116 
and realise high prices, the number issued cannot now be 
ascertained, but presumably each {£100 share carried a 
Proprietor’s Ticket; in this case their original number 
would have been 77. 
Ob: View of principal front of Sydney House. 
SYDNEY GARDENS (above) BATH (under) 
Rees Sane within a floral wreath. 
PROPRIETOR’S (above) TICKET (under) 
Ed: Plain. 
Gale’s first occupancy of the garden was not a longone. In 
April, 1799, he was succeeded by T. Holloway, whose tenancy 
proved of still less duration. 
The Chronicle, January 30, 1800, advertised for sale ‘“‘ Two 
Shares of 100f each in those pleasant gardens, called Sydney 
Garden, Bathwick.”’ 
On the 22nd of January, 1801, “ J. Gale respectfully informs 
the Nobility, Gentry and the Public, that he has again taken 
Sydney-House—Garden and Ride for a Term of Years from 
Lady Day next, 1801.” “‘ Sydney House. Contains an elegant 
Ball Room, with suitable Rooms for Tea or Cards. And is 
well adapted for Balls and Suppers, Routs, Public Breakfasts 
or Dinner Parties. There is also a Commodious Coffee Room 
where the London and Bath Papers are taken in daily. The 
novelty of the Kennet and Avon Canal, which is carried 
through the Garden and Ride, and compleated in the most 
handsome manner, with Ornamental Iron Bridges, &c., with 
various Improvements in the Plantations, add considerably 
to the picturesque Beauties for which the Spot has been so 
universally admired.” With this announcement my notes 
must end, for the further history of the Sydney Garden is that 
of the 19th century, during the first half of which the Garden 
formed the centre of Bath gaiety, attaining its highest repu- 
tation as a pleasure resort about 1840; then slowly declining, 
till now, in the opening years of the 2oth century, with Sydney 
House virtually in ruins amid neglected surroundings, Ichabod, 
may well be written above the entrance to the once 
prosperous, animated, and extremely fashionable, Sydney 
Garden. 
Amongst other matter relating to the Garden I have an early 

