BEE-KEEPING IN LONDON. 217 



Journal of Horticulture recently, in alluding to Wildman, 

 gives the following particulars as to his performances : — 



" Near the ' Three Hats,' Islington, was a place of popular 

 entertainment called "Dobney's Tea Gardens," kept by Mrs. 

 Ann Dobney. These gardens occupied the ground between 

 White Lion Street and Winchester Place, and were established 

 as far back as 172S. In 1771, the house was taken for a short 

 time as a boarding school ; but it was soon changed to its ori- 

 ginal purpose as a place of amusement, for, in 1772, Daniel 

 Wildman exhibited bees here. This is a copy of the advertise- 

 ment : — 



"'June 2o, 1772. Exhibition of bees on horseback! at the 

 Jubilee Gardens, Islington (late Dobney's), this and every 

 evening, until further notice (wet evenings excepted). 



" ' The celebrated Daniel Wildman will exhibit several new 

 and amazing experiments, never attempted by any man in this or 

 any other kingdom before. The rider standing upright, one 

 foot on the saddle and one on the neck, with a mask of bees on 

 his head and face. He also rides standing upright on the 

 saddle with the bridle in his mouth, and, by firing a pistol, makes 

 one part of the bees march over the table, and the other swarm in 

 the air and return to their hive again, with otherperformances too 

 tedious to insert. The doors open at six ; to begin at a quarter 

 before seven. Admittance : — Box and gallery, 2s. ; the other 

 seats, IS.' " 



The secret ofWildman's skilful manipulation is well 

 understood now; it consisted in a careful holding and 

 disposal of the queen, together with confidence in the 

 igenerally inoffensive disposition of bees. Dr. Evans, 

 whom we have often quoted for his- correct information 

 in apiarian matters, thus speaks of his feats : — 



