The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-12-15
A TonsorinI Discou rise.


NOT WRITTEN BY TIE - hAZOR-STROP MAN.
1 am unable to view shaving in any other light
than as a barber-ous institution, and [ can safely
hazard the assertion that the practice is a relic of
barbarism. At an early period in the history of the
English language, the word sshaver'' was a term of
reproach at first applied to boys, because they didn't
shave, lucus a non lucendo, or rather had no mate
rial to operate upon. 1t subsequently had reference
to children Of a larger growth, who, by the introduc-
ton of this barbarous innovation, became an odious
class in the community, and who at length came to
share the appellation with a class of moral BARRIERS,
known in after times by a variety of names, such az
lawyers, note brokers, sharpers and scoundrels. The
term alluded to their intangibility or un-come-at-a-
blenesss, presenting, as they did, no convenient
handle to lay hold upon, but being ever smooth and
slippery. Some philologists, however, maintain that
the name was conferred upon them on account of the
skill they acquired in fleeing their victims. But
this point we leave to the doctors, feeling satisfied
from the application of the term to the last mention
ed class, that the whole tribe of shavers were held in
no great estimation.
Until about the time of the christian era, the ton
serial art was unknown, and the occupation of an
ancient barber consisted merely in trimming the hair
and beard. and in pairing and repairing the toe nails.
Sensible fellows those ancient BARRIERS, though a
modern artist would consider it carrying the matter
to extremes, and would assure us that their old fash
Toned brethren practised what is now one of the lost
arts. The adoption of shaving among the Romans,
is due, l think, to the example Of the barbarous tribes
with whom they came in contact, and was brought
about in the following manner. During war (and the
barbarians were always fighting, except at mea! time)
the beard was found altogether too convenient as a
handle, as they were liable to be grasped by this ap-
pendage and lose their heads, before they could find
their tongues or utter a single renonstrapce. Now
the beard having been always deemed by them an
ornament, it was with reluctance they sacrificed it.
But they must be impaled on one horn or the other
of this dilemma. They can keep their boards only at
the expense of their heads, or retain their heads at
the expense Of their boards. Being aware of the nu-
merous advantages of a head, and, unlike many who
have lived at a later period, preferring utility to
beauty, they adopted the latter course. But the
Romans, in the use of the razor. consulted neither
utility nor good taste, for fighting, as they did, in a
more civilized manner, from u distance, wit1 batter
ing rams, catapults, javelins and diabolical machines.
and seldom engaging in close combat, their boards at
least were secured from hostile incursions. And here
it is to be noticed, the higher the degree of ciyiliza-
ton q nation attains, the more dignifed becomes
their method Of warfare, and the more unwilling
they become TO s7pahbls like children. biting, scratch
Ing pulling hair md noses. Now being, like the
Eket Of menkind, Aipous imitators Of bad sxanpaes.
- RomansseomS - g once % shock IN 5srves
k1<{sr 4defS ~ = ni<k Their without
M a. III WAS 5fsyions to
(&9zet <&1tcS endt ito tho dine q;
Y Ma<<1HiNN0&D in the habit 81