The indefatigable public caterer, Pinkethman, was there, in 1704, with

'the same Company that was at Bartholomew Fair over against the

Hospital Gate, particularly the two famous French Maidens, and the

Indian Woman; and also Italian Interludes of Scaramouch and Harlequin,

by those two Great Masters of their kind Mr. Sorine and Mr. Baxter;

and likewise extraordinary Performances on the Manag'd Horse by the

famous Mr. Evans and Mr. Baxter, who both perform several new things

in their Way. And also Mr. Evans walks on the Slack Rope, and throws

himself a Somerset through a Hogshead hanging eight Foot high, with

several other Entertainments too tedious to insert here.'

In 1705 'the two famous French Maidens the Lady Isabella and her

Sister,' again attended the fair, accompanied by 'the Famous Mr. Luly,

who walks on the Slack Rope without a Pole, and stands upon one Legg

distinctly playing a tune on the violin; and likewise turns himself

round on the Rope with as much freedom as if on the Ground.'

An old friend was also there, 'The Whole Story of the Creation of the

World, or Paradise lost,' but seemingly its sole attraction was not

sufficient, for it was accompanied by 'The Ball of _Little Dogs_ come

from _Lovain_, which performs, by their cunning tricks, Wonders in the

World by Dancing. You shall see one of them named _Marquis of

Gaillardin_, whose Dexterity is not to be compared; he dances with

Mrs. _Poncette_ his Mistress, and the rest of their Company at the

sound of Instruments; observes so well the Cadance, that they amaze

every Body. They have danced in most of the Courts of _Europe_,

especially before the Queen and most of the Quality of _England_. They

are carried to Persons of Qualities Houses if required. They stay but

a little while in this Place. They give a General Satisfaction to all

People that see them.'

Here also was to be seen the English Sampson, William Joyce, described

by Ward as 'the _Southwark Sampson_, who breaks Carmens Ribs with a

Hug, snaps Cables like Twine Thread, and throws Dray Horses upon their

backs, with as much Ease as a _Westphalia Hog_ can crack a Cocoa Nut.'

When he exhibited before William III., he lifted 1 ton and 14-1/2 lbs.

of lead, tied a very strong rope round him to which was attached a

strong horse, which, although whipped, failed to move him: this rope

he afterwards snapped like pack thread. 'We are credibly inform'd that

the said Mr. _Joyce_ pulled up a Tree of near a Yard and a half

Circumference by the Roots at _Hamstead_ on _Tuesday_ last in the open

View of some Hundreds of People, it being modestly computed to Weigh

near 2000 weight.'

CHAPTER XXI.

OTHER SIGHTS.

The Lincolnshire ox -- The large hog -- The whale -- Monkeys and

wild beasts -- 'The Lest Man and Hors in the World' -- Performing

horse -- Dwarfs and giants -- Human curiosities -- Helen and

Judith -- Conjurors -- Posture masters -- Mr. Clinch -- Waxwork

-- Mrs. Salmon, etc. -- Westminster Abbey wax-figures -- Powell's

puppets -- Moving pictures -- Glass-blowing -- Miraculous

fountain -- Winstanley -- His waterworks -- The four Indian

chiefs.

But it must not be imagined that these fairs monopolised all the

rarities and natural curiosities. On the contrary, there were plenty

on exhibition elsewhere, as we shall see. 'This is to give Notice to

all Gentlemen, Ladies, and Others, that the Great Ox that hath been so

long talk'd of, and that hath been in the News so often, is now come

to _London_, and is to be seen any Hour of the Day, at the _White

Horse Inn_ in _Fleet Street_, at the same place where the great

_Elephant_ was seen. This Large and Famous Beast, otherwise called the

True _Lincolnshier_ Ox, is Nineteen Hands High, and Four Yards Long,

from his Face to his Rump, and never was Calv'd nor never Suckt, and

two Years ago was no bigger than another Ox, but since is grown to

this Prodigious Bigness. This Noble Beast was lately shown at the

University of _Cambridge_, with great Satisfaction to all that saw

him. The like Beast for Bigness was never seen in the World before.

Vivat Reginæ' (_sic_). Other dimensions are given when it was

exhibited at May Fair. 'His shin being 36 inches round, and an Ell

broad from Huckle Bone to Huckle Bone across the Back.' The following

looks suspiciously like a newspaper puff: 'Yesterday the 17th Instant,

was proffer'd for the Great Lincolnshire Ox, 350 Guineas.'[349]

[Footnote 349: _Daily Courant_, Nov. 28, 1703.]

Then there was a 'Large _Buckinghamshire_ Hog, above 10 Foot long; 13

Hands high; above 7 foot and a half round the Body; almost 5 Foot

round the Neck, and 18 inches round the fore Leg, above the Joynt.'

And 'At the White Horse in Fleet Street' could be seen the 'Wonderful

Worcestershire Mare 19 Hands high, curiously shaped, every way

proportionable.'

These were native productions, and, although abnormal, could not

compete with rarities from foreign lands--especially with the whale,

_Vide Daily Courant_, September 15, 1712: 'There being last Week a

Royal Parmacitty Whale taken in the Thames, which is the noblest Fish

ever seen in England, the same will for the curiosity of Gentlemen,

&c., be exposed to view in a Barge near the Faulcon over against Black

Fryers at 2_d._ a piece.' It got rather odoriferous by keeping, so we

read in the _Daily Courant_ of September 22, that, 'the Royal Whale,

supposed to be the Spermacete so much admired, will be exposed to Sale

by Auction to-morrow at 4 o'clock.' Its purchaser is unknown, but we

hear of it again: 'We called at the Isle of Dogs to see the Skeleton

of a whale, forty-eight yards long, and thirty-five round.'[350]

[Footnote 350: Diary of Ralph Thoresby, July 14, 1714.]

Of course there was no Zoological Society at that time, and the only

way of seeing foreign animals was by small private collections, which,

for want of capital, never contained any very rare specimens. Still,

it was something even to get this, and we must not forget that our own

Zoological collection is the work of the present century, and is an

example followed by scarcely any other town in England, where still,

as in the villages, people are dependent upon the travelling

menageries for any practical knowledge they may possess of the natural

history of any land other than their own. In London a permanent

collection of wild beasts, or at all events lions and tigers, had

existed at the Tower, where once was a white bear, which used, duly

fastened by a cord, to fish in the Thames; and we have seen that these

animals were one of the principal sights of the City.

'At the White Horse Inn in Fleet Street, any time of the Day or

Evening,' were to be seen '1. A little Black Hairy Pigmey, bred in the

Desarts of Arabia, a Natural Ruff of Hair about his Face, two Foot

high, walks upright, drinks a Glass of Ale or Wine, and does several

other things to admiration. 2. A Hyenna. 3. A Murino dear, one of the

seven Sleepers. 4. The Remark from the East Indies. 5. The Noble

Histix from the West Indies. 6. The little Whifler, admired for his

extraordinary Scent. 7. The Mock call, the Bird of Paradise.'

[Illustration: A Leopard.]

'To all Gentlemen and others, that are lovers of Rarieties. Are to be

seen divers sorts of Outlandish Beasts lately brought over, which,

altho by Nature feirce and Savage, are here to be seen very gentle and

tame, giving great Satisfaction to all the beholders. As first A

Leopard, a beast of excellent beauty, presented to an English Merchant

in Turkey by the king of the Arabs, as a particular mark of favour for

eminent Services performed, who for the Maintenance of it in its

voyage from Aleppo, gave One hundred and ninety of the best and

fattest fowls. Likewise two Dromedaries Male and Female, the Male

being the largest that ever was in England, being seven foot high, and

ten foot in length; his common burden is twelve hundredweight, with

which he travels 40 miles a day; there is also to be seen a Civet Cat

giveing a pleasant smell throughout the Room. Likewise a Wolf and

other wild beasts are there to be seen at any time of the day (all

being alive).'

A dromedary seems to have been considered a great curiosity, and the

following advertisement gives a wonderful description of it. 'By Her

Majesties Authority. Betwixt the _Queen's Head_ and _Crooked Billet_

near _Fleet Bridge_. This is to give notice to all Gentlemen, Ladies,

and others, that there is here to be seen, two strange wonderful and

remarkable monstrous Creatures, an old She _Dromodary_, being seven

foot high and ten foot long, lately arriv'd from _Tartary_, and her

young One, being the greatest Rarity and Novelty that ever was seen in

the three Kingdoms before. These Creatures is much admired above all

other _Creatures_ in their way of bringing forth their young, for they

go fourteen Months with young; these Creatures resemble several sorts

of Creatures, and yet but one at the last; they are headed like a

Horse, ey'd like an Ox, nos'd like a Deer, cloven Lipt like a Hare,

also neck'd like a Swan, and Tail'd like a Mule, and cloven footed

like a Cow, also the young Creature shewing several Actions by the

word of Command. Note also that Natural Dromodarys (as these be) are

the swiftest Creatures upon Earth: These Creatures are to be seen at

any hour of the day from eight in the Morning till nine at night.

Vivat Regina.'

'By Her Majesty's Authority. Is to be seen, the Hand of a Sea Monster

which was lately taken on the Coasts of _Denmark_; the whole Creature

was very large, and weigh'd (according to Computation) at least fifty

Tuns, and was seventy foot in length: His upper part resembled a Man;

from the middle downwards he was a Fish, &c. Likewise there is a Man

Teger, lately brought from the _East Indies_, a most strange and

wonderful Creature, the like never seen before in _England_, it being

of Seven several Colours, from the Head downwards resembling a Man,

its fore parts clear, and his hinder parts all Hairy; having a long

Head of Hair, and Teeth 2 or 3 Inches long; taking a Glass of Ale in

his hand like a Christian, Drinks it, also plays at Quarter Staff.

There is also a famous Porcupine, a Martin Drill, a Pecari from the

Deserts of Arabia, the Bone of a Giant above a Yard long, with several

other Monstrous Creatures too difficult to describe, all alive. This

is to give notice that the _Man Teger_ is removed from _Holborn Bars_

to the sign of the _George_ against the steps of _Upper More Fields_.

Vivat Regina.'

'This is to give Notice to all Gentlemen, Ladies, and Others, that are

Lovers of Ra-arities, that over against the _Muse Gate_, near

_Chairing Cross_, is to be seen the same Creature that was shown at

_Epsom_ and the _Bath_ all this Summer. This Noble Creature, which

much resembles a Wild _Hairy Man_, was lately taken in a Wood at

_Bengall_ in the _East Indies_, he Dances upon the strait Rope with a

Pole in his hands, he cuts Capers upon the Rope, and Dances true to

the Musick. Likewise this Creature walks the Steep Rope with a Pole in

his hands. He walks upon a small Slack Rope Swinging, at the same time

drinks a Glass of Ale, and all this is performed on a Rope no bigger

than a penny Cord; and swings on it, to the great Admiration of all

Spectators. He pulls off his Hat, and pays his Respects to the

Company, and smoaks a _Pipe of Tobacco_ as well as any Christian. This

Noble Creature flings a _Strapader_, and hangs by his Hands and his

Feet, and performs such Wonderful Things, that ne'er was done by any

Rope Dancer whatever.' This was the rope-dancer spoken of by Addison:

'He is by birth a Monkey; but swings upon a Rope, takes a pipe of

Tobacco, and drinks a glass of Ale, like any reasonable

Creature.'[351]

[Footnote 351: _Spectator_, No. 28.]

Occasionally, but very rarely, the nobler beasts were shown. 'At the

Duke of Marlborough's Head in Fleet Street, is to be seen these

Rarities following. 1. The noble and majestick Lion, lately brought

from Barbary, which for its most surprizing Largeness, and its being

so wonderful tame, far exceeds any that ever was seen in the world. 2.

A young Lion lately brought over from Algier, so wonderful tame that

any Person may handle him as well as his keeper. 3. The noble Panther

lately brought from Egypt, one of the beautifullest Creatures in the

World for variety of Spots of divers Colours; a Creature much admired

by all the Gentlemen, and Ladies that ever saw him. 4. The Noble

Pelican or Vulture, lately arrived from America 3 foot high, 9 over.

The Head like a Griffin, Neck like a Swan: the like never seen in this

kingdom before.'

A rhinoceros could only be seen stuffed, and with its skeleton.

In the latter part of 1711 there was a show of 'the Lest Man and Hors

in the World,' which Addison has immortalised in the _Spectator_ (No.

271), saying that the man, his wife, and horse 'are so very light,

that when they are put together into a Scale, an ordinary Man may

weigh down the whole Family.' These were combined with some wild

animals, which evidently would not pay to exhibit by themselves.

'By Her Majesty's Permission. This is to give Notice to all Gentlemen,

Ladies, and Others, that JUST over against the _Mews Gate_ at _Charing

Cross_, is to be seen a Collection of strange and wonderful Creatures

from most Parts of the World, all alive.

[Illustration: 'The Lest Man and Hors in the World.']

'The First being a little _Black Man_, being but 3 Foot high, and 32

Years of Age, strait and proportionable every way, who is

distinguished by the Name of the _Black Prince_, and has been shown

before most Kings and Princes in _Christendom_. The next being his

Wife, the _Little Woman_, NOT 3 Foot high, and 30 Years of Age, strait

and proportionable as any Woman in the Land, which is commonly call'd

the _Fairy Queen_, she gives a General satisfaction to all that sees

her, by Diverting them with Dancing, being big with Child. Likewise

their little _Turkey Horse_, being but 2 Foot odd Inches High, and

above 12 Years of Age, that shews several diverting and surprising

Actions, at the Word of Command. The least Man, Woman and Horse that

ever was seen in the World Alive. _The Horse being kept in a Box._ The

next being a strange Monstrous Female Creature, that was taken in the

Wood in the Desarts of ÆTIOPIA in Prestor _John's_ Country, in the

remotest parts of AFFRICA, being brought over from _Cape de Bon

Esperance_, alias _Cape of Good Hope_; from hir Head downwards she

resembles Humane Nature, having Breasts, Belly, Navel, Nipples, Legs,

and Arms like a Woman, with a long Monstrous Head, no such Creature

was ever seen in this part of the World before, she showing many

strange and wonderful Actions which gives great satisfaction to all

that ever did see her. The next is the noble _Picary_ which is very

much admir'd by the Learned. The next being the Noble _Jack-call_, the

Lion's provider, which hunts in the Forest for the Lion's Prey.

Likewise a small _Egyptian Panther_, spotted like a _Leopard_. The

next being a strange monstrous Creature, brought from the _Coast_ of

_Brazil_, having a Head like a Child, Legs and Arms very wonderful,

with a long Tail like a Serpent, wherewith he feeds himself, as an

_Elephant_ doth with his Trunk. With several other Rarities too

tedious to mention in this Bill.'

Before quitting the natural history shows we must notice

'The finest Taught Horse in the World.

These are to give Notice to all Gentlemen, Ladies, and Others, that

are Lovers of Sport and Ingenuity, that at the _Ship_ on _Great Tower

Hill_ will be shewn a Dancing Horse, which performs a great many

Dexterous Actions at the Word of Command, Viz., He fetches and carries

like a Spaniel Dog, if you hide a _Glove_, _Handkerchief_, _Door Key_,

_Pewter Bason_, or so small a thing as a _Silver Two Pence_, he will

seek about the Room till he finds it and brings it to his Master.

'Turn him loose in the Room without either Bridle or Halter on his

Head, altho' there were a hundred People in the Room, some paying as

they come in, and some not paying, yet let them sit and be mixed one

amongst another, he will find them out that have not payd from the

rest.

'Borrowing several pieces of Money of Persons in the Room, Blind fold

this Horse whilst the Money is in Borrowing, yet giving him the Money,

he will take it in his Mouth one piece after another and will give it

where 'twas Borrowed, and will give account what Pieces they are when

he delivers them. He tells all Numbers and findeth any one Person from

another; he plays at Cards, at Putt, a thing much to be admired, he

plays with as much readiness as any one that plays with him. Tell him

that there is an Express Warrant come to press him, and that he must

leave his Master to go and serve the _French King_, unless he can find

some way to deceive the Press Masters, he presently falleth so Lame,

that he can hardly set one Foot before another, but telling him if he

is Alive he must go, he throweth himself on the Ground, and with his

Legs stretched out stiff, and his Tongue lying out of his Mouth, as if

he were Dead; but telling him that he must rise and Serve Queen

_Anne_, he riseth up and is Extraordinary Brisk and Cheerful; he turns

his Body round on one Foot, and will Leap through Hoops, and performs

Sixty Actions at Command without Bridle on his Head; the like never

seen by no dumb Creature in the World. Vivat Regina.'

