Clerical Costume

Possibly the answer to this Query may be found in the passage from Bacon's *History of Life and Death*, in the third part of the *Instauratio Magna*, which I copy below from Craik's *Bacon and his Writings*, vol. iii. p. 45.:— "Some report that they have found great benefit in the conservation of their health by wearing scarlet waistcoats next their skin and under their shirts, as well down to their nether parts as on the upper." From the quantity of serge bought, as well as from the nature of the material, I think it likely it might be required for the purpose here noticed by Bacon, and not f…