. The reminiscences and recollections of Captain Gronow, being anecdotes of the camp, court, clubs and society, 1810-1860. ariably new-looking hatand well-polished boots. His only exercise andusual walk was from Whites to Crockfords, andfrom Crockfords to Whites. Who in this ponderous old man would have re-cognised the gallant youth who, as Ensign in theGuards, led on his men with incredible energy andactivity across the ravine at Talavera ; where, if thegreat Duke had not sent the 48th Eegiment to theirassistance, very little more would have been heardof King Allen and his merry men % But one
. The reminiscences and recollections of Captain Gronow, being anecdotes of the camp, court, clubs and society, 1810-1860. ariably new-looking hatand well-polished boots. His only exercise andusual walk was from Whites to Crockfords, andfrom Crockfords to Whites. Who in this ponderous old man would have re-cognised the gallant youth who, as Ensign in theGuards, led on his men with incredible energy andactivity across the ravine at Talavera ; where, if thegreat Duke had not sent the 48th Eegiment to theirassistance, very little more would have been heardof King Allen and his merry men % But one ofthe most famous dandies of his day was not fatedthus to perish ; and he was preserved for thirty yearsafter the great battle, to swagger down Bond Streetor lounge on the sunny side of Pall Mall, to becomean arbiter elegantiarum amongst the tailors, and aMaecenas at the opera and play. To render the King perfectly happy, one littleitem was wanting—money. His estates, if he everhad any, had long passed from him, and he hadmuch difficulty in making the two ends , for economys sake, he was obliged to retire. CO us <n uoz< Io COCO lu aaoo w II- CO UJ KING ALLEN. 87 for a short time to Dublin, he had a very large doorin Merrion Square, with an almost equally largebrass plate, on which his name was engraved inletters of vast size ; but it was very much doubtedwhether there was any house behind it. He wasa great diner out; and one spiteful old lad)*,whom he had irritated by some uncivil remarks,told him that his title was as good as board wagesto him. Strange to say, this rnauvais svjet was a greatfriend of the late Sir Eobert Peel, when Chief Secre-tary for Ireland ; and on one occasion, when theywere proceeding in an open carriage to dine witha friend a few miles from Dublin, in passingthrough a village, they had the misfortune todrive over the oldest inhabitant, an ancient bel-dam, who was generally stationed on the large mob gathered round the carriage
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublisherlondo, bookyear1900
