London in English Literature by Percy Boynton

Author:Percy Boynton
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781411457638
Publisher: Barnes and Noble, Inc.
Published: 2017-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

But whether for better or for worse the fickle fit of fashion decreed Ranelagh to be the proper thing, as the newest thing is likely to be, so that two years after it was opened Horace Walpole wrote that he went every night; for it had totally beaten Vauxhall. "Nobody goes anywhere else—everybody goes there." All about the outskirts of the city were other spas, wells, and gardens, but all were, in however slight a degree, fashioned after the style of these two, and none could take the wall of them.

These were the places frequented by Londoners who merely wished to enjoy themselves without regard to social advancement. Mention has been made of the bigness of the city as compared with former generations. Yet it should be remembered that as cities of the twentieth century go London before 1800 was hardly more than a big town. Except for the strip four miles long and a half-mile wide, the rest of what is modern London was suburban or genuine open country. A breath of fresh air was thus within easy reach of shopkeepers, apprentices, and artisans, who worked in the same streets which are now many miles from any visible blade of grass which is not inclosed in a public square or park. For these people the delights of al fresco entertainment were perennial. They went to Marylebone Gardens, for instance, to enjoy the music, the fireworks, and the simple refreshments. They were present in considerable numbers on the evening when Dr. Johnson protested because the fireworks were postponed.

This [said the Doctor] is a mere excuse to save their crackers for a more profitable company; let us both hold up our sticks and threaten to break those coloured lamps, and we shall soon have our wishes gratified. The core of the fireworks cannot be injured; let the different pieces be touched in their respective centres and they will do their offices as well as ever.151

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