To all Americans this hat brings patriotic recollections of revolutionary days—for Washington and his generals all wore cocked hats. On page 27, Fig. 85, we have the hat of the “Minute Man.” Also one worn, Fig. 79, during the good old Knickerbocker days. Fig. 84 shows the style of hat worn by Kossuth when on a visit to this country in 1851. Previous to this time the only hat made for gentlemen was the high silk hat and cloth caps for boys, but a few weeks after Kossuth’s appearance in the country thousands of hats similar to his were sold, the demand for them being universal. Since then soft and stiff felt hats have been brought to perfection in quality and style in this country far superior to any made abroad. This was shown in our Centennial Exhibition, in 1876, by Dunlap & Co. receiving the first prize for their productions over all competition of foreign and domestic manufactures. Figs. 86, 87, 88 are three different styles of high hats worn about fifty years ago. In the latter part of the eighteenth century the gaudy ornaments of lace, jewels, feathers, &c., gradually began to disappear from hats, giving place to the sober black band and simple buckle, and when that, too, had its day and passed away, the hats of men were left without any ornament, but in much better taste and more in keeping with their use than were those of old. [Illustration: _Fig 64._ _Fig 65._ _Fig 66._ _Fig 67._ _Fig 68._ _Fig 69._] Hats have not only been used for the practical purpose of covering the head, but from remote time have played their part in many important actions in life. Among the Romans the hat was the symbol of liberty, and slaves were presented with one on receiving their freedom. The Quaker hat dates from the origin of the sect in the middle of the seventeenth century, Fig. 80. After the assassination of Cæsar coins were issued by Brutus and Cassius, on which was represented a cap between two daggers. Even at a later period the hat or cap was identified with liberty as in the republic of the Netherlands. After the emancipation from Spain a hat became their national emblem, while we all know the part Gessler’s hat played in gaining for the Swiss their freedom. The common practice of doffing the hat when meeting a friend is thought to be a modification of the ancient custom of unclothing some part of the body when in the presence of one to whom respect was due. Many persons profess that from the dress alone they can give you a true estimate of the character of the man. While this is, perhaps, expressing it rather strongly, it is certainly true that the material and style of one’s dress does, to a large degree, denote the wearer’s character; and especially is this so of hats and the manner in which they are worn. [Illustration: _Fig 70._ _Fig 71._ _Fig 72._ _Fig 73._ _Fig 74._ _Fig 75._ _Fig 76._ _Fig 77._ _Fig 78._]