Merrie England in the olden time / by George Daniel.

  • Daniel, George, 1789-1864.
Date:
1881
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Merrie England in the olden time / by George Daniel. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    invited to regale upon moderate terms. Show-booths were erected in this immediate neighbourhood for Merry-Andrews and morris-dancers. Onward was the Ducking Pond* * (“ Because I dwell at Hogsden,” says Master Stephen, in “ Every Man in his Humour,” “ I shall keep company with none but the archers of Finsbury or the citizens that come a ducking to Islington Ponds ”), and, proceeding in almost a straight line towards “ Old Iseldon,” were the London Spa, originally built in 1206; Phillips’s New Wells the New auditors to walk in, that I (with many others) went to see his entertain- ment ; and I never was more agreeably amused than with the perfor- mances of the three Bath Morris Dancers. They showed so many astonishing feats of strength and activity, so many amazing transforma- tions, that it is impossible for the most lively imagination to form an adequate idea thereof. As the Fairs are coming on, I presume these admirable artists will be engaged to entertain the town; and I assure your readers they can’t spend an hour more agreeably than in seeing the performance of these wonderful men. “ I am, &c. Daily Advertiser, 27th July, 1743.” * See a rare print, entituled “A new and exact prospect of the North side of the City of London, taken from the Upper Pond near Islington. Printed and sold by Thomas • Bakewell, Print and Map- seller,, over against Birching Lane, Cornhill, August 5, 1730.” + “ By a company of English, French, and Germans, at Phillips’s New Wells, near the London Spa, Clerkenwell, 20th August, 1743. “This evening, and during the Summer Season, wnll be performed several new exercises of Rope-dancing, Tumbling, Vaulting, Equilibres, Ladder-dancing, and Balancing, by Madame Kerman, Sampson, Ro- getzi. Monsieur German, and Monsieur Dominique ; with a new Grand Dance, called Apollo and Daphne, by Mr. Phillips, Mrs. Lebrune, and others ; singing by Mrs. Phillips and Mrs. Jackson ; likewise the extra- ordinary performance of Herr Von Eeckenberg, who imitates the laik, thrush, blackbird, goldfinch, canary-bird, flageolet, and German flute ; a Sailor’s Dance by Mr. Phillips ; and Monsieur Dominique flies through a hogshead, and forces both heads out. To which will be added “The Harlot’s Progress.” Harlequin by Mr. Phillips; MLss Kitty by Mrs. Phillips. Also, an exact representation of the late