Printed for C. Dennisson[121] at the Stationer's Arms, within Aldgate.
[119] Eleanor, or Nell, Gwynne.
[120] Louise de Querouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth, a mistress of Charles II. from whom are descended the Dukes of Richmond, died November 1734, aged 88. This ballad was evidently written soon after the king's death in 1685.
[121] He published from 1685 to 1689.
It will be seen by the foregoing supposed portraits of Nell Gwynne and the Duchess of Portsmouth (which, by the way, do plenty of duty in other ballads) that the patching of this age among women was in somewhat fantastic form, such a patch as a coach and four not being unknown; but few know that the mercers (or linen-drapers, as we now call them) patched themselves in order to show the effect to their fair customers. The annexed example shows one who holds a lady's vizard, or mask, for they did not then wear veils, which are quite a modern invention, together with a feather-fan and some ribands, or, as the frontispiece of the book records, divulging the secrets of the toilet.
[74.]Here's black Bags, Ribons, Copper Laces,
Paintings, and beauty spots for faces?
Masques, and Fans you here may have
Taffity Gownes and Scarfes most brave