Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 18.djvu/203

Rh why powder and oil should submit to grease and grayness, that a white wig should lower to hoary hair, or a brushed beaver strike to a Carolina hat with stays.

I cannot forbear here to applaud the present refinement of ecclesiasticks in their habits, and say they are more primitive and regular in their dress than those of any age before them. A clergyman ought to be, i. e. not (as we read) of good behaviour, but well dressed, as, indeed, nothing contributes more to polite behaviour than good clothes. This is a various reading. And here I observe, for the use of young stagers in divinity, that nothing will bring them into greater repute for deep learning, than to enterprise in criticism, and adventure betimes to change the common reading of any text in the Bible. This single word is, in my opinion, enough to vindicate their silks and velvets against all the fanaticks in Christendom, and our own canons to back them.

It is an old observation, that piety is mostly supported by the female sex; so that whatever is agreeable to them is for the advantage of religion; and consequently the clergy should dress, in respect to the ladies, i. e. for the good of the church: and indeed I have known some of the younger sort, that could not preach with a ruffled band, or a wig out of curl; and a certain lady of my acquaintance, very religious, and who had a good taste of men, always made a judgment from the air and dress of the preacher, and never relished any doctrine that came not recommended with a scarf and a diamond ring. I am not one that "ambitiosa recidet ornamenta" would strip the young clergy, and trench