Dwarfs always have been shown about, and the following advertisement

is probably that of one of the rivals to that spiteful 'little Farey

Woman' already noticed.

'At the Brandy Shop over against the _Eagle_ and _Child_ in _Stocks

Market_, is to be seen any hour of the Day, from 8 in the Morning till

9 at Night, a little _German_ Woman, the Dwarf of the World, being but

2 Foot 8 Inches in Height, and the Mother of 2 Children, as straight

as any Woman in _England_; she sings and dances incomparable well, she

has had the honour to be shown before Kings and Princes, and most of

the Nobility of the Land, she is carried in a little Box to any

Gentleman's House, if desir'd.'

'In _Bridges Street_ in _Covent Garden_, over against the _Rose

Tavern_, is to be seen a Living FAIRY, suppos'd to be a Hundred and

Fifty Years Old; his Face being no bigger than a Child's of a Month:

was found Sixty Years ago; Look'd as Old then as he does now. His head

being a great piece of Curiosity, having no Scull, with several

Imperfections worthy your Observation.'

'There were giants in the earth in those days,' and at the 'Hercules's

Pillars at Charing Cross' might be seen a German giant, seven and a

half feet high, and an Italian giantess 'above Seven foot high, and

every way proportionable weighing 425 Pounds Weight.' This seems to

have been the normal height of giants, for the Saxon giant[352] who

was 'but Twenty Five Years of Age, he is Seven Foot and Five Inches in

height, and every way Proportionable.' He was shown to the Queen and

Prince George at Windsor; but, previously 'he had the Honour to be

presented with a piece of Armour proportionable to his Bigness, by the

King of the _Romans_.'

[Footnote 352: 'This is to satisfie all People that have

been inform'd that the High German Tall Man, had kill'd a

Man, and was to be hang'd; that it is all false, and has

been given out by other Show Keepers, on purpose to take

away his Credit and Good Name.'--The _Post Boy_, April

12/14, 1709.]

Germany, however, was not to have the monopoly of supplying us with

giants--that, our patriotism could not stand--so a real live British

giant was produced, warranted genuine. The only fault about him is

that he does not state his height, so that we have no means of

comparing him with the foreign importations.

'This is to give Notice to all Gentlemen, Ladys and Others, that there

is now to be seen in this Place, a Tall BRITAIN, Born on a _Mountain_

near _Llanriost_; from the _Age_ of 16 Years he has Travelled abroad,

and has been shown before all the Foreign Kings and Princes in

Christendom; and is now lately come into _England_, and had the Honour

to have been shown before Her Present _Majesty_ of _Great Brittain_

and her Royal Consort the _Prince to the Great Satisfaction of all_

Spectators that have seen him, he being the _Tallest Man_ that ever

was show'd in this Kingdom.'

'There is lately brought to this place from America a Savage; being a

Cannibal Indian or Man Eater who was taken in a Skirmish near South

Carolina, between the Natives of that Place and some of the Wild

Savage men. Likewise an Indian Woman, a Princess of that Country.'

Divers freaks of humanity were shown, but it requires some credulity

to take in the following: 'At the Herculus Pillars at _Charing Cross_,

is to be seen a Girl that was found on a Mountain, in the west of

_England_; When an Eminent Gentlewoman observing her to be without

Fingers or Toes; and without Speech in regard to her Distress, ordered

her to be brought to her Habitation; this Gentlewoman for many Years,

was troubled with Convulsions of a severe kind, was perfectly Cured

in a very short time, by the Girls Stroaking. This Girl hath like

Success in Pains that arise from the Spleen, Sores, and Swellings, and

many other Distempers, and what is very Remarkable also in her; She

never spoke one Word in Four Years, and then by a Prophetick Spirit,

said, the Gentlewoman that preserved her, would Die by Two a Clock

which happened accordingly. The Girl is Ingenious, and can Work at her

Needle; and perform several other things worth Observation; Price for

seeing her Six Pence a Piece. She Toucheth Gratis.'

[Illustration: Hungarian Youth.]

'This young Man was Born in _Hungary_, and is about 18 years of Age, a

Foot and a Half High: In the places where the Thighs, or Legs should

be; hath Two Breasts in all points like a Woman's on which He Walks.

The Natural parts are of the Male kind; Climes, or gets from the

Ground upon a Table, and sits on a Corner of it, but 3 Quarters of an

Inch broad, and shews more Artful Tricks, to the General Diversion,

Satisfaction, and Admiration of all Spectators, and speaks several

Languages. Vivat Regina.'

The following, although a curious, could hardly have been a pleasing

exhibition. 'The Bold Grimace _Spaniard_. At the _Ram's Head_ Inn in

_Fanchurch Street_, is to be seen a _Bold Grimace Spaniard_, lately

brought over, by _David Cornwell_, in the _Bilboa Merchant_: He liv'd

15 Years among wild Creatures in the Mountains, and is reasonably

suppos'd to have been taken out of his Cradle, an Infant, by some

Savage Beast, and wonderfuly preserv'd, till some Comedians

accidentally pass'd thro' those Parts, and perceiving him to be of

human Race, pursu'd him to his Cave, where they caught him in a Net.

They found something wonderful in his Nature, and took him with 'em

in their Travels thro' _Spain_ and _Italy_. He performs the following

surprising Grimaces, viz. He lolls out his Tongue a Foot long, turns

his Eyes in and out at the same time; contracts his Face as small as

an Apple; Extends his Mouth Six Inches, and turns it into the Shape of

a Bird's Beak, and his Eyes like to an Owl's; turns his Mouth into the

Form of a Hat cock'd up three ways; and also frames it in the manner

of a four square Buckle; licks his Nose with his Tongue, like a Cow;

rolls one Eye Brow two Inches up, the other two down; changes his face

to such an astonishing Degree, as to appear like a Corpse long buried;

Altho bred wild so long, yet by travelling with the aforesaid

Comedians 18 years, he can sing wonderfully fine, and accompanies his

Voice with a thorow Bass on the Lute. His former natural Estrangement

from human Conversation obliged Mr. _Cornwell_ to bring a Jackanapes

over with him for his Companion, in whom he takes great Delight and

Satisfaction.'

Queen Anne's time could also match our age with 'Two-Headed

Nightingales,' 'Siamese Twins,' or 'Pygopagi.' 'At Mr. John Pratt's at

the Angel in Cornhil ... are to be seen two Girls, who are one of the

greatest Wonders in Nature that ever was seen, being Born with their

Backs fasten'd to each other, and the Passages of their Bodies are

both one way. These Children are very Handsome and Lusty, and Talk

three different Languages; they are going into the 7th year of their

Age. Those who see them, may very well say, they have seen a Miracle,

which may pass for the 8th Wonder of the World.' These were Helen and

Judith, who were born at Tzoni, in Hungary, October 26, 1701; lived to

the age of twenty-one, and died in a convent at Petersburg February

23, 1723. They were well-shaped, very good-looking, and very fond of

each other. They spoke Hungarian, high and low Dutch, French, and

English.

There was also exhibited 'A young fresh country Lad just arriv'd from

_Suffolk_; who is covered all over his Body, except the Face, Palms of

the Hands, and Soles of his Feet, with Bristles like a Hedgehog, as

hard as Horn, which shoots off yearly.'

'There is lately arrived a Person that was born without either Arms or

Hands, and he does such miraculous things with his Feet, that the like

never was known in the World.... He writes very fine with his _Mouth_,

right and left Foot without discerning, which is the best, and in Five

sorts of Languages, and makes his own Pens with a Pen Knive; he walks

upon his two great Toes, and stands upon one Toe; he lays his Foot in

his Neck, and hops upon the other, he stands upon the top of a little

Stool, and reaches a Glass with his _Mouth_ from under it; he threads

a very fine and small Needle, and sows very prettily; and all Actions

whatsoever is done by Hands, he does with his Feet: he Combs or

dresses a Perriwig very well, shaves himself, dresses and undresses

himself &c., and all with his feet, &c.'

There were conjurors, especially 'the incomparable German.... He

makes pass through his Cups 60 Balls, without touching them, and they

are turn'd into little live Birds, which whistle upon the Table. He

takes a parcel of Cards, and throws them about the Room, and they are

turn'd into little live Birds.' He was only equalled by 'An admirable

Piece of Ingenuity in Hanging Sword Court, the Middle of Fleet

Street,' where twice a day 'several Persons may be Entertained at

Table, with various Dishes, and different kinds of Liquors, arising

from Fountains on the Table to the drinking Glasses of the

Entertained; of the which, when they are satisfied, a Serpent arising

from a Box on the Middle of the Table, flyeth away with the Table and

what's thereon remaining; and that very moment another Table of the

same Dimensions, and furnished with another service, is in place where

the former Table stood, without any visible Cause.'

[Illustration: A Posture-master.]

Posture-masters, as the acrobats were then called, abounded, and one

of the chief among them was Higgins, successor to the famous Clark,

who could dislocate and deform himself at pleasure. But he must have

found a worthy imitator in 'The young Posture Master from _Exeter_,

who performs those Postures of Body, that none never yet did; he

extends his Body into all deform'd Shapes of Stature; he makes his Hip

and Shoulder Bones meet together; he stands upon one Leg and extends

the other in a direct Line half a Yard above his Head; he drinks her

Majesty's Health on his Head; he lays his Head on the Ground, and

turns his Body round twenty Times, without stirring his Face from the

Place; he sucks all his Bowels into his Breast, making a pack Saddle

on his Back, that he will bear the lustiest Man that will be pleas'd

to sit upon his Rump; he will sit in a Posture as if his Body was

split, and so divides his Legs that his Toes are separated Six Foot

ten Inches from Toe to Toe; he stands on a Table and turns his Head

backwards below his Heels; he likewise dances any Dance upon his Knees

with his Toes in his Hands, and dances true to the Musick.' But even

all these accomplishments do not seem to have been sufficiently

attractive of themselves, for with him was 'a Child of Five Years of

Age, who does the Activity of Tumbling to the greatest Perfection.

After which Mr. _Cornwall_ takes an empty Bag, and turns it twenty

times, and stamps on it, if requir'd, and then commands several Eggs

out of it, and at last the live Hen.'

Children then, as now, had to go through acrobatic performances. There

was 'a Boy that walks upon a Slack Rope no thicker than a Penny Cord,

and a little Girl that vaults on the high Rope;' but, even in our

time, we should hardly like to see 'a little Child about two Years and

a half old perform such wonderful things on the Stiff Rope, as is

surprising to all that behold him.' We hear more of this poor little

thing. 'Whereas it has been industriously and falsely reported that

the little Child that is under 3 years old, that danced on the Rope

and tumbled, is dead; Mr. Francis thought it proper to certify all

People, that the Child is living and well; and he challenges all

Europe to produce a Child of his Age to perform what he does, both for

Dancing and Tumbling. Likewise the little Girl about 7 Years old, that

danced the Rope, vaulted the Slack Rope, and tumbled to the Admiration

of all who saw her.'

There was a curious entertainment that lasted nearly the whole of

Anne's reign; of which the first notice I can find is in the _Daily

Courant_, November 27, 1704. By degrees Clench enlarged his

_répertoire_ until he did all described in the accompanying handbill.

'These are to give Notice to all _Gentlemen_, _Ladies_ and _Others_,

that Mr. _Clench_ of _Barnet_ who imitates the _Horn_, _Huntsman_ and

_Pack of Hounds_, the _Sham Doctor_, _Old Woman_, _Drunken Man_, the

_Bells_, _Flute_, _Double Curtell_,[353] the _Organ with three

Voices_, by his own _Natural Voice_, to the greatest Perfection;

(being the only man that ever could Attain to so great an Art,) will

perform,' etc. Clinch is mentioned in the _Tatler_ (No. 51): 'A good

company of us were this day to see, or rather to hear, an artful

person do several feats of activity with his throat and windpipe. The

first thing wherewith he presented us, was a ring of bells, which he

imitated in a most miraculous manner; after that, he gave us all the

different notes of a pack of hounds, to our great delight and

astonishment.' Thoresby went to see him, and reports:[354] 'Evening to

hear the memorable Mr. Clench, whose single voice, as he has learned

to manage it, can admirably represent a number of persons, at sport

and in hunting, and the very dogs and other animals, but none better

than a quire of Choristers chanting an anthem, &c.'

[Footnote 353: Sort of bassoon.]

[Footnote 354: _Diary_, Jan. 14, 1709.]

Waxwork figures have always been a popular exhibition, and then was

living a Mrs. Salmon, whose fame was as great as Madame Tussaud's. Her

handbills were curiosities in their way, but they are so long that one

only can be transcribed. The Royal Off Spring: Or, the Maid's Tragedy

Represented in Wax Work, with many Moving Figures and these Histories

Following. King _Charles_ the First upon the Fatal Scaffold, attended

by Dr. _Juxon_ the Bishop of _London_, and the Lieutenant of the

_Tower_, with the Executioner and Guards waiting upon our Royal

Martyr. The Royal Seraglio, or the Life and Death of _Mahomet_ the

Third, with the Death of _Ireniæ_ Princess of _Persia_, and the fair

Sultaness _Urania_. The Overthrow of Queen _Voaditia_, and the

Tragical Death of her two Princely Daughters. The Palace of _Flora_ or

the _Roman_ superstition. The Rites of _Moloch_, or the Unhumane

Cruelty, with the manner of the _Canaanitish_ Ladies, Offering up

their First-born Infants, in Sacrifice to that ugly Idol, in whose

Belly was a burning Furnace, to destroy those Unhappy Children.

_Margaret_ Countess of Heningberg, Lying on a Bed of State, with her

Three hundred and Sixty-Five Children, all born at one Birth, and

baptized by the Names of _Johns_ and _Elizabeths_, occasioned by the

rash Wish of a poor beggar Woman. _Hermonia_ a _Roman_ Lady, whose

Father offended the Emperor, was sentenced to be starved to Death, but

was preserved by Sucking his Daughters Breast. Old Mother _Shipton_

that Famous _English_ Prophetess, which fortold the Death of the

_White_ King; All richly dress'd and composed with so much variety of

Invention, that it is wonderfully Diverting to all Lovers of Art and

Ingenuity. All made by Mrs. _Salmon_, and to be seen near the _Horn

Tavern_ in _Fleet Street_. Vivat Reginæ (_sic_).'

Of the miraculous accouchement of Margaret, Countess of Heningberg,

Thoresby says[355]: 'After, walked to Gray's Inn to Mr. Smith, who

most courteously entertained me, and gave me some inscriptions he had

taken for me in his travels, particularly that for the memorable

Countess who had 365 children at a birth; he saw the two basins they

were baptized in.'

[Footnote 355: _Diary_, July 14, 1712.]

Nor was this the only exhibition of the kind; there was yet another

similar show. 'The Effigies of his late Majesty King William III., of

Glorious Memory, is Curiously done in Wax to the Life, Richly Drest in

Coronation Robes, standing by the Effigies of his late Royal Consort,

Queen Mary in the like Dress; likewise the late Duke of Gloucester in

his Garter Robes. Together with the Effigies of several Persons of

Quality and Others, all which are Alive, or have been so of late

Years, whereby the Spectators may Judge of Likeness. They are to be

seen every Day at Mr. Goldsmith's in Green Court in the Old

Jury.'[356] This is the same artist who is spoken of in a newspaper

paragraph. 'On _Wednesday_ last Mrs. _Goldsmith_, the famous Woman for

Waxwork, brought to _Westminster Abbey_ the Effigies of that

celebrated Beauty the late Duchess of _Richmond_, which is said to be

the richest Figure that ever was set up in King _Henry's_

Chapel.'[357]

[Footnote 356: _The English Post_, March 23/25, 1702.]

[Footnote 357: _Daily Courant_, Aug. 6, 1703.]

'To be seen in _Exeter Change_ in the _Strand_, as well in _Christmas_

and other Holidays, as at all other times, tho' the _Change_ be shut,

only then you must go in at that end towards _Charing Cross_.

[Right sidenote: _Note._ The Prices are Six-pence, Four-pence, and

Two-pence a-piece]

[Left sidenote: There is the Effigies of a Comedian walking behind

the _Queen_]

Just

finish'd

and to be

seen. The present

Court of _England_

in Wax, after (and as

big as) the Life, in the

Inner Walk of _Exeter Change_

in the _Strand_, much exceeding that

which was at the _New Exchange_ tho'

both made by the most deservedly famous

Mrs. _Mills_, whom in that Art, all ingenuous

Persons own, had never yet an equal: The names

of the chief Persons are, The QUEEN, his Royal

Highness Prince _George_, the Princess _Sophia_, his Grace

The Duke of _Marlborough_, the Countess of _Manchester_,

the Countess of _Kingstone_, the Countess of _Musgrave_ &c.

