520 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



cLitis. And if all clergymen would wear silt instead of cottoa, I am con- 

 vinced bronchial affections would be as rare among them as they are among 

 the lawyers. The reason I think is, that cotton, when shorn of its fibres, 

 is not a bad conductor of heat, and, consequently, when placed around our 

 Decks, robs us of it constantly; besides, it attracts dampness far more 

 readily than silk, and while damp, is prejudicial to health ; it further re- 

 quires far more airing than it usually gets after washing. It is now much 

 worn next to the skin, instead of flannel — but never will be found a sue- 

 cedaneum for it- 

 Mr. Fisher, as an artist, had examined most of the works of art in Flor- 

 ence, in the Vatican, and in the British Museum ; and had carefully studied 

 the costumes of different centuries. About the 15th century the neck wa» 

 not clothed — one portrait, by Titian, which he recollected, had the neck cov- 

 ered much as in the present fashion — In the time of Elizabeth both ladies 

 and gentlemen wore ruffs about the neck, which were, in some instances, so 

 exaggerated that the back part could be seen over the head j they, however, 

 were worn, probably, for ornament rather than service. His impression 

 was, that in the middle ages, the neck was not covered — nor till within 3 

 few centuries of the present day. In several ancient works of art, Mr. 

 Fisher Kad seen a head represented as swathed by a continuous piece of 

 cloth, which was wound round the neck also. These heads, probably, repre- 

 sent priests. The custom of wrapping up the neck, generally adopted, 

 seems to be, however, of quite recent date. 



Mr. Garbanati wished we could in this discussion, get out of the mere 

 historical, and into the practical subject — the materials ; their qualities, 

 prices, statistics — the machinery, the processes, and the results of the 

 clothing manufactures. These would be more consistent with the character 

 of the club. 



He then mentioned his own experience as proving that a slight covering 

 for the neck was better than a heavy one— while he had his neck wrapped 

 up, something was always wrong with the respiratory organs ; now that he 

 covers his neck but slightly, he is not troubled with such affections. As a 

 further proof, females do not cover their necks so much as males, and yet, 

 they are less subject to sore throat, &c. 



Prof. Renwick, being called upon by the chairman, stated that he had not 

 been aware of the subject to be discussed, and had made no preparation. 

 The hint of the accomplished artist (Mr. Fisher) who preceded him, had, 

 however, reminded him that he also had studied pictures, and could, there- 

 fore, draw upon his memory for some facts derived from the inspection of 

 the works of painters. 



In all cases, he was of opinion, that there had been a close connection 

 between the style in which the beard was worn, and the amount of covering 

 provided artificially for the neck. The neck being bare or scantily clothed 

 when the beard was worn long ; but when the throat was stripped of it« 

 natural covering, it was necessary to muffle it. 



The oldest portrait that occurred to him, was that of one of the great 



