In his "Seven Years of the King's Theatre" (1828), Mr.Ebers publishes the remonstrance of a gentleman refused admission to the opera on the score of his imperfect costume, much to his amazement; "for," he writes, "I was dressed in a superfine blue coat with gold buttons, white waistcoat, fashionable tight drab pantaloons, white silk stockings and dress shoes, _all worn but once, a few days before, at a dress concert, at the Crown and Anchor Tavern_." He proceeds to express his indignation at the idea of the manager presuming to enact sumptuary laws without the intervention of the Legislature, and adds threats of legal proceedings and an appeal to a British jury.

"I have mixed," he continues, "too much in genteel society not to know that black breeches, or pantaloons, with black silk stockings, is a very prevailing full dress, and why is it so?
Because it is convenient and economical, _for you can wear a pair of white silk stockings but once without washing, and a fair of black is frequently worn for weeks without ablution._ P.S .-- I have no objection to submit an inspection of my dress of the evening in question to you or any competent person you may appoint." Of this offer it would seem that Mr.Ebers did not avail himself..