A guard of soldiers and peace-officers conducted the company (_circ._ 1741) to and from the Gardens, and at eleven and twelve o’clock a special guard set off to take people along the fields as far as the Foundling Hospital. (_circ._ 1743). The neighbourhood of the Gardens was, in fact, by no means safe. On a June night of 1751 when the entertainment was in full swing, some thieves entered the house of Mr. William Coombs, a wine merchant residing at the Gardens, and carried off his plate and china. About three weeks later a gentleman who was in the fields at the back of the Gardens, listening to the strains of the band, had a pistol pointed at him by a man who demanded his money and his watch. On June 30, 1752, a servant going to the Gardens was attacked in the fields and robbed by two footpads.[103] At a later date (1764) the proprietor felt it necessary to offer “a premium of ten guineas” for the apprehension of any highwayman or footpad found on the road to the Gardens, and a horse-patrol to and from the City was provided at that time. It is said that Dick Turpin once publicly kissed in the Gardens a beauty of the time related to Dr. Fountayne. The lady expostulated, but Turpin exclaimed “Be not alarmed, Madam, you can now boast that you have been kissed by Dick Turpin. Good morning!” §3. _The Gardens under Thomas Lowe._ 1763–1768. In 1763 the Gardens and adjoining premises were taken at a yearly rent of £170[104] by Thomas (“Tommy”) Lowe, the favourite tenor of Vauxhall Gardens, who had already appeared at Marybone Gardens in 1750. He engaged, among other singers, Mrs. Vincent, Mrs. Lampe, and the beautiful Nan Catley, then only eighteen. Lowe opened in May (1763) with a “Musical address to the Town,” in which the singers (Lowe, Miss Catley and Miss Smith) apologised for the absence of some of the attractions of Ranelagh and Vauxhall:-- Yet Nature some blessings has scatter’d around; And means to improve may hereafter be found. The entertainments under Lowe’s management consisted principally of concerts in which he himself took a prominent part.[105] The Gardens were opened at 5 p.m.: the concert began at 6.30, and the admission was one shilling. In 1765 the concerts included songs from Dr. Boyce’s “Solomon,” and Mrs. Vincent sang “Let the merry bells go round” by Handel, accompanied by a new instrument called the Tintinnabula. There was a new Ode (August 31), called “The Soldier,” “wrote and set to music by a person of distinction.” In 1767 (August 28), Catches and Glees were performed. [Illustration: THOMAS LOWE.]