The
straight boots in which the figures had been originally painted,
and the other circumstances of attitude and drapery, so inconsistent
with this monstrous furniture of the head, exhibited such a ludicrous
appearance, that Pickle's wonder, in a little time, gave way to
his mirth, and he was seized with a violent fit of laughter, which
had well-nigh deprived him of his breath.
The squire, half-pleased and half-offended at this expression of
ridicule, "I know," said he, "what makes you laugh so woefully;
you think it strange to zee my vorefathers booted and spurred, with
huge three-tailed periwigs on their pates. The truth of the matter
is this: I could not abide to zee the pictures of my vamily with a
parcel of loose hair hanging about their eyes, like zo many colts;
and zo I employed a painter vellow from Lundon to clap decent
periwigs upon their skulls, at the rate of vive shillings a head,
and offered him three shillings a piece to furnish each with
a handsome pair of shoes and stockings: but the rascal, thinking
I must have 'em done at any price after their heads were covered,
haggled with me for vour shillings a picture; and zo, rather than
be imposed upon, I turned him off, and shall let 'em stand as they
are, till zome more reasonable brother of the brush comes round
the country.
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