OFFICIAL COSTUME.
A NEW reform is announced in France—a uniform. The Conti. tutionnel says that all persons employed in the Government offices are to be authorized to wear a distinct uniform, with gold or silver lace on the collar, a sword, and a cocked hat. What a windfall to the young employes
But why should this boon be limited to France, when it would
be at least as welcome in England ? In France, the young citizen has his opportunities of donning that style of costume which is so conquering, when he is on duty as National Guard. Some say that the dress is the only killing thing about the civic hero. Our clerks have no such sweet occasions, but must go a-courting of evenings en bourgeois. This is hard. We have a " Windsor " uniform, in which civi- lians of high standing in the public service have the advantage of appearing in an aspect that partakes at once of hussar, page, and policeman—all classes noted fur their execution among the " frail sect." A generous magnanimity would extend the advan- tage to the subordinates, and establish a " Somerset House uni- form," with laced coat, cocked hat, and sword. Every part would have its uses. The laced coat would dazzle the eyes of the money-lender, and would ultimately sell to advantage; the cocked hat is very convenient in bowing, so that deference to superiors would be performed with the utmost impressiveness ; and the sword would serve to settle little disputes at luncheon- time, or to keep cabmen and omnibus-conductors in order ; while the whole would give to the Government clerk his due prece- dence in society. Perhaps it would be as well to make the sword optional, since some of the " old stagers " at the quill might find it too late in life to learn the art of keeping the spit from getting between the legs. And it might be well also, for the benefit of the same class, to have a cocked hat with a flap to each side, so that it might be pulled down and tied under the chin; combining beauty with comfort.
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