DR. FRANK CRANE’S DAILY EDITORIAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 5, 28 March 1927, Page 12

DR. FRANK CRANE’S DAILY EDITORIAL

STYLE

Copyright 1927.

'J'HE reign of style is universal. At a the other day the bridesmaids were all tall, slim girls. There seems to be a style in the height of girls. The style of women in Turkey runs more to embonpoint than the standard of beauty in the United States. The style in Oriental countries of having several wives is challenged by the style in western countries of having but one, while in some countries the trend seems to be to have none at all. We used to wear pointed shoes, pantalettes, high head-dresses, chignons, bustles and long skirts. ’ What would our grandmothers say to see the ladies nowadays wearing skirts that come only to the knees? Such dresses must appear positively indecent to those who are brought up upon the idea that a perfect lady should have nothing at all between her ankles and her chin at least nothing to speak of. Bobbed hair is in style and cigarette smoking seen; : to be on ’h ( ' increase. We all notice how queer our ancestors looked with their high stocks and other out-of-date clothing in old portraits. Styles of dress have changed since those times and they will probably change again in another generation. But style is something deeper than mere appearance. There is style of opinion. It was once the style to speak reverently of kings and of the church. Nowadays it is Mip style to poke fun at them more or less openly. But the most curious thing of all is style in diseases. Once upon a timr nobody ever heard of appendicitis. Now it is quite the thing to have your appendix removed, and certain doctors make a fortune by hacking out tlv superfluous appendix to your intestines. People used to sport a lot of gold in their mouths. Nowadays -hngs are less conspicuous. People used simply to get tired. Now they have nervous breakdowns. If you are going to be sick it be hoves you to choose a fashionable malady. Don’t have the old-fashioned stomach ache or sore toe, but look about for some new name for these commonplace diseases. And if you are going to die don’t select an old, worn-out complaint, but keep up with the procession. Get some new, fashionable trouble and pass away in good society. There is no sense --i dying like a horse or a cow from some common disease when you can die like a gentleman and a scholar by taking ur with a new one. To - morrow—Evolution.