The Merry Past 



here was a number of splendid mahogany doors, whilst 

 there was a large garden with fine trees, which made 

 the end of Langham Place charmingly cool and shady. 

 When Regent Street was formed its line was specially 

 diverted in order to save Langham House, which now, 

 however, has long disappeared. 



Primrose Hill, near Chalk Farm, formed another 

 favourite place of resort, and on this were displayed 

 scenes of frolic like those at Greenwich. 



Here Londoners had to pay a toll, known as the 

 Halfpenny-hatch. 



The Halfpenny-hatch was at Marylebone, and con- 

 sisted in a halfpenny paid by every foot-passenger 

 for the privilege of passage through some private 

 grounds, which shortened the walk to Primrose Hill, 

 where crowds of both sexes used to repair on a Sunday 

 evening to see Edinburgh, as it was called, which was 

 by stooping down with your back to London, and 

 looking between your legs at that overgrown city. 

 Good sound ale, brewed from good wholesome malt 

 and hops, was sold at fourpence the double mug 

 at the Halfpenny-hatch, and rich cheesecakes four a 

 penny. 



On Easter Monday Greenwich was inundated by 

 some thousands of visitors, who, hungry and thirsty 

 after their journey, came prepared to gratify the 

 cravings of their appetites, in compliment to which 

 almost every house was converted into a magazine of 

 provisions. At the fair itself visitors could hardly 

 hear their own voices owing to the din of the gong, 

 the French horn, and the salt-box, all of which 



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