XXVII.
HOW TO BE HANDSOME.
Do you want to be handsome? I’ll tell you how.
First, look well to your health. Eat regularly and simply, and take proper rest, in order to be healthy. Do not crowd the stomach. The stomach can no more work all the time, night and day, than a horse; it must have regular rest. The body must have proper rest also. Do not keep late hours. Go to bed early. If you have work which must be done, it is a good deal better to rise early in the morning and do it than it is to sit up late at night and work.
Secondly, good teeth are essential to good looks. Brush the teeth regularly with a soft brush morning and night, especially at night. Be sure to go to bed at night with clean teeth.
Thirdly, look well to the ventilation of your bed-rooms. No one can have a clear skin who breathes bad air. Fresh air is a preventive of a multitude of diseases. Bad air is the cause of a great many premature deaths.
Fourthly, cleanliness of the entire body is of vast importance. Some one has said that “Cleanliness is next to godliness,” and some one else has added, “And soap is a means of grace.” Handsome people not only eat regularly and simply; they not only sleep regularly and look well to proper ventilation; but handsome people will take regular baths.
Fifthly, more than all else, in order to look well you must wake up the mind and soul. When the mind is awake, the dull, sleepy look passes away from the eyes. Keep thinking pleasant and noble thoughts; do not read trashy novels or books; read books which have something good in them. Talk with people who know something. Be often in the company of those who know more than you do. Hear lectures and sermons and profit by them. If we listen and understand and heed, the mind and soul are awakened. So much the better if the spiritual nature is aroused. Sometimes a plain face is really glorified with the love of God and of man which shines through it.
Lastly, keep a strong and vigorous body by taking plenty of wholesome outdoor exercise, and do all the good you can.
Why not begin to grow handsome to-day?