As likewise the Effigies of _Mark Anthony_, naturally

acting that which render'd him remarkable to

the World; _Cleopatra_ his Queen, one of her

_Egyptian_ Ladies, _Oliver Cromwell_ in

Armour, the Count _Tallard_: with many

others too tedious here to mention.

To be seen from 9 in the

Morn, till 9 at Night. You

may go in at any of the

Doors in the _Change_,

and pass thro' the

Hatter's Shop in

the Outward

Walk.

Persons may have their Effigies made, or their deceased Friends on

reasonable Terms.

The Westminster waxwork figures were then in a sadly dilapidated

condition. Brown says[358]: 'As soon as we ascended half a Score Stone

Steps in a dirty Cobweb hole, and in old Worm eaten Presses, whose

Doors flew open on our approach; here stood _Edward_ the Third, as

they told us, which was a broken piece of Waxwork, a batter'd Head,

and a Straw stuff'd Body, not one quarter cover'd with Rags; his

beautiful Queen stood by, not better in Repair; and so to the number

of half a score Kings and Queens, not near so good figures as the King

of the Beggars make, and all the begging Crew would be ashamed of

their Company. Their Rear was brought up with good _Queen Bess_, with

the Remnants of an old dirty Ruff, and nothing to cover her Majesty's

Nakedness.'

[Footnote 358: _A Walk round London and Westminster._]

One of the most popular exhibitions was the puppet shows kept by

Robert Powell, a dwarfish deformity. 'This is Mr. _Powell_--That's

he--the little Crooked Gentleman, that holds a Staff in his Hand,

without which he must fall.'[359] His 'Punch's Theatre' was in the

little Piazza, Covent Garden--and Steele makes the under sexton of St.

Paul's[360] Church grumble at his entertainment, because it took

people away from him. Defoe says: 'Mr. Powell by Subscriptions and

full Houses, has gathered such Wealth as is ten times sufficient to

buy all the Poets in England; that he seldom goes out without his

Chair, and thrives on this incredible Folly to that degree, that, were

he a Freeman, he might hope that some future Puppet Show might

celebrate his being Lord Mayor, as he has done Sir R.

Whittington.'[361] Both in the _Tatler_ and _Spectator_ he is

frequently referred to, especially in the former. In the season he

took himself and his puppets to Bath, so that he always kept them

employed.

[Footnote 359: Introduction to _A Second Tale of a Tub_, ed.

1715.]

[Footnote 360: _Spectator_, No. 14.]

[Footnote 361: _Groans of Great Britain._]

[Illustration: Portrait of Powell.]

His performances were very varied, one being 'The History of King

Bladud, Founder of the Bath. The Figures being drest after the manner

of the Ancient Britains. With the Walks, Groves, and Representation of

the King's Bath and new Pump house. The Figures of Ladies and

Gentlemen all moving in real Water.' He caught the passing folly as it

flew, and depicted it as in 'The City Rake or Punch turn'd Quaker,'

'Poor Robins Dream or the Vices of the Age Exposed;' or, he had a

puppet 'of a Rope Dancer, being an exact pattern of the present Lady

Isabella.' He was for ever bringing out some novelty, even if it was

such rubbish as 'a New Piece of Machinary after the British Manner,

contrived and just finished by Powell, which represents a Paradice

wonderful surprising. At the breaking of the clouds arise several

Triumphal Arches, which form several most agreeable Prospects;

beautify'd by her most Serene Majesty of Great Britain in her Royal

Robes, attended by her Peers and Officers of State; under their Feet

are represented the Trophies taken from the French and Bavarians by

her Majesty's Arms this War.'

One of the last of Powell's advertisements, in Queen Anne's reign,

was: 'Whereas it has been reported that Punch of the Bath and Covent

Garden was dead, these are to inform the Publick that he was only in a

small consumption, but by the long experienc'd Cordial of the Golden

Elixir is recovered, and remov'd for the Air to the Great Masquerading

House in Spring Garden, where he hopes once more to see his noble

Benefactors.'

Pinkethman was far too keen to let Powell have the monopoly of this

sort of entertainment, so we find a handbill: 'This is to give Notice,

that Mr. PENKETHMAN, who, by his Indefatigable Industry, has ever made

it his Study to Invent Something New and Excellent to please the

_World_, has, with the Greatest Diligence, Labour and Expence, set

himself to contrive, which he has now, after Several Years

Application, brought to Perfection, a most Surprising and Magnificent

_Machine_, call'd the PANTHEON, consisting of several Curious

Pictures, and Moving Figures, representing the Fabulous History of the

HEATHEN GODS.

'The Whole contains Fourteen several Entertainments, and near a

Hundred Figures (besides _Ships_, _Beasts_, _Fowl_, and other

Embellishments) some near a Foot in Height; all which have their

respective and peculiar Motions, their very Heads, Legs, and Arms,

Hands and Fingers, Artificially moving exactly to what they perform,

and setting one Foot before another, as they go, like Living

Creatures, in such a Manner that Nothing but _Nature_ itself can

exceed it. In short, the PAINTING is by the Finest Hands, and the

_Story_ and Contrivance so Admirable, that it justly deserves to be

esteemed One of the Greatest Wonders of the Age.' This show is

casually mentioned in _Spectator_ (No. 31).

Pinkethman was also proprietor of a moving picture, for in an

advertisement[362] he says: 'Mr. Pinkethman In order to divert and

oblige the Gentry and others of Greenwich, Deptford, Woolwich, Lee,

and other adjacent places thereabouts, has remov'd the most Famous

Artificial and Wonderful Moving Picture that came from Germany and was

to be seen at the Duke of Marlborough's Head in Fleet Street, is now

to be seen at the Hospital Tavern in Greenwich,' etc. Thoresby[363]

saw this picture when in London in 1709, and was highly delighted with

it. He also says: 'I had some discourse with the German inventor of

it, Mr. Jacobus Morian.' The following is its handbill:--

[Footnote 362: _Daily Courant_, May 9, 1709.]

[Footnote 363: _Diary_, Feb. 11, 1709.]

'To All Gentlemen, Ladies and others

Notice is hereby given, that here is arrived from _Germany_, a most

artificial and Wonderful Original Picture, the like never seen in all

_Europe_: Part of this fine Picture represents a Landskip, and the

other part the Water on Sea: In the Landskip you see a Town, out of

the Gates of which cometh a Coach Riding over a Bridge through the

Country, behind, before, and between the Trees till out of sight;

coming on the Bridge, a Gentleman sitting on the Coach, civilly

salutes the Spectating Company, the turning of the Wheels and motion

of the Horses are plainly seen as if natural and Alive. There Cometh

also from the Town Gate a Hunter on Horseback, with his Doggs behind

him, and his Horn at his side, coming to the Bridge he taketh up his

Horn and Blows it that it is distinctly heard by all the Spectators.

Another Hunter painted as if Sleeping, and by the said Blowing of the

Horn awaking, riseth up his Head, looks about, and then lays down his

Head again to Sleep, to the great Amazement and Diversion of the

Company. There are also Painted and Represented, Country men and

Women, Travellers, Cows and Pack horses going along the Road till out

of sight. And at a seeming distance on the Hills are several Windmills

continually Turning and Working. From a River or Sea port, you see

several sorts of Ships and Vessels putting to Sea, which Ships by

degrees lessen to the sight as they seem to Sail further off. Many

more Varieties too long to be inserted here, are Painted and

Represented in this Picture to the greatest Admiration, Diversion and

Satisfaction of all Ingenious Spectators. The Artist Master of this

Piece hath employed above 5 years in contriving, making and perfecting

it. It was design'd for a present to a great Prince in _Germany_, to

be put in his chiefest Cabinet of greatest Rarities, but that Prince

Dying, the maker kept it to himself, and now presents it to the View

and Diversion of all ingenious Persons.' This picture is just noticed

in the _Tatler_ (No. 129): 'and I doubt not but it will give as good

content as the moving picture in Fleet Street.'

There was another of these mechanical toys, exhibited at the same

place. 'Far exceeding the Original formerly shewn, and never publish'd

before the beginning of the present Year 1710. Representing several

stately ships and vessels sailing out of the Port of a City; a Coach,

drawn by four Horses going over a bridge into the Town; a Cart with an

Old Woman in it, drawn by two Horses, the Wheels moving: A Gentleman

carry'd in a Chair, saluting the Company, A Windmill continually

turning round; Swans swimming, which dip their Heads in the Water: A

Man digging with a Pick Ax: All in lively Motion,' etc. And still one

more appeared in 1713, which was a representation of the sky effects

of morning, noon, and night, with ships sailing, and saluting the

forts as they passed.

At the Duke of Marlborough's Head, too, was to be seen 'a true and

very natural Representation of the most famous Antiquities and

Stupendious Works commonly called the Seven Miracles of the World; All

which cannot but be pleasant to the Eyes of all curious Beholders, and

perhaps more agreeable than may by Words be expressed,' but there is

no record of what this exhibition was like.

'In Bell Yard, over against the Middle Temple Gate, Fleet Street, next

door to the Bell Inn, at the Arms of Amsterdam, will be shewn for the

satisfaction of all persons of Quality and others most Curious and

exact Model of the famous City of Amsterdam, being between 20 and 30

foot long, and near 20 foot broad; with all the Churches, Chappels,

Stadt house, Hospitals, noble Buildings, Streets, Trees, Walks,

Avenues, with the Sea, Shipping, Sluices, Rivers, Canals, &c., most

exactly built to admiration; In short, the Situation and

Representation of the whole City is performed with such Art and

Ingenuity, to the wonderful satisfaction of the States General of the

United Provinces, several Foreign Princes, our Nobility, Gentry,

Artificers and others, that have seen it, that it is allowed to be one

of the greatest curiosities ever yet seen in England. This great piece

of Work was 12 years in finishing, and cost a vast sum of Money.'

[Illustration: Glass-blowing.

The Glass of Dr. _Faustus_.]

It is always interesting to watch glass-blowers at work, and see them

turn out their pretty but fragile toys; and doubtless they yielded as

much, or more, delight in Anne's time.

'By Her Majesties Authority.

This is to give Notice to all Gentlemen, Ladies, and Others, That

there is lately arriv'd in this Place, a _Rare_ and _Curious_ ARTIST,

which in the presence of all Spectators maketh all Sorts and Fashions

of Indian, China, and all Sorts of Curious Figures &c. As _Jars_,

_Teapots_, _Coffee Dishes_, _Bottle_ and _Flower Pots_, as small as

they please; being very dexteriously intermixed with _red_, _blew_,

and other Colours, as Natural as the _Indian_ painting: As also all

sorts of _Beasts_, _Birds_, _Fowls_, _Images_, _Figures of Men_,

_Women_, and _Children_, which he bloweth of all Colours in Glass, so

curiously, the like was never seen in this Kingdom.

'Besides all this, he sheweth you a most wonderful and admirable

Glass of Water, wherein are four or five Images, which he maketh

every one to come up and down as he pleases, without any help or

assistance, being very pleasant and delightful to all Spectators; with

Several other Rarities too tedious to Mention.

'There is a _Wheel_ that's turn'd by Humane power, which Spins Ten

Thousand Yards of _Glass_ in less than half an hour.

'He also maketh Artificial Eyes of Glass to admiration, they being so

curiously made and colour'd, that they cannot be discerned from the

_Natural Eyes_; Likewise he teacheth how they may fix them in their

Heads themselves, to the great Satisfaction of all persons that make

use of them.... Vivat Regina.'

There was another artist in glass who blew 'Swans, Ducks, Birds,

Knives, Forks, and Scabbards, Decanters, Cruets, Bottles and Ladles,

with pipes to smoke Tobacco, and Grenadoes to stick by the Snuff of a

candle that gives a report like a Gun; blows Tea Pots and other

fancies imitating China.'

A singular mechanical toy, too, deserves special mention: 'At the

Black Horse in Hosier Lane, near West Smithfield, is to be seen a

large piece of Water Work, 12 Foot long and 9 foot high, with a new

Mathematical Fountain 8 foot high, made in white flint glass, in which

is a Tavern, a Coffee house and a Brandy shop, which at your command

runs at one Cock hot and Cold liquor, as Sack, Whitewine, Claret,

Coffee, Tea, Content, plain, cherry and Rasberry Brandy, Geneva,

Usquebaugh, and Punch. All these liquors of themselves rising much

higher than their level, and each liquor drawn singly at one Cock; The

like never performed in any Nation by any Person till Now, by CHARLES

BUTCHER.

For satisfaction your own eyes believe,

Art cannot blind you, nor your Taste deceive;

Com and welcom my friends, and tast e're you pass,

It's but 6_d._ to see't and 2_d._ each glass.

But the man who did most with hydraulic power was Winstanley, the

builder of the fantastic, semi-Chinese pagoda lighthouse on the

Eddystone rock. Winstanley had been a mercer in London, and, having

made some money, retired from business, and went to live at Littlebury

in Essex. Here he constructed ingenious but useless hydraulic toys,

and, from being locally famous, he opened an exhibition of them in

London.

The first mention I can find of it in this reign, is in the _Postman_,

May 1/4, 1703: 'Mr. Henry Winstanley's Water Works, will be Opened on

Thursday being the 6th of May; And All Persons that please to see

them, are desired to be there between 3 and 4 of the Clock. The House

is at the lower end of Pickadilly, towards Hide Park.' In the _Daily

Courant_, August 14, 1703, he notifies that: 'Mr. Henry Winstanley's

Water Works being now open'd, and several Persons coming too late by

reason of the days being shorter, this is to satisfie and give notice,

that they will be shewn from Monday next at Four of the Clock. And

therefore all Persons that are disposed to see them, are desired to

be there before the time, or exactly at it. And also this is further

to acquaint, that they will not be shewn this Season longer than 10 or

14 days, by reason of Mr. Winstanley's having extraordinary Occasions

of going out of Town.'

It was a disastrous 'out of town' for him, for he had his wish

gratified in being in his gimcrack lighthouse 'in the greatest storm

ever known,' namely, that of November 27, 1703, which clean swept away

the building, Winstanley, and five other persons.'

[Illustration: Wonderful Fountain.]

For some years after his sad death his exhibition was in abeyance,

until we see by the _Daily Courant_, June 5, 1707: 'The famous Water

Works of the late Ingenious Mr. Henry Winstanley are now open'd, and

will continue to be shown this present June, and the ensuing Month of

July (for the Benefit of his Widow) by his old Servants, with several

Additions. And all Persons that please to see them, are desir'd to be

at the House by 5 of the clock at the farthest, and they will not

lose time in staying. The House is at the lower End of Picadilly

towards Hide Park, and is known by the Wind Mill on the top of it. As

also his famous House at Littlebury in Essex is kept up, and shewn as

formerly, with several additions.' His widow continued to show them,

with many variations, every summer during the remainder of the reign.

In 1711 there were shown 'Sea Gods and Goddesses, Nymphs, Mermaids,

and Satirs, all of them playing of water as suitable, and some Fire

mingling with the water, and Sea Triumphs round the Barrel that plays

so many Liquors; all which is taken away after it had perform'd its

part, and the Barrel is broke in Pieces before the Spectators.' In

1712 there is the same entertainment, but fuller details are given: it

was 'of 6 several sorts of Wine, and the best brandy and biskets, all

coming out of the famous Barrel, and given to the Boxes and Pit; with

Geneva, Cherry beer, and Cyder to the first Gallery, there is also

Coffee and Tea as at all other times.'

In 1713 'the Curious Barril will be made a Spring Garden, entertaining

the Boxes and Pit with Cool Tankards, Spaw Waters, Bisquits, Milk,

Ale, Beer, Sullibubs, Cake, and Cheese Cakes, and Flowers Playing of

Water: And a very delightful part will be added to the 3 Parts that

are usually performed. There is Galuthetis's Flight from Polyheme, and

as she is carried in State by Neptune attended by many Figures playing

of Water, and some with Fire mingling with it; then will be a great

Tempest of Thunder and Lightning and burning Flames rolling in great

Cascades of Water, to the Expence of 300 Tun extraordinary.' In 1714,

'the Curious Barrel will be made a Dairy House, entertaining the Boxes

and Pit with Curds, several sorts of Creams, Milk, Whey, Cakes, Cheese

Cakes, Sullibubs, New Butter, Butter Milk, which a Woman will be seen

to churn, and a flying Zepherus, a Flora presenting the Spectators

with a Basket of Fruit.... There is Galathea's flight from Polypheme

guided by two flying Boys, with a flaming Torch playing Water through

the Flames: A flying fiery Dragon, out of whose Mouth comes great Fire

Balls, flames of Fire, a large sheet of Water, with many Cascades of

Water, to the expence of 800 Tuns extraordinary.' It was a very

popular exhibition, and ranked, as we see,[364] with the opera and the

play.

