_London Merchant._ "WHY, WHAT IS THE USE OF YOUR BEING IN A RESPECTABLE HOUSE OF BUSINESS IF YOU PROCEED IN THIS ABSURD, VULGAR MANNER? NOW, TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, UNLESS YOU MEND VERY CONSIDERABLY, YOU WILL GO ON FROM BAD TO WORSE. YOU WILL BECOME A PETTY HUCKSTER; FROM THAT YOU WILL, IN ALL PROBABILITY, GET TO BE A MERE COMMON-COUNCILMAN; THEN AN ALDERMAN; WHEN, AFTER A COURSE OF GLUTTONY AND TOMFOOLERY, PAINFUL TO THINK OF, YOU WILL MAKE A RIDICULOUS TERMINATION TO YOUR CONTEMPTIBLE CAREER BY ACTUALLY BECOMING A +LORD MAYOR+."] THE LADIES OF THE CREATION! [Illustration: NO. I. _THE PARLIAMENTARY FEMALE._ _Father of the Family._ "COME, DEAR; WE SO SELDOM GO OUT TOGETHER NOW--CAN'T YOU TAKE US ALL TO THE PLAY TO-NIGHT?" _Mistress of the House and M.P._ "HOW YOU TALK, CHARLES! DON'T YOU SEE THAT I AM TOO BUSY. I HAVE A COMMITTEE TO-MORROW MORNING, AND I HAVE MY SPEECH ON THE GREAT CROCHET QUESTION TO PREPARE FOR THE EVENING."] [Illustration: NO. II. _THE DRAWING-ROOM._] THE LADIES OF THE CREATION! [Illustration: NO. III. _THE DINING-ROOM._ _Lady of the House._ "NOW THEN, GIRLS! FILL YOUR GLASSES! BUMPERS! HERE'S JUST ONE TOAST WHICH I AM SURE YOU WILL ALL DRINK WITH PLEASURE. THE GENTLEMEN!!"] [Illustration: NO. IV. _NATURALLY THE FEMALE THINKS SHOPPING VERY TIRESOME._ _Superior Creature._ "FOR GOODNESS' SAKE, EDWARD, DO COME AWAY! WHEN YOU ONCE GET INTO A SHOP, THERE'S NO GETTING YOU OUT AGAIN."] THE LADIES OF THE CREATION! [Illustration: NO. V. _SPORTING FOR LADIES._] [Illustration: NO. VI. _THE BAND AT ST. JAMES'S PALACE._] THE LADIES OF THE CREATION! [Illustration: NO. VII. _A "BUS" CONDUCTRESS._ _Old Gentleman._ "YOU ARE A VERY SAUCY, IMPUDENT WOMAN, AND I'LL CERTAINLY SUMMON YOU!" _Conductress._ "THANK YE, SIR! (_To Driver._) GO ON, SARAH; NEVER MIND THE OLD COVE."] [Illustration: NO. VIII. _MARY PROTECTING THE WEAKER SEX._] [Illustration: NO. IX. _THE ARREST BY BAILIFFS._ "AND SERVE HER RIGHT TOO--EXTRAVAGANCE IN A MAN IS, IN SOME DEGREE, EXCUSABLE, FOR HE KNOWS NO BETTER--BUT, IN A WOMAN, IT IS QUITE UNPARDONABLE."] THE LADIES OF THE CREATION! [Illustration: NO. X. _MISS BROWN TAKES HER COUSIN OUT FISHING._ _Inferior Animal._ "OH DEAR! MISS BROWN! HERE'S A FISH TAKEN ALL MY BAIT. DO COME AND PUT ON ANOTHER WORM!"] [Illustration: NO. XI. _THE WOMAN AT THE WHEEL._] [Illustration: _THE REAL FLOWER-SHOW._] THE LADIES OF THE CREATION--BLOOMERISM. [Illustration: NO. I.--_APROPOS OF BLOOMERISM._ _Visitor_ (_who is looking at the Print of the Bloomer Costume_). "WELL, NOW, UPON MY WORD, I DON'T SEE ANYTHING RIDICULOUS IN IT. _I_ SHALL CERTAINLY ADOPT IT." _Strong-minded Lady._ "FOR MY PART, I SO THOROUGHLY DESPISE CONVENTIONALITY, THAT I HAVE ORDERED ALL MY NEW THINGS TO BE MADE IN THAT VERY RATIONAL STYLE!"] [Illustration: NO. II. THE SORT OF LEG THAT LOOKS WELL IN BLOOMER PETTILOONS.] THE LADIES OF THE CREATION--BLOOMERISM.