The Handshake.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue XV, 13 October 1900, Page 688

The Handshake.

HOW SOME ROYALTIES IM) IT. First impressions usually prove correct. and one of the easiest, though hast thought of methods of gathering these is to notice the way in which anylMuly to whom you are introduced shakes hands. There arc as many ways of shaking hands as there are of speaking, and they range from the vice-1 ike grip of the blacksmith to the slimy, cold, and damp I'riah Hee|>-likr clasp of the man for whom we never entertain any feelings other than those of contempt from the first moment we set eyes upon him.

And why is it that we should really l»e able to judge character, or rather ascertain temperament, from so ordinary a thing as a hand clasp? Well, even animals, if you study them closely enough, have what may not inaptly be termed ••individuality” in their methods of doing even the commonest things; and it is not surprising, therefore. that man, in whom originality is <levelo|M‘<l to a higher degree than among any living creatures which walk this earth, should develop something characteristic in his method of hand-shaking, if only for the simple reason that he performs that simple art more often than any other in the course of his life. Even the leading English Royalties differ much from one another in this

matter. For instance, one of the secrets of the Prince of Wales’ great |M>pularity lies in the fact that His Royal Highness holds that any person who is worthy to lx? introduced to him is likewise worthy to shake him by the hand. And right heartily does the Prince perform his part of the greeting. The King of Denmark is also a very hearty hand shaker, while his neighbour, the Sailor King of Sweden, is fond of shaking farmers or sailors bluffly by the hand, but is very curt and sparing in the matter of official hand shakes. Naturally enough, the military nature of the German Emperor is indicated in his style of shaking, one of the jokes at the Court being the observation that “His Majesty has made

another lasting impression” when it is noticed that he has greeted a newcomer, for the Emperor William has a very powerful right hand, and his grip is not quickly forgotten. His Majesty is perhaps more liberal than any other reigning Sovereign with hihand shakes; nor will newspaper readers overlook the fact that he numbers among his numberless accomplishments that of being the champion public kisser of Europe—but that is another matter. Those who know the ‘late King of Italy say that you could tell by his hand shake whether he liked you or not. for nothing could exceed it in heartiness if the visitor had made a favourable impression on him. The Czar shakes hands with Sovereigns only.