[Footnote 364: _Spectator_, No. 168.]

In 1710 the good folks of London were treated to a somewhat unusual

spectacle--that of four real live Indian chiefs or kings, as they were

called. They came over in April of that year, and were treated as

guests of the nation; apartments being obtained for them at an

upholsterer's in King Street, Covent Garden,[365] and they were taken

in two of the royal carriages to visit the Queen. Luttrell says: '20

Aprill. Four Indian Sachems, or Kings of the 5 Indian Nations, lately

arrived here, offering their services to assist her majestie against

all her enemies in those parts, and secure her from the French in and

about Canada in America, had yesterday audience of the queen, and

accepted very graciously; her majestie ordered them presents, the lord

Chamberlain to entertain them at her charge, and that they be shown

what is remarkable here.' On the 21st they visited, in a royal barge,

Greenwich Hospital and Woolwich Dockyard, and on the 22nd they saw the

Banqueting Hall and Chapel at Whitehall. On the 26th they were present

at a review of cavalry and infantry in Hyde Park. On the 28th the New

England and New York merchants gave them a feast, and the Archbishop

of Canterbury presented them each with an English Bible. On May 3 they

had their audience of leave, and then went by way of Hampton Court to

Windsor, from whence they travelled to Portsmouth, and, embarking on

board the _Dragon_, sailed from Spithead on the 8th May, and landed

safely at Boston July 15 of the same year.

[Footnote 365: _Tatler_, 171.]

[Illustration: The Four Indian Kings.]

The following handbill shows that at some period of their stay they

went to see Powell's Marionettes.

'At PUNCH'S Theatre

For the Entertainment of the

FOUR INDIAN KINGS, viz.

(A) The Emperor _Tee Yee Neen Ho Ga Row_.

(B) King _Sa Ga Yeau Qua Rah Tow_.

(C) King _E Tow oh Koam_.

(D) King _Oh Nee Yeath Tow no Riow_.

'At the Upper End of _St. Martin's Lane_,[366] joyning to

_Litchfield Street_, will be presented a NEW OPERA, performed by

a Company of _Artificial Actors_, who will _present you_ with an

_incomparable Entertainment_ call'd

'The Last Years CAMPAIGNE

[Footnote 366: This was before Powell removed to the Piazza,

Covent Garden.]

With the Famous Battle fought between the Confederate Army

(commanded by the Duke of _Marlborough_) and the _French_ in the

_Woods_ near _Blaguiers_. With _several Comical entertainments

of_ Punch _in the_ Camp. Also _variety of_ Scenes; _with a most

Glorious Prospect of both Armies, the French in their

Entrenchments, and the Confederates out_; _where will be seen

several Regiments of Horse and Foot engaged in Forcing the_

French _Lines_. _With the Admirable Entertainments of a Girl of

Five Years Old Dancing with Swords._' The 50th _Spectator_ gives

an amusing account of their supposed description of this country.

CHAPTER XXII.

ROUGH SPORTS.

Bear-baiting -- Bear-gardens -- Bull-baiting -- Description --

Extra ordinary bull bait -- Cock-fighting -- Cock-pits -- Value

of matches -- Training.

But all amusements at this time were not so innocent as the foregoing:

there were fiercer and more blood-stirring excitements for the men.

Take bear and bull baiting. The former was dying out, and was no

longer as popular as it was during the reigns of Elizabeth, James I.,

and Charles I.

_Slender._[367] Why do your dogs bark so? be there bears i' the

town?

[Footnote 367: _Merry Wives of Windsor_, Act. 1. sc. 1.]

_Anne._ I think there are, Sir; I have heard them talked of.

_Slender._ I love the sport well; but I shall as soon quarrel at

it as any man in England. You are afraid, if you see the bear

loose, are you not?

_Anne._ Ay, indeed, Sir.

_Slender._ That's meat and drink to me now: I have seen

Sakerson[368] loose twenty times, and have taken him by the

chain; but, I warrant you the women have so cried and shriek'd at

it, that it pass'd; but women, indeed, cannot abide 'em; they are

very ill-favoured rough things.

[Footnote 368: This bear belonged to Henslow and Alleyn,

proprietors of Paris Garden, near the Globe Theatre,

Bankside.]

We learn something of a bear-baiting from Hudibras.

And round about the pole does make

A circle, like a bear at stake,

That at the chain's end wheels about,

And overturns the rabble rout.

For after solemn proclamation,

In the bear's name, as is the fashion,

According to the law of arms,

To keep men from inglorious harms,

That none presume to come so near

As forty feet of stake of bear;

If any yet be so fool hardy,

T' expose themselves to vain jeopardy,

If they come wounded off, and lame,

No honour's got by such a maim.

Indeed, in 1709, Christopher Preston, of Hockley-in-the-Hole, was

attacked and partially devoured by one of his own bears. His funeral

sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Pead, then incumbent of St.

James's, Clerkenwell.

The animals destined for combat were paraded through the streets, as

we learn from Gay ('Trivia,' Book 2).

Experienc'd Men, inur'd to City Ways,

Need not the _Calendar_ to count their Days.

When through the Town, with slow and solemn Air,

Led by the Nostril walks the muzzled Bear;

Behind him moves majestically dull,

The Pride of _Hockley Hole_, the surly Bull;

Learn hence the Periods of the Week to Name.

_Mondays_ and _Thursdays_ are the Days of Game.

That these places of so-called sport were disorderly need not be said;

indeed, to 'make a place a bear-garden' is proverbial. The rough

element wanted some safe outlet for its energy, and found it in such

exhibitions. Nor must we be too hasty to decry them when we recollect

that it was only in 1835 that it absolutely became illegal to keep any

house, pit, or other place for baiting or fighting any bull, bear,

dog, or other animal. We have our dog-fights now--prize-fighting is

not yet extinct, many a quiet main of cocks is fought, many a rat-pit

exists, and badger-drawing is not altogether an unknown thing.

There were three bear-gardens--at Hockley-in-the-Hole (Clerkenwell),

at Marrybone Fields (at the back of Soho Square), and at Tuttle

(Tothill) Fields, Westminster, and at all these, baiting was carried

on. Of the latter we find an advertisement promising plenty of

sport:[369] 'At William Wells's Bear Garden, in Tuttle Fields,

Westminster, this present _Monday_ the 10th of _April_, will be a

_Green Bull Baited_; and 20 _Doggs_ fights for a _Coller_, and that

Dogg that runs farthest and fairest wins the _Coller_; with other

Diversion of _Bull Baiting_ and _Bear Baiting_.

[Footnote 369: _Harl. MSS._ 5931, 282.]

'Here follows the Manner of those Bull Baitings which are so much

talk'd of: They tie a Rope to the Root of the Horns of the Ox or Bull,

and fasten the other End of the Cord to an Iron Ring fix'd to a Stake

driven into the Ground; so that this Cord being about 15 Foot long,

the Bull is confin'd to a Sphere of about 30 Foot Diameter. Several

Butchers, or other Gentlemen, that are desirous to exercise their

Dogs,[370] stand round about, each holding his own by the Ears; and

when the Sport begins, they let loose one of the Dogs: The Dog runs at

the Bull: the Bull, immovable, looks down upon the Dog with an Eye of

Scorn, and only turns a Horn to him to hinder him from coming near:

The Dog is not daunted at this, he runs round him, and tries to get

beneath his Belly, in order to seize him by the Muzzle, or the Dewlap,

or the pendant Glands: The Bull then puts himself into a Posture of

Defence; he beats the Ground with his Feet, which he joins together as

close as possible, and his chief Aim is not to gore the Dog with the

Point of his Horn,[371] but to slide one of them under the Dog's Belly

(who creeps close to the Ground to hinder it) and to throw him so high

in the Air that he may break his Neck in the Fall. This often happens:

When the Dog thinks he is sure of fixing his Teeth, a Turn of the

Horn, which seems to be done with all the Negligence in the World,

gives him a Sprawl thirty Foot high, and puts him in danger of a

damnable Squelch when he comes down. This Danger would be unavoidable,

if the Dog's Friends were not ready beneath him, some with their Backs

to give him a soft Reception, and others with long Poles which they

offer him slant ways, to the Intent that, sliding down them, it may

break the Force of his Fall. Notwithstanding all this care, a Toss

generally makes him sing to a very scurvy Tune, and draw his Phiz into

a pitiful Grimace: But, unless he is totally stunn'd with the Fall, he

is sure to crawl again towards the Bull, with his old Antipathy, come

on't what will. Sometimes a second Frisk into the Air disables him for

ever from playing his old Tricks; But, sometimes, too, he fastens upon

his Enemy, and when once he has seiz'd him with his Eye teeth, he

sticks to him like a Leech, and would sooner die than leave his Hold.

Then the Bull bellows, and bounds, and Kicks about to shake off the

Dog; by his Leaping the Dog seems to be no Manner of Weight to him,

tho' in all Appearance he puts him to great Pain. In the End, either

the Dog tears out the Piece he has laid Hold on, and falls, or else

remains fix'd to him, with an Obstinacy that would never end, if they

did not pull him off. To call him away would be in vain; to give him a

hundred blows would be as much so; you might cut him to Pieces Joint

by Joint before he would let him loose. What is to be done then! While

some hold the Bull, others thrust Staves into the Dog's Mouth, and

open it by main Force. This is the only Way to part them.'[372]

[Footnote 370: These dogs were only a moderate size.]

[Footnote 371: If too sharp, the bull's horns were covered

with wooden sheaths.]

[Footnote 372: Misson.]

This, however, was not always the case. Look at the other side:--

Curs'd dog, the bull reply'd, no more

I wonder at thy thirst of gore;

For thou (beneath a butcher train'd,

Whose hands with cruelty are stain'd,

His daily murders in thy view)

Must, like thy tutor, blood pursue.

Take then thy fate. With goring wound

At once he lifts him from the ground:

Aloft the sprawling hero flies,

Mangled he falls, he howls, and dies.[373]

[Footnote 373: _Gay_, Fable 9.]

Here is a refinement of cruelty: 'At the _Bear Garden_ in _Hockley in

the Hole_, 1710. This is to give notice to all Gentlemen, Gamsters,

and Others, That on this present _Monday_ is a Match to be fought by

two Dogs, one from _Newgate_ Market, against one of _Honey Lane_

Market, at a Bull, for a Guinea to be spent. Five Let goes out off

hand, which goes fairest and farthest in Wins all; like wise a _Green

Bull_ to be baited, which was never baited before, and a Bull to be

turned lose with Fire works all over him; also a Mad Ass to be baited;

With variety of Bull baiting and Bear baiting; and a Dog to be drawn

up with Fire works.'[374] These novelties took, for a subsequent

advertisement tells us that 'The Famous Bull of Fire works pleased the

Gentry to Admiration.' Indeed, it must have been popular, for in an

advertisement of the _Tatler_, Jan. 3/5, 1709 (1710), we find: 'This

Day is published The Bull Baiting, or Sach----ll[375] dressed up in

Fire works; lately brought over from the Bear Garden in Southwark, and

exposed for the Diversion of the Citizens of London: at 6_d._ a

piece.' This book, however, is very dreary fun.

[Footnote 374: _Harl. MSS._ 5931, 46.]

[Footnote 375: Sacheverell.]

But bears and bulls, though baited, were never allowed to be killed by

their adversaries, which, however, was not the case with

cock-fighting, a pastime passionately indulged in in this reign. There

were many cock-pits--one historical one, the Council Chamber at

Whitehall, where in 1710 Guiscard stabbed Harley with his penknife,

and which went by the name of the Cockpit certainly till 1810. There

was 'The Royal Cock Pit on the South Side of St. James Park,' where

mains used to be fought for such prizes as '4 Guineas a Battel and 40

the odd Battel.' And there was a famous one near Gray's Inn Walks, or

Gardens, where dear Sir Roger walked with the _Spectator_, and which

Brown describes as 'The Lawyer's Garden of Contemplation, where I

found (it being early in the Morning) none but a parcel of

Superannuated Debauchees, huddled up in Cloaks, Frize Coats and Wadded

Gowns, to preserve their old Carcases from the searching sharpness of

_Hampstead_ Air.' There had been one there previous to 1704, when we

find 'At the _New_ Cock pit at the Bowling Green, behind Grays Inn

Walks, this present Tuesday being the 28th of _March_, will begin a

great Match of Cock fighting, for Ten Guineas a Battle, and Two

Hundred Guineas the odd Battle, between the Gentlemen of _Essex_ and

_Cambridgeshire_, against the Gentlemen of London and Surry.' In 1706

it was to let, and in 1708 it was burnt down under sad circumstances.

'There had been a great Match fought on _Saturday_, and the Weather

being hard, two of the Feeders, _Crompton_ and _Day_, would stay all

Night with their Cocks; when by Negligence their Candle fell among the

Straw, which took Fire. In the Morning one Mr. _Newberry_, a great

Cocker, sent his two Sons to see his Cocks fed, who wonder'd they saw

no Snow upon the Cock pit; when coming thither they saw a great Smoak,

and before they cou'd make any Body hear, the place was all on Fire.

One of the feeders was found burnt, only some part of his Body

remaining, and the other is missing.'[376] It was repaired and

re-opened 1709, but was again to be re-let in 1710. There were many

others, even extending to the suburbs, such as Hampstead.

[Footnote 376: _A Looking-glass for Swearers_, etc., 1708.]

Misson's description of them is amusing, but it would hardly appear

from it that he ever witnessed a fight. 'Cock fighting is one of the

great _English_ Diversions; they build Amphitheatres for this Purpose,

and Persons of Quality sometimes appear at them. Great Wagers are

laid; but I'm told, that a Man may be damnably bubbled, if he is not

very sharp.'

County matches used to be arranged; but for a spice of arrogance

little can beat this: 'At the New Cock Pit by the Bowling Green behind

Gray's Inn Walks, next Tuesday, will begin a great Match of Cock

Fighting which will continue all the Week; the Gentlemen of Essex

against all the rest of Great Britain, for 10 Guineas a Battle and 500

Guineas the Odd Battle.' These were the highest stakes ever publicly

advertised in Queen Anne's reign, whatever might have been done at

private matches--as, for instance, in the Tatler's Club (_Tatler_,

132), Sir Jeoffrey Notch, their chairman, would talk about his

favourite old game-cock Gauntlett, 'upon whose head, the Knight, in

his youth, had won five hundred pounds, and lost two Thousand.'

The cocks sometimes fought in silver spurs, but generally with steel

ones, and of these there were several kinds. 'Note that on Wednesday

there will be a single battle fought with Sickles, after the East

India manner. And on Thursday there will be a Battle Royal, one Cock

with a Sickle, and four Cocks with fair Spurs. On Friday there will be

a pair of Shake bags fight for 5_l._ And on Saturday there will be a

Battle Royal, between a Shakebag with fair Spurs, and 4 Matchable

Cocks which are to fight with Sickles, Launcet Spurs, and Penknife

Spurs, the like never yet seen. For the Entertainment of the foreign

Ambassadors and Gentlemen.'

Cock-fighting even had a literature of its own. In 1709 was published

'The Royal Pastime of Cock fighting &c. by R. H. a Lover of the

Sport'; and in the same year was printed another edition of 'The

Compleat Gamesters, by C. Cotton,' in which are full directions as to

the breeding, feeding, and fighting of Cocks. As so little is now

known of this cruel sport, a few short extracts from this latter work

will make us more thoroughly comprehend it as it was then practised.

