Punch: Punch (83.1882)

MANCHESTER-SUR-MER. A SEA-DUCTIVE PROSPECT.

FIGARO IN BERLIN.

We are indebted to our solemn and highly respectable contempo-
rary, the Tagblatt of Berlin, for a report of a meeting of the
Barbers of that dusty capital, at which the following resolutions
were adopted, after a lengthy and animated discussion.

The first shows that the spirit of innovation has penetrated even
into Prince Bismarck's own capital, for it was solemnly and unani-
mously determined that, from that day forth, the more or less pain-
ful operation of shaving should always be commenced with the left,
instead of the right cheek. The reasons for this somewhat startling
innovation are not reported, but they were evidently of a most con-
vincing character. We shall be glad to hear that but few accidents
have followed from the sudden adoption of this somewhat rash
resolve,

The long disputed point as to whether the brush or the hand
should be used in the important preliminary operation of lathering,
remains still a vexed question, and is left, as before, to the discre-
tion, or taste, or fancy of the individual shaver.

But the next, and by far the most important resolution submitted
to the Congress, was unanimously and enthusiastically adopted, not
only so, but it was also resolved that no one should be allowed to
remain a Member of the Association who continued to resort to the
degrading and offensive practice of holding a customer by the nose !
Such a practice may have been all very well in olden times, when the
dignity of Manhood was unheard of; but, in these days of Citizen-
ship and Equality, such an insulting procedure must be at once and
for ever abolished.

To the next and final resolution we regret we cannot give the same
cordial approval as to the rest; but it was decided by a large-
majority of the shavers present, that the conversation with the
victims, during the process of the operation, should not be allowed to
wander into remarks as to the state of the weather or similar
exciting topics, but should be strictly confined to business, meaning,
of course, the customary recommendation of “our own hair-wash,”
or hair-restorer, or hair-dye, as the case may seem to require.

The grave and earnest and solemn character of our Teutonic
friends, has seldom been more forcibly, or more amusingly shown
than in the proceedings of the Barber’s Congress at Berlin.