The Washington herald., 1913-01-25
WHISPERS IN STYLE THEN.
In Spain the Beard1css Man was
Relieved to BE without n soul.

flTm the London GlOoc
The longest beard referred to in Euro
pean history is that which adorned the
person of John aMyo. painter of the En-
peror Charles V 1t is said OF him that
though he was very tall, his beard was
so long that he could tread upon it.
Naturally he was very proud Of his pos
session and took such great care OF 1t
that he usually went about with IL care
fully gathered up into festoons. the
points of the hair being looped up and
tied with a ribbon to a buttonhole Of his
coat. But sometimes, by the express de-
sire of the Emperor. Mayo would unite
his beard to its full length. whereupon
his majesty would command the win
dows to be opened so that the beard
might have full play. The Emperor"
We are informed, took great sport IN
watching the wind blow this long beard
in the face OF his courtiers."
II we may believe the historian. the
beard on one occasion was the means OF
stay ing a terrible conflict between two
desperate foes. for we read that when
the Gauls under Brennus' were engaged
in sacking the city of Rome they were
struck with such reverential awe at the
sight of the long-bearded Roman Sena-
tors that they suspended their fury
and slaughter in order to contemplate
the respectable prospect before them"
Boards. Of course, were held in high ven
Grafton by the Greeks and Romans
Homer never mentions the famous
boards Of Priam or Nestor without res
pect. and in those days a well-covered
chin was often regarded as the outward
mark of a man OF great learning and
wisdom.
The reign Of Henry " Of France was
the golden age of boards. for at that
time quite as much attention was paid
a.
of both sexes. Boards were clipped in
all manner OF fashions-round. square.
pointed, fan-shaped. and after the fash
ion of an artichoke leaf Unfortunately
when the craze for boards of all shapes
and sizes was at its height. Louis XIII.
who was then child, came to the
throne. and the beard had to go In
honor Of the hairless chin Of the new
monarch.
which still is so fashionable across the
channel. came into vogue. But no Euro
pean nation has ever held the beard in
greater veneration than the Spaniards,
who at one time had a proverb which
declared the absence Of the beard to sig
nifty the loss Of a mans soul. Spain
must have been one of the last of Euro
pean countries to tolerate the razor.
In the reign of Francis 1 of France
lied system of persecution among the
prebendaries Of the church. The clergy
were very punctilious In the matter of
boards. and It occurred to Duprat. lord
high chancellor at that time. that a very
handsome revenue might be raised In
this connection. Accordingly. the Pope |
was persuaded by Francis to publish a
bull by which the clergy we're enjoined
to shave their chins, failing which the |
King was to be entitled to levy a tax on
all who disobeyed the order. AS a re-
suit, all those who could AFFORD It paid
the tax, while the rest shaved OF their |
boards But the wickedness of Duprat |
met with its just reward In the end. |
Francis successor. Henry II. appointed
Duprat to the bishopric of Clermont. and
the latter was proceeding thither to take |
up his duties when he found himself
waylaid by the chapter. who insisted that
before he took office he should himself
shave OF the very fine beard that he
stiu had the effrontery to wear.
The new bishop refused. and fled 1T
orally before the brandishing razors OF
his chapter Soon afterward. Duprat |
whose health appeared TO have suffered
a severe shock from this unexpected con- |
tretemps fell iii and died.