Allan Ramsay. [A biography.] - National Library of Scotland

ALLAN RAMSAY 25
January 1701. Although, as an apprentice, he was
obliged to undertake duties distinctly domestic and
menial,—for, in those days of strict social and ecclesi-
astical discipline, a master was expected to discharge
towards those indentured to him much that appertains
solely to the province of the parent,—still, there would
be many spare hours wherein he would be free to devote
himself to such pursuits as his taste led him.
What induced him to select wig-making as his life's
m'etier is unknown. Perhaps his stepfather may have
had some friend in that line of business who for ' auld
lang syne' was willing to take the boy and teach him
his trade. There is, of course, the other side of the
question to be taken into account, that the work did
not demand much bodily strength for its successful
prosecution, and that it was cleanly, neat, and artistic.
The recent development of the art of the coiffeur in
France, in consequence of the attempts of Louis XIV.
to conceal his natural defects of diminutive stature and
a phenomenally small head,—defects impairing the effect
of that majestic mien which the pupil of Mazarin so
persistently cultivated,—had spread into England, and
thence into Scotland. The enormous periwigs rendered
fashionable by Le Grand Monarque admitted of a variety
of artistic treatment. The heyday of wig-making may
therefore be said to have extended over at least the
greater part of Ramsay's career in this branch of trade,
and in his day the poet was reckoned the most ingenious
of Edinburgh perruquiers.
Another consideration probably influenced him in his
choice to proceed to Edinburgh. The change to lighter
labour would enable him to filch from hours allocated