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CHAP. XII] this cannot be absorbed, and frequently runs down on to the forehead in a most unbecoming way.

Thus the high, stiff hat envelops the head, as it were, in a hot-air poultice, and it is small wonder, after what I have said, that the hair is spoiled by this treatment. The same remark applies to riding-hats worn by ladies, and in a less degree to felt or straw hats. All hats should be properly ventilated. If you cannot blow through their structure, small holes should be pierced, or eyelets inserted, and these by no means injure the appearance of the hat.

The so-called ventilators which many hatters insert into the crowns of their hats, and which consist of a simple eyelet-hole covered with wire gauze, are perfectly useless. Ventilation is impossible unless the air can circulate, and for this to take place there must be at least one inlet and one outlet ventilator. The air in a chamber or recess, open at one point only, remains stationary. Hence it is necessary that at least two eyelet-holes should be inserted in every hat, and these must not be covered by the trimming; they should preferably be placed on opposite sides of the hat, or two or three small holes can be pierced symmetrically in the same position. In riding-hats or others trimmed with a band of thick ribbon, the ventilating holes should be just above the level of the ribbon, and the same remark applies to men's hats.

Leather, oilcloth, or other impermeable head linings should never be worn, as, besides not ab-