Gentlemen may smile
at this if they will, and take exception to my taste; but, I ask, does
the modern round hat, whatever the insignificant variations of its form,
possess either quality? No, not a jot of it. One would think, by our
pertinacious adherence to the head-ach giving, circular conformation,
that we wished to show our anger at the Almighty for not shaping our
caputs like cylinders. In fine, though the parson's and the quaker's hat
has each its several merits, commend me to the fan-tailed _shallow_.
The flap part attached to the cap seems, at first sight, as to use,
supernecessary, although so ornamental withal. It no doubt (as its
name, indeed indicates) had its origin in gallantry, and was invented
in the age of fans, for the purpose of cooling their mistresses'
bosoms, heated--as they would necessarily be--at fair time, by their
gravel-grinding walks, under a fervid sun, to the elegant revels of
West-end, of Greenwich, or of Tothill-fields. Breeches, rejected by
common consent of young and old alike, cling to the legs of the
coalheaver with an abiding fondness, as to the last place of refuge;
and, on gala-days, a dandy might die of envy to mark the splendour
of those nether integuments--which he has not soul enough to dare
to wear--of brilliant eye-arresting blue, or glowing scarlet plush,
glittering in the sun's rays, giving and taking glory! But enough of
the dress of these select "true-born Englishmen"--for right glad I am
to state that there are but _two_ Scotch coalheavers on the whole
river, and _no_ Irish.
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