SO completely has the dandy disappeared from among us, that even the word has an old-time look (as if it had strayed out of some half-forgotten novel or "keepsake"), raising in our minds the picture of a slender, clean-shaven youth, in very tight unmentionables strapped under his feet, a dark green frock-coat with a collar up to the ears and a stock whose folds cover his chest, butter-colored gloves, and a hat - oh! a hat that would collect a crowd in two minutes in any neighborhood! A gold-headed stick, and a quizzing glass, with a black ribbon an inch wide, complete the toilet.In such a rig did the swells of the last generation stroll down Pall Mall or drive their tilburys in the Bois.
The recent illness of the Prince de Sagan has made a strange and sad impression in many circles in Paris, for he has always been a favorite, and is the last surviving type of a now extinct species.
He is the last Dandy! No understudy will be found to fill his role - the dude and the swell are whole generations away from the dandy, of which they are but feeble reflections - the comedy will have to be continued now, without its leading gentleman.With his head of silvery hair, his eye-glass and his wonderful waistcoats, he held the first place in the "high life" of the French capital.
No first night or ball was complete without him, Sagan.The very mention of his name in their articles must have kept the wolf from the door of needy reporters.No DEBUTANTE, social or theatrical, felt sure of her success until it had received the hall-mark of his approval.When he assisted at a dress rehearsal, the actors and the managers paid him more attention than Sarcey or Sardou, for he was known to be the real arbiter of their fate.His word was law, the world bowed before it as before the will of an autocrat.