366 transactions of the american institute. 



The Manufacture of Gloves. 



The discussion of this question was opened with the following remarks 

 from tlie Chairman: 



Glovt.^ originated in comparatively modern times. Tlie word Glove is 

 from tlie -Saxon, Glof. It has no synonym. Lexicons of dead languages 

 contain no corresi)onding term; and on no relic of ancient art is found a 

 represeiitalion of this article of dress. Among the Greeks of the Ilonierian 

 ao^e a covering to protect the hand while doing certain kinds of labor was 

 us.-d. A passage in the 2ith hook of the " Odyssey" contains an allusion 

 to it in the description of the dress of the father of Ulysses, as he appeared 

 in his garden. Cowper thus renders it: 



" In that utnbragcoiis spot he found alono 

 Laertes, with his hoe clearing a plant; 

 Sordid his tunic was, with many a patch 

 Mended unseemly; leathern were his greaves 

 Thong-tied and also patched, a frail defence 

 Against sharp thorns, while gloves secured his hands 

 From brier-points, and on his head he bore 

 A goat-skin casque; nourishing hopeless woo." 



The glove of Laertes was similar to our mitten, and probably the Per- 

 sians, whom Xenophon speaks of as effeminate, wore the same in winter. 



The ceslus, used by the; boxers of Greece and Rome, consisted of thongs 

 of ox-hide of leather, wound around the hand and arm, and extending to 

 the elbow. Flin}' the younger mentions manicoe — mittens — worn b}' the 

 Komans to protect their hauda against the cold. For the performance of 

 certain manual operations these were made with digitalia — fingers. 



It is not unlikely mittens came into general use in the colder climates of 

 Northern Europe, and that the first improvement on them was a separate 

 sheath for the Jbrefinger as well as the thumb. Similar lialt-mittens are 

 now sometimes worn by those engaged in out-door work which requires 

 the quick action of a single finger. 



The complete glove was worn by the dignitaries of the Church subse- 

 quent to the dark ages, and thereafter it played an important part in all 

 notable events, from the coronation of a king to the offering of a challenge. 

 It was used as a pledge in the conclusion of a contract, and in the transfer 

 of land it implied full and undisputed possession. 



In the days of chivalry, the lady gave the faithful knight her glo's-e to 

 wear in his helmet as a token of her favor. And ever since those times it 

 has been an indisi)ensable article of her dress. 



The coverings for the hand now used may bo classified as follows: 



1. Mils, which cover only the palm and back of the hand, thus allowing 

 the free use of the fingers in tlie most delicate manual operations. 



2. Mittens, worn in the coldest weather, and then preferable because the 

 direct contact of all the fingers tends to equalize the circulation of the 

 blood. 



3. Gloves, covering each finger and the hand to the wrist. 



4. Ilalf-gauntlets, covering the hand and wrist. 



5. Gauntlets, covering the hands, wrists and a portion of the arm. 



