Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-26
MISCELLANEOUS SELECTIONS.

Examination Of a young pre'ender to fashion.
o. What is the most wonderful! invention Of
The modern times:
A. The starched neokcloth.
o. Who Invented the starched neckcloth?
A. Brummell.
o. Give the particulars OF this invention
A. When Brummel fell into disgrace, he de-
yised the starched neckcloth. with the design Of
batting the Princes neck out of fashion, and OF
bringing his. Royal liishness's muslin. his bow
and wadding. into contempt. When he first ap-
peared in this shened cravat, tradition says that
the sensation in St. James street was prodiglous;
handles were struck dumb with envy, and wash
women miscarried. No one could perceive how
the effect was produced-tin, card, thousand
contrivances, were attempted, and innumera6le
men cut, their threats In vain experiments. The
secret in fact, puzzled and bafiled every one and
poor dandy l.. died raving mad for it; his mother,
sister, and all his relations waited on Brummell,
and on their knees mplored him to their
kinsman's life bv the explanation Of the mystery;
but the beau was obdurate, and l.. miserably per-
ished. When Brummell fied from England, he
left his secret legacy to his country; he wrote
on a sheet of paper left on his dressing table, the
emphatic Words Starch is the man."
-sae0eea~
.7nerdote of Graitan.-Grattan was the most
susceptible person in the world; and, the verge
OF the grand clmacteric, over head and ears
in love with Madame Catalani. remember to
have seen this queen OF song at 1ennehinch,
Grattan's country seat the last time she visited
ireland. Our host was in an ecstacy OF spirits;
and there was no delicacy of the season, that was
not prepared for the OCCASION, whether viands,
wine, or fruit. Those who had been staying,
heretofore. at Tennehinch, were rather astonished
at the display; for Grattans domestic habits, like
those of his friend Curran, were frugal, almost to
parsimony. The secret, however, was soon out
Madame Catalani was coming, and the patriot
rot into the fidgets till her arrival. At length
her travelling carriage was in view; the old man 3
eve Frightened, and straightway he tripped down
the lawn to receive her, and hand her from her
carriage. But this was not enough, he must lead
her to dinner, and she must sit next him. In the
evening there was music. and Madame Catalan
gave '.Rue Britannia with fine effect. During
the progress of the song, observed the old man 5
emotion. He was affected even to tears; and,
when the lady had concluded, he walked up to
her in his peculiar way, and. with the bow OF the
most finished courtier, exclaimed 'My dear Ma
dam, that is the finest piece of eloquence have
ever heard; it reminds me of the speeches of Lord
Chatham" Some days afterwards, called on
Madame Catalan, at her lodgings, in Dublin.-
She was suffering severely from sore throat
Whilst was IN the room, servant entered with
profusion ofthe finest grapes with Mr. Grattan's
compliments. Madame Catalani inquired If they
had grown at Tennehinrh. to which the servant
answered in the affirmative. She afterwards said
to me, II have been Hattered BY Emperors, and
have received presents from Princes and Kings;
but Ihave never had any homage which SO pleases
me as the simple and elegant courtesies of that
good patriot"
>6E8R
Mericaa Playthings,-At Cimpeo, "looking
out of my window. was witness to an intantlne
amusement which would rather startle English
mothers and nurses. A party Of little children
were diverting themselves with large rattle
snake. which in all its vgor was tied by the mid
die 10 the lash of small whip. while the delight
ed urchins were teasing it with pieces OF stick,
which they presented to be bitten. Being no.
vice at this species of fun. and not liking the an
CRY rattles savage springs Of the reptile, ask
ed the merry little group 10 kill it; but my pro-
position in vain. and they off to enjoy their
danuarops nlaythnu uniuterrunted -