Transcriber’s Notes. Page 10 — changed Shirrifs to Sharifs. Page 17 — The word Tiara added to Pope’s Ti (Pope’s Tiara). The positioning of the 17 illustrations has been changed slightly to accommodate each one between paragraphs, on every second page. [Illustration] Copyrighted, 1885, By R. DUNLAP & CO. LOCKWOOD PRESS, 126 & 128 Duane St., New York. [Illustration] A SHORT TREATISE ON * HEAD * WEAR * ANCIENT AND MODERN, ILLUSTRATED BY Walter H. Goater. Head Wear, Ancient and Modern. Tracing the history of man as far back as we can under civilized conditions of life, we find that in one form or another he has made use of some artificial contrivance to protect his head. Nature, in her bounty, seems to have provided in part against the necessity of the hat, by giving to the head a thick and abundant covering of hair, but, instead of considering this as an indication that the head required no other protection, mankind seems rather to have regarded it as a hint to keep this most important part of the body well covered. The hat being the most conspicuous article of dress, and surmounting all the rest, it is only natural to find that from the earliest times special care and attention has been given to its adornment—showy plumes, rare jewels and rich bands of gold and silver being used at different periods to decorate it. Its form and frequently its color have also been made to designate the rank and character of the wearer: As the Monarch by his crown, the Cardinal by his red hat, which betokens his readiness to spill his blood at any time for the sake of Christ, and the court fool by his cap with bells. In one form it serves to designate the military officer, in another the peaceful Quaker or the quiet man of letters. [Illustration: _Fig 1._ _Fig 2._ _Fig 3._ _Fig 4._ _Fig 5._ _Fig 6._ _Fig 7._ ] The materials employed in the manufacture of hats have been various, stuffs of every kind and color having entered into their composition. The birds have been robbed of their brilliant plumage, the beasts of the field of their wool and hair. Amphibious creatures have yielded their fur, while the mines of the earth have given up precious metals and stones. All these have been used by man to make a suitable covering for his august head. Felt hats are by far the most ancient, silk hats being of quite recent introduction. They were known in Florence about a century ago, but were not introduced into France until 1825.