of chimney-sweeps and sworn foe to tea, that he was the first man who
ventured to dare public reproach and ridicule by carrying an
Umbrella. He probably felt the benefit of one during his travels in
Persia, where they were in constant use as a protection against the
sun, and it is also said that he was in ill health when he first made
use of it. It was more than likely, however, that Jonas Hanway's
neatness in dress and delicate complexion led him, on his return from
abroad, to appreciate a luxury hitherto only confined to the ladies.
Mr. Pugh, who wrote his life, gives the following description of his
personal appearance, which may be regarded as a gem in its way:--

"In his dress, as far as was consistent with his ideas of health and
ease, he accommodated himself to the prevailing fashion. As it was
frequently necessary for him to appear in polite circles on
unexpected occasions, he usually wore dress clothes with a large
French bag. His hat, ornamented with a gold button, was of a size and
fashion to be worn as well under the arm as on the head. When it
rained, a small _parapluie_ defended his face and wig."

As Hanway died in 1786, and he is said to have carried an Umbrella
for thirty years, the date of its first use by him may be set down at
about 1750. For some time Umbrellas were objects of derision,
especially from the hackney coachmen, who saw in their use an
invasion on the vested rights of the fraternity; just as hackney
coaches had once been looked upon by the watermen, who thought people
should travel by river, not by road. John Macdonald, perhaps the only
footman (always excepting the great Mr. James Yellowplush) who ever
wrote a memoir of himself, relates that in 1770, he used to be
greeted with the shout, "Frenchman, Frenchman! why don't you call a
coach?" whenever he went out with his "fine silk umbrella, newly