Chapter XI

An old placard--Princess Augusta’s testimonial--Great success
at Gray’s Inn Road--Madame initiates promenade concerts--Bygone
tableaux.

An old placard now in our possession informs us that at Blackheath the Exhibition was housed in the Assembly Room at the Green Man Hotel. The exact date when it left there is not known, but we do know that it had previously found a temporary abode in the Town Hall, Brighton.

There it was visited early in 1833 by members of the Royal Family, then in residence at the Pavilion, as is vouched for in the following quaint notice. The placard we give in full, not only on account of its quaint wording, but because it gives a good idea of the Exhibition as it then existed:

NOW OPEN!
WITH DECIDED SUCCESS!

The Promenade being Crowded every Evening!
In the only Room that could be had sufficiently spacious
for the purpose,

The GREAT ASSEMBLY ROOM of the late
ROYAL LONDON BAZAAR,
GRAY’S INN ROAD

(Which has been fitted up for the purpose). Carriages may
wait in the Arena.
Lately arrived from the Town Hall, Brighton, and last from
the Assembly Room, Green Man Hotel, Blackheath.

SPLENDID NOVELTY,
Coronation Groups and Musical Promenade.

ENTIRELY NEW.

MADAME TUSSAUD AND SONS

Have the honor to announce that their entirely new Exhibition,
which has only to be seen to ensure its support and patronage,
justly entitling it to the appellation of the most popular
Collection in the Empire, is NOW OPEN as above mentioned, and
they trust the Public will not form their ideas of it from
anything of a similar description they may have seen in this
Metropolis or elsewhere--as in their peculiar art they stand
alone; a fact acknowledged by those that have made the tour of
Europe. They are induced to state this to guard against the
prejudice excited by a view of inferior Collections. Madame
Tussaud had the honor of being Artist to Her Royal Highness
Madame Elizabeth, was patronized by the late Royal Family of
France, by their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York,
twice by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and lately
at the Town Hall, Brighton, by Her Royal Highness the Princess
Augusta, His Royal Highness Prince George, and by nearly the
whole of the Royal Establishment.

Her Royal Highness, with that kindness which has ever
distinguished the Royal Family for the encouragement of the
Fine Arts, honored Madame Tussaud with the following letter:

“Lady Mary Taylor is commanded by Her Royal Highness the
Princess Augusta to acquaint Madame Tussaud with Her Royal
Highness’s approbation of her Exhibition, which is well worthy
of admiration, and the view of which afforded Her Royal
Highness much amusement and gratification.--Pavilion, Brighton,
Feb. 9, 1833.”

The placard goes on to describe the Exhibition as follows:

The Exhibition consists of a great variety of Public
Characters, modelled with the greatest care, and regardless of
expense, among whom will be noticed the original figures of
BURKE and HARE (taken from their faces, to obtain which the
Proprietors went expressly to Scotland); which have excited
intense interest from the peculiar nature of their crimes, and
their approach to life, which renders it difficult to recognize
them from living persons. Also DENNIS COLLINS (taken from life
at the gaol, Reading), in the identical dress he had on when he
made the atrocious attempt on His Majesty’s life at Ascot Heath
Races.

This shows that Madame Tussaud in those days, as her successors do in these, took the greatest pains to ensure fidelity as regards costume as well as features.

There can be no doubt that Madame Tussaud actually originated the promenade concerts which have since become so popular a form of musical entertainment, for the placard goes on to announce that:

There will be a Musical Promenade every Evening from Half-past
Seven till Ten, when a selection of Music will be performed by
the Messrs. Tussaud and Fishers; the Promenade will be lighted
with a profusion of lamps, producing, with the variety of rich
costumes, special decorations, etc., an unequalled _coup d’œil_.

A description is next given of some of the exhibits, which will be perused with interest:

The Collection consists of PORTRAITS in composition as large as
life, dressed in appropriate costumes.

FIRST GROUP.

REPRESENTING THE CORONATION OF H.M. WILLIAM IV.

_Description._--It represents HIS MAJESTY on the Throne,
habited in his Robes of State, as worn on that august occasion,
in the act of being Crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury,
supported by the Bishop of Norwich. On His Majesty’s right, Her
Majesty QUEEN ADELAIDE, wearing the Cap of State, supported
by Earl Grey, in his Coronation Robes. On His Majesty’s left,
the Lord Chancellor Brougham and the Duke of Wellington, in
their Coronation Robes, surmounted by Three allegorical Figures
representing Britannia, Caledonia, and Hibernia.

SECOND GROUP.

THE CORONATION OF BUONAPARTE,

Copied from the Celebrated Picture by David.

_Description._--The moment chosen is the time when Buonaparte,
contrary to all precedent crowned himself. It represents him
in the act of placing the Crown on his head, dressed in the
magnificent costume as worn by him at his Coronation; also a
Figure of the Empress Josephine, who is seen kneeling at the
foot of the altar, accompanied by a Page. At the altar is
represented His Holiness Pope Pius VI, giving the benediction,
supported by the celebrated Cardinal Fesche (Buonaparte’s
Uncle) and Prince Roustan (Buonaparte’s favourite Mameluke) in
the act of proclaiming the ceremony, attended by a Mameluke.

The two above-mentioned Groups have been universally admired
by every one that has seen them; and Madame Tussaud and Sons
hope they will meet with the approbation of the Inhabitants of
London and its Vicinity.

NEW GROUP.

Taken from the History of Scotland.

MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS ABDICATING THE THRONE.

_Description._--It represents her at the moment of hesitating
to abdicate, being alarmed at the conduct of Baron Ruthven,
who stands opposite to her. Next to him is the Figure of Sir
J. Melville, interceding to appease the Baron; and behind the
Queen is a venerable Figure of an Augustin Monk, who is in the
attitude of indignation at seeing his Mistress insulted.

CHARACTERS AS FOLLOWS:

Full-length models.

His Late Majesty George the Fourth.
Her late Majesty Queen Caroline.
Her late R.H. Princess Charlotte.
Their Majesties George III and Queen Charlotte.
His Late Royal Highness the Duke of York.
Field-Marshall the Duke of Wellington.
His late Imperial Majesty Alexander of Russia; and
His Majesty the King of the Belgians.
Field Marshall Von Blücher.
Right Honorable William Pitt.
Right Honorable George Canning.
Right Honorable C. J. Fox.
Reverend John Wesley.
The Celebrated Queen Elizabeth.
The Immortal Shakspeare.
William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania.
Mary Queen of Scots.
An Austin Monk.
Baron Ruthven.
Lord Melville.
The celebrated Baron Emanuel Swedenborg.