such minutenesses with a
sight so miserably imperfect; but no accidental position of a ribband
escaped him, so nice was his observation, and so rigorous his demands of
propriety. When I went with him to Lichfield and came downstairs to
breakfast at the inn, my dress did not please him, and he made me alter
it entirely before he would stir a step with us about the town, saying
most satirical things concerning the appearance I made in a riding-habit,
and adding, "'Tis very strange that such eyes as yours cannot discern
propriety of dress. If I had a sight only half as good, I think I should
see to the centre."

My compliances, however, were of little worth. What really surprised me
was the victory he gained over a lady little accustomed to contradiction,
who had dressed herself for church at Streatham one Sunday morning in a
manner he did not approve, and to whom he said such sharp and pungent
things concerning her hat, her gown, etc., that she hastened to change
them, and returning quite another figure received his applause, and
thanked him for his reproofs, much to the amazement of her husband, who
could scarcely believe his own ears.

Another lady, whose accomplishments he never denied, came to our house
one day covered with diamonds, feathers, etc., and he did not seem
inclined to chat with her as usual. I asked him why, when the company
was gone. "Why, her head looked so like that of a woman who shows
puppets," said he, "and her voice so confirmed the fancy, that I could
not bear her to-day. When she wears a large cap I can talk to her."

When the ladies wore lace trimmings to their clothes he expressed his
contempt of the reigning fashion in these terms: "A Brussels trimming is
like bread sauce," said he, "it takes away the glow of colour from the
gown, and gives you nothing instead of it. But sauce was invented to
heighten the flavour of our food, and trimming is an ornament to the
manteau or it is nothing. Learn," said he, "that there is propriety or
impropriety in everything how slight soever, and get at the general
principles of dress and of behaviour; if you then transgress them you
will at least know that they are not observed."

All these exactnesses in a man who was nothing less than exact himself
made him extremely impracticable as an inmate, though most instructive as
companion and useful as a friend. Mr. Thrale, too, could sometimes
overrule his rigidity by saying coldly, "There, there, now we