Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-09-15
THE GLOVE.
II Is Feature of Modern Rather Than
Ancient Civilization,

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The prevalence of tho glovo is feature
of modern rather than OF ancient civiliaa-
tion. Musonius, writing in tho first cen
tury says, at Is shameful that persons in
perfect heath should clotho their hands
and feet with soft and hairy coverings"
1t was undoubtedly the spirit of luxurious
fashion that gradually advanced tho glove
to its present position. For every thousand
gloves now worn as n protection from cold
many thousands are worn simply as on
ndornmcnt of the person.
The symbolism Of gloves grew up slow
ly under medieval fostering. Tho traces
OF this symbolism that still ROMAN may 10
seen in the white gloves worn mt weddings,
the white gloves given Mt n maiden assiZc,
the b!ack gloves of funeral ceremonial.
With the clergy the glove became u symbol.
OF their oilico, its purity and incorrupt-
Utility; with foudalism it became synony-
nous with knightly honor. Tho last rest
ing place Of old customs Is generally to he
found in popular phrascology-as when
we speak of throwing down tho ga,int-
lot Even now ut the coronation of Brit
ish sovcrcigns tho glove is thrown down
in Westminster hall by tho armed cham
pion of majesty, and 1t is remembered that
Mt tho browning Of George ii an unknown
Incubto cnmo forward and raised the
glove on behalf Of tho cxilcd Stuarts. 1t
was plucky though foolish action. In
the days Of tho Plantagencts it appears
that the kings wero not only crowned with
gloves on their hands, but were buried
with them.
When tho tomb Of King John was Open
cd in 1891 IL was found that his hands
wcro glovcd, and tho remains Of Edward I
were discovered in tho same condition.
Tho glove had long been symbol OF in
vcstiturc, and possibly tho kings were thus
buried with somc grim idea Of investing
them with tho rights Of tho gravc-thcir
regal rights having passed to their suCCcs-
sOrS. At tho coronation of French kings,
tho royal gloves were blessed by tho bishop
who OBLIGATED. In some parts of Christcn-
dom bishops themselves were indicted to
their dioccscs by receiving glove, invest
ing them with temporal as we'll as spiritual
rights. Tho glove became so associated
with episcopal authority that at different
times the wearing Of gloves was absolute
ly prohibited to tho lower clergy. While
ono council issued this cdict another de-
clarcd that mc;lks should only presume TO
wear gloves of common shecpskin. Eps-
copal gloves wcro often richly adorned ns
we may gather from tho fact that Bishop
Rccnlius, dying In the year 9lj, bcqucath-
cd Pair of gloves in his will For tho
word glove it would appear that we arc in.
dcbtcd to tho Iccandc Rlof AS gift Of
gloves was a mark of the highest honor
n token of irvcstiturc, comforting Of
trust, so the deprival OF PERSONS gloves
was o sign Of the deepest degradation. We
read of the Earl Of Carlisle, condemned
TO die us a traitor In tho reign Of Edward
! II, that his spurs were cut off with
hatchot, and his gloves and shoes wcro
taken OFF. ="
! In yet another sense to lose tho glove Of
lady ut tourney was deep disgrace.
Knights wore their ladies' dainty gloves
us Tie most precious of insignia, and Re
who lowered his lady's honor need littlo
look for her smiles. Tho practice of giving
gloves to the judge at maiden assizo proh-
ably had its origin in the fact that u judge
was net supposed to wear gloves whilc on
/ the bench; to present him with a pair
might signify that he was now free to do
as he chose. -Lordon Standard.