Chapter Bolga to Booby of B by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Bontemps (Roger), the personification of that buoyant spirit which is always “inclined to hope rather than fear,” and in the very midnight of distress is ready to exclaim, “There’s a good time coming: wait a little longer.” The character is the creation of Béranger.

Vous, pauvres pleins d’envie,
Vous, riches désireux;
Vous, dont le char dévie
Aprés un cours heureux;
Vous, qui perdrez peut-être
Des titres éclatans,
Eh gai! prenez pour maitre
Le gros Roger Bontemps.
   —Beranger (1814).

Bonthron (Anthony), one of Ramorny’s followers; employed to murder Smith, the lover of Catherine Glover (“the fair maid of Perth”), but he murdered Oliver instead, by mistake. When charged with the crime, he demanded a Smith, confessed his guilt and was hanged. He was restored to life, but being again apprehended, was executed.—Sir W. Scott: Fair Maid of Perth (time, Henry IV.).

Bon Ton, a farce by Garrick. Its design is to show the evil effects of the introduction of foreign morals and foreign manners. Lord Minikin neglects his wife, and flirts with Miss Tittup. Lady Minikin hates her husband, and flirts with colonel Tivy. Miss Tittup is engaged to the colonel. Sir John Trotley, who does not understand bon ton, thinks this sort of flirtation very objectionable. “You’ll excuse me, for such old- fashioned notions, I am sure” (1760).

Booby (Lady), a vulgar upstart, who tries to seduce her footman, Joseph Andrews. Parson Adams reproves her for laughing in church. Lady Booby is a caricature of Richardson’s “Pamela.”—Fielding: Joseph Andrews (1742).