The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-01-04
BEAU BRUMsiNLL.
Interesting Facts About the Famous
Dandy.

Lord William Pitt Lenox, in his "Ce-
lebrities l have seen," just published in
London. has some interesting facts about
the famous Brummell:
Brummell, the undisputed arbiter ele-
gantiaru,a was termed by the ignorant
the king of the handles; with due SUBJ
mission, II beg to pronounce this libel.
He was anything but dandy. The
term dandyism never could be applied
with Justice to him; it would be pro-
tanation to couple his name with such
an offensive distinction. Of all my ac-
quaintances, he was the qaietest, plainest,
and most unpretending dresser.
Those who remember him IN his palmy
days will bear testimony to the truth of
this assertion it was the total absence of
all peculiarly, and rigid adherence to
the s,rictest rules ofproprlety in costume
which gained for him the homage due to
his undisputed taste. lie eschawed col
ors, trinkets, and gewgaws; his clothes
were exquisitely made, and, above all,
adapted te his person; he put them on
we'll too, but for all this there was no
striving for ellect-there was no unusual
absence of study in his appearance.
At the period l refer to, the art of
tyinga neckcloth was one deeply studied
by all who had any pretensions to dandy
Ism, and small volume called "Neck-
clothiana." with practical instructions
and illustrations as to the different ties,
the manner of folding and tying the
sturched cambria; WAS on every gentle
mans dressing table. Theory without
practice was unavaiiing, rs was often
proved; many follower of BrummeiPs
sacrificing halt a dozen cravats in an
attempt To get waterfall, rs one of
the devices was called.
Brummel was the first to show up any
prevailing folly in fashion If carried to
excess. a. the instance am about to tell
will prove. At the period | sm writing
of. white neckcloths, starched to purga-
torial pitch, reminded one OF that imple-
mcnt of torture, collar called the "Scav-
enger's Daughter were worn by the
fashionable men around town many Of
whom looked as if they were in apil-
lory. At dinner given at the reopen
ing of Walters Club. in Piccadlily,
Brummell and the late Duke OF Beaufort,
then Marquis of Worcester, were present.
Brummell, was anxious to expose the ABB
surdities oil the whorshirers of starch,
adopted the following singular method
of taking wine with his friend: Lean.
ing back IN his chair, he thus addressed
the waiter:
as Lord Worcester here?' (he was
seated within two Of him).
Yes. sir was the answer.
"rell his lordship,' continued Brum-
nell, Il shall be happy to drink q glass
OF wine with him.
YES, SIR" replied the serving-man.
After the proper interval Brummcll in
CURED:
as his lordship ready
Yes, sir.
Then tell him drink his health
Here WAS keen touch of satire good.
humoredly conveyed to the stitl.necked
generation. Brummelfs tie was always
unimpeachable, and on this occasion he
would not risk the dislocstion OF fold
in pledging the health of his neighbor to
show. after his own peculiar manner, the
ridiculous extent 10 winch the martyrdom
OF stitfnecks could be carried.
1t must be admitted BY all who had the
pleasure of Brummell's acquaintance,
that he was the most entertaining COM
panion and finished gentleman that ever
graced society.
Byron writes: Il like the dandies
they were always very civil to me Now
this opinion of the great poet willingly
indorse, for taking them rs body, they
were very agreeable, clever, occasionally
satirical, but always thoroughly gentle
manhke men. Or course, they had their
fs,linrs, and Brummcll, the dandy par
excellence, was not free from them. The
pains he took with his ties, that they
might appear faultleSs. were extremely
puerile, for he prided himself on sacrifice
ing FIVE or SIX before he could ge: the
correct one. and to find a man encasing
his neck with a stiff,y star"hed cambria,
with valet by his side TO iron 1t smooth
". and then not be satisfied If crease OF
Wrinkle appeared, was, to say the least Of
! il, highly ridiculous.