Website of Pascal Bonenfant

From The Improved Bath Guide 1825

The Assembly Rooms

Situated to the east of the Circus, between Bennett Street and Alfred Street, were opened for the reception of company in October, 1771 : they were three years in building, under the direction of Mr. Wood8 jun. architect, and cost twenty thousand pounds in the erection ; which sum was raised by a subscription of seventy persons.

These Rooms undoubtedly contain the most spacious and elegant suite of apartments appropriated to pleasure in the united kingdom : their design is simple and beautiful, and their conveniences are unequalled ; the interior is ornamented in the most splendid manner, displaying exquisite taste and exact propriety.

The ball room is one hundred and six feet eight inches long, forty-two feet eight inches wide, and forty-two feet six inches high ; the octagonroom is forty-eight feet in diameter ; the tea-room, sixty-six feet long and forty-one wide ; the cardroom, seventy feet long and twenty-seven wide.

The two card-rooms are, one an octagon of forty -eight feet diameter, the other seventy feet long and twenty -seven feet wide. In the octagon card room is a fine portrait of Capt.Wade, by the late Mr. Gainsborough ; and likewise a portrait of Richard Tyson, esq; painted by Mr. James. Every room is superbly furnished with elegant chandeliers, girandoles, &c.

Rules and Regulations

The laws and regulations under which the Public Assemblies at these Rooms are governed, and which are now in force, have been enacted at various General Meetings, and are as follows :

That the power of direction and control of the Public Assemblies at these Rooms is vested in such ladies and gentlemen as subscribe to both balls.

That not less than nine subscribers to the balls be competent to call a general meeting upon any business relative thereto; the said subscribers to leave a summons, signed with their names, upon the table in the lobby, for the space of one full week previous to such meeting; which summons shall also express the particular ptirpose for which such meeting shall be called, and be advertised in the Bath Newspapers,

That these and all future rules and regulations, agreed to in general meetings, be inserted in the hook containing the subscribers’ names, signed by the chairman of the meeting for the time being; such rules and regulations not to he altered by any authority or on any pretence whatever, but at a general meeting of the subscribers; and that one copy of these rules and regulations be deposited with the Master of the Ceremonies for the time being, and another with the renter of the rooms, to he produced at any time when a meeting of the committee, or of the subscribers to both balls, shall be assembled ; or when three or more subscribers shall desire to see the same.

That it shall he the duty of the Master of the Ceremonies to convene a general meeting of the subscribers, on the first Monday in January, to electa committee of management, and that ten days’ notice of such meeting shall be given by public advertisement.

That the present, and every committee elected in future, shall continue in full power until the appointment of a subsequent committee, according to the existing regulations.

That the balls at these rooms do commence at eight o’clock in the evening; a quarter of an hour before which time the rooms shall be regularly and properly lighted up; and the dancing shall cease at half-past eleven precisely, except on the night of the King’s birth-day, and on the nights of the two balls given for the benefit of the Master of the Ceremonies, when the time of dancing shall be unlimited.

That the three front tiers of benches at the upper end of the room be reserved for ladies of pr ecedence, of the rank of Peeresses.

That no person whatever be admitted into the ball rooms without a ticket ; nor any visitor or stranger, subscribers excepted, unless he shall previously have inser ted Iris name and place ot abode in a book to be kept tor that purpose under the control of the Master of the Ceremonies.

That no gentlemen in boots or half-boots be admitted into the ball rooms on ball nights, except officers of the navy or of the army, on dirty, in uniform ; and then without their swords. Undress trowsers or coloured pantaloons not to be permitted on any account.

That no clerks, hired or otherwise, in this city or neighbourhood — no person concerned in retail trade — no theatrical,, or other public performers by profession, shall be admitted.

And as a further instruction to the M.C. and with a due regard to the selection of the company, which must be scrupulously attended to, he is hereby directed to desire any person, whom from circumstances he may deem inadmissible to the balls, to withdraw immediately, and in case of non-compliance with his request, it is ordered that lie report the same to the committee.

That from the earliest institution of these rooms, the regulations relating to dancing and all points of etiquette, at the balls, have been left to the M.C. for the time being ; and that the rules and orders suggested by him as to these have been invariably acquiesced in, and acted upon by the company freqnenting the balls.

That the same authority so exercised by all preceding Masters of the Ceremonies, belongs of right to every successor to this office: and that it is incumbent upon the subscribers (inasmuch as they must be desirous of promoting good order and decorum in their assemblies) to conform to the regulations of the M.C. and to support him in their execution.

That the M.C. is not accountable to any individual whatever, who may dispute, or object to, the established regulations ; but in case of any misunderstanding arising from these, or other matters connected with his office, a reference must be made to the committee of management for its consideration and decision.

That any alterations, or differences, either at the balls or at any subsequent period, will be considered as a breach of these rules, and noticed accordingly.

That the Master of the Ceremonies, on observing, or receiving information of any person’s acting in opposition to these resolutions, do signify to such person, that, as Master of the Ceremonies, it is his duty to see that proper decorum be preserved, and these orders obeyed ; in the proper and impartial execution of which duty he will be supported by the subscribers at large.

That the Master of the Ceremonies do attend at a quarter of an hour before eight o’clock on ball nights to receive the company.

That ladies are to be considered perfectly free in regard t© accepting or declining partners.

That a reasonable time shall be allowed between the minuets and contre-dances for ladies of precedence totake their places in the dance; and that those ladies who shall stand up after the dance shall have commenced, must take their places suc» cessively at the bottom.

That no lady, after she shall have taken her place in the set, do permit another to come above her in the dance.

That every person, on admission to these rooms on ball nights, shall pay sixpence for tea.

That it is the positive order of the committee, that no servant whatever shall be admitted into the vestibule or gallery, on any occasion, or on any pretence whatever, on ball nights.

That these rules and regulations be printed, framed, and glazed, and fixed in a conspicuous part of these rooms for public information; not to be taken down on any pretence whatever, in order that they may remain as a public document.

James Heaviside, M.C.

The Bath City Assemblies

The Citizens of Bath, not being eligible to subscribe to the Upper Assembly Rooms, have, by the permission of the mayor, the free use of the magnificent banqueting room at the Guildhall, for a ball, and the adjoining room for a card assembly, throughout the season.

These are held every alternate Tuesday, and are regulated by a committee and master of the ceremonies. Mr. W. Ashley is the present M.C,