To the Circus at Astley's late, so missed the Grand Equestrian Drama,
which vex me not much, for the Acting only Horseplay. But in time to see
the Horsemanship in the Circle, which was what I wanted, and got a good
Place in the Boxes, but would have preferred the Pit, except for the
Company, which is of the Lower Sort, and there they do sit with their
Hats on, and eat Oranges and drink Soda Water and Ginger Beer, which
make me ashamed. Pretty riding on a Cream-coloured Horse by a pretty
black girl, and on horseback dancing carried a basket of Flowers, and
dance mighty pretty, but being above I could but look down upon little
but her Head, which did somewhat vex me that I was not below in the Pit.
Also a Fellow in the Dress of an Italian Robber they call a Brigand ride
on three Horses at once, and please me I think as much as anything I
ever saw in my Life. One of the Horses he rode piebald, the others
spotted, pretty to see. Curious to observe the Riding Master continually
smacking his Whip to keep the Horses galloping close to the Circle, but
above all the Head Riding Master they call WIDDICOMBE in a Uniform with
Epaulettes, as it were a Generalissimo, mighty pompous and droll, divert
me beyond measure, and good Lack to hear, between the Horsemanship, the
dialogues between WIDDICOMBE and the Clown. As the Clown walking before
WIDDICOMBE out of the Ring, WIDDICOMBE say "Stop, Sir, go behind; I
never follow the Fool." "Don't you," say the Clown, "then I do," and
walk after him; which tickle me and make me laugh, so that I was like to
burst my Sides. And Lack to see the Dignity of WIDDICOMBE, how grand he
bear himself and look down upon the Clown as an inferior Being, calling
him generally Fool, or else sometimes more gracious, Mr. Merriman. I do
hear WIDDICOMBE is now an old Man, but his Cherry Cheeks, and black Hair
and Eyebrows, make him look young, and his Waistcoat padded well out on
the Chest takes from his Paunch, and though no Doubt he be made up, he
make himself up mighty clever. All this while the Orchestra, mostly of
Brass, trumpeting and banging away the most suitable Music to the
Performance I think that ever could be played except the Tongs and
Bones. About me in the Boxes great Numbers of Small Children, both Boys
and Girls, some Babies almost, enjoy the Spectacle as much as any, and I
do like to see them, and think they with their Mirth do make their
Elders enjoy it all the more, and did think I should have liked to have
had some of my own to take with me, but then thinking of the Expense of
a Family make me better content with None. The Horsemanship mighty good
Fun for the Children, but serious Entertainment to the grown-up, and
strange to see how earnest they sit and gaze and stare with their Eyes
wide open, and their Minds also fixed upon the Horses, and to perceive
that they who think so much of Horses do commonly think very little upon
much else, and how many there be of that Sort among the English People.
After Astley's in a Cab to the Albion Tavern, where a Dish of Kidneys, a
Welsh Rarebit, a Pint of Stout, and a Go of Whisky cost me 3s., and so
Home in another Cab and so to Bed.
[Illustration: _YE FATHERS OF YE CHURCHE GYVING JUDGMENTE UPON YE
KNOTTYE POYNT._