The semiotics of beards

Beards are often supposed to indicate an inclination towards revolutionary & democratic sentiment. This is because beards are generally supposed to be cultivated as a sort of natural right by lovers of natural rights, the men who like all signs of Manhood (with a large M) & who are to think a well-grown beard the true qualification for the Suffrage. Possibly there is a party who would justify their dislike to woman suffrage, secretly to their own hearts, on the ground that women have no beards ... but if it be thus obviously a hasty & false impression which associates beards in general with revolutionary, democratic or even Fenian sympathies ...
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The Spectator 26 October 1867

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In an historic exception to regulations, RAF soldiers have been given permission to grow bushy beards for tours of duty in Afghanistan - The Times 13 September 2007