Old illustrated books relating to the worthies of the Church often
contain portraits of divines with flowing beards and moustaches. In
modern times the cultivation of these adornments of the face has given
rise to not a little discussion in Church circles. Early in 1861 the
newspapers criticised the charge of the Bishop of Rochester, which
included a denunciation of the development of beards and moustaches
among the clergymen of his diocese. The writing in the press for and
against the facial adornment had little point, but it gave rise to more
than one book dealing with the subject. An author issued "An Apology
for the Beard; addressed to men in general, and to the clergy in
particular" (London, 1862). The Bible and other books are quoted against
shaving. James Ward, R.A., the celebrated animal painter, produced in
book form a "Defence of the Beard." He dealt with his subject on
scriptural grounds, and gave eighteen reasons why man was bound to grow
a beard unless he was indifferent as to offending his Creator and good
taste.
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