As we have before stated, the remarks and observations contained in the above letter are the result of careful study and a thorough acquaintance with the subject, and not of hasty conclusion, prejudice, or theory. A letter in the earlier portion of this work, from an old Edinburgh correspondent to the _Queen_, than whom few are more competent to direct and advise on this important subject, will be found precisely to the same end, and we feel sure, in laying before the reader such united experiences, that much will be done towards the establishment of such a system of management as will lead to the almost certain achievement of grace and elegance of figure without the sacrifice of health. That these are most important and desirable objects for attainment few would be puritanical and headstrong enough to deny, and there can be no question that, however superb or simple a lady's costume may be, it is mainly dependent for its elegance of adjustment and distinctiveness of style to the corset and crinoline beneath it.
We have seen how Mrs. Selby's invention influenced the world of fashion in her day, and a glance at the illustration at page 114 will be sufficient to prove how inferior, in point of grace and elegance, the costume of that period was to that of our own time. Some idea may be formed of the wide-spread and almost universal attention which Mrs. Selby's wondrous "_crinoline conception_" met at the hands of the fashionable world by a perusal of the following lines, which were written at Bath concerning it in the year 1711, and are entitled, _The Farthingale Reviewed; or, More Work for the Cooper. A paneygerick on the late but most admirable invention of the hooped petticoat._
"There's scarce a bard that writ in former time Had e'er so great, so bright a theme for rhyme; The _Mantua_ swain, if living, would confess Ours more surprising than his Tyrian dress, And Ovid's mistress, in her loose attire, Would cease to charm his eyes or fan Love's fire. Were he at _Bath_, and had these coats in view, He'd write his _Metamorphosis_ anew,
"Delia, fresh hooped, would o'er his heart prevail, To leave Corinna and her tawdry veil. Hear, great Apollo! and my genius guide, To sing this glorious miracle of pride, Nor yet disdain the subject for its name, Since meaner things have oft been sung to Fame; Even boots and spurs have graced heroic verse, Butler his knight's whole suit did well rehearse; King Harry's costume stands upon record, And every age will precedents afford. Then on, my Muse, and sing in epic strain The petticoat--thou shalt not sing in vain, The petticoat will sure reward thy pain; With all thy skill its secret virtues tell-- A petticoat should still be handled well.