The idea is so preposterous,
that, if fairly considered, it would make converts of the most obstinate
sticklers for the hat of the nineteenth century.

"Seriously, the suggestion for the reform of this article of costume is
entitled to the utmost respect. Already Englishmen, when they throw off
the trammels of ceremony, and wish to be at their ease, substitute for
the stiff, uncomfortable, and inelegant hat, such other article as the
taste and enterprise of the hat and cap manufacturers have provided; and
in France and Germany the hat has, for the last six or seven years, been
gradually altering its form and substance, until it bids fair to be
restored, at no distant day, to the more sensible and picturesque shape
which it had a couple of centuries ago. So much unanimity has been
expressed on the desirability of a change, so much sober truth has been
uttered under the thin veil of jest on this matter, and so keenly felt
are the inconveniences--to say nothing of the inelegance--of the tube
which has usurped and maintained a place upon our heads for so long a
period, that there can be no doubt the time is ripe for the introduction
of an article of male head-dress more worthy of an educated, civilized,
and sensible people. The Turks, under the influence of that great
reformer, Sultan Mahmoud, and his worthy successor, Abdul Medjid, have
been for some time assimilating themselves in dress to the other
inhabitants of Europe. They have adopted our coats, our trousers, our
vests, our boots. They have got steamboats and newspapers--but Sultan
Mahmoud stopped short at the hat. With all his _penchant_ for imitating
the 'Giaours,' he could not bring himself to recommend the hat to a
people whom he was desirous to civilize. Any man of taste and
enterprise, who would take advantage of the present feeling on the
subject to manufacture a hat or cap of a more picturesque form, would
confer a public benefit, and would not lack encouragement for his wares.
An article which would protect the face from the sun, which the present
'funnel' does not--which should be light, which the hat is not--which
should be elegant, and no offence to the eye of taste if painted in a
portrait or sculptured in a statue, which the hat is not--and which
should meet the requirements of health, as well as those of comfort and
appearance, which the hat is very far from doing--would, all jest and
_persiflage_ apart, be a boon to the people of this generation. It ne