The rival whiskers [graphic]

"Scene on the steps of a London club. A Life Guards officer with moustache and whiskers stares at two exotic-looking civilians who appear arm-in-arm, walking (right to left) along the pavement, both moustached and with whiskers of incredible length and luxuriance. These are worn with wide turn-down collars, one with a loosely knotted tie, the other with his tie passed through a ring, a contrast with the tightly curled whiskers and high stock of the officer. A Guards officer in a high bearskin, without moustache but with bushier whiskers than those of the cavalry officer, stands on the steps, stretching and yawning, his back to the whiskered civilians. Through the open sash-windows two whiskered civilians are seen, one raises a side of his collar, to which the whiskers seem to be attached; the other pompously caresses an immense whisker. A man of French appearance, whiskered and moustached, standing on the steps, gapes at the two pedestrians, whose whiskers have something of the lion's mane. This is stressed by a poster behind them headed by a picture of a lion: Nero is to be Seen . . . On a second poster is a bear: Bears' Grease for the Growth of Whiskers. Two bees make for the tawny whiskers of the taller pedestrian, who holds a riding-whip and is followed by a poodle with shaggy ears and shoulders. A woman in a bonnet and shawl (right) gapes in amazement. A little chimney-sweeper laughs."--British Museum online catalogue