The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-19
From the Boston Globe.

N1E beau ana the me gentleman
 have been with us since mankind
 A began to wear clothes. and per- haps they antedated that memorable pe- rod, and yet we find ourselves in this utiltarian and most practical age asking the question, "Is the dandy a thing of the dead pasE?'
 In an issue of Punch, in the year 1S45, the following procurement is made:
 we all owe much to our taiors in one sense, many of us in more senses than enc. How shall society repay its tailor?" And 1t is very true that notwithstanding the time-honored saying that worth, and worth only makes the man, the right and might and majesty of the tailor will hold men in subjection. and still mold and compel public opinion.
 The literature of all nations furnishes stories of individuals who have bestowed such extreme care upon personal attire and appearance that they stand out apart from all others as persons of especial note, and 1t Is a noticeable fact that these men in their day and generation created a greater sensation than did the
 
 time.
 And yet, 80 years have elapsed since "Sartor Resartus" was written and Car lyle's ideas of the dandy is not what many understand by the same name to- day. His idea was the ideal beau, whom only two or three men have approached by practice. Of this idea, George Bryan Brummell was the most complete illus tration that ever lived.
 No doubt there are many very good and very sensible persons who think that a man of Beau Brummell's type can well be dispensed with by society in England and Europe, and even free-thinking America, bat the thinking man will be willing to admit that the idlers who make no mark upon their day, and have no influence over their compatriots, can be better spared than that extreme idler who, by his very thoroughness and ex- acting fastidiousness, did society a great service in reforming it's taste, and insti- tuting a system of hygienic laws, which had been too long ignored. To be dandy like Beau Brummel required no mean ability, and no small amount of care
 
 and of study.
 His dictum in the world of fashion was esteemed as the law of the Medes and Persians. No one so lofty as to dis dain it, and to be noticed by him at any social gathering was a passport for the whole nation.
 An experienced chaperon who had brought her daughter to Almack's for the firts time said to her: Do you see that gentleman near the door? He is now talking with Lord Blank"
 Yes. see him." replied the unso- phisticated girl. "Who is he, mamma?" "A person, my dear. who will prob ably come and speak to us, and If he enters into conversation be careful to give him q favorable impression of your self, for" and the anxious mothers voice sank into a whisper, The is the celebrated MT. Brummell." "
 To be cut or ignored by Brummell was as significant as being blackballed; nc man or woman could stand it-it was 8 death warrant as far as social success 1 was concerned. Even after he lost the favor and good will of the first gentle man in Europe. The Regent, ueorge ". society still regarded his word and his at | titude as the supreme authority, and his wit was as much feared as his patronage was sought. In all his bearing it was evi- dent that he possessed that which to any man, in whatever station, is invaluable | self-control and self-possession He al | ways held himself in hand, and no cir constance or contretemps could lesser his hold upon himself.
 ! In this quality lies the secret of power and influence. Of his quarrel with hi: 1 auondam friend, the prince, there ar, | several versions. but in each account the fine quality of self-possession on tn, part of Brummell is undeniable. Thi' fact and one other, which is that h'
 never at any time was fiatterer, wen far in endearng him to the mass of thu people Concerning the imperishable re tort which Brummell made when thu prince was distinctly rude Lord Hough ton declared that it certainly had its win
 dcation.
 Brummell was one of the committee O | the< fete given by the three most fash ilonabe clubs to the allied sovereisas il