THE STAR OF PICCADILLY.' 



Any one strolling down Piccadilly on a fine morning ,in spring 

 or summer during the first decade of the present century could 

 not have failed to have his attention attracted to a figure seated 

 on the balcony of a noble mansion overlooking the Green Park, 

 It was the figure of an antiquated beau, well enough preserved, 

 however, to look some years younger than his actual age. He 

 was dressed in a blue coat and yellow breeches, and wore on his 

 head a curious little brown chip hat lined with green. Seated 

 there in his cane chair, he was too conspicuous an object to 

 escape the notice of even the most unobservant. And a very 

 brief contemplation of this singular figure let the observer into 

 the secret of his motive in thus publicly displaying himself No 

 petticoat, whatever its size or condition, came within the range 

 of this old beau's vision without being immediately honoured 

 with a scrutiny from his ogling-glass. He was more than eighty 

 years of age, but his devotion to the fair sex was- as strong as 

 when he had passed not a fourth of that period. Had you been 

 a stranger in town, and asked who this gay old Lothario was, 

 your question would probably have elicited a look of surprise, 

 and the ejaculation, 'What, not know "Old Q. !"' Having con- 

 fessed your ignorance, you would have been informed that this 

 was no less a personage than the notorious William, fourth Duke 

 of Oueensberry, whose sporting and amatory exploits were the 

 talk of two generations of men about town. Your informant 

 would probably have gone on to tell you that the ruddy look 

 which ' Old Q.'s' face even then wore was due to the practice of 

 having a thin slice of raw veal placed every night upon each 

 of his cheeks before retiring to rest. You would also have heard 

 that every morning, as soon as he rose, this evergreen old votary 

 of pleasure immersed himself in a milk bath ; that every evening, 

 about five, he drove his single-horse chaise down to Richmond, 

 and there enjoyed orgies of a peculiar character with certain 

 gay lady and gentlemen friends, whose amusements were not 



