Of
the Diverse Manners, Which are used thus in the removing the hat, as in
the
holding it in hand after it is removed: and which owes to be the most
graceful,
and customary.
Because among the effects, which is most important, and which first happens in the Balli in the use of the beautiful and honored education, the removing of the hat has the pre-eminence, as that which was found of the men for to honor and revere the one to the other also in the Balli; before we come to the demonstration of the acts and movements named, I will discourse some things about this effect. Various then, as all of we watch, are the manners which they are accustomed in removing the hat from the head, as in the holding it in hand after it is removed. Those which accustom themselves in removing it, are either to (hand full – holding it full in the hand?), or taking it by the circle, or by the brim, which I will name it. Those then which are used to hold it in hand after removing, there are either with their arm with drawn, and this turned with the bottom of the hat up or forward: or with the arm extended and with the bottom turned toward the forward part, or towards that of behind. And not one of these are commended, rather all are blameworthy. Forsomuch as that, if the man has the arm withdrawn, and the hat turned with the bottom up, he seems as one of those which come begging alms: if also they have it extended, and with the bottom of the hat turned towards the part forward or behind, it demonstrates to the people in front or behind the sweat, which is wont to be attached to the brims of the hat, each one not being able to always wear a new one: and in whatever of these manners they come to be ugly, or avoid the sight of regard. Whereby removing it from the head, and by holding it in hand with the most beauty, and grace, which others may render it adorned, shall be well taking the hat gently by the border, raising it from the head; and diminishing well down the right or left arm, after the occurrence, hold it with the bottom towards the right or left part of the thigh, whichever side it was removed from; attend which doing in this manner, besides which will make a beautiful and gracious show to the bystanders, he shall come to shun each blemish of vice which any of the first manners I gave are able to be expressed.