sequence. If I tell the truth, the King to be sure will be angry; but perhaps I may move hun by my sincere contrition. Let me turn to which side soever I will, I cannot escape death. It is better, then, to acknowledge the truth, than to add to my guilt the shame of telling a lie." While he was in this dilemma, he was sent for by the King. He repaired trembling to the apartment where the King and his courtiers were waiting for him.

The King, moved by the upright confession of Saddig, asked all the courtiers who were present what punishment they thought he deserved, and what kind of death ought to be inflicted upon him. Some invented new tormeuts, and the mildest opinion was that be should be burned by a slow fire. Toglatimur, who clearly perceived that malignity and hatred had a greater share in these opinions than zeal for his person, turned to Saddig, and thus spoke :-"Thy integrity astonishes me, Saddig. Far be it from me to punish a weakness to which all men are subject. Had I been in thy place, I had perhaps sacrificed not the nag alone, but all the horses entrusted to my care. Thou hast my pardon; and pleased with thy candid confession, it is my will that the vizir shall accompany thee in a splendid equipage, and shew thee to my people as an admirable cxample for their imitation."

"Saddig," said Toglatimur, "order my favourite uag to be saddled; I am going out a hunting." "Great Prince," replied Saddig, throwing himself at his feet, "the uag is dead. Last night I was quite alone in my house, when a most beautiful young female came to pay me a visit. A thousand charms which she exhibited to my view excited in me the utmost astonishment. She would not go away; my passions were inflamed, and she promised to gratify them, if I would only give her the heart of your nag. Notwithstanding the violence of my desires, J at first refused; but her intreaties and blandishments were so irresis-fied at beingthe cause of his daughter's shame,

tible that I was no longer master of myself, and complied with her wish. My crime is very great, I acknowledge, and therefore 1 shall uut attempt to excuse it. I know that I have deserved death. Here is my sabre, and here my head. I demand from the hand of my most gracious sovereign the just punishment of my ingratitude."

The courtiers with tears approved the justice of the King. The vizir, deeply morti

could not endure to be made the sign of his enemy's triumph, and hanged himself. Saddig succeeded him in his office. The people were happy under the sway of the Chan Toglatimur. How, indeed, could they have been otherwise, when they were governed by justice and truth!

ANECDOTES OF DRESS, AND THE CAPRICES OF FASHION.

FROM MALCOLM'S "ANECDOTES OF THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF LONDON DURING THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY."

"REASON demands that the human body, should be covered; decency and the chill of the weather confirm her dictates In a changeable climate like that of England, caprice receives full gratification; the public may indulge in the use of every intervening article

1

fashioned people on the upper part of the cloak: they were of satin, sarsnet, or velvet.

"Earrings, and girdles fastened by buckles, were common, as were coloured gowns lined with striped silks. Lady Anderson, whose house was robbed at a fire in Red Lion

from muslins to furs; and it must be acknow-square in 1700, lost one of this description of

ledged the license is used to its full extent. The chauges in the fashion of drapery, traced minutely throngh ten years, would completely tire the reader's patience; how then is he to endure the inútations of a century? In the succeeding abridged state they may perhaps be

tolerated.

"The ladies' bodice, or stays, were sometimes made of silk, with black straps to fasten with buckles set with stones or false jewels. The head had a covering called a hood, and this was in the form that is now worn by old

orange damask lined with striped silk. Aud the family of George Heneage, Esq. at the same time, and by the same casualty, lost 'a head with very fine looped lace of very great value; a Flanders laced hood, a pair of double rules and tucker; two laced aprons, one point, the other Flanders lace; and a large black scarf embroidered with gold. At the same period the ladies wore holiand petticoats, embroidered in figures with different-coloured silks and gold, with proad orrice at the bottom. "It may be inferred from the ensuing story, thet wigs of delicate and beautiful hair, whe- || with dark-brown and fair hair, wrought like ther for the use of ladies or gentlemen, were in great demand, and highly valued by some of our beaus or belles. An Oxfordshire lass

was lately courted by a young man of that country, who was not willing to marry her unless her friends could advance fifty pounds for her portion; which they being incapable of doing, the lass came to this city to try her fortune, where she met with a good chapmau in the Strand, who made a purchase of her hair (which was delicately long and light), and gave her sixty pounds for it, being twenty ounces at three pounds an ounce; with which money she joyfully returned into the country, and bought her a husband.'-Protestant Mercury, July 10,

1700.

