Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original SourcesAshton, John
History
Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original Sources
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- History -- Anne, 1702-1714; Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 18th century
The watch of that day, and indeed of the whole Georgian era, consisted
of the watch proper, and an outer ornamental case, which was lined
with a pad of coloured velvet or satin, to make it fit tight to the
watch. We now never see watch-cases made of other materials than the
precious metals, or imitations thereof; but then, beautiful cases were
made of shagreen of various colours, or tortoiseshell inlaid, or
studded, with gold. Some beautiful specimens may be seen in the
library of the Corporation of the City of London, in the Clockmakers'
Company's collection.
[Illustration: A Watch Riband.]
As umbrellas were not used by men, as being too effeminate, and
india-rubber waterproofing was only to be discovered more than a
century later, men, in Anne's reign, had to put their trust in good
broadcloth coats or cloaks.
Nor should it prove thy less important Care,
To Chuse a proper Coat for Winter's Wear.
Now in thy Trunk thy _Doily_ Habit fold,
The silken Drugget ill can fence the cold;
The Frieze's spongy Nap is soak'd with Rain,
And Show'rs soon drench the Camlet's cockled Grain.
True _Witney_ Broad Cloth with its Shag unshorn,
Unpierc'd is in the lasting Tempest worn:
Be this the Horse man's Fence; for who would wear
Amid the Town the Spoils of _Russia's_ Bear?
Within the _Roquelaure's_ Clasp thy Hands are pent,
Hands, that stretch'd forth invading Harms prevent.
Let the looped _Bavaroy_ the Fop embrace,
Or his deep Cloak be spatter'd o'er with Lace.
That Garment best the Winter's Rage defends,
Whose shapeless Form in ample Plaits depends;
By various Names[211] in various Counties known,
Yet held in all the true _Surtout_ alone:
Be thine of _Kersey_ firm, though small the Cost,
Then brave unwet the Rain, unchill'd the Frost.[212]
[Footnote 211: _A Joseph_, _a Wrap Rascal_, etc.]
[Footnote 212: _Trivia_, book 1.]
Scarlet seems to have been the favourite colour for the roquelaure or
cloak, and some must have been 'exceeding magnifical, scarlet rocklows
and rocliers, with gold buttons and loops, being advertised as lost.
Ah! the men of that time! they were always losing something.
In doors, in their hours of ease, the precious furbelow wig was
discarded, and their closely cropped or shaved heads were clad in
handsomely worked caps--called _night caps_, although only worn in the
daytime; some kind of night cap having been an article of dress ever
since the time of Elizabeth. They were as common presents from ladies
to gentlemen, as a pair of slippers, or a smoking-cap would be now.
Says Swift, 'Your fine Cap, Madam Dingley, is too little, and too hot.
I will have that fur taken off; I wish it were far enough; and my old
Velvet cap is good for nothing. Is it velvet under the fur? I was
feeling but cannot find; if it be, it will do without it, else I will
face it; but then I must buy new velvet: but may be I may beg a piece.
What shall I do?'[213]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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