m, rise from it with
various curves on every side, and all terminate in their apices, leaving
the inferior part in each precisely as pendent as gravity demands; the
flexile waist gently tapering little farther than the middle of the
trunk; the lower portion of it beginning gradually to swell out higher
even than the umbilicus; the gradual expansion of the haunches, those
expressive characteristics of the female, indicating at once her fitness
for the office of generation and that of parturition--expansions which
increase till they reach their greatest extent at the superior part of
the thighs; the fulness behind their upper part, and on each side of the
lower part of the spine, commencing as high as the waist, and
terminating in the still greater swell of the distinctly-separated hips;
the flat expanse between these, and immediately over the fissure of the
hips, relieved by a considerable dimple on each side, and caused by the
elevation of all the surrounding parts; the fine swell of the broad
abdomen which, soon reaching its greatest height immediately under the
umbilicus, slopes neatly to the mons veneris, but, narrow at its upper
part, expands more widely as it descends, while, throughout, it is
laterally distinguished by a gentle depression from the more muscular
parts on the sides of the pelvis; the beautiful elevation of the mons
veneris; the contiguous elevation of the thighs which, almost at their
commencement rise as high as it does; the admirable expansion of these
bodies inward, or toward each other, by which they almost seem to
intrude upon each other, and to exclude each from its respective place;
the general narrowness of the upper, and the unembraceable expansion of
the lower part thus exquisitely formed;--all these admirable
characteristics of female form, the mere existence of which in woman
must, one is tempted to imagine, be even to herself, a source of
ineffable pleasure--these constitute a being worthy, as the
personification of beauty, of occupying the temples of Greece; present
an object finer, alas! than nature seems even capable of producing; and
offer to all nations and ages a theme of admiration and delight.

Well might Thomson say:--

"So stands the statue that enchants the world,
So bending tries to veil the matchless boast,
The mingled beauties of exulting Greece."

And Byron, in yet higher strain:--

"There, too, the goddess loves in stone, and fills
The air around with beau