tify Brummel's fullest claims to the title of Beau; and I will only add a few words as to his personal appearance before passing on to the more interesting portion of his life. His figure, as has already been mentioned, was undeniable, but there all his claims to beauty ceased; his face, though pleasing, was not handsome — it was too long, though otherwise well shaped, and his features were ordinary; his complexion and hair were fair, the latter, as well as his whiskers, inclined to sandy; his eyes grey, and in this feature, as well as the mouth, lay his great power of expression.

their eyes. Without any unusual talent, he was still a clever draughtsman; he possessed too some knowledge of music and a good voice, his dancing was perfect, and he was quite an adept in writing vers de société an art then much in vogue. It is passing strange that with so many points in his favour he should never have been able to consolidate his prosperity by a good marriage. His offers were numerous, but they seem never to have been either made or received in earnest; he could not enlist sufficient interest in any affaire de cœur to carry it to a successful termination; he considered it a proper compliment to every woman he admired to make her an offer, but without the slightest wish or expectation of its being accepted. As a sportsman he did not distinguish himself; the exertion was too great, in fact the whole thing bored him; he however kept several hunters, and presented a most ornamental appearance at meets, but was generally found at home again towards luncheon time.

On leaving the 10th Brummel established himself in Chesterfield Street, May Fair. The fortune left him at his father's death, some few years before, now amounted to 30.000l. Being now of age, and perfectly independent, he resolved, with the assistance of this ample sum and a large circle of friends, to devote himself to a life of pleasure. His ménage, though small, was most recherché; its leading characteristic being a good cook. This chef de cuisine Though I have described the Beau in was no bad speculation; the Beau's little most respects as a gentleman, he had one dinners soon became renowned, and were grave defect, that not unfrequently dannot unfrequently honoured by the pres-gerously threatened his reputation in that ence of royalty itself. His style of living at this time was, if luxurious, certainly not extravagant; he gratified, it is true, all his expensive tastes, but was as yet wise enough to keep clear of the ruling passion of the day-high play.

character; I mean his excessive impertinence. He rarely visited it upon those he considered his equals or superiors, but chiefly such persons as presumed, as he thought unworthily, on an intimacy with him. The following anecdote may serve The next ten years of his life were his as an illustration of this fact. Brummel halcyon days, spent as they were in con- had been dining with a young man, who, stant intercourse with the crème de la though very wealthy, was scarcely, as he crème of the fashionable world. The considered, in his world, and before the Prince's patronage had of course given party separated he asked who would take him a footing in this society to which he him to Lady Jersey's that evening. His could never otherwise have attained; but host, who was also invited, proud of the to his own merits alone was due the po- prospect of being seen in such company, sition he subsequently occupied there. eagerly placed his carriage at his disposal. George Brummel, whatever may have "Thank you exceedingly," said the Beau, been his foilies, was always a gentleman," very kind of you indeed. But pray how his tastes were cultivated, and his man- are you to go? You surely would not like ners distinguished by that chivalrous cour- to get up behind? No; that would not be tesy which characterizes what we term "the oid school." That he was far from being the mere brainless fop that some would have us believe, may I think be judged from the esteem in which he was held by many of the literary men and women of his day. Though his reading was not deep it was extensive, so that with a retentive memory and considerable powers of observation, he managed to take, if not a leading, still a prominent part in any conversation that might be started. With women he was an especial favourite; his artistic tastes finding great favour in

right. And yet it will scarcely do for me to be seen in the same carriage with you.” His authority on all social matters at length came to be regarded as unquestionable, and his approbation was earnestly sought for, even by persons of high distinction, moving in his set. "Do you see that gentleman near the door?" asked an experienced chaperone of her daughter, a débutante, making her first appearance at Almack's, "he is now speaking to Lord Yes, I see him,” replied the lighthearted girl. "Who is he?" "A person, my dear, who will probably come and

66

with such society may much of George Brumr excellent conversation: and an elder brothe Eton. Of his scho little to relate. Hi scribe him as a han manly boy, and or friends, but did r himself, either i At Oxford, wher tion, his career leaving the uni ately followed in his life - h One of the m mel had so Eton and C for this pu interview seem tha and coo1 occasion

teen ye ness's I most i

a corr

then

So m

ter

cen

ab

qu

hi

tl

BEAU BRUMMEL

over and was as mortified by it as eve is auther have desired. créévated! Wher&copes of a reconciliation with

the Bere at an end. Bram nel as

Recent sido cultivated the acquaintance of ar How the Dace of York. Between him and the at valir sep. Dess there had long sub-isted a most ate in the well-ered until her death. But dark days Salwars indignant cess at play, for he had of late years be wowder with inte- come an inveterate gambler, was followed

friendship, and one which continued

rng the bell" were

coming for Bruminel. Cousual suc

now that if we hair as disastrous losses. He raised money have asked him to a all directions, but only to be spent in A but with a teard the same way.

Rent too well. I
to the Father

3 frendly feeling ever

beggared.

