said he, "worth while to consider the force of dress; and how
the persons of one age differ from those of another, merely by that
only. One may observe also, that the general fashion of one age has
been followed by one particular set of people in another, and by them
preserved from one generation to another. Thus the vast jetting coat and
small bonnet, which was the habit in Harry the seventh's time, is kept
on in the yeomen of the guard; not without a good and politick view,
because they look a foot taller, and a foot and an half broader. Besides
that the cap leaves the face expanded, and consequently more terrible,
and fitter to stand at the entrances of palaces.

"This predecessor of ours, you see, is dressed after this manner, and
his cheeks would be no larger than mine, were he in a hat as I am.
He was the last man that won a prize in the tilt-yard (which is now
a common street before Whitehall). You see the broken lance that lies
there by his right foot; he shiver'd that lance of his adversary all to
pieces; and bearing himself, look you, Sir, in this manner, at the same
time he came within the target of the gentleman who rode against him,
and taking him with incredible force before him on the pommel of his
saddle, he in that manner rid the turnament over, with an air that
shewed he did it rather to perform the rule of the lists, than expose
his enemy; however, it appeared he knew how to make use of a victory,
and with a gentle trot he marched up to a gallery where their mistress
sat (for they were rivals) and let him down with laudable courtesy and
pardonable insolence. I don't know but it might be exactly where the
coffee-house is now.

"You are to know this my ancestor was not only of a military genius, but
fit also for the arts of peace, for he played on the bass-viol as
well as any gentleman at court; you see where his viol hangs by his
basket-hilt sword. The action at the tilt-yard you may be sure won the
fair lady, who was a maid of honour, and the greatest beauty of
her time; here she stands the next picture. You see, Sir, my
great-great-great-grandmother has on the new-fashion'd petticoat, except
that the modern is gather'd at the waist; my grandmother appears as if
she stood in a large drum, whereas the ladies now walk as if they
were in a go-cart. For all this lady was bred at court, she became an
excellent country-wife, she brought ten children, and when I shew you
the library, you shall see in her ow