The morning times., 1896-10-11
WIGS ARE OUT OF STYLE.
Bald Heads AmongA Men nAreNOLonger
Regarded With Disfayor.

ECSdEucu w Vu DlsIaSOT.
Nec York Times 600. - 80
AT one time In the history Of these United
States IL man wore his own hair uncov-
cred by a deftIy powdered wig 1t was a
positive indication of his humble position
In politics and society. He might have a
little bald spot ON the top of the head, or
ne might have no more than little fringe
or hair above his ears or at the back Of his
neck, but he was put By the wig on the
same footing as his friend in whose hirsute
adornment nature had been most lavish
That was in the revolutionary period and
the most familiar pictures Of the history
makers of that time show them to US with
white wigs and a braid, tied with ribbon
ana hanging almost foot down their
backs. The decadence of the wig as a
necessary part of dress set in soon, after
GREAT britain gave up the struggle and de-
mocracy became the spirit of Americans,
and the peruke became the adornment only
of the judiciary, the dandy who could not
depart from tradition and the bladheaded
man. The last named covered his shiny
pate with q stimulation of the natural that,
however, could be discovered as false by
a person standing almost a block away,
and in this he is the same as many of the
wig wearers Of today. -.l.
Eaidheadcd men, such, Were not nu-
merous, comparatively speak king, in the
public places ten years ago. The man who
mad lost his hair shrank from exposing the
fact, although it seemed not to trouble
him the least bit that the very substitute
ne used was badge OF his arfliction. Now,
however, the baldheaded man is on the
increase, not in actually, perhaps, but in
The r.:cklessneSs with which he exposes
MS uncovered poll to the elements and the
gaze OF his fellow men
Baid men are not ashamed and the much
turned Joke about their cranial shortcon-
ings stems to have been abandoned. Why
Is IL! Why does the wigmaker's business
ianguish? Why do baldheaded men seem to
glory In their shiny crowns when to conceal
them With an imitation of nature is so
easy?
1t is certainly fact" said a gentleman
recently. that more baIdheaded wigIess
men are to be seen in the streets, clubs.
hotels, theaters, and other p1aces-than were
in evidence ten years ago,
In my opinion there are several ways
oil accounting for their lack of head d cover
S'sic VI ueSSiuS mems nalr mas
changed within the last few years. 1t is
not SO long ago that the economical cutting
OF the hair very close to the scalp was left
entirely for the poorest Of workingrnen
and the prizefighter a,..,.....,s
That has all been changed now and men
OF all classes find comfort III keepinc their
hair trimmed short. The result is that
"a baldheaded man. unless he is absolutely
devoid of hair and has a head that shines
IKE billiard ball, does not attract much
attention, and as few people pass any COM
ments on his cranial nudity he does not
mind it at all.
Then, too. l think the race OF men is
not so sensitive as it used to be. To be
bald is not criminal Ind the man SO ar-
flicted takes it simply as something up-
avoidable and when he looks around he can
see thousands to keep him COMPANY and
give MIN strength to remain as nature made
hiin' once he wears n wig, however, the
chances are that he viii keep it on. 1t
Is a protection as Well as substitute. for
Ills lack To take it Off would be Just like
taking off heavy clothing in the middle OF
inter.
DO many women wear wigs? No; wo-
men have the advantage over men. The
poor fellow who loses his hair has left
10 MIN generally few strands that he
carefully fastens over the cleared spot.
Inc Women can use bang or something
like that, and, anyway, she generally has
lot OF hair that she can pile over the
badness"