The vapor-bath, pure and simple, has stood for some time among household remedies for various ills, and is given by seating the undressed patient on a straw or flag chair over a saucer in which is a little lighted alcohol, and wrapping chair, patient, and all in large blankets. After a few minutes the perspiration streams as if he were in a caldron of steam, and may be kept up any length of time. Fifteen minutes are enough. A tepid bath should follow, if one is not chilled by it, and after that either a good sleep or exercise enough to keep one in a glow. Impurities are discharged from the system in this way which else might occasion fever. The hair, skin, and nails are insensibly renewed and refined by it. There is not the least danger of taking cold if the precautions are taken of rubbing dry, dressing quickly and warmly, and keeping the blood at its proper heat by work or fire--in short, by doing just those things which ought to be done should one never go near a vapor-bath. Arabian women have a similar method of perfuming their bodies by sitting over coals on which are cast handfuls of myrrh and spices. The heat opens the pores, which receive the fumes, till the skin is impregnated with the odor, and the women come out smelling like a censer of incense. Twice a week is often enough for the vapor-bath; as for the fumigation, some creature doubtless will be wild enough to try the experiment once, which will be sufficient for a lifetime. _If she do_, she will be very glad to know that ammonia bathing will destroy most traces of her adventurous caprice. A profusion of hair, however, is a sign of nature’s liberality, and this growth is found in connection with a strength and generosity of constitution that is capable of the best things when duly refined. South Americans, with their supple bodies overflowing with vitality, have splendid tresses, and so have the Spaniards and Italians. Such people are quick and lasting in the dance, own deep tuneful voices, move with vigor and ease, and have a luxuriance of blood and spirits, which is too precious to restrain or lose. Fasting, denial of pleasant food and plenty of it, till one is worn to an anchorite, may do for religious penance, but does not reach physical ends so well as moderate and satisfying indulgence. If any poor girl think, from reading this paper, that she ought to starve and waste herself by sweating because she has a pair of mustaches and a coat of hair on her arms, she is vastly mistaken. If she want to know what she may eat, let her study Professor Blot’s cookery-book. Whatever is there she may eat, _as_ it is there, assured that all the delightful French seasoning will not do her blood half the injury of a season’s course of pies made after good Yankee fashion--the crust half lard and half old butter, the filling strong with spice or drenched with essence, as the case may be. CHAPTER XIII.