In 1781 the remains of the "Old Finsbury
Archers" established the Toxophilite Society ... The Society in 1850
consisted of 100 members; terms, 5l., annually, entrance fee 5l., and
other expenses: they possess the original silver badge of the old Finsbury
Archers. They meet every Friday during the Spring and Summer; the shooting is at
60, 80 and 100 yards; and many prizes are shot for during the season; Prince
Albert was patron.
The most numerous Society of this kind is, however, "The
Royal Company of Archers, the Queen's body-guard of Scotland", whose
captain-general, the Duke of Buccleuch, rode in the coronation procession of
Queen Victoria.
In 1849, the Society of Cantelows Archers was established;
their shooting ground is at Camden-square, Camden New Town; the prize, a large
silver medal. There was a fine display of Archery at the Fete of the Scottish
Society of London, in Holland Park, Kensington, June 20,21, 1849, when 300l. worth
of prize plate was shot for.
John Timbs, Curiosities of London, 1867 edition
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Archery.—The members
of the Royal Toxophilite Society may be considered the representative
supporters of this ancient national sport
in London. The society, which is under the patronage of the Prince of Wales,
and numbers over a hundred members, has occupied
since 1832 pretty grounds in the Inner Circle of the Regent’s-park, in which
stands Archers’ Hall where the hon. secretary may be addressed. The society
was founded so far back as 1781 by Sir Ashton Lever, and represents the ancient
society of Finsbury Archers and the Archers’ Company of the Honourable
Artillery
Company. It possesses a large silver shield, presented to the Archers’
Cornpany by Catherine of Braganza, and several prize arrows of the same and even
earlier periods. Members are elected by ballot. There are no lady members, but
ladies may use the grounds under certain conditions. The subscription for town
members is £5 5s. For town members there is no entrance fee. The rules provide
that country members shall pay an entrance fee of £1 1s., and an annual
subscription of £2 2s. The annual general meeting takes place on the first
Friday in May. The London Skating Club established a rink in the gardens in
1869, and pay the society an annual rent. The rink may be flooded at any time
between the 15th November and the 1st March; members of the society having the
privilege of skating on the rink, and of inviting their friends to look on.
Members of the society may also, on certain conditions, become members of the
Skating Club without entrance fee. The freedom of the Royal Toxophilite Society
has been granted to the following country societies: the Royal Company of
Archers, the Woodmen of Arden, the West Berks Archers. The National Archery
Meeting takes place every summer in the archery grounds of the Crystal Palace,
when valuable prizes are shot for by ladies and gentlemen, and a very pretty
sight is afforded to the numerous spectators.
Charles Dickens (Jr.), Dickens's Dictionary of London, 1879