This was the first show, and stood at the corner of Hosier-lane. The
inscription outside, painted in black letters, a little more than an
inch in height, on a piece of white linen, was as follows:--
“_Murder of Mr. Weare, and Probert’s cottage.--The Execution of William
Probert._
“_A View to be seen here of the Visit of Queen Sheba to King Soloman on
the Throne.--Daniel in the Den of Lions.--St. Paul’s Conversion.--The
Tower of Babel.--The Greenland Whale-Fishery.--The Battle of
Waterloo.--A View of the City of Dublin.--Coronation of George IV._”
This was what is commonly, but erroneously called a puppet-show; it
consisted of scenes rudely painted, successively let down by strings
pulled by the showman; and was viewed through eye-glasses of magnifying
power, the spectators standing on the ground. A green curtain from a
projecting rod was drawn round them while viewing. “Only a penny--only a
penny,” cried the showman; I paid my penny, and saw the first and the
meanest show in the Fair.