308

HISTORY OF LACE.

amounting to 2701 . In the same page we tind him, now out ofmourning, expending 499/. 10s. for lace to trim his ‘24 new night-shirts, “ indusiis nocturnis.”

With such royal patronage, no wonder the lace trade prospered,and that, within ten years of William’s death, Defoe should quotethe point lace of Blandford as selling at 30/. the yard.

We have already told how the fashion of the laced Steinkirkfound as much favour in England 43 as in France. Many peoplestill possess, among their family relics, long oval-shaped broochesof topaz or Bristol stones, and wonder what they were used for.These old-fashioned articles of jewellery were worn to fasten (whennot passed through the button-hole) the lace Steinkirk, so prevalentnot only among the nobility, but worn by all classes. If thedialogue between Sir Nicholas Dainty and Major-General Blunt,as given in Shadwell’s play, be correct, the volunteers of KingWilliam’s day were not behind the military in elegance:—

“Sir Nicholas. I must muke great haste, I shall ne’er get my Points and Lacosdone up time enough.

“ Maj. Gen. B. What say'st, young fellow? Points ami Laces for camps?

“ Sir Nich. Yes, Points and Laces ; why, I carry two laundresses on purpose. . . .Would you have a gentleman go undress’d in a camp ? Do you think I would see acamp if there were no dressing? Why, I have two campaign suits, one trimmed withFlanders lace, and the other with rich Point.

“ Maj. Gen. B. Campaign suits with lace and Point!” 44

43 “ I hope your Lordship is pleasedwith your Steinkerk.”

Sir John Vanbrugh, The Relapse

In Colley Cibber’s “Careless Husband,”Lady Easy takes the Steinkirk off herneck and lays it on Sir Charles’s headwhen he is aBleop.

In “Love’s Last Shift,” by the sameauthor (1695), the hero speaks of being“ Strangled in my own Steinkerk.”

In “ Love for Love,” by Congreve, SirNovelty enumerates the Steinkirk, thelarge button, with other fashions, ascreated by him

“ I have heard the Steenkirk arrivedbut two months ago.”— Spectator, No. 129.

The “ modish spark ” wears *■ a hugeSteinkirk, twisted to the waist.”— Pro -log He to First Part of Dm Quixote, 1694.

Frank Osbaldeston, in “ Rob Roy,” isdeprived by the Highlanders of his cravat,“ a Steinkirke richly laced.”

At Ham House was the portrait of aCountess of Dysart, temp. Anne, in three-cornered cocked hat, long coat, flappedwaistcoat, and Mechlin Steiukirk.

In the account book of Isabella,Duchess of Grafton, daughter of LordArlington, Evelyn’s “sweetchild”—herportrait hangs in Queen Mary’s Room,Hampton Court—we have : “ 1709. Toa Stinkirk, 1Z. 12s. 3d.”

They appear to have been made of otherstuffs than lace, for in the same account,1708, we have entered: “To a greenSteenkirk, 1Z. Is. 6d.”

44 “ The Volunteers, or the Stock Job-bers.”