more ostentation than they do at this day. Silks and satins came hither
by ship-loads from France to supply the luxury of costume which was then
in vogue. The difference between the costumes of that day and of this
was especially marked in the attire of gentlemen. Now there is much
greater plainness and uniformity. When Washington held his levees, he
was generally dressed "in black velvet, with white or pearl-colored
waistcoat, yellow gloves, and silver knee and shoe-buckles." "His hair
was powdered and gathered in a silk bag behind. He carried a cocked hat
in his hand, and wore a long sword with a scabbard of polished white
leather." The display of dress was not less marked in other officials,
and in men of high social rank. The judges of the Supreme Court wore
scarlet robes faced with velvet. "If a gentleman went abroad, he
appeared in his wig, white stock, white satin embroidered vest, black
satin small-clothes, with white silk stockings, and a fine broadcloth or
velvet coat; if at home, a velvet cap, sometimes with a fine linen one
under it, took the place of the wig; while a gown, frequently of colored
damask lined with silk, was substituted for the coat, and the feet were
covered with leather slippers of some fancy color." All men shaved their
beards clean; a man who appeared in the streets wearing hair on any part
of his face was stared at, and very likely laughed at.

[Sidenote: Old-time Attire.]

[Sidenote: Wigs and Queues.]

All the great gentlemen wore wigs; most of the country farmers contented
themselves with tying their hair in a queue behind, sprinkling it with
powder when they went to church on a Sunday. As for the ladies, those in
the best society were even more elaborate in their toilets than those
of to-day. On the dressing of the hair, especially, much time and money