The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-05

The gloves Of the ante-glacial occupants OF
cave are supposed Ito have been made OF
rouehly dressed skin sewn with needles oi
bone. but they were worn Just tue same
and the General pattern remains unchanged.
There il plenty Of other evidence that
gloves are Of very remote origin, although
none that goes back 80 far. The Anglo
saxons wore gloves in the seventh century,
but the men were the ones then 10 observe
the custom. the ladies covering their Dnnus
with their sleeves. Earlier than this Nor
man officials and high persOnages Of that
country covered their hands. and IN many
places in the Bible the word "shoe' Is uscd
when scholars maintain 1t means glove.
The glove trade is under great obligations
fo the Church In the year 700 Cbarlemagne
Granted 10 the Abbot and Monks Of olthin
an unlimited right of hunting, for making
their gloves and girdles of the skins OF me
deer they killed. and also for covers Tor thtlr
books. But gloves bad more near connec-
ton with the Church than the industry OF
the monastery. They had distinctive en-
pIovment in the rites and services. !ncy
were worn by the priests officiating. Inc
laitv were expected 10 take of their gioNe
i'm church. while ccclesastics alone might
wear them. a reversal at our modern
fashions.
Tho symbolism Of the Church did not for
get the glove as gifted with hidden -ignih.
cameo. Bruno. Bishop Of ~cgui. says iidl
..ihey are made Of linen % denote that the
hands thGy cover should Toe cha7ic. rIe"h'
and free from all impurty." The gloves on
the hands OF BonifaceN Ill. a. the time 81 li~
iticrrncui were OF white silk, beautiiuilf
wrought with pearls. Gloves are SIM u~t1
bv Roman Catholic Bishops and advertiser
i'm the lists Of clerical noccssarles. Acc"io-
inc 10 st. Charles B0rrOmco, q bl7hop ;
cloves should have a golden circle on the
outside. and this j., seen on the gloves Oh
Bi.hop William. Of " yheham, preserved I'D
New College. oxford.
Gloves were in lil6ofton set with precious
stones. and sufficiently valuable as % DE lelt
as legacios. The iewelcd gloves OF II. Mar
tial were said 20 have rchuked an act OF
sacrile.,e. The gloves of Bishop Graves
end. worked with gold and enamel were
priced M -, q great sum in l"lo. bul Tie
sturdier Bishop Button wore thick yellow
leather gloves 40 ten pence par.
However. that love of luxury and Of vest
mcnis which then. MS now, threatened 10
sap "a certain division Of the Church, led tO
tine passing of sumptuary restrictions. The
clergy "might nor wear gloves, red on
green or striped: neither ring. brooch, or
uamontal girdle nor gloves" Monks Were
not % wear gloves Cr decrskin. but were 20
content themselves with gloves Of sheen
skin. But cloves were still made of costly
material for bishops and the higher clergy,
who were then adorned with Jewels. n
spite oi -umptuary laws.
Bishop Bicuifu,. who died i'm 9l3, leit ms
an ina ortlnt legacy pair of gloves, and
the earliest silk gloves ON record were
found on the hand, OF Thomas a. Beckett.
Gloves have ever been an accessory 10 the
dress OF royalty. They have q place h tl"
rcgalia. and We read of purple gloves orna-
mented with pearls and precious stones,
which were deemed ensigns Of imperial dig
mites. They were 80 intimately connected
with kngly power that monarchs were m-
vested with authority by the delivery OF %
.loye.-GlObe Democrat.