Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-07-25
Glass BOnnetS.
TEE LATEST NOVELTIES FOR LADIES


Whatever may be said of the aim or result
of the Vienna Exposition. it has certainly
been the means of bringing together the
choicest products of the world, and ofgiying
the people of various nations new ideas con-
cerning matters of which they had never
before 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
lady's bonnet or head dress, which for elegance
and beauty cannot be excelled. The idea
Of glass hat is certainly novel, and many
objections might he made TO it on account cf
the fragile material, but in reality the glass
Is much stronger and more durable than the
delicate materials now in use for the same
purpose.
These articles as may be imagined. come
from Bohemia. and they have already gained
fair share of popularity. Specimens have
been sent to Paris and London, and that We
should not be behind hand in so important a
matter, an enterprising firm in Western PEN
sylyania have imported quite number, and
will Immediately begin their manufacture,
to be ready for the Fall season. These hats
are of the most delicate and beautiful designs
and such is their adaptability to all costumes
and occasions that they will probably soon
come into universal use. The body of the
hat is made of loose pieces of fine glass, fls-
tened closely togetherby n gutta percha band
which allows it to conform to the head In
side there is lining of silk, which is the only
/ piece Of fabric used in the manuia acture The
! trimmings on the outside are after the pre-
vailing 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 the CLASSY appearance
Is SO well subdued that the material is not
suspected. The most beautiful humming
birds and flowers are used for ornamentation.
and colored so naturally that in appearance
they arc far superior to the usual artificial
goods.
1t is almost incredible, the small amount
of glass that enters into the construction of
one of these hats, for the thread Is 50 fine
that great space Is covered without any
/ perceptible increase in the weight They
weigh but few ounces, or about one-fifth
the average weight of the present style. With
the care that is usually given by lady to a
new hat, these new articles will outlast twen-
/ ty of them, for there Is no wear of them
moisture will not stain them, and if dust
should settle to dim their beauty, it is readi-
ly removed by a gentle spray of water. The
colors so blended that for ordinary occasions
they present general neutral tint, but at a
small additional expense they can he made to
flash and sparkle ike diamonds. either in
the sunlight for carriage costume, or in the
blaze Of ballroom, or at the opera. Their
cost Is Insignificant, and as it is understood
several well known firms are going into the
business extensively, they may soon be upon
our streets. 1t is probable. however, they
will not be readily known, as the resem-
blanee to the genuine materials is 50 great.