CHAPTER XXIV. Brummell's Lodgings in the Rue Royale-His Good-natured Landlord— M. Leleux's Regard for Him-Proofs of it-Brummell's Effects Sold by Auction in London-Copy of Mr. Christie's Bill of Sale-The Snuff-box that was Destined for the Regent-Brummell Furnishes his Rooms-His Passion for Buhl Furniture—Ridiculous Extravagance in the Indulgence of it-His Sèvres China-Napoleon Paper Weight-The Beau's Conundrum Snuff-box. M. LELEUX's house, originally the old Hotel d'Angleterre, is on the right-hand side of the street, and but a few yards from the Hotel de Ville: the two oval frames that are still seen over what in former days was the gateway, once encircled portraits of George the Second and his Queen; but these bas reliefs were destroyed by the rioters during the popular outbreaks of the Revolution. Half-a-dozen doors farther on, is a shop which has for its sign "Au Pauvre Diable," not an inappropriate one in the town of Calais. Pressing down the latch of M. Leleux's door, the noise of which was the signal for opening another at the extremity of the shop, I stood in the presence of the best bookseller in Calais, and one of its most goodnatured-looking citizens. His cap, with that old snipebill-looking peak so commonly seen in France, and my best André, were immediately raised; and to my request that he would assist me in gleaning some intelligence of the deceased Beau, he acceded with ready politeness, and with a frank and soldier-like bearing that I certainly thought smacked not of the Garde Nationale. In my further intercourse with him I found that my surmise was correct: it had been acquired in the tent of Miranda, during the wars of the South American republics, for M. Leleux was secretary to that celebrated man. His countenance lighted up as he spoke of his old lodger; and, having opened the trenches of conversation, by taking a large pinch of snuff, he commenced a kind of recitative of his sayings and doings, which unfortunately amounted to very little in the end. "Ah, mon cher Monsieur," said the old militaire, "je n'ai aucun documens de lui. Je pourrais cependant vous fournir quelques petits détails, et cela volontiers. D'abord, c'est moi qui l'avait bien connu, car quatorze ans il a demeuré dans cette maison, et je vous ferai voir son appartement; and we ascended the staircase together to the first floor. "This, sir," observed M. Leleux, in very good English, but with a slight accent, "was his drawingroom, and this one adjoining, his dining-room; you see they are front rooms; his dormitory was on the other side of the passage. After he had resided with me about five years, I allowed him to have the rooms a little to the left of these; they are approached by a different staircase: that suite consisted of a dining VOL. I. X room on the ground-floor, and a drawing-room over it, and a handsome bedroom at the back. It was at this time Mr. Brummell's ambition to obtain the office of consul at Calais, and the gentleman who held it being then in very bad health, made him rather sanguine on the point. The expectation, however, was never fulfilled, for he is still living, and likely to live; but being won over by my locataire's persuasive manner, I permitted him to decorate his rooms in his own way; and though he did it very well, I can assure you I was not much the richer for the money he laid out. Mais, Monsieur, le pauvre homme était si amusant, si amusant, qu'on ne pouvait rien lui refuser. Sir, I would have kept him for nothing if he would have stayed: ah! he certainly was a very droll fellow." Our conversation here terminated, and I took my leave; but on a subsequent visit the old gentleman showed me over the rooms already alluded to. They must have been very comfortable: but the black and white marble pavement of the private entrance, which Brummell laid down, and the rich crimson paper of the dining-room, are all that remain as evidence of his acknowledged taste and extravagance. I must now "hark back to his burst from London," when, in the words of Pope, he bid farewell to the "dear d-d distracting town," and left the box of Lady with a joke more than usually satirical. The dogs of the law were quickly on the scent; but they no sooner reached Dover than they dropped their tails discouraged, for Reynard, instead of running to earth, had taken the water, and not a hope remained of their catching him. On his arrival at Calais, he took up his temporary abode at Dessin's hotel, then in the hands of Quillacq, to whom he sold his carriage: he remained there a short time, and afterwards hired a set of rooms belonging to the same proprietor. When Brummell left London, he was living at No. 13 Chapel Street, Park Lane, to which house he had removed from Chesterfield Street some time before; it belonged to Mr. Hart, the Duke of Gloucester's steward. The change appears to have been much for the worse, a mews gracing one side of the house; his tradesmen also began to whisper that he was getting shaky, and would not pay much longer. By the dinner-service and glass that were disposed of after he left Chapel Street, it seems that he occasionally entertained his friends in his new residence, though he had discarded his cook on quitting Chesterfield Street. He did not ever replace him, and found, no doubt, that other people's viands were much cheaper than his own, and quite as good; when by any accident he was thrown upon his own resources, he managed to content himself with the best repast Mr. Brookes could provide ;— "Liberal Brookes, whose speculative skill Was hasty credit and a distant bill." A few days after his flight, his furniture and effects were sold at public auction by Mr. Christie; the following is a copy of the first page of the book of sale : A Catalogue A very choice and valuable assemblage of Specimens of the rare old Sèvres Porcelaine, Library of Books, Chiefly of French, Italian and English Literature, the best Editions, and in fine condition. The admired Drawing of the Refractory School Boy, and others, Three capital double-barrelled Fowling Pieces, Ten dozen of capital Old Port, sixteen dozen of Claret Also, an Assortment of Table and other Linen, and some Articles of neat Furniture ; The genuine property of A MAN OF FASHION, Gone to the Continent; Which, By order of the Sheriff of Middlesex! Will be Sold by Auction By Mr. Christie, On the Premises, No. 13 Chapel Street, Park Lane, Amongst the articles of Brummell's furniture, were a mahogany-framed sliding cheval dressing glass on castors, with two brass arms for one light each, a |