Mr.  SPECTATOR,

  Exeter, Sept. 7.

’You were pleased in a late Speculation to take notice of the Inconvenience we lie under in the Country, in not being able to keep Pace with the Fashion:  But there is another Misfortune which we are subject to, and is no less grievous than the former, which has hitherto escaped your Observation.  I mean, the having Things palmed upon us for London Fashions, which were never once heard of there.

A Lady of this Place had some time since a Box of the newest Ribbons sent down by the Coach:  Whether it was her own malicious Invention, or the Wantonness of a London Milliner, I am not able to inform you; but, among the rest, there was one Cherry-coloured Ribbon, consisting of about half a Dozen Yards, made up in the Figure of a small Head-Dress.  The foresaid Lady had the Assurance to affirm, amidst a Circle of Female Inquisitors, who were present at the opening of the Box, that this was the newest Fashion worn at Court.  Accordingly the next Sunday we had several Females, who came to Church with their Heads dress’d wholly in Ribbons, and looked like so many Victims ready to be Sacrificed.  This is still a reigning Mode among us.  At the same time we have a Set of Gentlemen who take the Liberty to appear in all Publick Places without any Buttons to their Coats, which they supply with several little Silver Hasps, tho’ our freshest Advices from London make no mention of any such Fashion; and we are something shy of affording Matter to the Button-Makers for a second Petition. [2]

What I would humbly propose to the Publick is, that there may be a Society erected in London, to consist of the most skilful Persons of both Sexes, for the Inspection of Modes and Fashions; and that hereafter no Person or Persons shall presume to appear singularly habited in any Part of the Country, without a Testimonial from the foresaid Society, that their Dress is answerable to the Mode at London.  By this means, Sir, we shall know a little whereabout we are.

  If you could bring this Matter to bear, you would very much oblige
  great Numbers of your Country Friends, and among the rest,

  Your very Humble Servant,
  Jack Modish.

 X.

 [Footnote 1:  in]

[Footnote 2:  In 1609 the Button-Makers sent a petition to Parliament, which produced the Act of the 8th year of Anne (1709), framed because

’the maintenance and subsistence of many thousands of men, women and children depends upon the making of silk, mohair, gimp, and thread buttons, and button-holes with the needle,’ and these have been ruined by ’a late unforeseen practice of making and binding button-holes with cloth, serge,’ &c.]

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No. 176.  Friday, September 21, 1711.  Steele.