Mr. Editor.--In No. 200 of the MIRROR, you will find an article,
entitled _Female Fashions during the early part of the Last
Century_. The author then promised to give a description of the dress
of the English gentlemen of the same period, but as no such description
has _yet_ appeared in your pages, I trust you will insert the
annexed at your first convenient opportunity.

G.W.N.


_Dress of the English Gentlemen during the Early part of the Last
Century._

In the reign of King William III., the English gentlemen affected to
dress like their dependents. Their hats were laced, and their coats and
waistcoats were embroidered with gold and silver fringe; indeed it
really became extremely difficult to distinguish a man of quality from
one of his lackeys. They did not, however, long persevere in this
ridiculous imitation, for they soon afterwards, like the ladies,
servilely followed the French fashions. The great partiality of the
English _beau monde_ towards the _bon ton_ of France, was a
wonderful advantage to that country--an advantage which the English
government in vain endeavoured to abolish, although a heavy duty was
imposed on all French ribbon and lace imported into this kingdom. Many
millions were annually expended in French cambric, muslin, ribbon, and
lace, which useless expenditure very sensibly injured our commercial
transactions with other nations.

Perukes and long wigs were worn at the revolution; but these being