Vauxhall Gardens

Engraving by Robert Pollard after a painting by Rowlandson showing large crowd gathered before pavilion in Vauxhall Gardens where Mrs. Weichsel ([Elizabeth] Billington) is singing, in the lower left, Dr. Johnson is seated at a table, eating, facing front, with James Boswell and Oliver Goldsmith seated at the ends of the table, to the right of center, the Prince of Wales [later George IV] is whispering in the left ear of Perdita (Mrs. [Mary Darby] Robinson). Vauxhall Gardens was a pleasure garden, one of the leading venues for public entertainment in London, England from the mid 17th century to the mid 19th century ; the Gardens drew all manner of men and supported enormous crowds, with its paths being noted for romantic assignations ; tightrope walkers, hot air balloon ascents, concerts and fireworks provided amusement ; the rococo Turkish tent became one of the Gardens' structures, the interior of the Rotunda became one of Vauxhall's most viewed attractions, and the chinoiserie style was a feature of several building