ANIMALS. 19r 



of dress, as a mark of refinement, since savages are much more diffi- 

 cult in this particular than the most fashionable or tawdry European. 

 The more barbarous the people, the fonder of finery. In Europe, the 

 lustre of jewels, and the splendour of the most brilliant colours, are 

 generally given up to women, or to the weakest part of the other sex, 

 who are willing to be contemptibly fine : but in Asia, these trifling 

 fineries are eagerly sought after by every condition of men ; and, as 

 the proverb has it, we find the richest jewels in an Ethiop's ear. The 

 passion for glittering ornaments is still stronger among the absolute 

 barbarians, who often exchange their whole stock of provisions, and 

 whatever else they happen to be possessed of, with our seamen, for a 

 glass bead, or a looking-glass. 



Although fashions have arisen in different countries from fancy and 

 caprice, these, when they become general, deserve examination. Man- 

 kind have always considered it as a matter of moment, and they will 

 ever continue desirous of drawing the attention of each other, by such 

 ornaments as mark the riches, the power, or the courage of the wearer. 

 The value of those shining stones which have at all times been con- 

 sidered as precious ornaments, is entirely founded upon their scarce- 

 ness or their brilliancy. It is the same likewise with respect to those 

 shining metals, the weight of which is so little regarded, when spread 

 over our clothes. These ornaments are rather designed to draw the 

 attention of others, than to add to any enjoyments of our own ; and 

 few there are that these ornaments will not serve to dazzle, and who 

 can coolly distinguish between the metal and the man. 



All things rare and brilliant will, therefore, ever continue to be 

 fashionable, while men derive greater advantage from opjlence than 

 virtue ; while the means of appearing considerable, are more easily 

 acquired than the title to be considered. The first impression we 

 generally make, arises from our dress ; and this varies, in conformity 

 to our inclinations, and the manner in which we desire to be con- 

 sidered. The modest man, or he who would wish to be thought so, 

 desires to show the simplicity of his mind by the plainness of his 

 dress ; the vain man, on the contrary, takes a pleasure in displaying 

 his superiority, " and is willing to incur the spectator's dislike, so he 

 does but excite his attention." 



Another point of view which men have in dressing, is to increase 

 the size of their figure, and to take up more room in the world than 

 nature seems to have allotted them. We desire to swell out our 

 clothes by the stiffness of art, and raise our heels, while we add to the 

 (argeness of our heads. How bulky soever our dress may be, our 

 vanities are still more bulky. The largeness of the doctor's wig arises 

 from the same pride with the smallness of the beau's queue. Both 

 want to have the size of their understanding measured by the size of 

 their heads. 



There are some modes that seem to have a more reasonable origin, 

 which is to hide or to lessen the defects of nature. To take men al- 

 together, there are many more deformed and plain than beautiful and 

 snapely. The former, as being the most numerous, give law to fashion, 

 And their laws are generally such as are made in their own favour. 

 The women begin to colour their cheeks with red, when the natur il 



