Page:Motors and motor-driving (1902).djvu/107

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DRESS FOR MOTORING
77

they are compelled to do so, and after levees it is amusing to see the Briton crouching down at the back of his carriage, and driving to the nearest club, in order to get into mufti at the earliest possible moment. Almost the only time at which he indulges in a uniform is when he is on his private yacht, and free from the gaze of the crowd. He then wears a distinctive dress, with which the peaked cap is associated, but, so far as the roads are concerned, the peaked cap is only seen on the heads of the drivers and conductors of electric tram-cars, &c. The consequence is that the peaked cap is becoming recognised as the proper head-dress for a motor servant. The motor owner, on the other hand, as a rule wears precisely the same hat as he would wear for shooting, golfing, fishing, and other outdoor sports viz. the cloth cap, or soft felt hat.

Gloves.—For driving in cold weather, it should always be borne in mind that the gloves should be very large, so that when the hand is bent to grasp the steering-wheel the circulation may not be impaired by the veins being partially closed owing to the tightness of the coverings. Furthermore, a loose glove allows of a cushion of warm air to be formed between the hand and the outer cover of the glove.

Gauntlets are worn by some motorists in order to prevent the wind from getting up the sleeves of a coat.

Goggles.—The goggles, or glasses surrounded by silk or some other material, which are worn by motorists are, as a matter of fact, almost indispensable. In the winter, driving in the cold with the eyes unprotected is apt to cause inflammation. In the summer, the dust arising from other vehicles is a source of considerable danger to the eye, and has been known to bring about granular disease of the eyelids. Furthermore, when driving at high speeds the blow of a small fly, let alone a bee or a cockchafer, on the eyeball is enough to cause temporary blindness. Silk or other material is attached to the glasses in order to prevent particles of dust, small insects, &c., from drifting in under the glasses. In winter it is found