494. Contrast in the colours of cloths composing a dress is not only advantageous to the brightness and _apparent preservation_ of the colours of these cloths, but also to render less visible the inequalities which a cloth presents on account of the colouring material not having equally penetrated to the centre of the stuff; the surface wearing unequally, according as it is exposed to different degrees of friction, the colour of the cloth becomes lighter, or, as it is commonly called, _whitens_, in the parts most exposed to friction. Many blue, scarlet, and madder-red cloths present this result, especially on the salient parts of the vestment, such as the seams. 495. This defect which certain cloths have of _whitening in the seams_ is much less apparent in a coat of two or more colours than it is in a monochromous coat; because _the vivid contrast of different colours, fixing immediately the attention of the spectator, prevents the eye from perceiving the inequalities, which would be visible in a monochromic coat_. For this reason stains, on the same ground, will always be less apparent in a polychromous than in a monochromous garment or dress. 496. For the same reason also a coat, waistcoat, and trousers of the same colour cannot be worn together with advantage, except when new; for when one of them has lost its freshness, by having been more worn than the others, the difference will be increased by contrast. Thus new black trousers worn with a coat and waistcoat of the same colour, but old and slightly _rusty_, will bring out this latter tint, while at the same time the black of the trousers will appear brighter. White trousers or reddish-grey will correct the defect. We see, then, the advantage of having a soldier’s trousers of another colour than his coat, especially if, wearing this coat all the year, he only wears trousers of the same cloth during winter. We see also why white trousers are favourable to coats of every colour. II.—_Female Clothing._ 497. Although there are many varieties of the human race with respect to the colour of the skin, yet we may arrange them in the three following divisions:—The Caucasian, or white race; the American Indians, whose skin is red or copper-coloured; the negro race, the Malays, &c., who have black or olive skins. _Colours for the Dress of Women with White Skins._ 498. To give precision to this subject, we must begin by establishing certain distinctions. 1. That of the two types, with skins more or less white and rosy:— The one with light hair and blue eyes. The other with black hair and black eyes. 2. That of the juxtaposition of the articles of the toilet, whether pertaining to the hair or to the complexion; for a colour may contrast favourably to the hair, yet produce a disagreeable effect with the skin. 3. That of the modifications of the complexion, by coloured rays emanating from the head-dress, and which, being reflected on the skin, tinge it with their peculiar colour.