The Merry Past 



The Corinthian, as a rule, could drive a coach full 

 of ladies as well as the most experienced coachman ; 

 did not often overturn the carriage, and very seldom 

 rode down old people or children ; could trace the 

 pedigree of a racehorse through one hundred descents, 

 and enumerate all the dams, grand-dams, and great- 

 grand-dams, with the most fluent accuracy ; could 

 tell the good and bad qualities of a horse at first 

 sight ; and in the refined employments of the stable 

 could vie with the most expert groom or stable- 

 boy. 



He was an adept at swearing. As to the fair sex, 

 the elegant society of the stable was preferable in 

 his estimation to that of the drawing-room, and the 

 lounge among brother fine fellows in the coffee-house, 

 or the tavern, superior to the company of the ladies, 

 in whose conversation his accomplishments did not 

 enable him to bear a part. He paid his debts of 

 honour much in the same manner as the fine fellow 

 of 1783 ; and, like him, could drink three bottles of 

 wine, kick the waiter, and knock down watchmen 

 with much the same good grace. 



His dress, however, was not so picturesque. 



The beginning of the decadence of the picturesque 

 eighteenth-century costume dates from about 1787, 

 when round hats began to come into general use, 

 and men's clothes to lose those decorative features 

 which have since been completely eliminated. 



At first evening coats still retained some traces of 

 ancient splendour, but it was not long before all 

 costly fabrics were discarded in favour of a costume 



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