This was the universal description of the New Exchange, and the character of their wares has been immortalised in a song by Ward:—
Fine Lace or Linnen, Sir,
Good Gloves or Ribbons here;
What is't you please to Buy, Sir?
Pray what d'ye ask for this?
Ten Shillings is the Price;
It cost me, sir, no less,
I Scorn to tell a Lye, Sir.
Madam, what is't you want,
Rich Fans of India paint?
Fine Hoods or Scarfs, my Lady?
Silk Stockings will you buy,
In Grain or other Dye?
Pray, Madam, please your Eye;
I've good as e'er was made ye.
My Lady, feel the Weight,
They're Fine, and yet not Slight;
I'd with my Mother trust 'em.
For Goodness and for Wear,
Madam, I Vow and Swear,
I show'd you this same Pair
In hopes to gain your Custom.
Pray tell me in a Word,
At what you can afford,
With Living Gain to sell 'em:
The price is one Pound five,
And as I hope to Live,
I do my Profit give,
Your Honour's very welcome.
Knives, Penknives, Combs or Scissors,
Tooth Pickers, Sirs, or Tweesers;
Or Walking Canes to Ease ye.
Ladies, d'ye want fine Toys,
For Misses or for Boys?
Of all sorts I have Choice,
And pretty things to please ye.
I want a little Babye,
As pretty a one as may be,
With Head dress made of Feather:
And now I think again,
I want a Toy from Spain,
You know what 'tis I mean:
Pray send 'em home together.
Another female practice, then, was to go to daily service at church especially—and St. Paul's, Covent Garden, was a very fashionable church at which to worship, or ogle the beaus.[136] 'This Market and that Church,' says my friend, 'hides more faults of kind Wives and Daughters among the Neighbouring Inhabitants than the pretended Visits either to my Cousin at t'other end of the Town, or some other distant Acquaintance; for if the Husband asks, Where have you been, Wife? or the Parent, Where have you been, Daughter? the Answer, if it be after Eleven in the forenoon, or between Three and Four in the Afternoon, is, At Prayers. But, if early in the Morning, then their excuse is, I took a walk to Covent Garden Market, not being very well, to refresh myself with the scent of the Herbs and Flowers; Bringing a Flower, or a Sprig of Sweet Bryar, home in her Hand, and it confirms the matter.'
When not walking, ladies used either a coach or a sedan chair, and but seldom rode on horseback; but, when they did so, they generally preferred the pillion to the side-saddle, as in the accompanying illustration, and held on by the belt either of her cavalier or groom.
In the country, horse exercise was much more in vogue, and Swift repeatedly alludes to, and reminds Stella of, her riding. When riding, ladies very frequently wore masks to protect the countenance from the rays of the sun.