Volume 1

A collection of the dresses of different nations, antient and modern. Particularly old English dresses. After the designs of Holbein, Vandyke, Hollar and others. With an account of the authorities from which the figures are taken; and some short historical remarks on the subject. To which are added, the habits of the principal characters on the English stage. (Receuil des habillements, etc.) [In English and French] [Anon.].

Date:
1799
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A collection of the dresses of different nations, antient and modern. Particularly old English dresses. After the designs of Holbein, Vandyke, Hollar and others. With an account of the authorities from which the figures are taken; and some short historical remarks on the subject. To which are added, the habits of the principal characters on the English stage. (Receuil des habillements, etc.) [In English and French] [Anon.]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    [ ] the British gentleman soon looks upon it with as much indifFe- rence as the naked Indian looks upon all the rest ; but if she covers it with a handkerchief, and contrives this covering so that it shall accidentally discover what it appears intended to hide, the glimpse that is thus casually given, immediately and forcibly seizes the imagination, and every motion is watched in hopes that it will be repeated ; so if by any accident a lady discover half her leg, the fancy is instantly alarmed, though when the actress 'appears in breeches, and discovers the whole, she is the object of indifference, if not of disgust ; for the same reason, the figure of a naked Venus produces less effect than that of a dressed figure, with the petticoat raised so as to discover the garter. It follows therefore, that if she dresses most modestlv who dresses so as most to excite licentious de- j sires, she does not dress most immodestly who uncovers most of her person, but she who covers it so that it may be accidentally seen. And upon this principle it was, that the Grecian Legislator, when he observed that many of the youth lived unmarried, di- rected the women to wear long garments, which covered the whole person from the shoulders to the feet, instead of discovering all the breast, and half the leg ; and ordered that the robe should be cut in slashes from the hip to the knee, so that when they stood or sate still, the two sides of the opening should fall together, but should, by dividing when they walked, or used any other motion, casually discover the parts wBicIi at other times were concealed.