SOPHISTICATED 18th CENTURY LITERATURE

Yes, the modern age is just so crass and lacking in elegance compared to the past, right?

Here’s a page from a book published in the 1740s.

Hilarious. Crude toilet humour with a dose of body-shaming, and a charming little illustration to go with it.

I have many questions. What is a ‘barley butt’ ( a container for barley?). Why would someone be likened to one? Did the term ‘butt’ refer to the arse area in 18th century English as it does in the modern American? Why did it fall out of use this side of the pond? Is this a children’s book?

Answers on a postcard.