Annotation:Lord Spindle

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LORD SPINDLE. English, Country Dance Tune (whole time). G Major. Standard tuning (fisslw). AABB. The melody is unique to Charles and Samuel Thompson's Compleat Collection, vol. 3 (London, 1773). Lord Spindle was the name of a stock character in 18th century literature, representative of the leisure class or aristocracy. He is mentioned, for example, in Richard Sheridan's play School for Scandal (1777), along with Lady Frizzle, the Dowager Lady Dundizzy, and Captain Quinze; and in Laurence Sterne and John Hall-Stevenson's A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy (1774).

The balloon reads: "Me thinks I'm now a marv'lous proper Man, I'll have my Chambers bin'd with Looking Glass, And entertain a score or two of Tailors, To study Fashions to adorn my body". A caricature by James Gillray (1757 - 1815)

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Thompson (Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, vol. 3), 1773; No. 102.

Recorded sources:

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