
2 LRRD 

a 

99 
Tea Room at Spring-Gardens will be lit up every Sunday 
evening during the winter, for the accommodation of Company 
with good Tea or Coffee and Hot Rolls just out of the oven.” 
The Prose Bath Guide, 1778, refers to ‘‘ Spring Gardens 
near the new bridge, which considering their contiguity to so 
great a City are very delightful and afford to all Conditions 
of People a very rational Amusement.” ‘“‘ The Company are 
entertained with a good Band of Music. Mr. Purdie, the 
Proprietor, is a good Citizen, and.spares no Expense to render 
the Gardens worthy of that encouragement they meet. Mr. 
Purdie keeps also an excellent Lodging and Boarding House 
in Orange Court, the back apartments of which command a 
view of the Gardens.’’ At the house in Orange Court (the 
Empire Hotel now covers the site) resided in 1748, during one 
of her periodical visits to Bath, the vivacious Mrs. Elizabeth 
Montagu. 
A special room was provided for the elaborate concerts 
given at the Gardens, the most talented artistes of the period 
appearing at ‘‘ Public Breakfast Concerts of Vocal and Instru- 
mental Music.”’ Galas were frequently held, and among the 
attractions were a number of cannon, apparently almost a 
civic possession, as references to the firing of the guns at 
Spring-Gardens on all loyal occasions are remarkably 
frequent. After 1780 at the various pleasure gardens the 
firework displays were a prominent feature. For most of these 
“the ingenious Signor John Invetto, the celebrated Italian 
Artist from Milan,” was responsible, and invariably each 
successive exhibition was “the most superb display ever 
exhibited in this City.” 
In the Chronicle, January 30th, 1783, is advertised for Sale 
“On Friday, the 21st of February. The remaining UN- 
EXPIRED TERM of SIXTEEN YEARS of the LEAsE of that desirable 
Spot of Ground known by the name of Spring-Gardens, 
Vauxhall. Many years past in the possession of the late 
Mr. Purdie.”’ 
The continued use of the White-Hall ferry is proved by a 
notice in June, 1789, that ‘ A New Gate is opened at the South 
End of the Gardens for the accommodation of Ladies or 
Gentlemen from the South Parade over the Ferry and a 
pleasant Walk thro’ the Meadows,” the same notice stating, 
“ Every impediment from the Bridge to the Gardens will be 
removed, and the way made level over the arches, and free 
from interruption by Carriages.” ‘‘ The Bridge and the Road 
