More, Hannah, 1745-1833. Florio: a tale: for fine gentlemen and fine ladies: and, the bas bleu; or, conversation: two poems. London: printed for T. Cadell, 1786. v,[3],89,[3]p. ; 4⁰. (ESTC T35621; OTA K037413.000)

    • FLORIO: A TALE, FOR FINE GENTLEMAN AND FINE LADIES: AND, THE BAS BLEU; OR, CONVERSATION: TWO POEMS.

    LONDON: PRINTED FOR T. CADELL, IN THE STRAND. MDCCLXXXVI, [Price Three Shillings.]

    • TO THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE.

    SIR,

    IT would be very flattering to me, if I might hope that the little Tale, which I now take the liberty of presenting to you, could amuse a few moments of your tedious indisposition. It is, I confess, but a paltry return for the many hours of agreeable information, and elegant amusement, which I have received from your spirited and very entertaining writings: yet[Page] I am persuaded, that you will receive it with favour, as a small offering of esteem and gratitude, of which the intention alone makes all the little value.

    The slight verses, Sir, which I place under your protection, will not, I fear, impress the world with a very favourable idea of my poetical powers: But I shall, at least, be suspected of having some taste, and of keeping good company, when I confes s that some of the pleasantest hours of my life have been passed in your conversation. I should be unjust to your very engaging and well-bred turn of wit, if I did not declare that, among all the lively and brilliant things I have heard from you, I do not remember ever to have heard an unkind, or an ungenerous one: Let me be allowed to bear my feeble testimony to your temperate use of this charming faculty, so delightful in[Page] itself, but which can only be safely trusted in such hands as yours, where it is guarded by politeness, and directed by humanity.

    I have the honour to be, SIR, Your much obliged, And most obedient Humble Servant, HANNAH MORE.
    JANUARY 27, 1786.

    • FLORIO: A POETICAL TALE.

  • FLORIO: A POETICAL TALE, FOR FINE GENTLEMEN AND FINE LADIES.

    • THE BAS BLEU: OR, CONVERSATION.

    ADDRESSED TO MRS. VESEY.

    • ADVERTISEMENT.

    THE following Trifle owes its birth and name to the mistake of a Foreigner of Distinction, who gave the literal appellation of the Bas-bleu, to a small party of friends, who had been sometimes called, by way of pleasantry, the Blue Stockings. The slight performance, occasioned by this little circumstance, was never intended to appear in print: It is, in general, too local, and too personal for publication; and was only written with a wish to amuse the amiable Lady to whom it is addressed, and a few partial friends. But copies having been multiplied, far beyond the intention of the Author, she has been advised to publish it, lest it should steal into the world in a state of still greater imperfection; though she is almost ashamed to take refuge in so hackneyed an apology, however true.

  • THE BAS BLEU.
    • THE END.

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