Page:Manners and customs of ye Englyshe.djvu/26

MR. PIPS HIS DIARY. did ome of their Maters look not much better; being dreed in a Court Suit, which methinks do make a Gentleman eem a ort of embroidered Quaker. I do greatly wonder why the ugliet Apparel of any Date in Englih Hitory hould be pitched upon for the Court Dres. But the plendid Carriages painted with Coats of Arms, and the tately caparioned Hores, did make a rare Show; and among them mighty droll to mark the Hack Cabs that were not uffered to enter at the Palace Gate; o the Fares had to alight and walk on Foot the Ret of the Way to the Drawing-Room: and o into the Preence of Her in dirty Boots: which, now I bethink me, was not eemly; the rather as many of them are Half Pay Officers, and other poor but loyal Subjects, who could afford no better than a Cab. But good Lack! it did mot tickle me to view the Sheriff's Coach, which for Magnificence did exceed the Fairy's Chariot in the Opera-Play of Cinderella; and great Sport it was to hear and ee the little racal Boys hout and clap their Hands as it went by. Alo it did give me extreme Amuement to notice the gimcrack Equipages and bearded Viages, and Playhoue Attire of the different Foreign Ambaadors; of whom I think the Turkih was the mot grand. It did make me laugh not a little to ee the Police with their Truncheons, keeping order among the Vagabonds, till one did tell me to move on, which did vex me. Then there were the Guards, in full Uniform on Horeback, with their Helmets on their Heads and their Swords drawn, about one under each Lamp Pot, mounting Guard, very warlike to look upon, and I believe this is the heaviet Part of their Duty. What with the blazing Uniforms and glittering Jewels, and illuminated Coaches, and the Laughter I was moved to by the motley Footmen and Foreigners, my Eyes were dazzled and my Head did omewhat ache; moreover, ome pretty faces I did gaze upon did put my Heart in a Flutter, which did not think fit to mention to my Wife. Methinks how fine it would be to ride in State to Court, if it were not o chargeable, and I hould much delight in the Honour and Glory of the Thing, but hould not at all like the Expene. A Drawing-Room doth altogether eclipe the 's Show; although it do eem but a Toy and gilt Gingerbread Affair, and an empty, childih Diplay, like the Babies' Game of King and Queen; but then it hath certainly this Advantage, that it do much good to Trade.