'The Peripatetic Philosopher' muses on an advertisement placed in newspapers in Victoria by a Miss Talbot. The lady offers, for 'thirty twopenny stamps', to provide full directions for 'the new and beautiful art of getting up the face and eyes in the most brilliant style'.
The 'Philosopher' praises Miss Talbot's endeavours, quoting John Milton's 'L'Allegro' and Algernon C. Swinburne's 'Hymn to Proserpine' in the process.