Ruin stared him in the face, and the only hope left him was timely flight. The night

Asta berneen herself and of the 16th of May, 1816, saw him on his Ave, s'e sumars mistrusted and dis- way across the Channel, and the morning na turn, being jealous of of the 17th found him safely landed at indulged in sarcastic Calais, out of reach of his creditors, who Apense, not even sparing had just discovered his flight, and were etimes in the dashes loudly and vainly bewailing their consewere of quent heavy losses. sur No pains Mrs. Fitzherbert in re

Brummel had a curious way of account

hes to the Prince, and ing for this and all his subsequent misforAss, that after a time she tunes. He used to say that up to a para estrangement between ticular period of his life everything prosF. Rommel's excellent position pered with him, and that he owed this as audacity rendered him good luck to the possession of a certain Rautagonist, as his royal pat- silver sixpence with a hole in it, that had v. on one occasion at least, to been given him years before, with the inThe story connected with junction to take good care of it, as everystance is very well known, and thing would go well with him while he did stautly repeated, but as no ac- so, and the contrary if he happened to lose Rommel would be complete with-it. In an evil hour, he gave it by mistake uot apologize for relating it. to a hackney coachman, when the threatany versions of it, but I have ened ill-luck at once befell him. In vain *hority for thinking the following he advertised his lost treasure. Many sixLed Alvanley, Brummel, Henry Pierre- but the missing one was not among them. A and Sir Harry Mildmay gave a ball

lover Square Rooms, which was lished himself in elegant apartments in the od the Dandlies' Ball, the four gentle- best part of the town, and proceeded to mentioned being members of that surround himself with all those luxuries Upon the Regent's expressing a which the constant habit of years had now wish to be present he received an invita- rendered almost a necessity to him. The had but just taken place. On his entry do this, and for some time his life in exile sto, though the rupture with Brummel generosity of his friends enabled him to

the ball-room, the four donors of differed but little from his previous one. the entertainment stood waiting to receive He at first entered into no society, and it ban. He greeted them all with some words was not until some of his former friends of friendly recognition, with the exception came and established themselves at Calais of Brummel, at whom he stared as if he that he appeared at any of the entertaindi not know who he was of why he was ments given by the English residents. The next few years passed uneventfully, there. Stung to the quick by this public | vanley, immediately their royal guest had bling him to live in a species of magnificent insult, the beau said in a loud tone to Al- the continued kindness of his friends enafriend?" The Prince heard the remark, whatever of his own.

passed on,

Alvanley, who's your fat mendicancy, having absolutely no income

which she was sitting, she wished them good evening, adding, "Now won't you come in and take tea?" "Madam," replied Brummel laconically, "you take medicine, you take a walk, you take a liberty, but you drink tea;" and with a stiff bow he passed on with his friend. Misfortune never seemed weary of pursuing the unfortunate Beau, for scarcely had he held the consulate two years when the English government determined to abolish it. It is said by some that Brummel brought this calamity on himself by declaring that he had nothing to do and that the office was an unnecessary one, but this seems very unlikely, as it was his only possible means of subsistence. The consulship however was abolished, and notwithstanding many promises to the contrary, the poor Beau soon found himself again in an almost destitute condition. Added to this his health was much weakened by a stroke of paralysis by which he was attacked in the winter of 1832.

In September, 1821, the Regent, now George the Fourth, stayed two days at Calais en route for the Continent; but his visit, from which Brummel had hoped much, passed off, as far as he was concerned fruitlessly. The King was well aware of his old associate's whereabouts and distressed circumstances, but it would appear that he had neither forgotten nor forgiven the past, for Brummel received no indication that he might visit him, and, uninvited he could not, much as he might have desired it, presume on such a step. An accidental rencontre, however, could not be avoided. As the Beau was returning from his usual walk he came suddenly upon the King's carriage making its way to the hoThe great crowd rendered any retreat impossible, and he was obliged to wait with the rest until it had passed. In those few seconds his Majesty saw and recognized him, and exclaimed in a loud voice, "Good God, Brummel!" The latter, pale as death, crossed the street and entered his lodgings. They never met Through the kindness of his numerous again. friends, both English and French, at Caen, The remaining years of Brummel's so- he received every attention during his illjourn at Calais were rendered most uncom-ness, and ultimately recovered, but only to fortable by constant pressing need for meet fresh calamities. A small portion of money. Since he had abandoned all hopes the sum he had borrowed to enable him to of returning to England, he had been endeavouring to obtain some small official appointment in France sufficient to keep him from want, but for some time without

tel.

success.

