Amusements Serious and Comical, Calculated for the Meridian of London

work by Brown

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

Amusements Serious and Comical, Calculated for the Meridian of London is a 1700 work by British satirist Tom Brown. The book offers a vivid portrayal of London and its inhabitants, with a particular focus on the follies of the upper classes.1

The term "meridian" in the title refers to an imaginary north-south line used to indicate longitude, with the prime meridian passing through Greenwich, a borough of London. Brown's work uses this geographical reference to frame his satirical observations of London society. "Amusements" in this context refers to entertainments, recreations, and diversions.213

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Tom Brown
His prose Amusements Serious and Comical, Calculated for the Meridian of London (1700; mod. ed., 1927) presents a vivid picture of the city and its inhabitants. It is particularly attentive to the follies of the upper classes.
Read More
His prose Amusements Serious and Comical, Calculated for the Meridian of London (1700; mod. ed., 1927) presents a vivid picture of the city and its inhabitants. It is particularly attentive to the follies of the upper classes.
Read More