The French Revolution affected masculine costume; and in 1789 were introduced into this country the muslin cravat, in which the chin was partially concealed, stand-up collars, Hessian boots, and round hats of beaver. Scarlet coats were much in vogue about 1784, and an anecdote in "The Life of Sir Astley Cooper" represents him as returning from a dancing academy in a scarlet coat, a three-cocked hat, a black glazed stock, nankeen knee-breeches, and silk stockings. This may be regarded as the ordinary costume of a gentleman at that period. Wigs had begun to go out of fashion as early as 1763, in which year the wigmakers petitioned King George III. to support the trade by his example. "The hair," says Malcolm, "was dressed high on the head, whitened with powder, and alternately plaited and turned up or queued behind." When the hair powder tax--one guinea per annum--was enforced in 1795, thousands of heads reverted to their natural colour. Some brilliant fancy dress balls (with a view to encouraging home trade) have taken place during the Victorian era. Of the first, which was given by the Queen and Prince Consort at Buckingham Palace in 1842, a permanent memorial exists in two handsome volumes compiled by J. R. Planché, containing carefully coloured illustrations of the various dresses, and autograph portraits of the wearers. They form an invaluable book of reference for those desiring accurate representations of the costume of the period of Edward III. (1327-1377). A special feature of this ball was a series of costume quadrilles, arranged by ladies of the Court and others of high rank. They were danced in the following order:-- French quadrille, led by H. R. H. the Duchess of Cambridge. Spanish quadrille, led by the Duchess of Buccleuch. German quadrille, led by the Duchess of Sutherland. Crusaders' quadrille, led by the Marchioness of Londonderry. Waverley quadrille, led by the Countess de la Warr. Scotch quadrille, led by the Duchess of Buccleuch. Cossack quadrille, led by Baroness Bremon. Greek quadrille, led by the Duchess of Leinster. [Illustration: PRINCE ALBERT AS EDWARD III.]