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then along the river bank; or the more direct, but perilous, 
Slippery Lane, outside the north wall ; both ways converging 
to the then Ferry over the river, near the site of the present 
Pulteney Bridge. The house in Orange Court, occupied by 
Purdie, overlooked the Gardens, and possessing a doorway 
into Lot Lane, outside the City wall, had a shorter and 
easier access to the ferry. 
In November, 1764, the firm of “‘ Warren and Purdie. 
Humbly beg Leave to acquaint the Nobility and Gentry of 
Great Britain and Ireland,” “ that at their Shop, next to Mr. 
Wiltshire’s Assembly Room, the upper End of the North 
Parade,”’ all varieties of perfumery and fancy goods could. be 
obtained, and long after Purdie’s decease admission tickets 
to the gardens were to be obtained at this shop. 
On the roth of April, 1766, was announced “‘ Spring-Gardens 
are now open for the Summer Season with Breakfasting and 
Afternoon Tea, as usual.—Hot Rolls and Spring Garden 
Cakes every Morning from Half after Nine till Half after Ten, 
Sundays excepted.—A large Company is desired to give timely 
Notice.-——Musick will attend if required.—Constant Attendance 
at the Passage-Boat leading from Orange-Grove to the Gardens. 
A Commodious Pleasure Boat to be Lett.” 
The company at “the Bath” were then early risers ; the 
usual time of assembling for “‘ Drinking at the Pump Room” 
was from 7 till 10, the music there being from 8 till 10 o’clock. 
“There is generally a great Number of Ladies and Gentle- 
men who make a very brilliant appearance,’ and it was 
“the ton’ upon leaving the Pump Room to resort to Spring 
Gardens, where (1766) “‘ By desire of Many Ladies and Gen- 
tlemen the Proprietor proposes to have every Monday and 
Thursday during the Summer, Public Breakfasting and 
Musick. The Musick will continue playing till Two-o-clock 
for such of the Ladies and Gentlemen who chuse to Dance.” 
Apparently 1t was found that the difficult access by way of 
the old ferry, operated against the success of the Gardens, 
and a direct route from the centre of the city was provided. 
Richard Jones, some 30 years in Ralph Allen’s service, 
wrote that the stone from Allen’s wharf at the Dolemeads 
was brought by boat to ‘‘ Monk’s Mill, and landed and so rolled 
up in a Road made up into the Grove for that purpose, and then 
began the building in the Square called Wood Street.” If this 
statement is reliable, the date of the roadway would be about 
1727. This steep road was utilised, a flight of stairs being made 
