A MASHER TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1500, 7 March 1887, Page 3

A MASHER TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

His hair was parted m the middle and tied behind with a blue ribbon three _nc v <e_ wide acd a yard long, whioh hung down hia back. His corduroys were fastened above the kcee with five or six buttons, and this was necessary to get them on, as they fitted bo tightly. He wore a short wa'stooat of white satin, a long frockcoat of black velvet with wide Ble.ves, elaahed bo h to exhibit the white Bilk waistcoat ■leeves Hia shirt waa of black taffeta?, with coloured cuffs or manchetts. He wore his green cloth mantle m dandy fashion slung over hi. arm. He carried la his hand a long sword, the guard c f whioh was large enough 'o make at least half a cuirass. These swords were bo long that none but a giant could have drawn them from their sheaths ; the latter were therefore provided with a gprlng, which opened at the slightest tonoh. An elogantly-ahaped poniard was stuck behind ln hiß belt. He gutille or ■ Iff Btarohed collar forced him to hold his head so high that he oould neither bend nor tarn hia head. His hat waß of extraordinary slz. with low crown, surrounded with colored orape. This Crapo betokened the extreme height of fashion. His shoos were of the finest Cordovan leather, like glove-kid, and fitted as closely aa if they were glu&r on, On entering a room he made ah elaborate curtsey by crossing his lega, one over the other, and bowing ■lowly and deeply. Moreover he was redolent -with perfumes.