ylvania Gazette_ this advertisement appeared in 1750:--

"Whereas on Saturday night last the house of Benjamin Franklin of
this city, Printer, was broken open, and the following things
feloniously taken away, viz., a double necklace of gold beads, a
womans long scarlet cloak almost new, with a double cape, a womans
gown, of printed cotton of the sort called brocade print, very
remarkable, the ground dark, with large red roses, and other large
and yellow flowers, with blue in some of the flowers, with many
green leaves; a pair of womens stays covered with white tabby
before, and dove colour'd tabby behind, with two large steel hooks
and sundry other goods, etc."

Southern dames, especially of Annapolis, Baltimore, and Charleston, were
said to have the richest brocades and damasks that could be bought in
London. Every sailing-vessel that came from Europe brought boxes of
splendid clothing. The heroes of the Revolution had a high regard for
dress. The patriot, John Hancock, was seen at noonday wearing a scarlet
velvet cap, a blue damask gown lined with velvet, white satin
embroidered waistcoat, black satin small-clothes, white silk stockings,
and red morocco slippers. George Washington was most precise in his
orders for his clothing, and wore the richest silk and velvet suits.

A true description of a Boston printer just after the Revolution shows
his style of dress:--

"He wore a pea-green coat, white vest, nankeen small clothes, white
silk stockings, and pumps fastened with silver buckles which
covered at least half the foot from instep to toe. His small
clothes were tied at the knees with ribbon of the same colour in
double bows, the ends reaching down to the ancles. His hair in
front was well loaded with pomatum, frizzled or craped and
powdered. Behind, his natural hair was augmented by the addition of
a large queue called vulgarly a false tail, which, enrolled in some
yards of black ribbon, hung half-way down his back."

Many letters still exist written by prominent citizens of colonial times
ordering clothing, chiefly from Europe. Rich laces, silk materials,
velvet, and fine cloth of light and gay colors abound. Frequently they
ordered nightgowns of silk and damask. These nightgowns were not a
garment worn at night, but a sort of dressing-gown. Harvard students
were in 1754 forbidden to wear them. Under the name of bany