Getting pretty hairy

In light of our lengthy and admiring entry on the "demon barber" (see below), it seemed only fitting to discover that Algernon is a French Norman name derived from au gernon -- "to have a mustache." And that a "faceshelf" is the continuous link of sideburn to mustache to sideburn one occasionally sees on the more hirsute heads in daguerreotypes ("An advanced form of mustachery that should only be attempted by an adept of the art. Also known as The Chester A. Arthur after the 21st President of these United States.")

Other fine facial hair information with the occasional literary/artistic sideline --and all of it absolutely sprouting with illustrations! -- can be found at Mustaches of the Nineteenth Century. We love the suggestion -- untrue, alas -- that there's a sister site, Van Dykes of the Seventeenth Century.

Thanks to Anne at KERA.