Thus an idea of gravity was connected with them;
and therefore religious and steady women adopted them, as the grave and
sober garments of ancient times.
It may now be observed that from these religious persons, habited in
this manner, in opposition to the fashions of the world, the primitive
Quakers generally sprung. George Fox himself wore the plain grey coat
that has been noticed, with alchymy buttons, and a plain leather girdle
about his waist. When the Quakers therefore first met in religious
union, they met in these simple clothes. They made no alteration in
their dress on account of their new religion. They prescribed no form or
colour as distinguishing marks of their sect, but they carried with them
the plain habits of their ancestors into the new society, as the habits
of the grave and sober people of their own times.
SECT. II.
_But though George Fox introduced no new dress into the society, he was
not indifferent on the subject--he recommended simplicity and
plainness--and declaimed against the fashions of the times--supported by
Barclay and Penn--these explained the objects of dress--the influence of
these explanations--dress at length incorporated into the
discipline--but no standard fixed either of shape or colour--the
objects of dress only recognized, and simplicity recommended--a new
Era--great variety allowable by the discipline--Quakers have deviated
less from the dress of their ancestors than other people.
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