SUPERBLY FILTHY AND FASTIDIOUS. 363

'He was indeed,' said the Duke of Wellington, 'the most extraordinary compound of talent, wit, buffoonery, obstinacy, and good feeling that I ever saw in any character in my life;' while Greville, who also knew him, writes, The littleness of his character prevents his displaying the dangerous faults that belong to great minds, but with vices and weaknesses of the lowest and most contemptible order, it would be difficult to find a disposition more abundantly furnished . . . a more contemptible, cowardly, selfish, unfeeling dog does not exist than this king on whom such flattery is constantly lavished.' Praed has written his epitaph in graphic lines—

'A noble, nasty course he ran,
Superbly filthy and fastidious;
He was the world's first gentleman,
And made the appellation hideous.'

THE END.

LONDON: PRINTED BY DUNCAN MACDONALD, BLENHEIM HOUSE.

COURT LIFE BELOW STAIRS;

OR,

LONDON UNDER THE FIRST GEORGES,

1714-1760.

BY J. FITZGERALD MOLLOY.

VOLS. I. AND II.

'No truer or more vivid picture of the last century has been written. The value of the present work as a picture of Court manners under the first Georges is greatly enhanced by the fact that, as far as possible, it is historically correct. The book is certain to be widely read and to afford instruction and amusement.'-Morning Post.

'Mr. Molloy's pages contain abundance of amusing anecdote. He writes in a brisk and fluent style.'-Athenæum.

'Mr. Molloy produces some curious anecdotes which have not before appeared in print, and he is always lively.'-Pall Mall Gazette.

'The two volumes Mr. Molloy has given to the world recall scenes and anecdotes which will long continue to amuse. He has a certain power of description and writes in a graphic and vivacious manner.' St. James Gazette.

6

Concerning the amusing incidents and royal quarrels, the domestic scenes, the brilliant and immoral courtiers he has much to say, and, moreover, says it in a witty and pleasant manner. The anecdotes of Pope and Addison, Swift and Steele, Colley Cibber, Gay, Congreve, Susanna Centlivre, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, and others are all interesting. The fluent, easy style in which glimpses of various characters are given renders the two volumes pleasant reading.'-Sunday Times.

'Though Mr. Molloy has not been alone in recognising the value of the Wentworth correspondence, it has been for the first time brought by him before the notice of the general public, and his quotations cannot fail to awaken genuine interest In these sketches of Court Life there is no lack of rollicking vivacity to carry the reader along interested in the narrative.'-Academy.

'Mr. Molloy has shown great pains in research. His style is animated.'-County Gentleman.

'Mr. Molloy has evidently found a subject congenial to his taste and fitting to his lively and facile pen.'-Daily News.

'Well written, full of anecdote, and with its facts admirably grouped, this excellent work will prove of the greatest value to all who desire to know what manner of men the first Electors of Hanover who came

here really were ... Contemporary history of the time treated of is so interwoven that the record is one complete and happily-framed narrative . . . In fine, Mr. Molloy's work as a history seems all that it should be.'-Daily Telegraph.

'Skilfully woven into a vivacious narrative, which carries the reader forward without effort, Mr. Molloy's style is lively and colourful, and is often flavoured by a delicate irony or a scornful humour which fits the subject in hand.'-Nation.

LONDON: HURST AND BLACKETT.