West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-09-06
HISTORY OF UMBRELLAS.
ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF MAN
I KINDS RAINY DAY PROTECTOR.
Reverence Bestowed on it in Early
Days-Rtdiculed I'm Medieval

Referring 10 the traces OF the singular
reverence bestowed on the umbrella, as
proved from the retention of primitive
tree-worship in the earliest days of pure
Buddhism, the English Illustrated Maya
cane says:
In point OF fact, tho connection be-
tween trees and umbrellas is not so far
fetched as might at first sight appear,
for the primary idea of the umbrella is
undoubtedly derived from a shady tree,
umbrella, from umbra, shade), with
pendant boughs dropping from an up
right stem.
So closely has this primitive model
been adhered TO by the peasants of
Burmah and Bengal that their great
clumsy chattas (umbrellas) consist simply
of a framework of bamboo, covered with
leaves or else matched with grass.
The usual ingenuity OF the Chinese and
japanese was not long in devising an
advance on the original idea. So while
they retain the idea of the tree in the
strong bamboo handle and framework Of
split bamboo, they substitute thick
waterproof paper for the primitive green
leaves.
In the beginning ::of the present CEN
tury the Mahometan rulers of Hindostan
claimed a monopoly of the use of the
sunshade, and no one was permitted to
carry an umbrella in the imperial pres
ence. Thus it islrecorded that certain
English merchants having been admitted
to an audience with the King of Delhi,
the ladies who were of the company were
ordered to dispense with their parasols,
as being an infringement OF the great
MoguPs provocative.
The magnifccnce Of these Indian state
umbrellas was amazing. Some were Of
crimson velvet, richly embroidered in
gold, and the heavy golden handles,
which were eight feet high, were in
crusted with diamonds. That of the
Queen of Lucknow, which is now treas
ured in the South Kensington museum,
England, is of blue satin embroidered
with gold and seed pearls. Some were
of cloth Of gold, others only of gilt
paper. Some were even covered with
gay feathers, but all had long handles,
either of beautifully inlaid wood, or even
OF carved ivory. The State umbrella of
1ndore is shaped like mushroom.
In the Assam department OF the Indian
and Colonial Exhibition a remarkable
umbrella is shown, consisting of a very
large umbrella overshadowing a smaller
one. Both are of white silk, almost re-
sembling game, and each is bordered
with two short valances. The whole
structure is supported on framework of
bamboo. A long, perfectly straight,
small bamboo forms the handle, aud this
fits into larger bamboo, in which CEN
tire the ribs of the upper umbrella. The
whole is crowned with tall knob of
gold.
Persia likewise recognized the honor
comforting power of this symbol, as is
fully proven by the ancient title which
has ever been bestowed on her high dig
nitaries, namely, Satrap of Chatrepa,
which, like the titles of the Burmese
Kings and the Mahratta chiefs, simply
means 'Lord of the Umbrella"
Indeed it was from Persia that the
idea of carrying a canopy of some rich
stuff above any object to be reverenced
seems first to have reached Europe.
In the middle ages it figured in all
solemn PROFESSIONS coronations, mar
riages, funerals, triumphal progresses of
great men-just as in Eastern lands,
where the chief mobiles of the Kingdom
are those selected for the honor of sup
porting the splendid canopy which over
shadows the royal litter, or the funeral
car whereon is laid the honored dead.
Another ecclesiastical symbol of honor,
which was simply a conyentionalized
form of the umbrella, is the aureole
which is so invariably represented as
encircling the heads of Buddha and his
disciples, and very frequently of other
deities.
From tropical lands, where the fierce
rays of the sun lend such special import
ance to the protecting s%nopy, turn to
Europe and see what has been the his
tory of this simple little safeguard,
which the poorest cottager now deems
an essential, not indeed as a sunshade,
but rs a rain guard. Little does he
dream that less than two centuries ago
IL was luxury almost unknown in Brit
ain, but still less does he know of its
exalted honor in the remote ages, and
in 90 many lands.
The Greeks and Romans seem to have
been the first to admit such a refinement
Of luxury as to allow great mobiles and
ladies of high degree the privilege of its
use.
In later days distinguished feature
IN the State professions of the magnifi
cent Doges Of Venice was the gorgeous
umbrella Of gold brocade, the use of
which was privilege especially granted
20 those faithful sons Of the Church by
Pope Alexander III.
So jealousy was this privilege guarded
that IN Venice IL was not till the middle
Of the eighteenth century that Vene-
tian noble (by name Michael Morosini)
ventured 70 go out in his gondola, carry
ing small green sunshade. II was
square aud fiat, and crowned by a little
copper spire. He is said 10 have been
the first Venetian who INDUCED in such
q luxury. His example was speedily
followed by the ladies Of Venice, but
some time elapsed ere men could sum.
mon sufficient courage to do so
Passing on to France, the earliest
mention OF the subject occurs in the
dialogues" OF Henri Estionne pub
lished 1879, who makes one OF his
characters ask his friend whether he has
ever seen the invention which Italian
and Spanish mobiles caused to be carried
about with them, to shield them from the
sun-a continuance which is supported
By a stick, and can be folded up in A
short space, but which, when open, ex-
pands to circle large enough to shelter
three OF fourpersons. His friend replies
that he has never seen one, though he has
heard Of u, adding that II French wo.
men saw men carrying such things they
would taunt them with eGeminacy.
IN 1862, however, large cumbersome
umbrellas were beginning 10 come into
use, and they are as much used in winter