454 OF M A N H O O D. 



drefs is as various as the different nations of the 

 globe : And, what is fingular, we have adopted 

 that drefs which is mod incommodious, waftes 

 moft time in adjufting, and is leaft agreeable to 

 Nature. 



Though fafhions feem to be founded on ca- 

 price and fancy ; yet, when generally adopted, 

 they merit examination. Men have always gi- 

 ven a value to thofe thimis which excite atten- 

 tion,. and which convey flattering ideas of riches, 

 power, and grandeur. The value of diam.onds, 

 and other precious ftones, arifes from their 

 fcarcenefs and brilliancy. The fame obferva- 

 tion applies to thofe fhining metals, the weight 

 of which w^e regard fo little, that, for the fake 

 of finery, we fpread them over our' garments. 

 Ornaments of this kind are intended to excite 

 the attention of fpedators, to give them an idea 

 of fplendour and wealth, and to dazzle their 

 fancies: How few have the capacity of diftin- 

 guifhing the perfon from the drefs, or of efti- 

 maiing the man in any other manner' than by 

 the metal on his clothes? 



Every thing that is rare and brilliant will,, 

 therefore, always be faihionable, while men de- 

 rive more eminence from riches than virtue, 

 and while the means of acquiring refped: con- 

 tinue fo widelv different from real merit. Stran- 

 gers receive their firfl imprefhonsof us from ouf 

 drefs, which is varied according to the points of 

 view in w^hich we v/iih to be coniidered. The 



modefl 



