LESSON II.
Nœud Gordien.
[Plate B, fig. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.]
It would be very difficult to offer to our readers an exact and perfectly intelligible explanation of this most elegant style—of the sovereign of Cravat ties, the Nœud Gordien, the origin of which is lost in the obscurity of antiquity.
Notwithstanding the laborious researches we have bestowed on this interesting subject, we have hitherto been unable to discover the name of the genius to whom the honor of this invention is due. We only know (and it is, we believe, generally known) that Alexander the great, irritated at being unable to comprehend the theory of its composition, and determined not to be foiled, adopted the shorter and easier method of solving the question—that of cutting it with his sword.
In our own times we occasionally meet with young aspirants, who, in the fullest acceptation of the term, adopt the Gordian tie; with this difference, however, that when they wish to untie it, as a sword like that of the Macedonian monarch is too cumbersome for their delicate hands, they make use of a pair of scissors, with which they are more familiar—but to our subject.
We confess, with regret, that we can only speak imperfectly of this interesting tie; but as theory is nothing when compared to practice, we will endeavour to address ourselves to the eyes, rather than to the judgment of our readers, in the conviction that, though we may be unable to accomplish our object entirely, we shall, at least, approach it as nearly as possible. Attention!