Note 240 — A BOOK FOR A RAINY DAY (continued 2)
Reading edition
Thomas King (1730-1805) was a clever comedian. His stage career in London lasted fifty-four years. In November 1789 he played the part of Sir John Trotley in Garrick’s Bon Ton, or High Life above Stairs. “His acting,” says Charles Lamb, “left a taste on the palate sharp and sweet as a quince; with an old, hard, rough, withered face, like a john-apple, puckered up into a thousand wrinkles; with shrewd hints and tart replies.” The prologue of Bon Ton has these lines:—
“Ah! I loves life, and all the joys it yields— Says Madam Fussock, warm from Spital-fields. Bone Tone’s the space ’twixt Saturday and Monday, And riding in a one-horse chair o’ Sunday! ’Tis drinking tea on summer afternoons At Bagnigge-Wells, with China and gilt spoons! ’Tis laying by our stuffs, red cloaks, and pattens, To dance Cow-tillions, all in silks and sattins!”