To the editor of the Times

• Posted by mgr on July 15th, 2007 filed in HISTORISCHES, Zeitdokumente
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The Times. Friday, February 07, 1823, pg. 3, Issue 11789, column E

To the editor of the Times.

Sir, - I am astonished at the very unfeeling manner in which some of your correspondents have spoken of that delightful and fascinating class of beings who have so lately appeared above the horizon of the fashionable world, who so eminently grace the present era, and shed such exquisite lustre over the brilliant circle of polished society. Had your correspondents been initiated into the secrets of Dandyism, they would not have displayed such ignorance of the etymology of the title “Dandy,” and given far-fetched interpretations of it. However, out of compassion to them, I will so far condescend as to inform them, that the term “A Dandy” is formed by a combination of the initial letters of A dear, amorous, nice, delicate youth; - such at least is the one whom I flatter myself I have the felicity to number among the most favoured of my admirers; and in the explanation I give you, I am confident that I speak the sense of my lover, who fully answers the definition; and whose refined taste, allow me to say, has been highly shocked by the malicious, though I trust, futile, attempts which your correspondents have made to lessen the respect associated with the name of “Dandy” in the public estimation.
I hope, Sir, that your sense of justice will induce you to insert my favour, in order to obviate the prejudice which you may have excited in some illiberal minds against a harmless sect as yet in its infancy, and which, if not encouraged by the forbearance of your sex, and the smiles of ours, will, it is to be feared, ere long retire from a scene where it met with so ungrateful a reception, and leave us as vulgar in our attire, and as uncouth in our manners, as we were ten years ago, when I was a little girl. At any rate, if we do not encourage Dandyism, we must be content to continue mere honest, plain-dealing John Bulls, but can never hope to rival our fascinating neighbours in France, who, whatever respect they may entertain for our integrity, sincerity, and all that, will nevertheless laugh at us for our antiquated manners and semi-barbarous notions of politeness. I am, Sir, yours, &c.
Shoreditch, Feb. 3. A DANDIZETTE

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