By Nick Willard

During my quarterly visits to Dandyism.net’s Los Angeles headquarters for convocations of the Junta, I am always impressed by the sedulity of Mr. Motts, our webmaster’s general factotum. Cleaning out the ashtrays, polishing Christian’s shoes, gathering shards of smashed champagne flutes, uploading articles to the site, handling press inquiries, taking out the trash — Mr. Motts does it all.

“So Motts,” I said. “Why do you put up with it? You do more than the rest of us combined, yet Christian pays you even less than he does us. You should chuck it all and get a better job.”

“What,” Mr. Motts replied, “and quit being a dandy?”

Motts may have the worst job at Dandyism.net, but I have the second worst: penning the annual encomium to the site and its webmaster on the occasion of the anniversary of its founding. In truth, this obligation is only an extension of the daily indignities and minor compromises that eventually rot one’s soul. For example: “Yes, Christian, the newsboy cap is so chic.” “No, Christian, white shoes, slacks and belt don’t make you look like an alter cocker.” “Christian, your edits are brilliant.”

Anyway, here it is:

Two years ago June 1st, Dandyism.net made its debut on the internet. It was perfect then and it has only gotten better. What’s more, it has, to use the webmaster’s felicitous phrase, “rescued dandyism from the dust-covered armoire of history.” In two years the Forum has grown from just two (Chensvold and Mattis) to become a favored target of Polish spambots. All Forum members are sophisticated, witty, clever and, best of all, have a sense of humor.

Readers have linked to Dandyism.net’s articles (particularly mine) on their blogs, where no one reads them there either. The site has garnered international attention, and may someday be recognized by an English-language periodical. Its graphic design has won awards from the American Foundation for the Blind. While practicing the gentle art of making enemies, the site has managed to irk and roil obscurantist academics, anorexic sartorial antiquarians, pimpled goths, affected provincials, ersatz Wodehouse characters, men’s magazine hacks, metrosexuals, women who won’t sleep with us, and the tired, poor and huddled masses. Indeed, all who are not us can prostrate themselves and suck our walking sticks.

Happy Anniversary to Christian and Dandyism.net. Long may you swagger.