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01-07-2009, 09:24 AM #1
Henslowe's pamphlet against shaving
My wife gave me as a Christmas present a wonderful pamphlet written in 1847 by the Rev William Henry Henslowe: Beard Shaving And The Common Use Of The Razor: An Unnatural, Irrational, Unmanly, Ungodly And Fatal Fashion Among Christians.
I highly recommend everybody interested in a good laugh to read this indispensable pamphlet, reprinted by Kessinger Publishing.
A quote from the text:
This Razor present to thy spouse, for his beard,
Once an ensign of royalty, now should be shear'd.
'This fit that thy vassal of thee should take note,
And expose a smooth chin (perchance cut his throat)!
Why lives he, what loves he, but woman's control.
In mind, and in body, and even in soul! -
So spake the arch-traitor, and ever since then,
The Razor disgraces and mutilates men.
And the final admonition:
Heedless youth, Give ear,
Earthly Fashions fear -
Never let come near
Shaving knife and gear: -
Let the young down grow
On thy lip - below -
Wherever it doth show,
Else thou shalt suffer woe.