SOCIETY AT ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS - Online Book

People, Society & Culture of Tunbridge Wells in the 18th Century & later.

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Beau Nash at Tunbridge Wells
" You see that middle-sized man at the end of the tent (in the Bowling Green) on a slight elevation, under a canopy of common material; he is dressed in a square-cut coat, a vast neckerchief, tied in a vast bow, much frilled in the centre; his legs are encased in breeches or pantaloons of a dark material, over which are drawn top-boots," he wrote. " That gentleman is Captain Webster. As he moves, you perceive he falters a little—yes, he has been drinking, but he swaggers and brings his feet down as if all his enemies were there, and he is resolved to crush them by the concen­trated vigour of his boot-heels. He arranged his forces—men and women—the former arrayed very much like himself, their features being painted by the same artist who has done such justice to their leader—the brandy bottle; the latter resemble that licentious queen whose reputation was immoral, and whose evil deeds brought her, where it will bring many of those excited painted beauties—to the dogs. The two musicians strike up and the dance begins, and, as you observe, magnanimous readers, no one ever witnessed such an exhibition of frantic energy, kicking up of legs, swaying of arms, and stamping of feet to the tune of the
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