though, as a rule, thin arms do not look at all badly in tight
sleeves. When the arms are too long, their apparent length may be
diminished by crossway trimmings on the sleeve. When, on the contrary,
the arms are disproportionately short, a lengthwise trimming will
remedy the defect. The sleeve of to-day is a blessing in disguise for
ladies with thin arms.

The leg-of-mutton (_gigot_) sleeve was invented to conceal defects in
the arm, and to make the waist appear small by contrast with the size
of the sleeves. Puffs at the shoulder give grace and delicacy to the
neck and head. The pagoda sleeves, copied from the Chinese, being wide
and open, cause the hands to appear smaller by contrast with the
aperture from which they emerge; but when the sleeve is exaggeratedly
large and wide, the effect of the contrast is lost, the sleeve losing
itself in, and mingling with, the rest of the draperies. The epaulette
worn some years ago is useful as giving width to narrow shoulders. The
Louis XV., or _sabot_ sleeve, tight to the elbow, and ending in a
frill of lace, is perhaps the most becoming of all sleeves to a really
pretty arm, while the sleeve open to the shoulder is the most trying
to a defective outline.

Treatment for the Hands.

The hands of growing girls are often red and clumsy, and girls who are
beginning to take thought of their appearance are sometimes in
despair about them, not being aware that they will grow whiter and
whiter with every year. The ideal hand is white, certainly, but not
dead white. It should have a dash of healthy flesh-tints. The tips of
the fingers and the portions that surround the palm should be tinged
with pink. The fingers should taper towards the nails, the most
approved shape for which