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* “By a company of English, French, and Germans, at

Phillips's New Wells, near the London Spa, Clerkenwell, 20th

August 1743.

“This evening, and during the Summer Season, will be

performed several new exercises of Rope-dancing, Tumbling,

Vaulting, Equilibres, Ladder-dancing, and Balancing, by Ma—

dame Kerman, Sampson Rogetzi, Monsieur German, and Monsieur

Dominique; with a new Grand Dance, called Apollo and Daphne,

by Mr. Phillips, Mrs. Lebrune, and others; singing by Mrs.

Phillips and Mrs. Jackson; likewise the extraordinary

performance of Herr Von Eeekenberg, who imitates the lark,

thrush, blackbird, goldfinch, canary-bird, flageolet, and

German flute; a Sailor's Dance by Mr. Phillips; and Monsieur

Dominique flies through a hogshead, and forces both heads

out. To which will be added The Harlot's Progress. Harlequin

by Mr. Phillips; Miss Kitty by Mrs. Phillips. Also, an exact

representation of the late glorious victory gained over the

French by the English at the battle of Dettingen, with the

taking of the White Household Standard by the Scots Greys,

and blowing up the bridge, and destroying and drowning most

part of the French army. To begin every evening at five

o'clock. Every one will be admitted for a pint of wine, as

usual.”

Mahommed Caratha, the Grand Turk, performed here his

“Surprising Equilibres on the Slack Rope.”

In after years, the imitations of Herr Von Eeekenberg were

emulated by James Boswell. (Bozzy!)

“A great many years ago, when Dr. Blair and I (Boswell) were

sitting together in the pit of Drury Lane Playhouse, in a

wild freak of youthful extravagance, I entertained the

audience prodigiously by imitating the lowings of a cow. The

universal cry of the galleries was, 'Encore the cow!' In the

pride of my heart I attempted imitations of some other

animals, but with very inferior effect. My revered friend,

anxious for my fame, with an air of the utmost gravity and

earnestness, addressed me thus, My dear sir, I would confine

myself to the cow!'”

the New Red Lion Cockpit; * the Mulberry Gardens; **

* “At the New Red Lion Cockpit, near the Old London Spaw,

Clerkenwell, this present Monday, being the 12th July 1731,

will be seen the Royal Sport of Cock-fighting, for two

guineas a-battle. To-morrow begins the match for four

guineas a-battle, and twenty guineas the old battle, and

continues all the week, beginning at four o'clock.”

** “Mulberry Gardens, Clerkenwell.—The gloomy clouds that

obscured the season, it is to be hoped, are vanished, and

nature once more shines with a benign and cheerful

influence. Come, then, ye honest sons of trade and industry,

after the fatigues of a well-spent day, and taste of our

rural pleasures! Ye sons of care, here throw aside your

burden! Ye jolly Bacchanalians, here regale, and toast your

rosy god beneath the verdant branches! Ye gentle lovers,

here, to soft sounds of harmony, breathe out your sighs,

till the cruel fair one listens to the voice of love! Ye who

delight in feats of war, and are anxious for our heroes

abroad, in mimic fires here see their ardour displayed!

“Note.—The proprietor being informed that it is a general

complaint against others who offer the like entertainments,

that if the gentle zephyrs blow ever so little, the company

are in danger of having their viands fanned away, through

the thinness of their consistence, promises that his shall

be of such a solidity as to resist, the air!”—Daily

Advertiser, July 8, 1745.

The latter part of this picturesque and poetical

advertisement is a sly hit at what, par excellence, are

called, “Vauxhall slices.”

the Shakspeare's Head Tavern and Jubilee Gardens; * the New Tunbridge Wells, **

* In 1742, the public were entertained at the “Shakspeare's

Head, near the New Wells, Clerkenwell,', with refreshments

of all sorts, and music; “the harpsichord being placed in so

judicious a situation, that the whole company cannot fail of

equally receiving the benefit.” In 1770, Mr. Tonas exhibited

“a great and pleasing variety of performances, in a

commodious apartment,” up one pair.

