very Gaits are contrived, and artificial, and every Step they take borrow'd from a Minuet: 'Tis true, they wear Breeches and a Hat, and have fome aukward Pretence to Humanity; but they are fo ftrongly offenfive to good Senfe and Reafon, that I had rather fee an honeft Hodmandod, with his Girdle of raw Guts about him.

It may perhaps be reply'd, in Vindication of Drefs and Fashion, That as Man is govern'd principally by his Senfes, and lively ftruck by the Objects which appear to him in an agreeable Manner, Cloaths contribute to make us agreeable Objects, and we owe it to ourselves to labour to appear fuch. Every Day's Experience fhews us, among Variety of People with whom we are not acquainted, that we take Impreffions too favourable and two difadvantageous of Men at first Sight from their Habit. I think there is a Conduct and Medium to be obferv'd in Drefs, as much as any Thing. A Youth in the Poffeffion of an ample Fortune, cannot recommend his Understanding to those who are not of his Acquaintance more fuddenly, than by Sobriety in his Habit: As this is winning at firft Sight, fo a Perfon gorgeoufly fine, gives as immediate Offence.

Eft modus in rebus funt certi denique fines Quos ultra, citraq; nequit confiftere rectums Says Horace,

There is a Mean in all Things, certain Rules, Which to tranfgrefs confirms us Knaves or Fools.

I would not have my Son practise Rusticity in his Apparel, or be careless therein to a Pitch of Naftiness; let him be cautious of either Extreme: There is a wide Interval betwixt the Slaven and the Fop; and fometimes as much Pride taken, and Affectation used, of being unlike the rest of the World in Drefs, as equipping the accomplished Beau.

I would be understood, that I mean it is a foolish thing, and which very much betrays our Weaknefs, to furrender ourselves wholly to reigning Customs, and be Slaves to Fashion, either in Diet or Habit, in Health or in Confcience: To have an Affection, not for thofe Things which are best, but for those which are moft fought after, and in Vogue. A Man of Mode cannot be long fo; for Fashions are very tranfitory: One has hardly destroyed another, but 'tis juftled out by a newer, which muft itself make way for its Succeffor, and which will not

be

be the laft; fuch is our Levity. During thefe Revolutions an Age is spun out, and then all these favourable Embellishments are ranked among Things paft, and dead to Imitation.

A Gentleman's Mien and Behaviour are fufficient to difcover him, without any great Dependence upon Shops and Taylors. After all, the best Way of diftinguishing, is by the Qualities of the Mind. Let Perfons of Condition ftrive rather to be richer in their Difpofition than the Vulgar : Let them put on a better Humour, wear a finer Understanding, and fhew a more fhining Fortitude. Let them appear remarkably juft, inoffenfive and obliging. This is the way to be nobly popular, and gives them the Hearts, as well as the Ceremony of their Inferiors.

Is the Largenefs of our Circumstances to be taken as an Excufe for Prodigality in Habit? Because we abound in Money and Vanity, have we therefore the Liberty of being as expenfive and modifh as we please? No, if our Fortunes fwell to an Excefs, let the Surplusage of our Wealth rather be employed in Clothing the Poor: Let our Superfluities fupply their Want of Neceffaries; and fuch a generous Ufe of Fortune will give Luftre to our Reputations, and D2 make

make the World look with Wonder' and

Regard upon us.

With what Advantage fhall we convey our Memoirs to Pofterity, by making our Substance beneficial to our Country, and laying out our Abilities in the Service of Religion, in promoting Arts or Knowledge, in eafing the Distress of suffering Merit, and fetting it free from the Tyranny of Debts, and infupportable Oppreflion of a ftarving Circumftance??Tis to be hoped we have, and always fhall have fhining Examples of Charity; fome that think thenfelves Heaven's Stewards in the Appli-cation of their Eftates, and employ the intrusted Talents in doing Offices of Good: These Men can contemn the falfe Glare of a Wardrobe; and know that fine Cloaths fignify nothing in the Value of a Man, because they are but Signs of Wealth at best; and as Cloaths don't fuppofe a Man confiderable, fo neither can they make him fo: Such Men as these rather defpife this Kind of Finery; they are above ftooping to the vulgar Notion of Things, and scorn to eftablish their Reputation by counterfeit Signs of Worth.

I believe I may dare pronounce it a general Maxim, That the greatest Pride and Affectation in Apparel, are lodged with Perfons of the most fubftantial Ignorance.

The

The Souls of Idiots are actuated meerely by frail Senfe; their Eyes are made their principal Directors, and draw them into every pleafing Gaiety that strikes their Fancy through that Senfe: Diversity of Colour has there a powerful Charm; Beauty and Ele gance confift in the dear Variety, and Worth and Distinction are the Confequences of their Finery. Thefe Fools in Trappings are enough to make Men of Gravity and found Reafon fick of rich Habits; and fuch a Prostitution of Dress muft make it naufeous to the Wife.

We fhould be cautious of imitating the Extravagances of a Blockhead in many Refpects; and fhall we fet a Guard on our Actions only, yet at the fame Time put on the Colours of Foolery? It is finking be neath our proper Level, going out of the Character we would in other Things fupport, and difgracing the Dignity of our Nature by admiring Trifles.

I could wish our Country, like many Parts abroad, oblig'd its Subjects to a Diftinction of Degrees in Habits; that we had fumptuary Laws to confine the Condition of Perfons, and afferting the Heraldry of their Dress, as well as Precedency in Birth and Quality: Then fhould our Nobility; be diftin guished from our Gentry; our Gentry from Traders and Mechanics; and every Clafs and Order of Men restrain'd from an ille