"The sword was one of the most reprehensible articles used in the dress of the gentlemen. It is undoubtedly an incumbrance to a wellbred man; but dangling by the side of an awkward person it becomes ridiculous, troublesome to himself, and intolerable to his neighbours. These observations apply only to the absurdity of the custom; as a dangerous weapon ready on a sudden quarrel, humanity revolts against its use. The following notice from the Gazette of January 1, 1701, will shew that government was at least careful of the lives of that honourable set of gentlemen ycleped footmen, who sported their side arms: By the Right Hon. Charles Earl of Carlisle, Earl Marshal of England during the minority of Thomas Duke of Norfolk. Whereas many mischiefs and dangerous accidents, tending not only to the highest breach of the peace, but also to the destruction of the lives of his majesty's subjects, have happened and been occasioned by footmen wearing of swords: for prevention of the like evil accidents and disturbanees for the future, I do hereby order, that no footinan attending any of the nobility or gentry of his majesty's realms shall wear any sword, hanger, bayonet, or other such like offensive weapon, during such time as they or any of them shall reside or be within the cities of London and Westminster, and the precincts of the same, as they will answer the contrary hereof.

camlet, the hair set in gold, over the bair a cypher of four letters, R. A. M. L. under a cut crystal, and set round with ten rose diamonds.' Diamond stomachers adorned the ladies' breasts, which were composed of that valuable stone set in silver, and sewed in a variety of figures upon black silk; and they must be admitted to have been a brilliant, if not an elegant ornament.

"The men imported the Campaign wig from France. Those were made very full, were curled, and eighteen inches in length to the front, with drop locks. When human hair was scarce, a little horse hair supplied the place in the parts least in sight. An advertisement issued in 1703 gives a whole-length portrait of the dress of a youth in the 'middle rank of life; such a figure would attract much wonder at present in the streets of London.-He is of a fair complexion, light-brown lauk hair, having on a dark-brown frieze coat, doublebreasted on each side, with black buttons and button-holes; a light drugget waistcoat, red shag brecches striped with black stripes, and black stockings.' Mourning rings were used in 1703. Satin gowns were lined with Persian silk; and laced kerchiefs and Spanish leather shoes laced with gold, were common To these the ladies added bare breasts, with gold and other crosses suspended on them. The odd custom of setting little circular pieces of black silk on various parts of the female face, well known by the name of patches even in our enlightened days, prevailed in a most extravagant degree at the time I am now treating of; they then, as at present, varied in size, and were supported by their auxiliaries in elegance, frizzed and powdered false locks, and emulated by the men's sword-knots and black silk facings to their

coats.

"The ladies must indeed have exhibited a wonderful appearance in 1709: behold one equipped in a black silk petticoat with a red and white calico border, cherry-coloured stays trimmed with blue and silver, a red and dovecoloured damask gown flowered with large trees, a yellow satin apron trimmed with white Persian, and muslin head-cloths with crowfoot edging, double ruffles with fine edging, a black silk furbelowed scarf, and a spotted hood! Such were the cloaths advertised as stolen in the Post-Boy of November 15. Tatler of December 12, says:-'The young gentleman belonging to the Custom-house, "In the same year it was customary to that borrowed the umbrella at Will's Coffeeadoru the arms with lockets, as they were house in Cornhill of the Mistress, is hereby then called. A large one is thus described in advertised that to be dry from head to foot on an advertisement as lost by a lady:- Striped || the like occasion he shall be welcome to the

"Mufis were in use before the year, 1700, but very different in shape and materials from those of the present day. What would a fashionable belle say to a furrier who would offer her one for sale made of the leopard's skin? yet such were worn in 1702.

The Female

sale in the Spectator of June 2, 1711, 'of blue | essay on the advantages and disadvantages of

ported by the milliners; a custom most reli-ladies of a low stature, who, when they sail in

"To the above list of fiuery pray let nae add "The man of fashion in 1729 wore the fullMrs. Beale's loss in 1712.- A green silk kuit, curled flowing wig, which felt in ringlets half way down his arms and back; a neckcloth tied tight round his neck; a coat reaching to his ankles, laced strait formal, with buttons to the very bottom, and several on the pockets and sleeves; his shoes were square at the toes, bad diminutive buckles, a monstrous flap on the instep, and high heels; a belt secured the coat and supported the sword.

"A man advertised a wonderful wig to be seen in Siduey-alley, Leicester fields, at one shilling each person in February 1721. He said it was made without weaving or sewing; in short, as Sterne says, it might be immersed in the ocean without derangement.

"The ladies wore hooped petticoats, scarlet cloaks, and masks when walking. The hoops were fair game for the wits, and they spared them not:

"An elderly lady whose bulky squat figure
"By hood and white damask was rendered

much bigger,

"Without hood and bare-neck'd to the Park did repair,

"To shew her new cloaths, and to take the
fresh air;

"Her shape, her attire, rais'd a shout and loud
laughter,
"Away waddles madam; the mob hurried
after.
"Quoth a wag, when observing the noisy
crowd follow,
"As she came with a hoop, she is gone with a
hollow."

[To be continued.]

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS FOR FEBRUARY.

The scene lies in the Principality of Anhalt, and the following sketch will comprehend the principal interest of the Fable:

DRURY-LANE.

