LATEST THING IN HATS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3745, 17 July 1883, Page 4

LATEST THING IN HATS.

Tho latest thing in hats has come from America. It is meant to combine tho advantages of a head covering with those of an infernal machine, so that it will no doubt command a large and speedy sale. It in the sort of thing which no conspirator s wardrobe should bo without. Inside the hat, which is described as " rather tall — like the story, it may be remarked—there is a neat rocoptacle for about a quart of iiitro-glycerino, which is concealed from tho vulgar gaze by " a small mirror." The time-fuse is worked by withdrawing a

pocket-handkerchief; so that gentlemen havo only to leave their hats in the neighborhood of public- offices, cathedrals, and other edifices which it is desired to destroy in the interests of freedom, adjust the handkerchief, and walk away. The idea is not altogether now, and we believe it is borrowed from tho Russian Nihilists. (Child do the inspirations of genius encircle the world in their cause.) Ono of the methods suggested for destroying the lato Czar was that a large number of Nihilists should conceal bombs in their hats, and throw the hate enthusiastically into the air when the Emperor passed. There are drawbacks to the plan. Buyers of the American invention who are readers of history (which they are all sure to be) may perhaps remember Clarendon's description of how Felton, tho murderer of tho first Duko of Buckingham, might have got off Bcot-freo if ho had not been seen walking about without his hat. A gentleman of rather wild and foreign aspect, dashing along Downing street with some appearance of haste, and with nothing on his head but nature's covering, might possibly arouse some suspicion—even in the breast of a detective.