The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-07
LITERARY
Disraeiis Gorgeous Clothes-stcvensOn's
Queer Getup.

Dtsrncub bOEkCUu1 y
Queer Getup.
Lord Lytton and Dickens prided them
selves on being literary dandies. but in the
matter Of clothes their light paled before
that OF Disraeli. in the days when the novel;
list was paramount to the politician. says
the London Tit Rits. A black velvet coat
lined with satin, purple trousers with a gold
band running down the seam, a scarlet
waistcoat with elegant lace rufies OF such
a length as to cover his hands, and white
gloves. the outside Of which were decorated
with a number Of valuable rings, were.
with the addition Of a PROPULSION OF gold
chains that meandered about his person,
his not ~infrequent attire.
S~tevenson's getup is thus described
by a fellow member OF the Savile Club:
He wore a black flannel shirt. with a Curl
GUS knitted tie twisted in a knot; he had
Wellington boots rather 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 a fancy brooch. which also held
together a bunch Of dahodils."
The dress OF Gerard de Nerval. the French
DOote WAS vi OuC otNdBtOh al hDoots vi hCNB
ing with the lobster which he was wont
TO lead abroad OF a gayly colored ribbon.
Trousers. coat and waistooat 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 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
several pebble brooches. To complete his
marine garb he carried in his right hand a
Neptune's trident.
Dumas the elder was certainly loud in
the matter Of personal adornment- He was
not infrequently seen abroad In a Uniform
pIentifully besprinkled with medallic deco
rations OF his own design. while he once at
tended an Ambassadors reception wearing
a shirt covered with red demons careering
about in little red flames. On another oc-
casTon he presented himself at a bal masqu4
ia 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 GRIM
son and gold on one occasion adjoining his
sturdy person; Paul bourget in ms youth
wore green trousers; Monk" Lewis amused
his friends by appearing in the streets in
the guise Of a Venetian bravo; Bedford,
the author OF -Vathek, v presided at an en-
tertainment at Fonthill in the costume OF a
Roman Emperor; while Boswell, at the time
when Gen. Paoli was his especial hero. APP
peared at the Shakespeare celebrations at
Stratford-on-Avon wearing a hat whereon
was inscribed "Corsican Boswell"
On the other hand the eccentricity Of
untidiness prevails in authors dress. as
II did in the case OF Leslie Stephen, who
whena don at Cambridge might have been
seen running with the boats wearing a pair
Of ancient ~fannels. the seat OF which had
been mended with a large patch Of red
flannel. the memento OF a holiday among
the Alps. when a piece out from the petit
coat OF his guides wife had been used to
conceal sundry adaptations.
No a few writer's have assumed singular
garb while at work. Balzac used to don
the dress of a Dominican monk ere he took
pen in hand; Samuel Richardson, the author
Of -Clariss ga Harlowe." could never write
save in a laced coal and with a favorite dia-
mond ring sparkling on his little finger;
Rousssau's working costume was a court
dress; Thomas Moore. the poet, penned his
poems with kidgloved hands; and Button,
the eminent French naturalist, dressed
himself as a dandy previous to sitting down
to his desk.