WILLIAM III.

309

In Westminster Abbey, where, as somewhat disrespectfully saythe Brothers Popplewell, 45 the images of William and Mary

“ Stand upright in a press, with their bodies made of wax,

A globe and a wand in either baud and their robes upon their backs ”—

the lace tucker and double sleeves of Queen Mary are of the finestraised Venice point, resembling Fig. 25, p. 43; King Williamlikewise wears a rich lace cravat and ruffles. 46 V e have alreadyalluded to a memorandnm (carta d’ informazione) given to theVenetian ambassadors about to proceed to England, 1696, in whichthey are directed to be provided with very handsome collars ofthe finest Venetian point. 47

Before concluding the subject of the lace-bearing heroes, wemay as well state here that the English soldiers rivalled the cava-liers of France in the richness of their points till the extinctionof hair-powder (the wearing of which in the army consumes, sayssome indignant writer, flour enough to feed 600,000 persons perannum), when the lace cravat was replaced by the now happilyexpiring stock. Speaking of these military dandies, writes the“ World—“ Nor can I behold the lace and the waste of finery intheir clothing but in the same light as the silver plates and orna-ments on a coffin; indeed I am apt to impute their going to battleso trimmed and adorned to the same reason a once fine lady paintedher cheeks just before she expired, that she might not look frightfulwhen she was dead.

‘‘ To war the troops advance,

Adorned and trim like females for the dance.

Down sinks Lothario, sent by one dire blowA well-dress’d heio to the shades below.”

As the justice’s daughter says to her mamma, in Sheridan’s“ St. Patrick’s Day —

« Dear; to think how the sweet fellows sleep on the ground, and fight in silkstockings and lace ruffles.”

Lace had now become an article worthy the attention of the

” “The Tombs in Westminster Ab- Buckingham (the “mad” Duchess,bey,” sung by the Brothers Popplewell. daughter of James II.) has also very fineBroadside, 1775. B. M. Roxburgh Coll. raised lace.

4 * King Charles II.’s lace is the same 11 See page 15.ns that of Queen Mary. The Duchess of