324 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. [Ch. vi. 



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 enter- 

 tainment 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 1728. In 

 1771 the house was taken for a short time as a boarding school ; but 

 it was soon changed to its original purpose as a place of amusement, 

 for in 1772 Daniel Wildman exhibited bees here. This is a copy of 

 the advertisement : — ■ 



'"June 20, 1772. Exhibition of bees on horseback! at the 

 Jubilee Gardens, Islington (late Dobney's) , this and e veiy 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 other performances too tedious to insert. 

 The doors open at six ; to begin at a quarter before seven. Admit- 

 tance — Box and gallery, 2s. ; the other seats. Is.' " 



The secret of Wildman's skilful manipulation is well 

 understood now; it consisted in a- careful holding and 

 disposal of the queen^ together with confidence in the 

 generally inoffensive disposition of bees. Dr. Evans, 

 whom we have often quoted for his correct information 

 in ai^iarian matters, thus speaks of his feats : — 



" Such was the spell which roimd a Wildman's arm 

 Twined in dark wreaths the fascinated swarm, 



