CHAP. XXVI. 



JEWELLERS. 285 



impossible not to remark how great, though gra- 

 dual, has been the increased introduction of gold 

 ornaments in the decorations of females. This 

 has been especially remarkable within the whole 

 of the last twenty years, but perhaps much more 

 so within the last, than the first ten years of the 

 period. 



Only a junta of jewellers, dressmakers, and 

 ladies'-maids could give a complete catalogue of 

 the numerous ornaments of gold and silver which 

 have of late been added to the dress of our females 

 in the higher circles of society. Ornaments for 

 the head, including large combs of gold, neck- 

 laces and broaches of extended size, clasps and 

 buttons of gold to fasten the bodies of the gowns, 

 bracelets and armlets, additionally numerous rings 

 on the fingers, gold hooks and eyes for the dra- 

 pery of the gowns, eye-glasses set in gold and se- 

 cured by chains of gold, and a watch with gold 

 seals, and trinkets too numerous to be mentioned 

 by one not professionally a master of dress. Such 

 are the additions recently made to the application 

 of gold to purposes of ornament. 



Whatever effect may be produced by such 

 fashionable changes when confined to the higher 

 classes, it is not bounded by their consumption 

 alone. The ornaments of this kind are first fa- 

 bricated of fine gold, and commonly in London 

 alone. They are, however, soon imitated by other 

 workmen in gold of inferior quality, in some de- 



