Chignons. 567 
was clipped close, whereas the cavaliers indulged in flowing 
ringlets that would have made the foundation of a fortune 
for an adventurous Truefitt. 
Regarding the colours of hair, which in different portions 
of the globe’s surface vary from the tint of the Albino to 
that of the African negro, it would appear from our reading 
that the scions of the Norman race have been celebrated 
for the dark shade of their chevelure, whereas Venice 
and the regions near her, have ever been famous for their 
heroines, adorned (as to their hair), with golden beauty. 
It may be supposed that the more modern process of 
dyeing the hair yellow, or buying yellow locks, may be 
partially ascribed to a scene from the play of the “Two 
Gentlemen of Verona,” in which one heroine observes to 
another :— 
Her hair is auburn, 
Mine is perfect yellow. 
No doubt the Shaksperian zzamorata thought that it 
lent her irresistible charms, and—many a modern belle 
thinks—that the yellow hump of hair filched for a mere 
bagatelle from the head of a poor German peasant girl 
or fraulein, will prove a perfect pass to the much-coveted 
porch of Hymen. 
Homer amongst ancient poets, Titiens among medieval 
painters, Scott among modern bards, have seized on the 
fascinations of golden ringlets. Hear the latter :— 
But most the Northern maid I love, 
With breast like Denmark’s snow, 
And form as fair as Denmark’s pine, 
Who loves with purple heath to twine 
Her locks of sunny glow. 
It may be observed, that under Louis XIV., perukes be- 
came fashionable. Some aver that the King wore one to hide 
an unsightly lump on his forehead. However this may be, 
he adopted most grotesque-looking wigs. It is related of 
him, by historians worthy of credit, that when compelled 
on one occasion to uncover his head, in the presence of a 
servant, he gave utterance to the profound remark, “ that 
no man could be a hero to his valet de chambre.” 
Again, the ladies about the court of thé unfortunate 
Marie Antoinette followed her example in piling turrets 
of hair on their heads, which they arranged in very 
fanciful styles, and shapes of butterflies, &c. It is stated, 
that the Queen being in the way, “that women wish to be 
