{364}A man was known by his "points"; he collected lace, as, in these more athletic days, a gentleman prides himself on his pointers or his horses. We read in the journals of the time how, on the day after Lord George Gordon's riots, a report ran through London that the Earl of Effingham, having joined the rioters, had been mortally wounded, and his body thrown into the Thames. He had been recognised, folks declared, by his point lace ruffles.[1071] Mr. Damer, less known than his wife, the talented sculptor and friend of Horace Walpole, appeared three times a day in a new suit, and at his death[1072] left a wardrobe which sold for £15,000.[1073] Well might it have been said of him-- "We sacrifice to dress, till household joys And comforts cease. Dress drains our cellars dry, And keeps our larder bare; puts out our fires, And introduces hunger, frost, and woe, Where peace and hospitality might reign."[1074] There was "no difference between the nobleman and city 'prentice, except that the latter was sometimes the greater beau," writes the _Female Spectator_.[1075] "His hands must be covered with fine Brussels lace."[1076] Painters of the eighteenth century loved to adorn their portraits with the finest fabrics of Venice and Flanders; modern artists consider such decorations as far too much trouble. "Over the chimney-piece," writes one of the essayists, describing a citizen's country box, "was my friend's portrait, which was drawn bolt upright in a full-bottomed periwig, a laced cravat, with the fringed ends appearing through the button-hole (Steinkirk fashion). Indeed, one would almost wonder how and where people managed to afford so rich a selection of laces in their days, did it not call to mind the demand of the Vicaress of Wakefield 'to have as many pearls and diamonds put into her picture as could be given for the money.'" {365}Ruffles were equally worn by the ladies:--[1077] "Frizzle your elbows with ruffles sixteen; Furl off your lawn apron with flounces in rows."[1078] Indeed, if we may judge by the intellectual conversation overheard and accurately noted down by Miss Burney,[1079] at Miss Monckton's (Lady Cork) party, court ruffles were inconvenient to wear:-- "'You can't think how I am encumbered with these nasty ruffles,' said Mrs. Hampden. "'And I dined in them,' says the other. 'Only think!' "'Oh!' answered Mrs. Hampden, 'it really puts me out of spirits.'" Both ladies were dressed for a party at Cumberland House, and ill at ease in the costume prescribed by etiquette.