Note 5 — III. HISTORICAL SURVEY.

“It is customary to shave the Ottoman Princes as a mark of subjection to the reigning Sultan; and those who serve in the Seraglio have their Beards shaven as a sign of servitude, and do not suffer it to grow till the Sultan has set them at liberty.”—Burder’s Oriental Customs. Volney says, “At length Ibrahim Bey suffered Ali his page to let his Beard grow, i.e., gave him his freedom, for among the Turks to want the Beard is thought only fit for slaves and women.”