Lines of Interest

This advertisement appeared in Brett's "Hastings and St. Leonards Gazette" during 1857.

THESE LINES may be of int'rest, more or lens.
To those who purchase, prudently, their dress:
If such you are, then list to what I say,
Nor deem your time thus idly thrown away.
When you resolve an article to buy,
Its texture scrutinize with jealous eye;
Nor deign to purchase, if perchance you trace —
However slight — a blemish on its face.
Then view the workmanship,
in testing which,
Be careful to examine seam and stitch ;
And if a fault therein should meet your gaze,
Heed not the voice that falsely speaks its praise.
You next observe the style,
which should be neat,
With elegance and novelty replete,
Nor lack, of course, the tailor's nicest tact,
To model it and make it fit exact.
Next comes the price, and where you find 'tis high,
Your prudence should direct you not to buy;
But prompting you to seek a cheaper mart,
You take the hint, and quickly make a start.
In all the points here named, BRETT takes the lead ;
And well, I know, his system does succeed :
The many qualities his clothes possess,
Are prized by all true connoisseurs in dress.
This coat, this hat, these trousers and this vest,
These boots & gloves & shirt in which I'm drest,
Were bought of BreTt, and for their graceful trim,
I'm free to say much praise is due to him.
28, NORMAN ROAD, ST. LEONARDS