With these words, the little man had drawn out a complete barber's apparatus, and begun, with, light and skilful touches, to free me from that remaining incumbrance, which had so much offended the eyes of my old friend the Judge. In truth, I came out of his hands completely metamorphosed; and nothing more was necessary but a proper change of dress, in order to escape all danger of provoking, by my appearance, questions or impertinent curiosity. Belcampo, having packed up his implements, stood smiling on me with great satisfaction. I then said to him, that I was quite unacquainted with the town; and that it would be very satisfactory if he could inform me, how to procure immediately a suit of clothes, according to the newest fashion of the time and place. To reward his trouble, and encourage him in my service, I slipped a ducat into his hand. Hereupon he seemed absolutely inspired--cast his eyes to the ceiling, and then ogled the ducat in the palm of his hand. "Worthiest of patrons and masters," said he, "in you I have not been deceived. A guardian spirit, indeed, guided my hand, and in the proud waving of these curls--in the eagle flight of these whiskers--your high sentiments are clearly expressed! "I have, indeed, a friend, a Damon, an Orestes, who will fulfil upon the rest of the body, that which I have commenced upon the head, with the same depth of reflection, and the same light of genius. You perceive, sir, that the individual whom I mean is an artist of costume; which expression I prefer to the trivial one of tailor. "He, too, willingly luxuriates and loses himself in the _ideal_; and thus forming in his own mind shapes, characters, and physiognomies, he has planned a magazine, a _depot_ of the most exquisite dresses. You behold there the modern _elegant_, in all possible shadowings of character, now boldly and energetically out-shining all competitors--now reserved within himself, and lost to all that is external--now witty and ironical--now melancholy and out of humour--anon bizarre and extravagant, anon plain and citizen-like, according as he wishes to appear, _so_ or _so_! "The youth who, for the first time, ventures to order a coat for himself, without the assistance of mamma, or his tutor,--the man of forty, who must wear powder to conceal grey hairs,--the old man, still vigorous in his enjoyment of life,--the profound student,--the bustling merchant,--the opulent, retired citizen,--all these varieties of character rise up before your eyes, as on a theatre, when you enter the shop of my Damon. But, in a few moments, the masterpieces of my friend's art shall be presented in this very room, for your inspection." Accordingly, he hopped away in great haste, and soon after re-appeared with a tall, stout, genteelly dressed man, who, as well in his whole behaviour as in his exterior, made the most perfect contrast possible, with the little _frizeur_; and yet, nevertheless, he introduced him to me as his Damon!