Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-06-13
BRUMMELL's PREDECESSOR.
Richard Nash, the Leader OF Fashioh III
the seventeenth Century.



Murray's Ndooz ne.
Beau Nash, who acted hundred
wears ago as the chief of the reveis aS
Ratb. had his sensihllities. He ENJOYED
ease and plenty. The sight OF suffer-
ing distressed him. He might owe MS
Iong-suffering tailor year after year ana
never feel the least compunctlon aoouS
his debt, but the distress OF a 1rlenu
whose tailor had him arrested was IRE
sistible! He loved to pose as oeneiac-
tor. at his own expense when the money
was at hand, at the expense OF otherS
when it was not.
At the time of the revelS at Bath'
when Nash rendered his account, the
master of the temple noticed among
the items, ITO making one man happy
e1O" Asking to what it referred, Nash
told him he had overheard poor man
exclaiming, upon seeing the lavish ex-
nenditure of the entertainment, "How
happv go would make my poor wife
and family" and that he could not help
irving the experiment. He had charged
the amount TO the revelS, but he was
quite willing to pay the sum out OF his
own pocket if the master objected.
So far from Directing, the master
praised Nash for his benevolence. The
story got abroad, and went far to eS-
tablsh his reputation as being one OF
the best hearted of men.
But his friends, into whose pockets
he frequently dipped for loan, often
wished his, "Sensi0ility" would take the
form of Justice, as he had strong OBJ
lection to paying his debts, unless by
doing so he could purchase for himself
some additional benefit. On one occa-
sion one OF his friends was so wearied
by his eutreatieS that Nash would pay
him what he owed, that he determined
TO obtain by Stratagem what he could
not extract from honor.
Accordingly, one day he sent friend
TO the impecuniOuS Nash instructlng
him TO stimulate the utmost distress Tor
want of ready cash to the amount OF
$50, without which he would be arrest
ed. Nash received the stranger with
the utmost courtesy, noted his deJectlon
had asked how he could serve him. The
gentleman acted his part TO perfection.
Nothing could exceed his chagrin as he
told Nash how he was in danger OF be-
ing arrested for want of $50.
ARRESTED, impoSsiblew cried Nash,
with the utmost sympathy, producing
at once the required sum, which he
thrust into the applicants hands.
Delighted at the success OF his strat-
agem, the stranger carried the money TO
Nash'S creditor. The next day Mas b,
meeting his friend, was profuse in his
excuses and apologies at being unable
to discharge his debt, declaring that
luck was so much against him he had
never been so hard up, TO, to use his
own words, never so damnably out OF
cash"
my dear SIR" replied the successful
strateOist, ''be under no uneasiness;
would not interrupt your tranquility Tor
the world. You lent eco yesterday TO
our friend, and he lent ii to me. Give
him your receipt and you shall have
mine"
Nash, surprised and thrown off his
guard, revealed himself with deli ght
"Perdtion seize thee" he cried, thou
has, been too many for me! You de-
manded debt, he asked favor. To
pay thee would not increase our friend
ship, but to lend him was procuring II
new friend by comforting new obliga-
! ton"
The fair sex in Nash's day, though
far removed from the sole privileges
women now possess, enjoyed an amount
of homage as eXtravagant as 1T was I'M
real and absurd. Men, TO prove the
depth and sincerity of their passion for
woman, wond brave the horrors of in
I nair nf har chOpS
| disguised in fricasSee. Their wine
was not favored unless it had been
strained through one of her garments.
| They would eat tallOw candles instead
of cheese, and enact all manner OF an
tics to exhibit their devotion.
Nash woS not behindhand in these fan
tastes of affection. On one occasion
some one bet him fifty guineaS that to
prove his fidelity TO his reigning lady
| love, he would not stand at the great
door of York minister clad in blanket
while the people were coming out of the
church. 1t was severe test, but impecu
mostly rather than love tempted Nash
to accept the ordeal. He had just lost
all his money at the gambling table, and
glad to make it good as well as TO offer
test of his devotion at the shrine OF
his lady, he took up the challenge. Ar
rayed accordingly in his blanket. this
former ''apOSCle of clothes" stood at the
Cathedral door. Some say he held in
his hand bag for aims, while the ,peO
Pile were coming out of church. The
Dean recognized him.
WHAT he cried in establishment,
Mr.. Nash in masquerader'
Nash demurely replied, pointing to
his companions, who were standing by
aud enjoying the situation-"Only a
Yorkshire penance, Mr.. Dean, for Keep
ing bad company"
Another eScapade, later on, he would
hardly like to have membered; but
mems deeds will follow them. Some
one laid him heavy wager that he
would not emulate the example Of Lady
GOdiva, and ride for loves sake through
certain village on the back of a cow.
But Nash, Notwithstanding his fine ex-
terror, being ''out of cash" as usual,
rose to the occasion and won the wager.
Thus was it in the early days of the
last century that the fast men OF fash
ion now and then turned his "honest'
pen ~.
Three Trainmen Killed.