The Hogs, thus banished by the Prince,
Have liv’d in Bristol ever since!’
The Pump-Room illustrated on the fan was erected in 1732, and was, together with the Assembly-rooms, really the creation of Beau Nash, who persuaded one Thomas Harrison to build a room for dancing on the east side of the Grove, with access to the bowling-green, which then became known as Harrison’s Walks. To maintain his supremacy, Nash rented the Pump-Room from the corporation, and put it under the charge of an officer called the Pumper, and for a while induced Harrison to accept three guineas a week for the Assembly-rooms and candles.[161]
The Grove was re-named the Orange Grove by this same worthy, who erected the obelisk in the centre in commemoration of the visit of the Prince of Orange who came to Bath for the benefit of his health.
IN MEMORIAM
SANITATIS
PRINCIPI AURIACO
AQUARUM THERMALIUM POTU
FAVENTE DEO
OVANTE BRITANNIA
FELICITER RESTITUTAE
M.DCC.XXXIV.[162]
The exterior of the Rotunda, house, gardens, etc., at Ranelagh, is given on a fan mount in the Schreiber collection, this being a copy of a print entitled ‘Vue de l’Extérieur de la Rotonde. Maison & Jardins, etc., à Ranelagh. ‘Canaleti, delin.’ ‘N. Parr, sculpt.’ Published according to Act of Parliament. December 2, 1751.’
Opera fans give plans of the boxes at the Opera, with names of the occupants. An example in the Schreiber collection is inscribed: ‘New Opera Fan for 1797. W. Cock. Publish’d as the Act Directs for the Proprietor, by Permission of the Manager of the Opera House, 42 Pall Mall.’
The following advertisement appeared in the Times of January 1, 1788:—
‘The Opera Fans.
‘To the subscribers and frequenters of the King’s Theatre.‘Last Saturday were published according to Act of Parliament. The Delivery, however, was put off until the re-opening of the Opera House next week, for the purpose of presenting them in the best state of improvement.
‘These fans are calculated to present at one view both the number of boxes including the additional ones, names of subscribers, etc., and have been carefully compared with the plan of the House or kept at the office, and will be sold only by the proprietor, Mrs. H. M., No. 81 Haymarket, where she will receive with respectful gratitude any commands from the ladies and wait on them if required.’
A fan published on the same date, January 1, 1788, by Clarke and Co., appears in the Schreiber collection, and gives the plan of the King’s Theatre for 1788; the centre box bears the names of the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland and that of the Duke of York; the Prince of Wales and Mrs. Fitzherbert being in box sixty-three on the right.[163]