A remarkably STYLISH HAT, possessing great and _peculiar_ advantages
over most others, on which account its claims to patronage are of the
highest order. The brim, before as well as behind, being brought down
quite square, and almost in a perpendicular line with the crown itself,
gives the wearer an opportunity of observing things _en passant_, by a
sort of side-glance, without being _seen_ so to do; thus, it is well
adapted for gentlemen who would fain indulge in the most exquisite
admiration of the beauteous _fair_: but by reason of their extreme
_modesty_, shrink from the trial: There is, also, another and a very
important consideration, which cannot be allowed to pass unnoticed—it is
a well-known truth, that there are certain situations in life where the
falling into is not at all times to be avoided; the result of which is,
to create in the imagination, a perpetual apprehension lest some
villainous intruder should, in defiance of eloquence or inclination,
_compel_ the _acceptance_ of his official or rather _officious_
attendance: to counteract so dirty a custom, as well as to nip the
system in the very _bud_, this Hat is most admirably contrived—for by a
simple elevation of the hinder part, the front may be brought so far
over the face, as to form a complete shade for the countenance. Here
then is the attainment of two _great_ ends—modesty encouraged, and
impertinence restrained. Lastly, and not the least of its useful
purposes is, that should the introduction of the Vis-a-Vis become
general, those novel and graceful evolutions of the body, denominated
the _bend_, the _flutter_, and the _poke_, may be performed in a much
smaller space than usual, and without the least danger to the eyes,
which is greatly to be feared, when the distinguished votaries, in the
eager performance of these newly-imported civilities, are brought too
abruptly _face to face_.
Although there is much of the _dash_ in this Hat, it has,
notwithstanding, a sort of _sombre_ appearance, which calls on the
wearer for a _figure_ and _countenance_ to correspond; it is therefore,
if _ornamentally_ considered, recommended to such only, whose complexion
is of a darkish hue, visage long, not over bulky in person, and _above_
the middle size; but, if _usefully_ considered, all the nicer
distinctions must yield to imperious necessity.