Spontaneous Combustion (Vol. vii., p. 286.).—I presume H. A. B.'s question refers to the human body only, because the possibility of spontaneous combustion in several other substances is, I believe, not disputed. On that of the human body Taylor says:
"The hypothesis of those who advocate spontaneous combustion, is, it appears to me, perfectly untenable. So far as I have been able to examine this subject, there is not a single well-authenticated instance of such an event occurring: in the cases reported which are worthy of any credit, a candle or some other ignited body has been at hand, and the accidental ignition of the clothes was highly probable, if not absolutely certain."
He admits that, under certain circumstances, the human body, though in general "highly difficult of combustion," may acquire increased combustible properties. But this is another question from that of the possibility of its purely spontaneous combustion. (See Taylor's Medical Jurisprudence, pages 424-7. edit. 1846.)
W. W. T.
Muffs worn by Gentlemen (Vol. vi., passim; Vol. vii., p. 320.).—The writer of a series of papers in the New Monthly Magazine, entitled "Parr in his later Years," thus (vol. xvi. p. 482.) describes the appearance of that learned Theban:
"He had on his dressing-gown, which I think was flannel, or cotton, and the skirts dangled round his ankles. Over this he had drawn his great-coat, buttoned close; and his hands, for he had been attacked with erysipelas not long before, were kept warm in a silk muff, not much larger than the poll of a common hat."
In an anonymous poetical pamphlet (Thoughts in Verse concerning Feasting and Dancing, 12mo. London, 1800), is a little poem, entitled "The Muff," in the course of which the following lines occur:
"A time there was (that time is now no more,
At least in England 'tis not now observ'd!)
When muffs were worn by beaux as well as belles.