** These once beautiful tea-gardens (we remember them as

such) were formerly in high repute. In 1733, their Royal

Highnesses the Princesses Amelia and Caroline frequented

them in the summer time, for the purpose of drinking the

waters. They have furnished a subject for pamphlets, poems,

plays, songs, and medical treatises, by Ned Ward, George

Col-man the elder, Bickham, Dr. Hugh Smith, &c. Nothing now

remains of them but the original chalybeate spring, which is

still preserved in an obscure nook, amidst a poverty-

stricken and squalid rookery of misery and vice.

a fashionable morning lounge of the nobility and gentry during the early part of the eighteenth century; the Sir Hugh Middleton's Head; the Farthing Pie House; * and Sadler's Music House and “Sweet Wells.” ** A little to the left were Merlin's Cave,

* Farthing Pie Houses were common in the outskirts of London

a century ago. Their fragrance caught the sharp set citizen

by the nose, and led him in by that prominent member to

feast on their savoury fare. One solitary Farthing Pie House

(the Green Man) still stands near Portland Road, on the way

to Paddington.

** Originally a chalybeate spring, then a music-house, and

afterwards a “theatre-royal!” Cheesecakes, pipes, wine, and

punch, were formerly part of the entertainment.

“If at Sadler's sweet Wells the wine should be thick,

The cheesecakes be sour, or Miss Wilkinson sick,

If the fume of the pipe should prove pow'rful in June,

Or the tumblers be lame, or the bells out of tune,

We hope you will call at our warehouse at Drury—We've a

curious assortment of goods, I assure you.” Foote's Prologue

to All in the Wrong, 1761.

Its rural vicinity made it a great favourite with the play-

going and punch-drinking citizens. See Hogarth's print of

“Evening.”

“A New Song on Sadler's Wells, set by Mr. Brett, 1740.

'At eve, when Sylvan's shady scene

Is clad with spreading branches green,

And varied sweets all round display'd,

To grace the pleasant flow'ry meads,

For those who're willing joys to taste,

Where pleasures flow and blessings last,

And God of Health with transport dwells,

Must all repair to Sadler's Wells.

The pleasant streams of Middleton

In gentle murmurs glide along,

In which the sporting fishes play,

To close each weary summer's day;

And music's charm, in lulling sounds,

With mirth and harmony abounds;

While nymphs and swains, with beaus and belles,

All praise the joys of Sadler's Wells.'”

Bagnigge Wells, * the English Grotto (which stood near the New River Water-works in the fields), and, farther in advance, White Conduit House. **

* Once the reputed residence of Nell Gwynn, which makes the

tradition of her visiting the “Old Bath House” more than

probable. F or. upwards of a century it has been a noted

place of entertainment.'Tis now almost a ruin! Pass we to

its brighter days, as sung in the “Sunday Ramble,” 1778:—

“Salubrious waters, tea, and wine,

Here you may have, and also dine;

But as ye through the gardens rove,

Beware, fond youths, the darts of love!”

** So called after an ancient conduit that once stood hard

by. Goldsmith, in the “Citizen of the World,” celebrates the

“hot rolls and butter' of White Conduit House. Thither

himself and a few friends would repair to tea, after having

dined at Highbury Barn. A supper at the Grecian, or Temple

Exchange Coffeehouses, closed the “Shoemaker's Holiday” of

this exquisite English Classic—this gentle and benignant

spirit!

Passing by the Old Red Lion, bearing the date of 1415, and since brightened up with some regard to the taste of ancient times; and the Angel—now a fallen one!—a huge structure, the architecture of which is anything but angelic, having risen on its ruins, we enter Islington, described by Goldsmith as “a pretty and neat town.” In ancient times it was not unknown to fame.

“What village can boast like fair Islington town

Such time-honour'd worthies, such ancient renown?

Here jolly Queen Bess, after flirting with Leicester,

'Undumpish'd'' herself with Dick Tarleton her jester.

Here gallant gay Essex, and burly Lord Burleigh,

Sat late at their revels, and came to them early;

Here honest Sir John took his ease at his inn—

Bardolph's proboscis, and Jack's double chin!

Here Finsbury archers disported and quaff'd,

Here Raleigh the brave took his pipe and his draught;

Here the Knight of St. John pledged the Highbury Monk,

Till both to their pallets reel'd piously drunk.” *

In “The Walks of Islington and Hogsdon, with the Humours of Wood Street Compter,” a comedy, by Thomas Jordan, 1641, the scene is laid at the Saracen's Head, Islington; and the prologue celebrates its “bottle-beer, cream, and (gooseberry) fools and the “Merry Milkmaid of Islington,

* “The Islington Garland.”

or the Rambling Gallant defeated,” a comedy, 1680, is another proof of its popularity. Poor Robin, in his almanac, 1676, says,

“At Islington

A Fair they hold,

Where cakes and ale

Are to be sold.

At Highgate and

At Holloway

The like is kept

Here every day.

At Totnam Court

And Kentish Town,

And all those places

Up and down.”

