There was a paper published in 1711, called The Growler. True to the assumed character, this modern Diogenes snarled at the vices and follies of the day. One of his subjects was the Mercers, who are thus introduced: "Alas! a handsome young Mercer cannot carry on his business with any reputation without an embroidered coat to stand at the shop-door in, instead of a sign or a footman in a laced livery, to invite in his customers." The Tatler of May 1, 1711, speaks of the strange infatuation then and at present prevalent, of walking in the Park during the Spring. He says that "No frost, snow, nor East wind, can hinder a large set of people from going to the Park in February; no dust, nor heat in June. And this is come to such an intrepid regularity, that those agreeable creatures that would shriek at an hind-wheel in a deep gutter, are not afraid in their proper sphere of the disorder and danger of seven rings." Perfumes scented the air, and rendered the paths of fashion delightful and inviting, long before the period at which I date my review. The votaries of this fickle Goddess distributed their money so liberally amongst the inventors and combiners of sweets, that they had become very conspicuous persons by the reign of Queen Anne; as Mr. Charles Lillie will serve to prove, who had the good fortune to be celebrated by Sir Richard Steele in his Tatlers, and by the authors of the original numbers of the Spectator. But, that this gentleman may not monopolize all the fame of his day, I shall proceed to exhibit the flowing periods of another retailer of essences, who points out in which way they were generally used by the belles and beaux of the time. "Incomparable perfuming drops for handkerchiefs, and all other linen, clothes, gloves, &c. being the most excellent for that purpose in the Universe; for they stain nothing that is perfumed with them any more than fair water; but are the most delectable, fragrant, and odoriferous perfume in nature, good against all diseases of the head and brain. By their delicious smell, they comfort, revive, and refresh all the senses, _natural_, _vital_, and _animal_, enliven the _spirits_, cheer the heart, and drive away melancholy; they also perfume rooms, beds, presses, drawers, boxes, &c. making them smell surprizingly fine and odoriferous. They perfume the hands excellently, are an extraordinary scent for the pocket, and, in short, are so exceeding pleasant and delightful, so admirably curious and delicate, _and of such general use_, that nothing in the world can compare with them. Sold only at Mr. Payn's Toy-shop, at the Angel and Crown in St. Paul's Church-yard, near Cheapside, at 2_s._ 6_d._ a bottle, with directions."