Smyrna times., 1859-12-22
NJ | S C ELAN NEOUS.
Ancient Fashions.

The New England Historical Register for
1852 contains the following interesting account
of the clothing in the Old Times:
Stockings were anciently made of cloth or
milled stuff, sewed together. Henry ii OF
France, was the first who appeared with silk
stockings. That was in 1869, and in 1861
Queen Elizabeth was presented by her millner
with pair. The first pair of worsted stock
lngs knit in England was made in 1864.
Red colorcd stockings, whether yarn, worsted
or sik were much worn in New England for
nearly halfa ceatury after the arrival of our
fathers.
In 1929, when provision was made for emf
grants to Massachusetts, the stockings furnish
ed were accompanied with ten dozen pairs of
Norwich garters. AT an early period Of our
country, silk garters were worn by the more
fashionable, and pulled into a large bow knot
at the knee, but as the custom fell under the
notice of the civil authorities, it was forthwith
prohibited.
Gloves have been long in use, and it was once
proverb that, to Ls well made three kingdoms
must be concerned in the making: Spain to
dress the leather, France to cut it, and England
to sew it. But France, for a considerable Pc
riod, is said to have had the preference in all
these three respects.
Sixty years ago, pail holders and other per-
sons attending funerals, wore white leather
gloves. In 1911 mems and womens " white
glazed lamb" gloves were offered for sale in
Boston.
Ruti5, however odd it may appear to us, were
formerly worn by males as well as females.
Queen Elizabeth appointed officers, it is related
TO C ip the ruff Of every person seen wearing it
of larger mensons than the law permitted
A clergyman in 1908 took occasion to allude
TO lady who wore ruff that looked 4" like
sail yea, like a rainbow" Ruif5 were wired
as we'll as starchcd. Annie, widow of Dr:Tur-
ner, for assisting the Countess of Essex to
poison Sir Thomas Ovcrbury in 1914, received
the following sentence " That as she was the
first to introduce the fashion of yellow starched
rufls, she should be hung in that dress, that the
same might be helm id shame and detestaton." :"
la the play of Albusnazzer, edited 1911, Arsin-
lima asks Trincalo, ''what price bears wheat
and saffron, that your hand is so stiff and yell
low 2"
Speaking Of starch it first came into use in
England in 1864. 1t was carried thther by
Mrs. Dinghen Vanden Passe, of Flanders, who
set up business a a professed starcher, and in
structed others how use the article for IS and
how TO make it for E2O. The News Letter of
17l2 gives this notice: every good starch
made in Boston, by starch maker lately from
London, is for sale"
The picture of Gov. Winthrop appears with
an elegant ruff The custom was imported by
some Of our primite settlers, but in 1923 this
part of the dress became SO enlarged that the
Legislature of Massachusetts felt obliged TO
command it to be kept within due bounds.
In the rain of James |, bands succeeded the
! full stiff ruff. They were prepared with wire
and starch, so as to stand out horizontally and
squarely." They were held by card and tas-
sci at the neck.
People of the ton had the string and tassels
of their hands sometimes elegantly scolloped
and embroidered, which custom finally attract.
cd the attention of our civil authorities, who,
in 1854, forbade bands to be ornamented with
costly work." In l639 a law was likewise en-.
acted prohibiting the wearing of bands SO broad
as had been the fashion.