Or sent the goodly company on high, Like bladders, blown through pipe by gamesome boy, And left St. James's, and St. Stephen's too, A prey to Antichrist's detested crew;— Now, had the chimes of Paul and Peter's steeple The better sort of folk to early tea: 6 Now, had each crescent, street, parade, and square, Whilst many a close sedan, convey'd its freight How wisely was it ordained that a form of public thanksgiving should be annually observed, for the preservation to his subjects, of so much acuteness, erudition, and science, blended with equal sincerity, paternal affection, and patriotic attachment to his people!!! The abbey-church of Bath is dedicated to these two saints. It is a beautiful, elegant, and airy structure, built in the reigns of Henry VII. and VIII. and said to be the last specimen of Gothic ecclesiastical architecture in the kingdom. The chimes play at the hours of one, five, and nine.Editor. 7 The Upper-rooms. See Bath Characters, 3d Edition, first dialogue. The frequent references in the following poem to this very entertaining work of my uncle's, will be henceforth pointed out under the initials B. C. -Editor. Who, just escap'd from Chelt'nam's bitter springs, And, once more, hail'd with unalloy'd delight, Stately the monarch stept the level floor, Through which pour'd in his subjects, young and old. Brawny, and brazen, from his native wood; Proud peer, fat dowager, with head of puff; Cut vulgar capers in the vile Town-hall'. 8 "Stately stept he east the wa', HARDYKNUTE, a Fragment. This is a delicate periphrasis for what the vulgar call, in common language, an Irish fortune-hunter: Οι Βριάρεων καλεσι θεοί, ανδρες δε τε παντες Αιγαίων. HOMER. Ο όχλος στις επικαταρατοι εισι. Nothing more strikingly distinguishes the manners of Bath, from those of every other city, than the judicious precautions adopted to prevent the contamination of genteel society by the admixture A thousand waxen tapers flame aloof, Illumining the richly-stuccoed roof2, Whilst pendent crystals multiply their rays, And pour on all the beauty-height'ning blaze3. of vulgar company. From the balls, fashionable chapels, and concerts, the filthy canaille are effectually excluded, by the barrier of special rules, which prohibit tradesmen and artists, of all descriptions, from becoming subscribers to them. The happy influence of this liberal regulation is abundantly manifested in the sagacious, unprejudiced, enlightened, masculine minds; and in the useful, dignified, and honourable avocations of the genteel inhabitants of this focal point of all wisdom and virtue. Black legs, and white legs; sad dogs, and mad dogs; rooks, pigeons, and gulls; gentlemen who live by their wits; and those who are entirely without this article, in short all such who have no business any where else, are admitted into the abovementioned fashionable menageries, provided they be not amongst that low and useless race denominated tradesmen and artists. The great advantage of such an arrangement, and of such select society as this, to young ladies who are just entering life, is too obvious to be pointed out. 3 2 A thousand tapers flam'd aloof, Incensi et noctem flammis funalia vincunt. T. WARTON. VIRG Now, snow-white bosoms fascinate the eye, The firm, round arm, soft cheek, and pouting lip, To these succeed, dim eyes, and wither'd faces, Pleas'd with the varied scene the king grew vain*, Exulting in the pride of recent reign3; And, as he threw his quickly-glancing eyes, “Happy RAMROD! lucky dog! • « Pleas'd with the sound the prince grew vain." DRYDEN. 5 It must be recollected that our time of poetical action is the commencement of the second season of RAMROD's appointment to the Upperrooms. His translation from the Lower ones had taken place during the preceding season. By mortals call'd the Lower Rooms, Gods! how I bless your kind decrees, To which my heart, my eyes, my ears, Possessing now, the post of ruling Realms so fit to play the fool in, Visions bright of future joy, Open to my raptur'd eye. B. C. First Dialogue. |