Victorian London - Publications - History - Views of the Pleasure Gardens of London, by H.A.Rogers, 1896

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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