The Umbrella in Ancient History

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 441, 5 December 1930, Page 2

The Umbrella in Ancient History

So far as the idea goes, however, we find references to umbrellas as sun protectors in old Chinese AISS. of 1100 8.C., whilst sculptures in the royal palace of Nineveh, and the frescoes of the temples of Memphis and Thebes,

show that they were in use in those days, but were then only the privilege of kings and high priests. The umbrella was therefore, in its origin, a sign of the highest rank and wealth, and remained so for centuries.

An Indian king, in fact, among his other titles, included that of “Lord of the White Elephant and or twenty-four Umbrellas.’ ’ He did, indeed, own this number of sun protectors, arranged in tiers, one above the other, which could be opened “at one go” and were a symbol of the twenty-four pro.inces of his kingdom. The effect must have been somewhat odd if the monarch wont abroad under this pagoda-like erection. Later on, however, the umbrella became less exclusive and regal after it. found its way to Europe, somewhere in the 14th century, when Italian nobles took to protecting themselves from the rain under a kind of leather “baldaquin,’’ with a handle as long as an alpenstock, which they used in much the same wav.

The idea reached England about two centuries later, but was not received with favour, and was even condemned by a worthy medico of the period as a danger to health! It gradually caught on, however, though for a long time umbrellas were only looked on as fit for women and fops, and the men who used them were subjected to much ridicule, insult and ■ even injury. Jonas Hanway was the first Englishman to use an umbrella—in the latter half of the 18th century. His further claim to fame, by the way, is that he was a groat traveller, and a friend of the “under-dog” and his attack on tea-drinking !• forth a crushing reply from Dr. Johnson. Duelling Under an Umbrella. The most amusing incident recorded about the umbrella was its use during a duel in France, in which the famous critic and writer, Sainte Bcuve, was the chief actor.

It was pouring with rain at the time of the encounter, and when the oddity of such * protector during a duel was pointed out to him, he merely remarked that though ho was quite ready to be killed, he had no desire to catch cold if he survived. So. holding an umbrella over himself with one hand he calmly fired at his opponent with the other.

Lastly, it may be added that, the folding handle mentioned above for travelling purposes is not a now idea, as the sunshades in favour in early Victorian days were made with long slender handles, frequently of ivory, which folded in half when not in use.