Drunken Barnaby notices some of its inns. Sir William d'Avenant, describing the amusements of the citizens during the long vacation, makes a “husband gray” ask,

“Where's Dame? (quoth he.) Quoth son of shop

She's gone her cake in milk to sop—

Ho! Ho!—to Islington—enough!”

Bonnel Thornton, in “The Connoisseur,” speaks of the citizens smoking their pipes and drinking their ale at Islington; and Sir William Wealthy exclaims to his money-getting brother, “What, old boy, times are changed since the date of thy indentures, when the sleek crop-eared 'prentice used to dangle after his mistress, with the great Bible under his arm, to St. Bride's on a Sunday, bring home the text, repeat the divisions of the discourse, dine at twelve, and regale upon a gaudy day with buns and beer at Islington or Mile-end.” *

Among its many by-gone houses of entertainment, the Three Hats has a double claim upon our notice. It was the arena where those celebrated masters, Johnson, ** Price, Sampson, *** and Coningham exhibited their feats of horsemanship, and the scene of Mr. Mawworm's early back-slidings. “I used to go,” (says that regenerated ranter to old Lady Lambert,) “every Sunday evening to the Three Hats at Islington; it's a public house; mayhap your Ladyship may know it.

* “The Minor,” Act I.

** Johnson exhibited in 1758, and Price, at about the same

time—Coningham in 1772. Price amassed upwards of fourteen

thousand pounds by his engagements at home and abroad.

*** “Horsemanship, April 29, 1767.

Mr. Sampson will begin his famous feats of horsemanship next

Monday, at a commodious place built for that purpose in a

field adjoining the Three Hats at Islington, where he

intends to continue his performance during the summer

season. The doors to be opened at four, and Mr. Sampson will

mount at five. Admittance, one shilling each. A proper band

of music is engaged for the entertainment of those ladies

and gentlemen who are pleased to honour him with their

company.”

I was a great lover of skittles, too; but now I can't bear them.” At Dobney's Jubilee Gardens (now entirely covered with mean hovels), Daniel Wildman * performed equestrian exercises; and, that no lack of entertainment might be found in this once merry village, “a new booth, near Islington Turnpike,” for tricks and mummery, was erected in September 1767; “an insignificant erection, calculated totally for the lowest classes, inferior artisans, superb apprentices, and journeymen.”

Fields,

* “The Bees on Horseback!” At the Jubilee Gardens, Dobney's,

1772. “Daniel Wildman rides, standing upright, one foot on

the saddle, and the other on the horse's neck, with a

curious mask of bees on his face. He also rides, standing

upright on the saddle, with the bridle in his mouth, and, by

firing a pistol, makes one part of the bees march over a

table, and the other part swarm in the air, and return to

their proper places again.”

** Animadvertor's letter to the Printer of the Daily

Advertiser, 21st September 1767.

*** August 22nd, 1770, Mr. Craven stated in an

advertisement, that he had “established rules for the

strictest maintenance of order” at the Pantheon. How far

this was true, the following letter “To the Printer of the

St. James's Chronicle” will show:—

“Sir—Happening to dine last Sunday with a friend in the

city, after coming from church, the weather being very

inviting, we took a walk as far as Islington. In our return

home towards Cold Bath Fields, we stepped in to view the

Pantheon there; but such a scene of disorder, riot, and

confusion, presented itself to me on my entrance, that I was

just turning on my heel in order to quit it, when my friend

observing that we might as well have something for our money

(for the doorkeeper obliged each of us to deposit a tester

before he granted us admittance), I acquiesced in his

proposal, and became one of the giddy multitude. I soon,

however, repented of my choice; for, besides having our

sides almost squeezed together, we were in danger every

minute of being scalded by the boiling water which the

officious Mercuries were circulating with the utmost

expedition through their respective districts. We therefore

began to look out for some place to sit down in, which with

the greatest difficulty we at length procured, and producing

our tickets, were served with twelve-penny worth of punch.

Being seated towards the front of one of the galleries, I

had now a better opportunity of viewing this dissipated

scene. The male part of the company seemed to consist

chiefly of city apprentices and the lower class of

tradesmen. The ladies, who constituted by far the greater

part of the assembly, seemed most of them to be pupils of

the Cyprian goddess, and I was sometimes accosted with,

'Pray, sir, will you treat me with a dish of tea?' Of all

the tea-houses in the environs of London, the most

exceptionable that I have had occasion to be in is the

Pantheon.

“I am sir, your constant reader,

“Speculator.”

