326

HISTORY OF LACE.

pointers or his horses. We read in the journals of the time howon the day after Lord George Gordon’s riots, a report ran throughLondon that the Earl of Effingham, having joined the rioters, hadbeen mortally wounded, and his body thrown into the Thames. Hehad been recognised, folks declared, by his point lace ruffles. 4

Mr. Darner, less known than his wife, the talented sculptor andfriend of Horace Walpole, appeared three times a day in a newsuit, and at his death 5 left a wardrobe which sold for 15,000?. 6Well might have been said of him—

“ We sacrifice to dress, till household joysAnd comforts cease. Dress drains our cellars dry,

And keeps our larder bare; puts out our fires,

And introduces hunger, frost, and woe,

Whore peace and hospitality might reign.” 7

There was “ no difference between the nobleman and city’prentice, except that the latter was sometimes the greater beau,”writes the “ Female Spectator.” 8 *

“ His hands must he covered with fine Brussels lace.” “

Our painters of the last century loved to adorn their portraitswith the finest productions of Venice and Flanders; modern artistsconsider such decorations as far too much trouble. “Over thechimney-piece,” writes one of the essayists, describing a citizen’scountry box, “ was my friend’s portrait, which w T as drawn boltupright in a full-bottomed periwig, a laced cravat, with the fringedends appearing through the button-hole (Steinkirk fashion).Indeed, one would almost wonder how and where people managedto afford so rich a selection of laces in their days, did it not call tomind the demand of the Vicaress of W akefield ‘ to have as manypearls and diamonds put into her picture as could be given forthe money.’ ”

Ruffles were equally worn by the ladies : — 10

“ Frizzle your elbows with ruffles sixteen :

Furl off your lawn apron with flounces in rows.” 11

4 He had retired to the country to be estimated at the same sum.

out of the way. 7 Cowper.

5 August 1776. ' 1757.

6 The wardrobe of George IV. was ’ “ Monsieur a la Mode,” 1753.

10 “ Let of ruffles many a row

Guard your elbows white as snow.”

The Belle, 1755.

“ Gone to a lady of distinction with a Brussels head and ruffles.”

The Fool of Quality, 1766.

11 “Receipt for Modem Dress,” 1753.