Louis XV., was put to a horrible death in Paris, Selwyn went over there and posted himself close to the platform. Being repulsed by the executioner, he told the man that he had journeyed from London solely to be present at the death of Damien, whereupon-and probably, though we are not told so, on the presentation of a handsome douceur-the man caused the people to give way to Selwyn, saying: "Faites place pour monsieur, c'est un Anglois, et un amateur." Another story runs that he went upon the platform as an English executioner.

Some one of the same name as Charles James Fox having been hanged at Tyburn, Fox asked Selwyn if he had been there. "No," replied Selwyn, "I never go to rehearsals "a reply which must have raised the envy of many lesser wits.

Selwyn made a joke at any one's expense, and at every opportunity. Fox was once speaking of the successful peace he had made with France, saying he had persuaded that country to give up the gum trade to England. "That I am not surprised at, Charles," replied Selwyn, for, having drawn your teeth, they would be damned fools to trouble about your gums.

When a subscription was proposed for the benefit of Fox, some one observed that it was a matter of some delicacy, and wondered how Fox would take it. "Take it?" exclaimed Selwyn; "why, quarterly to be sure !"

Republican principles were all the rage in London during the Revolution, and on a May-day Selwyn and Fox met the chimney-sweepers decked out in all their gaudy finery. "I say, Charles," said Selwyn, "I have often heard you and others talk of the majesty of the people, but until now I have never seen the young princes and princesses."

When Charles Fox lodged with a congenial spirit at

5

GEORGE SELWYN, THE HONOURABLE RICHARD EDGCUMBE, AND "GILLY Painted by Reynolds for Horace Walpole

Fans for the Beaux

167

Mackay's, an oilman in Piccadilly, some one remarked that the two, with their dissipation, would ruin poor Mackay. "Oh no," said Selwyn, "they will make his fortune, for he will have the credit of having the finest pickles in London in his place."

Selwyn was a great gambler, and kept the bank at Brooks's, but it is said that later he overcame his liking for play, because it was "too great a consumer of time, health, fortune, and thinking.' Thus he was able to die in affluence, a circumstance enjoyed by very few gamblers of the eighteenth century.

Little is known to-day of Gilly Williams but that he was the son of a celebrated lawyer and uncle by marriage to Lord North, and was a close friend of Walpole's. He is said to have been the gayest among the gay and wittiest among the witty, and he was certainly very interested in his clothes. It is amusing in reading the letters addressed to Selwyn when in Paris in 1766 and 1767, to find how often clothes were the subject of the pen. Gilly Williams, the Earl of March, and the Hon. Henry St. John were great upon this subject.

"Vernon writes that you would send him a velvet, something of this pattern, for a coat, waistcoat and breeches," writes the Earl of March. In another letter he asks for two or three bottles of perfume o put amongst powder, but nothing which smells of musk or amber; he also desires some patterns of spring velvets and silks for furs, and asks that inquiries should be made at Calais about his coat lined with astrakan. Then, Lady Townsend has sent me a fan for you, which I will send you by the first opportunity if I don't bring it myself." And ten days later he writes: "I have two fans for you from Lady Townsend, which you shall have by the first opportunity."

The Earl of March, who was later known as the wicked Lord Queensberry, was a Macaroni in his own right; he took great respect for his clothes, fell in love when inclined, and played desperately. He writes, in 1766: "I wish I had set out immediately after Newmarket, which I believe I should have done if I had not taken a violent fancy for one of the opera girls" (Mlle. Zamperini). "This passion is a little abated, and I hope it will be quite so before you come over, else I fear it will interrupt our society." He writes again a little later: "I want a dozen pair of silk stockings for the Zamperini, of a very small size, and with embroidered clocks. I should also be glad to have some riband, a cap or something or other for her of that sort. She is but fifteen. You may advise with Lady Rochford, who will choose something that will be fit for her, and that she will like."

We wonder if any lady nowadays would choose gifts abroad for any Zamperini.

On the question of fans, which were much used by the Beaux-or Macaronis, as for a time they were called -the Earl wrote in December 1766: "She" (Lady Townsend) "sent me two when she thought I was going to Paris, but she was in great haste to get them back again. I believe she was afraid they might be seized upon by some of the opera people if they remained in my house." George Selwyn did not get the fans sent to him for some weeks, but they grew from one to two, and from two to four, being at last carried out by Lord Fitzwilliam, with a promise of three more to come through another friend. A dozen pairs of gloves, lined with a kind of wash-leather, the tops lined inside with silk, are also requested by Earl March.

The constant cry of Gilly Williams was for velvet.