The London pleasure gardens of the eighteenth centuryWroth, Warwick William
History
The London pleasure gardens of the eighteenth century
Wroth, Warwick William
London (England) -- History -- 18th century; Parks -- England -- London -- History
It may be conjectured that this English Grotto is identical with
the Grotto Garden in Rosoman Street, which was kept in (or before)
1769[36] by a man named Jackson, a successful constructor of grottoes,
and contrivances of water-works. In 1769 he advertised the place
as his Grand Grotto Garden, and gold and silver fish Repository.
In the garden was a wonderful grotto; an enchanted fountain; and
a water-mill, invented by the proprietor, which when set to work
represented fireworks, and formed a beautiful rainbow. A variety of
gold and silver fish, “which afford pleasing ideas to every spectator”
might be purchased at this repository. Sixpence was sometimes charged
for admission, and a number of people are said to have resorted there
daily. The place was still in Jackson’s possession in 1780.
[Illustration: A VIEW OF THE ENGLISH GROTTO NEAR THE NEW RIVER
HEAD.
_Circ._ 1760.]
The house and Grotto Garden were at the north-east corner of Lower
Rosoman Street (originally Rosoman Row), almost facing the London Spa.
About 1800 the house, or its later representative, was No. 35, Lower
Rosoman Street, and in its garden were some remains of the wonderful
grotto. From the windows there was still a pleasing prospect of the
country for many miles. In this house Mr. Pickburn, the printer, first
published _The Clerkenwell News_ in 1855, and continued to print
the newspaper there until 1862.
[For authorities and views, see notes.]
THE MULBERRY GARDEN, CLERKENWELL
The Mulberry Garden in Clerkenwell, the site of which was afterwards
occupied by the House of Detention, was open in 1742, but contrary
to the usual practice, the proprietor (W. Body) made no charge for
admission, relying for profit on the sale of refreshments.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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