THE FETISH OF CLOTHES.
[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR."1 Sin,--Soms recent judicial utterances on the extravagance of women in dress give an opportunity of showing that this extravagance—like most other phenomena—is no new thing. Testa, the famous mediaeval story of Belfagor, reproduced by Brevio, Machiavelli, and other writers of the cinquecento. In the nether world a- gathering of ill-fated husbands was held..
and a petition addressed to their rulers, stating that their
iil-
fortune was due to the prodigality of their wives on earth. Whereupon the powers of darkness determined.to depute one of their number to repair to the upper air and. test the truth of this assertion.
Belfagor was chosen, and, arrived on earth, he appeared as a rich and accomplished cavalier. He soon selected a bride out of the many offered to him, and at once asked her to make a list of all the jewels and fine dresses she would like. to have, bidding her be carefuL to include everything she•would be likely to want, as farther demands might be attended by untoward result. Urged by her mother she bought up the finest wares of the city, and surely no lady. before had such a trousseau. Her happiness seemed assured, but before long a great feast was given, and the chief ladies decreed—how little have things altered!—that a complete change in the fashion of dresses should be made. Sylvia, the wife, was in despair, for she dare not ask her husband for more dresses, and feltshe would rather die than go to. the feast in clothes not of the latest fashion. Belfagor at once fathomed the cause of his wife's depression, and after a time questioned her about it, whereupon she answered, lamenting, " How can I go to the feast in my old- fashioned clothes and be made a laughing-stock by the other women?" Belfagor reminded her that he had given her all she wanted, and had warned her not to ask for more, but agreed once more to give her a complete new outfit The inevitable change in fashion soon recurred, and the same scene was repeated, but this time Belfagor, convinced. that his wife was insatiable, left her and went to Melfi, where he entered into the body of the duke and tormented him cruelly.. He was not left in peace, for a rumour reached him that his wife was about to visit the city, possibly, in search of him, so he made his way back to hell with full speed, and no doubt sent in a report favourable to the plea of the unfortunate husbands.—
I am, Sir, &c., W. G. WATLES. 7 Mansfield Street, Portland Place, W.
Previous page
