The Picture of London, for 1804, Etc
The Picture of London for 1820
Wigley’s like many museums of the era, was devoted to exhibitions of the curious and foreign. Here is an excerpt from Egan’s Real Life in London about some of the sights:
On advertisement suggested a female ventriloquist and invisible girl were on display, as well as Mons. Du Bourg’s speaking picture. The gallery also showed artists in their 58 x 44 space and held auctions.
Lying behind the southwest frontage to Charing Cross, Spring Gardens is said to be named from a trick fountain during Elizabeth I’s era that would “spring” in to motion by passersby stepping on hidden machinery, although there is some dispute. Others say it is named for a copse of tress on a spur of high ground rising from the Thames (London in The Nineteenth Century, 2011 ). There were pleasure gardens from the 17th century that evolved into indoor places of entertainment, including Wigley’s.
1825 was the closure date, according to research, for Wigley’s Rooms.
From some interesting Austen tie ins and talk about prostitutes and the park, visit here: https://janeaustenslondon.com/tag/spring-gardens/
