242 



THE BATH ROAD 



Batheaston, one of the favourite resorts of the 

 society of that day. Decorated with garlands of 



bays, the vase was used at 

 Lady Miller's receptions as 

 a depository for verses 

 written by her guests. It 

 was presided over by one 

 of the ladies of the party, 

 posing as the Muse of 

 Poetry, who drew the po- 

 etic offerings from its re- 

 cesses, and, reciting them, 

 crowned the authors of the 

 best etfort with bays. The 

 opportunity proved too 

 tempting for some of the 

 wilder spirits, wlio wrote 

 verses of a ribald and 

 satirical character, better 

 calculated to bring a blush 

 to the cheek of the Poetic Muse than to add to eitlier 

 the morals or the harmony of those gatlierings. 



THE BATHEASTON VASE. 



XLI 



Among this careless throno- there were a few men 

 of will and purpose. Ralph Allen ; the two Woods, 

 father and son, architects ; and, somew^hat later than 

 them, John Palmer, \vere bold spirits who changed 

 the aspect of Bath and helped to revolutionize the 

 communications of the country. 



