Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-04

tune IL 80 ancient that its inventor u
rot now known, bat II seems quite cef-
tain from the records that gloves came
into use as soon as shoes. In those
rude and primitive times called PRIV
historic, when lovers did their wooing
with club, and young gentleman
wanting q wife went out and knocked
one down, be put on his gloves tifs@
This is what some eminent scien-
tst think. They say the cave
men wore gloves, and the cave
men are supposed to have lived some
l0O, 900 wears ago. Professor Dawk'ns,
in his work entitled Early Man in
Britain" says the cave men and women
wore gloves, not only Of ordinary size,
but reaching even to the elbows, thus
anticipating by untold ages the fashion
able multi-buttoned gloves Of our era.
The belle of the ballroom 10 decoilete
dress and twenty-buttoned kids is hardly
aware that she is only copying after
some prehistoric maid or matron who
was wooed and won ages and ages ago,
but our learned biologists tell US such IS
the fact.
To come to later times, concerning
which all is not guess work, there
seems to have been no time when gloves
were not worn. They are mentioned
in the Bible, and in the Oldest literature
that has come down to us. They were
first used as q protection from the cold,
and we're thought to be mark oil
efTeminacy. Some Of the early Chris
tian fathers inveighed strongly
against people in perfect health
clothing their hands in soft COW
erings, but like all preaching
from that day to this, it availed
nothing against fashion. But in time
the bishops and other clergy got to
wearing gloves themselves, and the
monks were among the earliest glove
makers in Europe. The glove also bore
a part in regal and martial ceremonials.
At the coronation Of the Kings Of
France the newly-crowned monarch
received from the hands Of the officiating
bishops a pair of gloves, previously
blessed by the Church. In England
new sovereign receives = right-hand
glove, and with it the sceptre OF the
kingdom.
Gloves were at one time favorite
form of New-Year's gift and wedding
gift, and to make the present more vel
liable money was sometimes given in
the glove. Sir Thomas More, when
Lord High Chancellor Of England, was
presented with a pair filled with gold
coin by q grateful sutton in his court in
whose favor he had decided. The
gloves he accepted. but "their lining
you will be pleased otherwise to be-
stow" be wrote to the giver. The
English judges were not allowed to
wear gloves on the bench, but there is
probably no custom in England more
widely known than that Of the 2resen.a-
ton of white pair Of gloves to judge
upon the occasion Of maiden assize, as
it is called-that is, a holding Of court
where no criminal has been condemned
to death. Gloves were also given by a
lover to his betrOthed as symbolical
form Of binding the bargain, and at we'd
dings lavish gifts of gloves were made
to the clergy man and guests; but this
custom has long been abandoned. But
it is still maintained al. funerals, and on
important occasions the undertaken
bill for gloves is o considerable item,
particularly when the Government has
to pay. Kings and mobiles were buried
with their gloves on in the old times
and a remnant Of the custom may still
be observed among US when cavalry
soldier is buried. His gloves, with hi
sword and hat, are placed upon the cof
fin.
The use of the glove as symbol 0
defiance. or challenge to combat, come
to us from immemorial times, and
though in this workaday modern worl,
the custom is practically unknown, yo
il is associated with SO much that is ful
of romantic interest that it still gives I
picturesque and lively smile TO the Ian
euage of antagonism. Particularly j
is in use TO express challenge by part
orators, and the congressional arena /
frequent witness Of gauntlet helms
cast down or picked up, metaphorically
by some excited partisan. But thes
worthy legislators of ours, when the.
use the language of chivalry, have II
idea Of adventuring the justice Of thei
cause or their integrity Of purpose OF
an appeal to arms. They prove thei
knightly truth and honor by othe
modes not quite so dangerous. =.
One of the most amusing scenes i
Henry v" turns upon the eXchang
of gloves as a challenge between tn
King incognito, and Williams, one @
his brave common soldiers. The Kin
afterward gives the glove he receive
from Williams to Fluellen, the choleri
Welsh captain, and when William
meets him with the glove in his cap b
gives him. with right good will, DO
on the ears. The King comes up, tn
quarrel is explained and adjusted, an
Williams is presented with a glove fa'
Of crowns. The glove was sometime
also worn in the cap as a memorial
/, love or friendship, and twas knight
, practice to carry glove in the helme
as n mark of devotion to some IA
lady. An old chronicler relates tbs
at the battle Of Agincourt the knight
bore among their headgear the glove
of their daIliDgs."
: In the great case Of Shylock rs. AZ
, tonic, reported in Shakespeare, tn
=, fraudulent young doctor, after hsvlp
enormously given judgment in favor
Z defendant. and stuck the complainant
! not only for costs, but for ell his pre-
! perty, refused to take any reward fro
. the gratified Antonio but his glove
Give me your gloves III wear thel
for your sake"
The ladies Of the Browning Societ
in this city will easily recall the poe
Of the " Glove" the best Of the small'