Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1910-05-06
STARTING A FASHION
The Way a New Style In Ladies'
Hair Was Born In France.
TOUCHED A QUEENS VANITY.

Marie Antoinette's Hairdresser Was
Confronted With a Serious Situation,
but His Gascon Diplomacy Proved
Equal to the Occasion.
Al the eud of the year 1871 Leonard.
hairdresser TO Queen Marie Antoinette.
was confronted by an alarming situa.
tlon. and with the fultillmeut of this
dread event would fall his credit But
With his native "Gascon quickuess"-
as Leonard puts 1t in his "Recollec-
tions"-.he proceeded to save his repu-
tation.
Madame" said he one day to the
queen when he "a W that the fall of her
hair was imminent. the high head
dress is becoming very common 1t is
long since the bourgeoisie has taken
possession of ii. and now 1t is the turn
of the common people"
Good gracious. Leonard. what are
you telling me? Do you know it
grieves me to hear it? Those head
dresses were so becoming to 'mer'
And what headdress would not be
come your majesty? have carefully
thought over n total revolution in your
mn aiesty's headdress. have even had
your portrait drawn with the new ar
rangement | have in view. and. as |
expected. my august sovereign by
adopting my innovation would be made
younger by six or seven years"
''Do you mean 1t. Leonard? The
headdress you have in mind would
make me look youngerT
81 do not see what your majesty
could gain in that. for many women of
the court would take on years to re-
semble the queen of France"
"Oh. | do not deceive myself, Leon
ard shall soon he twenty y-seven.
and at that age a style which makes
one look younger is always favorably
received"
"Wel, madame" Leonard continued
quickly. while placing a miniature be
fore her majesty's eyes, ''see this por
trait 1t is striking resemblance. 1t
is your majesty, but ten years young
err"
What do | see-the hair cut few
inches from the headW
Yes. madame. it will be, If you are
pleased to consent to 1t, a coiffure a
Fenfant. and you will see 1t taken up
with as much enthusiasm as all those
that have created for your majesty"
You are right, Leonard. - 1t is
charming In truth. | am but eighteen
with my hair dressed like that. But
to sacrifice my beautiful hairr
"Your majesty will have the salts
faction of seeing all the ladies of the
court, all the ladies' of France, sacri-
fee theirs"
but If the style changes?"
"Who would dare to adopt a new
one without your majesty's having
first set the example? If some ambi-
tious hairdresSer amid the myriad
of weaklings who swarm in Paris
should dare undertake such change
would have him reduced to atoms by
Il ruined man"
But | prize my hair very much,
said the queen. with an air of hesita-
ton. still looking at the portrait. Yet
am dying to have my hair dressed a
'enfant."
well, madame, since | have been sc
fortunate as to find style which
pleases your majesty must tell you
all For the last two weeks all my
waking hours have been devoted to the
service of my sovereign in the attempt
to make an agreeable thing of an i'm
perative necessity"
"What do you mean, LeonardT"
"Your majesty was saying little
while ago that she priced her hair, and
l can easily understand 1t; but, unfOr
tunately. her hair does not prize her
Before fifteen days it will have entire
ly fallen out if this very day we do
not apply the infallible remedy-the
scissors"
Whats that you sayT" exclaimed
the queen with veritable fright.
THE least painful of truths, madame
since what propose to your majesty
while forestaling Il great misfortune
is entirely to her taste.'
"Come. Leonard: no more delibera
ton. Cut it. but do not cut it to(
short"
'Just enough, madame, to give bacl