for a play and school-hat, is therefore right and proper. For a more showy style, lingerie hats are justified. But the most beautiful and appropriate form of the "best hat" for a little girl is one of uniform material, straw, cloth or felt, with simple crown, and wide, and more or less soft brim, ornamented by a ribbon alone. The addition of a single flower may be permitted, though this is like the admission of the camel's nose into the tent,--it may lead to the entrance of the hump--the monstrosity of the modern woman's bonnet, which of late years has by terms imitated a flower garden, a vegetable garden, an orchard, and, finally, with the Chanticler fad, a poultry-yard. The knickerbocker and the short skirt are aesthetic, that is eye-pleasing, because they mark a natural division of the body at the knee. There is an artistic justification, therefore, in mothers keeping their sons out of "long pants" as long as possible, and in fathers (for it is they who are the chief objectors) in opposing their daughters' desire to don the dust-sweeping skirt that marks attainment to womanhood. Here, however, it is proper that the wishes of the younger generation triumph. It is a social instinct to conform to the custom of one's fellows, and the children have reached "the age of consent" in matters of fashion. Their fathers and mothers may lend their influence to abolish foolish customs, or to modify them in the direction of wisdom, but it is best that this be in their capacity as citizens, and not as parents. CHAPTER X CARE OF THE PERSON The Mother's Duty Toward Herself--Her Dress--Etiquette and Good Manners--The Golden Rule--Pride in Personal Appearance--The Science of Beauty Culture--Manicuring as a Home Employment--Recipes for Toilet Preparations--Nail-biting--Fragile Nails--White Spots--Chapped Hands--Care of the Skin--Facial Massage--Recipes for Skin Lotions--Treatment of Facial Blemishes and Disorders--Care of the Hair--Diseases of the Scalp and Hair--Gray Hair--Care of Eyebrows and Eyelashes. Certainly this is a duty, not a sin. "Cleanliness is indeed next to godliness."--JOHN WESLEY--_On Dress._ In all her multitudinous concerns the housekeeper should not forget her duties toward herself. Many a mother in looking out that her children are a credit to the family in dress and manners and care of their persons, gives up all thought of standing as an exemplar of these things among the ladies of the community. This is a sacrifice of self that is not commendable, since it defeats its purpose. The mother should always be herself an illustration of the lessons she teaches, else they will not be seriously considered.