"The general fashion of wearing Spencers, reminds us of a wager laid by Lord March, who betted several years ago a considerable sum with some of his friends, that he would be able to introduce to general imitation, the most humiliating fashion he could think of. Accordingly he appeared several days successively about the Royal Exchange, dressed like a livery servant. The livery consisted of a blue coat, with crimson collar and cuffs; and he gained the wager."—(Times, May 16, 1795.)
The accompanying illustration by W. Hanlon (11th July 1795) is, of course, a caricature, but it is intended to show the eccentricities of dress, in which the "Crops" indulged.
THE BOND STREET LOUNGE.
AN IMPROMPTU.
Modo vir, modo fœmina.—Virgil.
(Times, January 7th, 1796.)
When men in Petty-Coats appear,
No wonder Wives the breeches wear:
Assuming manners quite robust,
Game, swear, drive, box, or take a thrust.
But happier far would be the case,
Were each to keep their proper place:
The fair ones wear the female dress,
And men adorn their persons less;
For such the fashion of the day,
They make it difficult to say,
Whether the pretty things we meet,
Parading through their fav'rite street,
A Male or Female we may call,
Their shapes are so equivocal. V.
London Coffee-House,
January 7th, 1796.
Neck or Nothing; A Back View of the Cape—1792.
