The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-11-03
BEAU RRuMMELL.
An Old Story Neatly Retold-His Butter.
fly Life, Miserable End and Exae gerated
Wit---The True Version OF Many Stories
Attributed to Him

/. George Brummell, better known 6
q Beau Brummell, was born in 1878, il
herited portion of $500, 900 which h
ran through, and in 1916 fed from hi
creditors to France, where he spent tn
rest of his days. He had been the frien
: of the Prince of Wales, afterward Geo
J ", but quarreled with him At thei
last interview Brummell had the impu
dence to tell the Prince to ring the bell
which the latter did, only to direct tn
servant who answered it to show Mr.
Brummell to his carriage. In a review
of a recent life of Brummell, by Captain
Jesse, the New York Sun says:
| His close of life realized the most de
plorable pictures of those satirists who
have warned mankind against prayer fol-
multitude of days. Poverty, disease,
idiocy and a paralysis of the bowels
| Captain Jesse pursues through their mi
nutest details at once mournful and
mirthful. After some time he was taken
| to the ''Bon Sauveur," a religious asy-
lum for the insane. There he died on
| March 80, 1910, his last act exhibiting,
whether consciously or accidentally, all
| his former sense of propriety. He turned
from the attendants ON the other side,
and in that position he expired.
Though Brummell had the reputation
of a wit, he exhibited very little real wit.
Like Theodore Hook, and perhaps most
other reputed wits of society, his mind
was of the buffoon cast, redeemed from
buffoonery only by reserve and caustici-
ty. What johnson says of Tom Brown
Is not far from the truth respecting the
class we speak of 'eThe whole ANNA
ton and point of these compositions
arises from profusion of ludicrous and
affected comparison" In other words,
from exaggeration so great as to startle.
Such was BrummelPs reply to the beg
gar who solicited charity, ''if only a
halfpenny." my good fellow, 1 have
heard of the coin, but / never had one
there is shilling for you" When asked
during bad summer if he had ever seen
such a one replied Eyes, last winter"
which is of the same character. Some
times the mere impudence of the deed
or word produces the same effect of sur
prise. Once at a party he asked an ac-
quaintance with great air of curiosity
who that ugly man near the chimney
piece might be. Why surely, Brum-
nell, you know him that is the master
of the house" ''No, replied the unmov-
ed cornet, "How should l ?" 81 was new
er invited" He does not appear to
have been good at retort perhaps he
had prudence enough to avoid the risk
of having to make one. But the follow
ing approaches to repartee: A doctors
wife at Cen tried hard to get him to her
house. Walking one afternoon with
friend, they passed through an archway
under the lady's balcony, in which she
was. Leaning over, she accosted the
beau earnestly, requesting him to walk
up and take tea "Madam," said he to
the medico's wife in the calmest and
most dignifed manner, ''you take phys |
ic, you take walk, you take liberty, |
but you drink tea"
Disagreeahle, personal, painful truths, |
such as only unfinching imprudence |
can utter, produce their effect by |
the same means of surprise. The f'fat |
friend" was of this kind. The story has
not been, as a rule, correctly told. |
Lord Alvanley, Brummell, Henry
and Sir Harry Nfildmay,
gave at the Hanover Square rooms a
was friend of the Duke of
Harry Mildmay was young and
had never been introduced to the
Prince; Pierrepoint knew him slightly,
and Brummell was at daggers drawn
with him. No invitation, therefore,
was sent to the Prince but the ball ex-
cited much interest and expectations,
and to the surprise of the Amphitryons,
l communication was received from the
Prince, intimating his wish to be present.
Nothing, therefore, was left but to send
nim an invitation, which was done in
lue form, and in the names of the four
spirited givers of the ball. The next
question was how they were to receive
heir guests, which, after some discus
on, was arranged thus: When the APP
Droach of the Prince was announced,
Zach of the four gentlemen took, in due
orm, candle in his hand. Pierre
point, as knowing the Prince, stood
nearest the door with his wax light,
Mildmay, as being young and void of
,fense, opposite Alvanley, with Brum-
nell opposite stood Immediately be-
lind the other two. When the Prince
Irrived, he spoke civilly and with re-
'ognition to Pierrepoint, and then turn
ID and spoke few words to Mildmay.
he addressed several SEN
ences to Alvanley, and then turned
Oward Brummell, looked at him, but
IS if he did not know who he was or
Why he was there, and without bestow-
ng on him the slightest symptom of re-
,ognition, passed on. 1t was then that,
eizing with infinite readiness and fun
he notion that they were unknown to
ZACH other, Brummell said across to his
riend, and aloud for the purpose of
icing heard: "Alvanley, who's your
at friend ?" Those who we're in front
nd saw the Princes face say that he
vas cut to the quick by the aptness of
he satire. This version carries better
Internal evidence than any other, for it
las neat, appropriate and telling points,
which Brummell ever regarded.
With him the race of "5eaus" went
ut. In the days which followed there
Fere great dressers, as D'Orsay and
Lord Pembroke, the former the repre-
he chaste school. In our day, when
nore subdued and refined taste in dress
'revails, Lord Pembroke would be con-
idered the better dressed of the two.
1Orsay's taste was far too gaudy, but
he brilliant tints with which he sur
ounded himself seemed to suit so well |
is style of beauty, dress and manner
hat though all was dazzling and snowy, !
ven to a point which in any other I
hight be deemed vulgar, there was a
ind of harmony which precluded any !
lea of bad taste. Driving in his cab |
own the Row with Disraei beside him,
ONE forty years ago, he looked like
ONE gorgeous dragon fly skimming /
trough the air All his imitators, as :
distinguished foreigner at the time re-
larked, fell between the Scylla and {
harybdis of tigerism and charlatanism
ut he aseaned those nnicksands- though 1