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Views of
SOME OF THE MOST CELEBRATED BY-GONE
Pleasure Gardens of London
WITH
SOME CONTEMPORARY DESCRIPTIONS THEREOF
(CHIEFLY POETICAL) COLLECTION FROM
VARIOUS SOURCES
H. A. ROGERS
83 HANLEY ROAD, LONDON, N.
1896
This edition is limited to 450 copies.
Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co.
At the Ballantyne Press
Preface
The tendency of the age is towards abbreviation; therefore,
instead of writing a full history of the various Pleasure Gardens of London in
the past, it has been sought rather to make a feature of the several view of
them as bequeathed to us by contemporary artists.
The two views of Sadler's Wells with New Tunbridge Wells, and
Busby's Folly with Dobney's Bowling-green, are taken from the original drawings
by B. Lens now in the British Museum, which have not, it is believed, been
reproduced before in a proper and presentable shape.
The view of Vauxhall Gardens needs no further praise, as it
is already acknowledged to be the best representation of the Gardens whilst in
the height of their splendour. The view originally appeared in the 1754 edition
of Stowe's London, edited by Strype.
Amongst all the views of Ranelagh Gardens it has been
considered that the view now presented gives the most lively representation of
the Gardens as they appeared in the zenith of their popularity.
The excellence of the Marylebone Gardens view, as will be
noticed in the text, is guaranteed by our genial friend of "Rainy Day"
renown, J.T.Smith, who was for some years Keepers of the Prints at the British
Museum.
Recalling to mind the opening words of the this Preface, the
other illustrations in the work will be left to speak for themselves, but we
cannot refrain from acknowledging the artistic ability displayed by Mr. Carse in
the execution of the several etchings done by him.
A word to the letterpress. It will be noticed that some of
the poetical effusions have not been given in their entirety, the reason for
this being (in most cases) the great latitude the older writers adopted in using
coarse and unseemly language.
List of Illustrations
BAGNIGGE WELLS, taken from Frederick Street
"
"
Original entrance, as it appeared in 1800, showing the Fleet River
BUSBY'S FOLLY, ISLINGTON
DOBNEY'S TEA GARDENS AND BOWLING GREEN
CREMORNE GARDENS (Banqueting Hall)
EAGLE TAVERN PLEASURE GROUNDS, CITY ROAD
MARYLEBONE GARDENS. General View
"
"
Interior of the Rotunda
RANELAGH GARDENS. General View
"
"
Interior of the Rotunda
SADLER'S WELLS
NEW TUNBRIDGE WELLS, ISLINGTON
VAUXHALL GARDENS. General View
"
"
Ticket of Admission to the Jubilee
"
"
Bill announcing Mr. Simpson's Benefit
"
"
The Vauxhall Masquerade
WHITE CONDUIT HOUSE, ISLINGTON