606 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Mr. Garbanati was glad to find that a sister society, " The Newark En- 

 gineer's Protective Society," took a lively interest in our proceedings. 



The subject of the evening being called up, Mr. Pell read the following 

 paper : 



HEAD COVERINGS — AND MODE OF MANtJFACTrRlN.G HAT8, CAPS, &C. 



Contrivances for protecting the head from atmospheric influences are in- 

 finitely diversified, and nearly all nations removed only one step from 

 barbarism, have made use of some dress for this important purpo^^e. A3 

 far as I can learn, the Egyptians, in ancient times, generally went about 

 their daily occupations with their heads entirely uncovered. The great 

 warriors of antiquity were accustomed to go to battle at the head of their 

 bare-headed troops. The savage tribes inhabiting the wilds of Africa are 

 always bare-headed ; and when our minister recently approached the walls 

 of Pekin, he passed through tens of thousands of bare-headed Chinamen. 

 The ancient Saxons were not accustomed to wear any coverings on the 

 bead, their maxim being that the head should be kept cool, but the feet 

 warm. We, as a people, have become so perfectly artificial in all things, 

 that it would be death to us to practice such a habit. 



The inhabitants of Turkey and stveral of the Asiatic nations wear, at 

 the present day, turbans composed of folds of silk, muslin, or cotton fabrics, 

 which are not taken off even when they enter their habitations. This 

 practice causes them to be tender, and weakens their constitutions. 



Before hats were invented, the Europeans wore woollen caps made into 

 various shapes and forms, and they are still much used in the manufactur- 

 ing districts of England and France, and among the Scotch highland 

 peasants, on account of their cheapness. In Germany, Poland, and Russia, 

 caps made of the skins of various animals — cats, rabbits, lambs, &c. — are 

 much worn, and they are frequently ornamented with feathers. 



Caps made of varnished leather are much used in America and England 

 at the present day, particularly by young persons and mechanics — some- 

 times by travellers, to keep off the wet, and sleep in, when placed in positions 

 where hats would prove inconvenient. 



The ancient Greeks wore hats similar to those which are now in general 

 use in this country and Europe, and made, too, as we make them, of silk, 

 willow, straw, felt, etc. When the process of felting hair and wool was 

 invented is not known. The inhabitants of Tartary used felting for hats 

 and tents ; and hats made of felt were used by the Saxons, Romans, and 

 Greeks. 



The chronicles of Froissart make mention of hats of the time of Edward 

 III. and Richard 11., and hats made of white felt were worn as the badge 

 of a certain political party at Ghent. Rut they did not become universally 

 used until the extravagant reign of Henry VIII. ; even then riding hats 

 were thrown aside, and cloth hoods and woollen caps worn instead. During 

 the reign of Queen Bess, high-crowned, conical hats were all the rage, but 

 were restricted by Parliament to the higher circles, and the middle classes 



