ay 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.

J.F.

As far as I remember, there is a portrait of Hanway wi