The philosophy of beards : a lecture : physiological, artistic & historical / by T.S. Gowing.
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replied, "If consciences be measured by Beards, I am afraid your lordship has none at all." In 1700, Charles V ascended the throne of Spain, with a smooth chin; and his example was gradually followed, though the popular feeling has been condensed into the proverb—" Since we have lost our Beards, we have lost our souls;" and no one can question that loss of Beard and empire in that country have singularly coincided. Two brief anecdotes will shew the sense of honor which formerly resided in Spanish and Portuguese Beards. Oid Bai Diaz dying, a spiteful Jew stole into the room to do what he durst not when Diaz was alive—pluck the noble Spaniard's Beard ! As he stooped for the purpose, the body started up and drew the sword lying in state by its side. The Jew fled horror-struck ; the corpse smiled grimly, and resumed its repose; and the Jew turned Christian. When the brave John de Castro had taken the Indian fortress of Dieu, being in want of supplies, he pledged one of his moustaches for a thousand pistoles, saying " all the gold in the world cannot equal the value of this natu- ral ornament of my valour." The inhabitants of Goa, especially the ladies, were so struck with this magnaminous sacrifice, that they raised the money and redeemed the pledge. The last European nation to lay aside the Beard was