ABOUT HATS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 17, 23 April 1892, Page 430

ABOUT HATS.

The tall hat, variously called • chimney-pot,’ ‘ stove pipe,’ ‘ cylinder,'and what not, became fashionable in Paris in 1790, soon after the death of Franklin, in whose honour it was known as ‘chapeau Franklin.' In spite of numberless changes of style, it has maintained its ground ever since, unexpected as such a result would have seemed at its first introduction. For a time this style of hat was considered revolutionary in Germany and Russia; any one wearing a ‘cylinder' was liable to punishment ; but the evil reputation soon passed away, and the tall, stiff hat, the ugliest headcovering that was ever worn and the most ridiculed, outlives all other styles. In a celebrated beer garden in Munich, the Hofbrauhaus, any man daring to appear in a cylinder is likely to have it ciushed flat over his head, time-honoured tradition declaring that here, if anywhere, a tall hat is out of place. On the contrary, no honourable member sits in the English House of Commons without his pot hat on his head. If he tises to address the House, greet a friend, or cross the room, be must hold his shiny tile in his hand. Should his

name be mentioned in the speech of another member, he lifts his hat respectfully. If it is in his hand when his name is uttered, etiquette requires him to clap it hastily on his head in order that he may lift it with proper deference. In one of the European Parliaments, when the president finds it necessary to end an argument, he gravely puts on his cylinder. Though it happened near thirty years ago, people still laugh at the recollection of a certain president who, to close a celebrated debate, took up his neighbour s hat by mistake ; it was far too big for him, and falling down about bis ears, snuffed him out completely from the gaze of the crowded house. In Germany, when the Herr Ober-Tnspector A meets his the Herr Chor-Vereiu-Director B , in the street, the prudent passer-by allows them a wide berth ; otherwise the majestic sweep of the uplifted cylinders is likely to bowl him over into the gutter.