CLOTHING. 
25 
a regard for the opinions of men, in procuring it, than 
by a true utility. Let him who has work to do recol¬ 
lect that the object of clothing is, first, to retain the vital 
heat, and secondly, in this state of society, to cover 
nakedness, and he may judge how much of any neces¬ 
sary or important work may be accomplished without 
adding to his wardrobe. Kings and queens who wear a 
suit but once, though made by some tailor or dress¬ 
maker to their majesties, cannot know the comfort of 
wearing a suit that fits. They are no better than wooden 
horses to hang the clean clothes on. Every day our 
garments become more assimilated to ourselves, receiv¬ 
ing the impress of the wearer’s character, until we hesi¬ 
tate to lay them aside, without such delay and medical 
appliances and some such solemnity even as our bodies. 
No man ever stood the lower in my estimation for hav¬ 
ing a patch in his clothes ; yet I am sure that there is 
greater anxiety, commonly, to have fashionable, or at 
least clean and unpatched clothes, than to have a sound 
conscience. But even if the rent is not mended, perhaps 
the worst vice betrayed is improvidence. I sometimes try 
my acquaintances by such tests as this;—who could wear 
a patch, or two extra seams only, over the knee? Most 
behave as if they believed that their prospects for life 
would be ruined if they should do it. It would be easier 
for them to hobble to town with a broken leg than with 
a broken pantaloon. Often if an accident happens to a 
gentleman’s legs, they can be mended; but if a similar 
accident happens to the legs of his pantaloons, there is 
no help for it; for he considers, not what is truly re¬ 
spectable, but what is respected. We know but few 
men, a great many coats and breeches. Dress a scare¬ 
crow in your last shift, you standing shiftless by, who 
