39 
‘At the pump-room I was amazed at the public exhibition of the ladies in 
the bath. It is true their heads are covered with bonnets ; but the very idea of 
being seen in such a situation by whoever pleases to look is indelicate. ‘Jove, 
George,’ said the Captain, looking into the bath, ‘this would be a most excellent 
place for old Madame French to dance a fandango in! By jingo, I wouldn’t 
wish for better sport than to swing her round in this here pond!’ ‘She would 
be very much obliged to you,’ said Lord Orvill, ‘for so extraordinary a mark 
of favour.” ‘Why, to let you know,’ said the Captain, ‘she hit my fancy 
mightily ; I never took so much to an old tabby before.’ ‘Really, now,’ cried 
Mr. Lovel, looking also into the bath, ‘I must confess it is to me very incom- 
prehensible why the ladies choose that frightful unbecoming dress to bathe in ; 
I have often pondered very seriously on the subject, but could never hit upon 
the reason.’ ‘Well, I declare,’ said Lady Louisa, ‘I should like of all things 
to set something new a-going ; I always hated bathing, because one can get no 
pretty dress for it. Now do, there’s a good creature, try help me to something.’ 
‘Who, mz? Oh! dear ma’am,’ said he simpering, ‘I can’t pretend to assist a 
person of your ladyship’s taste ; besides, I have not the least head for fashions 
—I really don’t think I ever invented these in my life! But I never had the 
least turn for dress, never any notion of fancy or elegance.’ ‘Oh, fie, Mr. 
Lovel, how can you talk so? don’t we all know that you lead the fox in the 
beau monde? I declare I think you dress better than anybody?’ ‘Oh dear, 
ma’am, you confuse me to the last degree! J dress well. I protest I don’t 
think I’m ever fit to be seen. I’m often shocked to death to think what a 
figure I go. Ifyour ladyship will believe me, I was full half an hour thinking 
what I should put on.’ ‘Odds my life,’ cried the Captain, ‘if I'd been near 
you, I warrant I’d have quickened your motions a little! Half an hour thinking 
what you’d put on! And who the deuce do you think cares the sniff of a 
candle whether you’ve anything on or not.’ ‘Oh pray, Captain,’ cried Mrs, 
Selwyn, ‘don’t be angry with the gentleman for thinking, whatever be the 
cause ; for I assure you he makes no common practice of offending in that way.’ 
‘Really, ma'am, you are prodigiously kind,’ said Mr. Lovel angrily. ‘ Pray, 
now,’ said the Captain, ‘did you ever get a ducking in that there place yourself?’ 
‘A ducking, sir! I protest I think that’s rather an odd term, but if you mean a 
bathing, it’s an honour I have had many times.’ ‘And pray, ifa body may be 
so bold, what do you do with that frizzle-frize top of yourown? Why, I'll lay 
you what you will, there is fat and grease enough on your crown to buoy you 
up if you were to go in with your head downwards,’”” Etc. Ete. 
From which it would, amongst other things, appear that the 
ladies and gentlemen bathed in the same large public bath in the 
city of Bath in those days, with a public walk around it—as you 
you may still see them in the baths of Leuk in the Valais; that 
