Page 115 - Reading Mercury
P. 115

Wednesday  last  was  the  day  of  celebration,  when  an  elegant  entertainment  was
                   provided in the Town-hall of Wokingham, attended by some of the first characters of
                   the  neighbourhood;  and  several  public  dinners  for  the  accommodation  of  different
                   denominations.  Ringing  of  bells  fireworks,  illuminations,  transparencies  by  an
                   eminent artist from London, and firing of cannon by the Master Gunner of Cowes, in
                   the Isle of Wight, continued till day light and closed a beautiful scene of loyalty and
                   universal happiness.

                           th
                   Mon 13  April
                                                       READING
                      Saturday  last  the  happy  event  of  the  recovery  of  his  Majesty  was  celebrated  at
                   Luckley-house near Wokingham, on the verge of Windsor Forest, the seat of Charles
                   Fysh  Palmer,  Esq.  with  every  possible  demonstration  of  loyalty  and  festivity.  The
                   gentlemen  of  the  Corporation  and  others  of  the  town  and  neighbourhood,  were
                   entertained in the most hospitable manner by the worthy owner of the mansion: Mrs.
                   P. with her wonted affability, and several other ladies, honouring the company with
                   their  presence.  And  the  next  day  (Sunday)  the  same  gentleman  very  liberally  and
                   generously entertained the children of the Sunday schools in Wokingham, near 150,
                   with plenty of beef, plum pudding, and each a glass of  ale to drink his Majesty’s
                   health.
                      Among  the  many  instances  of  loyalty  shewn  by  the  gentlemen  in  this
                   neighbourhood,  we  are  sorry  to  have  omitted  that  of  J.  H.  Addington,  Esq.  at
                   Blount’s-Court,  who  gave  an  elegant  and  plentiful  entertainment  to  the  gentlemen
                   farmers  and  their  families  for  several  miles  round,  which  was  concluded  with  a
                   handsome firework in the gardens, and a ball for the ladies; nor were the poor forgot
                   on this occasion, as they were regaled with several hogheads of beer, and all ranks of
                   people  shewed  themselves  highly  pleased  with  this  noble  instance  of  loyalty  and
                   hospitality.

                         st
                   Mon 1  June
                                                NEW WESTERN ROAD
                                       To BATH, BRISTOL, &c. thro’ WINDSOR
                   To  the  Nobility,  Gentry  and  Others,  Travelling  the  Great  Western  Road,  to  Bath,
                   Bristol, &c.
                      The King’s  Most  Excellent Majesty, has  been graciously  pleased to  make a road
                   from  Windsor  over  Cranbourn  Chase,  thro’  Windsor  Forest,  leading  to  the  rural
                   villages of Winkfield, Warfield, and Binfield, to Reading; which is allowed to be the
                   most delightful ride of any in this kingdom, from the many beautiful and picturesque
                   views of noblemen and gentlemen’s seats, and parks, the whole way.
                      The great annoyance generally complained of by persons travelling the other road,
                   on account of the frequent passing of large droves of oxen, sheep, and other cattle,
                   stage coaches, road wagons, and other carriage, is such, as to render it disagreeable,
                   particularly at this season of the year.
                      The good accommodation that Windsor affords to travellers, is too well known to
                   need any comment.
                      The saving of a very heavy turnpike, and bridge toll and the distance from Hyde
                   Park Corner to Reading, being equally the same, it is hoped, that it will not be deemed
                   presumptuous to recommending to the nobility, gentry, and others to give a preference
                   to the road leading thro’ Windsor.


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