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Writing Samples > Elizabeth Montagu
Elizabeth Montagu
Excerpt of letter - undated
... You are very polite in supposing
my looks not so homely as I described them; but, though my
health is good, the faded roses do not revive, and I assure
you I am always of the color of la feuille morte. My complexion
has long fallen into the sear and yellow leaf; and I assure
you one is as much warned against using art, by seeing the
ladies of Paris, as the Spartan youths by observing the effects
of intoxicating liquors on the helots. The vast quantity of
rouge worn there by the fine ladies makes them hideous. As
I always imagine one is less looked at by wearing the uniform
of the society one lives in, I allowed my frizeuse to put
on whatever rouge was usually worn. But, a few years ago,
I believe, my vanity could not have submitted to such a disfiguration.
As soon as I got to Dover, I returned to my former complexion.
I own I think I could make that complexion a little better
by putting on a little rouge; but, at my age, any appearance
of solicitude about complexion is absurd, and therefore, I
remain where age and former ill-health have brought me; and
rejoice that I enjoy the comforts of health, though deprived
of pleasing looks.
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