NUMB. XXV. Thursday, July 18, 1754. Paupertate. Vivimus ambitiosâ Juv. A lac'd, embroider'd, powder'd, beggar-croud; A LITTLE Frenchman, commonly known in town by the name of Count, and whose figure has been long stuck up in the windows of printfhops, was always remarkable for the meannefs, and at the fame time the foppery, of his appearance. His fhoes, though perhaps capped at the toe, had red heels to them; and his stockings, though often full of holes, were conftantly rolled up over his knees. By good luck he was once master of half a guinea; and having a great longing for a feather to his hat, and a very preffing neceffity for a pair of breeches, he debated with himself about the difpofal of his money. However, his vanity got the better of his neceffity; and the next time the Count appeared in the Mall, by the ornaments of his head you would have imagined him a Beau, and by the nether part of his drefs you would have taken him for a Heathen Philosopher. THE THE Conduct of this Frenchman, however ridiculous, is copied by a multitude of people in this town. To the fame little pride of defiring to appear finer than they can afford, are owing the many rufty suits of black, the tyes that seem taken from the basket of a fhoeboy, and the smart waistcoats edged with a narrow cord, which serves as an apology for lace. I know a man of this caft, who has but one coat; but by now and then turning the cuffs, and changing the cape, it paffes for two. He uses the fame artifice with his peruke, which is naturally a kind of flowing Bob; but by the occafional addition of two tails, it fometimes appears as a Major. Of this fort of men are compofed the numerous fraternity of the fhabby-genteel, who are the chief fupport of the clothiers in Monmouth Street, and the barbers in Middle-Row. WOMEN are naturally fo fond of ornament, that it is no wonder we should meet with fo many fecond-hand gentry in that fex. Hence arife the red-armed belles, that appear in the park every Sunday; hence it is, that facks and petenlairs may be feen at Moorfields and White-Chapel; and that thofe, who are ambitious to fhine in diamonds, glitter in paste and Scotch pebbles. When I fee the wives and daughters of tradesmen K 2 and and mechanics make fuch attempts at finery, I cannot help pitying their poor fathers and hufbands; and at the fame time am apt to confider their drefs as a robbery on the shop. Thus, when I obferve the tawdry gentility of a tallow-chandler's daughter, I look upon her as hung round with long fixes, fhort eights, and rush-lights; and when I contemplate the aukward pride of dress in a butcher's wife, I fuppofe her carrying about her furloins of beef, fillets of veal, and fhoulders of mutton. I was vastly diverted with a difcovery I made a few days fince. Going upon fome bufinefs to a tradesman's house, I furprised in a very extraordinary difhabille two females, whom I had been frequently used to fee strangely dizened out in the Mall. These fine ladies, it feems, were no other than my honeft friend's daughters; and one, who always dreffes the family dinner, was genteely employed in winding up the jack, while the other was up to the elbows in foap-fuds, A DESIRE of grandeur and magnificence is often abfurd in thofe, who can fupport it; but when it takes hold of thofe, who can scarce furnifh themfelves with neceffaries, their poverty, inftead of demanding our pity, becomes an object of ridicule. Many families among those, who who are called middling people, are not content without living elegantly as well as comfortably, and often involve themfelves in very comical diftreffes. When they aim at appearing grand in the eye of the world, they grow proportionably mean and fordid in private. I went the other day to dine with an old friend; and as he used to keep a remarkable good table, I was furprifed that I could fcarce make a meal with him. After dinner he rung the bell, and ordered the chariot to be got ready at fix; and then turning to me with an air of fuperiority, afked if he fhould fet me down. Here the riddle was out; and I found that his equipage had eat up his table, and that he was obliged to ftarve his family to feed his horses. I AM acquainted at another houfe, where the mafter keeps an account against himself. This account is exactly stated in a large ledgerbook. What he faves from his ordinary expences he places under the title of DEBTOR, and what he runs out is ranged under CREDITOR. I had lately an opportunity of turning over this curious account, and could not help fmiling at many of the articles. Among the reft I remember the following, with which I fhall present the reader. DEBT O R. Dined abroad all this week-My Wife ill-Saw no Company-Saved seven Dinners, &c. Kept Lent, and faved in Table-Charges the Expence of four Weeks. Bated from the Baker's Bill Half a Crown. Saved in Apparel, by my Family continuing to wear Mourning three Months longer than was requifite, for the Death of an Aunt. Received 1. 10s. of the Undertaker in lieu of a Scarf, Hatband, and Gloves. CREDITOR. Went to the Play with my Wife and DaughtersSat in the Boxes, inftead of the Gallery, as ufual. Mem, To go to no more Plays this Year. Invited Sir Charles Courtly and Major Standard to Dinner. Treated with Claret, and two Courses, in order to appear handfome. Mem. To be denied to every body before Dinner-time for these next three Weeks. Sunday |