“Chiswick, May 5, 1772.”

near Islington,” * was opened in 1770 for the sale of tea, coffee, wine, punch, &c., a “tester” being the price of admission to the promenade and galleries. It was eventually turned to a very different use, and converted into a lay chapel by the late Countess of Huntingdon.

* Spa-Fields (like “Jack Plackett's Common” the site of

Dalby Terrace, Islington) was famous for duck-hunting, bull-

baiting, and other low sports. “On Wednesday last, two women

fought for a new shift valued at half-a-guinea, in the Spaw-

Fields near Islington. The battle was won by a woman called

Bruising Peg, who beat her antagonist in a terrible

manner.”—22nd June 1768.

But by far the most interesting ancient hostelrie that has submitted to the demolishing mania for improvement is the Old Queen's Head, formerly situate in the Lower Street, Islington. This stately edifice was one of the most perfect specimens of ancient domestic architecture in England. Under its venerable roof Sir Walter Raleigh, it is said, “puffed his pipe;” and might not Jack Falstaff have taken his ease there, when he journeyed to string a bow with the Finsbury archers? For many years it was a pleasant retreat for retired citizens, who quaffed their nut-brown beneath its primitive porch, and indulged in reminiscences of the olden time. Thither would little Quick, King George the Third's favourite actor, resort to drink cold punch, and “babble” of his theatrical contemporaries. Plays * were formerly acted there.

* The following curious “Old Queen's Head” play-bill, temp.

George the Second, is presumed to be unique:—

G. II. R.

By a Company of Comedians, at the Queen's Head, in the Lower

Street, Islington,

This present evening will be acted a Tragedy, called the

Fair Penitent.

Sciolto, Mr. Malone.—Horatio, Mr. Johnson.

Altamont, Mr. Jones.—Lothario, Mr. Dunn.

Rosano, Mr. Harris.—Calista, Mrs. Harman.

Lavinia, Mrs. Malone.—Lucilla, Miss Platt.

To which will be added, a Farce called The Lying Valet.

Prices—Pit, 2s.; Gallery, Is. To begin at 7 o'clock.”

On Monday, October 19, 1829, it was razed to the ground, to make room for a misshapen mass of modern masonry. The oak parlour has been preserved from the wreck, and is well worth a visit from the antiquary. Canonbury Tavern and Highbury Barn still maintain their festive honours. Farther a-field are the Sluice, or Eel-pie House; Copenhagen House; Hornsey-wood House, formerly the hunting seat of Queen Elizabeth; Chalk Farm; Jack Straw's Castle; the Spaniards, &c. as yet undefiled by pitiful prettinesses of bricks and mortar, and affording a delightful opportunity of enjoying pure air and pastime. The canonised Bishop of Lichfield and Mademoiselle St. Agnes have each their wells. What perambulator of the suburbs but knows St. Chad, in Gray's Inn Lane, and St. Agnes le Clair, * at Hoxton? Paneras **

* Whit, in Jonson's Bartholomew Fair, promises to treat his

company with a clean glass, washed with the water of Agnes

le Clare.

** “At Edward Martin's, at the Hornes at Pancrass, is that

excellent water, highly approved of by the most eminent phy-

sitians, and found by long experience to be a powerful

antidote against rising of the vapours, also against the

stone and gravel. It likewise cleanses the body, purifies

and sweetens the blood, and is a general and sovereign help

to nature. I shall open on Whitson-Monday, the 24th of May

1697; and there will be likewise dancing every Tuesday and

Thursday all the summer season at the place aforesaid. The

poor may drink the waters gratis.” Then follow sixteen lines

of rhyme in praise of “this noble water,” and inviting

ladies and gentlemen to drink of it. Of this rare hand-bill

no other copy is known.

“And although this place (Paneras) be as it were forsaken of

all, and true men seldome frequent the same but upon de-vyne

occasions, yet is it visyted and usually haunted of roages,

vagabondes, harlettes and theeves, who assemble not ther to

pray, but to wayte for praye, and manie fall into their

hands clothed, that are glad when they are escaped naked.

Walke not ther too late.”—Speculi Britannio Pars, by John

Norden, MS. 1594.

and Hampstead Wells, renowned for their salubrious waters, are dried up. Though the two latter were professed marts for aqua pura, liquids more exhilarating were provided for those who relished stronger stimulants. We may therefore fairly assume that John Bull anciently travelled northward ho! when he rambled abroad for recreation.

