Quick! Hide Bartholomew!

I started reading The Commodore on the way to work this morning and came across this shocking detail.

In his bedroom Hornblower took the red ribbon of the Bath and the Star from the drawer in his wardrobe, and Brown found for him the dogskin gloves which he tugged on as he walked down the stairs.

Dogskin gloves??! Does Mr Kennedy know about Lord H's barbaric dressing habits?! Should someone warn Bartholomew?!