New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-08-08
THE EXHIBITION
AT THE
CRYSTAL PALACE.

HATs-AMERICAN DEPAR TMENT.

In one of the principal arms Of the Greek cross
which describes the architectural form Of the Crystal
Palace and immediately facing the entrance frsn the
srthav stands a monument Of ambitious proportions
sod cunning detail which Overshadows in its preten-
sons aud in the importance Of the locality assigned
10 II most Of the other objects in Exhibition. The
uegi u0nsmeHfum Of the Latin poet has ~ evidently
suggested the conception and presided over the execu
ton Of this rem arfabe structure that shOnld be
wanting in duty as chronclers Of the eories Of our
Industrial Pantheon were VIC TO postpone examining
the merits Of the particular manufacture which this
Temple of Fash or is desgued to illustrate.
Smile not ye sorshippers Of those refined arts which
advanced the early republics OF Greece and Rome to
such high degree of civilization. Sheer not ye con-
posseurs in seyres tea cups and Dresden mOnsrOsties
Bow down your heads reverentaly ye caryers in wood
and workers in base metals ye pass this imposing
hne enduring monument Of an ambition which, If we
Judge from the embems by which i. is crowned, would
ajn soar into the heavens and cap even the globe
tself It's architectural order may be somewhat too
composite for your taseits contents toe familiar to
excite your wonder the reputation OF us owner 100
much sssOcated with previous feats Of selllustraton
to enlist your attention but you would do well TO remem
her that this man is is perfect type OF the prOyerba
energy and Enterprise Of his country aud that he has
done more to contribute towards It's material prosperity
nv the extent and Importance Oi.nl5 operations, tIth
scores Of the art mtators who hold up their heads 20
bieh and turn up their scOmsly at success
which their iDcapacity prevents them from achieving
The professional critic must not, however run away
with the notion that the simple articles OF every DAY use
ia the exhibition of which this pretentiOus look TEN
nile sdeyOted are in themselves unworthy OF me pron
~ nj place which in its wisdom the Executive Committee
has all tied to them In all ages, in proportion AS intel
ectua superiority has been appreciated aslgnncant lm
portance seems have been attached 20 the protection
of the organ from whence it was derived 1T would
seem even that the hat itself bOrrOws something OF the
peculiar idiOyncnsy of the wearer. thus Tor instance
Ia firm set on the head considered TO Indicate dcernl-
natonits depression over the brOWs pugnacty-lts re
treat from the forehead conference.-the Jaunty incl
nation 10 the right left ToueTIe, and It's rough and
negligent condition, slOyenliness What an important
part des il play too in the cOurtes es OF llfei The rel
aiye degrees If respect and social consideration are IN
no other action accurately defined than IN The man
rer in which il is employed in the amenities Of daily in
tercoure In iis bice adaptation TO the necessities OF
the moment the prejudccs OF rank are concia'cd and
the reverence due 10 age becomiDgly rendered With
vOm.n there surer passport to favor than lts grace
full introduction those subtle eyOu;iOns which constr
tute in their eyes the test Of geue breeding OF all ma
tops The French perhaps the most skilled IN the use
Of the hat In the air of profound respect with which
Partisan exquisite intantaueOusy uncovers on meeting
A lady and in The negligent grace OF the position INTO
which he throws himself az he balances enlery be-
tween the forefnCer and thumb of bis accurately goved
hand recognize the very perfection OF the saroT are
4
session and concentration OF IDEAS which It's AID affords
him that he carries it with him into the salon. aud en-
trenches himself behind il as species Of brelstwork
When his fair enemys batteries are carried, he eau
tously emerges from its protection and ventures on
sortie which secures truce Tor the reSander oil the
visit.
What an nfabe index, too, does the physical condi.
tos of the hat afford the position and crcunsanceso i
its owner The wholesome faith in this now generally
received fact makes M who are VIGOROUSLY disposed
to be soyeny ngy careful in this particular IL
is axiom in the ecsnomy OF dress, that gentleman
may without derOgang from his social position indulge
in the luxury of old coat provided always that he
complies with the cardinal conditions OF glossy hat,
spoess linen and well fitting gloves and boots. II You
are too Independent TO submit to these conventional
trammels present yourself by way of experiment under
the debfts of napcss beaver 10 one of those favored
mortals whom luck ratherthan merit has placed within
the category of the Upper Ten The most sensible man
is 50 apt to be swayod by external appearances, that
is next to certain that he vii button up his breaches
pockets and meet You with the unchaaoie Judgment OF
Pindar:
A skull quite desatats Of BRAIN
Why even the very porter at his door Will measure
you corteInp uousy from head TO foot and Ii he has
dog there are chances 20 that The srstocrac
eur will y AZ your legs and render your condition still
more runOus Wiki man and beast the date oo0'Hn
seems an inevitable conclusion from a faded hat
That the fashion Of the hat may convey political
neaning the records not only OF past bat Of own
times will show Nunberess instances might be cited
q the important p2t which n played IN the political
troubles Of both gland aud France and We need only
refer to the reign e Cbarl the LIST proof OF the
powerful influence which il exercised in keeping alive
the bitterness and evaporation of the Great parties who
we're then struggling for the mastery Eyon within our
own r. collection the Calabran hat became not Oy the
badge OF party bat object of prescription 20 the y-
rants of Italy The cock of revolutionary beaver was
more feared hy them than the click Of musket To
the credit Of the French despo be il said that he has
derived the Socialist Of every O,hcr heAas not
attempted 20 deprive him Of this harmless means Of g
deatiug his opinions
With the assumption OF superior moral cnnllIiol
tie fashion If the hat has been also SomeShat Oddly
associated Previous 20 The formation %. the sect
which has adopted IS one of the cardinal points Of us
creed an unusual txVanse Of beaver, the laruhes and
CaDtsells Of scenic representations were similarly ds
tirguished. Why more elevated phase ct our SPIRITUAL
nature should be indicated by al acre OF brm Is, how
ever, question Of too me Apply steal nature to be DIS
cussed within the limits of the preseG- article.
We think We have said enough 70 prove that, indie
pendent OF It's material uses there is mora 81 nhcancy
ia our subject Let ms view !. in is cOmmercls.
hearings end see whether justi6ts the Importance We
attach to it.
The public generally SO little acquainted with the
mater nal employed in the manufacture OF the hat and
so disposed take in trust the assurances of the
maker 60 its quality, that few details exp,aa n Of
both yprOye useful 10 the unintated Tie materials
used kT making hafs besides silk the fur Of hares
and robbits chosen from the lone hair together with
wool end beaver and nutrs The finer descriptions of
hats formerly made Of beaver bur since the intro
uucton VI water PROBING 70 IS found unnecessary 70
use 60 valuable material in the foundation The BODY
OF beaver bat is made OF ne wool and fur
mixed and elted together item stiiened aud shaped
me mapping or covering Of the best hats consists OF
mixture Of ehssk beaver with white and brown stage
beaver, seasoned beaver commonly called rooms