Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1903-12-04
THE HAT IN MEXICO.
suk Tffes Now wors by omcfals In
ste al OF Sombvcroa.


suk rfies Now wor. By omciais ia-
stead OF SembpcPoa.
Among all well bred people great at
Nntiop Is paid to the hat OF the paascu-
Ane visitor. That embiem OF grandee-
ship. as Richard Ford called IL IL takan
AZ once aud carefully placed on q chair
quite as X II were person. II must
be treated with respect. A table Is
also a proper place for II. but q chair Is
better.
Especially Is the top het distinguish
I'd In etiquette. 1t implies that the
wsarer is real senior. a true cabaIiero.
ard II Is honored with careful treat.
uent. See that II Is allowed 10 repose
81 q chair safe from casual knocks or
1ars. In common parlan nee. the top hat
Is una chistera." a facetious word.
and. speaking seriously, 1t is "uu som.
brero de copa," or de copa alta" 1t is
an emblem of social rank. and lawyers
often wear II from morning till night.
The sombrero de paja. or straw hat,
may be OF many degrees OF aneness.
Sometimes IL has a gold or silver cord
and is worn by well TO do rancheros or
great haciendados on proper occasions
Women on horseback I'm the country
and formerly In the city wore hand
some sombreros. The sombrero of felt,
with Its ornaments. may cost anywhe
from $40 to $1,000. Il is the gala hat
for horseback on days OF festas and IN
the country regions is affected by the
prosperous. Remember that the hat i'm
any form Is something to respect. IL
IS taken OF as n sign of regard and
Difference or of mere courtesy.
The sombrero calanes Is the Amer
lean hat OF low crown and broad brim,
the bat OF the bullhghter on the street,
where he receives the homage Of the
admsring populace, especially OF the
small boy. II has its epochs Of coming
into quite general use and Is far more
picturesque than the staid and prin
derby. The latter hat is much affected
by the city youth OF Mexico, but Il 10
foreign. alien and an exotic. II Is
ridiculous when worn en- horseback nm
der the ardent sun Of Mexico or Anda-
iusia.
In old times Mexicans ns well az
Spantards Of social rank wore the
cooked hat immortalized in Alarcon's
story OF the "Sombrero de Tres Picos."
The three cornered hat. properly speak
Ing, affected by people In times agone
was called the 'sombrero de tres cam
diles."
Boys OF the lower classes wear cheap
straw sombreros to school. and The
marvel is that they ever distinguish
them. for they are as much alike as
peas In a pod
But TO return 10 our muttous, no 20
say-the hat rs a symbol OF grandee-
ship. It Is nowadays the tall hat. the
topper" the silk hat. stovepipe. or
what you will ''Gobernadores,' wear
1t, senator's and deputies and lawyers,
or course. though in Mexican cities the
younger lawyers Affect Jaunty straw
hats In warm weather and often der
bys.
The grandees OF the nrst class OF
Spain have the privilege OF remaining
covered I'm the presence OF their SOW
creign. and the other day the young
King Alfonso. receiving a party OF no
blemen OF high degree who apron CHI
ed him uncovered, said, after mo-
ment. Cover yourselves. s. .!ores."
which is the ancient etiquette. Thus
the hat plays In Spanish tradition and
actual life n ceremonial part differing
from usage in AngloSa countries