In shape, the cock must be neither too large nor too small; with a

small head and strong legs; his spurs, though long and sharp, turning

slightly inwards. He should walk very upright and stately; and if he

crows frequently in his pen it is a sign of courage. The combs or

wattles are to be cut as soon as they appear; and the cock chickens

are to be separated as soon as they begin to peck each other. Fighting

cocks should not begin their career as such until they are two years

old; and before a battle they should be dieted--_i.e._ for four days

they should be fed with stale bread three times a day; after which

they may have a spar, or sham fight, with another cock, their spurs

being carefully guarded with leather balls. They must then be stoved,

which meant putting them in deep baskets filled with straw, covering

them with straw and shutting down the lids; but before undergoing this

'sudatorium' they were to be fed with sugar candy, chopped rosemary,

and butter. In the evening the cock was released, and fed with

wheatmeal and oatmeal, ale, white of eggs, and butter. 'The second day

after his sparring, take your Cock into a fair green Close, and having

a Dunghill Cock in your arms, show it him, and then run from him, that

thereby you may entice him to follow, you permitting him to have now

and then a blow; when he begins to pant, being well heated, take him

up and carry him home.' He was then to have a dose of pounded leaves

of herb of grace, hyssop, and rosemary, mixed with butter, and then

stoved till the evening. Next day he was to rest, and the day after to

be sparred, which treatment was to be continued for a fortnight; but

for the next month, by which time he was to be fit for fighting, he

was merely to be fed and stoved. He was not to be fed before fighting.

CHAPTER XXIII.

HORSE-RACING, HUNTING, SHOOTING, &C.

The Queen's love of racing -- Visit to Newmarket -- Queen's

plates -- Value of matches -- Race meetings -- Tregonwell

Frampton -- His horse Dragon -- The Queen's love of hunting --

Sir Roger de Coverley -- Fox-hunting -- Stag-hunting --

Hare-hunting -- Coursing -- Packs of hounds -- Fishing -- Hawking

-- Netting -- The Game Act -- Shooting, sitting and flying --

Match shooting -- Archery.

The horse, necessarily, in those days, when locomotion was only

obtainable through its agency, was of prime importance: farriery was

fairly understood, and some voluminous disquisitions on it were

published, with the most curious receipts for the various ills

horseflesh is heir to, and elaborate engraving of fleams, firing

irons, bits (some of them very cruel), and all sorts of harness--even

down to currycombs, dandy-brushes, and stable utensils. But it is not

here that the hack or roadster is to be spoken of, but the horse kept

for sport--the race horse--about which they had already found out the

fact, 'Like Race Horses cost more in keeping them than they're

worth.'[377] The Queen was fond of racing, and gave her 100_l._ gold

cups to be run for, as now: nay more, she not only kept race horses,

but ran them in her own name. Her six-year-old grey gelding Pepper ran

for her gold cup at York (over Clifton and Rawcliffe Ings) on July 28,

1712. Over the same course, and for the same stake, on August 3, 1714,

ran her grey horse Mustard, by the Taffolet Barb, which, according to

the _Daily Courant_ of May 14, 1714, was entered to run 'in Whitsun

week at Guildford in Surrey for the 50_l._ plate'; and, sad to tell,

her brown horse Star (afterwards called Jacob) ran at York for a plate

of the value of 14_l._, and won it, on July 30, 1714, the very day on

which the Queen was struck with apoplexy, expiring the next day.

[Footnote 377: _Tunbridge Walks._]

She paid a visit to Newmarket in April 1705, going to Cambridge once

or twice during her stay. Luttrell says: 'Aprill 26, 1705. The queen

has ordered her house at Newmarket to be rebuilt, and gave 1000_l._

towards paving the town; and bought a running horse of Mr. Holloway,

which cost a 1000 guineas, and gave it to the prince.' Prince George

shared his august consort's love of horse-racing, and in the

_Gazette_, June 18/21, 1705, we find: 'These are to give notice, That

his Royal Highness the Prince is pleased to give a Gold Plate, value

One Hundred Guineas to be run for at Black Hambleton in Yorkshire,

over the four Miles old Beacon course, the last Thursday in July, by

any Horse five years old last Foaling time: No Horse to be admitted to

run but such as bring a Certificate from the Breeder of his Horses

Age; and likewise to be judged and approved to be no older than

aforesaid, by the Gentlemen whose Horses run for the said Plate; each

horse to carry ten Stone weight, and start at the usual hours.

'And his Royal Highness is also pleased to give another Gold Plate,

Value One Hundred Guineas, to be run for the Second Thursday in

October next, one Heat, over the Heat's Course at Newmarket, ten

Stone, by Horses five years old, whose Age must be certified as

aforesaid, and likewise allowed by Gentlemen whose Horses run. This

year no Mare will be admitted to run for either of those Plates:

Although for the future his Royal Highness designs to give a Plate of

the like Value, to be run for at each of the aforesaid Courses by

Mares only, of the said Age.'

Indeed, in that year of 1705 the royal couple seemed mightily given to

racing, for 'the queen has appointed horse races to be at Datchet

after her return from Winchester to Windsor.'[378]

[Footnote 378: _Luttrell_, Sept. 1, 1705.]

Her gold plates, as far as can be made out from newspaper

advertisements, were, in 1703, 100_l._, at Stapleton Leys, Yorkshire,

September 2; one at Newmarket on April 12, 1705; at Langton Wold, near

Malton, Yorkshire, July 24, 1707; in 1709 at Black Hambleton,

Yorkshire, July 26; one of 50_l._ at Datchet, August 24; one of

100_l._ at Newmarket, October 6; while the Prince's Cup of 100_l._ for

mares four years old was run for on October 8 the same year; in 1711,

at Clifton and Rawcliffe Ings; in 1712 at Black Hambleton, on July 26;

and at Clifton Ings, on July 28; in 1713 at Hambleton, August 1;

Clifton, August 3; and in the same year one was run for at Ascot Heath

on August 12--the first mention that I can find of racing there; in

1714, Clifton Ings, on July 28.

A few racing mems of this time will illustrate to what an extent this

passion for the turf was carried. 1702: 'They write from Newmarket,

That the Lord Godolphin's and Mr. Harvy's Horses ran for 3,000_l._ His

Lordship won; As also the Earl of Argile, and the Duke of

Devonshire's; the latter's Horse won, by which Mr. Pheasant got a

considerable sum.' 1703: 'The great horse race at Newmarket, run for

1000 guineas between the lord Treasurer and the Duke of Argyle, was

won by the latter.' Perhaps the earliest sporting paper is 'News from

_New Market_: or An Account of the Horses Match'd to Run there in

_March_, _April_, and _May_ 1704, The Weight, Miles, Wages and

Forfeits. Printed for _John Nutt_ near Stationer's Hall. Price 2_d._'

1707: 'Last Monday was a horse race at Newmarket, between the lord

Granby's Grantham and Mr. Young's Blundel, for 3000_l._--the latter

won.' On April 10, 1708, at Newmarket, the Duke of Bedford's bay horse

(9 stone) had a match with Mr. Minchall's bay colt (8-1/2 stone) for

1,000 guineas; but there is no record of which won. These were the

highest stakes recorded during the reign: they were generally for 200

or 300 guineas.

Luttrell records a somewhat singular match against time: '14 April

1709. Some days since, a baker at Clerkenwell Green, laid with a

Vintner there, a wager of 400 guineas against 16 Guineas, that his

horse could not run from Shoreditch Church to Ware and back again

(being 40 miles) in 2 hours and 36 minutes, which race was last

Tuesday, and performed in 2 hours and 28 minutes, but the horse since

dead.'

The first mention, in this reign, of Epsom Races, as far as I can

find, is in the _London Gazette_ April and May 26/3, 1703, when three

small plates were to be run for, of 30_l._, 10_l._, and 5_l._ value.

On May 25, 1704, there was only one to be competed for, and that of

20_l._ They had very early 'Epsom Spring Meetings'; for, in the _Daily

Courant_, February 15, 1709, it says: 'On Epsom Downes in Surrey, on

the first Monday after the Frost, a Plate of 20_l._ will be run for,'

etc.

Races for stakes of little value were common all over the country, and

were deemed of sufficient importance to be advertised in the London

papers. Take a few haphazard: Nottingham, Kerfall, Boston, Winchester,

Croydon, Coventry, Quainton, Horsham, Woodstock, Mansfield; nay, there

was even a 'Jockey Field betwixt Bedford Row and Gray's Inn, having a

full Prospect of Hampstead and Highgate.'

What a vast difference there was between those old racecourses and

ours! No grand stands, no howling ring, no carriages, no ladies; not

even a special dress for the jockeys. According to a nearly

contemporary print, there were very few spectators even--and but a

sorry booth, or so, for the sale of liquor.

The most famous sporting man of his time was Tregonwell Frampton,

Esq., of Moreton, Dorsetshire, 'the Father of the Turf,' who was

keeper of her Majesty's running horses at Newmarket--a post he had

filled in the time of William III., and which he continued to hold

under Georges I. and II. He is described as being 'the oldest, and as

they say the cunningest jockey in England; one day he lost 1,000 gs.,

the next he won 2,000, and so alternately. He made as light of

throwing away 500_l._ or 1,000_l._ at a time, as other men do of their

pocket money, and was perfectly calm, cheerful and unconcerned when he

lost a thousand pounds as when he won it.' This may be true, but I

find no record of his running for any such large sums in any match.

'April 6, 1708. Mr. Frampton's Monkey and Mr. Cotton's Snap, 100

Guineas. Ap. 27. Sir Cecil Bishop's Quaker and Mr. Frampton's Monkey

200 guineas. Ap. 28. Mr. Minchall's Cork and Mr. Frampton's Trumpeter

500 guineas. Oct. 1, 1709. Mr. Pullen's Slouch against Mr. Frampton's

White Neck 200 g's. 5 Oct. Mr. Frampton's Teller against L'd

Dorchester's Colt, 200 g's.' And even his sporting bid in Sept. 1713

was not for high stakes, although he challenged dukes to compete. 'Mr.

Frampton that keeps the Queen's Running Horses, has made a Sporting

Proposal to three Dukes, allowing them to joyn their Stables, and Name

to him any 6 Horses or Mares (the Horse called Wyndham[379] excepted)

against 6 of his now in his Stables ... they are to run for 100_l._

each horse,' etc.

[Footnote 379: Belonging to the Duke of Somerset.]

Thus we see he owned many horses, but the most famous of all was one

named Dragon, to whom it is alleged Frampton behaved with cruel

barbarity. On Oct. 30, 1712, Dragon ran against Lord Dorchester's

Wanton for three hundred guineas, and on April 22, 1713, encountered

the redoubtable Wyndham for the same stakes. His alleged mutilation

and death are told by Dr. John Hawkesworth in No. 37 of _The

Adventurer_. There is no record of his death, but in an old song,

called '_Newmarket_ Horse Race,' belonging to the early part of George

the First's reign, it says--

For I'll have the brown Bay, if the blew bonnet ride,

And hold a thousand Pounds of his side, Sir;

_Dragon_ would scow'r it, but _Dragon_ Grows old;

He cannot endure it, he cannot, he wonnot now run it,

As lately he could:

Age, age, does hinder the Speed, Sir,

which would infer that Dragon was old and worthless as a racer before

his death, and the other story falls to the ground.

When young, the Queen was very fond of hunting, and, in fact, pursued

it after her accession to the throne, when, from her increasing size,

she no longer mounted the saddle. 'The Queen came last Thursday to

Hampton Court, and having assisted in council, and dined there,

returned at night to Windsor, where she takes the divertisement of

hunting almost every day in an open Calash in the forest,'[380] _i.e._

she drove down the long rides and saw what she could of the hunt.

Again,[381] three years later: 'This morning her Majestie and the

prince went for Winchester to take the diversion of hunting.' Still

later[382]: 'The queen was hunting the stag till four this afternoon,

and she drove in her chaise, above forty miles.'

[Footnote 380: _Luttrell_, Aug. 15, 1702.]

[Footnote 381: _Ibid._, Aug. 28, 1705.]

[Footnote 382: _Stella._]

The country gentry then, as now, were ardently fond of sport; but then

the hunting field was a thoroughly neighbourly gathering, there were

no subscription packs, and no fast trains to bring every snob that

possesses, or can hire, a 'hunter.' The runs might not be so fast as

now, nor were they ever recorded in any sporting paper--horrible

disadvantages, doubtless, but still they brought neighbours together,

engendered a kindly feeling, and gave legitimate occupation to people

whose brains were not addled with too much reading. Where can there be

a prettier picture of a thoroughbred old English sportsman than that

which Addison draws of Sir Roger[383]: 'The Walls of his great Hall

are covered with the Horns of several kinds of Deer that he has killed

in the Chace, which he thinks the most valuable Furniture of his

House, as they afford him frequent Topicks of Discourse, and shew that

he has not been Idle. At the lower End of the Hall, is a large Otter's

Skin stuffed with Hay, which his Mother ordered to be hung up in that

manner, and the Knight looks upon it with great Satisfaction, because

it seems he was but nine Years old when his Dog killed him. A little

Room adjoining to the Hall is a kind of Arsenal filled with Guns of

several Sizes and Inventions, with which the Knight has made great

Havock in the Woods, and distroyed many thousands of Pheasants,

Partridges, and Wood-cocks. His Stable Doors are patched with Noses

that belonged to Foxes of the Knights own hunting down. Sir Roger

shewed me one of them that for Distinction Sake has a Brass Nail

struck through it, which cost him about fifteen Hours riding, carried

him through half a dozen Counties, killed him a Brace of Geldings, and

lost above half his Dogs. This the Knight looks upon as one of the

greatest Exploits of his Life. The perverse Widow, whom I have given

some Account of, was the Death of several Foxes; for Sir Roger has

told me that in the course of his Amours he patched the Western Door

of his Stable. Whenever the Widow was cruel, the Foxes were sure to

pay for it. In proportion as his Passion for the Widow abated, and

old Age came on, he left off Fox hunting; but a Hare is not yet Safe

that Sits within ten Miles of his House.'

[Footnote 383: _Spectator_, 115.]

Hunting commenced both earlier in the season and in the day than now.

'It must be imagined it was near Day when we went to Bed and therefore

could not be expected we should get out a Hunting at Five or Six in

the Morning.'[384] From a set of nearly contemporary prints we gather

that possibly little attention was paid to earth-stopping, when

fox-hunting, for one part of the engraving shows a fox being dug out.

In another part the hounds are breaking up the fox, which has not been

denuded of his brush. Only the gentlemen are represented as being on

horseback, the huntsmen having leaping poles. This was better for them

than being mounted, for the country was nothing like as cultivated as

now, and perfectly undrained, so that they could go straighter on

foot, and with these poles leaps could be taken that no horseman would

attempt.

[Footnote 384: _The Quaker's Art of Courtship_, 1710.]

Nor should the Fox shun the pursuing Hound

Nor the Tall Stag with branching Antlers crown'd.[385]

[Footnote 385: _Rural Sports_, Gay, ed. 1713.]

From the engravings referred to, we find that the stag was first

found, or harboured, with a bloodhound--the staghounds were coupled,

and let loose when wanted by the huntsmen, who were on foot. Its death

was duly celebrated by a 'Mort,' or blowing of horns, when a

hunting-knife was presented to the principal man present, to cut off

its head, after everyone had passed his opinion as to its age, weight,

etc.: the deer was then carted home. Guns were carried wherewith to

shoot the stag, if necessary, when at bay.

Budgell, in _Spectator_ No. 117, well describes a run after a hare,

and the discipline of the hounds who were close upon the hare, when

the huntsman threw his pole between them--this the well-tutored dogs

would not pass, and the hare was rescued. Gay, too, tells the story of

a run well:--

Now at a Fault the Dogs confus'dly stray,

And try t'unravel his perplexing Way;

They trace his artful Doubles o'er and o'er,

Smell every Shrub, and all the Plain explore,

'Till some stanch Hound summons the baffled Crew,

And strikes away his wily Steps anew.

Along the Fields they scow'r with jocund Voice,

The frighted Hare starts at the distant Noise;

New Stratagems and various Shifts he tries,

Oft' he looks back, and dreads a close Surprize;

Th' advancing Dogs still haunt his list'ning Ear,

And ev'ry breeze augments his growing Fear:

'Till tir'd at last, he pants, and heaves for Breath;

Then lays him down, and waits approaching death.[386]

[Footnote 386: _Ibid._]

Or what better description could we have of coursing a hare than the

following:--

The Greyhound now pursues the tim'rous Hare,

And shoots along the Plain with swift Career;

While the sly Game escapes beneath his Paws,

He snaps deceitful Air with empty Jaws;

Enrag'd, upon his Foe he quickly gains,

And with wide Stretches measures o'er the Plains;

Again the Cunning Creature winds around,

While the fleet Dog o'ershoots, and loses Ground;

Now Speed he doubles to regain the Way,

And crushes in his Jaws the Screaming Prey.

