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I have now explained, in a very ample manner, the moral education and
discipline of the Quakers. I shall proceed to the explanation of such
customs, as seem peculiar to them as a society of christians.
The dress of the Quakers is the first custom of this nature, that I
purpose to notice. They stand distinguished be means of it from all
other religious bodies The men wear neither lace, frills, ruffles,
swords, nor any of the ornaments used by the fashionable world. The
women wear neither lace, flounces, lappets, rings, bracelets, necklaces,
ear-rings, nor any thing belonging to this class. Both sexes are also
particular in the choice of the colour of their clothes. All gay colours
such as red, blue, green, and yellow, are exploded. Dressing in this
manner, a Quaker is known by his apparel through the whole kingdom. This
is not the case with any other individuals of the island, except the
clergy; and these, in consequence of the black garments worn by persons
on account of the death of their relations, are not always distinguished
from others.
I know of no custom among the Quakers, which has more excited the
curiosity of the world, than this of their dress, and none, in which
they have been more mistaken in their conjectures concerning it.
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