| Citation |
RNYG.775.056
14 Sep 1775:12 (126)
London, June 24. Regatta News. Before noon several of the
companies and great number of pleasure barges were moored in
the river, with flags, &c. Half a guinea was asked for a
seat in a common barge.
Early in the afternoon, the whole river, from London
bridge to the Ship tavern, Mill Bank, was covered with
vessels of pleasure, and there seemed to be a general
combination to make a gay evening.--About 1200 flags were
flying before four o'clock, and such was the public
impatience, that scores of barges were filled at that time.-
-scaffolds were erected on the banks and in vessels, and
even on the tip of Westminster hall was an erection of that
kind.--Vessels were moored in the river, for the sale of
liquors and other refreshments.
Before five o'clock, Westminster bridge was covered with
spectators, in carriages and on foot, and men even placed
themselves in the bodies of the lamp irons--Plans of the
Regatta were sold, from a shilling to a penny each, and
songs on the occasion sung, in which Regatta was the rhyme
for Ranelagh, the Royal Family echoed to liberty. The topes
of the houses were covered, and the sashes of many windows
taken out, and perhaps there was not one boat disengaged,
whose owner chose to work. Before six o'clock it was a
perfect fair on both sides the water, and had liquor with
short measure, was plentifully retailed. The bells of St.
Martin were rung in the morning, and those of St. Margaret's
during the afternoon.
The whole river formed a splendid scene, which was
proportionably more so nearer to Westminister hall. A City
barge, used to take in ballast, was on this occasion, filled
with the finest ballast in the world - above 100 elegant
ladies. The avenues to the bridge were covered with
gambling tables, occasional Constables guarded every passage
to the water-side and took money for admission from half a
crown to a penny. Soon after six drums, fifes, horns, &c.
formed separate little concerts under the several arches of
the bridge. This was succeeded by firing of cannon from a
platform before the Duke of Richmond's; who as well as his
Grace of Montague, and the Earl of Pembroke, had splendid
companies on the occasion. At half past seven the Lord
Mayor's barge moved, and falling down the stream, made a
circle towards the bridge, on which 21 cannon were fired as
a salute; and just before it reached the bridge, the wager
boats started on the signal of a piece of cannon. They were
absent near 50 minutes; and on their return the whole
procession moved, in a picturesque irregularity, toward
Ranelagh. The Thames was now a floating town. All the
waters, sailing boats, &c. in short every thing, from the
dung barge to the wherry, was in motion.
The company landed at the stairs about nine o'clock, when
they joined the assembly, which came by land, in the Temple
of Neptune, a temporary octagon kind of building erected
about twenty yards below the Rotunda, lined with striped
linen of the different coloured flags of the navy, with
light pillars near the centre, ornamented with streamers of
the same kind loosely flowing, and lustres hanging between
each --it happened however that this building was not swept
out, or even finished, when the company assembled, which
prevented the cotillon dancing till after supper. This room
discovered great taste, but we cannot reconcile the temple
of Neptune's being supplied with musicians in sylvan habits.
At half after ten, the Rotunda was opened for supper,
which discovered three circular tables of different
elevations elegantly set out, though not profusely covered,
the Rotunda was finely illuminated with party coloured
lamps, and those displayed with great taste and delicacy;
the centre was solely appropriated for one of the fullest
and finest bands of music, vocal and instrumental, ever
collected in these Kingdoms; the number being 240, in which
were included the first masters, led by Giarsini, and the
whole directed by M. Simpson, in a manner that did him great
credit. It was opened with a grand new piece composed for
the occasion, after which various catches and glees were
admirably sung by Messrs. Vernon, Reinhold, &c. But the
illumination of the orchestra had been unfortunately
overlooked, which gave that part of the design a gloomy
appearance.
Supper being over, a part of the company retired to the
temple, where they danced minuets, cotillions, &c. without
any regard to precedence; while others entertained
themselves in the great room. Several temporary structures
were erected in the gardens, such as bridges, palm tree &c.
which were intended to discover something novel in the
illumination style, but the badness of this evening
prevented their being exhibited.
The company consisted of about 2000, among whom was the
first personages of distinction; viz.
Their royal Highnesses the dukes of Gloucester and
Cumberland, duke of Northumberland, lords North, Harrington,
Stanley, T. . . . . .
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