"Before the waist is quite again in fashion, and while the thing exists (which will soon be incredible), we set down the measurement of a petticoat in the summer of 1796, which for a middling-sized woman is five foot and an inch."--(_Times, Nov. 4, 1796._) * * * * * "It would not be easily believed by our Great Grandmothers, that their lovely daughters cannot make their appearance without a dozen combs in their heads, and as many false curls and cushions. The victory over black pins is complete."--(_Times, May 30, 1797._) * * * * * "Horse Hair has risen near 50 per cent. since Wigs have become so much the rage."--(_Times, April 27, 1798._) * * * * * "The women at Paris are every day divesting themselves of some of the customary articles of dress, and the rage for _nudity_ is so great, that it is apprehended, even by the Parisian Journalists, they will shortly have the effrontery to present themselves to the public eye in a state of pure nature. One of them appeared a few days since in the Champs Elysées, in a simple robe of spotted black gauze, and shewed so much that little was left to guess. The spectators were struck with indignation at this flagrant violation of decorum, and she was compelled to make a shameful and precipitate retreat."--(_Times, June 18, 1798._) * * * * * "An Artist has advertised that he makes up worn out Umbrellas into fashionable Gypsey Bonnets. The transition is so easy, that he is scarce to be praised for the invention. "The _Gypsey Bonnet_ is commonly worn by the Lancashire Witches."--(_Times, July 7, 1798._) * * * * * "We are very happy to see the waists of our fair country women walking downwards by degrees towards the hip. But, as we are a little acquainted with the laws of increasing velocity in fashionable gravitation, we venture to express, thus early in their descent, a hope that they will _stop there_."--(_Times, April 15, 1799._) * * * * * "_Straw_ in the head-dress, according to the laws and immemorial customs of the stage, denotes the unsoundness of the brain it covers. Several of those useful and respectable young men, who make the campaign of Bond Street, have thought proper to invest their temples with the sacred symbols, and wear straw hats to give notice of their light-headedness."--(_Times, July 4, 1799._) The Censor could also be severe on the harmless "Reticule."