Following on in style from his first and most famous portait of eighteenth-century Bath society, The New Bath Guide, Christopher Anstey composed An Election Ball, a humerous and affectionate satire on contemporary taste and manners, when the extravagant macaroni fashion for men was only exceeded by the outrageous head-dresses of the ladies.
An Election Ball of 1775 returned Sir John Sebright to parliament as a member for Bath, and to celebrate his good fortune he held a lavish ball. Anstey's satire, written in the form of poetical letters, was enhanced by the delightful illustrations of his friend, Coplestone Warre Bampfylde.
Gavin Turners introduction follows the correspondence between Anstey and Bampfield.It tells the story of these two talented Georgian gentlemen and of their collaboration on An Election Ball. A vivid picture of late eighteenth- century Bath emerges, especially of the idiosyncratic leterary salon presided over by Lady Miller at her Batheaston villa, which both Anstey and Bampfield attended, and for which An Election Ball was originally written.
Anstey's work has lost none of the sportive humour and gaiety that first diverted eighteenth century readers, and he remains entertaining to this day.