MORE BATTLES—THE CELLULOID.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, 1 September 1904, Page 458

MORE BATTLES— THE CELLULOID.

We talked a lot, thought less, did less when the corset warfare waged hard. I suppose it always will

wage, but the present lull is the most decided we have yet had. Then we turned our attention to bacteria, bacilli, microbes, germs — all meaning the same in a vague way to the average woman. And now, 'tis combs, celluloid combs.

And some of them are so useful and so pretty. That's just it. As soon as we get something we like, it is taken from us, or condemned as sinful pride or worse. Thus the combs.

Now and again in recent days, one reads of an accident, caused by the sudden combustion of the celluloid comb. We slip these little contrivances into our back, our front, our side hair, and forget all about them till we discover that most of them have fallen out.

But have you ever watched a piece of one burn ? It is gone like a flash. And so two or three unfortunates have bent over the fire while a celluloid comb confined the refractory bits of hair or held up the frame. And lo ! result ? Sudden death to the comb and the danger of an awful fate to the wearer. It is really almost enough to make us " swear off " hair-combs. Almost! But shall we ? Not, I fear, till manufacturers or fashion find us a substitute, made of something less inflammable.

And when combs are no more, then we'll attack — let me see—whatwill the next be ? Just, I foresee, the hair-frame, or pad ; and I think 'tis not at all a bad subject for the attack.