Page:Manners and customs of ye Englyshe.djvu/65

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MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.

Kensyngton Gardens with ye Bande Playinge there. [Friday, June 1, 1849.]

IN the Afternoon to Kenſington Gardens, where a Band of the Guards do play on this Day, and alſo on Monday throughout the Seaſon, and draw together a great Crowd of Faſhionable Folks. The Tunes played moſtly Polkas and Waltzes, though now and then a Piece of Muſique of a better Sort; but the Muſique little more than an Excuſe for a Number of People aſſembling to ſee and be ſeen. There all the World and his Wife; and me in all her Finery, and very well me looked. I did ſee gay Dreſſes and pretty Faces in greater Number than methinks I ever ſaw before at one Time. The Day very fair, and the Sun mining gloriouſly, and the bright coloured Silks and Muſlins at a Diſtance between the Trees, did make a mighty pleaſant Picture. But I not at all content with looking on at a Diſtance, but did get as near as I could to gaze upon the Beauties, and am afraid that I did look too hard at ſome; but they moſtly ſmiled, and I believe not any were offended; for methinks they do not trick themſelves out ſo bravely to diſcourage Obſervation. To ſee them pacing to and fro in ſuch ſmart Attire, with their ſhowy pink, and green, and Forget-me-not Blue Paraſols, I could fancy they were the London Faſhions for June come out a walking. But many on Seats with tall well looking Gallants polled beſide them, or bending down to converſe with them with vaſt Attention and Politeneſs, whereat