"As a Frenchman cannot exist without a powdered head, and meal being so dear in France, the _Beaux_ are under the necessity of wearing _powdered whiting_. Rouge is plenty enough, that article not being put in requisition: the ladies therefore, as usual, wear their faces under _red masks_. They go to bed as blooming as _Sol_, when he retires to the _Lap of Thetis_: and rise as pale as _Cynthia_, in her nocturnal visits to the earth."--(_Times, Nov. 29, 1794._) "_Mother of Pearl buttons_ are likely to take the lead in the fashionable world, as they are both beautiful and ornamental, as well as durable and economical: on the contrary, those made of steel, and other metals, soon rust, and want frequent cleaning."--(_Times, Dec. 16, 1794._) [Illustration: Jimmy Lincum Feadle--1791.] [Illustration: A Scaramouch.] By the 35 Geo. III., c. 49--a Duty was laid on Hair powder--and "the Crops," besides their (as we should term it) Radical tendencies, were extra unpopular among the Tories, because they evaded the Hair Powder duty, by wearing none:-- "A numerous club has been formed in Lambeth, called the _Crop Club_, every member of which, on his entrance, is obliged to have his head docked as close as the Duke of Bridgewater's old bay coach-horses. This assemblage is instituted for the purpose of opposing, or rather evading, the tax on powdered heads."--(_Times, April 14, 1795._) "The following Noblemen and Gentlemen were of the party with the Duke of Bedford at Woburn Abbey, when a general cropping, and combing out of hair powder took place: Lord W. Russell, Lord Villiers, Lord Paget, &c., &c. They entered into an engagement to forfeit a sum of money if any of them wore their hair tied, or powdered, within a certain period. Many Noblemen and Gentlemen in the county of Bedford have since followed the example: it has become general with the Gentry in Hampshire, and the Ladies have left off wearing powder."--(_Times, Sept. 25, 1795._) "The Bedford Crops.--Something has at last fallen from this party to entertain the Public. We hope they will find their heads cooler for this salutary operation. Dr. Willis[3] is of opinion, that more than one of them ought to have been _shaved_. If the _Shavees_ think by publishing their names they will gain proselytes, till their absurdity is lost in the crowd, they are mistaken. Can it be supposed that a few drunken persons in a frolic, will be followed by the sober part of the people of England? [Footnote 3: Dr. Willis was a Clergyman, who turned Physician, and his specialty was treatment of the insane. He attended George III. in his mental alienation, and was handsomely rewarded.] "The new Crop is called the _Bedford Level_.