TINTED NAILS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 61, 9 September 1937, Page 19

TINTED NAILS

DEBATE IN LONDON

During the absence of diplomats on holiday the problem of the painted fingernail has been injected into the columns of "The Times" of London to agitate the public mind, states the "New York Times." It all arose through George L. Massy, who does not appear in the British Who's Who, but gives an address in Folkestone. He wrote to the editor saying he was "credibly informed that the reason why some ladies stain their fingernails is to conceal traces of black blood that otherwise would be discernible there." Furthermore, Mr. Massy alleged that "the practice arose in America, where the colour line is strictly drawn and traces of black blood have to be concealed if possible." The purpose of this correspondence was obvious. It was to discourage the increasing nail-colouring here. "The Times" has now published in a prominent position on its sacred editorial page two retorts from among the vast number of letters it is understood to have received. The first was from R./Haslam, Jackson, editor of "Perfumery and Toiletry." He said Mr.; Mass- had riot investigated very deeply into the purpose of nail varnishing or its interesting history. "Far from having originated in America to cover up evidences of 'black blood,' it was a common practice of vtlie Chinese more than 3000 years ago. The mandarins went so far as to gild their nails as an indication of their exalted, station. Later Cleopatra improved on the practice, which already for generations had been followed by Egyptian ladies. : "In Continental Europe and in this country women have stained or enameled their nails for ' centuries. Here, in common with other beauty treatments, the, practice was discountenanced during the Croffiwellian interregnum and revived at the Restoration; it lapsed again through the disapproval of Queen Victoria, and now, in conjunction with various treatments tending to improve health and appearance, varnishing of the hails seems likely, in common with, other beauty aids, to persist and contribute to the prosperity, of the ever-growing cosmetic industry.", . In : the second letter J. Wheeler Williams positively revolts at the. idea and notes ■ (while on shipboard) that "staining of the nails has spread to the toes also." "Perhaps," he; adds, "we are approaching the, time when the customs of savage races will be copied, even to painting patterns;, on the body, of which in .these days, so : much is visible." ;; , ... ■..; ,: v. '