CLERGYMEN’S COSTUME

Shannon News, 24 December 1925, Page 3

CLERGYMEN’S COSTUME

THE HISTORY* OF GAITERS. An English Canon has been criticising clerical dress. He says that it was invented by a clerical tailor without ecclesiastical sanction, and that it imposes upon the clergy a handicap in their efforts to reach and impress the people. But is this so? Is it a fact.that the dress of the clergy of the Church ol' England is entirely the invention of a clerical tailor? Not quite, for among the rules laid down by the English Church if or- the guidance of her clergy are several which relate to dress, says “John o’ London’s Weekly.” It is, for instance, especially mentioned that the clergy may not wear light-coloured stockings, and that if night.caps are worn these must be of black material without tassels or embroidery of any kind.

The fact is, of course, that the con. ventions ruling clerical dress have been greatly relaxed during the past 20 years, and that to-day the average clergyman wears pretty much what he pleases. The clerical collar is, indeed, almost the only garment by which ’ a clergyman is distinguished from a layman. Even Bishops and Archdeacons occasionally relax from the old-fash-ioned severity of breeches and aprons. The Vicar of St. Katherine's at Southb’ourne, writing in his parish magazine, tells his readers that a well-known Archdeacon called at the vicarage—in trousers. Two latci a. Bishop called —also in trouseis. When this interesting coincidence was remarked on the Bishop • delivered himself of this really capital limerick; It was an Archdeacon who said., “May I take off my gaiters, in bed?’ But the Bishop said "No.! You must wear them just so. Both by day and by night till you’ve dead.” Whether clerical dross is a handicap or an advantage is a question • which has been very widely debated. The late Dr. Horton once said in a sermon at Oxford: ‘‘l wear no clothes to distinguish myself from my Christian brethren.” A few days later there appeared in olirimpton’s window a picture ot the torso of the reverend gentleman in the pulpit, wearing nothing except a white tie and black gloves.