| Share page |
|
Royal Tunbridge Wells
crat, and commoner alike, had much to do with securing him the undoubted authority he soon came to possess. To him, however, it seemed natural that he should behave to all in the same manner, for he took himself seriously. He was in consequence treated as what he claimed to be, the absolute ruler of Bath. Of course, not the stern justice he administered, backed as it was by his audacity and an amazing insolence, could have made his position firm; but it was impossible not to like the man, who, with all his faults, had a sincere belief in his mission, invariable high spirits, an imperturbable good temper, a kindly heart, a great generosity, and a certain dignity. He was a fop, but a fop who knew how to make himself respected. " You, Sir, in a free country," wrote the anonymous author of Characters at the Hot-Well, Bristol, in September, and at Bath, in October, 1723, " enjoy a Power that is wholly despotick, and reign in your respective territories without controul. Your Word is the Law; and whatever Mr. Nash pleases to order, every one submits to with the same Pleasure and Resignation, as if done by his own private Authority. This, Sir, before your Time no one could think would ever 146 |
||