THE HERITAGE OF DRESS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 122, 15 February 1908, Page 11

THE HERITAGE OF DRESS.

■ Ih-:'a 7 most interesting -book on tho heritage of dress, Mr. Wiltred M. Webb, curator ot Eton Uollego Museum, sots forth an array of interesting; and .curious'facts: ; -. On our,spirits, and-.evenon our!character, clpthirig, it appears, has a'' powerful influence. Heavy clothing causes mental depression. Gauzy.,- stuifs and laces aro said; to produce feelings' of lightheadedness.-' It appears .that -the-wholo.of our: iprinci-; pal • attire, masculino ' arid feminine, originated in tho shawl. -Tho. -shawl' was first: worn . as a wrap,. then : .tho edges ' were sewn together and 'it formed a .'sleeveless tunic, • after, that slits -were' cut.in ■ the sides for the' arms, : next camo sleov.es/.and then. tho front was cut. open iahd 'fastened' with .buttons;! - Thus camo 'into, .existence 'the. nian's :coat and vest and thejwoman's bodice and jacket Another'shawl: worn on the lower part of 'tlio. body.' developed into the-petticoat arid'skirt; and when sewn up,tho middle became a pair Of trousers. ■' ■ WOOING'IN A RED COAT. '". Mr. Webb'seems to think that tho trousers; being _later.,iri,; development than: tho pettk coat, .'is .the' superior . garment,-; and ono day will bis,the .fashionable wear of w0men.;...... , The need for' moro : colour in ' men's "wearhas often been urged.; Men. really liko colour, and- uso it whenever they get the opportunity. A desirable reform'is suggested by a custom, which prevailed in Cornwall many years ago. . . When they go a-wooing;" says a. writer in .tho , ".Spectator," ." whether.- they • havo any post iiiitho militia or not, they put: on; a red coat. J ' ; W by can't ,wc do this P. 'A.' man ought to. appear at ;hi? best'on sucli an oc- . casion,-;and, .as the clothes would inflicato the. object of his visit, ho would 'b'o relieved ot the most embarrassing part' of tho x performance. •-

-..Painting' is".really a part of dress.; Savages conceal; their nakedness 'with paint ; women try, to improve their complexions or conceal wrinkles.. - - .

"Tho untimely, decease of moro than 0110 famous;.beauty," says Mr. Webb, " was attho ' paint with which , sho besmeared her countenance, a notablo instanco being, tlio death; of Lady Coventry, .whoso husband , had betn^wont-to cha-so her -round tho dinner-tablo in his determined efforts to remove tho deleterious compound with' his serviette." '

nnii Gro Webb hardly proves his ease. The lady may ; havo died of being chased round tho tablo.

: One ;pf Sir John RamsdenV lady guests at Byram Hall, near Pontefract,' went over tho estate with a hazel twig- in her hands and' found water, in several unsuspected places/The"District Council 'is now asking the Local Government Board for permission to-borrow. £2100 with which to secure a ninety-nine years' lease 'of one of tho wells so discovered,: as a water supply for the village of Brotherton.