The Sphinx, Vol. 13, No. 183

              December 9 th
THE SPHINX
II
ines. Especially was this the wise with regard to that of Messrs. Arrol and one of the French firms. They were all based on the cantilever principle, and to the untechnical mind appeared to be identical. There were, however, in the Arrol design several advantages in detail notably in the artistic disposal of essential material and the obviating of purely ornamental work which was unnecessary to the structure. The Arrol scheme was not the cheapest, but its intrinsic merits outweighed the question of first cost.
It is very satisfactory to findthat in spite ofthe fact that all previous work of this nature had beencarried out by foreign firms, this order has been placed in Great Britain. This is all the more significant when we bear in mind that the competition was of the keenest, and that the Board who decided the matter was essentially international, comprising a German, a Frenchman, a Russian, an Englishman, and an Austrian.
When the bridge is completed severe tests are to be made to determine its stability with '20 ton traction engines, loaded wagons, and a dead .oad of sand bags.
A. H. Perry, Esq., Under-Secretary of State, is the Government Engineer under whom the entire scheme is being carried out, Mr. Knowles being resident engineer. The direction and control of the building of the bridges is in the hands of Mr. Andrew S. Big-gart, managing director of the joint contractors, the resident agent in Egypt being Mr. W. N. Bakewell, who has considerable experience in such work. The construction of the first bridge is progressing satisfactorily and there is every reason to anticipate that it will be finished within the stipulated time.
/\DW\NCE SKETCH SHOWING FINISHED /\PPEI\ip\NCE BRIDGE IN DETAIL.
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her cheeks were red and swollen, as though she might have a dozen toothaches in the same place. She was much alarmed, but in a few days the swelling disappeared, and her friends assured her that she was vastly improved in looks.
Nothing was too difficult or disagreeable in these days which assured the increase of personal charm. Noble women of ancient Rome were wont to plaster their faces at night with a poultice made of bread-crumbs and asses’ milk, which, on being removed in the morning, left a freshness and whiteness much prized. Still more disagreeable was the practice of binding fresh meat, usually veal, upon the face and hands for the same purpose. The juices of several fruits but preferably the raspberry and strawberry’ were lauded as sovereign washes for the skin, and milk imparted a certain velvety softness.
Rome under the empire, and Greece during the time of Pericles, were seized with a mania for golden hail-. The belles and fops of the day devised several methods whereby black locks might be changed to golden yellow, but bleaching did not always succeed. Consequently, quite a trade was established with the fair-haired tribes beyond the Alps, who sold their locks to Latin merchants, to be worn on the heads of Roman dandies.
The Worth of Hours.
Believe not that your inner eye Can ever in just measure try The worth of hours as they go by.
For every man’s weak self, alas !
Makes him to see them, while they pass,
As through a dim or tinted glass.
But if in earnest care you would Mete out to each its part of good,
Trust rather to your after-mood.
Those surely are not fairly spent That leave your spirit bowed and bent In sad unrestand ill-content.
And more, though free from seeming harm, You rest from toil of mind or arm,
Or slow retire from Pleasure’s charm—
If then a painful sense comes on Of something wholly lost and gone,
Vainly enjoyed, or vainly done -
IN SEARCH OF BEAUTY.
Clement of Alexandria assures us the most elegant women of his time passed the entire day between the mirror and the comb, and kept several servants whose duty it was to assist in keeping their beauty in refined elegance and luxury.
Seneca reproached the Roman women for the time spent before their mirrors, but he was an exception among the men of his day, for history tells us of the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, as well as the Romans, who saw nothing debasing in paying particular heed to the least detail of private life, and attached great value to the beauty of their wives and daughters.
The first toilet, we may fairly assume, consisted of a plain bath without soap or towel, followed occasionally, perhaps, by a single adjustment of refractory "locks with the fingers. This developed rapidly into a luxuriously appointed bath, and
refractory locks were soon put to rights by an expert hairdresser. The enormous extent, the variety, the architectural beauty and the completeness of many of these ancient baths, gorgeous even in the ruins, have excited the admiration and wonder of succeeding ages.
In ancient sacred writings we are led to infer that the Jews used quantities of precious ointments, spices and waters, and many passages can be found in the Bible referring to them. One of the first cosmetic applications of the Orient is the “balm of Gilead, ’ or “balm of Mecca,” spoken spoken of so frequently in the Bible. It was expensive, being literally worth its weight in gold. Three hundred pounds was the price per pound, but it was used only in minute quantities.
Early i:i the last century it was still obtainable and when Lady Mary Wortley Montague visited Constantinople, she managed to procure a bit of this balsam, although it was scarce. On going to bed she rubbed it thoroughly upon her face, according to instructions, and the next morning
Of something from your being’s chain Broke off, nor to be linked again By all mere Memory can retain—
Upon your heart this truth may rise, Nothing that altogether dies Suffices man’s just destinies.
So should we live, that every hour May die as dies the natural flower,
A self-reviving thing of power.
That every thought and every deed May hold within itself the seed Of future good and future meed.
Esteeming sorrow, whose employ Is to develop not destroy.
Far better than a barren joy.
Lord Houghton.
s«CMR0* EDEN PALACE HOTEL*CAIRO
Magnificent Situation opposite the Esbekieh Gardens. Full South. New House built for a First Class Hotel.
Electric light. Lift. Numerous Salons etc. etc.
Terms : Pension 10/- per day. Special terms for Officers of the Army of Occupation.
----K COOKS COTTFONS ACCEPTED. A-----------
NEW KHEDIVIAL HOTEL
MODERN HOUSE BUILT IN 1904. ELECTRIC LIGHT. LULL
_ SPLENDID SITUATION. MEALS A