The Sun.
London, England, 1869-01-15 00:00:00

A WIFE CRITICISING HER HUSBAND.

What is styled by a contemporary " one of the most
magnificent efforts of self-assertion ever made by weak
woman" is to be seen in Mrs. Burton's preface to her
husband's book c n Brazil, recently published. It deserves
to be quoted separate and alone :—" Before the reader
dives into the interior of Brazil with my husband as a
medium, let me address two words to him. I have
returned home, on six months' leave of absence,
after three years in Brazil. One of the many com-
missions I am to execute for Captain Burton is
to see the following pages through the press. It
has been my privilege, during those three years, to have
been his almost constant companion ; and I consider that
to travel, write, read, and study under such a master, is
no small boon to anyone desirous of seeing and learning.
Although he frequently informs me, in a certain Oriental
way, that ' the Moslem can permit no equality with
women,' yet he has chosen me, hispupil, for this distinction
in preference to a more competent stranger. As long as
there is anything difficult to do, a risk to be incurred,
or any chance of improving the mind, and of educat-
ing oneself, I am a very faithful disciple ; but I now
begin to feel, that while he and his readers are old friends,
I am humbly standing unknown in the shadow of his
glory. It is therefore time for me respectfully but firmly
to assert, that although I proudly accept of the trust con-
fided in me, and pledge myself not to avail myself of my
discretionary powers to alter one word of the original text,
I protest vehemently against his religious and moral
sentiments, which belie a good and chivalrous life. I
point the finger of indignation particularly at what mis-
represents our Holy Roman Catholic Church, and at what
upholds that unnatural and repulsive law, polygamy, which
the author is careful not to practise himself, but from a
high moral pedestal he preaches to the ignorant as a means
of population in young countries. I am compelled to
differ with him on many other subjects ; but, be it under-
stood, not in the common spirit of domestic jar, but with
a mutual agreement to differ and enjoy our differences,
whence points of interest never flag. Having now justi-
fied myself, and given a friendly warning to a fair or gentle
reader—the rest must take care of themselves—l leave
him or her to steer through these anthropological sand-
banks and bidden rocks as best he or she may."

AN EVENING WITH THE HAIRDRESSERS

The Telegraph, with the surplusage of words which is
so common to it, and which makes us often ask, like the
Queen, in " Hamlet," of Polonius for " more matter
with less art," reports a singular meeting, enter-
tainment, or what not, held in the metropolis
a few days ago. The billet of invitation recited that
" Fifteen artists will execute a great variety of head-dress-
ing in the most fashionable and characteristic style ; con-
sequently, we beg the honour of your presence to give your
support to that useful society which has been esta-
blished six years to create and propazate the newest styles
in the art of hair-dressing." This courteous invitation was
signed by MM. Colin, Theodore, Jules Beaupin, 13.
Coureau, Rossignot, Jules A rdouin, Auguste Topet, Joseph,
Fressange, and Eugene. When the audience were fairly
seated, about a dozen young ladies, leaning on the arms of
gravely urbane cavaliers, were escorted to a long deal
table, which one of the coiffeurs began to cover with a
long white cloth. The cloth being laid, no viands
more appetising than pomatum and powder were
put upon it. To these succeeded twelve large
looking-glasses, and the third course consisted of
hair-pins, combs, and brushes, and sundry myste-
rious pasteboard boxes, which subsequently proved
to contain wreaths of artificial flowers, diadems, plumets,
and—well, let us be frank a considerable quantity of
false riglets, bandeaux, and plaits. The twelve young
ladies, who were mostly blonde children of Albion, having
been enthroned in as many fauteuils, were draped in
snowy surplices or wrappers; under which circumstances,
with a touching expression of resignation depicted in
their countenances, they reminded the spectator of
offenders against the ordinances of the Ecclesiastical Courts
doing penance in white sheets, and victims awaiting the
sacrifice. They took things pleasantly, however, and one
Grecian daughter was thoughtful enough to keep between
her lips a stock of hair-pins, which she handed to the
officiating flamen as he required them. We think it was
Colin who first applied the sacrificial tongs to Iphigenia.
He frizzed her up prodigiously. Theodore, not to be
behindhand, rushed on Joan of Arc, bound her to the
stake, and seizing her long hair, brandished it aloft, as
though he had a mind to scalp her, after the Red
Indian fashion. Rossignot, meanwhile, was making
furious running with Jephtba's daughter, and had her
head off her shoulders in no time, substituting for it quite
another head of marvellous configuration. Both Auguste
Toupet—we are certain it must have been Toupet—do you
think he was not to the fore? This determined man was,
figurately speaking, " all there." He was alive to the
immensity of his task. It itait et la hauteur de sa
mission. To him had been apportioned the labour
of converting A fair young English damsel of some
nineteen summers into the late Madame de Pompadour.
He spreads a cloth beneath the victim's feet. What !
blood I—rash man !—no, only violet powder. The puff is
whirled on high, and now the snowy shower descends. A
monstrous fabric of stiffened hair rises under Auguste
Toupet's hand. He knits his brow ; he grows warm.
This is Marengo, but Austerlitz is to come. He strips
to his work—off coat, off waistcoat; "is he a beef.
eater," we mean a hairdresser, now? He appears in a
white jerkin and apron, as though he were a cook
—and, indeed, the zeal with which he labours on the late

Madame de Pompadour's head has something of
culinary zest in it. What is that thunderous peal of
applause? It is only one of the young ladies who is
" done "—her hair is cooked. Another and another come
perfect and complete from under the artist's hands.
Iphigenia is converted into Mademoiselle de la ValliZze ;
the Grecian Daughter is Belinda, from the " Rape of the
Lock ; " Joan of Arc rises as Gabrielle d'Estrees. Another
peal of applause : Madame la Marquise de Pompadour is
Uri fact accompli.

LIBERAL BANQUET IN GLOUCESTER.—A great
county Lowe,
Chancellor held
oft
a
gathering to celebrate the return of the two Liberal mem.
the Exchequer, is to be one of the speaker; and there is a
probability that other Cabinet Ministers will be present.
bensa Gloucester
furc es thete ro n
the western
27 t h division
of the
Mr.
instant.
Lord Ducie is to preside, and he will be supported by all
the representative Liberalism of the county.
ALLEGED OUTRAGE NEAR SOUTHAMPTON.—Tho
adjouned inquiry respecting the death of Henry Barfoot,
of Totten, has been held. Three men had been taken
.nto custody, named Brandon, Rose, and Rice. The
deceased had been playing at skittles with the prisoners
on the day lie met with the injuries that caused his death
and bad quarrelled with Brandon. The medical evidence
went to prove that death resulted from erysipelas, caused
by•wounds in the face, which might have been produced
by a fall or blow. The jury returned an open verdicts
and the three men remain in custody.

ANOTHER BATTLE WITH INDIANS. —A special
despatch to the Republican, from Topeka, Kansas, says :
" Reports thought to be reliable have reached here to the
effect that another battle had taken place between our
troops and th I Indians on the Wachita Mountains, in
which a large number are said to have been killed, and Sa-
tanta, chid of the Kiowas, and Little Raven, chief of the
Arapahoes, taken prisoners. The Indians engaged were the
Kiowas, Cheyennes, and Arapahoes. The particularsof the
fight cannoioie given in consequience of the official messen•
Cer's losing his mail while crcVing Arkansas River.".