Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-01-17
VOL. 12.---NO. 10.
The Fashion of Red Hair.

A French writer, NJ jules Denizet, has
written an article in Paris journal under
the title of The Revenge of the Red Head
ed, In which he discusses a prevailing con
tinental fashion, and gives some interesting
information, Going back to Rome in the
time OF the Caesars, he remiuds his country
men that in those days the mad and the
Dad among women were ordered by the edile
or, as Nj. Denlzet sa%s, the project Of po-
llce OF the periodic wear red hair. Red
hair, then, was a mark OF degradalion, but
all this is changed now. NJ. Denizet says:
The Romans got enormous quantities of
hair from Germany. Most of it in the pre-
sent day comes also from Germany, as well
as from Brittany and Normandy Paris
annually exports upwards of 100, 900 kilo-
grams (about 100000 pounds) to England
and America. A few years ago its price
from hvlng head, was from five to ten
francs the kllogram, according to the length
and color. Red hair, which was formerly
unsaleabe; except for dyeing, is this year at
premium but the rage cannot last long.
Har OF thus color is generally course ana
harsh and taste will no doubt soon return
to black and blonde, which are twice as fine
ana three times as soft and glossy. Red
hair dries, black and blonde thicken. The
first preparation which hair undergoes i'm
the kllogram. In our time the rehabilita-
ton of the red haired commenced IN the
'Juli Errant, IN which Eugene Sue depict
ed Ndle. de Cordoyllle in such glowing col
ors that, Tor her charming sake, the hither-
to desplsed shade rose a little in public
opinion. How many persons have we
known seeking by every means in their pow
er to turn the hated red into brown or chest
nut? Oils, pomades, brass and leaden
combs were the supposed remedies, and
these failing, dyes were resorted to.
1t school, the re1-haired boy or girl
was the butt for every joke, the scapegoat
Tor every mischievous trick and escapade.
If an inquiry was made as to the perpetra-
tor of any offence, 1t was the r0uquin,'
chorused the boys. 1t was the rouqutne,'
cried the girls Children whose heads were
dressed in red lost their patronymic at
school, and were simply known as the rou-
q'tn or the rOmQuiae. If, as was generally
he case, treckles We're an accompaniment,
the victim was said to bear the brand of
Judas in bis face! What wonder then, if
with this treatment the red haired child be-
came sullen and disagreeable, and in some
sort merited the reputation given him be-
forehand? In the tale OF The Fair One
with the Golden Hair no.child could ever
had immagined the face of the beautiful
princess framed IN red locks Her hair
must have been fine threads of real gold
As to a red haired princess, such thing
was never heard of! The fairy tale would
have lost all its interest in the eyes of chill
dren had such a heroine been possible
Cooks, even of this color were looked upon
with dislike. Mistresses pretending that
the peculiar odor of their hair lent itself un'
to the sauces, turned the milk
and spoiled the Jams
Now. all this is changed red hair is the
mode The young mother prays that her
coming babe, if girl, may have red locks,
and if it has, its fortune is made. The red
haired beauty is taking her revenge; she
'arries her chignon like a flag, and gather
ne under it, aided by fashion, every shade
IF chestnut, blonde and black, transforms
hem all into red. But toute passe, tout
Iasse and tomorrow the mode may change.
However. although the triumph of the red
haired may prove but that of season.
heir glory but ephemeral-still there is no
loubt that they will never descend to their
ormer disgraceful position. The prejudice
If ages having once been removed, they
nave been admitted to an equality with
heir more favored sisters But now word
If advice and warning. Let them descend
/ few steps from the ladder they have climb
ID so triumphantly, less speedy reaction
nay precipitate them therefrom.