Читать книгу William Hogarth: The Cockney's Mirror - Bowen Marjorie - Страница 20

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There were several curiosities in the grounds, where nightingales and thrushes sang in the venerable trees, a hermit's cell lined with cockle-shells, the statue of Handel (caricatured elsewhere as a pig, 'the tomb of meat and drink') as Orpheus, and some much-admired Gothic ruins of painted canvas stretched over wooden frames; some of the vistas were closed by large cloths, on which were painted scenes that were thought 'to improve on nature.'

There were also musical bushes, which, by some mechanical contrivance, emitted melodious sounds—these were, unfortunately, soon ruined by the damp. There was a seated statue of Milton, who appeared to be listening to this 'vocal forest;' it was cast in lead and placed on an eminence.

Obelisks, ha-has, Chinese gardens, wildernesses, singing Savoyards in native costume, added to the delights of Vauxhall, among which were also reckoned 'our lovely countrywomen who visit these blissful bowers.'

Refreshments were not expensive considering the free attractions the visitor enjoyed, and in contrast to Ranelagh wine could be bought; the most costly item that could be purchased was Champagne at 10s. 6d. a bottle, Burgundy was next at 7s. 6d., Claret and Old Hock were 6s. each, Madeira 5s., and the cheapest wine was Red Port or Lisbon at 2s. 6d. a bottle. Rhenish was 3s. and Sherry 3s. 6d.; these wines were all drunk sweetened, and enough sugar to flavour a bottle might be purchased for 6d.

For 1s. you might have a bottle of cyder, or two pounds of ice, or a plate of ham, or collared beef, or a potted pigeon, or a tart, or a plate of olives, or a plate of anchovies; a chicken was 3s., but for 6d. there was a choice of a quart mug of beer, a lettuce, a cucumber, or a jelly.

Wax lights ran up the bill Is. 4d. and a lemon was not to be had for less than 3d., custards and cheese-cakes were 4d. each, but a 'heart' cake or a Shrewsbury cake was only half that price.

The only items that cost 1d. were slices of bread or biscuits; portions of cheese or butter cost 2d. each.

About a thousand people enjoyed this sumptuous pleasure place every night, but it could at a pinch provide food and amusement for seven thousand, as was proved when there was a regatta on the Thames or a visit from a royal personage.