The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-09-03
LITERARY DANDiES.
Dlsraelll's Gorgeous ciothes-stevcn
sons Queer Getup.

sons queer Getup.
Lord Lytton and Dickens prided
themselves on being literary dandies.
but In the matter Of clothes their light
paled before that of Disraeli, In the
days when the novelist was para
mount to the politician. says the Lon
don Tit-Bits. A black velvet coat
lined with satin. purple trousers
with a gold band running down the
seam, a scarlet waistcoat with elegant
lace ruffies OF such a length as TO
cover his hands. and white gloves.
the outside OF which were decorated
with number OF valuable rings. we're.
with the addition of q profusion or
gold chains that meandered about mis-
person. his not infrequent attire.
Stevenson's getup is thus described
by a fellow member OF the Savile
Club: "He wore black flannel shirt,
with a curious knitted tie twisted In
knot; he had Wellington boots, rath-
er tight dark trousers. a peajacket
and a white sombrero hat But the
most astonishing item OF all in his
costume was a lady's sealskin cape,
which he wore about his shoulders,
fastened at the neck by fancy brooch
which also held together a bunch OF
daffodils."
The dress OF Gerard de Nerval. the
French poet, was, on one occasion at
least. in keeping with the lobster
which he was wont to lead abroad on
a gayly colored ribbon. Trousers. coat
and waistcoat were OF green satin.
each. however. Of a different hue, to
represent the varied colors of the sea
under diverse conditions. His hat
was adorned with long strands of sea-
weed, while around his neck he wore
string OF coral beads. The buttons or
his coat and waistcoat were OF shells.
while on his breast were pinned sew
eral pebble brooches. To complete
his marine garb he carried In his right
hand d Neptune's trident.
Dumas the elder was certainly
cloud" in the matter of personal ad-
ornment. He was not infrequently
seen abroad In a uniform plentifully
with medallic decorations
of his own design. while he once at
tended an Ambassadors reception
wearing a shirt covered with red de-
mons careering about In little req
flames. On another occasion he pres
ented himself at a bal qasque in the
character of Bacchus, but although
considerable latitude was allowed in
the matter of dress his costume--or
want OF twas too realistic to permit |
of his being allowed entry.
Gautier was at times very gorgeous
in the matter of his raiment. a dress
of crimson and gold ON one occasion
adorning his sturdy person; Paul
Bourget In his youth wore green |
trousers: monk" Lewis amused his |
friends by appearing In the streets in |
the guise of Venetian bravo; Beck
ford. the author OF "Vathek," presided |
at an entertainment at Fonthill in the
of Roman Emperor; while
Boswell, at the time when Gen. Paoli
was his especial hereo appeared .at the
celebrations at Stratford-
on-Avon wearing hat whereon was
Inscribed "Corsican Boswell"
On the other hand the eccentricity
of untidiness prevails in authors dress
as 1t did In the case of Leslie Stephen
who when don at Cambridge might
have been seen running with the
boats wearing a pair OF ancient fan
nels. the seat Of which had been
nended with large patch of red fian-
nel the memento OF a holiday among
he Alps, when piece cut from the
petticoat Of his guides wife had been
ised to conceal sundry dilapidations.
Not few writers have assumed
singular garb while at work. Balzac
lsed to don the dress of a Dominican
monk ere he took pen In hand. Sam
iel Richardson. the author OF "Clar-
ssa Harlowe," could never write save
n laced coat and with a favorite
diamond ring sparkling on his little
inger; Rousseau's working costume
vas court dress: Thomas Moore. the
vt, penned his poems with kidgloved !