And kept their speed as long as their clothes lasted,
Handsome and neat; but then as they grew out
At the elbows again, or had a stain or spot,
They have sunk most wretchedly.”
The policy of the tailor is as good as his philosophy, and has the same end in view, for Pennyboy exultingly says:—
“I wonder gentlemen
And men of means will not maintain themselves
Fresher in wit, I mean in clothes, to the highest;
For he that’s out of clothes is out of fashion;
And out of fashion is out of countenance;