[_Picture of London_, 1802, and later dates; Cromwell’s _Islington_. The _Morning Chronicle_, October 17, 1804, announces the sale of the ‘old Eel-Pie House’ (already evidently well known), together with ‘20 acres of rich meadow land’ adjoining. There are several views showing in the foreground the wooden Sluice House standing over the river, and close behind it the Eel-Pie (or Sluice) House Tavern; in the distance, Hornsey Wood House (on the site of the present Finsbury Park). There is a drawing by Mr. H. Fancourt of the Eel-Pie House Gardens, made in 1867, and kindly presented to the writer.] WESTON’S RETREAT, KENTISH TOWN THIS garden in the present Highgate Road had a brief existence _circa_ 1858–1865, under the management of Edward Weston, the proprietor of Weston’s (afterwards the Royal) Music Hall in Holborn. A good deal was crowded into a small space, for besides the choice flowers, shrubs, and fruit-trees, there was a conservatory, a cascade, a racquet-court, a small dancing-platform and orchestra, and a panorama 1,600 feet long, representing ‘the sea-girt island of Caprera, the home of the Italian Liberator’ (Garibaldi). This encircled the garden, and was lit at night by variegated gas-jets, stated—but the garden illuminator always exaggerates—to be 100,000 in number. The admission was usually only sixpence. Some of the entertainers of the Polytechnic Institution were engaged to combine instruction with amusement, and Mr. A. Sylvester exhibited there his patent optical illusion called—though hardly by Mr. Weston’s patrons—the Kalospinthechromokrene. {44a} There were complaints about the way in which this miniature Cremorne was conducted, and the Sunday opening was particularly objected to by its respectable neighbours. It appears to be the unnamed ‘Retreat’ which James Greenwood in one of his books describes in scathing terms. {44b} Thus, when the Midland Railway Company appeared on the scene, there were many who welcomed its purchase of Mr. Weston’s pleasure-garden. In October, 1866, the trees, orchestra, gas-fittings, tea-cups, and everything belonging to the place, were sold off by auction. The Retreat was in Fitzroy Place, the entrance being between the present houses numbered 93 and 97, Highgate Road. [Article in _St. Pancras Guardian_ for January 3, 1902, by ‘P.’ (Mr. R. B. Prosser); newspaper advertisements; Walford, _Old and New London_, v., p. 320; Greenwood’s _Wilds of London_.] THE MERMAID, HACKNEY A FARTHING token of the seventeenth century, issued ‘at the Maremaid Taverne in Hackeny,’ {46a} is a humble relic of the early days of this place, which stood on the west side of the High Street.