Название: Merrie England in the Olden Time
Автор: George Daniel
Издательство: Bookwire
Жанр: Документальная литература
isbn: 4064066389666
isbn:
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 СКАЧАТЬ