Die Regeln von Bath

Wer sich mit der fashionablen Gesellschaft Englands im 19. Jahrhundert beschäftigt, wird erfreut sein, an dieser Stelle die Regeln zu fanden, die Beau Nash seinem »Königreich« Bath oktroyierte.

BY GENERAL CONSENT DETERMINED

1. That a Visit of Ceremony at coming to Bath and another at going away, is all that is expected or desired, by Ladies of Quality and Fashion, - except Impertinents.

2. That Ladies coming to the Ball appoint a Time for their Footmens coming to wait on them Home, to prevent Disturbances and Inconveniences to Themselves and Others

3. That Gentlemen of Fashion never appear in a Morning before the Ladies in Gowns and Caps, shew Breeding and Respect

4. That no Person take it ill that any one goes to another's Play, or Breakfast, and not their's; - except Captious by 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, shew ill Manners; and that none do so for the Future; - except such as respect nobody but Themselves

7. That no Gentleman or Lady takes it ill that another Dances before them; - except such as have no Pretence to dance at all.

8. That the Elder Ladies and Children be content with a Second Bench at the Ball, as being past, or not come to Perfection.

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 Scandals, be taken for their Authors.

11. That all Repeaters of such Lies and Scandals be shun'd by all Company; - except such as have been guilty of the same Crime.

N.B. SEVERAL Men of no Character, Old Women and Young Ones of Questioned Reputation, are great Authors of Lies in this place, being of the Sect of Levellers. (1)

Nash was not content to rule only by these regulations, but he added several unwritten laws that he enforced upon all occassions with great stringency. He conducted a successful crusade against irregularities of dress, and he would not suffer any breach of etiquette in this respect to pass unrebuked. Having succeeded in these minor matters in imposing his will upon the company, Nash set himself the more diffficult task to prohibit the then universal customs of the wearing of swords and the fighting of duels.

(1) great authors of lies

Aus: Lewis Melville: Barth under Beau Nash. London, 1907.