THE BEARD OF FREEDOMS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9367, 9 February 1909, Page 6

THE BEARD OF FREEDOMS.

The popularity of the face has not extended to France, and in Paris it is unusual to see a clean-shaven man. President Fallieres was embarrassed recently by his men-servants requesting permission to wear beards and moustaches. The rule bad long been: that they must be clean-shaven, and they objected to this as contrary to* that liberty and equality on which the French Constitution is based. In founded by freedom no than should be forced to bear a sign of servitude—-for thus is. the shaven face regarded. According to latest advices there were [rumours, of a strike if the President did not give way. In Enjgland, on the other hand, there is not the semblance of such a movement. The tendency is towards ‘ ‘ the altogether”, in shaving.. If the Daily Mail is to be believed, the request of the French servants was received in the servants’ halls of great houses with indignation. The idea of a footman with a beard was. staggering to the conservative mind of Jeames. The butler at a greatLondon house, where the door is never opened by fewer than four men, confessed that it made him feel quite faint. “It’s this here Republicanism, ” he said sadly. “First they abolishes [religion, and now they want their men-servants to look like grizzly bears. It ain’t in-, nature. If you understand me rightly, sir, it’s downright flying in the face of what’s, proper and right.” He also gave it as his opinion that this terrible proposal, “struck at the very roots of social life. ’ ’ A London barbel drew attention to the fact that only one member of Mr Asquith’s Cabinet wore a beard, while eleven were cleanshaven. “Fact is, sir, there’s a prejudice against whiskers and beards. They’re considered oldfashioned and behind the times. It may be wrong, sir, but that’s the idea. American gentlemen who come in here, they mhke great game of whiskers. They don’t think any* one who wears them can have all his wits about him. Curious change from forty years ago, sir; very curious, indeed.”