So General History of Bath. 



with the ■ ladies. Country dances were not allowed before 

 eight, tea was served at nine, and at the stroke of eleven the 

 music stopped. 



Full-dress was rigorously insisted on, and gentlemen found 

 some consolation for being excluded, if they came in boots, 

 in the meeting out of a similar penalty to ladies appearing 

 in aprons. 



Some duels which had lately shocked the public mind, 

 and the sad death of Webster, gave a fair pretext for forbid- \ 

 ding the wearing of swords, not only at the receptions but 

 on the promenades. 



Subscriptions for the balls, the town band, the prome- 

 nades, and other local purposes were organised, and a tariff 

 was settled for the bell-ringers and carol singers who cele- 

 brated the arrival of visitors. 



The habit of addressing ladies whilst bathing was sum- 

 marily checked by Nash taking by the heel and throwing 

 headlong into the bath a gentleman who was leaning over 

 the balustrade and addressing a bather. The lady turned 

 out to be the gentleman's wife, which caused good laughter 

 and many bad jokes. 



We can say but a word where we should be glad to say 

 much of Nash's individuality. Neither in face nor person 

 was he distinguished, but he affected great state in his dress 

 and equipage. His carriage was drawn by six beautiful 

 black horses, and 'attended by numerous lacqueys 'gorgeously 

 attired. He always wore a white hat, and it became known 

 as a conventional emblem of his titular royalty, which no 

 one ventured to imitate. Few men could have exercised so 

 absolute an authority with so little power. His commands 

 were given with such bonhomie that few cared to dispute 

 them, and his wit could take so caustic a turn as to make 