At length, however, after many difficulties and disappointments, he received the offer of the consulship at Caen, with a salary of about £400 a year. But even this did not prove of much assistance to him; for to be able to leave Calais, where he was deeply in debt, he was forced to borrow so large a sum of money that a considerable portion of his yearly salary would have to be expended for some time to come in defraying it. Both French and English residents at Caen received him most cordially; for in spite of his altered fortunes his former fame rendered him an object of great interest. The Beau seems to have entered very readily into their plans for his entertainment, and dined with every one who invited him, a good dinner being an object of as much importance to him as formerly and much less easy of attainment. Still those who unceremoniously intruded themselves on his notice, and they were not a few, he studiously avoided. One lady in particular suffered severely at his hands for a similar indiscretion. Perceiving the Beau and a friend walking down the street past the open window at VOL. XXV. 1197

LIVING AGE.

leave Calais had been defrayed by his first two years' income as consul, but the remainder, a large amount, it was now entirely out of his power to repay. His creditors, being aware of this fact, pressed him for the money, and at length, with the view of extorting it from his powerful friends in England, suffered the law to take its fuil course upon him. The poor Beau was rudely aroused from his slumbers one morning by the grasp of a captain of gendarmes, and shortly afterwards conducted to prison. One of his English friends at Caen at once proceeded to England to represent his deplorable situation to his former friends there, and owing to their generous liberality the debt in a short time was paid and Brummel released; but the three months' captivity he had endured and the enforced contact with all that was most painful to his refined tastes and habits proved a shock from which he never recovered. He had not long regained liberty before he was attacked by a second paralytic seizure of a much more serious character than the former, and from which he only partially rallied; his reason gradually became impaired and it was soon found necessary for him to be constantly attended. I will not dwell on the distressing details of this period; suffice it to say that, after a while, his state became so pre

speak to us; and if he enters into conver- and was as much mortified by it as even sation, be careful to give him a favourable its author could have desired. impression of you, for he is the celebrated Mr. Brummel."

66

which she was sitting, she wished them good evening, adding, "Now won't you come in and take tea?" Madam," replied Brummel laconically, "you take medicine, you take a walk, you take a liberty, but you drink tea;" and with a stiff bow he passed on with his friend. Misfortune never seemed weary of pursuing the unfortunate Beau, for scarcely had he held the consulate two years when the English government determined to abolish it. It is said by some that Brummel brought this calamity on himself by declaring that he had nothing to do and that the office was an unnecessary one, but this seems very unlikely, as it was his only possible means of subsistence. The consulship however was abolished, and notwithstanding many promises to the contrary, the poor Beau soon found himself again in an almost destitute condition. Added to this his health was much weakened by a stroke of paralysis by which he was attacked in the win

In September, 1821, the Regent, now George the Fourth, stayed two days at Calais en route for the Continent; but his visit, from which Brummel had hoped much, passed off, as far as he was concerned fruitlessly. The King was well aware of his old associate's whereabouts and distressed circumstances, but it would appear that he had neither forgotten nor forgiven the past, for Brummel received no indication that he might visit him, and, uninvited he could not, much as he might have desired it, presume on such a step. An accidental rencontre, however, could not be avoided. As the Beau was returning from his usual walk he came suddenly upon the King's carriage making its way to the hoThe great crowd rendered any retreat impossible, and he was obliged to wait with the rest until it had passed. In those few seconds his Majesty saw and recognized him, and exclaimed in a loud voice, "Good God, Brummel!" The latter, pale as death, crossed the street and en-ter of 1832. tered his lodgings. They never met again.

tel.

The remaining years of Brummel's sojourn at Calais were rendered most uncomfortable by constant pressing need for money. Since he had abandoned all hopes of returning to England, he had been endeavouring to obtain some small official appointment in France sufficient to keep him from want, but for some time without

success.

Through the kindness of his numerous friends, both English and French, at Caen, he received every attention during his illness, and ultimately recovered, but only to meet fresh calamities. A small portion of the sum he had borrowed to enable him to leave Calais had been defrayed by his first two years' income as consul, but the remainder, a large amount, it was now entirely out of his power to repay. His creditors, being aware of this fact, pressed At length, however, after many difficul- him for the money, and at length, with the ties and disappointments, he received the view of extorting it from his powerful offer of the consulship at Caen, with a sal- friends in England, suffered the law to take ary of about £400 a year. But even this its fuil course upon him. The poor Beau did not prove of much assistance to him; was rudely aroused from his slumbers one for to be able to leave Calais, where he morning by the grasp of a captain of genwas deeply in debt, he was forced to bor- darmes, and shortly afterwards conducted row so large a sum of money that a consid- to prison. One of his English friends at erable portion of his yearly salary would Caen at once proceeded to England to rephave to be expended for some time to resent his deplorable situation to his come in defraying it. Both French and former friends there, and owing to their English residents at Caen received him generous liberality the debt in a short most cordially; for in spite of his altered time was paid and Brummel released; but fortunes his former fame rendered him an the three months' captivity he had enobject of great interest. The Beau seems dured and the enforced contact with all to have entered very readily into their that was most painful to his refined tastes plans for his entertainment, and dined with and habits proved a shock from which he every one who invited him, a good dinner never recovered. He had not long regained being an object of as much importance to liberty before he was attacked by a second him as formerly and much less easy of at- paralytic seizure of a much more serious tainment. Still those who unceremonious- character than the former, and from which ly intruded themselves on his notice, and he only partially rallied; his reason gradthey were not a few, he studiously avoided. ually became impaired and it was soon One lady in particular suffered severely at found necessary for him to be constantly his hands for a similar indiscretion. Per- attended. I will not dwell on the distressceiving the Beau and a friend walking ing details of this period; suffice it to say down the street past the open window at that, after a while, his state became so pre

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VOL. XXV.

1197