The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-06-25

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fitted is to make exceedingly accurate
of the dimensions OF the
head. These must be fundamentally
exact, for variation of a sixteenth
part of an inch may result in making
the wig mere cap. with scarcely
pretense Of a fit. The skulls of people
are no more alike than their faces, for
here and there are often found bumps
and protuberances which must be
taken into account or the wig will not
fit. Having made his measurements
and taken mental note of every un-
usual conformation Of the skull. the
wigmaker begins on the framework by
laying foundation of French galoon,
kind of silk ribbon goods, made in
Paris especially for the wig trade. In
order to secure the proper clasp Of the
wig upon the section section of silver
wire elastic is inserted into the back
and eleven watch springs, their points
ground to bluntness and covered with
kid, are placed in different parts of the
framework. When this is finished it
is covered with a very strong, but APP
the body of the wig is complete.
The next step is the hair covering,
the most tedious part of the operation.
Two or three processes are employed
in this operation, that most in favor,
knotting the hair into the goods with
a needle closely resembling a crockett
needle. This part of the work is usu-
ally performed by girls, who patiently
sit, day by day, until finally the frame
work is completely covered The most
delicate points about the wig are the
parting Of the hair and the crown,
which must be made to simulate ma
ture or the artifciality of the head
piece will be instantly detected by the
most casual observer The part of
the hair is given a natural appearance
by a network of very fine white natural
hair, which at this point on the head
takes the place of the framework and
extends back to the crown. The latter
is a marvel of art, for to secure nat
ural effect the white hair and that
which is worked in with it are given
no less than five different directions or
pointings, thus producing perfect inn
itation of the tiny semi bald spot which
terminates the parting of the hair at
the crown. Through the meshwork Of
white hairs the skin of the scalp can
be seen, and the illusion is perfect
The wig is now done, but by no
means completed, for before being
turned over to the wearer the hair must
be cut and the wig pressed, two very
delicate operations and quite essential
to the appearance of the artificial head
covering. A barber cannot trim a Wiz,
for only the skill of the man who
makes it can trim it to perfection. An
incident illustrating this fact occurred
some years ago in this city, and was
regarded as very funny by everybody
but the man who owned the wig and
the man who trimmed it. A gentle
man purchased wig from the narrator
of the story, and after sporting 1t
awhile concluded that the hair was too
long, and instead of going to the wig
maker to have the fault remedied, he
hied him to a barber shop connected
with one of the leading hotels and told
the tonsorial artist to trim his wig. The
knight of the shears and razor, with
an alacrity equally cheerful and ig-
norant, tackled the job and finished it
on time but when he had completed
his task the wig was a holy show, for
each individual hair stood up for itself
like the quilts Of the fretful porcupine,
and after going about for day or two
looking like he had just met ghost,
the man who thought barber trimmings
good enough got tired of seeing people
point and of hearing them say, That's
him." and ordered another wig. But
the wigmaker. did not worry. For
aught he cared all his customers might
go to BARRIERS and have their wigs
trimmed.
Wig pressing is as important as trim
ming and is almost profession in it
self The wig is pressed with hot irons,
the hair not being in the least injured
by the operation, which is, however,
performed with the greatest care, for a
little inadvertance on the part of the
presser might result in the ruin of an
expensive wig.
The toupee or half wig, worn by gem
tlemen whose part" is from two to six
inches broad on the top and who still
have remains of a hirsute landslide on
the sides and backs Of their craniums,
is much easier made and managed than
the wig. Several devices have been
employed for keeping it in place, but
the most successful is certain paste,
which comes in round sticks. The tou-
pee wearer, on rising in the morning.
shaves off half dozen waters from his
stick OF paste, locates them in adj
vantageous situations on his skiny poll.
claps on his toupee, gives it con-
gratulatory slip here and there to settle
it, and thanks God that he is not as
other bald-headed men are, nor even as
the occupants of the front row when
a Black Crook ballet is in full blast.
Wigs are rarely made from combings,
and. ladies' who endeavor to manufac-
ture for themselves switches of the
combings of their own hair, are certain
to be disappointed in the result, for the
homemade switch is never satisfac-
tory, as, no matter what pains may be
taken, it never looks neat. The reason
is this. The human hair is not, as
many suppose, perfectly smooth from
root to point, but all along its course
is set with little barbes pointing from
the root. When lock of hair lies in
the natural direction, the barbs do not
interfere with each other, but when
combings are Strengthened with roots
and points intermingled. the hairs will
work themselves into tangled mass
and no amount of combing will keep
them straight. A partial remedy is
found in soaking the switch with oil,
but in this case the relief is worse than
the disease.
Wigmakers and hair dressers agree in
the general statement that the bust
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