"Dyeing, Egypt, dyeing!" (February 1, 1814)

The Reminiscences and Recollections of Captain Gronow, being Anecdotes of the Camp, Court, Clubs, and Society 1810–1860 proved rather less informative than expected, although they illustrate a certain type of man – the type you’d rather not sit next to at dinner. He gave me the idea for Matthew’s quip about dyeing, however, so I mustn’t complain. More importantly, Georgette Heyer seems to have drawn extensively on his reminiscences, weaving his anecdotes into her novels with great style and wit, so we owe him!

Here’s a sample of his style:

The duke frequently visited Cheltenham during the season. Upon one occasion he called upon Colonel Higgins, brother to the equerry of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and, on inquiring of the servant if his master was at home, received for answer: “ My master is dyeing.” “ Dying!” repeated the duke ; “ have you sent for a doctor ? ” “ No, sir.” His Royal Highness immediately ran back into the street, and, having the good fortune to find a medical man, he requested him to come at once to Colonel Higgins, as he was on the point of death. The duke and the doctor soon reached the colonel’s house, and, after again asking the servant how his master was, that functionary replied, “ I told you, sir, that he is dyeing.” They mounted the staircase and were rather amused to find the reported invalid busily occupied in dyeing his hair. (Vol. 1, p. 166f.)

My edition is from 1900, two volumes prettily illustrated by John Grego and published in London by John C. Nimmo. The ex libris pasted inside the front cover is rather intriguing, as are a number of notes in an angular, old-fashioned hand. If I remember correctly I picked the book up in the wonderful second-hand bookshop in Hangö in southwest Finland – I wonder how it got there?