Beau Edgeworth lives only in the record of Steele, in the 246th number of the Tatler, as a “very handsome youth who frequented the coffeehouses about Charing-Cross, and wore a very pretty ribbon with a cross of jewels on his breast.”

Source: BLACKWOOD’S EDINBURGH MAGAZINE. No CCCXLIV. JUNE, 1844. VOL. LV.

_______

TALBOT EDGEWORTH,

the son of Ambrose, bred in the same school, exceeded the father in a great degree. Though educated as a gentleman, he never thought of any thing else but fine clothes, splendid equipages, and exciting as he thought, universal admiration. To be called “Beau Edgeworth,” was the top of his ambition. In these pursuits he expended his whole income; and to do him justice, he had a person that shewed off dress to great advantage, being an exceedingly handsome well-shaped man. He began very early in life to become a meteor in the world of fashion by giving breakfasts, balls, &c. in a style superior to any other man, and this he contrived to do for a great number of years.

Amongst other extravagancies of temper, he bethought himself of one well worthy the eccentricity of his character, which was, that he insisted upon having full possession of a certain board at Lucas’s Coffee-house, where he might walk backward and forward to exhibit his person to the gaze of all beholders. Now and then some arch fellow would usurp this privilege and break in upon him, upon all which occasions he would gravely strut up to him, inquire his name, put it down carefully with his address in his pocket-book, and then tell him with a significant shrug, “that he should soon hear from him” however, he always forgot it; and his character was at last so well known, that it would be difficult to find a man who would answer his challenge.

In regard to the female world, he might have had his coarse amours, but he was too much in love with himself to have any of respectability; for when he was told of any lady having a passion for him, he used to exclaim, “Ah! I thought as much! Let her die and be d, d.”

In short, poor Beau Edgeworth at last became the jest of the men and contempt of the women. Towards the close of life, having run out the means of supporting him in his extravagancies, he became mad; and his friends not taking proper care of him in his lunacy, he was confined to Bridewell Hospital Dublin, where he died.

Quoted from: “Anecdotes of Illustrious Persons”. In: The Edinburgh magazine, or Literary miscellany. Vol. VI. London, 1795.