"
We learn from an entry in the "Diary" for June 11th, 1666, that ladies,
in addition to assuming masculine costume for riding, wore long wigs.
"Walking in the galleries at Whitehall," observes Mr Pepys, "I find the
ladies of honour dressed in their riding garbs, with coats and doublets
with deep skirts, just for all the world like mine, and buttoned their
doublets up the breast, with periwigs and with hats, so that, only for
long petticoats dragging under their men's coats, nobody could take them
for women in any point whatever." Pepys, we have seen, wondered if
periwigs would survive after the terrible plague. He thought not, but he
was mistaken. Wigs still remained popular. The plague passed away, and
its terrors were forgotten. The world of folly went on much as of yore,
perhaps with greater gaiety, as a reaction to the lengthened time of
depression.
[Illustration: The Earl of Albemarle.]
In some instances the wig appears much out of place, and a notable
example is that given in the portrait by Kneller, of George, Earl of
Albemarle.
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