New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-25
INTERESTING GLOVE FACTS.
A FEW OF THE FANcIEs OF ANCIENT
AND MODERN WOMEN.
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS WERE GEN.
IN

MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS WERE GEN
ERous IN SIZE
A pleasant-faced woman sat at the glove counter
in one OF the leading few days ago. lei
surely drawing OF her gloves preparatory TO having
a pair fitted and on She laid a beautiful
hand upon the velvet cushion. when the
saeswoman said. please close your hand.
madam" She did So and looked up smilingy as
she said
II fancy know what you are thinking about"
The girl gave a bright. answering glance and re-
Piled
Yes there Is difference in the way people close
the hand; many DO II your way with the thumb
outside. but when we have q customer who closes
her hand with the thumb inside. between the An
gers and the palm. know what TO expect. She
Will almost invariably be obstinate and hard TO
please and the tighter she closes her hand the
more pronounced these characteristics. II Is
difficult TO make satisfactory sale OF pair OF
gloves 10 such a woman"
AS the girl was talking she deftly measured the
fingers and had the woman place her elbow firmly
in the hollow centre OF the covered block. In a
short time the fair white hand covered TO per-
lection. and the saleswoman. submely ignoring
the glove buttoners near by took halrpin from
her hair. began at the last button. and working
up 70 the first closed the glove snugly and
looked admirngly the well -gloved hand before
her The gloves IN the boxes showed fresh and
dainty In their unWorn smoothness. ana seemed
the modern OF all wearing apparel. and In
deed II is hard realize what a wonderful history
belongs TO small article.
Among the remains which recent research has
brought 10 light in France and Switzerland there
was found abundant evidence to show that gloves
were worn by the cave-dwelers in prehistoric
times More than this they reached even TO the
elbows after the fashion OF evening gloves. II any
comparison may be allowed between the ones made
doubtless from roughly dressed skins and sewed
with bone needles and the delicate kid glove OF to-
day.
Gloves were certainly well known 70 the Romans.
and were denounced by a moraist at the close OF
the first century. History tells us that they were
used in the church and the bench. and in the
reign ~ Henry all the high church dignitaries
both wore and were buried In them. An engraving
OF the coronation procession Of 1850 shows one OF
the Judges wearing pair richly frnged about the
cuffs
Gloves have been sung IN song and celebrated
In story and have been used pledges OF faith
and symbols Of trust. OF battle and favors
OF love They have been sent messengers OF
goodwill and have been offered gifts mem-
orabe anniversaries They have had a conspicu-
Gus place al weddings and al funerals. and have
figured at royal pageants and rural huskings
AT tho time of their introduction in England they
were worn ny mon ONLY, ana "othsI u,I 'p "a 80 "
IRE to wear them until after their use had pc
come general among the other sex. Some historic
gloves associated with royalty are sun prtserFei
in private collections and In museums. A PAIR
once worn BY Queen Eliza beth give one the idea
that Her Majesty's hands must have been or un-
usual size. or that gloves were worn comfortably
loose. not 10 say "haggy' in those days. The
Dimensions OF the gloves are almost appalling Inc
middle finger being four and three-Quarters incnes
IN length the thumb Ave inches and the palm
three and one-h half inches In width. The glove Is
nearly hall 4 yard long, the gold fringe at the
bottom taking TWO inches from the total length:
TIE material used fine white leather, worked
with gold thread. edged at the bottom with yellow
and lined in the cum with drab.
No description OF gloves worn by royalty can Dc
satisfying that omts the pair given by Mary
Queen ~ Scote tho morning Of her execution;
February s. 1851. a gentleman OF the Dayrell
family who was IN attendance upon her at Foth-
eringav Castle. These too. are Of generous pro-
horizons and are descbed being made "of a
ighf cool bun colored leather, the elaborate en-
broidery Of he gauntlet being worked with silver
wire and silk OF various colors The roses are or
ual. and dark blue. and TWO shades OF very pale
crimson. tho foliage represents trees. ana -
worked in green. bird in flight with long tan,
figures cons pcuously among the work. That part
81 the glove which forms the gauntlet Is lined with
crimson satin. "A narrow band being turned out
ward as a binding TO the gauntlet. on 10 which IS
sewn tho gold fringe or lace. on the points OF
which are fastened groups OF small pendent steer
or silver spangles The opening at the side or ths
gauntlet IS connected by two broad bands or Grim
son silk faded almost TO pnle pink Color:
and zach band is decorated with pieces OF tarnshed
81