The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-05-10
RAT-SHINs FOR CLOVES.
ssnn ufaoturers Claim That They Are Never
Used for such Purposes

r1nnufacturers claim They Are sev0R
Used for such Purposes.
We are still being taught to feel what
respect we can for rats, On account OF
their skins being used, very largely
used, for gloves This venerable fc-
ton was revived lately H. the corre-
spondence columns Of a lively contem-
pOrary, and was at once contrad .ctcd
by practical glover at Grenoblc prin-
cipally on the score that rat-skins were
not large enough for the purpose. Still
the statement was adhered 20, objection
being taken that not one but many
skins might be used in making one pair
OF gloves. The Grenoblc workman
wrote again, saying that 10000 skins
passed annua ly through his hands, so
that he had some authority 20 speak
upon the subject, and he protested that,
10 practical man, the thing was quite
absurd, and, for another thing, the
skins were not only not valuable be-
cause Of being 50 thin, but were actu-
ally too thin 10 be Of any value. Still
the statement was maintained, and the
testimony OF two authoritative works
on natural history and three encyclo-
pedias all, we suppose, unanimous in
affirming that rat-skins are very large
ly used in glovemaking-was triumph
antly appealed TO, although, by tho
way, the titles OF these volumes were
not quoted.
1t is Of no use TO put up encyclopedias
Or works on natural history as de-
fense upon pO.it Of manufacture when
people actually engaged in the work
assault them with IA fiat denial. Rats
are very interesting in narratives Of an
mal sagacity, which is a5 near an ac-
quaintancc with them as most people
desire, and their skins, ! ke those OF
moes, are delicate to II decree, and the
nap delightfully."- soft and fine. Mole
skins make fine waistcoals, and have
been made up, with some perseverance,
into mantles for ladies, and doubtless
rat skins might, with considerable
pains, be similarly utilized.
There was, some years ago, an in
gcnious individual OF Liskcard, Corn
wall, "who exhibited himself in Il dress
composed from top to toe OF rat skins.
which he had been collecting for three
years and half. The dress was made
entirely by himself; it consisted OF hat,
ncckerchicf, coat, waistcOat trousers,
tippet, CATERS and shoes. The number
OF rats required TO complete the suit
was go. The tippet or boa was COM
posed Of the pieces Of skin Immediately
round the tall Of the rats, and was II
very curious part Of the dress, contain
ing six hundred tails, and those none
OF the shortest
This proves the possib lities OF rat
skins. but very remote possibilities for
all that Gloves may have been so
made As curiosites, but not CONNER
cially We mcot with statements in
books TO tic effect that rat hunts are
regularly held in Paris sewers, and the
privilege of gathering the slaughtered
animals ON these days sold by the au-
thortics, but the Prefect Il the Seine
know nothing about it, and wrote to 5
William Beck saying SO. We have
statements, also, both in books and pa
pers. that rat-hdcs are generally used
in making the thumbs o. thumb-gus-
sets OF kid gloves, and We have our
| largest glove manufacturers quito una
waro OF the circumstance. Hard facts
against book statements which wins?
-Drapcr's Trade journal.