60 
SOME LITERARY ASSOCIATIONS OF 
BATH. 
(Illustrated by the Lantern.) 
By Rev. C. S. SARGISSON. 
October 22nd, 1907. 
After a brief introduction, setting forth the beauty and 
manifold interest of the city, of which Swinburne says, “ Whose 
charms no rival wears,” the lecturer dwelt on the Bath of 
to-day in contrast with Bath, the life and society of which 
were sketched by Anstey, Smollett, and others, nearly a 
hundred and fifty years ago. The subject took one back to 
the time of “ Beau Nash.” Reference was made to Ralph 
Allen, the friend and patron of literature and art, and to the 
brilliant company, including Richardson, Smollett, Fielding, 
Warburton, Pope, Graves, and other literary “ stars,” accus- 
tomed to gather round his hospitable table. Confining 
himself to authors who had actually resided in Bath, the 
lecturer made special mention, giving sketches of their life 
and works, of the following : Pope ; Fielding, the friend and 
pensioner of Allen, who made his benefactor the prototype 
of his “Squire Allworthy” in “Tom Jones,” (and who 
dedicated to him “Amelia”), and it was shown that a con- 
siderable portion of the principal book of the “ Father of the 
English novel ” was written at Bath ; Smollett, who sketched 
Bath life in his novels; Jane Austen, who resided in Bath 
for some time, and who also founded some of her works on 
her observance of society in the city. Considerable space 
was given to Southey, who lived in early life, with his aunt, 
in Bath, and whose first school was at Corston, near at hand, 
a plea being put in for the study of this writer’s excellent 
prose works, as well as his poetry. Incidental reference 
was made to Coleridge, who for a while preached regularly 
at Bath, and who resided for some time at Clevedon, not far 
away. Richard Brinsley Sheridan next received notice. 
