The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-05
ABOUT UMBRELLAS.
They Are Much Older Than Some OF Us
Think.

They Are Much Older Than Some OF Us
Think.
How many OF you guessed what we
were TO talk about to-day, children?
Most OF you, / suppose. for 1t was not
Inuch of a conundrum, was lit None OF
US remember the time when people went
through the pouring rain like so many
poor drowned rats, for we have always
been used to the sight Of an umbrella.
But the fact Is that though umbrellas
were used In Eastern lands hundreds of
years ago by the Romans, Greeks, Per-
SLAMS and Chinese, still no one had the
courage to introduce them into England
or this country for many years. Some
where near the end OF the sixteenth CEN
fury, a traveller wrote to England a
letter saying that some of the Italians
carried q little leather canopy over their
heads, which they called "ombrellas,"
meaning something that ministers to
shadow and shelter them from the
scorching sun. In a letter from General
Wolfe, written some years later from
Paris. he speaks of the use OF umbrellas
there and wonders why anything so use
full had not already been introduced into
England, but they were only exhibited as
a curiosity in the museums then, and no
effort was made to manufacture them.
appeared on the street carrying an UNI
brella. It was raining in torrents. and
his common sense overcame any fear OF
ridcule Imagine the crowd he must
have collected as he STROBE along, not
caring what people thought.
The boys jeered at him, while the
crowd accused him OF being "Frcnchy."
Tfis mans name was Jonas Hanway,
the founder of Magdalene Hospital. lie
had been In Persia, where he mad found
how very sensible people were 10 carry
umbrellas. ard how they ministered 10
ones comfort. So on his return he saw
no reason for exposing himself and lis
clothes to .he sun and rain. You know
there always has to be first tine, chill
dren. and doubtless there were many
waiting for some one VINO RAD the cour-
age TO brave public opinion az Jonas ala.
II is a SPLENDID thing, boys, to have lots
of common-sense and mora! courage
not to be afraid IL be manly ana lndepen-
dent in all that is right and senslbie. 1
knew some young men TO-DAY Cgirls
the Toys call them, but | deeply resent
the reflection who would not have the
moral courage TO go away for vacation
because their clothes or hat were last
wears style" ! heartily believe, boys, II
* always best 10 keep up to the times IL
possible. only don't be afraid TO do ana
say what you honestly think about
thing. But to 20 back to Jonas and his
umbrella. / wish we might all have seen
the thing for II must have looked very
funny in comparison with the nne SILK
ones we carry nowadays. AT hrst all
the umbrellas we're made in France and
sent 10 England and America. and cost
a great deal Of money. The sticks were
heavy and solid like those you see on the
umbrellas Of the grocer's OF express
wagons and other carts. etc, that go
rushing about the city. The frame WORK
AZ the top was of iron. covered with
heavy waxed silk. The handle had
hupe wooden knob that rested on the
ground. the other end possessed SOLD
ring by which the affair could be hung;
altogether il weighed three or -FOUR
pounds. .x,
Compare this numbering. heavy thihe
with the delicate light sunshades ana the
best LYONS silk umbrellas. and you VIII
see what rapid strides have been MADE III
that line.
Next time we will talk about something
small again ard useful: In fact' we couia
not get Oh In this world without commit
ting a most dreadful breach or euque.te
three times a day were II not LOT TINS
most useful little article. Yet there was
time before Il came into use, ana people
were very happy, II perhaps not quile
co elegant as now since it found place
among us. Guess again. children'