Note 91 — CHAP. IX. Of the Beards of Priests.

Several communities of Capuchins have been reproached with having concealed their beards on certain occasions. It is said, that those of Monpellier, about the beginning of Feb. 1731, played, in the great dining-hall of the monastery, the tragedy of Polieucpe, and danced between the acts, to celebrate the arrival of the provincial; and that, in order to play the women’s parts, they put their beards in a parchment thing made like a chin-cloth, painted flesh colour. The Capuchins of the great monastery at Lyons, in 1757, likewise acted a play before their friends and their brethren of the second monastery; they played three days running les Fourberies de Scapin: the reverend father, who played the part of Scapin, did it great justice. They add, that one of these reverend gentlemen danced a Harlequin dance with much grace and suppleness, and that, to remedy the inconvenience of long beards, they put them in pink taffety bags. The Capuchins at Grenoble and Vienne likewise acted a play, and covered their beards in the same manner. We relate these anecdotes, which were formerly printed by the enemies of the Capuchins, to show, that every opportunity has been taken to attack the beards of that religions order. These friars, at present, have no occasion to be afraid of similar reproaches; they act no plays, neither do they conceal their beards, and they make themselves equally respected by the gravity of their appearance and the extent of their learning.