Milford chronicle., 1903-11-13
The Hat IN MEXICO.
SIX Tiles Now Worn by officials In
stead of SOmbrerOs.

RAAA AAGH 4NuN ~ Urn ny OnAtAAAA An@
stead of SOmbrerOs.
Among all we'll bred people great at
tention is paid to the hat of the mascu-
line visitor That emblem of grandee-
ship. as Richard Ford called it, is taken
at once and carefully placed on chair
quite as if it were a person. 1t must
be treated with respect A table is
also a proper place for it, but chair is
better
Especially is the top hat distinguish
ed in etiquette. 1t implies that the
wearer is a real senior, true caballero
and it is honored with careful treat
ment. See that it is allowed to repose
on a chair safe from casual knocks or
jars. In common parlance. the top hat
Is "una chistera," a facetious word,
and. speaking seriously, it is "un SOM
brero dc copa." or de copa alta" 1t is
an emblem OF social rank, and lawyers
often wear it from morning till night.
The sOmbrerO de paja, or straw hat
may be Of many degrees of fneness.
NAAAAAto IL mas q BOAu VI ellNGl EUAAA
and is worn by well to do nncheros or
great haciendadOs ON proper occasions.
Women on horseback in the country
and formerly in the city wore hand |
some sOmbrerOs. The sombrerO of felt, |
with its ornaments. may cost anywhere |
from $40 TO $1,000. 1t is the gala hat |
for horseback on days Of iestas and in
tho Sc nero FaI hvr l,.,I
prosperous. Remember that the hat in
any form is something to respect 1t
Is taken off as a sign OF regard and
Difference or of mere courtesy.
The sombrerO calanes is the Amer
lean hat OF low crown and broad brim,
the hat of the bullfghter on the street.
where he receives the homage of the
admiring populace, especially Of the
small boy. It has its epochs of coming
into quite general use and is far more
picturesque than the staid and prim
derby. The latter hat is much affected
by the city youth Of Mexico. but it is
foreign. alien and an exotic. 1t is
ridiculous when worn on horseback I'M
der the ardent sun OF Mexico or Anda-
iusla.
In old times Mexicans as well as
Spaniards 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 can (
dies"
Boys OF the lower classes wear cheap 1
straw sOmbrerOs to school. and the I
is that they ever distinguish {
them. for they are as much alike as I
peas in pod.
But to return to our muttOns, so to :
Iay-the hat as a symbol of grandee- {
hip. 1t is nowadays the tall hat, the G
topper" the silk hat stovepipe, or
what you will "Gobernadores" wear
I, senators and deputies and lawyers,
II course. though in Mexican cities the
younger lawyers affect jaunty straw o
lRts in warm weather and often der v
,ys. 0
The grandees Of the first class Of t
pain have the privilege Of remaining "
oYered in the presence of their SOW n
reign, and the other day the young Ii
King Alfonso, receiving a party Of no ! b
'lemen Of high degree who approach d
d him uncovered. said. after n mo- 81
nent, "Cever yourselves. senOres," q
7hich is the ancient etiquette. Thus d
be hat plays in Spanish tradition and fl
ctual life a ceremonial part differing a.
rom usage in AnglO-Saxon countries. X
-5ifs, 4 ss.-'i' . :. Z 49,. -..--- fC
90