Sociable Letters 269 



ON FASHIONS AND THEIR SEASONS 



Madam, — I should take it for a favour, if you would 

 be pleased to send me that new-fashioned garment 

 you mentioned in your last letter; not that I think to 

 make use of the fashion, for I take more pleasure to 

 devise a fashion than to follow it, but only to satisfie 

 my curiosity. I would see it, whether it be a fashion 

 for use, or ease, or becoming, or for grandeur; for 

 fashions of use are for the several seasons of the year, 

 as also for several actions, for those fashions that are 

 proper for dancing, are not proper for riding; as for 

 example, pumps are of no use a horseback, nor boots, 

 nor spurs in a galliard, or courant, unless it were to 

 tear the ladies gown the man dances withall, for he 

 cannot well cut a caper in a pair of boots and spurs, 

 nor a horseman spur a horse with a pair of pumps, 

 but spurs would be as hawks' bells in dancing, especi- 

 ally if they were gingling spurs ; yet men either riding 

 a horseback, or dancing on a carpet might wear 

 feathers in their hats, for the head is not imployed so 

 much in those actions as the heels, only a feather is a 

 fashion of no use, but merely for grace and becoming. 

 Many other fashions I could repeat for use, and action, 

 but it were too tedious. As for the fashions for the 

 seasons of the year, in winter, sable skins, or meaner 

 fur, to wear about the neck, and muffs, are both 

 graceful and useful as to keep one from cold ; and for 

 summer, fans, to cool the sultry heat, and to shadow 

 the face from the sun, who seems to be an enemy to 

 beauty, and strives to burn it off, wherefore it may 

 be thought envious; such, and many other several 

 fashions there are, according to the several seasons 

 of the year. Besides, there are fashions for ease, which 



