public places of resort; but were, at length, finally prohibited being worn at Bath," through the decided interference of Nash, in consequence of a duel having been fought by torch-light, between two noted black legs, of the names of Clarke and Taylor. And after a most desperate opposition, the efforts of Nash finally triumphed over the wearing boots in the Assembly Rooms, to the great discomfiture of the 'Squire Western part of the creation. In order, it should seem, generally to ridicule human nature out of its numerous weaknesses, the following lively, yet interesting and harmless, piece of satire, written by Nash, was, till very lately, hung up in the rooms, and afforded much amusement to its various perusers: "Rules by general Consent determined. "I. That a visit of ceremony at coming to Bath, and another at going away, is all that is expected or desired by ladies of quality and fashion-except impertinents. "II. That ladies coming to the ball appoint a time for their footmen's coming to wait on them home, to prevent disturbances and inconveniences to themselves and others. "III. That gentlemen of fashion never appearing in a morning before the ladies in gowns and caps, shew breeding and respect. " IV. That no person take it ill that any one goes to another's play or breakfast, and not to their's-except captious by nature. "V. That no gentleman give his tickets for the balls to any but gentlewomen.-N. B. Unless he has none of his acquaintance. "VI. That gentlemen crowding before the ladies at the ball shew ill manners; and that none do so for the futureexcept such as respect nobody but themselves. "VII. That no gentleman or lady take it ill that another dances before them-except such as have no pretence to dance at all. * VIII. That the elder ladies and children be contented with a second bench at the ball, as being past, or not come to, perfection. "IX. That the younger ladies take notice how many eyes observe them.-N. B. This does not extend to the Have-atAlls. "X. That all whisperers of lies and scandal be taken for their authors. "XI. That all repeaters of such lies and scandal be shunned by all company-except such as have been guilty of the same crime. "N.B. Several men of no character, old women, and young ones of questioned reputation, are great authors of lies in this place, being of the sect of levellers." Under his equal administration no rank could shield the criminal from punishment, if the code of laws established by Nash had been infringed; and no dignity of situation influence him to allow a breach or temporary suspension of them. When the Duchess of Queensberry appeared at the dress-ball in an apron, he deliberately desired her to take it off, which she instantly complied with, and begged his acceptance of it; and when the Princess Amelia applied to him for one more dance after eleven o'clock, he refused, assuring her that the laws of Bath were, 'like those of Lycurgus, unalterable. The influence which this firmness in his government gave him in the little world of Bath was unbounded, and Nash took care to preserve and increase it by a considerable affectation of splendour in his dress and equipage; aware that external appearance has a powerful and visible effect on the largest part of mankind, the weak and the vain, and that the wise and the good are not entirely insensible to it, though in an inferior degree. Consistently with this just view of human nature, his house was richly furnished; his chariot was drawn by six gray horses, several persons on horseback and on foot attending the carriage, bearing French-horns and other instruments of music; his clothes were profusely decorated with lace, and his head crowned with a large white hat, cocked up in a fierce and singular manner. He kept one coachman, a postillion, two footmen in livery, a gentleman out of livery, and a running footman. It is said of this latter person, who was an Irishman, that he frequently run from Bath to London in a day; and was equally as swift on his return * the next, but having "died one day" when engaged in this active pursuit, his numerous good-natured blunders often served to enrich the jokes of NASH. This was the meridian of NASH'S glory. The Prince of Wales, and the Prince of Orange, gave him marks of their esteem; the nobility of Bath flattered him with their familiarity; the gentry treated him with respect; and the Corporation always consulted him in every public step in which they engaged; a sum of money was voted by the chamber for the purpose of erecting a marble statue of the King of Bath, which, when finished, found an honourable station in * The strength of man seems much to have degenerated of late years, if the above statement is viewed as a fact; and, at the present day, it is very doubtful that a man could be found who would even attempt running to Bath, (the distance of which is 105 miles,) with all the advantages of the improved state of the roads, in twenty-four successive hours, without great preparation of training; but, to think of returning again on the next day, is entirely out of the question. If such a running footman could be found now-a-days, he would make a speedy fortune in the sporting world. the Pump-Room, between the busts of Newton and Pope; but the keen wit of Lord Chesterfield could not pass over this happy opportunity of ridiculing so absurd an association. wrote an epigram on the subject, concluding with the following lines: "The Statue plac'd the Busts between, He The charity of Nash was extensive, and often well applied; in 1739, when a very hard winter pressed heavily on the poor inhabitants of Bath, he entered many of their houses, and, to spare their feelings, he relieved them unasked. He also relieved the colliers and weavers, who came in a starving state to the City in a body, by commencing a subscription for them, putting down ten guineas himself at the onset, and sent them home to their families with tears of gratitude for his future welfare. His character abounds with numerous traits of benevolence; and, it is said of him, that when unable to relieve those who sued to him for assistance, the tears have been seen to trickle down his cheeks. In fact, it was often carried to excess. A ruined gamester, who had witnessed Nash put a large sum of money into his pocket, with carelessness, observed, "such a sum would make him happy!" when Nash, without the slightest hesitation, upon overhearing his exclamation, put the money in his hands, saying, "go then and be happy!" From such a line of conduct Nash became extremely popular; he was respected by the opulent, and the admiration of the poor, and his prosperity continued for a longer period than is usually allotted to public characters; his popularity undiminished, and his honours untarnished: an admirable skill in play provided amply for his enormous expenses, and his hilarity, gaiety, and easy address, as they contributed to the pleasure of society, gained him in return affection, if not esteem. But regard acquired by qualities which are not intrinsically excellent, can only be temporary. Those sprightly traits of character which may add a grace to youth, become ridiculous and disgusting in old age. The jest that pleases at twenty-five, will shock at seventy; nor can the most thoughtless contemplate with pleasure the man who, in the course of nature, must shortly change this being for another, idly busied about the frivolities of gay life, et totus in illis. The public now began to treat Nash with neglect, and shortly with contempt. The great, whom he had served with such devotion, rewarded him-as they are accustomed to remunerate the instruments of their pleasures-by deserting him in the hour of need. Sickness attacked him, and poverty stared him in the face. These were evils against which he had provided no defence, and which therefore fell upon him with double weight. Sorrow and distress clouded the closing evening of his days; and reflection came too late for any other purpose than to display to him the disconsolate situation of that man, when he approaches his end, who has spent his whole life in playing the fool. The tree of deepest root is found, I |