86 General History of Bath. 



successes of Marlborough had excited the national feeling, and 

 infused a vigorous life into society ; growing wealth demanded 

 an object for expenditure, and the taste for gaiety and amuse- 

 ment made men and women, of every state of life, rank, and 

 position, flock to Bath, where these could be obtained under 

 circumstances the most favourable. Indeed, as the avenues 

 to the Continent were closed, there was but little choice. 



Noblemen thought it incumbent upon them to possess a 

 house in Bath. Pitt built one house for himself in the 

 Circus, and the Dukes of Beaufort, Monmouth, Kingston, 

 Chandos, Bedford, and Marlborough, and Lords Howth, 

 Clive, Sandwich, and Chesterfield, all had mansions here. 



To mention the leading visitors would be but to repeat the 

 names of those most distinguished in England by rank, fortune, 

 achievements, or learning. The Prince of Orange, Frederick 

 Prince of Wales, and afterwards his daughter Caroline, the 

 Prihcess Amelia, Princess Mary, daughter of George II., 

 George IV. when Prince of Wales, the Duke of Gloucester, 

 and the Duke and Duchess of York, all visited the city 

 during this century. 



The life of the place was regular in its irregularity. There 

 were certain times for bathing, for drinking the waters, for 

 the promenade, and for music. 



Although the conveniences for bathing left much to be 

 desired, it was attended with elegance and some refinement. 

 The bathing costumes were decorous, and sometimes very 

 tasteful. Ladies and gentlemen met in the bath as in a 

 reception room, with bows and compliments. Wooden 

 bowls floated by the bathers, bearing handkerchiefs, nose- 

 gays, pouncet, and snuff"-boxes, and other accessories. A 

 well selected band of musicians discoursed music, and a 

 piquancy was given to the criticism of the new arrivals and 



