himself at the head of society in a country the most
thoroughly aristocratic in Europe, relying too upon no other
weapon than well-directed insolence; for the same individual
to have triumphed splendidly over the highest and the
mightiest--to have maintained a contest with royalty itself,
and to have come off victorious even in that struggle--for
such an one no ordinary faculties must have been demanded. Of
the sayings of Brummel which have been preserved, it is
difficult to distinguish whether they contain real wit, or
are only so sublimely and so absurdly impudent that they look
like witty.

We add here a few anecdotes of Brummel, which will serve to
show, better than any precepts, the style of conduct which a
man of fashion may pursue.

When Brummel was at the height of his power, he was once, in
the company of some gentlemen, speaking of the Prince of
Wales as a very good sort of man, who behaved himself very
decently, _considering circumstances_; some one present
offered a wager that he would not dare to give a direction to
this very good sort of man. Brummel looked astonished at the
remark, and declined accepting a wager upon such point. They
happened to be dining with the regent the next-day, and after
being pretty well fortified. with wine, Brummel interrupted a
remark of the prince's, by exclaiming very mildly and
naturally, "Wales, ring the bell!" His royal highness
immediately obeyed the command, and when the servant entered,
said to him, with the utmost coolness and firmness, "Show Mr.
Brummel to his carriage." The dandy was not in the least