U.U. Club, July 2.
_Bands_ (Vol. ii., pp. 23. 76.)--_Scarf_.--I was glad to read Arun's
explanation of the origin of the bands now worn by the clergy; which,
however, seems merely to amount to their being an adoption of a Genevan
portion of clerical costume. That they are the descendants of the ruff,
there can be no doubt, just as wrist-bands have more recently succeeded
to ruffles.
I cannot resist mentioning that an ingenious friend suggested to me,
that the broad, stiff, laid-down collar, alluded to in the former part
of Arun's communication, possibly gave rise to the modern band in the
following manner:--When the scarf, still in use, was drawn over the
shoulders and hung down in front, that part of the broad collar which
was left visible, being divided up the middle, presented a shape and
appearance exactly like our common bands. Hence, it was imagined, this
small separate article of dress might have originated.
Is it Butler, Swift, or who, that says,
"A Chrysostom to smoothe his band in"?
Whenever this was written, it must have referred to our modern bands.
Who amongst the clergy are _entitled_ to wear a scarf? Is it the badge
of a chaplain only? or what circumstances justify its being worn?
Alfred Gatty.
July 1. 1850.
_Bands_ (Vol. ii., p. 76.).--An early example of the collar, approaching
to the form of our modern bands, may be seen in the portrait of Cardinal
Beatoun, who was assassinated in 1546. The original is in Holyrood
Palace, and an engraving in Mr. Lodge's _Portraits_. The artist is
unknown, but from the age of the face one may infer that it was painted
about 1540.