The Press., 1907-10-30
LITERARY DANDiEs.
OlsraeIi's Gorgeous CIothes-Steven-
sons Queer Get-up.

Olsraeii's Gorgeous CIothes-Steven-
sons Queer Get-up.
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 paramount
to the politician, says the London Tit
Bits. A black velvet coat lined with
satin, purple trousers with gold band
running down the seam, scarlet waist
coat with elegant lace rufdes Of such
length as to cover his hands, and white
gloves, the outside of which were deco
rated with number Of valuable rings,
were, with the addition of q profusion
of gold chains that meandered about
his person, his not infrequent attire.
Stevenson's get-up is thus described
by fellow member of the Savile club:
"He wore a black flannel shirt, with
curious knitted tie twisted in a knot;
he had Wellington BOOTS, rather tight
dark trousers, a pea jacket and a white
Sombrero hat. But the most astonish-
ing item Of all in his costume was
Iady's sealskin cape, which he wore
about his shoulders, fastened at the
neck by a fancy brooch, which also
held together a bunch of daffodils."
The dress of Gerard de Nerval the
least, In keeping with the lobster which
he was wont to lead abroad on gayly
colored ribbon. Trousers, coat and
waistcoat were of green satin, each,
however, Of a different hue, to repre-
sent the varied colors Of the sea under
diverse conditions. His hat was
adorned with long strands of seaweed,
while around his neck he wore a string
Of coral beads. The buttons of 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 a Neptune's trident. go.
Dumas the elder was certainly loud"
In the matter of personal adornment.
He was not infrequently seen abroad
In a uniform plentifully besprinkled
with medallic decorations Of his own
design, while he once attended an ana
bassador's reception wearing a shirt
| covered with red demons careering
about in little red flames.
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 trou-
sers. Monk Lewis amused his friends
by appearing in the streets in the guise
of a Venetian bravo. Beckford, the
author of 'Vathek," presided at an en-
tertainment at Fonthill in the costume
of a Roman emperor, while Boswell,
at the time when General Paoli was his
especial hero, appeared at the Shake
speare celebrations at Stratford-on-
Avon wearing a hat whereOn was in
| scribed "Corsican Boswell.
On the other hand, the eccentricity Of
| untidiness prevails in authors dress,
as it 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 fiannels, the
seat Of which had been mended with
large patch of red flannel, the me-
mento of a holiday among the Alps,
when piece cut from the petticoat
of his guides wife had been used to
conceal sundry adaptations.
Not a few writer's have assumed sim
gular garb while at work. Balzac used
to don the dress of Dominican monk
ere he took pen in hand Samuel Rich
ardson, the author of "Clarissa Har-
love-" could never write save in a
laced coat and with favorite diamond
ring sparkling on his little finger.
Rousseau's working costume was a
court dress. Thomas Moore, the poet,
penned his poems with kid gloved
hands, and Button, the eminent French
naturalist, dressed himself as dandy
previous to. sitting down to his desk.