As population increased, houses of entertainment multiplied to meet the demand. South, east, and west they rose at convenient distances, within the reach of a short stage, and a long pair of legs. Apollo Gardens, St. George's Fields; Bohemia's Head; Turnham Green; Cuper's Gardens, Lambeth; China Hall, Rotherhithe; Dog and Duck, St. George's Fields; Cherry Gardens Bowling-green, Rotherhithe; Cumberland Gardens, Vaux-hall; Spa Gardens, Bermondsey; Finch's Grotto Garden's, St. George's Fields; Smith's Tea Gardens, Vauxhall; Kendal House, Isleworth; New Wells, Goodman's Fields; Marble Hall, Vaux-hall; Staton's Tea-House, opposite Mary-le-bone Gardens; the Queen's Head and Artichoke, Mary-le-bone Fields; Ruckholt House, in Essex, of which facetious Jemmy Worsdale was the Apollo; Old Chelsea Bun-house; Queen Elizabeth's Cheesecake House, in Hyde Park; the Star and Garter Tavern, * and Don Saltero's coffeehouse, **

* “Star and Garter Tavern, Chelsea, 1763. Mr. Lowe will

display his uncommon abilities with watches, letters, rings,

swords, cards, and enchanted clock, which absolutely tells

the thoughts of any person in the company. The astonishing

Little Man, only four inches high, pays his respects to the

company, and vanishes in a flash of fire. Mr. Lowe commands

nine lighted candles to fly from the table to the top of the

ceiling! Added, a grand entertainment, with musick and

dancing, &c. &c.”

** The great attraction of Don Saltero's Coffeehouse was its

collection of rarities, a catalogue of which was published

as a guide to the visitors. It comprehends almost every

description of curiosity, natural and artificial. “Tigers'

tusks; the Pope's candle; the skeleton of a Guinea-pig; a

fly-cap monkey; a piece of the true Cross; the Four

Evangelists' heads cut on a cherry-stone; the King of

Morocco's tobacco-pipe;

Mary Queen of Scot's pincushion; Queen Elizabeth's prayer-

book; a pair of Nun's stockings; Job's ears, which grew on a

tree; a frog in a tobacco stopper,” and five hundred more

odd relies! The Don had a rival, as appears by “A Catalogue

of the Rarities to be seen at Adams's, at the Royal Swan, in

Kingsland Road, leading from Shoreditch Church, 1756.” Mr.

Adams exhibited, for the entertainment of the curious, “Miss

Jenny Cameron's shoes; Adam's eldest daughter's hat; the

heart of the famous Bess Adams, that was hanged at Tyburn

with Lawyer Carr, January 18, 1736–7; Sir Walter Raleigh's

tobacco-pipe; Vicar of Bray's clogs; engine to shell green

pease with; teeth that grew in a fish's belly; Black Jack's

ribs; the very comb that Abraham combed his son Isaac and

Jacob's head with; Wat Tyler's spurs; rope that cured

Captain Lowry of the head-ach, ear-ach, tooth-ach and belly-

ach; Adam's key of the fore and back door of the Garden of

Eden, &e. &e.” These are only a few out of five hundred

others equally marvellous. Is this strange catalogue a quiz

on Don Saltero?

Chelsea; Mary-le-bone and Ranelagh Gardens; *

* The Rotunda was first opened on the 5th of April, 1742,

with a public breakfast. At Ranelagh House (Gentleman's

Magazine for 1767) on the 12th of May, were performed the

much-admired catches and glees, selected from the curious

collection of the Catch Club; being the first of the kind

publickly exhibited in this or any other kingdom. The

entertainment consisted of the favourite catches and glees,

composed by the most eminent masters of the last and present

age, by a considerable number of the best vocal and

instrumental performers. The choral and instrumental parts

were added, to give the catches and glees their proper

effect in so large an amphitheatre; being composed for that

purpose by Dr. Arne. The Masquerades at Ranelagh are

represented in Fielding's “Amelia” as dangerous to morals,

and the “Connoisseur” satirises their Eve-like beauties with

caustic humour.

and the illuminated saloons and groves of Vauxhall. * These, and many others, bear testimony to the growing spirit of national jollity during a considerable part of the eighteenth century. How few now remain, “the sad historians of the pensive tale,” of their bygone merriments!

* “The extreme beauty and elegance of this place is well

known to almost every one of my readers; and happy is it for

me that it is so, since to give an adequate idea of it would

exceed my power of description. To delineate the particular

beauties of these gardens would indeed require as much

pains, and as much paper too, as to rehearse all the good

actions of their master; whose life proves the truth of an

observation which I have read in some other writer, that a

truly elegant taste is generally accompanied with an

excellency of heart; or in other words, that true virtue is

indeed nothing else but true taste.” Amelia, b. ix. c. ix.