114 
Monday the 6th of April.” The use of Ranelagh in the title 
was abandoned after this date. 
James Gale, originally an haberdasher, in Wade’s Passage, 
disposed of this business in April, 1795, and became the first 
tenant. He advertised on the 7th of the following May, that the 
“ Sydney-Garden, Vauxhall, opposite Great Pulteney Street. 
Will be opened on Monday, May 11th. For Breakfasting 
and Afternoon Tea, Wines, &c., &c. J. Gale (late of Wade’s 
Passage) having taken the Pleasure Garden, respectfully 
acquaints the Publick, that he is determined to conduct it 
with the utmost Spirit and Liberality——and hopes from 
the high encomiums already passed on the superior style in which 
this Garden is designed, that its visitants will be so numerous 
as to enable him to render Refreshments not only in quality, 
but also in quantity, equal, if not superior, to all other places 
of publick entertainment.—Horns and Clarionets every 
Wednesday evening.—There are two Bowling Greens and two 
Swings. No Swinging can be permitted on Sundays.—A 
capital Swing on Merlin’s construction will be erected in the 
Labyrinth, and be opened the first week in June.” (This 
swing, long advertised as an attraction, took its name from 
the inventor, Merlin; mentioned in 1775 by Fanny Burney 
“as a foreigner and a very ingenious mechanic.”’) 
An advertisement of June 4th, 1795, gives notice that “ Any 
Person or Persons desirous of becoming a _ Proprietor or 
Proprietor’s in the eligible undertaking of the Sydney-Garden, 
Vauxhall, may now be accommodated, a resolution having 
been made for admitting the number of Five Additional 
Proprietors.” 
In September, 1795, appears “‘ This Garden having become 
the pleasurable resort of the most Fashionable Company 
residing in, or resorting to Bath,—J. Gale returns his most 
grateful thanks for the liberal encouragement given him.” 
““Merlin’s Swing is now open, and as it is thought most 
conducive to health, a Subscription has been requested 
at 5s. for three months. Non-Subscribers’ Tickets to be 
had at the Bar at 6d. each, through a curious grotto ; 
and 3d. each through the Gate of the Labyrinth, which 
being so perplexing, correct plans of it are sold at the Bar, 
price 6d.’ 
Probably the copper pieces, now rarely met with, used in 
connection with the Garden. were issued about this date, as 
“Non Subscribers Tickets ’’— 

