Moda

Anonymous eighteenth-century Manuscript Poem titled 'How to pack a Lady's Portmanteau' with verse postscript 'How to do a Gentlemans Ditto'.

ref. 11683 — Without place or date late eighteenth century. 1p. 12mo. On one side of a piece of 18 x 10 cm paper laid down on leaf removed from commonplace book with a clue to provenance on the reverse provided by the part of a family tree of James Carmichael laid down there including 'Carmichael of Balmedy' 'Tho. Graeme of Balyowan' and 'Mr Ja. Smyth of Aitherny'. Fair on aged paper. A delightful poem apparently unpublished and a valuable piece of social history containing a couple of manuscript emendations. A total of fourteen lines of verse with the first ten relating to the lady's portmanteau beginning: 'With Linen and stocking and shoes first begin / Then your night-cloaths and petticoat neatly put in / Next your Dresses compleat for each part of the Day / With your handkerchiefs Caps all in Gala array / Then your Ribbons fans flowers & Gloves long & Short / With your combs & your brushes of every sort'. The four-line poem on the gentleman's portmanteau begins 'Coats Waiscoates sic and breeches short stocking & shoes / With Hankerchiefs sic Nightcap & Gown'. Without place or date [late eighteenth century?]. unknown