We learn what the society at Brighton was like at this time by the following excerpt from the _Times_ of July 13, 1796:
'BRIGHTON.--The Prince and Princess of WALES'S arrival has been talked of much in London; but, as yet, we have no signs of it here. The Duke and Duchess of MARLBOROUGH pass their time in a very retired manner indeed. His Grace walked for some time yesterday evening upon the _Steyne_; the company consisted chiefly of opulent Jews, needy fortune hunters, broken down Cyprians, fishermen's daughters, and several fat city dowdies, from the environs of Norton Folgate. Her Grace commands the play on Friday evening, which will be her _first appearance_ in public, here, for this season. The Officers of the Blues are the _great dashers_ of the place; they associate with no one but their own Corps. The most of them keep their blood horses, their curricles, and their girls. At one o'clock they appear on the parade, to hear the word of command given to the Subaltern Guard: afterwards, they toss off their _goes_ of brandy, dine about five, and come about eight to the Theatre. _Vivent L'Amour et Bacchus._'
The latter part of this quotation seems to be borne out by the first of 'TWELVE GOLDEN RULES _for young Gentlemen of Distinction, to be observed at Brighton for the year 1796_':
'Young and inexperienced officers must confederate with several of their mess, as young as themselves, and reel into the theatre, during the performance, in a state of assumed intoxication, and be sure to disturb the audience in the most important part of the drama, by taking liberties with any of those Cyprian nymphs who harbour in the green boxes, and are, unhappily, devoted to insult: by this manœuvre, if dexterously managed, they will gain three enormous points;--the first is, the credit of having consumed more wine than their income will allow; the second is, a disposition for unlimited intrigue; and the third is, an opportunity of displaying their contempt for good manners, without any hazard of personal danger.--This behaviour will be totally out of character if any of the parties have seen service, or arrived at the years of discretion.
'N.B.--All descendants, or members of the tribes of Israel, must neither mention lottery tickets, _omnium_, _bonus_, scrip, navy, nor exchequer bills; they must pay their tradesmen on Saturdays, laugh at the paschal, eat swine, and shave every day.'