TREATISE ON HAT-MAKING AND FELTING.
It is conceded as an axiom, that theory and practice,
in the pursuit of any object, are in their natures es-
sentially different and distinct. But at the same time
they long for a mutual understanding each to confirm
the assertions of the other, the consummation of all
practical results being the mutual embrace and per-
fect reconciliation of these two attributes.
The writer of these pages, being a practical hatter,
desires to describe intelligibly his calling, dispensing
with all technical terms, at the same time conscious
of being liable to receive an unfair criticism from his
brother tradesmen, although perfectly innocent on
their part, resulting from the prejudices engendered
by the many would-be secrets that pertain to the
different work-shops, together with their various
modes and methods of working, all of which most
generally are but trifles merely to gain a name.
The practice of a trade without a knowledge of the
why and the wherefore of certain usages is a sad defect
in any workman, but more especially in certain trades:
Hatting being one of those which depends upon second
causes for its proficiency, we venture here an explana-
tion with perfect confidence, hoping that the fraternity
of hatters will be indulgent, and that they may pro-
fit by an experience of many years in the trade,
and that for one error or omission in the writing of