HOW TO KISS IN A PICTURE HAT

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3294, 12 August 1911, Page 3

HOW TO KISS IN A PICTURE HAT

SECRET OF SUCCESS IN THE NEW ART. History tells us that the greatest revolutions taken place in silence and it is not surprising tfuat the recent change in the art of kissing has passed almost unnoticed. The change is the direct outcome or the large-hat vogue, and it is a- striking example of what the late Herbert Spencer termed 1 ‘ ‘the adjustment of acts to ends.”

Regarded from a distance, a woman’s hat, with brim extending half a yard in every direction, has the appearance to a man’s eye of a halo round the head of the divinity who wears it. But should a closer approach be called for, the projecting brim, especially if sharp at the edges and reinforced by a “cheval de frise’ ’of hatpins, acts rather as a ring fence and constitutes a serious obstacle, which’needs all a man’s resolution to overcomje. It has been done, how* ever. ’

Great as the difficulties undoubtedly are'in this case, they are still more serious when the necessity arises for two women, both wearing large hats, to kiss one another. “When Greek meets Greek ”

Fortunately the ingenuity of the sex has discovered a solution of the problem. In the most successful instances the head is tilted slightly .backwards and downwards till the brims of the two hats stand opposite to each other in the same plane. The face is then cautiously advanced, the greatest care being taken that the brims of the hats shall not clash at any point. When the space separating them becomes infinitesimal and the daylight showing between is reduced to a .mere crack, the lips are projected as far as possible from the face. If the operation is skilfully performed a satisfactory conjunction is effected. But the manoeuvre is not complete. A slip may yet be fatal. The greatest caution is taken in disengaging. First, the fins are called in; next, the face is cautiously retreated, the brims are moved apart, and the head is taken to its normal position. An attempt to execute this delicate manoeuvre by two ladies who had obviously practised it insufficiently in orivate was attended with almost lamentable result. The heads, instead of being drooped on opposite sides, as, of course, they should l be, were by some misunderstanding lowered in the same direction, and the brims clashed together. A rending sound occurred, and a hasty retreat to the club boudoir was necessitated.

Indeed, it is hinted, though it seems incredible that the custom, of kissing at each meeting is falling into desuetude among the younger members of the clubs, largely on account of the increased complexity of the practice.