Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from A Short Treatise on Head Wear, Ancient and Modern
Tradition ascribes the discovery of felting to St. Clem ent. It occurred in this manner: While on one of his charity missions, becoming weary and foot-sore, he took off his sandals to ease his feet, which were all bruised from long walking over rough roads. While resting by the way side an opportunity was afforded him of rescuing a little lamb from the cruel clutches of a wily fox that was pursu ing it. The grateful little creature jumped round him and licked his hand for joy, and it was in fondling it that St. Clement observed some loose wool, which he gathered.
While carelessly handling it the thought suddenly struck him that it would be good to bind up the wounds on his feet with. No sooner was it thought than done, and he found it so soothing that he immediately resumed his journey.
At night when he came to remove his sandals he was surprised to find, instead of fine, soft wool, a piece of cloth, so firm and thick that he could not pull it apart. This wascalled felt, and St. Clement was made the patron saint of the craft. (however, it is only fair to state that, according to some authorities, there is abundant evidence to show that felting was known to the ancients long before the time of St. Clement or the Christian era.) The most ancient form of head wear we find to be the cap such as is seen on figures representing the goddess of liberty. Hoods, also, of various shapes, date back long before hats appeared, the latter for a long time only being employed as an article of extra clothing in winter, worn over the hood or when going on a journey.
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