by the then celebrated Neil Gow. It was not until 1815 that Lady Jersey
introduced from Paris the favourite quadrille, which has so long remained
popular. I recollect the persons who formed the very first quadrille
that was ever danced at Almack's: they were Lady Jersey, Lady Harriet
Butler, Lady Susan Ryder, and Miss Montgomery; the men being the Count
St. Aldegonde, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Montague, and Charles Standish.
The "mazy waltz" was also brought to us about this time; but there were
comparatively few who at first ventured to whirl round the salons of
Almack's; in course of time Lord Palmerston might, however, have been
seen describing an infinite number of circles with Madame de Lieven.
Baron de Neumann was frequently seen perpetually turning with the Princess
Esterhazy; and, in course of time, the waltzing mania, having turned
the heads of society generally, descended to their feet, and the waltz
was practised in the morning in certain noble mansions in London with
unparalleled assiduity.

The dandies of society were Beau Brummell (of whom I shall have to say
something on another occasion), the Duke of Argyle, the Lords Worcester,
Alvanley, and Foley, Henry Pierrepoint, John Mills, Bradshaw, Henry
de Ros, Charles Standish, Edward Montagu, Hervey Aston, Dan Mackinnon,
George Dawson Damer, Lloyd (commonly known as Rufus Lloyd), and others
who have escaped my memory. They were great frequenters of White's
Club, in St. James's Street, where, in the famous bay window, they mustered
in force.

Drinking and play were more universally indulged in then than at the
present time, and many men still living must remember the couple of
bottles of port at least which accompanied his dinner in those days.
Indeed, female society amongst the upper classes was most notoriously
neglected; except, perhaps, by romantic foreigners, who were the heroes