Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-08-20

by rich ana poor ana nave no spcclal
significance excepting as Il completing
article If the toilet, much attention be-
ing given 10 their fit in case the wcarer
is woman. Strangely enough, that
which is regarded as a particularly NICE
effect in the fit Of woman glove be-
comes positive blemish when worn by
a man, if indeed man could be found
who would wear glove that was fitted
to his hand without a wrinkle.
The antiquity Of gloves reaches into
remote ages. As early as in the reign Of
Robert III glove We're in
corporatcd by charter in Perth, a guild
being then established that still exists
in name, although tie town is not de-
voted now to the Manufacture Of gloves
as "a leading article of commerce.
A glovcrs company was established
in London in 1864, bat Was not char
tered until 1858 In 1861 a company
for the manufacture and sale Of gloves
was incorporated in Worcester, Eng
land whore the trade flourishcs at the
present time, the famous English dog
skin, made really from Cape sheepskin,
and of warm tan color, being unap-
preached in excellence by any other
makers
Paris is n glove market for the whole
world. In the Swiss mountains kids a.e
raised especially for this industry and
great pains are taken to have the ami
mails killed while the skin is fine and
soft Tannerics at Mitlau, Annonay,
Paris and Gronoble prepare them for the
stitchers. But there are not enough kids
raised IN France to supply the great de
mand for gloves, and the gamins Of
Paris find steady and profitable employ
ment catching pats AT the mouths Of the
great drains Of the city to exc out the
trade. Dogs and even cats contribute
also, though supplying an inferior ar
ticle Of kid.
In ancient days glove represented
contract or pledge, substitute for the
hand, being cast down 10y one contract.
ing party u Doe taken up by the other
1t also represented challenge, to throw
down the glove often being an invita-
ton 20 mortal combat. At tlp same
time to give an enemy "a glove IN q pa
cific manner was pledge Of faith, 10
break which was regarded as crime.
The lordercrs Of Scotland were so par
ticular about this use Of the glove that
when one Of their knights broke faith
with his glove keeper they proclaimed
his pertidy by riding to appointment
holding aloft a spear, from the point Of
which the dishonored glove dangled.
And if the knight was slain by his own
clan it was conceded TO be righteous
punishment.
\ fur lined glove worn by Henry VI
is preserved in an old mansion that gave
him shelter after the battle Of Hexham,
1864. 1t Is of tan leather lined with
.deerskin with the hair on and turned
over to form a cuff.
1t is recorded Of unfortunate Anne
Boleyn that she possessed many pairs of
extravaganza gloves and would always
wear them to hide certain blcmishes on
her nails which offended the eye Of
the king. Her royal predecessor used TO
delight in making her pl.Hcards with
out them, as it was sure tMesult in her
discontinue.
Queen Elizabeth took much pride in
her gloves, and made an entry in her
book of expenses Of lone payr of gloves
embrawret VSflx.gold, which she sent
as gift to fH,TiSsplstcr Mary. She also
recorded the fact of receiving "ten payr
of Spanyshe gloves from a duches IN
Spayne. "
1t has been customary for gentlemen
TO remove the right hand glove when
shaking hands with lady This Gus
tom descended from an ancient one
which forbade any one to enter the pres
ence Of royalty i'll gloves, because visit
ors We're to stand unamed, with the
helmet off the head, the gauntlets off the
hands, to show that there were no hos
tile intentions.
Biting the glove is looked upon with
disfavor as an unpleasant habit, But it
had once a deeper meaniDg-a pledge
of deadly vengeance.
Stern Rutherford but little said
But bit his glove and shook his head.
Thus wrote Sir Walter Scott in his
Lay Of the Last Minstrel.
1t was considered no crime for law
yers and special pleaders TO take the
bride of a pair of gloves, and the custom
did not fall into disfavor until the
gloves were Lined with coin, which
gained the name Of glove money. To
this ancient. custom can be traced the
present habit Of presenting gloves to the
guests at weddings or funerals.
Gloves were iirss worn by the clergy
TO symbolic that ttir hands We're clean
and not open TO briies.
Both the old and the modern poets
have written tender verses to this capri
cious article of feminine attire.
'Send me a glove you have lately
worn and | Will tell your characters
tics, J." was the way III which an adver.
tisement was worded few years ago.
Incidentally fee of 81 was mentioned
as consideration. But the people who
were enticod into sending their dollars
We're more than satisfied with the re-
suit. The glove reader told them the