Mr. Villers

• Posted by mgr on December 8th, 2007 filed in Zeitdokumente
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Mr. Villers had equipped himself in the most ridiculous and conceited manner possible.

The said Mr. Squib equipped him for Rosabella’s soirée, in a pair of broad-ribbed, yellow silk small-clothes, with gold bell-buttons; silk embroidered stockings, immodestly transparent; a pale pink satin waistcoat, under a white one of gros de Naples; a coat, made quite tight, of such a very light shade of purple, that it was scarcely purple at all; his hair oiled, and twisted into various ringlets; but separated, on the forehead, à la Madonna; and, to complete this charming costume, he wore three large diamond rings, a variety of gay seals, a gold chain, of curious workmanship; and the pin, which fastened his embroidered French cambric shirt, was headed with a fair lady’s miniature set with brilliants!

Villers was an eccentric young man; of such versatile talents that he could be any thing he pleased.
Above all, he shone at masquerades. In whatever character he appeared, he was sure to be the best mask in the room.

He knew well that he possessed the sort of talents which charm women out of their better judgement, and, with that refinement of vanity which is natural enough to a spoiled man, he determined to find a woman who, despising all besides, should appreciate his talents, and love him only for himself, good, bad, or indifferent, such as he really was.

His natural character was the most manly, and furthest removed from a coxcomb, of any which could well be imagined; yet the effeminate arrangement of his luxurious, auburn hair, un peu à la madonna, was exactly that which set off the greek contour of his fine countenance to the best advantage.

(…) Mr. So-so interrupted them, at this moment, exlaiming,
Did you ever, in all your born-days, see such a double-distilled, exquisite, superlatively refined dandy, as that young Villers?

He is, undoubtedly, rich, voila le principal, and, I know, he possesses a valuable West India property. I believe Villers to be somewhat of a bon vivant, possessing great talents, without being the least ambitious to shine in any thing; but the women will tell you that every word and attitude are studied to charm them, while he has not the slightest intention of returning their passion. In short, he has the character of a male coquet, among the ladies here, and I never saw a man dress in a more outré style of fashion, in my life.

From: Harriette Wilson: Paris Lions and London Tigers. (1825)

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