There were also present, Lords Jersey, Alvanley, Willoughby d'Eresby, and Charles Manners; who, as well as Lord Robert, was with Brummell in the Tenth. A few commoners were likewise there; namely, Richard Norman, the Duke of Rutland's brother-in-law, Culling Smith, Sloane Stanley, General Grosvenor, and General Upton.

CHAPTER VII.

Brummell's Influence in Society—Proofs of it—The young Débutante at Almack's-The Hogshead of Martinique—Brummell's Assurance— Mr. Lister's Elucidation of that Subject—Mrs. Johnson Thompson— Brummell and Wyndham-The Dinner at Mr. R.'s, and the Ride to Lady Jersey's-The Horrid Discovery-The Double Distress.

BRUMMELL'S intimacy with the Prince of Wales, and also with so many families of distinction, in addition to his social qualifications and perfect manners, soon made him sought and courted in society, and he was at length the vogue-no party was complete without him; and the morning papers, in giving the details of a rout, always placed his name first on the list of untitled guests. But his ambition was, not only to shine in the fashionable world, but to be its dictator, and, to effect this object, he saw that he must be formidable; like Sylla, he must be feared. A quick perception of the folly and gullibility of many of its members, enabled him to shape his course accordingly; and, being fully aware of the power of ridicule, and not inconvenienced by any undue proportion of feeling for the crowd, he used it freely. His disposition to satirise was, no doubt, unamiable; but there was an essential difference between exercising his sarcastic

vein upon people who were perfectly indifferent to him, and making an ill-natured use of it in private circles. In cutting up individuals with whom he had no feelings in common, which was pretty often the case, he did no more than hundreds of others; but, having a most perfect tact in all matters appertaining to mien and conduct in society, he made the witty, satirical, and cynical points of his character tell with much more effect than they did theirs.

How well he eventually succeeded in making his opinion valued or dreaded, the following anecdote will give an idea. "Do you see that gentleman near the door?" said an experienced chaperon to her daughter, whom she had brought, for the first time, into the arena of Almacks, "he is now speaking to Lord "Yes, I see him," replied the light-hearted, and as yet unsophisticated girl; "who is he?" "A person, my dear, who will probably come and speak to us; and if he enters into conversation, be careful to give him a favourable impression of you, for," and she sunk her voice to a whisper, "he is the celebrated Mr. Brummell."

This is no fiction; the young Lady Louisa was the daughter of a duke, and her rank, wealth, and personal attractions might well have been thought sufficient to secure her against the criticisms of any man. This doubtless was her mother's opinion; but such was Brummell's influence, and such his supposed ill-nature in the use of his powers of detraction, that she was obliged to warn her young débutante not