John Hetherington, haberdasher, of the Strand, was arraigned before the Lord Mayor yesterday [January 15, 1797] on a charge of breach of the peace and inciting to riot, and was required to give bonds in the sum of £500. It was in evidence that Mr. Hetherington, who is well connected, appeared on the public highway wearing upon his head what he called a silk hat (which was offered in evidence), a tall structure having a shiny lustre and calculated to frighten timid people. As a matter of fact, the officers of the Crown stated that several women fainted at the unusual sight, while children screamed, dogs yelped, and a younger son of Cord-wainer Thomas, who was returning from a chandler’s shop, was thrown down by the crowd which had collected and had his right arm broken. For these reasons the defendant was seized by the guards and taken before the Lord Mayor. In extenuation of his crime the defendant claimed that he had not violated any law of the kingdom, but was merely exercising a right to appear in a headdress of his own design—a right not denied to any Englishman.