The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-08-25
THE NEW "KING OF THE FoPs."

- - -
Something About Thomas Louis
OnaJivia, the Successor OF E. Berry
Wall-1he Best Dressed Man in New
York.
Copyright 1897
New YORK. Aug. 24.-Swelldom isagain
tranquil, and the great contest which has
been raging in New York with vivid pic.
tied. 1t has been bloodleSs struggle. and
now that it is all over and the crown abii-
Gated by E. Berry Wall has passed into the
hands Of his successor, the cane-sucking
and monocled brigade breathes easier.
Thomas Louis Onativia, the new idol of
the JeltneSse dOree, is ABBOTT - years old,
and stands as the representative Of class
that Is yearly increasing in numbers and
Influence in the metropolis. He is the chief
exponent of the profession of elegant leisure
Born to wealth and lifetime of ease. he
has distinguished himself by the invention
of method" which prevents time from
hanging heavily upon his hands, and he i
In consequence, the envy of his languid
worshipers.
Personally the new ruler of dudedom is
a rather handsome fellow with very
little Of the fop about him. For the last
VIA co 1Ceii NO uub Dttu III training LOT Ine
position he now fills. and even a year ago
he had acquired the reputation of being the
best dressed man in town. His complexion
is dark with slightly olive tint, and his
eyes are as soft as those of a girl. The upper
lip IS as vet unvexed by a razor, and shows
a premOnitory mustache. The whole ex-
preston is frank in the extreme, and the
hair, which lies close and is kept we'll
trimmed, diSdains tho usual parting in the
middle, and instead describes pretty cas-
cade in the form of bang which the girls
pronounce too sweet for anything"
Young Onativia is retiring in his dispOsi-
ton and affects a great exclusiveness. Un-
like Berry Wall, he does not care to mix
promlscuOusly in society nor to wear loud
clothes. His costumes are invariably of
the finest texture, but they are never snowy
in cut or pattern. Met in the pa k OF on
the avenue, where he may be seen almost
daily, riding or driving, he simply impreSses
you as a very well dressed and rather at
trac i've young fellow. 1t is only when you
observe the man more closely that you de-
tect the peculiarities which have woA him
the proud position he now holds as the lead
er OF the younger generation of profes don
al swells, for it should be understood that
the class of which "Dandyn Marx, the noh-
best man in New York fifty years ago, was
the prototype, is now as generally rec ,g-
nized as that of the professional Beauties
who adorn society and the stage.
Onativia's modesty is the distinctive
feature which stamps the differe nee be-
tween the new leader aud the old. He is
not a prominent first nigltier" and is
rarely, If ever, seen in the front row at the
theater. On the road or taking n stroll on
the avenue he is to be remarked bv the
quiet perfection of his Carmen which are
invariably of the finest material. His
summer tOggery consists of a black Cowes
coat, black trousers, no vest, black silk
"cummeTOundn and a white straw hat
with either a white or a pearl gray band.
His tie is either broad black affair or a
gray silk or satin bow. He displays very
little jewelry and no diamonds. In his
shirt bOSom-Which is ar ample o1e-are
two pearl studs His cane is a light rattan,
carried in the middle or loosely near tho
top and is in marked contrast with the
bludgeOn-like affair worn of late by the
young swells about town.
Onativia's weakness is for fine horses. 1t
is question which he values more highly,
his elegant wardrobe or his spendidly
matched team of bays, behind which,
seated high In his yellow cart, he takes
spin on tue road two or three mornings a
week when he is in town. He is now en-
hvening Richfield Springs with the SPLEEN
dor of his presence, aud no turnout IS to be
seen among the famous drives in that
charming neighborhood to compare with
that of the young nabob.
His man-fOr like every young gentle
man of wealth and fashion, he has a valet
takes care of his extensive wardrobe, which
consists of dozen suits. II Is the Wallets
duty to see that these are in good condi-
ton and ready for services at a moments
notice. These suits average 500 each, and
are all of the best quality Of imported goods,
made either by the leading New York tail
ors or by Poole of London. The trousers
average $50 pair, and the shoes aud hats
from $40 to Sl2. So ne of the suits cost as
high as S120. The value of the whole avail
able wardrobe may easily be set
down at from 81 1900 to 81 800, and this is
exc usive of canes, pipes and je6elry, Of
which he has fine assortment.
Young Onativia is the apostle of a new
style of dress, and his reign marks the de-
cline of tie loud, dudish c)stumes that have
been prevalent of la e years. Tho terrible
high collars and the unweildy canes are not
on his little list" and will, in all proba-
bility, be soon d .scarded by his followers
Moreover, the new monarch of dudedom
is very temperate man and seldom in
dulges in anything stronger than glas' of
wine. He ignores the dictum or Berry
Wall, wherein the latter laid down the rula
that youog men of New York begin the
day VITA an "absnthe frappe." AT the st.
Marc, where the new ruler resides when in
the city, there is no quieter person in the
hotel. 1t is situated on the topmost peak
of Murray Hill, and in the very center of
wealth and fashion.
G.. H. SANDIsoN.