"
Brummell's position withstood the loss of the Regent's friendship. He
became one of the most frequent visitors to the Duke and Duchess of
York, at Oatlands Park ('Journal of T. Raikes', vol. i. p. 146); and his
friendship with the duchess lasted till her death.
He was ruined by gambling at Watier's Club, of which he was perpetual
president. This club, which was in Piccadilly, at the corner of Bolton
Street, was originally founded, in 1807, by Lord Headfort, John Madocks,
and other young men, for musical gatherings. But glees and snatches soon
gave way to superlative dinners and gambling at macao. Byron, Moore, and
William Spencer belonged to Watier's--the only men of letters admitted
within its precincts. From 1814 to 1816 Brummell lost heavily; he could
obtain no further supplies, and was completely ruined. In his distress
he wrote to Scrope Davies, in May, 1816:
"MY DEAR SCROPE,--Lend me two hundred pounds; the banks are shut, and
all my money is in the three per cents. It shall be repaid to-morrow
morning.
Yours,
GEORGE BRUMMELL."
The reply illustrates Byron's remark that
"Scrope Davies is a wit, and a man of the world, and feels as much as
such a character can do."
"MY DEAR GEORGE,--'Tis very unfortunate, but all my money is in the
three per cents.
Yours,
S. DAVIES."
On May 17,
"obliged," says Byron ('Detached Thoughts'), "by that affair of
poor Meyler, who thence acquired the name of 'Dick the
Dandykiller'--(it was about money and debt and all that)--to retire to
France,"
Brummell took flight to Dover, and crossed to Calais.
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