National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-05-06
HAND COVERINGS.
GLOVES AND THEIR MANUFACTURE.
The Trade In This Country-Customs Of Wearing
Gauntlots and ovcs-Ceremonials--Tho
Sign OF the Gilt Glove--Hhito
Kids-Pretty Ladies'.

Sixteen buttons on q dainty glove would seorn
TO be not only unnecessary, but also very absurd,
yet TO become the possessor of lust such an ABB
surdity was the height Of ambition of every fnsh-
ionable lady year or two ngo. Fashion, how
over is as fickle she is arbitrary in her Dictates
and at present she has decreed two buttons shall
be worn and no more. Tho glove may reach to
the elbow you please but 1t must be fastened ut
tho wrist with two buttons only and the top TO fall
In sot wrinkles about the arm. That so much
importance should be attached TO tho style of the
glove is not at all remarkable, when IL is rcmem-
bcred that next to womans affection for "nlove
Of bonnet" thero IS nothing so dear to her heart
as her supply Of dainty gloves. She may be par.
doned for this feminine weakness for oven the
slerner sex are not nsensiblc TO tho charms of n
shapely hand enclosed in n dolcntely- tinted,
neatly fitting glove, aud the French have it that
the true mark Of lady is TO be always Ben
cfnussee Ct bicn 9d,fee."
THE GLOVE TRADE OF THIS COUNTRY
has increased very rapidly the last few years and
is still increasing. During the year just closed
there were imported no less than 67s.52s dozen
pairs ofglovcs valued at So 3s3i, $50 These figures
Include every variety of gloves made, md are not
confined to those made especially for Indies.
France sends the largest number, also the finest
nish n large number. The custom of wearing
gloves is by no means modern one Homer
SGks Of LacSs mS5Sng Eoye N while WORDING
out his gloves, and among the sculptures found at
Thebos was one representing ambassadors from
Apart rom tho Comfort % they give and The Finish nish
they are to the toilet, there nro many curious Gus
toms and historical Incidents connected with them
which are well worth ollr study.
IN THE MIDDLE AGES
there was curious custom of giving a glove Ms q
pledge In concluding contract and TtOm this Is
probably derived the later one ofthrowing down n
glove as q challenge, which the opposite party ac-
oepts by picking itup and throwing downhis own.
In some pnrts OF Europe there WIS u singular Gus
tom Of taking of tho gloves upon entering tho
stables Of prince, or of n great man, or In falling
to do II forcing tho gloves or their value 10 the
servants. In hunting the same ceremony was per-
formed at the death Of the stag. III oldcn times
they werc very costly articles Of dress and were
ornamentcd with precious stones and worn only
by kings and church dignitaries, md only upon
state occasions. 1t was probably the cost of them
which gnvo rise to the custom OF presenting them
or in lieu thereofof giving what was called glove
money"
AT THE FAIRS HELD IN ENGLAND
years ngo II was usual TO hnng out the sign of gilt
glove, sgnfying that n persons attending tho fair
| should be exempt from arrest for debt or other
reasons during the continuance Of the nir. In the
London.Nocsdnd Qucrricsltis held that this custom
originated In Chester, place famous for its glove
manufactures and during the balance of the year
Hanging out tho sign during the fair was an invi-
tntion for strangers, aud citizens TO buy. At the
opening Of the Maiden Assize, the Judge presiding
was always presented with pair Of white gloves,
as n token 1.-THE innocence OF the city. They were
beautifully embroidered and ornamentcd With
Brussels lace and having the arms of the city en-
bossed in frosted silver on the back of each glove
PRESENTING GLOVES AND scARFs
at funeral was very common in this country
some years ago, and still prevails in some places.
II was carried to such an extent In New England
that the Legislature of Massachusetts passed law
forbidding the practice under n penalty of 500.
Hull. in his history of the glove trade, says that
Charles w.. King Of Spain, was so much under the
influence of any lady who wore white kid gloves
| that the use of them at court was strictly pro-
hbited. As an item of dress at the present time
they count up in the course of the year to quite
| large sum, Notwithstanding the apparent cheap
ness per pair A lady who is Mt all particular
| about such things must have them TO match her
| travelling dress, her walking dress, her carriage
| dress, her dinner dress, and bor evening dress
| and, as tho latter must be of the most delicate
| tnts, II Is not possible TO wear them more thhn
two or three imes-so. II she is In the habit of CO.
ing out frequently each week during the season,
| pretty nice sum will have to be
CHARGED TO GLOVE MONEY"
Although the lords OF creation love to criticise and
to laugh at these little weaknesses OF women, they
are not entirely above them, for the city swell Is
quite fastidious about the fit and the shade OF
| his gloves MS the most fashionable city bell is
about hers. He does not indulge in quite rs many
buttons, but otherwise deyotes MS much thought
aud money to them us she does Ii 'one is in the
habit of observing such things closely, they can
find quite study of human nature in this very
small article of dress. Neatness, tidiness modesty
extravaganza, refinement economy, good taste,
bad TASTE fitness or love Of display each in turn
indicated by the gloves.