When Governor Bowdoin, a tall, dignified man, reviewed the
troops assembled at Cambridge, in 1785, he was drest in a gray
wig, cocked hat, a white broadcloth coat and waistcoat, red
small-clothes, and black silk stockings. John Hancock, thin in
person, six feet in stature, was very fond of ornamental dress.
He wore a wig when abroad, and a cap when at home. A gentleman
who visited Hancock one day at noon, in June, 1782, describes
him as drest in a red velvet cap lined with fine white linen,
which was turned up two or three inches over the lower edge of
the velvet. He also wore a blue damask gown lined with silk; a
white stock, a white satin embroidered waistcoat, black satin
small-clothes, white silk stockings, and red morocco slippers.
Washington, at his receptions in Philadelphia, was drest in
black velvet; his hair was powdered and gathered behind in a
large silk bag. His hands were encased in yellow gloves; he
held a cocked hat with a cockade on it, and its edges adorned
with a black feather. He wore knee and shoe buckles, and at
his left hip appeared a long sword in a polished white leather
scabbard, with a polished steel hilt. Chief-Justice Dana, of
Massachusetts, used to wear in winter a white corduroy surtout,
lined with fur, and held his hands in a large muff. The judges
of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts wore, till 1793, robes
of scarlet, faced with black velvet, in winter, and black silk
gowns in summer. At the beginning of this century powder for
the hair became unfashionable, tying up the hair was abandoned,
colored garments went out of use, buckles disappeared, and
knee-breeches gave place to trousers.--_Youth’s Companion._
(114)
See JUDGING FROM FACTS.