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The mirror of the graces; or, the English lady's costume: combining and harmonizing taste and judgment, elegance and grace, modesty, simplicity and economy, with fashion in dress; and adapting the various articles of female embellishments to different ages, forms, and complexions; to the seasons of the year, rank, and situation in life: with useful advice on female accomplishments, politeness, and manners; the cultivation of the mind and the disposition and carriage of the body: offering also the most efficacious means of preserving beauty, health, and loveliness. The whole according with the general principles of nature and rules of propriety
(1811)
On the peculiarities of dress, with reference to the station of the wearer, pp. 85-105
Page 87
M THE TRCULIARITIES-OF DRESS. N.87
but it is the privilege of propriety and sweet
retiring grace alone to rivet the eye, and take
captive the heart.
"1Many there are who seem to shun all care,
And with a pleasing negligence ensnare."
The fashion of educating all ranks of young
women alike, is the cause why all ranks of wo-
men attempt to dress alike. If the brazier's
daughter is taught to sing, dance, and play
like the heiress to an earldom, we must not be
surprised that she will also emulate the deco-
rations of her rival. We see her imitate the
coronet on lady Mary's brows; and though
miss Molly may possibly not be able to have
hers of gems, foil-stones produce a similar
effect; then she looks for rings, bracelets,
armlets, togive appropriate grace to the elegant
arts she has learnt to practise; and when she
is thus arrayed, she plays away the wanton
and the fool, till some libertine of fortune buys
her either for a wife or a mistress.
Were girls of the plebeian classes brought
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