The Cravate à l’Américaine requires a whalebone stiffener, and is commenced in the same way as the Nœud Gordien; the ends are brought in front, as shown in [fig. 8, plate C], are lowered as in [fig. 9 (same plate)], and fastened to the shirt bosom, like the Cravate en Cascade.
The prevailing colour is sea green, or striped blue, red and white.
LESSON V.
Cravate Collier de Cheval.
This style greatly resembles the Orientale, from which it is evidently derived. It has been greatly admired by the fair sex, who have praised it to their husbands, their lovers, and even to their friends and relations; and have thus promoted its adoption by every means in their power.
The ends are fastened at the back of the neck, or are concealed in the folds; a whalebone stiffener is requisite, but starch is unnecessary.
Cravats with horizontal stripes, or large spots, are preferred. The most becoming colour is that called Russia leather. Black is sometimes worn, but the shirt bosom must then be plaited.
Human life is often compared to a painful journey; and it is probably on the same philosophical principle that the Cravate Collier de Cheval was considered a proper costume for man, who often drags on his weary way, loaded with evils more insupportable than the heaviest burthens.