Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-03-31
FASHIONS eEolNNlNcs.
The Queer Origin Of Many Customs a.

Costumes.
1t seems that trousers originated in
the Gallo nations that finally overthrow
the power of Rome. When the Roman
Emperor Aurelian led Tetricus, the bar
barian, in triumph, the latter was ar
rayed becomingly in pair of IS bracche,
Boston not then having been founded
and the word pants" consequently I'M
known. The fashion thus introduced
into Rome was plant of slow growth,
the Romans believing that any division
in the garments below the waist was a
mark of effeminacy. Gradually, how
ever, as luxury became rampant, the
trouser-leg became more pronounced
and close trousers became the general
costume.
| Alexander the Great had a twist in
his neck. 1t was therefore fashionable
for every one in that monarch's court
to carry his neck in the same way.
The practice of the Cardinals of Rome
of wearing red hats at ceremonials and
professions was introduced by Pope In
nocent ~. as a symbol to indicate the
readiness of the cardinals to spill their
blood for Jesus Christ.
The use of powder originated in the
fancy of a French mountebank, who
dredged his head with flour in order to
emphasize his idiocy.
The peruBe is said to be due to the
misfortune of Philip, Duke of Bur-
gundy. His hair fell out and his physi-
clan advised him to cover his head with
artificial hair, which he did, and thus
set the fashion.
One day Francis I. of France was
struck ON the chin with a piece of tile.
Of course the wounded part could not
be shaved. Thus boards came again in.
to fashion, after having been out nearly
century.
Once upon a time Charles vi. of
France gave a masquerade ball and he
and five of his courtiers took the part
Of satyrs. To do this artistically they
were clothed in loose linen habits, be-
smeared with rosin and then stuck all
over with down. One of the company,
in a frolic. lighted one of the satyrs
with torch, and, in consequence, four
of them were burned to death. This is
feather custom.
Charles VII. of France had pair of
M-made legs. He wore a long coat to
conceal them. Result: Everybod else
wore long coats.
Peter the Great adopted rather a
novel means to convince his subjects
that they should change their clothes
to conform with the modern customs of
Western Europe. Believing, as is we'll
known historically, that the future great
| ness of Russia depended upon the facility
with which it was made to assimilate
all that was best in other countries, he
had succeeded in introducing some i'm
portant innovations into the half-civ-
ilized region over which he held
sway. At length he had pat
terms of cloth hung up at
the gates of tho towns. and
those who did not conform to the FASH
ions thus set We're locked publicly. AL
belt this was done in as pleasant man.
ner as possible, for Peter believed in
being good-natured with his people.
They, on the other hand, loudly de-
INJURED and used the argument that
| what was good enough for their fore
fathers was good enough for them.
every WELL" said the sagacious Peter.
In 1703 he gave dinner at Moscow to
celebrate the marriage of one of his
| testers, and insisted that it should be
conducted in strict conformity with an
cient usage. There had formerly been
a superstitious custom of not lighting a
fire on a wedding. So Peter made them
do without a fire, although it was colder
than Christmas in Hoboken boarding
house. He wouldn't give them any
wine, because their forefathers never
drank it. When they demonstrated, he
reminded them that it was a poor rule
which did not work all around, and
thus, by his good-natured greatness,
wheedled his people into new coats
about the hardest thing that can be
done with humanity.
Few articles of dress were more pop
ular at one time than the Spencer, the
origin of which is extremely curious. Mr..
| Spencer, an Englishman, rather partic-
ular in his dress, one time remarked in
a company that no fashion was so ri
diculous but would be adopted if worn
by a person of sufficient Importance.
This was objected to, whereupon
Mr.. Spencer offered to bet that If he
cut off the skirts of his coat and walked
out with merely the body and sleeves,
some one would follow him. The bet
was taken, the coat prepared and Mr..
| Spencer used it in London, past a
well-known town tailor whom he knew
was always looking for something new.
Thus the Spencer came into use.
At the battle of Steinkirlx, which took
place on the morning of August s, 1892,
the French mobiles were surprised in
their sleep, and hastily rushing out of
their tents they arranged their lace
eravats in the most careless manner
The French were victorious, and to
commemorate their victory it became
the fashion after this to wear the neck
cloth in a negligee manner. Hence the
origin of the Steinkirk cravat, as it was
| afterward called.
During the reign of George III. his
Royal Highness the Duke of York had
| a duel with Colonel Lennox, and the
worthy Colonel succeeded in shooting
| away one of the Dukes curls. Hence
it became the correct thing to wear a
curl on one side of the temple only.