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 "_Musæum 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_."