Upon the receipt of this advice, passports were sent to the French Court, and their Ministers are expected at Moerdyk on the 5th of the next month.
Sheer Lane, February 20.
I have been earnestly solicited for a further term, for wearing the farthingale by several of the fair sex, but more especially by the following petitioners:
"The humble petition of Deborah Hark, Sarah Threadpaper and Rachael Thimble, spinsters, and single women, commonly called Waiting-maids, in behalf of themselves and their sisterhood;
"Sheweth,
"That your Worship hath been pleased to order and command, that no person or persons shall presume to wear quilted petticoats, on forfeiture of the said petticoats, or penalty of wearing ruffs, after the 17th instant now expired.
"That your petitioners have time out of mind been entitled to wear their ladies' clothes, or to sell the same.
"That the sale of the said clothes is spoiled by your Worship's said prohibition.
"Your petitioners therefore most humbly pray, that your Worship would please to allow, that all gentlewomen's gentlewomen may be allowed to wear the said dress, or to repair the loss of such a perquisite in such manner as your Worship shall think fit.
"And your petitioners," &c.