The age-herald., 1902-03-09
The Evolution of the Modern Hat

In this busy, bustling age few men regard the hat they wear save to observe whether it is new or old, fresh or shabby, in fashion or out of fashion, becoming or unbecoming. They accept 1t in their matter of fact way as a commonplace article of dress and give to it but little thought; yet, of all created or manufac- tured articles few have so long and so varied a history. Today we speak of the silk hat" and the Derby" 'the Alpine" and the "slouch hat as a matter of course unmindful of its evolution during centuries of progress. Indeed, to the stu dent of history, of text and picture. few articles of clothing have experienced greater changes, and he recalls in how many periods the hat was often the badge of great political parties. Every school boy knows the Roundheads, of Cromwells army and the Cavaliers who followed Charles I. could be distinguished by their hats; just as in later times the broad brim of the Quaker's hat distin- guished him from all others, either in the streets of London or Philadelphia
 How far back the history of the hat can be traced in printed records is wit messed by the fact that the first hint of hat wearing in history occurs in the Bible. In the Book of Daniel 1t is record ed that Shadrach, Meschach and Abed- nego, at the command of that cruel inn perialist, Nebuchadnezzar-whoa afterward became beast and went to grass-were thrown into the fiery furnace bound in their coats. their hosen and their hats"
 A trace of the hat appears among the ancient Greeks. Greek citizens wore caps, the hunters wore a bat with a brim and the god Hermes is generally figured with e hat. But Greek art, because it addressed itself to the undressed, naturally gave the hat slight consideration. Possibly the phrase mad as a natter" originated thus. inasmuch as Greek hatmakers must have been mad because the Greeks bought so few hats.
 With the Romans fold of the toga served the purpose. The rree artisans wore a hat called the pileus, and when a slave was freed, one or the legal cere- monies of his manumission was the. put ting of this pileus on his head. This was the origin of the liberty cap"
 It. has been held that St. Clement was the inventor of felt. The fact, that the Hatters' Annual Festival for centuries has been held on November 23, St. SClem- ent's day, shows a general acqu.escenc. in this belief.
 In the twelfth century the canons of the church alone were allowed to wear hats. If anybody else sSventured to visit church thus arrayed, divine services were suspended till. the intruder was elected. Pope Innocent ". bade all cardinals wear hats of red.
 The hat that has held it's own is the beaver. It mas undergone many muta- lions and had many names, but the gen. eral shape. beauty ana utility have per- sisted unmoved by abuse and ridicule "Stove-pipe." cylinder" "plug''-it. has triumphed over all its nick-names. and today still holds the fort-or the head It was first worn by the famous Earl of Essex, favorite of Queen Bess. Later Sir Walter Raleigh adopted it. and two centuries afterward Count d Orsay.. the setter of fashion in England, and who. Lord Byron said, was the only thoroughly joyous and genial dandy he eyer knew, went down Rotten Row with a. hat of almost Identical shape with Raleigh's. When King Edward, as Prince of Wales LOOK a hand in the direction of fashions he set the seal of his approval on a hat or this general shape.
 The list of dandies from Count dOrsay George ", Beau Brummell, Beau Nash 10 our times who have set fashions in mats would make a volume In our own times who has forgotten the stcve-pipe