Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-09-26

wealth. she might inherit from nm-this law how,
ever was set aside by Magma ChartA.
The funerals of the Anglo Norsnans we're rnagnih.
cent. Matthew Paris says tlrst the body Of Henr
Il. was dressed In she royal robes, a goldeu crown
on the head, and shoes wrought with gems on the
feet. In this manner il MAS exhibited TO the PEG.
pie. IL was Archbishop Iangffanc Who, IN ip75
rebuilding The Cathedral of Caatcrbasy. Introduced
the practice Of batying the dead near tho high al.
tar.
During The 18th, and two following centuries,
n1snners inapreyed. These waa an attempt At III,
drama, and ninistrelsy ~ss common. Every ntbl,
family had a slceman, who,
-Couited and carcssed.
High placed 10 state a welcome guest,
Poured out 10 lord and lady gay.
His unprecedented lay.
The Athletic sporis grew in vogue. In tie I5th
century cards we're introduced, for Ia i453, a stat.
Ute was psesed "a behalf OF the Loadon cardinal
kefs, prohibiting the importation Of playing cards
from france.
Feasiing grew so lavish that Edward III. found
e necessary TO restrain the cost by suupluary laws.
Yet when his own son, Lionel ol Clarence, masriod
sioleptis OF Milan, there were thift, courses, and a
thousand people sat down 10 table,
In the 18Th and ll,h ceniuries, the dress Of both
sexes became extremely absurd. As usually hap.
pens, the ladies succeeded in outstfipping the gem
tlemen in ell expensive attire. They were dressed
ID party coiored tunics--onc halt being cf one color.
aud the olher lalf Of another. They wore ludi.
eroasly short tippets, and remarkably small caps,
fastened on with cords. They had gitdles orna-
meated with gold and SILVER and short swords--as
IT they were stunfea into dagsafs-hung right In
front. Soeh were the ladies-she fae gentlemen
were nearly as ridiculous. DIR. Henry. the histuri.
an, says, " What could exhibi, a more fantastical
appearance than a beau of the I4th century, He
$1,000 fAA~ 80. - - 90. -
gold and silver chains; hose Of one color on the one
leg aud of another color on the other: light siior,
breeches, which did NOT reach to the middle Of his
thighs; a coat, the one half white, tho other half
black OF blue; a lorg beard a silk linod huttoncd
under the chin, embroidered with gro,esque figures
Of animals, dancing men, NC, and sometimes orna-
mented with gold and precious s,ones.'' This was
ludicrous enough-yet such was the top Of the mode
in the time Of Edward Ill. The iong.toed shoes
were sometimes cut at the top in shape of church
window!
Yet, absurd as this was, The 18th century carried
dfess to Q pitch Of folly beyond this. jackets were
worn so short that, in 1863, there wus actually pas
sed a statute ordering them TO be worn a certoin
and decent length behind. The former fo.ies we're
continued, with variations, for the beaux Of that
time wore sometimes q boot on one leg and a stock
ing on the other! In winter was INDEED a large
mantle, with what were called side and long sleeves,
winch HuTB uoWn 10 the ground, anu-as 4 poet OF
day said-iicked up the dirt Of the streets, whether
they were wet or dry. The borders of this habt
we're frequently embroidered with verses Of Lntin,
hymns or psalms, in gold, and the garment itself
was often Of red silk, broidered with white.
The female dresses likewise increased in absnr-
dity. The principal follies came fron fIance.-
The bead dresses, in particular, were so tnmoder-
ately high ard broad, that when babel of Bavaria
kept her court at Versailles. the doors Of all the
stale apartments we're raired and wideued that the
Queen and her ladies might have room 10 enter
The fabric was supported by a horn on each side,
and from the hp OF each was suspended a silken
sifsamer, which sometimes 1uttered in Tie wind,
and sometimes crossed the breast and was tied 10
the arm. However, while We call these fashions
absurd and ridiculous, let us not forget that our owi,
may appear equally 30 10 the natives Of other lands.
Brig some soft savage from a newly discover
ed county, md place her in broadway during the
fashionable hours, 10 the fashionable season, aid
she will wonder and smile at the odd attires she
beholds, singular, because different from whit she
ever saw.