Of the rank multitude, whose thicken’d breath
(Like to condensed fogs) do choke that beauty
Which else would dwell in every kingdom’s cheek.
No: I still boldly stepp’d into kings’ courts,
For there to live is rare.”
Decker’s Fortunatus.
The distinction of Nash was his impertinence; the characteristic of Orlando the Fair, his affectation. To make a third, Jove joined the other two; and George Bryan Brummell was, as the elder Mr. Weller says, “the consikence of the manœuvre.” Had he only possessed intellect rightly directed, and even an infinitesimal degree of principle, he might have achieved a better reputation. The Greek sage who declared that man needed but three things whereby to prosper,—first, impudence; second, impudence; third, impudence,—rather overrated his ἀυαδεια. It is true that a modest man runs great risk of being overwhelmed in this mortal “passage of the Beresina,” but he usually has principle to float him; whereas the knave who swims or struggles near him, be he never so impudent, ultimately exhibits an alacrity in sinking. It is in the immortal fitness of things that it should be so ordained.
I think Brummell must have been a descendant of the little tailor who is said by another tailor, Stow, to have whined himself to death for the love of Queen Elizabeth. I mean him of whom Lord Charles Cavendish wrote:—
“I would not willingly