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
Notice is hereby given, that here is arrived from _Germany_, a most
artificial and Wonderful Original Picture, the like never seen in all
_Europe_: Part of this fine Picture represents a Landskip, and the
other part the Water on Sea: In the Landskip you see a Town, out of
the Gates of which cometh a Coach Riding over a Bridge through the
Country, behind, before, and between the Trees till out of sight;
coming on the Bridge, a Gentleman sitting on the Coach, civilly
salutes the Spectating Company, the turning of the Wheels and motion
of the Horses are plainly seen as if natural and Alive. There Cometh
also from the Town Gate a Hunter on Horseback, with his Doggs behind
him, and his Horn at his side, coming to the Bridge he taketh up his
Horn and Blows it that it is distinctly heard by all the Spectators.
Another Hunter painted as if Sleeping, and by the said Blowing of the
Horn awaking, riseth up his Head, looks about, and then lays down his
Head again to Sleep, to the great Amazement and Diversion of the
Company. There are also Painted and Represented, Country men and
Women, Travellers, Cows and Pack horses going along the Road till out
of sight. And at a seeming distance on the Hills are several Windmills
continually Turning and Working. From a River or Sea port, you see
several sorts of Ships and Vessels putting to Sea, which Ships by
degrees lessen to the sight as they seem to Sail further off. Many
more Varieties too long to be inserted here, are Painted and
Represented in this Picture to the greatest Admiration, Diversion and
Satisfaction of all Ingenious Spectators. The Artist Master of this
Piece hath employed above 5 years in contriving, making and perfecting
it. It was design'd for a present to a great Prince in _Germany_, to
be put in his chiefest Cabinet of greatest Rarities, but that Prince
Dying, the maker kept it to himself, and now presents it to the View
and Diversion of all ingenious Persons.' This picture is just noticed
in the _Tatler_ (No. 129): 'and I doubt not but it will give as good
content as the moving picture in Fleet Street.'
There was another of these mechanical toys, exhibited at the same
place. 'Far exceeding the Original formerly shewn, and never publish'd
before the beginning of the present Year 1710. Representing several
stately ships and vessels sailing out of the Port of a City; a Coach,
drawn by four Horses going over a bridge into the Town; a Cart with an
Old Woman in it, drawn by two Horses, the Wheels moving: A Gentleman
carry'd in a Chair, saluting the Company, A Windmill continually
turning round; Swans swimming, which dip their Heads in the Water: A
Man digging with a Pick Ax: All in lively Motion,' etc. And still one
more appeared in 1713, which was a representation of the sky effects
of morning, noon, and night, with ships sailing, and saluting the
forts as they passed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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