On Thursday, February 9, a new Farce was performed at this Theatre, entitled "The Unconscious Counterfeit." It is a light and sprightly trifle, turning altogether on equivoque. A Captain Dashwood, flying from London into Wales to avoid a demand made upon him by a usurer in possession of his bond for two thousand pounds, is entertained in the family of Mr. Oakda'e, a weal hy citizen, whose daughter he wishes to marry to Young Betrille, the nephew of the usurer, Shufflebag. In consequence of a letter written by the miser, Oakdale takes the Captain for Belvile in disguise, and refuses to encourage the addresses of the real nephew of Shufflebag. Mistake upon mistake succeeds upon this ground, till the asurer coming down with a bailif to arrest Daskwood, an eclaircissement takes place, and the union of Oukdale's daughter and Belville

A portrait of the Duke of Auhalt being in the possession of Caroline, who means to present it to her aunt, Miss Crackenburg, for the purpose of wearing at court, Caroline by mistake gives the portrait of her lover, Captain Lindorf, who is in consequence frequently sub-follows of course; when the lady finds in her

jected to the interrogatory, "Is he a Prince?" intended husband the man of her own partiMuch equivoque ensues, but after an explanacular choice The acting of Elliston, Dowton, tion, the piece concludes with the union of Lindorf and Caroline.

Tuis Farce is from the pen of the gentleman who prepared the Portrait of Cervantes for the stage-lt is whimsical and lively; it ruus upon a string of equivoque, and it is highly seasoned with burlesque. It was very much applauded, and will be popular.

Mathews, Penley, Smith, Miss Boyce, and Mrs. Harlowe, gave powerful support to this bagatelle, which was given out for a future representation with universal applause. It is full of laughable incidents, and the dialogue is very animated.

Years following years steal something ev'ry | And here, while town, and court, and city

day,

But, after all, what would you have me do,
When out of twenty I can please not two;
When this heroics only deigus to praise,
Sharp satire that, and that Pindaric lays?
One likes the pheasant's wing, and one the leg:
The vulgar boil, the learned roast an egg.
Hard task! to hit the palate of such guests,
When Oldfield loves what Dartineuf detests.
But grant I may relapse, for want of grace,
Again to rhyme: can London be the place?
Who there his muse, or self, or soul attends,
In crowds and courts, law, business, feasts,

and friends?

My counsel sends to execute a deed:
A poet begs me I will hear him read:

In Palace-yard at nine you'll find me there

roars,

doors,
With mobs, and duns, and soldiers at their
Shall I in London act this idle part?
Composing songs for fools to get by heart?

The Temple late two brother Serjeants saw,
Who deem'd each other oracles of law;
With equal talents these congenial souls,
One lull'd th' Exchequer, and one stuan'd the
Rolls;

Each had a gravity would make you split,
And shook his head at Murray, as a wit.
Twas, "Sir, your law" and "Sir, your elo-
quence;"
[Talbot'ssense."
"Yours, Cowper's manners;" and
Thus we dispose of all poetic merit;
Yours Milton's genius, and mine Homer's
[Nine,

yours,

spirit.
Call Tibbald Shakespear, and he'll swear the
Dear Cibber! never match'd one ode of thine.
Lord! how we strut thro' Merlin's cave to see

No poets there but Stephen, you, and me.
Walk with respect behind, while we at ease
Weave laurel crowns, and take what names we
please.

"My dear Tibullus!" if that will not do,

Or, I'm content; allow me Dryden's strains, "And you shall rise up Otway for your pains." Much do I suffer, much to keep in peace This jealous, waspish, wrong-head, rhyming [bite,

race;

At ten for certain, Sir, in Bloomsbury-square-"Let me be Horace, and be Ovid you :
Before the Lords at twelve my cause comes on-
There's a rehearsal, Sir, exact at one.
"Oh! but a wit can study in the streets,
"And raise his mind above the mob he meets."
Not quite so well however as one ought;
A hackney-coach may chance to spoil a thought;
And then a nodding beam, or pig of lead,
God knows, may hurt the very ablest head.
Have you not seen, at Guildhall's narrow pass,
Two Aldermen dispute it with an Ass;
And Peers give way, exalted as they are,
Even to their own S-r-v--nce in a car?

Go, lofty Poet! and in such a crowd
Sing thy sonorous verse-but not aloud.
Alas! to grottos and to groves we run;
To ease and silence ev'ry Muse's son:
Blackmore himself, for any grand effort,
Would drink and doze at Tooting or Earl's-

court.

How shall I rhyme in this eternal roar?

How match the bards whom nove e'er match'd before?

And much must flatter, if the whim should
To court applause, by printing what I write:
But, let the fit pass o'er, I'm wise enough
To stop my ears to their confounded stuff.

In vain bad rhymers all maukind reject, They treat themselves with most profound respect:

'Tis to small purpose that you hold your tongue;
Each, prais'd within, is happy all day long:
But how severely with themselves proceed
The men who write such verse as we can read!
Their own strict Judges, not a word they spare
That wants or force, or light, or weight, or care,
Howe'er unwillingly it quits its place,
Nay tho' at court (perhaps) it may find grace:
Such they'll degrade; and sometimes in its
stead,

The man who, stretch'd in Isis' calm retreat, To books and study gives seven years com

plete,

See! strew'd with learned dust, his nightcap

In downright charity revive the dead;
Mark where a bold expressive phrase appears,
Bright thro' the rubbish of some hundred
years;