I have for some time put been visited by unpleasant suspicions that I belonged to the unfortunate class called Dandies. Of late my apprehensions have become so strong, in consequence of many significant winks and shrugs > directed at me in the streets, that I am losing my sleep and my appetite, and can no longer forbear to give my symptoms publicity, and submit them for advice. In the first place, I perceive that the waist of my great coat is a few inches shorter than is customary with lawyers, physicians, quakers, and methodist paj•ons; to which I must add, that, instead of folding me round like a bed-gown, as I believe it generally does with persons of more respectable character, it unhappily sits close to rny shape, and shows, I am afraid, the exact contour of my figure. You will observe, too, that I am young, and not ill-made,, circumstances that, I understand, contribute very much towards incurring the reproach of Dandyism.
For the Editor.

Sir,

I have for some time put been visited by unpleasant suspicions that I belonged to the unfortunate class called Dandies. Of late my apprehensions have become so strong, in consequence of many significant winks and shrugs directed at me in the streets, that I am losing my sleep and my appetite, and can no longer forbear to give my symptoms publicity, and submit them for advice. In the first place, I perceive that the waist of my great coat is a few inches shorter than is customary with lawyers, physicians, quakers, and methodist parsons; to which I must add, that, instead of folding me round like a bed-gown, as I believe it generally does with persons of more respectable character, it unhappily sits close to my shape, and shows, I am afraid, the exact contour of my figure. You will observe, too, that I am young, and not ill-made,, circumstances that, I understand, contribute very much towards incurring the reproach of Dandyism.

I have observed, in the next place, that my bowsers are rather large; but I solemnly declare that this is the fault exclusively of my tailor. He had no directions to deviate, in any respect, from the ordinary cut; yet I have lately taken occasion to inspect the legs of the Rev. Dr. Bandy, and Mr. Josiah Broomstick, both customers at the same shop, and nothing can be more dissimilar than the air of their pantaloons, and that of mine.

What gives me most alarm, however, is my hair., It is of a fine colour, thick and curling, and prolongs itself into a vigorous whisker. I am too well aware that this alone is almost enough to ruin me in the estimation of all sober, smooth-faced people; and I saw, the other day, a grave-looking gentleman, with a fine bald head, surveying my luckless pericranium with a look of great contempt, which, passing downwards to my coat and pantaloons, expressed, as plainly as a look could speak, that I was no better than a Dandy.

I should be glad, however, of an impartial opinion upon my ease, and would be thankful, at the same time, for some information on the real nature and character of this frightful complaint, showing why it is so much worse and more malignant than Buckism, which once raged very much in this town, and, indeed, is said to have infected some of those who are now the greatest despisers of Dandyism.
I am, sir, yours, &c.

Telephus

From: The Tickler. London, April 1st, 1819. Vol. 1, No. 5.