It will not be amiss in this Place to give some Account of a Custom of our Ancestors, relating to the Hair worn by the Royal Family: For 'tis recorded, that our Forefathers had a particular Law concerning it; _viz._ That such as were chosen Kings by the People, or were of the Regal Family, shou'd preserve their Hair, and wear it parted from the Forehead, on both Sides the Head, and anointed with sweet Oyl, as an Ornament and peculiar Mark of their being of the Royal Family; whilst all other Persons, how nobly born soever, had no right to wear a large Head of Hair; but were obliged to go with their Heads shorn or shaved, upon the Account (as 'tis probable) that they shou'd be more ready and expedite in their continual military Exercises, as the _Roman_ Histories tell us of _Julius Caesar_, and several others. _Aimoinus_ lib. I cap. 4. says--"The _Franks_ chusing for themselves a King, according to the Custom of other Nations, raised, _Pharamond_ to the Throne, to whom succeeded his Son Clodio crinitus; For at that Time the Kings of the _Franks_ wore large Heads of Hair. Also lib. 3. cap. 61. _Gundoaldus_ being brought up by his Mother after the regal Manner, wore a long Head of Hair, according to the Custom of the ancient Kings of the _Franks_." In like Manner _Agathius_, lib. de Bell. Goth. I. where he speaks of _Clodoveus_, one of our Kings, who was taken in Battel by the _Burgundians_, (he calls him _Clodamirus_). "As soon (says he) as his Horse had thrown him, the _Burgundians_ espying his large Head of Hair, which fell back over his Shoulders, presently knew him to be the Enemy's _General_; for 'tis not lawful for the Kings of the _Franks_ to cut off their Hair, but even from their Childhood they remain untrimm'd, and always keep a large Head of Hair hanging low down upon their Backs." And we have many Instances that it was our Ancestors Custom, whenever they either deprived any one of the Crown, or took away all Hopes of obtaining the Kingdom, to cut off his Head of Hair. _Aimoinus_ in the same Place--"He earnestly beholding him, commanded his Hair to be cut off, denying him to be his Son.--Also--Having caused his Hair to be cut off a second Time, he put him in Prison at _Cologne_; from whence making his Escape, he fled to _Narses_, and suffer'd his Hair to grow again, &c." Which Story _Gregory_ of _Tours_, lib. 6. cap. 24. likewise records. Also _cap._ 44. where he speaks of King _Theodorick_.--"The Franks (says he) rose up in Arms against him, and cast him out of the Kingdom, and cut off his Head of Hair by Force." But there is a very remarkable, or rather horrible Story related by _Gregory_ of _Tours_, concerning _Crotilda_, the Queen Mother; who chose rather to have the Heads of her two Grandsons cut off than their Hair. 'Tis in his 3d Book, _cap._ 18.--"Our Mother (says the King to his Brother) has kept our Brother's Sons with her, and intends to advance them to the Throne; we