HENRY GEORGE BOHN.

May 30. 1850.

* * * * *

UMBRELLAS.

Although Dr. Rimbault’s Query (Vol. i., p. 415.) as to the first introduction of umbrellas into England, is to a certain extent answered in the following number (p. 436.) by a quotation from Mr. Cunningham’s Handbook, a few additional remarks may, perhaps, be deemed admissible.  Hanway is there stated to have been “the first man who ventured to walk the streets of London with one over his head,” and that after continuing its use nearly thirty years, he saw them come into general use.  As Hanway died in 1786, we may thus infer that the introduction of umbrellas may be placed at about 1750.  But it is, I think, probable that their use must have been at least partially known in London long before that period, judging from the following extract from Gay’s Trivia, or Art of Walking the Streets of London, published 1712:—­

  “Good housewives all the winter’s rage despise,
  Defended by the ridinghood’s disguise;
  Or, underneath th’ umbrella’s oily shade,
  Safe through the wet on clinking pattens tread. 
  Let Persian dames the umbrella’s ribs display,
  To guard their beauties from the sunny ray;
  Or sweating slaves support the shady load,
  When Eastern monarchs show their state abroad;
  Britain in winter only knows its aid,
  To guard from chilly showers the walking maid.”

Book i. lines 209-218.

That it was, perhaps, an article of curiosity rather than use in the middle of the seventeenth century, is evident in the fact of its being mentioned in the “Musaeum Tradescantianum, or Collection of Rarities, preserved at South Lambeth near London, by John Tradescant.” 12mo. 1656.  It occurs under the head of “Utensils,” and is simply mentioned as “An Umbrella.”

E.B.  PRICE.

    [Mr. St. Croix has also referred Dr. Rimbault to Gay’s
    Trivia.]

Jonas Hanway the philanthropist is reputed first to have used an “umbrella” in England.  I am the more inclined to think it may be so, as my own father, who was born in 1744, and lived to ninety-two years of age, has told me the same thing, and he lived in the same parish as Mr. Hanway, who resided in Red Lion Square.

Mr. Hanway was born in 1712.

J.W.

The introduction of this article of general convenience is attributed, and I believe accurately so, to Jonas Hanway, the Eastern traveller, who on his return to his native land rendered himself justly celebrated by his practical benevolence.  In a little book with a long title, published in 1787, written by “John Pugh,” I find many curious anecdotes related of Hanway, and apropos of umbrellas, in describing his dress Mr. Pugh says,—­“When it rained, a small parapluie defended his face and wig; thus he was always prepared to enter into any company without impropriety, or the appearance of neglect.  And he (Hanway) was the first man who ventured to walk the streets of London with an umbrella over his head:  after carrying one near thirty years, he saw them come into general use.”  Hanway died 1786.