| Citation |
PC.769.068
19-26 Jun 1769:1813 (128)
London. . . April 20. . . We are informed, that, during the
altercation among the ladies at Bath, some secrets were
discovered by the contending parties, that are likely to be
attended with disagreeable consequences, especially with
respect to one lady, who was positively charged with a faux
pas previous to her marriage, which the husband thinks of so
seriously, that if the matter is not soon declared to his
satisfaction, a separation is resolved on. It is added,
that some of the ladies lost their tempers so greatly, as to
descend to mere Billingsgate language, such as to call their
antagonists b--s and w--s.
A gentleman from Bath confirms the news of the riot among
the Belles and Beaux; and give us the following farther
particulars: It began first upon Mr. Plomer's ordering a
bench to be set for some ladies who came in late, before
another that was full. The Hon. Mrs. O. a warm friend of
Major Brereton, insisted if it was put before her, she would
sit upon it; upon which one of the ladies, for whom it was
brought, pushed her off, and this insult was returned by
Mrs. O. with a back handed blow on the head that brought her
antagonist to the floor; and then began the dreadful
conflict; the gentlemen (who wear no swords at Bath) fell
to fisty cuffs, the ladies pulling one another's caps, so
that the floor was presently covered with bags and
solitaires, laced ruffles, ladies caps, toupees, &c. Many
ladies fainted away, some turned sick and puked upon their
neighbours; in short, such a scene of confusion is never
remembered to have been exhibited by so genteel a company
before. The magistrates were engaged at the Town-Hall for
some hours afterwards, in taking information of assault and
battery.
A correspondent informs us, that the disputes at Bath
concerning the succession to the office of Master of the
Ceremonies, are at length happily concluded. Captain Wade
is unanimously elected. Five hundred pounds of the surplus
of the ball-subscription for the present season is allowed
to Major Brereton; and Mrs. Brereton is appointed a benefit
ball every season, which Captain Wade obliges himself to
make equal to 200L per annum, if the receipts of the night
should fall short of that sum. The ball-subscription is
settled for the future at three guineas instead of two: The
guinea extraordinary to be applied to the use of the Master
of the Ceremonies.
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