ON PROPER CLOTHING. 
341 
heat, wliilst black and dark-coloured clothes absorb the heat. 
Hence, in the summer it is clearly policy to wear white and 
light-coloured clothes, because they reflect the heat of the sun, 
and prevent its heating the body through the clothes. But 
what then with regard to winter clothing? It might be 
supposed that black is the right colour; but if we consider 
that this colour radiates heat, we shall see that a man in 
black loses his heat faster than if he were dressed in white. 
The fact is, white is the best colour both in summer and in 
winter ; for it keeps off the heat in the summer, and retains 
the heat in the winter. This undoubtedly looks like blowing 
hot and cold, but it is nevertheless true. The coachman will 
tell you that his white duffel coat is warmer in winter and 
cooler in summer than any other kind of coat. The brewer’s 
drayman will wear his white stockings all the year round, 
and tells you that any colour would be less agreeable to his 
feelings. 
It will now be better understood how clothing can become 
a source of coolness. A black man exposed to the tropical 
sun will find that a white dress acts by protecting his body 
from the rays of the sun, whilst the white man will feel 
the advantage of a covering to reflect the same rays, rather 
than that his own skin should be used for the purpose. 
Hence in hot climates, clothes are worn to keep the body 
cool. 
In many parts of the world, man is exposed to the attacks 
of the animal creation, especially insects, the bites of which 
are prevented by covering the body with some sort of textile 
fabric. The skin is also protected from the accumulation of 
dirt by the covering of the clothes. In our own climate, 
those parts of the body which are exposed to the air need 
constant washing, from the tendency of the dirty particles of 
the air to adhere to the skin. Certain parts of the body are 
also exposed to pressure, which it is found exceedingly 
desirable to prevent. This is especially the case with the 
soles of the feet, and man, at a very early period of his 
civilization, puts his feet into sandals, or clothes his foot with 
boots or shoes. 
Whilst clothes are thus worn for utility, no one can look 
upon clothed man without seeing that he has not put his 
clothes upon his back merely with a utilitarian object in view. 
Look at that Indian squaw ; see how she has ornamented the 
single garment which she wears. Look at her husband 
with a simple dress, and yet he has stuck peacocks’ feathers 
into his head-dress, and glass beads in rows on his neck 
to ornament his form. Pass on, step by step, through the 
various grades of civilization, and you see that both in form 
VOL. nr. — NO. xi. 2 A 
