A WOMAN'S CRITICISM
You seem to blame us for our innovations and fleeting fancy in
dress, which you are most notoriously guilty of, who esteem yourselves
the mighty, wise, and head of the species. Therefore I think it highly
necessary that you show us the example first, and begin the reformation
among yourselves, if you intend your observations shall have any
weight with us.
I leave the world to judge whether our petticoat resembles the
dome of St. Paul's nearer than you in your long coats do the
Monument, or (not to borrow similes from abroad) our Beacon.
You complain of our masculine appearance in our riding habit.
We think it is but reasonable that we should make reprisals upon you,
for the invasion of our dress and figure, and the advances you make in
effeminacy, and your degeneracy from the figure of man.
Can there be a more ridiculous appearance than to see a smart
fellow within the height of five feet immersed in a huge long coat to his
heels, with cuffs to the arm-pits, the shoulders and breast fenced
against the inclemencies of the weather by a monstrous cape, or rather
short cloak, shoe toes pointed to the heavens in imitation of the
Laplanders, with buckles of a harness size?
I confess the beaux with their toupee wigs make us extremely
merry; and frequently put me in mind of my favorite monkey, both in
figure and apishness. Were it not for a reverse of circumstance, I
should be apt to mistake it for "pug," and treat him with the same
familiarity.
[[28]]
These extracts are taken from a newspaper of the
time, and are a kind of joke; but they describe some of the oddities of
the dress of the time.
