A great deal could be written on the defunct pleasure-gardens which once enlivened the outskirts; but their glories are departed, or at best preserved in the satires, literary and artistic, which contemporary humourists levelled at the Georgic-loving citizens who frequented them. Such a suburban retreat, with the motley crowds who disported themselves thereat, is graphically reproduced in Rowlandson's plate of _Summer Amusement_. Much of the delight was prosaic and toilsome; but, seemingly, good fun was to be had, and people could lay aside their conventional rigidity for once and awhile, when fine weather and the pleasant season tempted them to stray, and leave the everlasting counting-house at home, for a game at bowls and a little wholesome relaxation. The various groups found in the picture are well conceived. Two games are proceeding, into which cits, of various degrees, are throwing their entire energies. The whimsical accompaniments connected with 'taking tea in the arbour' are faithfully seized. The soberer elders are crowding the hospitable 'house of call.' Round the foremost table is gathered a convivial party; the worthy souls are draining a parting bowl, before commencing their return journey, for which the lantern is set on the ground in prudent preparation. A little toasting is going on at the next table, and beyond that an arcadian flirtation is in progress, with various incidents transpiring around, such as the observant philosopher might have noted in 1800, without travelling very far out of his way. _August 30, 1800._ _Gratification of the Senses à la mode Française._--(Seeing, Tasting, Hearing, Smelling, Feeling.) _October 1._ _The Newspaper._ G. M. Woodward invt., Rowlandson sculp. Published by R. Ackermann. _October 29, 1800._ _Grotesque borders for Rooms and Halls._--Published October 25 and 29, 1800, by R. Ackermann, 101 Strand. Woodward del., Rowlandson sculp. 1800 (?). _Sterne, L. The Beauties of Sterne._ With one plate by T. Rowlandson. 12mo. 1800. _Sterne, L. The Sentimental Journey._ With plates by Thomas Rowlandson. 12mo. 1800. _Yorick feeling the Grisette's Pulse._ 8vo.--The interior of the Grisette's _Magasin des Modes_. The plate is delicately etched. Yorick is seated beside the pretty milliner; the complaisant husband is bowing, grimacing, and attitudinising. A poodle is on a settee. Two blocks, hat and cap moulds, are, with bandboxes, robes, &c., scattered around. Outside is seen a glimpse of the quaint antiquated French street life, such as might be encountered by the sentimental traveller before the Revolution:--priests, monks, portresses, &c., with images of saints at the street corners.