National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-06
CUsroMs ANn COsrrMEs,


world, because they are so ugly. Nature is
not to blame; they make themselves so.
The human form is as beautiful now rs
was in the dreamy days of Paradise, but
men and women of the present era have
succeeded in presenting, personally, images
Of revolving deformity. All this Is due To
the prevailing customs aud costumes.
Look at Il man. Can anything be more
unpicturesque, more graceless?-except q
woman.
lie and she; but he first, being the "lord
Of creation"
Now It is law Of nature that the male
of every species shall have dignity, a
majesty, in outward semblauce, to mark
his supremacy. Enough TO speak of the
noble beard which distinguishes man, his
grandeur and royalty Of motion among
lower races to allude TO their chief, the lion,
whose fierce face the glorious name sur
rounds.
But man. There are many men livlngaud
alert to day who well remember when, in the
prevalent barefacedness Of their sex, should
daring individual appear as nature in
tended him-namely, with his beard, q won
der occasionally occuring-laughter and
mockery, scorn and insult met him, and
sometimes even violent assault. Readers
OF these words may be found to whom the
statement shall seem incredible now, when
the quite beardlcss masculine OF the human
order Is almost curiosity. Nevertheless,
the words stand, for they are true.
Thus man has, in part, asserted his in
dicative prerogative. say, in part. Still
the BARRIERS flourish. Faces are seen COM
pletely shaved OF course these being un-
natural, the mere freak of fancy or preiu-
dice OF habit, are silly, are monstrous, are
repugnant to every true idea Of grace.
Others are scarcely less pardonoble, exhib-
iting, a mustache only, or side or chin
whskers Of any character. Such partial
assumptions are far from ornamental, and
are. indeed, but things which unbalancc
the human face, destroy the harmony Of its
excellent proportions.
ADD 10 its beauty and majesty, that the
beard possesses most important utility as a
shield both from heat and cold, and pro-
tector from dangers continually threatening
the throat and,lungs. He who assigned II to
man is an admirable artist aud wise exceed
lngly I'm oil his purposes. His favors and
benefactions refused, a penalty must follow
in this respect as in every other.
Now, mounting to the highest point of
the crown Of our sovereign subject his
hair. Where Is 1T? In the barber's shop.
Look again, though, and you will discover. Il
little of II on his head just enough to deco
rate, without at all concealng, the various
chronological hills and wales Of that desc
over-prominent ears the recollection of the
muleteer's patient but somewhat stubborn
associate.
The hair, curving, variously lighted and
shaded, falling backward, on either side,
and about the neck, abounds In beauty and
variety. Consult the cultivated, thought
ful, reasoning taste of any artist, sculptor,
or poet--mcn whose lives are devoted TO the
study Of the beautiful-and the answer will
be unanimous ''ycs.n
Who will dispute such authority? Every
barber, every operator in his "saloonn
down to this mornings new apprentice
will laugh In REPUTATION; so win that fool 10
Paris or London who dictated the present
| law OF proprety.
] remember an Illustration: A friend of
! mine, gentleman, handsome and intel
lectual, who, at tho time Of the incident,
had celebrated thirty-fve of his birthday
anniversaries, was introduced to an eminent
| artist. The two almost Immediately be-
came intimate. Though IL was not his Gus
tom, yet now my friends locks were long
and hung, with graceful windings and rich
tints, nearly TO his shoulders, while his
beard majestically flowed down his breast.
II happened that for awhile he had forgot
| ten the tonsorial chamber.
"Come to my studio on Monday" said
the artist, atpartlng; give taken fancy TO
| paint your portrait. Oblige me.n
"Why, of course, II you will have it So"
And Monday arrived, aud my friend. At
his entrance:
"oh, horribe!'' exclaimed the artist, with
| elevated tone and hands of amazement and
despair. 81 will not paint you! No! no!''
A long space between the mos" aud al
| most grOan.
For my friend had meanwhile visited the
tonsorial chamber.
After clarifying at Jericon a few months,
he returned TO the studio, and canvas,
made glorious, gave the world assurance
| OF man."
1t is pleasant at this point, and in this
connection it is sweet and consolatory, TO
recall the fact that the first thing done with
convict, on his admission to the peniten-
tiary, is to shave him and crop his hair vii
lainously close. Then he looks like what
he ia.
must soon put aside my poor specimen,
misnamed man, and present my respects
as much MS possible, to his unfortunate III
monstrosities,1 called by courtesy-woman
The male article n moment or two more
Every portion of his attire, as to design and
color, convenience ard usefulness, Is abso
lutely abominable. The hat, II of the hard
heavy, prim bandboX order, shades his eye.
not at all, uncomfortably covers the head
and is the winds toy to be tossed along the
street. 1t alarms him should sudden
buOWcT IL sweeps away lub hCuutN
crop OF his hair, for II is badness promo
tive. The soft hat is better, a little, bui
shockinglY plain, stupid us a "matter-of
fact" companion, who is no company.
The straight, skinny, starchy collar I,
ugly and uncomfortable; the necktie, how
ever silken and gorgeous, no ornament
but trouble and nuisance, as health
equally with beauty, requires the neck t
be free.
What shall be said commendatory of thu
Unlike white "bosOm," even when dia
mond-studded-what Of the coat, vest
'pants"-down to the very shoes Moth
ing, In condensation, everything. Al
are stiff, graceless, announcement; they ar,
mere patchwork, and express no part o
the beauty Of the form within. "Deform
ity' should be embroidered legibly OF
every article OF masculine garb.
Now, having disposed of the 'lord o
creation" approach with awe the lady.
AS man should be beautiful, according Il
the formation of his sex, SO she should be-
queen worthy the king. Is sheY ! Low,
woman. have loved mother, sister, wife
daughter. Like the patriotic poets aClec
tion for his native land
,"lEImgland, with all thy faults, love the
=, 1 love her now, with all her faults.
No less are her fashions Of costume. VIVA
else Is the trailing robey What else he
enormous rear guard, piled of silk or satin
and ribbon.bowsY Her intricatoly twiste
hair, heaped up, pyramid, on her To-
head, or hanging In awful mystery hal
down -otherwise-graceful neck
Corsets and bustles, are they captivating
! think not. No single thing, whatever tn
ingenuity of the invention, that confines
that eNaggerates woman, can be tolerate
without natures protest, and that of an
superior man, thoughtful, well-ludging.
The sole thing can approve of in this rC
gard, looking around the enlightened worl
In the midst OF my general denunciation,
the costume, in most cases, of little chit
p dren, which is well adapted and picturesqu
as to both sexes.
May they grow up to be wiser than thei
parents!
; So much TO be destroyed, what would
substitute A question OF exceeding din