National Republican., 1881-07-16
ANTIQUITY OF HATS,
Tho Tlend Coverings of the Oiden Time s-
Old and New Hats.

The hat has figured extensively in
history, and volume might be written Of its ups
and downs, its various changes, and the notorety
1t sometimes has given the wearer. At what date
1t first formed essential part of the dress is not
known. 1t Is mentioned In the Bible several hun
dred years before Christ. In Daniel ill.,, 81 the
prophet speaks of shadrach, Meshach, and Abed.
nego being the fiery furnace bound in their
coats, their hosen, and their hats" Among the
Romgns the cap was the symbol Of liberty, and
slaves were presented with one on receiving their
freedom Even at later period the cap or hat
was identified with liberty, as in the republic of
the Netherlands after the emancipation from Spain,
when hat became the national emblem.
Formerly the hat was ornamented with snowy
plrmes and sometimes with rare gems, and the
form and color designated the rank OF the wearer.
About the middle of the twelfth century of the
"nobels of the lande NETT at Clarendon" is de-
scribed by Froissart as wearing hate of beYer"
In many countries the style of the hat has not
changed for hundreds of years-the Spanish SOM
brero of to-day is the same as that worn by the
great. grandfathers of the present generation. IN
Germany and in Holland father and son wear the
same kind of headcovering, but in England,
France, and in this country the fashion changes
with every season. 1t has been habit with the
stronger Sex to laugh at the feminine weak
ness for q " love OF bonnet" and
all sorts of witty sQuibs have been
gotten oil holding II up to ridicule. The ladies
are amiable enough to plead guilty to the charge,
and so have rather the advantage Of the opposite
sex, who in fact are quite rs susceptible MS they
are to the attractions of fashionable, becoming
hat, and whether it be shining beaver, hobby felt,
or graceful opera 1t must always be "just the
| style"
George Fox, the founder of the Society of
Friends, created quite n stir in England with the
"Quaker hat" Proud flesh, =" said he, looks
for hat-honor" and refused to take his off in the
presence of the magistrates and ministers OF that
| time. His disciples followed their leader and
agreed to pay no that honor" This of course led
to a conflict with the authorities and those op-
posed to the sect, and many good Quaker lost u
hat through their obedience to this novel un-
| social ritualism. Their hats were frequently
plucked of and thrown away, and they had to
endure blows, punches, and beatings besides.
The removal or lifting of the hat is at the present
| time considered n mark OF respect, especially 10
ladies, and as It is sometimes neglected by those
who call and consider themselves gentlemen, the
ques tion has been raised II lady Is not justified
| in refusing 10 recognize any gentleman who me-
| elects 1t. There may bo some circumstances
under which such neglect could be excused, but
tn ey are very few, and nine ladies out OF every
| ten who have their smile and bow of recognition
returned with nod from person too indolent or
too indifferent 10 remove the cigar from the mouth
or the hands from the pockets generally set the
person downas q rude boor, whose acquaintance
is not worth having.