Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 97, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 April 1910 — “TOPISH HATS." [ARTICLE]

“TOPISH HATS."

That the wearing of extreme, fashions in hats is not confined to the present era is made plain by reference to a chapter in “The Pilgrim Fathers,” where Winnifred Cockshott tells of the wife of the Rev. Francis Johnson of Amsterdam, who in 1594 was reproved for wearing “a topish hat." The poor lady seems to have been unfortunate in her choice of head-gear, for a "velvet hood” was also a cause of contention. George Johnson, the pastor’s brother, had tried to dissuade Frances from the marriage,, urging that Mrs. Boys was much noted for pride, and that it would give great offense to the brethren. • But it was in vain, and all George conld do was to obtain a promise from the widow that if she married ..Francis, ‘lihe would “do as became his estate.” Instead, she became more garish and proud In apparel than before. The church was deeply offended, but left it to George to deal with her. He wrote to Francis, protesting against her gold rings, her busks and her whalebones, which were so manifest that “many of ye saints were greeved;” and he begged that her “schowish” hat might, be exchanged for a sober taffeta or felt. She did reform a little. Her hat was not so “toplshly set,” and George was encouraged to hope for further reforms. Naturally Frances resented these criticisms of his bride; her clothes were all provided out of her own money, and Bradford says they were perfectly suitable to her rank. Before a church council George was called upon to answer for hla criticism; he had charged her with sin in the using of mask and the wearing of a “topish” hat, and was not inclined to withdraw his charges. The church, after deliberation, declared the hat to be “not topish in nature,” whereupon a long discussion ensued as to whether a hat “not topish in nature" could, under any circumstances, be considered “topish.” It was decided that this problem must be reduced to writing. One is not surprised to hear that poor Mrs. Johnson was overheard to say that she wished she were a widow again.