Coaches, Waggons, Carts, &c. are said to have been driven over it; and an Enthusiast preached to a motley congregation on the mighty waters , with a zeal fiery enough to have thawed himself through the ice, had it been susceptible of religious warmth. This and other diversions attracted the attention of many of the Nobility, and even tempted the Prince of Wales to visit Frost Fair.
On that day there was an uncommonly high spring tide, which overflowed the cellars on the borders of the River, and raised the ice full fourteen feet without interrupting the people from their pursuits.
The Protestant Packet of this period observes, that the Theatres were almost deserted.
The News-letter of February 15 announces the dissolution of the ice, and with it the "baseless fabrick" on which Momus had held his temporary reign. The above paper enables me to conclude this article, as I began it, with a scrap of doggrel:
"Thou beauteous river Thames, whose standing tide
Equals the glory of thy flowing pride,
The City, nay the World's transferr'd to thee,
Fix'd as the land, and richer than the sea.
The various metals Nature can produce,
Or Art improve for ornament or use,