NASH, Richard Beau

The Jests of Beau Nash, Laste Master of the Ceremonies at Bath. Consisting of a Variety of Humorous Sallies of Wit, Smart Repartees, and Bons Mots; Which Passed Between Him and personages of the First Distinction...

London printed for W. Bristow 1763, ii, 82 p. 16 cm. Front. port. Hardcover. 1/2 leather scuffed. Lacks final page of text. Bottom corners of frontis., t.p. and preface torn, interior margin and text of p. i/ii torn, stained throughout, p. 81/82 discoloured. British wit and humour. The DNB states that Beau Nash entered the Inner Temple as a student of law in 1693, and distinguished himself by his good manners, by his taste in dress, and by leading so gay a life without visible means of support that his most intimate friends suspected him of being a highwayman. He twice refused a knighthood, but resorted to extravagant wagers to earn a living, such as accepting a wager that he would ride through a village on cowback naked. His addiction to gambling drew him to Bath in 1705, where he soon gained control of the balls and assemblies, and his judicious regulations were despotically enforced. He arrived at the position of unquestioned autocrat of Bath and 'arbiter elegantiarum'. He became formally known as master of the ceremonies, and informally as king of Bath.

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• ordernr.: 001446

• bookseller: Attic Books (CANADA)