To see the Nobility and Gentry, and other great Company, go to the
QUEEN'S Drawing-Room, with a Friend to St. James's Street, where did
stand in Front of BOODLE'S Club-House in the Rain, which was heavy, and
spoiled my Paris Hat, cost me twelve Shillings. But the Sight of the
Show almost worth the Damage; for the Red and Blue Uniforms of the Army
and Navy Officers with their Orders on their Breasts, and their Cocked
Hats and Plumes in their Laps, and the Ladies of Quality in their Silks
and Satins of all Manner of Colours, and their Hair crowned with Ostrich
Feathers, and sparkling with Pearls and Diamonds, did much delight me to
behold. But I wish I could have had as good a View of the Gentlefolks
within the Carriages as I had of the Lackeys outside, who, with their
supercilious Airs, and their Jackanapes Garb, did divert me more than
ever. I do continually marvel at the enormous Calves of those Varlets,
for which one might almost think they were reared, like a sort of
Cattle. Indeed, I should have believed that their Stockings were
stuffed, if I had not seen one of them wince when a Horse chanced to lay
hold of his Leg. It did more and more amaze me to observe how high they
carried their Noses, especially as most of them had Posies in their
bosoms; whereas they looked as though, instead, there were some
unsavoury Odour beneath their Nostrils. But much as the Servants
resembled Zanies and Harlequins, yet did some of their Masters look not
much better; being dressed in a Court Suit, which methinks do make a
Gentleman seem a sort of embroidered Quaker. I do greatly wonder why the
ugliest Apparel of any Date in English History should be pitched upon
for the Court Dress. But the splendid Carriages painted with Coats of
Arms, and the stately caparisoned Horses, did make a rare Show; and
among them mighty droll to mark the Hack Cabs not suffered to enter at
the Palace Gate; so the Fares had to alight and walk on foot the Rest of
the Way to the Drawing-Room: and so into the Presence of Her MAJESTY in
dirty Boots: which was not seemly; but many of them are Half Pay
Officers, and other poor Subjects, who could afford no better than a
Cab. Pleased to see 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 Horseback, with their
Helmets on their Heads and their Swords drawn, about one under each Lamp
Post, mounting Guard, and I believe this is the heaviest Part of their
Duty. What with the blazing Uniforms and glittering Jewels, my Eyes were
dazzled and my Head did somewhat ache; moreover, some pretty Faces 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
so chargeable, and I should much delight in the Honour and Glory of the
Thing, but not like the Expense. A Drawing-Room doth altogether eclipse
the LORD MAYOR'S Show; although it do seem but a Toy and gilt
Gingerbread Affair, and an empty, childish Display, like the Babies'
Game of King and Queen; but then it hath certainly this Advantage, that
it do much good to Trade.
[Illustration: _SMYTHFIELD CATTLE MARKETE._