of an uncrowned king, and exercised his social sovereignty with a very high hand.  His rule was certainly conducive to the better government of the city.  From a mere haunt of bandits and beggars, Bath became at a bound the most fashionable city in the kingdom, and a school for manners to half England.  Nash, though very much the beau, was very little of the gentleman.  To a hump-backed lady who declared that she had “come straight from London,” Nash replied, “Then you must have picked up a d—­d crook by. the way.”  But polite society was not squeamish, and took him at his own valuation.  His assemblies became the rage, his social despotism was eagerly acquiesced in, and the improvements he demanded were ungrudgingly supplied.  The social labours of Nash were admirably seconded by the work of two architects called Wood (father and son).  Terraces, squares and crescents sprang up in generous profusion to accommodate the crowds of visitors who were drawn into the vortex of fashion.  The prosperity of Bath did not decline with the fading fortunes of its favourite, for it was not until the peace of Amiens opened up the continental watering places that the fashionable world forsook Bath and went elsewhere.  But though its proud pre-eminence has passed for ever, Bath still retains something of its former splendour.  It can boast of several natives of note, and a roll of still more distinguished residents.  The birds of passage, whose stay shed a transient glory on the gay city, are legion.  Amongst those who claim Bath as their birthplace are William Edward Parry, the Arctic explorer, John Palmer, the postal reformer, and William Horn, the author of the Every Day Book.  The list of famous residents includes Quin, the actor, R.B.  Sheridan, Beckford, Landor, Sir T. Lawrence, Gainsborough, Bishop Butler (who died at 14 Kingsmead Square), Gen. Wolfe and Archbp.  Magee.  Nelson and Chatham, Queen Charlotte, Jane Austen, Dickens, Herschell and Thirlwall, are to be numbered amongst the visitors.

The general plan of Bath is easily grasped.  The river throws itself round the city like an elbow, and in the corner of land thus embraced the streets are laid out something in the manner of an irregular chess board.  One main thoroughfare runs from the S. gate, and climbs by a gradual ascent northwards; and as it goes, expands into the spacious shopping quarters of Milsom Street.  Another good string of streets runs from the Abbey also northwards, and on its course extends a long arm eastwards across the river to the suburb of Bathwick.

The chief sights, the Abbey, Pump Room, Roman Baths and Guildhall, lie grouped together in convenient proximity.  The imposing terraces, squares and crescents of the once fashionable residential quarters are to be found chiefly on the N. and W. sides of the city.  A pretty view of Pulteney Bridge with its singular parapet of shops may be obtained from the terrace at the back of the Municipal Buildings.