Hold the line

seclude oneself from the world to avoid politics

wide as the poles apart

plead not guilty

peel somebody's skin and break his marrowbones

Demolish with penetrating criticism

to preserve one's personality in old age

ample gown and loose girdle

Intimate

live in complete seclusion(sport one's(the) oak)

Damp and moist

White headed

drivea cart in ragged clothes to blaze a new trail

pop one's head and pry

keep away from this world

House of a poor man

Create new styles

difficult of approach

Make a fortune elsewhere

Multicoloured