| Citation |
NHG-P.770.037
31 Aug 1770:41 (724)
From the Connoisseur. Numb. XXXVI.
In the days of Queen Elizabeth, it was the fashion for the
ladies to conceal and wrap up as much of their bodies as
they could:--Their necks were encompassed with a broad ruff,
which likewise spread itself all over their bosoms; and
their sleeves were continued down and fastened close to
their wrists, while their feet were allowed to peep from
under the modest fardingale; so that nothing was exposed to
the impertinent eye of man, but their face. Our modern
ladies have run into the contrary extreme, and appear like
so many rope-dancers: They have discarded as much of their
clothes as can, with any tolerable decency be thrown off,
and may be said, (like the Indian) to be all face: The neck
and bosom are laid bare and disentangled from the insidious
veil of an handkerchief; the stays are sunk halfway down the
waist, and the petticoat has risen in the same proportion
from the ancle. Nor is the lover only captivated by the
naked charms, which meet his sight before; but our ladies,
like the Parthians, have also learned the art of wounding
from behind, and attract our attention no less by laying
their shoulders open to the view; which, (as a young
physician of my acquaintance once observed) makes them look
as if they were prepared to receive a blister. A naked lady
is no longer the admiration only of a masquerade: Every
public assembly will furnish us with Iphigenias undrest for
the sacrifice; and if the next summer should happen to be an
hot one, our ladies will improve on the thin vesture of the
Spartan virgins, and appear abroad in nothing but gauze
shade and lawn petticoat. If the men should take the hint
from the other sex, and began to strip in their turn, I
tremble to think what will be the consequence: For, if they
go on in proportion with the women, we may soon expect to
see our fine gentlemen, like the Highlanders, without
breeches.
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