The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-03-21

the AHeTlCdu SOlueu aye VI WulSheES
but it is one of the oldest styles. AS
will be seen by data presented later
in this article, it goes back to very an
cient times. If, however, it would
overtax the patience of the average
American to wait for the growth of
such a luxuriant crop, the hairy col
lar style, with the ostrich plume effect,
as eXemplified by Horace Greeley, the
great editor, might be less trouble to
cultivate.
Many Americans may not remember
the services of the gallant Gen. AM
brose Everett Burnside during the
Civil war, but they are not likely to
forget what he contributed to Ameri-
times referred to as mutton chop
whiskers," thereby depriving the gen.
eral of credit which properly belongs
to him. For. as everybody knows, the
right name for them is obtained by
reversing the name of the man who
made them popular and calling them
"sideburns." Similarly, his imperial
and ill-fated-majesty, Napoleon III,
made popular in France the combina-
ton of sharp-pointed mustache and
lower-lip whiskers, or "goatee," which
goes by the name of Imperial" 1t
is doubtful If the average American
would care for this foreign inven-
tion"-preferring one of the made
in-America" brands-any more than
he would care for the sharply up
turned mustache of the ex-kaiser of
Germany. One fault of the latter type
at least, there is a tradition to this
effects that it requires too much at
tention, such as putting it in a cloth
framework at night so that it will not
sag, droop or otherwise lose it's perky
uprightness.
The United States, however, is not
the only country in which there are
signs of whiskers comeback. From
France comes word that a well-known
arbiter of styles on the Partisan boule-
wards has started a campaign for the
return of the beard which he regards
as the outward sign of mature
mind" Thus is another historical
cycle completed, for in early times the
beard was considered by all nations
as sign Of strength and manhood,
carefully cherished and almost regard
ed as sacred. More than that, its re-
moval was considered a particularly
degrading form of punishment. In
the second book of Samuel in the Old
Testament is related the story of the
servants which King David sent to
Hanun. ruler of the Ammonites, to
comfort him for the death of his IA
Their. Their reception is described as
follows:
And the princes Of the children of
Ammon said unto Hanun their lord.
Ihlnkest thou that David doth honour
thy father, that he hath sent comfort
ers unto thee? hath not David rather
sent his servants unto thee, to search
the city, and to spy it out and to over
throw it?
Wherefore Hanun took David's sery-
ants and shaved off the one-half of
their boards, and cut off their garments
in the middle, even to their buttocks,
and sent them away.
When they told it unto David, he
sent to meet them, because the men
were greatly ashamed: and the king
said, larry at Jericho until your boards
be grown. and then return.
The result of this insult was war
in which David slew the men of sew
en- hundred chariots of the Syrians,
and forty thousand horsemen, and
smote Shobach. the captain of their
host, who died there. So the
Syrians feared TO help the children
of Ammon any MORE" Further evil
dence of the veneration in which the
beard was held in ancient Israel and
degradation which its loss brought is
indicated in chapter seven of the Book
of Isaiah the Prophet: "In the same
day shall the Lord shave with a razor
that is hired, namely, by them be-
yond the river, by the king of Assyria,
the head, and the hair of the feet:
and it shall also consume the beard"
And in chapter fifteen this: "Moab
shall howl over Nebo, and over Med
cha; on all their heads shall be bald
ness, and every beard cut off,"
Among the Moslems the beard was
also held in great respect and the
strongest oath that Mohammedan
could utter was. by the beard of the
Prophet" People of this religious be-
lief took great care of their boards.
habitually carrying combs to comb il
and keep 1t In order 1t was their GUS
tom to do this after prayers, while
still on their knees, and If any hairs
fell out they Immediately picked them