The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-09-22
THE DUKE ADANDY.


more expensive.
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THE DUKE A DANDY.
Mr.. LARPENT recurs to the Duke of
WelIington's wardrobe:-"ln one respect
he is not like Frederic the Great: he is
remarkably neat and most particular in
his dress. considering his situation; he is
we'll made, knows it, and is willing to set
offto the best what nature has bestowed;
in short, like every great man, present
or past, almost without exception, he is
vain. He cuts the skirts OF his coat
shorter 10 make them look smarter; and
only short time since found him dis.
cussing the cut oil his hali.boo,s, and
suggesting alterations to his servant when
| went in upon business; the vanity Of
great men shows itself in different ways,
but | believe always exists in some shape
or another" Wellington, we may add,
went into battle at w Waterloo in white pan.
falcons and Hessians, the fashion Of the
day, and Of which a solitary pair, a relic
of the glories OF Hoby, still gladden. the
shady side of Pail Mall. The Duke, on
that memorable eighteenth, was up long
before daybreak, shaved himself by can
die light, and went forth trinity dressed
as bridegroom from his chamber, and
as little resembling bearded illote Gual
as his heart could desire; for. to be as un.
like the "French in the field as possible" "
was his main point. He secuted all the
fancy.ball paraphernalia and tourniquies
of lace ofthe Prince Regent, who played
at soldiers, and "thought it Indifferent
how a soldier is clothed, provided it is in
uniform manner, and thai he is forced TO
keep himself clean and smart as soldier
ought TO be. "L'habtt ne taint pas le
moiae," nor the man ofwar; "Believe me
that every one you see in military uni.
form is not hero" So wrote one who
was one. to Mr.. Croker. SimpleT mundi.
Ills himself, he carried the coquetry OF
costume contrasts so far, that he attended
(says Mr.. Larpent) the allied review at
Paris IN his usual blue coat and white
neckcloth, and thus beeame--like Lord
Castereagh, c the only one without star
in the galaxy ofthe Vienna Congress-al
once the most distinguished. We must
notice another OF his methods TO make
himself the observed Of all Observers
Ibis white cloak" This he wore nva.
riably on The days ofbattle, and before it
commenced, in order that he might be
recognized at once, and no time lost in
bringing him communications. "Rally
round my white pume," was the cry ol
Henry w., and there is much virtue in
cloaks in Spain, as to what they reveal
and conceal. Our younger reades well
know that Cato and Virgil were laughed
at Tor their awkward togas, and that Cic.
ero espoused the cause OF Pomper be.
cause he inferred from Cesar's clumsy
cloak arrangements that he never could
turn out to be anything great The Die.
tator improved, nothing at last fidgeted
him more than disturbing the sinus OF the
mantle, ''the same he wore the day he
overcame the Nervii," and which he ar
ranged when dying as if had been his
last testament. This "whte cloak" oI
the Duke, which braved so many battle
and breeze, worthily might have formed
his shroud. as the Moor Almanzor. who
overran Spain, arrayed himself in every
combat with Bernous, and when each
day was gained, shook out the dust into
chest, to form glorious grave when his
course was run. The Duke we may
whisper, from early life dandy, in his
way, aud moi singular-witness his vet
eran comrads Lords Anglesea and Com
bermere. than whom two braVer and bet
ter dressed officers do not exist. The
Dukes, the best known man in London
soIdiOrlke regulation look, is familiar al
household words; his white trousers ap
peared as regularly as May blossoms
Napoleon, il may be observed, was no les
vain OF his redingote grise than the Duke
was of his "gray coal" which distln
guished the master from the men, tn
Emperor from the melodramatic gil
gingerbread MuratS. Itmust not, how
ever, be inferred that the blain and nea
Duke was insensible to decorations wo
in fair fight. He accepted them withou
I false modesty, and wore them withou
: ostentation, as the natural recognition
good service; yet, had he died young
like Alexander the Great, history Nigh
? have pronounced him no less vain
Edinburgh ReUieiO.