4. 'That no person takes it ill that any one goes to another's play or
breakfast, and not theirs--except captious nature.
5. 'That no gentleman give his ticket for the balls to any but
gentlewomen. N.B.--Unless he has none of his acquaintance.
6. 'That gentlemen crowding before the ladies at the ball, show ill
manners; and that none do so for the future--except such as respect
nobody but themselves.
9. 'That the younger ladies take notice how many eyes observe them.
N.B.--This does not extend to the _Have-at-alls_.
10. 'That all whisperers of lies and scandal be taken for their
authors.'
Really this law of Nash's must have been repealed some time or other at
Bath. Still more that which follows:--
11. 'That repeaters of such lies and scandal be shunned by all company,
except such as have been guilty of the same crime.'
There is a certain amount of satire in these Lycurgus statutes that
shows Nash in the light of an observer of society; but, query, whether
any frequenter of Bath would not have devised as good?
The dances of those days must have been somewhat tedious. They began
with a series of minuets, in which, of course, only one couple danced at
a time, the most distinguished opening the ball.
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