Small thought was his, in after time
E'er to be pitched into a rhyme.
The simple sire could only boast
That he was loyal to his cost;
The banish'd race of kings revered,
And lost his land--but kept his beard."
He died in 1729 at Kelso. "Beardie's" second son, named Robert, was a
farmer at Sandyknowe, and was Sir Walter Scott's grandfather.
A contributor to _Notes and Queries_, for October 1st, 1859, gives the
following interesting particulars of a Shaving Statute relating to
Ireland:--"In a parliament held at Trim by John Talbot, Earl of
Shrewsbury, then Lord-Lieutenant, anno 1447, 25 Henry VI., it was
enacted 'That every Irishman must keep his upper lip shaved, or else be
used as an Irish enemy.' The Irish at this time were much attached to
the national foppery of wearing mustachios, the fashion then throughout
Europe, and for more than two centuries after. The unfortunate Paddy who
became an enemy for his beard, like an enemy was treated; for the
treason could only be pardoned by the surrender of his land.
Pages:
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59