Merrie England in the Olden Time. George Daniel
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Название: Merrie England in the Olden Time

Автор: George Daniel

Издательство: Bookwire

Жанр: Документальная литература

Серия:

isbn: 4064066389666

isbn:

СКАЧАТЬ “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 СКАЧАТЬ