NELL GWYNE: ROYAL MISTRESS

The spicy-tongued little Covent Garden orange girl who became the Restoration's most celebrated strumpet and held a king's wandering attention for 17 years struts across these pages once again with the customary flounce. Born in the filth of London's worst slums, Nell rose far and fast- first to leading parts in the prosperous King's Company of actors, then to the arms of Charles II. Competition was strong, the king's treasurer none too open-handed, and Nell's low origin of no assistance, but she succeeded in gaining recognition and respect and finally won a dukedom for her oldest, surviving son. The Restoration with its immoral, impertinent fascination- and its leading lady are carried over and carried on with exuberance.