Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1873-04-19
Mr.. (Ireeley'S Clothes.

Mr.. GREELEY throughout his life was
twitted with his slOvenlineSS of person,
and many people We're made to believe
that he incurred the risk OF being sold for
a bag OF ancient rags whenever he passed
into Ann Street. The fit and quality OF
his clothes were not what GrammOnt or
D'Orsay would have recommended; but
he was always scrupulOuSly neat-Beet-
hOvcn himself having no greater passion
for the bath. His linen was ever immacu-
late: his boots, though often coarse. well
BACKED his face carefully shaver. and his
hands rs daintily kept rs those of a fine
woman. His cravat had a tendency, it is
true. teweeaIRe the shape of han@man's
knot, and his trOwsers were Often su9 "es-
tive of required continuance; but that he
was really slOvenly was palpably false.
The idle tales that he diSarranged his
toilet before the looking-glass, and care
fully squeezed his pantaloons into the leg
of his boot ere he appeared in the street.
were purpOsely told To annoy him. and
strange to say they had the effect Intended.
: He was sensitive on the subject of his
dress, and seldom received advice there
upon with becoming equanimty. Oddly
enough. he believed himself very well-at-
/ tired person, and that few men in his
! station went better clad. SartOrial com
mcnts were wont to draw from him sharp
and singing replies.
When city editor of the Tribune once
{ suggested the reformation of his neck-tie,
Mr.. Greeley answered. s'YOu don't like
my dress, and / don't like your depart
ment. If you have any improvements to
make, please begin at home.
james Watson Webb, while editor OF
the Courier and Enquirer, was fond of crit
icising the costume OF his nelghb0r
who. referring To the fact that MIR. Webf
had been sentenced TO the Statc-prlson
and pardoncd. for fighting Il duel witt
Thomas +. Marshall, made this eXtin
gushing reiOinder ''Assuredly no COS
tune in which the editor OF the Trjb1m
has ever appeared would create such ;
sensation in Broadway as that James Wat
son Webb would have worn but for tn
clemency of Governor Seward
TO another journalist, noted for his un
tidiness, and his ritlicule of Mr.. Greeley
The latter responded, ''If our friend of thu
-, who wears mourning for his depart
ed veracity under his finger-nailS, viii
agree to surprise his system with bath
We may attempt clean discussion witt
him" .E-
} The iIlustrious editor was simply care
less of his attire, though fastidiOusly neat
, He was always so busy that, when he ros
| in the morning, he put Oh the first thin!
he found, and sometimes be did not put
| more than half on. His clothes ncvc
seemed to fit him. or. rather. he neve
seemed 10 fit his clothes. The wonde
| with many of his acquaintance was wher
: he bought them, or whether they did nc
: grow. so unique often were their cue an
pattern. Clothes, repeat We're tend,
, theme with him and he displayed til
, highest breeding by never aliuding
, what he wore. IL is supposed he got n
/, garments ready-male 1 have been tol
( his wife was in the habit Of purcha>ln
3 them, and. to save time. liz took the fir
e articles offered. He was the, only Ne
a Yorker of note who repeatedly appeare
a in the street in the morning ina dress-coa
: But he made ample atOnemellt for this b
;. presenting himself up town at formal On
: ners in a paletot, or some peculiar ga
: ment thar tleiied identification. Whatev,
t may be thought Of Mr.. Greeley's QUAR-
t raiment, he was eXcellently dressed a
o cording TO the Brummel canon. becau'
: after being with and listening TO him on
= could not remember what he had on. /
could talk away his clothes in the briefe
Space.-Hapir's Magazine for april.