“I went to Lady North’s[135] last night, to see all the fine cloaths that were made for the Birthday. Lady Scarborough[136] was richly dressed, the Duchess of Bedford[137] was pretty fine, Mrs. Spencer had a white velvet which is the ugliest thing in the world, but the Duchess of Queensberry[138] was such as should be shown at Courts and feasts, and high solemnities, where most may wonder at the workmanship; her cloaths were embroidered upon white satin; Vine leaves, Convolvulus and Rosebuds shaded after Nature; but she in herself was so far beyond the masterpiece of art, that one could hardly look at her cloaths; allowing for her age I never saw so beautiful a creature. Miss Pitt[139] had a fine trimming and looked very pretty, but as for the Roses, they do not bloom in January, for she is as pale as a ghost. Lady Mary Tufton[140] had a pretty suit of embroidery. The men were not at all fine. Mr. Lyttelton’s[141] cloaths were ugly, according to Polonius’ instructions, ‘Rich not gaudy, fine but not exprest in fancy.’ I did not see any new fashions, as to the wearing stays, I think they are as usual. I do not know what will become of your fine shape, for there is a fashionable make that is very strange. I believe they look in London as they did in Rome after the Rape of the Sabines. “I am, my dearest, your most affectionate “E. ROBINSON.” [135] Second wife of 7th Baron North, afterwards 1st Earl of Guilford. [136] Wife of 3rd Earl Scarborough. [137] Second wife of the 4th Duke. [138] Wife of 3rd Duke, “Kitty ever fair.” [139] A sister of Lord Chatham, either Mary or Anne. [140] Daughter of 7th Earl of Thanet. [141] George, 1st Lord Lyttelton, afterwards her intimate friend. February 25, Sarah writes-- “I should be obliged to you if you would in your next letter send me word what sized hoops moderate people who are neither over lavish nor covetous of whalebone, wear; because I intend to write to my Hoop maker to have one ready for me against I come to town, and I don’t care to leave the size of it to her discretion. I hope our hoops will not increase much more, for we are already almost as unreasonable as Queen Dido,[142] and don’t encircle much less with our whalebone, than she did with her bull’s hide.” [142] Queen Dido of Tyre bought of the Africans as much land as a bull’s hide would cover, and by cutting it into strips encircled a large portion. [Illustration: _William Freind D.D._ Dean of Canterbury. _according to Act of Parliament._ _T Worlidge del. et Sc._ ] [Page heading: HAIRDRESSING] A light is thrown on hairdressing of the period in the following letter to Sarah:-- “DEAR SISTER,