Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-07-20
"Reau Brun,mcI.n

George Bryan Brummel was born in
June, l77S--probably at his fathers res
idence, the Groveg near bennington
England. He was of what our English
cousins call obscure origin" that is
his family did not belong to the aristo
cratic or the very wealthy class, but
were guilty of'the crime of honest labor
for an honest living. His grandfather
kept some sort of a shop in London, and
eked out his scanty profits by renting
furnished apartments. Among bis ten,
ants was Mr.. Jenkinsou, afterwards Lord
Liverpool, who liked the landlord, and
took special fancy to the landlord s
son, the father of our hero. Brummel
junior became Jenkinson's private sec.
retary, and subsequently,, through his
Influence, obtained clerkship in the
Treasury department. Here he behaved
so well as to attract the notice of Lord
North, who made him his Secretary, and
he held this position until that nobleman
retired from office, in l778. He then
purchased handsome landed estate,
and with his wife--formerly Miss Rich
ardson, one of the most beautiful women
of her day-retreated to the comfortable
obscurity ofrural life. .rst
Dress in those days was considered a
painful necessity by the majority OF
prominent men, and their costumes were
selected with view to ease and comfort
rather than style. Brummel touched
dress with the tip of his glove, and it be-
came science; he smote the tailor S
shop with his cane, and it became the
temple of which he was the anointed,
high priest, Bear in mind, however, o,
noble reader, that the Beau was not
what is termed loud dresser" his
clothes were always plain, and nothing
annoyed him more than to wear anything
which occasioned remark His forte is
happily described by Lord Byron; The
exquisite propriety of his appearance. !"
HIS coats, waistcoats and pantaloons
fitted him as if he had been melted and
run into them not a crease nor a wrin-
kle disturbed the serenity of his attire
and from boot-heels to hat-crown, he was
simply-perfection The cravat is his
Invention. Until Brummel came this
important article of masculine toilet was
wrapped around the neck like poultiee.
His prophetic soul suggested starch, and
starch transformed the poultice into
smooth, firm, pliable fabric which could
be arranged in any shape the wearer de-
sired. Brummel tied his cravat more
elegantly and uniquely than cravats
were ever tied before or since. A dozen
would frequently be spoiled before the
knot suited his critical eye, and the
weeping yet admiring servant carried off
these failures to the laundry to be re-
juvenated for the next days order.
The personal appearance of Brummel-
clothes excepted-was remarkably strik-
ing. His figure was good, but his face
was long, and his features decidedly or
binary. His complexion was of the
diluted blonde order, his hair likewise,
his whiskers sandy, and his eyes gray.
The latter were bright and expressive,
and with a handsome mouth, partially
redeemed an otherwise uninteresting
countenance. But whatever he lacked
in beauty he more than made up in brass |
Here is an illustration of his stupendous
" cheek" He had been dining with a
young man, who, though worth millions,
he did not consider as belonging to his |
SET" Before the company separated |
he inquired who would take him to Lady |
Jerseys party next evening. His host,
who was also going, kindly offered him
a seat in his carriage. Thank you ,ex-
ceedingly," said the Bean; very Kind |
of you, indeed. But pray how are you
10 go2h You surely would not like to get
up behind-and yet it will scarcely do
for me to be seen in the same carriage
with you"
The death Of Brummels father brought
The son a snug fortune of $4,000,
which he contrived to spend in ten years
Without any difficulty, and with the unan-
nous appreciation Of his Apmerous
friends.