New-York tribune., 1908-04-19

written since the romantic epoch. From the MD
die Ages until the present time is the pertod IN
which the society means to dig
One enthusiastic student of costumes declares that
II IS absolutely painful TO how noveIists mix
Up the costumes OF different eras and crnas IN that
novels And not only the small fry; the greatest
Writers-Alexandre Dumas Victor Hugo and otbA-x
like them who ought 10 know better-rnaka sad
chronological mistakes sometimes in dressing their
characters As for OF the new historical 70
mances. the way in which the English Of the sraRa
coach era the men-at-arns depicted bv AIbrecht
Durer. the Magi Of the italian Primitfves and
others equally homogeneous consort together In their
pages is funny. until remembers that ardent
young readers sometimes take these descriptions for
historical truth.
one point which the founders OF the costumes
museum are going to try to determine is the exact
meaning Of the term military costume" Sincs
the time Of Louis XIV that term has been quite
regular for all uniforms have been made after
models; but before that period there was no special
military caste; all men wore arms who were able
to bear them the state OF the times compelled
them TO do so. The swords worn by the Acader,i-
clans and other officials who in these peace
| ful times are not likely to find # necessary TO
SLASH people are curious relics Of that old custom
The way IN which different things worn by men
and women will survive their usefuness-being
worn long after there IS any excuse for then-is
| very curious. Why do eccIesastics. magistrates
and university students long and flowing
their place, are tagging sUperfuous' the stage
/ OF time. The Society OF the History OF Costume
| means to bring out the truth that evolution gov
| erns the dress OF man. Articles modified 70
| suit the changing needs OF man when they are no
longer useful they disappear, else. like the gown
Of the scholar and the sword Of the Academician.
| survive useless appendases-mers badges OF
| something other.
The origin of the things people wear or have worn
is an interesting study which Bulletin de la
| Societe de THstoire du Costume will devote a
good many pages. Most OF the articles OF clothing
| come into being because they are needed but
sometimes there very silly reasons for this OF
| that development. For instance why were such
| immense splay shoes worn in the time OF Charles
| VIII? Because that monarch had big feet. Why
did the France which Louis XIV. ruled take
10 high heeled shoes? Because Louis XIV found 1,
necessary to add TO his stature by artificial means
The history Of art will be enriched by the work
OF the society for the embroidered tissues the
gilded feathers, the textiles and the Jewels that
men have worn all have their places in the growth
| OF art. Then the society has decided TO include
in the articles relating to riding and trtv.
ing-the arts OF the horse" or course, that vii
include harnessings Of all ages. vehicles stirrups
| spurs, saddles
| The influence of countries upon one another IN
the matter OF is another point that study
/ brings out AS late as the Crusades the costumes
Of Western Europe showed Saracenic influence very
plainly and indeed in parts OF the South OF France
and OF Spain IL still survives. Anne Of Austria
Catherine de Medicis. Marie de Medicis and Maria
| Theresa introduced many modes into France
So Tar the finest museum OF costumes IS the one
at the Armer1a in Madrid. got together by the late
| archeologist. the Count OF Valencia Judging by
its plans, the Society OF the History OF Costumes
! intends 10 rival that