The Philosophy of Beards - Hardcover

GOWING, THOMAS S.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1612197221 ISBN 13: 9781612197227

Publisher: Melville House, 2018

Synopsis

A humorous and bizarre artifact from the Victorian culture of manliness, and the perfect gift book for the man in your life -- bearded or not.

The Philosophy of Beards is a curious look into the Victorian culture of hyper-manliness. The author makes his case for the universal wearing of a beard--proclaiming that a beard is the essential symbol of manly virtue and distinction since time immemorial.

The book is here republished for the first time since 1854 in this disctinctive gift edition, edited by the British Library with illustrations of impressive beards from history.

About this title

About the Author

Thomas S. Gowing is the author of Normal Schools: And the Principles of Government Interference with Education (1838). He is long dead.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Preface, The Philosophy of Beards PREFACE

THE following Lecture, the first I believe on the specific subject, met with a warm reception from a numerous and good-humoured auditory; and received long and flattering notices from the local papers, the Ipswich Journal, and the Suffolk Chronicle. My enterprising and liberal publisher, has thought it worthy of more extended circulation. May the public think with him, and take it off his hands as freely as he has taken it off mine!

I have modified the passages which referred to the illustrations; the greater portion of which it would, independently of expense, have been impossible to give with any effect on a small scale. Mr. F.B. Russel, (to whom, with his worthy brother artist, Mr. Thomas Smyth, I was indebted for the original design) has, with a kindness I can better appreciate than acknowledge, anastaticized the humorous drawing of the ape and the goat, with which their joint talents enriched my Lecture.

Since its delivery, many notes have been added to the Lecture, which it is hoped will afford both amusement and information. It now only remains for me to make my bow, wish my fratres barbati long life to their Beards, and shout

Pivat Regina!

Floreat Barba!

About this edition

• Publisher: Melville House
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1612197221
• ISBN 13: 9781612197227
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 96
• Illustrator: Kettelwell John