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sedgy side of Avon’s soft flowing stream. As a clear fact also 
this spot was beyond and outside, and was not within the 
bounds of Spring Gardens as the slight trouble of a glance at 
some of the early maps would show. 
Then the same work tells that theferry stairs to Spring Gardens at 
the bottom of the South Parade are still there. These stairs at 
the South Parade did not connect with Spring Gardens, the ferry 
here crossed towards Lyncombe and was known as Whitehall 
Ferry. Basnett’s plan of the city and suburbs published in 1771 
shows this ferry and names the place Whitehall stairs. This map 
shows also Spring Gardens and Spring Gardens stairs and the 
ferry there. Spring Gardens stairs were at the back, or through 
the garden, of the house but lately known as the Athenzeum at 
the end of Orange Grove. The place is now gone, the stairs 
were cleared away with the house without leaving a mark, by the 
clearage for the Empire Hotel frontage. 
An advertisement of 28 January 1770* announces that—at 
Spring Gardens tomorrow and on every friday evening till 
further notice, will be a public tea drinking when the company 
will be entertained with French horns, &c, also violins for those 
who are disposed to dance, at one shilling each person. But in 
case the company should chuse to continue dancing by candle 
light a further reasonable compensation will be expected. Such of 
the company as prefer tea drinking in separate parties will be 
properly accommodated. Tickets to be had at Miss Purdie’s. 
perfume shop next door to Mr. Gyde’s Rooms and at Mr 
Roubel’s jeweller in the Grove. The public breakfast on every 
monday morning with music and dancing &c will be continued 
at the usual price. NB. In case friday evening should prove 
wet the public tea drinking will be on saturday and if monday 
should also be a wet morning the public breakfast will be on 
tuesday. 
* Bath Chronicle, p. 1, col. 4. 
