* A print of Busbys Folly occurs in a rare volume, called “Views of divers noted places near London, 1731,” of which Gough, the antiquary never saw hut one copy. Its site is particularly pointed out in Ogilby's map of London to Holyhead.
* “Sadler's Wells being lately opened, there is likely to be a great resort of strolling damsels, half-pay officers, peripatetic tradesmen, tars, butchers, and others, musically inclined.”--Weekly Journal, 16th March 1718.
It is curious to read at the bottom of the old bills and advertisements of Sadler's Wells the following _alarming_ announcements:--“A _horse patrol_ will be sent in the New Road that night for the _protection_ of the nobility and gentry who go from the squares and that end of the town. The road also towards the city will be properly _guarded_.”
“June 1783. _Patroles of horse and foot_ are stationed from Sadler's Wells' gate along the New Road to Tottenham Court turnpike; likewise from the City Road to Moorfields; also to St. John Street, and across the Spafields to Rosoman Row, from the hours of eight to eleven.”
After which followed the standard, an enormous pair of horns mounted on a lofty pole, borne by three officers, and attended by the master of the ceremonies, the mace-bearer, the herald at-arms, the sword-bearer and the crier, their footsteps keeping time to a flourish of trumpets and horns.
** “On Tuesday next, being Shrove Tuesday, there will be a fine _hog bar-byqu'd_ whole, at the house of Peter Brett, at the Rising Sun, in Islington Road, with other diversions.-- Note. It is the house where the ox was roasted whole at Christmas last.” Mist's Journal, Feb. 9, 1726.
A hog barbecu'd is a West Indian term, and means a hog roasted whole, stuffed with spice, and basted with Madeira wine. Oldfield, an eminent glutton of former days, gormandised away a fortune of fifteen hundred pounds a-year. Pope thus alludes to him,--
“Oldfield, with more than harpy throat endu'd, Cries, 'Send me, gods, a whole hog barbecu'd!'”
“On Thursday next, being 13th March 1718, the Bowling- Greens will be opened at the Prospect House, Islington, where there will be accommodation for all gentlemen bowlers.”
Bowling-greens were among the many amusements of Merrie England. The author of “Night Thoughts” established a bowling-green in the village confided to his pastoral care, for innocent and healthful recreation.