A Scottish Dandy. , Extract from Jаmieson’s Dictionary of the Scottish Language: , “DANDIE, DANDY , A principal person or THING; what is NICE, fine, or possessing supereminence, in whatever way. SC.

They’d gie the hag to dolefu’ care,
And laugh at ilka DANDY.

R. GARROWAY’S Poems.

This word claims a very ancient etymon. 1st. dandi and Sue. Goth. daenne, signify liberal, munificent. Sue. Goth. Dandis-folk. Dandemaen is a title of honour or respect. We hope this etymology will not be lost upon our dandy readers.

In Hindoostanee, Dandy signifies a boatman. Of these people some are Abougines, and others are Lubbas (Lubbers?) of the Mohammedan Sect. Their avocation is laborious, but they are contented. Their dress consists of a piece of a cotton wrapped round the middle.

Modern Dandy. , By some writers, the thing is considered not to be an animal at all, but neither more nor less than a suit of clothes, endowed by some unknown species of magic or mechanism, with habits and faculties analogous in appearance to some of those which belong to animal life. These, it is said, are chiefly confined to a locomotive power, a kind of mock instinct, by which it distinguishes and congregates with its kind, and a faculty of uttering articulate, though unmeaning sounds.

Spanish Dandies. , At the Tertulias or evening parties, the men stand in groups, or walk about the apartment, excepting some decided curutacoé or ladies’ men, (Dandies?) and such as are only in the earlier stages of attendance upon the glance of a peculiar Donna. These lean upon the chairs of the ladies, are sometimes seated by them, and are armed with the fan of their favourites, in the twirling and flirting of which they generally display a feminine dexterity. Let not the possession of this accomplishment excite contempt: for it is highly necessary for a young man in Spanish society, to understand the hidden meaning of the different movements of this organ of female wit; by the use of which the Spanish lady expresses the passions which agitate her mind, whether jealousy, resentment, or pleasure; and by which she encourages or repels the too timid or too enterprising lover; and from the knowledge of their meaning, the power of expressing it, is but a step.

Roman Dandyism. , Tiberius, Emperor of Rome, speaking in the Senate, nearly 1800 years ago, concerning the growth of luxury, said, “How shall we reform the taste for Dress, which, according to he reigning fashion is so exquisitely nice, hat the sexes are scarcely distinguishable?” , Tacitut.

Quoted from: The Literary Panorama and National Register. London: 1819, Vol. 9: 262.