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But to return to the old subject of fashions, Mr. Brightly, which was interrupted by Mr. Thornhill's admiration of his friend's liberality.

Well, then, I ventured to say something, didn't I, against the short bunchy skirts and wide bladder-sleeves of the present belles, who seem to make a mock of their grandmothers for aiming to appear tall and slender.

But their heads are dressed more simply, and their characters are altogether more unaffected and natural and unpretending.

Not a jot; such a woman as fourscore years ago would have been seen at a public sale with a wide-flounced farthingale and a lapdog under her arm, bidding for a China mandarin, is now to be met with at a morning lecture, with pencil and note-book in hand, losing two words of the learned professor's discourse for every one she writes down.

Nay, fie upon you for a discourteous knight! Do you come here on the summons of a lady to attend her tea-table, for the express purpose of casting ridicule on the whole sex?