Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1873-08-02

GLASS BONNETS.

Whatever may be said of the aim or
result of the Vienna Exposition, 1t has
certainly been the means of bringing
together the choicest products of the
world, and Of giving people Of various
nations new IDEAS concerning matters
OF which they never before have thought.
In no direction has wider range been
given than in the manufacture Of glass,
and new forms, designs and uses of this
material are now presented to the world
for the first time. Conspicuous among
these Is ladys bonnet or head dress,
which, for elegance and beauty, cannot
be eycelled. The idea Of a glass hat
is certainly novel, and many objections
might he made to it on account of the
fragile material. but in reality the glass
is much stronger and moro durable
than the delicate materials now in use
for the same purpose.
These articles, as may be imagined,
come from Bohemia, and they have al
ready gained iair share of popularity.
Specimens have been sent to Paris and
London, and that we should not be
behindhand in so important a matter,
an enterprising firm in this country
have imported quite number, and will
Immediately begin their manufacture;
to be ready for the fall season.
These hats arc of the most beautiful
and delicate designs, and snch is their
adaptability to all costumes and occa-
sions that they will probably soon come
into universal u~e. The body of the
hat is made Of loose pieces of fine glass,
fastened closely together by a gutta
percha band, which allows it to conform
to the head. Inside there is lining
of silk, which is the only piece of fab
ric used in the manufacture.
The trimmings on the outside are
after the prevailing mode, consisting of
wreath, flowers, feathers and ribbons
all made of delicately spun glass. of
wonderful beauty. OF course all the
trimmings have their natural colors,
and by patent process is so we'll sub
dued that the material is unsuspected.
The most beautiful flowers and hum
ming birds arc used for ornamentation,
and colored SO naturally that in appear
ance they are superior to the usual arti-
fetal goods.
! 1t is almost incredible the small
amount Of glass that enters into the
construction Of one of these hats, for
the thread is so fine that great space
is covered without any perceptible in
crease in the weight. They weigh but
few ounces, or about one-ffth of
the average weight of the present style.
With the care that is usually given by
lady TO new hat, these new articles
will outlast twenty of them, for there
is no wear to them; moisture will not
stain them, and if dust should settle to
dim their beauty, it is readily removed
by single spray of water. The COL
ors are so blended together that for or
dinary occasions they present general
neutral tint; but at a small additional
expense they can be made to flash and
sparkle like diamonds, either in the
sunlight for a carriage costume, or in
the blaze of ballroom, or at the op-
era. Theircost is insignificant, and as it
is understood several well-known firms
are going into the business extensively
they may soon be expected upon our
streets. 1t is probable, however, they
will not be readily known, as the re-
semblance to the genuine materials is
so great.