In the Afternoon to Kensington Gardens, where a Band of the Guards do
play on this Day, and also on Monday throughout the Season, and draw
together a great Crowd of Fashionable Folks. The Tunes played mostly
Polkas and Waltzes, though now and then a Piece of Musique of a better
Sort; but the Musique little more than an Excuse for a Number of People
assembling to see and be seen. There all the World and his Wife; and she
in all her Finery. The Day very fair, and the Sun shining gloriously,
and the bright coloured Silks and Muslins at a Distance between the
Trees, did make a mighty pleasant Picture. But I got as near as I could
to gaze upon the Beauties, and am afraid that I did look too hard at
some; but they mostly smiled, and methinks they do not trick themselves
out so bravely to discourage Observation. To see them pacing to and fro
in such smart Attire, with their shewy pink, and green, and
Forget-me-not Blue Parasols, I could fancy they were the London
Fashions for June come out a walking. But many on Seats with tall
well-looking Gallants posted beside them, or bending down to converse
with them with vast Attention and Politeness, whereat they seeming
mightily pleased. Others standing in Groups here and there under the
Shade, and a great Throng of them round about the Musicians; but all
walking to and fro between the Tunes to show themselves. Many of the
Army among the Crowd, and strange, to compare them and others of our
Gentry, in Air and Manner, with one or two dingy Foreigners with their
stubbly Beards and ill-favoured Looks. The little fashionable Children
by the side of their Mammas elegant enough to see; but overdressed in
their Velvet and Plaid Tunics and Plumes of Feathers, and their Ways too
mincing and dainty, and looking as though they had stepped from out a
Band-Box. Methinks they do seem brought up to think too much of their
Outsides, and to look on Display and Show as the Business of their
Lives, which is a silly Schooling. I did mark some of their Mothers, old
enough to know better, bedizened like the young Beauties, but looking
sour and glum, and plainly ill at ease in their Pride and Vanity. But it
divert me much to compare the delicate Children with some Charity-School
Urchins on the other Side of the Wall that did anger the Park Keeper by
mocking him. I doubt me that the young Leatherbreeches be not the
happier as long as they can get a Bellyful of Victuals. The Company
doubtless enjoying themselves after their Fashion, but in general
looking marvellous grave; and strange to shut my Eyes between the Tunes
and to hear Nothing but the Rustling of Dresses and a Murmur of Voices
as they did walk up and down. It is wonderful how we English do go
through our Amusements after the Manner of a solemn Ceremony. Yet do the
people of Fashion in Kensington Gardens make an exceeding rare Show; and
I do only wish that there were no Reverse of the Picture to be seen
among us. But their Finery do afford Employment to Work-People, and I do
thank them for parading themselves for my Amusement, and the Officers of
the Guards for treating the Town to Musique, and so giving Occasion to
such a fine Spectacle.
[Illustration: _HYGHEST COURT OF LAW IN YE KYNGDOM. YE LORDS HEARYNG
APPEALS._