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pays Sixpence for Admittance into the Gardens, for which a 
Ticket is given that entitles you to any Thing at the Bar to 
that Value. The Subscription for walking in the Gardens is 
Half-a-Crown the Season.”’ 
This reference gives a clear date, 1769; for the use of the 
Ticket illustrated ; the earliest of the Bath garden pieces. 
The ticket of brass, is with a very slight variation, a double 
obverse :— 
TICKET (see allustration.) 
@ SIXPENCE @ 
NS 
SPRING GARDE 
# BATH #& 
(Ornament above TICKET and under BATH.) 
desde lain. 
Its use is again referred to in 1786, when Mrs. Purdie 
is mentioned as the Proprietress. ‘‘ Such Ladies and Gentle- 
men who do not subscribe (2s. 6d.) pay Sixpence for Admission 
and receive a Ticket that entitles them to anything they may 
choose of that value.”’ 
Near the site of the South Parade, a ferry possibly existed 
before the Parade was built. From the time of the erection of 
this, access to the ferry was gained from the terrace of the 
Parade by means of a stairway known as ‘‘ White Hall Stairs.” 
The ferry could also be reached through Harrison’s Gardens 
by a walk along the river bank. The ‘‘ White Hall Ferry”’ 
was long a favourite way to Spring-Gardens and other 
pleasure resorts, and contemporary references to it are frequent. 
The name is a curious one, and as mention is made of it 
later, I now quote an advertisement from the Chronicle of 
July 27th, 1769 :— 
“For Pleasure on the River Avon. 
Neatly fitted up, at White Hall Stairs 
The Bottom of the South Parade. 
Two Commodious Pleasure Boats ; one covered, the other open. 
To be Lett for Bristol, or down the River on Parties of 
Pleasure, &c., with proper careful Hands. 
By S. Tomkins, London Waterman. 
Who has been on this River upwards of 40 Years. 
