New-York tribune., 1905-04-10
II Sketch of Beau Brun,n,ei.
BY WILLIAM WINTER.

English statesman who chanced to be walking
through Bury-st, London. saw a placard in a
window announcing "Apartments The hand
writing was 40 neat ana handsome that It espe-
cially attracted his attention. and. being in need
of a lodging he entered the house and engaged
the rooms. The name OF that statesman was
Charles Jenkinson, and he afterwards became the
first Earl Of Liverpool Q727-lSOS). Tho writer OF
the placard which had attracted his notice was
a lad named William Brummel son Of the lodg-
ing-house keeper, and the bright mind and assidu-
Gus zeal OF that boy soon commended him to the
Of fathers lodger. At first William Brum-
mel was employed by Mr. JenklnsOn as an amanu-
ensis IN the Treasury department There he was
diligent and found useful, and In HOI'-upon
the recommendation of his patron.-LOrd North
employed him as private secretary. That post he
continued to hold while Lord North was at the
head of affairs in England-from TTTO till 1852: and
subsequently he was appointed to other Offices,
some Of which he held till mis- death.
An office holder and prudent man Of business.
William Brummel became wealthy. He married
well. nkewise-his wife being the handsome Miss
Richardson. daughter OF descendant Of W. Rich
ardson, Chief Justice in the reign Of James
That lady died In 1888. and her husband,
surviving her year and day, died on March
II. 1794 both were buried beneath the Church OF
st. Martin in Fields. in London. They left
three children. the second OF whom George Bryan
Brummel. was the famous Beau. Their home had
been at Donnington,-an estate called 'The
Grove. where they displayed liberal hospi-
tality. They left fortune Of fS 900. of which the
Beau, attainment Of his majority, inherited
10000
George Bryan Brummel born In London.
June z, 1878, and baptized July 2, at St Mar
| garet's, Westminster-that interesting church near
the Abbey. in which rest the remains OF Sir Wal
ter Raleigh. the still older poet Shelton, and other
WORTHLESS Of English history When twelve years
old he sent to Eton. Even as lad George
Brummel manifested a fastdious taste in dress,
while his department that OF studied, formal
courtesy. Dandies, in those days. were called
DUCKS or "macaronis," and Brummel, speedily
distinguishing himself among his school fellows
a dandy called Buck BrummeL Captain
Jesse, in his copious, careful. interesting memoir
Of the Beau. records example, incident to his
vene days, Of that cool pleasantly and nonchalant
demeanor for which. throughout his life. Brummel
was remarkable. Some boys were hazing barge
man. and as they about to throw their victim
into the Thames the Beau chanced to come among
them. my good fellows" he said, don't send him
into the river the is evidently in a high state
OF perspiratiOn. and it almost amounts to cer-
tainty that he Will catch cold
The vein of cynicism here denoted marked tho
bearing and language OF Beau Brummel through
out his career He addicted to the saying OF
civil words that covered without concealing.
sarcastic meaning, and he derived much satisfac-
ton from the pursuit Of hoaxing and mystifying
his auditors. In his boyhood, at "The Grove IN
bennington, he had observed the frol1cs OF Sherl-
dan and Fox. who among his fathers habit
ual guests; and It may be supposed that the mis-
chIevous example Of those wags was not lost upon
him. The great disaster. indeed OF his career
the loss OF the friendship OF the REincs Regent.
afterwards George WIS thought to have been
caused by the Beaus freedom OF satiricsl speech.
about the ample charms Of Mrs. Fitzherbsrt"falr,
fat and forty" the sweet lass OF Richmond HILL.
with whom the Prince was infatuated for a time,
and to whom certain historical writer's alleged that
he was actually. though privately. welded
At Eton Brummel a favorite. He did not
study He was clever, but idle. His good nature
never failed. He was animated in manner, and ne
impressed his companions witty. amusing, and
frank He never quarrelled with anybody and he
was never hogged. It while at Eton that he
first met the Prince OF Wales. having been pro-
sented to him the terrace at Windsor, and he
used to say that their subsequent intimacy sprung
out OF that incident. He fair scholar when he
left Eton in 1793 aged hfteen but neither then nor
at any time he a brilliant example OF intellect
ual power mental requirement. From Eton he
went to oxford, becoming resident OF Oriel where
II he did acquire much learning. he picked up
many good stories and became a social favorite.
He did not stay long at the University. The death
of his father made change in hts plans, for only
three months after it occurred, on June IL 1884
he was named In the Gazette as a CorneC In
| the 10th Huzzars commanded by the Prince Of
| Wales He was then sixteen years DID, while the
Prince was thrty-two; but he was precocious, and
the Prince, who had taken special liking to him.
! advanced him in every way, SO that soon ne was
| moving in the highest circles Of society.
| At the marriage of the Prince, with Caroline OF
| Brunswick, Cornet Brummel in attendance
and he followed his commander to Windsor and
/ waited on him in the time OF the honeymoon He
gave little or no attention to military duties. being
nearly always in company with the Prince; never
theless he was rapidly promoted In june 17sS. he
was made a captain and there reason for him
/ to expect further promotion and more brilliant
| honors but his bographer thinks he grew tired OF
wearing powder in his hair: for. before he was Of
age In 1898, sold his commission and left the
service 1t was no part Of his purpose, however to
withdraw from society. A year later he inherited
his fortune, and from that time, for about sixteen
years. he led the life OF q man Of fashion. in Lon
don. and had of unusual social distinction
The English capital then uncOmmOnly gay.
/ The passion for dress a positive mania Pow
der the rage. Captain Jesse mentions that In
the army alone 5000 tons used, annually. for
powdering the har.-enOugh to make 50 1853 Ioaves
OF bread and thus to supply 5000 persons with suf-
hcient bread for q year. This CUSTOM however
began to decline toward the end Of the eighteenth
/ century. and 1t did not long survive. Ladies'
dressed themselves in muslin and lace with silver
! trimmings and with gold, silver. and diamond
| fastenings White ostrich feathers were worn
Black muslin. over pink sarsanet was full dress
for ladies. In the OF 1900 The walking dress
silk pelisse, trimmed with broad black lace
a purple chip hat, with bow behind and white
roses on the left side The carriages then IN use
were small. Sir Peter Teazle speaks Of "a pair Of
cats to draw you to Kensington Gardens" A
diminutive turnout was the pride of Its ovner
color. Clubs were numerous-Watier's Whites
and Almack's being the fayorites and all OF them
celebrated for gaming.
Among the associates OF BrummeI were the DuJa
| Of York. the Duke Of Cambridge, and tho Dukes of
Argyle. Beaufort Devonshire. Dorset. and Rutland
He was honored with the friendship OF the Duchess
! Of York. and often he guest at Oatlands in
that beautiful country seat which is now a hotel
The dress OF Brummel has been particularly de-
scribed. 1t he who introduced the starcbod
/ "a pE0fO He fu