Many packs of hounds were advertised for sale during Anne's reign--not

such large packs as we now have, but small packs, with which a man

could then show sport, and yet the keeping of which need not be

costly. Two or three are given for example's sake: 'Any Gentleman that

hath a mind to purchase a good pack of cloddy strong Hounds, fit for

any Country, from 15 couple to 10, may be accommodated,' etc. 'There

are to be dispos'd of 18 Couple of Hare Hounds, well siz'd and well

mark'd, at reasonable rates.' 'There are 9 Couple of good Fox Hounds

(with a Tarrier) (4 Couple being stanch finders) to be sold at a very

reasonable Price. These Hounds are as proper for Deer as Fox.' 'Lost

the 16th Instant from the Earl of Litchfield's Foxhounds in some Woods

near Crawford in Kent, a small White Beagle, with Red Spots on her

Ears, and a short Tail, (being a Tarrier),' etc.

There were cockney hunts, with deer, both at Hampstead and Muswell

Hill, and live deer were bought and sold commonly; indeed there is one

advertisement which has a touch of old Leadenhall Market about it.

'Any person who has Beagles, Foxes or Hares to dispose of, may hear of

a Purchaser by giving Notice to the Porter at Sion Chappel near

Hamsted.'

One sport then in vogue must not be omitted from the

list--otter-hunting.

If you'd preserve a num'rous Finny Race,

Let your fierce Dogs the Rav'nous Otter chase;

Th' amphibious Creature ranges all the Shores,

Shoots through the Waves, and ev'ry haunt explores:

Or let the Gin his roving Steps betray,

And save from hostile Jaws the Scaly Prey.

Angling was extensively practised, with almost the same appliances and

tackle as now, even down to the wicker creel at the side. Will Wimble

'makes a May fly to a Miracle; and furnishes the whole country with

angle rods.' Isaac Walton had not long been dead (Dec. 15, 1683), and

his disciples in the 'Contemplative Man's Recreation' were many and

experienced. Hear what Gay says about making a fly to suit the

water:--

Oft' have I seen a skillful Angler try

The various Colours of the treach'rous Fly;

When he with fruitless Pain hath skim'd the Brook,

And the coy Fish rejects the skipping Hook,

He shakes the Boughs that on the Margin grow,

Which o'er the Streams a waving Forrest throw;

When if an Insect falls (his certain Guide)

He gently takes him from the whirling Tide;

Examines well his Form with Curious Eyes,

His gaudy Colours, Wings, his Horns and Size.

Then round his Hook a proper Fur he winds,

And on the Back a speckled Feather binds.

So just the Properties in ev'ry part,

That even Nature's Hand revives in Art.

Hawking, too, was a sport not then extinct, the land not being so

parcelled into fields, and fenced in, as now; so that the flight of

the birds could be easily followed. The birds were startled by five or

six spaniels trained to the work. Here is a description of one lost by

the Earl of Abingdon: 'a small black and white Hawking Spaniel, his

Hair not very long, more black than white, long Back, with a thick

Head.' In brook-hawking, men used to beat the rushes with poles, and

they also hawked partridges and pheasants. The latter are depicted in

the engraving as being poked off their roosts with poles.

They went bat-fowling with the same nets as are now used, and they

also netted partridges at night, with the aid of a lanthorn. In

wild-fowl shooting they also used a horse for stalking. There were

decoys for ducks, and we get an insight as to how they were managed.

'These are to give Notice, that if any Person that understands the

management of a Decoy, wants a place, he may have one about 40 Miles

from London provided he brings a Certificate from the last Master he

served as to his ability ... he shall have as good Wages as is usually

given, or a third Bird, as he shall agree when he seeth the Decoy.'

It was not every person that might shoot game: 'The first of them,

says he, that has a Spaniel by his Side, is a Yeoman of about an

hundred Pounds a Year, an honest Man; He is just within the Game Act

and qualified to kill an Hare or a Pheasant; he knocks down a Dinner

with his Gun twice or thrice a week; and by that means lives much

cheaper than those who have not so good an Estate as himself. He would

be a good Neighbour if he did not destroy so many Partridges; in short

he is a very sensible man; shoots flying; and has been several times

foreman of the Petty Jury.'[387] This Game Act, which he was just

within, was the 3rd James I. cap. 14, clause 5, which says that no one

not having forty pounds per annum, or 200_l._ worth of goods and

chattels, may shoot game; and should they do so, 'then any person

having lands, tenements or hereditaments, of the clear yearly value of

one hundred pounds a year, may take from the person or possession of

such malefactor or malefactors, and to his own use for ever keep, such

guns, bows, cross-bows, &c. &c.' and this Act was in force till 1827,

when it was repealed.

[Footnote 387: _Spectator_, No. 122.]

Shooting flying was not an ordinary accomplishment: it was but just

coming in, and most people took 'pot shots,' and would not risk

shooting at a bird on the wing.

The dreadful Sound the springing Pheasant hears

Leaves his Close Haunt, and to some Tree repairs;

The Dog, aloft the painted Fowl surveys,

Observes his Motions, and at distance Bays.

His noisie Foe the stooping Pheasant eyes,

Fear binds his Feet, and useless Pinions ties,

Till the sure Fowler, with a sudden Aim,

From the tall Bough, precipitates the Game.

Partridges, because they flew well, and strongly, were then not shot,

but snared, by means of a trained dog.

Now the warm Scent assumes the Covey near,

He treads with Caution, and he points with Fear.

Then lest some Sentry Fowl his Fraud descry,

And bid his Fellows from the Danger fly,

Close to the Ground in Expectation lies,

Till in the Snare the flutt'ring Covey rise.

'But if I miss Sitting, I commonly hit 'em Flying,' says Bellair in

Mrs. Centlivre's 'Love at a Venture,' which shows that it was only

when the former failed, that he tried the latter plan. And, in an

advertisement for a gamekeeper, it is noticed: 'Any one that is a very

good Coach man, and can Shoot flying, perfectly well, may hear of a

good Place.' If being a good coachman was useful to a gamekeeper, what

can we say to this: 'Any Gentleman that wants a Man for Shooting,

Hunting, Setting, or any Manner of Game, may hear of one well

qualified. He is a good Scholar, and shaves well.'

Luttrell notes, Mar. 15, 1707: 'Yesterday the lords past the bill for

the preservation of the game, in which is a clause, that if any

poulterer, after the 1st of May next, sells hare, pheasant, partridge

&c. shall forfeit 5_l._ for every offence, unless he has a certificate

from the lord of the mannor that they were not taken by poachers.'

The killing of game must have been earlier then than now, for,

appended to _Spectator_ No. 156, Aug. 29, 1711, is the following:

'ADVERTISEMENT--Mr. _Spectator_ gives his most humble service to Mr.

R. M. of _Chippenham_ in _Wilts_, and hath received the Partridges.'

There were rifle matches in those days. One was shot at the artillery

ground, Finsbury, on July 16, 1703, for a cup value twenty-five

guineas: 'No gun to exceed 4 foot and a half in the Barrel, the

distance to be 200 yards, and but one Shot a piece, the nearest the

Centre to win.' On July 7, 1709, was a match for four pieces of plate:

'to stand 100 yards distance from the Target.' A deer, value 50_s._,

was to be shot for more than once--and the prize once sank as low as

'a pair of breeches.' There was one very singular prize: 'A very fine

brass Gun, in the form of a Walking Cane, to be us'd as a Gun or

Pistol, and in it a fine Prospect Glass, and a Perpetual Almanack

engrav'd about the Head, and a Sun Dial in the Head, and several other

ingenious Utensils.'

Archery was still kept up, as we see by the following

advertisement[388]: 'All Gentlemen who are Lovers of the Ancient and

Noble Exercise of _Archery_, are hereby Invited by the Stewards of the

_Annual Feast_ for the _Clerkenwell_ Archers, to Dine with them at

Mrs. _Mary Barton's_, at the Sign of Sir _John Oldcastle_, upon

_Friday_ the 18th Day of _July_ 1707 at One of the Clock, and to pay

the Bearer _Thomas Beaumont_, Marshal to the _Regiment_ of _Archers_,

Two Shillings and Sixpence; and to take a Sealed Ticket, that the

certain Number may be known, and Provision made accordingly.

[Footnote 388: _Harl. MSS. 5961_, 154.]

CHAPTER XXIV.

SWORD-PLAY AND OTHER SPORTS. GARDEN, ETC.

Challenges -- The stakes -- The combatants -- Description of

fights -- General combativeness -- Boxing -- Cudgel-playing --

Pedestrianism -- Tennis -- Cricket -- Football -- Skating --

Billiards -- Country wakes -- Bowling -- Bowling greens -- Formal

gardening -- Clipping trees -- Books on gardening -- Trees and

flowers -- Town and country life -- Country labourers.

In those days, when everyone with any pretensions to gentility wore a

sword, and duelling was rife, it is no wonder that exhibitions of

skill in that weapon were favourites. Like modern prize fights, they

drew together all the scum and riff-raff, as well as the gentry who

were fond of so-called _sport_. They were disreputable affairs, and

were decried by every class of contemporary. The preliminaries were

swagger and bounce, as one or two out of a very large number will

show[389]:--

[Footnote 389: _Harl. MSS. 5931_, 50.]

'At the Bear Garden in Hockley in the Hole.

A Tryal of Skill to be Performed between two Profound Masters of

the Noble Science of Defence on _Wednesday_ next, being this 13th

of the instant July 1709 at Two of the Clock precisely.

'I, _George Gray_, born in the City of Norwich, who has Fought in

most Parts of the _West Indies_ viz. _Jamaica_, _Barbadoes_, and

several other Parts of the World; in all Twenty-five times, upon

a Stage, and was never yet Worsted, and now lately come to

_London_; do invite _James Harris_, to meet and Exercise at these

following Weapons viz.:--

_Back Sword_, } { _Single Falchon_

_Sword and Dagger_, } { AND

_Sword and Buckler_, } { _Case of Falchons_.

'I, _James Harris_, Master of the said Noble Science of Defence,

who formerly rid in the Horse guards, and hath Fought a Hundred

and Ten Prizes, and never left a Stage to any Man: will not fail

(God Willing) to meet this brave and bold Inviter at the Time and

Place appointed, desiring Sharp Swords, and from him no Favour.

'☞ _Note._ No person to be upon the Stage but the Seconds.

_Vivat Regina._'

* * * * *

'At the Bear Garden in Hockley in the Hole.

A Tryal of Skill to be Performed between these two following

Masters of the Noble science of Defence, on _Wednesday_ the Fifth

of _April_, 1710, at Three of the Clock precisely.

'I, _John Parkes_ from _Coventry_, Master of the Noble Science of

Defence, do Invite you _Thomas Hesgate_, to meet me and Exercise

at these following Weapons, viz.:--

_Back Sword_, } { _Single Falchon_,

_Sword and Dagger_, } { _Case of Falchons_,

_Sword and Buckler_, } { _And Quarterstaff_.

'I, _Thomas Hesgate_, a _Barkshire_ Man, Master of the said

Science, will not fail (God willing) to meet this brave and bold

Inviter, at the Time and Place appointed; desiring Sharp Swords,

and from him no Favour.

'☞ _Note._ No Person to be upon the Stage but the Seconds.

_Vivat Regina._'[390]

[Footnote 390: _Harl. MSS. 5931_, 277.]

The challenger would wager some twenty or thirty pounds, and the

stakes would be deposited and delivered to the challenged: the

challenger receiving the money taken at the door,[391] or, as we

should term it, gate money; which, frequently, twice or thrice

exceeded the value of the stakes.

[Footnote 391: De Sorbière.]

There is one remarkable exception, I have found, to this monetary

arrangement, but it is the only one in my experience. For, in an

advertisement of the usual character, there comes: 'Note. That John

Stokes fights James Harris, and Thomas Hesgate fights John Terriwest

three Bouts each at Back Sword, for Love.'

Preliminaries arranged, handbills printed and distributed, the combat

duly advertised in at least one newspaper, and the day arrived: like

the bull and bear, the combatants paraded the streets, preceded by a

drum, having their sleeves tucked up and their swords in hand. All

authorities agree that the fights were to a certain extent serious:

'The Edge of the Sword was a little blunted, and the Care of the Prize

fighters was not so much to avoid wounding each other, as to avoid

doing it dangerously: Nevertheless, as they were oblig'd to fight till

some Blood was shed, without which no Body would give a Farthing for

the Show, they were sometimes forc'd to play a little ruffly. I once

saw a much deeper and longer Cut given than was intended.'[392]

[Footnote 392: Misson.]

Ward[393] gives a short description of one of these fights: 'Great

Preparations at the Bear Garden all Morning, for the noble Tryal of

Skill that is to be play'd in the Afternoon. Seats fill'd and crowded

by Two. Drums beat, Dogs yelp, Butchers and Foot soldiers clatter

their Sticks; At last the two heroes, in their fine borrow'd _Holland_

Shirts, mount the Stage about Three; Cut large Collops out of one

another, to divert the Mob and Make Work for the Surgeons: Smoking,

Swearing, Drinking, Thrusting, Justling, Elbowing, Sweating, Kicking,

Cuffing all the while the Company stays.'

[Footnote 393: _Comical View of London and Westminster._]

Steele gives a good account of a prize fight[394]: 'The Combatants met

in the Middle of the Stage, and shaking Hands, as removing all malice,

they retired with much Grace to the Extremities of it; from whence

they immediately faced about, and approached each other, _Miller_ with

an Heart full of Resolution, _Buck_ with a watchful untroubled

Countenance; _Buck_ regarding principally his own Defence, _Miller_

chiefly thoughtful of annoying his Opponent. It is not easie to

describe the many Escapes and imperceptible Defences between Two Men

of quick Eyes, and ready Limbs; but _Miller's_ Heat laid him open to

the Rebuke of the calm _Buck_, by a large Cut on the Forehead. Much

Effusion of Blood covered his Eyes in a Moment, and the Huzzas of the

Crowd undoubtedly quickened his Anguish. The Assembly was divided into

Parties upon their different ways of Fighting: while a poor Nymph in

one of the Galleries apparently suffered for _Miller_, and burst into

a Flood of Tears. As soon as his Wound was wrapped up, he came on

again in a little Rage, which still disabled him further. But what

brave Man can be wounded with more Patience and Caution? The next was

a warm eager Onset, which ended in a decisive Stroke on the Left Leg

of _Miller_. The Lady in the Gallery, during the second Strife,

covered her Face; and for my Part, I could not keep my thoughts from

being mostly employed on the Consideration of her unhappy Circumstance

that Moment, hearing the Clash of Swords, and apprehending Life or

Victory concerned her Lover in every Blow, but not daring to satisfie

herself on whom they fell. The Wound was exposed to the view of all

who could delight in it, and sowed up on the Stage. The surly Second

of _Miller_ declared at this Time, that he would that Day Fortnight

fight Mr. _Buck_ at the Same Weapons, declaring himself the Master of

the renowned _German_; but Buck denied him the Honour of that

Courageous Disciple, and asserting that he himself had taught that

Champion accepted the Challenge.'

[Footnote 394: _Spectator_, No. 436]

I have been, to my great regret, unable to find a contemporary print

of one of these combats; the nearest approach to it being the fight

between Dr. Sacheverell and Dr. Hoadley, which furnishes a graphic,

though burlesque, representation of the scene.

Looking at the class from which these gladiators sprang, it is not

surprising to hear that some of these prize fights were prearranged,

or, to use modern slang, 'squared.' In _Spectator_ 449 is a letter,

from which the following is an extract: 'Being in a Box at an

Alehouse, near that renowned Seat of Honour above mentioned,[395] I

overheard two Masters of the Science agreeing to quarrel on the next

Opportunity. This was to happen in the Company of a Set of the

Fraternity of Basket Hilts, who were to meet that Evening. When this

was settled, one asked the other, Will you give Cuts or receive? the

other answered, Receive. It was replied, Are you a Passionate Man? No,

provided you cut no more nor no deeper than we agree.'

[Footnote 395: _Hockley in the Hole._]

The very children were bitten with the mania. 'Apprentices, and all

Boys of that Degree, are never without their _Cudgels_, with which

they fight something like the Fellows before mention'd, only that the

Cudgel is nothing but a stick; and that a little Wicker Basket which

covers the Handle of the Stick, like the Guard of a _Spanish_ Sword,

serves the combatants instead of defensive Arms.'[396]

[Footnote 396: Misson.]

