1838-39. "CAPPING." 83 



nay, in a manner be compelled to take to other and more 

 congenial studies, for the moment you are struck with the 

 black cap, it is signified that this is the last step you can 

 mount in this department of the Temple of Fame ; and the 

 buffet is a gentle hint to move off to some other staircase, 

 where your progress is unimpeded by any such restrictions. 

 " Wishing you all possible joy of your pair of letters, I 

 remain your affectionate cousin, J. R." 



To a young sister George says: "A great many folks 

 are going to see us capped, especially young ladies, who 

 desire to behold the wonderful powers of the velvet cap,* 

 which by a single touch can transform a thoughtless, 

 foolish, wild, and ill-behaved medical student, into a grave 

 and trustworthy dignified physician, whom mothers and 

 fathers are equally ready to put confidence in. I doubt 

 not, that though you greatly enjoyed your visit to the 

 Shows, and now wish yourself joy of the many acquaint- 

 ances you made among giants and giantesses, dwarfs and 

 fat boys, people with white hair and strange eyes, and the 

 like, that you would wish, notwithstanding, to be here, so 

 as to attend our capping, and see us give to the winds 

 the empty, foolish, and useless title of Mr. now far beneath 

 our dignity. 



" But I must not strive to paint in too glowing colours 

 the delights of sights at home, or you will weary of your 

 present stay in a place where a great many things may be 

 seen, scarcely less interesting than many we have here, 



some of them much more so. Mr. T , or one of his 



sons, will take you, I doubt not, to see the looms, those 

 especially set in motion by steam ; in which, to judge from 



* For a description of the ceremony of " capping " we may refer our 

 readers to that given by George Wilson in his "Life of Dr. John 

 Reid," pp. 15, 1 6. 



G 2 



