Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original SourcesAshton, John
History
Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original Sources
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- History -- Anne, 1702-1714; Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 18th century
He was there again in 1707. 'At Pinkeman's Booth in May Fair, to
entertain the Quality, Gentry, and others, he has got Eight Dancing
Doggs, brought from Holland, which are Admir'd by all that see them:
and they will dance upon Mr. Pinkeman's Stage in each Show. This
Extraordinary Charge he's at (in procuring these Doggs) is purely to
divert the Town. They are the Wonder of the World, The last Show
beginning between 8 & 9 a Clock for the Entertainment of the Quality,
as the Park breaks up.'
There was another theatrical company: 'At the NEW PLAY HOUSE in MAY
FAIR, During the time of the FAIR will be play'd, the True and Ancient
Story of MAUDLIN _the Merchants Daughter of_ BRISTOL _and her lover_
ANTONIO. How they were Cast away in a Tempest upon the Coast of
_Barbary_; where the Mermaids were seen floating on the Seas, and
Singing on the Rocks, foretelling their danger. The DROLL intermingled
with most delightful merry Comedy, after the manner of an OPERA, with
extraordinary variety of Singing and Dancing: By his Grace the Duke of
_Southampton's_ Servants. _The Place will be Known by the Balcone
adorn'd with Blue Pillars twisted with Flowers._ Vivat Regina.'
May Fair boasted of its natural curiosities, as the two following
advertisements testify: 'Near Hide Park Corner during the Time of May
Fair, near the Sheep pens over against Mr. Penkethman's Booth; Is to
be seen the Wonder of the World in Nature, being a Mail Child born
with a Bear growing on its Back alive, to the great Admiration of all
Spectators, having been shown before most of the Nobility of the
Land.'
'By Her Majesties Permission. This is to give Notice to all Gentlemen,
Ladies and others, that coming into May Fair, the first Booth on the
left Hand, over against Mr. Pinkeman's Booth; During the usual time of
the Fair, is to be seen, a great Collection of Strange and Wonderful
Rarities, all Alive from several parts of the World.
'A little Black Man lately brought from the West Indies, being the
Wonder of this Age, he being but 3 Foot high and 25 Years Old.
'Likewise 2 Wood Monsters from the East Indies, Male and Female, being
the Admirablest Creaturs that ever was seen in this Kingdom; they
differ from all Creaturs whatsoever, and are so Wonderful in Nature
that it is too large to insert here.
'Also a little Marmoset from the East Indies, which by a great deal of
Pains is now brought to that perfection, that no Creature of his Kind
ever perform'd the like; he Exercises by Word of Command, he dances
the Cheshire Rounds, he also dances with 2 Naked Swords, and performs
several other Pretty Fancies. Likewise a Noble Civet Cat from Guiny
which is admir'd for his Beauty, and that incomparable Scent, which
Perfumes the whole Place. Also a Muntosh from Rushy, being very
Wonderfully Marked.
'Also a Helliscope from Argier, being the Beautifuls Creature in all
the World; specked like a Leopard. Vivat Regina.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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