This sword-fighting, however, was seeing its last days, and was, in

the next reign, to be superseded by pugilistic encounters. At present,

boxing, although extensively practised, had not been reduced to a

science. Whatever was it made everybody so pugnacious? 'Anything that

looks like fighting,' says Misson, 'is delicious to an Englishman. If

two little Boys quarrel in the Street, the Passengers stop, make a

Ring round them in a Moment, and set them against one another, that

they may come to Fisticuffs. When 'tis come to a Fight, each pulls off

his Neckcloth and his Waistcoat, and give them to hold to some of the

Standers by; then they begin to brandish their Fists in the Air; the

Blows are aimed all at the Face, they Kick one another's Shins, they

tug one another by the Hair &c. He that has got the other down may

give him one Blow or two before he rises, but no more; and let the Boy

get up ever so often, the other is obliged to box him again as often

as he requires it. During the Fight, the Ring of Bystanders encourage

the Combatants with great Delight of Heart, and never part them while

they fight according to the Rules. The Father and Mother of the Boys

let them fight on as well as the rest, and hearten him that gives

Ground or has the Worst.

'These Combats are less frequent among grown Men than Children, but

they are not rare. If a Coachman has a Dispute about his Fare with a

Gentleman that has hired him, and the Gentleman offers to fight him to

decide the Quarrel, the Coachman consents with all his Heart: The

Gentleman pulls off his Sword, lays it in some Shop, with his Cane,

Gloves and Cravat, and boxes in the same Manner as I have describ'd

above. If the Coachman is soundly drubb'd, which happens almost

always, that goes for payment; but if he is the _Beator_, the _Beatee_

must pay the Money about which they quarrell'd. I once saw the late

Duke of Grafton at Fisticuffs in the open Street, with such a Fellow

whom he lamb'd most horribly.'

There was cudgel-playing--for a new hat; 'he that breaks most Heads to

have the Hat; he that plays puts in six-pence.' Quarterstaff was

played, and there was a somewhat dangerous game--'there will be three

bouts with _threshing flails_.' 'A Tryal of Skill is to be fought &c.

between John Parkes[397] of Coventry, and John Terrewest. Note--They

fight at the Ancient Weapon called the Threshing Flail.'

[Footnote 397: John Parkes or Sparkes was buried at

Coventry, and on his tombstone was inscribed, _inter alia_,

that he was a man of mild disposition, a gladiator by

profession, who fought 350 battles in different parts of

Europe, when he retired. He died 1733.]

Mild athleticism seems to have obtained among a few of the upper

middle class: for instance, Addison speaks[398] of the dumb-bell with

which he used to practise every morning, and also of a kind of Indian

club exercise, 'brandishing of two short Sticks grasped in each Hand,

and loaden with Plugs of Lead at either End. This opens the Chest,

exercises the Limbs, and gives a Man all the Pleasure of Boxing,

without the Blows.'

[Footnote 398: _Spectator_, No. 115.]

There were foot races, but I can find but one or two notices of them,

and there is very little like professional pedestrianism, except the

following very mild feat: 'A Wager of 100_l._ was laid last week, that

a German of 64 years old, should walk in Hyde Park 300 miles in 6

dayes, which he did within the time, and a mile over.'[399]

[Footnote 399: Luttrell, Sept. 13, 1709.]

Tennis was a fashionable game, although I only find one public court

mentioned, 'facing Oxenden Street near the Haymarket.' Ward gets quite

moral on the subject of this game: 'Rightly considered, it's a good

Emblem of the World. As thus: the Gamesters are the Great Men, the

Rackets are the Laws, which they hold fast in their Hands, and the

Balls are we little Mortals which they bandy backwards or forwards

from one to t'other as their own Wills and Pleasure directs 'em.'

Cricket was played, and sufficient interest was felt in the matches:

on one or two occasions they were advertised in the newspapers. In

1705: 'This is to give notice, That a Match at Cricket is to be

plai'd between 11 Gentlemen of the West part of the County of Kent

against as many of Chatham for 11 Guineas a man, at Mauldon in Kent on

the 7th of August next.' And in 1707: 'There will be two great Matches

at Cricket plaid, between London and Croydon; the first at Croydon on

Tuesday July 1, and the other to be plaid in Lamb's Conduit Fields

near Holborn, on the Thursday following, being the 3rd of July.'

On the approach of winter football came into vogue, and it was played

in the streets.

When lo! from far

I spy the furies of the Foot ball war:

The 'prentice quits his Shop, to join the Crew,

Increasing Crowds the flying Game pursue,

Thus, as you roll the Ball o'er Snowy Ground,

The gathering Globe augments with every Round.

But whither shall I run? the Throng draws nigh,

The Ball now skims the Street, now soars on High

The dext'rous Glazier strong returns the bound,

And jingling sashes on the Penthouse sound.[400]

[Footnote 400: _Trivia_, book 2.]

'In Winter _Foot-balls_ is a useful and charming Exercise. It is a

Leather Ball about as big as ones Head, fill'd with Wind: This is

kick'd about from one to t'other in the Streets, by him that can get

at it, and this is all the Art of it.'[401]

[Footnote 401: Misson.]

Skating, although practised here in the time of Fitz-Stephen, had

fallen into desuetude, until it was reintroduced by the Cavaliers who

had been with Charles II. in Holland. Pepys thought it was 'a very

pretty art,' yet got very nervous over the Duke of York's skating. 'To

the Duke, and followed him into the Parke, where, though the ice was

broken and dangerous, yet he would go slide upon his scates, which I

did not like, but he slides very well.' Skating was popular in London

in Anne's reign, but it is doubtful whether it obtained in the remote

parts of the country. Writes Swift to Stella, Jan. 31, 1711: 'The

Canal and Rosamonds Pond full of the rabble sliding, and with skates,

_if you know what those are_.'

'The Gentile, cleanly and most ingenious Game at Billiards' was a

resource at home; and it was played on a table like ours--an oblong

wooden table, covered with green cloth, and with pockets of netting,

in precisely the same position as now, the cushions being stuffed with

fine flax or cotton. The game was not played as we play it, but there

were two balls, a port or archway at one end, and a king or cone at

the other. The cues were not like ours, but more like maces, only much

heavier. 'Your Sticks ought to be heavy, made of _Brazile Lignum

Vitæ_, or some other weighty wood which at the broad end must be tipt

with Ivory.' The game was not only played in private, but in coffee

houses. 'At the Greyhound Coffee House near Monmouth Street in Soho,

are to be sold two new Billiard Tables, and all other goods and

conveniences fit for a Coffee House,' etc. And again: 'A very good

French Billiard Table little the worse for wearing, full size, with

all the Materials fit for French or English play &c. Enquire at Scot's

Coffee House.' Indeed Cotton says there were few towns of note in

England which had not a public billiard-table. He, however, warns

people against 'those spunging Caterpillars, which swarm where any

Billiard Tables are set up, who make that single room their Shop,

Kitching and Bed Chamber.'

[Illustration: Billiards.[402]]

[Footnote 402: This illustration, although from the 1709

edition of Cotton's _Compleat Gamester_, is of older date;

indeed, it is identical with the first edition of 1674. The

fact of its being a text-book in Anne's reign shows that the

game had not then been modified.]

The rough sports, such as cudgel-playing, foot-ball, wrestling,

throwing, boxing, leaping, and running, were kept alive by the country

wakes, which took place on the dedication festival of the parish

church. These were sometimes supplemented by a grinning match, such as

that which drew down Addison's wrath,[403] and which was afterwards

abandoned, in deference to his opinion.

[Footnote 403: _Spectator_, No. 173.]

Near London these wakes, like Hampstead or Deptford wakes, were well

kept up; and there was my Lady Butterfield in Epping Forest, of whose

entertainment and calf-roasting, we have already had a description

through Ward's instrumentality. Here is one of her advertisements: 'My

Lady Butterfield gives a Challenge to all England, to Ride a Horse,

Leap a Horse, Run on Foot or Hallow with any Woman in England Ten

years younger, but not a Day older, because she would not under value

herself. Gentlemen and Ladies, whilst in the Spring 'tis worth your

while to come to hear the Nightingal Sing in Wanstead within a Mile of

the Green Man, in Essex, at my Lady Butterfield's at Nightingal Hall.

This is to give notice to all Gentlemen and Ladies, and all the best

of my Friends, that on the last Wednesday of April is my feast, where

is very good Entertainment for that Day, and for all the Year after

from my Lady Butterfield.'

Or another:--

TO ALL GENTLEMEN AND LADIES.

If Rare Good young Beans and Pease can Tempt Ye,

Pray pass not by my Hall with Bellies Empty;

For Kind Good Usage every one can tell,

My Lady Butterfield does al excell;

At Wanstead Town, a Mile of the Green Man,

Come if you dare and stay away if you can.

She had a rival later on, in 1713. 'This is to acquaint all Jolly Lads

and Lasses. That on Monday the 28th Instant, there will be a Meeting

of several Gentlemen and Ladies at the Opening of Mr. Tucker's new

House upon Epping Forest, where the Company will be provided with good

Music and Dancing, and be likewise entertain'd by Country People with

the following Diversions, viz. A Beaver Hat to be Cudgell'd for, A

Pair of Buckskin Breeches to be wrestled for; and a lac'd Holland

Smock to be danced for, by 6 young Women. N.B. The Sport begins at 10

a Clock in the Morning; and such care is taken that the Company may

not return a hungry, One Ox will then be roasted and given _gratis_.'

Women raced for smocks, silk stockings, or topknots; whilst one would

surely have won Sir John Astley's heart. 'This is to give Notice, That

there is a young Woman, born within 30 Miles of London, will run, for

Fifty or a Hundred Pounds, a Mile and an half, with any other Woman

that has liv'd a Year within the same Distance; upon any good Ground,

as the Parties concern'd shall agree to.'

Even a woman's suspected infidelity was turned into sport. 'At

_Hammersmith_ near _Kensington_, to morrow, being Friday, will be rode

a SKIMMINGTON TRIUMPH, according to the Manner described in Hudibras,'

which the reader will find, if he be curious in the matter, in Part.

II. Canto II. of Butler's immortal poem.

One harmless diversion should not be passed over. 'At Epsom Old Wells

... on Whitsun Tuesday will be Moris Dancing Set against Set, for

Lac'd Hats, at 10 a Clock, with other Diversions.'

But the game, _par excellence_, which combined out-of-door sport with

the minimum of fatigue, suitable alike to the mercurial young, and the

steady middle-aged, was bowling; and the bowling greens multiplied

exceedingly in this reign, especially (judging by the advertisements)

after 1706. We hear of them starting up in all the suburbs: at Putney,

Hoxton, Maribone, Hampstead, Stoke Newington, Ham Lane, etc.

That the bowls were the same as are now played with we see by the

following advertisement: 'Lost out of the Bowl House belonging to

Pemlico Green in Hogsdon near Shoreditch two pair of Lignum Vitæ Bowls

and one pair of a reddish Wood.' It was not an expensive recreation.

'The New Green over against Bunhill fields will be open'd on Saturday

next, and the Old Green to be Bowled on for Six Pence and One Penny

for taking up.' Sometimes there were prizes bowled for, as 'At the

Black Gray hound Dog at Bristow Causey, will be a Silver Tobacco Box

Bouled for, value 30_s._'

It was essentially a sober cit's amusement. 'I wonder how so many Fat

Gentlemen can endure the Green all Day, tho' tis pleasant enough to

look out o' the window and observe em--To see a Tun o' Grease, with a

broad fiery Face, and a little black cap, waddle after a Bowl, rub,

rub, rub, rub, rub, and lose more Fat in getting a Shilling--Than

wou'd yield him a Crown at the Tallow Chandler's.'[404] 'A Bowling

Green is a Place where there are three Things thrown away besides

Bowls, viz. Time, Money, and Curses; the last ten for one. The best

Sport in it, is a sight of the Gamesters, and the looker on enjoys it

more than him that Plays. It is the School of Wrangling, nay worse

than the Schools, for Men will cavil here for a Hair's bredth, and

make a Dispute, where a Straw might end the Controversie. No Antick

screws his Body into such strange Postures; and you would think 'em

mad, to hear 'em make Supplication to their Bowls, and exercise their

Rhetorick to intreat a good Cast.'[405] A great nuisance in these

public bowling-grounds were the people who betted on the players'

skill. '_Cuff._ Let's be sure to bet all we can. I have known a great

Bowler whose Better's place was worth about 200_l._ a year, without

venturing a farthing for himself.'[406]

[Footnote 404: _Tunbridge Walks._]

[Footnote 405: _Hickelty Pickelty._]

[Footnote 406: _Epsom Wells._]

'A Bowling Green is one of the most agreeable Compartments of a

Garden, and, when 'tis rightly placed, nothing is more pleasant to the

Eye. It's hollow Figure covered with a beautiful Carpet of Turf very

Smooth, and of a lively green, most commonly encompassed with a Row of

tall Trees with Flower bearing Shrubs, make a delightful composition;

besides the Pleasure it affords us, of lying along upon its sloping

Banks, in the Shade, during the hottest weather.'[407] It must have

delighted a gardener's heart, in those days, to have had something

which must, almost of necessity, be ornamented in a somewhat formal

manner. There were no landscape gardeners then, they were all fettered

by the precision style of elaborate parterres, terraces, cut trees,

statuary; and although a more educated mind pined for a better state

of things, as is evidenced throughout the _Spectator_ whenever mention

is made of a garden, the tyranny of custom and the gardeners

prevailed. 'Our trees rise in Cones, Globes, and Pyramids. We see the

Marks of the Scissors upon every Plant and Bush. I do not know whether

I am singular in my Opinion, but, for my own part, I would rather look

upon a Tree in all its Luxuriancy and Diffusion of Boughs and

Branches, than when it is thus cut and trimmed into a Mathematical

Figure; and cannot but fancy that an Orchard in flower looks

infinitely more delightful than all the little Labyrinths of the most

finished Parterre.'[408] These parterres were made in as elaborate

devices as some of our specimens of leaf-gardening, and looked very

formal.

[Footnote 407: _The Theory and Practice of Gardening_, by J.

James, 1712.]

[Footnote 408: _Spectator_, No. 414.]

In the _Guardian_ (No. 173) this practice of clipping trees is

ridiculed most unmercifully. 'I know an eminent cook, who beautified

his Country seat with a Coronation dinner in greens; where you see the

Champion flourishing on horseback at one end of the table, and the

queen in perpetual youth at the other. For the benefit of all my

loving Countrymen of this Curious taste, I shall here publish a

Catalogue of greens to be disposed of by an eminent town gardener ...

Adam and Eve in Yew; Adam a little Shattered by the fall of the Tree

of Knowledge in the great Storm; Eve and the Serpent very flourishing.

'St. George in box; his arm scarce long enough, but will be in a

Condition to Stick the dragon by next April.

'A Green dragon of the same with a tail of ground Ivy for the

present.--N.B. These two not to be sold separately.

'A pair of Giants stunted, to be sold Cheap.

'A quickset hedge, shot up into a porcupine, by its being forgot a

week in rainy weather,' etc.

There were many works on gardening published in this reign, notably

that by James, which was a translation from the French. It is enriched

with beautiful designs for parterres, etc., and is undoubtedly the

handsomest work on the subject. Van Oosten's 'Dutch Gardener' is

another translation, as is 'the Retir'd Gard'ner' of London and Wise.

The latter is a book of about 800 pages, with several woodcuts and

copperplate engravings, and consists of two parts--one a translation

of 'Le Jardinier Solitaire,' and the other from the work of the Sieur

Louis Ligers. This was edited by George London and Henry Wise, who are

more than once mentioned in the _Spectator_. They were practical

gardeners, and their nurseries far surpassed all others in England.

London was chief gardener to William and Mary, and afterwards to Anne.

During her reign the nurseries were let to a man named Swinburne, but

the name of the original firm was still kept up.

There is, however, an excellent book in English called 'the Clergy

Man's Recreation,' by John Laurence, A.M., 1714, but it is all about

the cultivation of fruit trees.

Plants would even grow out of doors in the City then, and we find the

fore courts of houses planted, or at all events the walls covered with

jasmines, vines, etc. Whilst the newspapers advertise for sale, 'Yews,

Hollys and all sorts of Fillbrea Laurell &c. with all sorts of Fine

Flowering Trees as Honi suckles, Cittisus, Roses, Sævays both Headed

and Pyramid, Orange Trees, and Spanish Jesemins, Gilded Hollys Pyramid

and Headed, Filleroys, Lawrel Tines, and Arbour Vitæ,' and amongst the

flowers were 'Double Emonies, Ranckilos, Tulips, Aurickelouses, Double

Anemonies, Double Ranunculos and Double Junquils.' Ranunculus seems to

have been a puzzling word, for once again we find it spelt

'Renunculices.'

