Duke’s personal hygiene

THE book ‘‘Samuel Rogers and his Circle’’, about the banker, poet and social celebrity who flourished in early Victorian times, records this curious confession by the Duke of Wellington:

‘‘In India I never undressed, it is not the custom there; and for many years in the Peninsula I undressed very seldom; never for the first four years.’’

Is it permitted to speculate on the condition of the duke’s underclothing? The probability is that the duke wore no underclothing. George Fox preached, testified, saw

visions, cast out devils, and founded Quakerism in a suit made of leather, and probably slept in it. Or was it only on leather breeches that his fame in that kind rested? I am not sure. But certain it seems that Wellington in his campaigning days was hardly better provided. And it is a reasonable inference that Wellington’s officers and men never had their clothes off. Whereas, today, — here is an extract from a Western Front diary:

‘The Guards’ Divisional Baths — a travelling concern this, that plants itself in any empty building that seems adapted to the purpose, or, in default of such a building, erects its own premises — happened along with its array of tubs and heating apparatus and vast supplies of towels and clean shirts, socks, and underwear. Every day parties of men were marched down by an officer under a scheme that ensured to every man one bath a week.’

Spite of Fritz and frightfulness, war is no longer war when every man may

hope for clean underwear and a hot bath once a week. — Civis.