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Show GLOVES. The wearing of gloves is traced as far back as the time of the Chaldeans, the word being explained in the Talmud Lexicon, as the clothing of the hand. Xenophon gives a clear and distinct account of gloves. Speaking of the manners of the Persians, as a proof of their effeminacy he observes, that, not satisfied with covering their head and feet, they also guarded their hands against the cold with thick gloves. Athenus speaks of a celebrated glutton who always came to the table with gloves on his hands that he might be able to handle and eat the meat while hot, and devour more than the rest of the company. Homer, describing Laertes at work in his garden, represents him with gloves on his hands, to secure them from thorns. Varro, an ancient writer, is an evidence in favor of their antiquity among the Romans. In a hot climate the wearing of gloves implies a considerable degree of effeminacy. When the ancient severity of manners declined, the use of gloves prevailed among the Romans; but not without opposition from the philosophers. Masonius, a philosopher, who lived at the close of Christianity, said, "It is shameful that persons in perfect health should clothe their hands and feet with soft and hairy coverings." In the beginning of the ninth century the use of gloves was so universal, that even the church thought that a regulation in that part of the dress necessary. Gloves, besides their original design for a covering of the hand, have been employed on several great and solemn occasions; as in the ceremony of investitures, in bestowing land, or in conferring dignifies. As the delivery of gloves was once a part of the ceremony used in giving possession, so the depriving a person of them was a mark of divesting him of his office, and of his degradation. The Earl of Carlisle, in the reign of Edward 11, was condemned to die as a traitor. Walsingham, relating other circumstances of his degradation, says: "His spurs were cut off with a hatchet, and his gloves and shoes were taken off." Another use of gloves was in a duel; he who threw one down was by this act understood to give defiance, and he who took it up to accept the challenge. The ceremony is still practiced of challenging by a glove at the coronation of the Kings of England, by his Majesty's champion entering Westminster Hall completely armed and mounted. Challenging by the glove is still in use in some parts of the world. In Germany, on receiving an affront, to send a glove to the offending party is a challenge to a duel. We meet with the term glove-money, which is meant money given to servants to buy gloves. This is probably the origin of the phrase, "giving a pair of gloves." In the middle ages, the giving of a glove was a ceremony of investiture, and two bishops were put in possession of their sees by each receiving a glove, 1002. Embroidered gloves were introduced into England in 1580, and are still presented to judges at maiden assizes. |