Town and country were eminently antagonistic. The want of means of

communication kept country people in a state of stagnation, compared

to their brethren of the town, whose more fastidious taste could not

brook the boorish behaviour, and coarse pleasures, of the countryman.

'_Woodcock._ No _Londiner_ shall either ruin my Daughter, or waste my

Estate--If he be a Gamester 'tis rattl'd away in two Nights--If a lewd

fellow, 'tis divided into Settlements--If a nice Fop, then my Cherry

trees are cut down to make Terras-Walks, my Ancient Mannor House,

that's noted for good Eating, demolish'd to Build up a Modem Kickshaw,

like my Lord _Courtair's_ Seat about a Mile off, with Sashes, Pictures

and _China_; but never any Victuals drest in the House, for fear the

Smoke of the Chimney should Sully the New Furniture.

'_Reynard._ So that instead of providing her a Gentleman, you'd

Sacrifice her to a Brute; who has neither Manners enough to be thought

Rational, Education enough for a Justice of the Peace, nor wit enough

to distinguish fine Conversation from the Yelping of Dogs; Hunts all

the Morning, topes all the Afternoon, and then goes lovingly Drunk to

Bed to his Wife.

'_Woodcock._ And pray, what are your Town Diversions? To hear a parcel

of _Italian_ Eunuchs, like so many Cats, squawll out somewhat you

don't understand. The Song of my Lady's _Birthday_, by an honest

Farmer, and a Merry Jig by a Country Wench that has Humour in her

Buttocks, is worth Forty on't; Your Plays, your Park, and all your

Town Diversions together, don't afford half so substantial a Joy as

going home thoroughly wet and dirty after a fatiguing Fox Chace, and

Shifting one's self by a good Fire. Neither are we Country Gentlemen

such Ninnies as you make us; we have good Estates, therefore want not

the Knavery and Cunning of the Town; but we are Loyal Subjects, true

Friends, and never scruple to take our Bottle, because we are guilty

of nothing which we are afraid of discovering in our Cups.'[409] A

very pretty quarrel as it stood, and one on which, as Sir Roger

remarked, 'much might be said on both sides,' for Addison[410] rather

grumbles at the old-fashioned courtesy of the well-bred squire as

opposed to the greater ease of manners then in vogue: 'If, after this,

we look on the People of Mode in the Country, we find in them the

Manners of the last Age. They have no sooner fetched themselves up to

the Fashion of the polite World, but the town has dropped them, and

are nearer to the first State of Nature than to those refinements

which formerly reign'd in the Court and still prevail in the Country.

One may now know a Man that never conversed in the World, by his

Excess of Good Breeding. A polite Country Squire shall make you as

many Bows in half an hour, as would serve a Courtier for a Week. There

is infinitely more to do about Place and Precedency in a meeting of

Justices Wives, than in an Assembly of Dutchesses.'

[Footnote 409: _Tunbridge Walks._]

[Footnote 410: _Spectator_, No. 119.]

But if the country aristocracy were so behindhand, in what state were

the labourers? Their lot was hard work and scant wage, only relieved

by a village wake or a country fair; no education, no hope of any

better position, of the earth, earthy; a man rose at early morning,

worked hard all day, came home to sleep, and so on without

intermission. Gay thus describes him and his labours:--

If in the Soil you guide the crooked Share,

Your early Breakfast is my Constant Care.

And when with even Hand you strow the Grain,

I fright the thievish Rooks from off the Plain.

In misling Days when I my Threasher heard,

With Nappy Beer I to the Barn repair'd;

Lost in the Musick of the whirling Flail,

To gaze on thee I left the smoaking Pail;

In Harvest, when the Sun was mounted high,

My Leather Bottle did thy Drought supply;

When e'er you mow'd I followed with the Rake,

And have full oft been Sun burnt for thy Sake;

When in the Welkin gath'ring Show'rs were seen,

I lagg'd the last with _Colin_ on the Green;

And when at Eve returning with thy Carr,

Awaiting heard the gingling Bells from far;

Strait on the Fire the sooty Pot I plac't,

To warm thy Broth I burnt my Hands for Haste.

When hungry thou stood'st _staring, like an Oaf_,

I slic'd the Luncheon from the Barly Loaf,

With crumbled Bread I thicken'd well thy Mess,

Ah, love me more, or love thy Pottage less![411]

[Footnote 411: _The Shepherd's Week_--_The Ditty_, ed.

1714.]

The dress of the labourer at this time was a broad-brimmed flap felt

hat, a jerkin, or short coat, knee breeches and stockings; whilst the

women wore their dresses very plainly made--necessarily without

furbelows and hoops, and, for headgear, had a very sensible

broad-brimmed straw hat, or, on holidays, the high-crowned felt hat.

CHAPTER XXV.

THE DRAMA.

The theatres -- Dorset Gardens -- Its demolition -- Performances

-- Lincoln's Inn Fields -- Theatre Royal, Drury Lane -- Its

company -- Mrs. Tofts -- The Queen's Theatre, Haymarket -- Its

foundation stone -- Its operas -- Pinkethman's theatre at

Greenwich -- The Queen and the Stage -- Her reforms -- Strolling

players -- Behaviour at the theatre -- Orange wenches -- Stage

properties -- Actors -- Betterton -- Verbruggen -- Cave Underhill

-- Estcourt -- Dogget -- Colley Cibber -- Wilks -- Booth --

Pinkethman -- Minor actors -- Actresses -- Mrs. Barry -- Mrs.

Bracegirdle -- Mrs. Oldfield -- Mrs. Verbruggen -- The ballet.

The drama was fairly supported in Queen Anne's time, although there

were never more than three theatres open at once, and generally only

two. It was not an age for either striking actors or immortal plays;

but, as to the former, they were hard-working, and some of them have

left a name behind them renowned in the history of the stage; and, for

the latter, they were, although somewhat coarse in humour, not so

licentious as the plays of the three preceding reigns. It is

impossible, within the limits of this book, to do more than generalise

on the drama of that day--its history has materials in it for a book

to itself.

There were four theatres: Dorset Gardens, Lincoln's Inn Fields, Drury

Lane, and the Queen's Theatre, Haymarket.

Dorset Gardens Theatre was in Salisbury Court, in Salisbury Square,

Fleet Street, and was built, it is said, from designs by Sir

Christopher Wren, and to have been decorated by Grinling Gibbons. It

fronted the river one way, was consequently easy of access by 'the

silent highway,' and its façade was very pretty, although not

elaborately ornamented. It was opened on Nov. 9, 1671, by the Duke of

York's Company, when they left the playhouse in Little Lincoln's Inn

Fields. It gradually got disreputable, and in 1698 was used for the

drawing of a penny lottery. Ward thus describes its condition in his

time. 'By this time we were come to our propos'd landing Place, when a

Stately Edifice (the Front supported by Lofty Columns) presented to

our View. I enquired of my Friend what Magnanimous Don Cressus Resided

in this Noble and Delightful Mansion? Who told me, No Body as he knew

on, except Rats and Mice; and perhaps an old superannuated _Jack

Pudding_, to look after it, and to take Care that no Decay'd Lover of

the Drama should get in and steal away the _Poet's Pictures_, and sell

'em to some Upholsterers for _Roman Emperours_; I suppose there being

little else to lose, except Scenes, Machines, or some such Jim Cracks.

For this, says he, is one of the Theatres, but now wholly abandon'd by

the Players; and 'tis thought, will in a little time be pull'd

down.'[412] The neighbourhood around about he describes as something

awful in its character, and he was not particular to a shade.

[Footnote 412: _London Spy._]

The following advertisement[413] will show the style of amusement it

afforded its patrons:--

[Footnote 413: _Daily Courant_, April 30, 1703.]

'Being the last time of Acting till after May Fair.

At the Theatre in _Dorset Gardens_, this day being _Friday_ the

30th of _April_ will be presented A _Farce_ call'd, _The Cheats_

of Scapin. And a Comedy of two Acts only, call'd, _The Comical

Rivals_, or the School Boy. With several Italian Sonatas by

Signior _Gasperini_ and others. And the _Devonshire Girl_, being

now upon her Return to the City of _Exeter_, will perform three

several Dances, particularly her last new Entry in imitation of

_Mademoiselle Subligni_, and the _Whip of_ Dunboyne by Mr.

Claxton her _Master_, being the last time of their Performance

till Winter. And at the desire of several Persons of Quality

(hearing that Mr. _Pinkeman_ hath hired the two famous French

Girls lately arriv'd from the Emperor's Court) They will perform

several Dances on the Rope upon the Stage, being improv'd to that

Degree, far exceeding all others in that Art. And their _Father_

presents you with the _Newest Humours of Harlequin_ as performed

by him before the Grand Signior at _Constantinople_. Also the

Famous Mr. _Evans_ lately arriv'd from _Vienna_, will shew you

Wonders of another kind, Vaulting on the Manag'd Horse, being the

greatest Master of that Kind in the World. To begin at Five so

that all may be done by Nine a Clock.'

In the _Daily Courant_ May 13, 1703, there was an attempt to revive

it, but it was unsuccessful. 'The Queen's Theatre in _Dorset Garden_

is now fitting up for a new _Opera_; and the great Preparations that

are made to forward it and bring it upon the Stage by the beginning of

_June_, adds to every body's Expectation, who promise themselves

mighty Satisfaction from so well order'd and regular an Undertaking as

this is said to be, both in the Beauties of the Scenes, and Varieties

of Entertainments in the Musick and Dances.'

It opened spasmodically, now and then: on July 9, 1706, with an opera

called 'Arsinoe, Queen of Cyprus.' Mrs. Tofts as Arsinoe; a prologue

spoken by Cibber, and an epilogue by Estcourt; and on Aug. 1 there was

an opera called 'Camilla' played. And we hear the last of it in the

autumn of this year.'[414] 'By the _deserted Company_ of Comedians of

the Theatre Royal. At the Queen's Theatre in Dorset Gardens, on

Thursday next being the 24th of October, will be Acted a Comedy,

call'd The RECRUITING OFFICER.[415] In which _they Pray_ there may be

_Singing by Mrs. Tofts_ in English and Italian. _And some Dancing._'

On the 30th they played 'Master Fido, or the Faithful Shepherd,'

'acted all by women'--a not absolute novelty, but which showed how

hard up they were for something new to draw. And there were five more

performances that year.

[Footnote 414: _Daily Courant_, Oct. 22, 1706.]

[Footnote 415: By George Farquhar.]

But all attempts to galvanise it into life failed, and in the _Daily

Courant_ of June 1, 1709, we read, 'The Play House at Dorset Stairs is

now pulling down, where there is to be sold old Timber fit for

Building or Repairs, Old Boards, Bricks, Glass'd Pantiles and Plain

Tiles, also Fire Wood, at very reasonable rates.'

Lincoln's Inn Fields was another theatre which had very varying

fortunes during this reign. In 1705, when the company left for their

new home in the Haymarket, it was to let. Betterton took it for a

night for his benefit on March 3 of that year, and Cave Underhill for

his on March 31. It was not re-opened till Sept. 12, 1706, and was

played in only six nights that year. It was rebuilt by Rich, but was

not again acted in during Queen Anne's reign.

One advertisement of its performances may be given as exemplifying

their variety.[416] 'At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. For

the Benefit of Mrs. _Prince_. At the Theatre in _Little Lincoln's Inn

Fields_, the present _Tuesday_ being the 8th of _June_, will be

presented the last New Tragedy call'd, _The Fair Penitent_.[417] With

four Entertainments of Singing (entirely New) by the Famous Signiora

_Francisca Margarita de l'Epine_; to which will be added the

Nightingale Song[418]; it being the last time of her Singing whilst

she stays in _England_. The Instrumental Musick composed by Signior

_Jacomo Greber_. With a Country Wedding Dance by Monsieur _Labbé_,

Mrs. Elford, and others. Also a new Entertainment of Dancing between

_Mazetin_ a Clown, and two Chairmen. With the Dance of _Blouzabella_

by Mr. _Prince_, and Mrs. Elford. By reason of the Entertainments the

Play will be shortened. Boxes 6_s._ Pit 4_s._ Gallery 2_s._ 6_d._'

These seem to have been the benefit prices at this theatre, the normal

ones being 5_s._, 3_s._, and 2_s._

[Footnote 416: _Daily Courant_, June 8, 1703.]

[Footnote 417: By N. Rowe.]

[Footnote 418: Can this be an early work of Carey's? See

Appendix.]

Dorset Gardens and Lincoln's Inn Fields theatres were the dramatic

failures; the 'Theatre Royal in Drury Lane,' as it was called, was an

exception, and stood its ground fairly during the Queen's reign. It

was built by Killigrew, at a cost of £1,500, on the site of a plot of

ground called the 'Riding Yard,' which was obtained on lease from the

Duke of Bedford, and opened in 1663. The actors there were called Her

Majesty's servants, and had the right to dress in scarlet, the royal

livery.

In the summer time, when the quality was dispersed at the various

Spas, the dramatic company followed them to their fashionable resorts,

as also did Powell and Clinch. This, at all events, was the case in

the early days of Anne's rule. 'Her Majesty's Servants of the Theatre

Royal being return'd from the Bath, do intend, to morrow being

_Wednesday_ the Sixth of this instant _October_ to act a Comedy call'd

_Love makes a Man, or, the Fop's Fortune_.[419] With Singing and

Dancing. And whereas the Audiences have been incommoded by the Plays

usually beginning too late, the Company of the said Theatre do

therefore give Notice that they will constantly begin at Five a Clock

without fail, and continue the same Hour all the Winter.'[420]

[Footnote 419: By Colley Cibber.]

[Footnote 420: _Daily Courant_, Oct. 5, 1703.]

Later in this reign they stopped in London, but did not play every

day. 'Not Acted these 15 years. By Her Majesty's Company of Comedians.

At the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, on Tuesday next, being the 1st of

July, will be Reviv'd the 2nd Part of the Destruction of

Jerusalem,[421] by Titus Vespasian. The Parts of Titus by Mr. Booth,

Phraartes Mr. Mills, Tiberius Mr. Keen. John, Mr. Powell. Berenice

Mrs. Rogers, Clarona Mrs. Bradshaw. N.B. The Company will continue to

Act on every Tuesday and Friday during the Summer Season. By Her

Majesty's Command[422] no Persons are to be admitted behind the

Scenes.'[423] At one time, as Cibber narrates, it was even closed

altogether.

[Footnote 421: By J. Crowne, 1677.]

[Footnote 422: See p. 255.]

[Footnote 423: _Daily Courant_, June 28, 1712.]

The theatre was used occasionally for other than dramatic

performances. Here is one: 'At the Theatre Royal in _Drury Lane_, this

present _Tuesday_ being the 14th of _December_ will be perform'd, _The

Subscription Musick_. Wherein Mrs. _Tofts_ Sings several Songs in

Italian and English. With a new piece of Vocal and Instrumental Musick

never perform'd before, composed by Mr. _Leveridge_. And several new

Entries and Entertainments of Dancing by Monsieur _l'Abbé_, Monsieur

_Du Ruell_, Monsieur _Charrier_, Mrs. _Campion_, Mrs. _Elford_, the

_Devonshire_ Girl, and others. No Person to be admitted into the Pit

or Boxes but by the Subscribers Tickets, which are deliver'd at Mr.

_White's_ Chocolate house. The Boxes on the Stage and the Galleries

are for the Benefit of the Actors. The Stage Boxes 7_s._ 6_d._ the

first Gallery 2_s._ 6_d._ the Upper Gallery 1_s._ 6_d._ To begin about

Five a Clock. No Person to stand on the Stage.'[424]

[Footnote 424: _Ibid._, Dec. 14, 1703.]

That the ordinary prices, which they never advertised, were much lower

than these, is shown by an advertisement in the following year. 'And

by reason of the extraordinary Charge in the Decoration of it, the

Prices will be rais'd. Boxes 5_s._ Pit 3_s._ First Gallery 2_s._ Upper

Gallery 1_s._'

Before quitting this short notice of Drury Lane Theatre reference must

be made to an incident in which Mrs. Tofts the singer was interested.

'ANN _Barwick_ having occasioned a Disturbance at the Theatre Royal in

_Drury Lane_ on _Saturday_ Night last the 5th of _February_, and being

thereupon taken into Custody, Mrs. Tofts, in Vindication of her own

Innocency, sent a Letter to Mr. _Rich_, Master of the said Theatre,

which is as followeth.