RED HAIR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7233, 21 October 1901, Page 3

RED HAIR.

It is time the -world ceased to regard red hair as a subject for reproacn or merriment, and approached it in the more serious mood of the ultra-esthete. It has, •we are told, a morality of its own, beyond the careless -wisdom of the posts who have seen in it the reflection of the sun or of burnished -metal, and the colour of blood, and have made it the symbol of light, and life, and love, and heat,, and strength. From Helen of Troy 'to Sarah Bernhardt, from Alexander the Great to 1 Bo*b Fitzsimmons, red hair flames like a beacon fire along the world's path of fame. Apart from Alexander, the greatest King and greatest commander of his age, there were many other red-haired Greeks. Demetrius, the Macedonian, -was one. The ranks of the Romans included ma>ny .red-haired fighters. Caßsar, greatest of them all, and the shrewdest of statesmen, had red hair, and Sulla, the Dictate^:, -was similarly blessed. These were all great fighters, whose natal star, " The red planet Mars," had stamped its birth-mark on their fated heads. Cromwell was red-headed, and what individuality ever impressed itself more strongly upon English history? Napoleon Bonaparte was another of the red brigade. Christopher Columbus had the same auburn distinction, and Shakespeare and Tasso, the world's two greatest poets, were red-headed men. Of master statesmen and master musicians it is but necessary to quote Joseph Jefferson and Paderewski. although ix, is late in the day to write anything about Padmwski's hair. Of the world's women, two of the most uncompromisingly fiery red were Helen of Troy and Cleopatra, the siren of the Nile, of whom it has been written : " Had her nose bsen shorter, the whole history of the world might hare been changed." The most famous off wonien warriors and martyrs was Joan of Arc, rhe most famous Englishwoman the relentless Elizabeth, ths most notorious of Italian women the wicked Lucretia Borgia. AH these wore the hall-mark of hair "tinged by the setting sun." Great in the }:o\ver to charm, was the unfortunate- Mary Stuart, ■ great in the power to rule was Catherine of Russia. Both had red hair. tyirie Antoinette, ill-fated queen., the beautiful Madame Reeanrier, the greatest social influence France ever felt, and Beatrice Cenoi, all belong to the ranks of the aubnrnheaded, whilst to-day the Diving Sarah queens" it in a halo of blazing hair over a wider realm than many 'a monarch of more orthodox parts. By all means l&t us hare red bail. . . _. . •