[quote]

The idea of putting soot on the face, so that landowners didn't know what their labourers were up to or middle class professionals could indulge in rustic pursuits without damaging their reputation, seems like a back story to me. The local population must have been easily confused. As disguise, it's right up there with Clark Kent's glasses.
[/quote]

I wonder why the Rebbeca rioters bothered with blacking their faces then?

Somehow I think that you have never watched a black faced side containing people who you know.