100 
to the Gardens will be watered (if necessary) on every Public 
night.” 
On the 11th of March, 1790, Mr. Pritchard, wine Merchant, 
(who on July 7th, 1774, had married Miss Charlotte Purdie) 
‘begs leave to acquaint,” ‘‘ that he has taken Spring-Gardens, 
the direct road to which is over Mr. Pulteney’s Bridge.” 
Advertising from the Parade Coffee House, the attractions of 
a gala, August 12th, 1790, he mentions that “In this feast 
for the Eye and Ear the Proprietor has not been unmindful 
of the more substantial one of the palate, as the best of Viands 
and Liquors will be ready at a reasonable expense.” 
During 1791, only one other open air pleasure resort, King 
James’s Palace Garden, was carried on, and in June of that year 
mention was made that “‘ As Spring-Gardens, Vauxhall, is now 
almost the only place of amusement open for the company and 
inhabitants of this city to resort to, we are not surprised at 
the numerous attendance every publick night, especially as. 
it is conducted in so liberal a manner.”’ 
A typical reference to the Gardens occurs in the Chronicle, 
June 3rd, 1792, ‘‘ Bath was early in the morning saluted by 
the fine peals of bells in four different churches, announcing 
the birthday of our good and gracious King; at noon the 
guns were fired at Spring-Gardens, Vauxhall; and in the 
evening an amazing concourse assembled there. The Gardens 
were illuminated with a profusion of lamps, and the fireworks 
went off admirably, they consisted of several grand pieces, 
and served even to increase the fame of Invetto.” 
After 1792, the popularity of the Gardens rapidly declined, 
many causes contributing to this; the extensive building 
operations then proceeding in Bathwick had _ entirely 
destroyed their privacy and the beauty of their surroundings ; 
and in view of the then near termination of the lease of the 
gardens permanent improvements could not be profitably 
undertaken. A formidable rival, the Sydney Garden, was 
also under construction, and early in 1795 appealed for and 
attracted the patronage of fashionable residents and visitors. 
On June 4th, 1795, Pritchard advertised ‘‘ The Proprietor 
begs leave to offer his sincere thanks to his Friends and the 
generous Public, for their patronage and support, which he has 
so many years been favoured with, and to acquaint them, he 
is going to decline these Gardens. This being his last night.”’ 
A new tenant, John Townsend, on July 16th, 1795, “ solicits 
the countenance of the Nobility and Gentry, his own Friends 

