the leading Bath characters; most of the
gay well-known being upon this occasion present, and many an eccentric
star shining forth, whose light it would be difficult to encounter in
any other circle. The accompanying view of the rooms by Transit will
convey a correct idea of the splendour of the entertainment, and the
fascinating appearance of the assembled groups.

"Ranged on the benches sit the lookers-on,
Who criticise their neighbours one by one;
Each thinks herself in word and deed so bless'd,
That she's a bright example for the rest.
Numerous tales and anecdotes they hatch,
And prophesy the dawn of many a match;
And many a matrimonial scheme declare,
Unknown to either of the happy pair;
Much delicate discussion they advance,
About the dress and gait of those who dance;
One stoops too much; and one is so upright,
He'll never see his partner all the night;
One is too lazy; and the next too rough;
This jumps too high, and that not high enough.
Thus each receives a pointed observation,
Not that it's scandal--merely conversation."

A three months' sojournment at Bath had afforded my friend Eglantine an
excellent opportunity for ~308~~estimating public character, a science
in which he was peculiarly well qualified to shine; since to much
critical acumen was joined a just power of discrimination, aided by a
generosity of feeling that was ever enlivened by good-humoured sallies
of playful satire. To Horace Eglantine, I may apply the compliment which
Cleland pays to Pope--he was incapable of either saying or writing "a
line on any man, which through guilt, through shame, or through fear,
through variety of fortune, or change of interest, he would ever be
unwilling to own." It too often happens that the cynic and the satirist
are themselves more than tinged with the foibles which they so severely
censure in others. "You shall have a specimen of this infirmity," said
Horace, "in the person of Peter Paul Pallet; a reverend gentleman whom
you will observe yonder in the dress of a Chinese mandarin. Some few
years since this pious personage took upon himself the task of lashing
the prevailing follies of society in a satire entitled Bath Characters,
and it must be admitted, the work proves him to have been a fellow of
no ordinary talent; but an unfortunate amour with t