New-York tribune., 1906-09-10
ERIN's SONS WORE kits

Most people in America arc under the impression
mat the national garb Of Ireland consists Of tail
coat tight knee breeches with thick stockings and
heaVy-soled boots. more or less brimless and
sadly battered top hat. with black cutty pipe
ana bunch Of shamrock stuck I'm the hatband the
OUTFIT being completed b.. shiIleIagh-an tmpres-
slon TO which the theatres here in their presenta-
ton OF plays relating 10 Ireland have largely con-
ulouted. This costume is, however. a mere trav-
esty- The real old national garb OF Ireland COM
prlsed Kilt blue bonnet, plaid a saffron COL
ored lene or kirtle and above ALL a cloak full and
ample cut 70 various patterns and trimmed with
iuF or 'shag" Some Of my readers will recall the
poet spencer's famous reference to this cloak
"h@re ne designates 1t as ideal for an Irish
outlaw The Jackets worn by the Gaelic-Irish
were Of various shapes but generally shorter thar
the modern corresponding article OF dress Some Of
hein were euriously pleated. and secured by a
De.' ana others were elaboratey Crnamented with
eiIoIoldefy- The knees. however, were not bare.
es IN scotland. and the legs clothed by
rews' single garment combining the uses OF
trousers and stockings. With regard 10 the women
the leire' and the cloak differed little from that
or the men. The most characteristics headgear for
the ladies' was a roll % fine linen tied in a pecu-
Iarly shaped bundle on the head and with this
nluch Jewelry and many ornaments we're worn
The mems dress is extremely picturesque. and
Nhue William Gibson never succeeded I'm persuad-
ing his father the former Lord Chancellor Of Ire
Iand' to don IT with his robes Of state NJ any
-Nt ANH0tAolf no ihinSeiI mas frequently
pesred therein. not only Gaelic meetings and at
entertainments. but likewise in society at Dublin
As he Is extremely good looking-a fine figure Of a
mamie presents, thus garbed. a very picturesque
appearance.
william Gibson is extremely clever writer: in
oeed, very gifted man. and his The Able de
Lanennis" made great stir when it was published
a few years ago. His wife is a beautiful French
woman Of the old house Of De Montbrison The
couple divide their time between their place in
Surrey and Lord Ashboune's house at Dublin
which Is one of the largest and finest IN Merrion
Square-that square which was constituted by the
palatal town residences Of the old Irish aristocracv
In the days when they were compelled 10 spend a
portion Of the year I'm Dublin In order to attend
the sessions OF Ireland's Parliament. The Gibsons
are T1pperary people. and Lord Ashbourne like his
son. betTays traces of the national love Of a
shindy. both in politics and in private life They
neither OF them be described az precisely con-
ciliatory people, and under the crcumsta noes the
peculiar decoration OF the entrance hall of the
mansion Of Lord Ashbourue in Merrion Square the
walls Of which ere entirely covered with swords
muskets pistols blundeFbusses and other less civ
nized weapon, must be regarded as peculiarly ap-
proprate.
II will oe interesting 20 what sort Of a recep-
ton the Hon. William Gibson will receive here For
while on the hand II Is not TO he expected that
his Tory notions will commend themselves TO Gaelic
societies in America, yet the part which he has
played in originating and promoting the Gaelic re-
vival. and his devotion 20 fits cause cannot but
arouse sentiments of sympathy good Will toward
one so passionately devoted 10 everything Irish.
MARQUISE DE FONTENOY.