OF FOREST-TREES. 53 



for gathering silk, and busying themselves in this sweet and easy CHAP. II. 

 employment ^ as some do to get fourpence a-day for hard work at hemp, ^-^ir^ 

 flax, and wool, the reputation of Mulberries will spread in England and 

 our plantations. I might say something like this of Saffron, which 



^ From this passage it appears that Mr. Evelyn was much dissatisfied with the education 

 of women in his days. The following extract from his Mundus Muliebris, published in 

 1690, will serve as a picture of the times, in which the manners of both sexes are painted 

 in strong colours. 



« The refined lady expects her servants and humble admirers should court her in the 

 " forms and decencies of making love in fashion. In order to this, you must often treat 

 " her at the play, the park, and the music ; present her at the raffle ; follow her to 

 " Tunbridge at the season of drinking the waters, though you have no need of them 

 " yourself. You must improve all occasions of celebrating her shape, and how well the 

 " mode becomes her, though it be never so fantastical and ridiculous ; that she sings like 

 " an angel ; dances like a goddess ; and that you are charmed with her wit and beauty. — 

 " Above all, you must be sure to find some fault or imperfection in all other ladies of the 

 " town, and to laugh at the fops like yourself. With this, a little practice will qualify you for 

 " the conversation and mystery of the Ruelle ; and if the whole morning be spent between 

 " the glass and the comb, that your peruke sit well, and cravat strings be adjusted, as things 

 " of importance ; with these and the like accomplishments you'll emerge a consummate beau, 

 " Anglice, a coxcomb. But the dancing-master will stiU be necessary to preserve your good 

 " mien, and fit you for the winter ball. Thus you see, young sparks, how the style and 

 " method of wooing is quite changed, as well as the language, since the days of our fore- 

 " fathers, (of unhappy memory, simple and plain men as they were !) who courted and 

 " chose their wives for their modesty, frugality, keeping at home, good housewifery, and 

 " other economical virtues then in reputation. And when the young damsels were taught all 

 " these in the country, and their parents' houses, the portion they brought was more in virtue 

 " than money, and she was a richer match than one who could have brought a million, and 

 " nothing else to commend her. The presents which were made when all was concluded, 

 ** were a ring, a necklace of pearl, and perhaps another fair jewel, the bona paraphernalia 

 " of her prudent mother, whose nuptial kirtal gown and petticoat lasted as many 

 " anniversaries as the happy couple lived together, and were at last bequeathed with 

 " a purse of old gold, rose nobles, spur-royals, and spankers, as an heir-loom to her grand- 

 " daughter. They had cupboards of ancient useful plate, whole chests of damask for the 

 " table, and store of fine Holland sheets (white as the driven snow, and fragrant of rose 

 " and lavender) for the bed, and the sturdy oaken bed-stead and furniture of the house 

 " lasted one whole century ; the shovel-board and other long tables both in hall and 

 " parlour were as fixed as the freehold ; nothing was moveable save joint-stools, the black- 

 " jacks, silver tankards, and bowls. And though many things fell out between the cup 

 « and the lip, when Nappy Ale, March Beer, Metheglin, Malmsey, and Old Shen-y got 

 " the ascendant amongst the blue-coats and badges, they sung Old Symon and Cheviot Chase, 

 " and danced Brave Arthur, and were able to draw a bow that made the proud Monsieur 

 Volume II. H 



