, 1873-05-04

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The Philosophy OF Boards.
The wearing Of the beard was, by some na-
tions strictly regarded as areGgious nte, from
which no dispensation WAS possible. Even
it's management became matter OF grave i'm
portance. The Tartars estimated the Persians
as no better than infdels, foraemuch' "a they
would not adopt their custom Of cutting the
whiskers. 4 long and eanguinary war wa8
waged, owing to their obstinacy, which arose.
from national sense Of honor. 30 highly,
did tho Persians value the beard that,
this natural appendage woven or matted with
gold thread. This style Of hirsute Ornamental
tion WAS improved upon in subsequent ages BY
the rulers OF France, who had their flowing
be told what vast value the Turks set upon
their boards. Sooner than be despoIed OF them,
they would prefer the ignominy OF being pub
licly whipped OF branded, nay, even accept death
itself. Even slayes who attend the Beraglios
sre shavan, as 3 token OF servituue. The Arab
ia known to preserve his beard with scrupu1ous
care. almost bordering On devotion; in all proba-
binty, out of respect for the lAlam Prophet,
who wore this majestic mark OF manhood.
The amounting Of the beard with unguents is
traceable to extremely remote times, and was;
constantly practised By the Jews and Romans.
The Turks still adhere to this custom. On &C.
casions Of stad Visits one OF the ceremonies cb-
served is to sprinkle scented wafer on the beard
OF the visitant, and then to perfume it With
Among the ancient Greeks and Romans the
beard wss an object Of great veneration. Not
only 80, but it WAS considered to possess some
occult charm, and regarded as 3 sacred pledge,
Of confidence and protection. According to the
Grecian mythology, when Thetis sought
sbassea hs Toss F1ess 81 na ass snd
touched his beard in supplication- Another
illustration Of this is presented in the plantiTe
story OF Dolon and Diomed. The former thought
II he could bnt touch the warriors beard his LIE
would not have been forfeited. The Greeks did
not commence to discard the beard until tha
time Of Alexander the Great, who ordered fha
Macedoniana to cut OF the same simply ss
precautionary measure, lest when in battle such
would Afford the enemy IN undue advantage
This practice was abandoned in Justinians reign,
when long boards once more came into vogue.
The philosophers, however, always distinguished
themselves from the vulgar in this respect, by
suffering their boards to grow, irrespective d.
the imperial mandate to the contrary. ::
With the Normans the beard was he!o % an-:
ho1rencs, somewhat similar to the ancient Bri-'
tons, who contented themselves with the cu1ti-
vation Of hair on the upper lip. The besrd,
however, was allowed to grow BY the Anglo-sa1-
ons. When William the Conquerer, among
to cut OF their boards, the edict was regarded AZ
a wanton display OF authority and ty11any. Some
preferred abandoning their country rather than
conform to so intolerant decree. In both n
stances, such arbitrary lava we're universally
outbnrBts. It is said that, upon Harold dispatch-
ing scouts into the camp OF William L, they
returned in ecstacy at the cheering prospect OF
speedy victory. They reported that. their
enemies were not soldiers, but priests, having a4
shAven faces. Singular to say, On the seal Ct ct
William the Conquefor he appears VIII DON
uaoustache aud beard.
Tho fashion Of wearing boards obtained IN
France till Louis Kill. assembled the throne
The premature death OF his aire, Henry w.
caused u revolution in this custom, though tha
Duke OF Sully did not conform to the dress Of
the courtiers. Being once 'ridiculed for
his obstinacy, he said to the King:
"gire, when. your illustrions father did
me the honor to consult me on bis
weiEhty affairs, the frat act Of his was to send
court" Boards were agsin worn in the reign OF
Louis XIV. Condo, Cornei1le, and Molere Ike
the ancient Kings OF France, took much pride in
their boards. buprat, tho famous Bishop Of
Clermont, who built the Jesuita' Church At
Paris, ia reputed to hsve had the finest beard
ever Rnown-tstoo fine a beard for = Bishop"
as tha canons of his cathedral thought. Hence
they cana to the rude resolve to denude
him Of it, and actually made the attempt
one day in the. church. The prelate, per-
ceiving the dean aad others NTH the -1nstrn-
ments Of torture in the shape Of scissors.
razor, &c., made the best haste he could out Of
the eihce, and fed some leagues of to the castle
Of Beauregard. Here be pined, and at length
died, it is said, through sheer vexation-.
The Eastern and Western Churches have not
only had controversies respecting points Of doc
trine and discipline; they have had disputes
concerning boards. One Church enjoined th4s
ecclesiastics should wear them: Another ChuEch
positively prohibits this usage by express co1tt:
f,ltions de radendis bar6is. Even the Greeks vere
scandalized at tha beardless images Of saints IN
Roman Catholic places OF worship. Ine
Roman clergy once assumed the right OF legs
lating on the matter Of boards. The hirarts Or
nament Of Henry l.; for example, was condemn
ed by some priests from the pulpit; and 50 Per.
aistent1y that the King, to get nd Of such fullnt
nations, had to yield to their demand. Yet, n9t-
beard on the eifigy OF Henry II. In after tine
the beard was Carefully cultivated, and WON
with pride. How touching that incident 1t tss tns
execution Of Sir Thomas More. when be dfen
his teeming beard aside from the fatal are, snd
naively remarked to the executioner,, ~ ,1J
beard has not been guilty Of treason!"-1ae