Transcription
Philip Astley was brought up to his father’s trade, a veneer
cutter, at Newcastle upon Tyne, at which place he was
born in 1742 – he enlisted in the 15th or Elliott’s own light
Dragoons Horse when he was 17 – He was always a remark-
-able expert Horseman, and in consequence of his Eques-
trian [^ skill–] He was speedily made Rough Rider, Teacher, &
Breaker in to the Regiment, after eight years honourable
Service, he obtained his discharge, and the general gave
him, as a mark of his esteem, a charger, which charger lived to
the age of 42. on his arrival in London he found Paire had realised a compe-
-tency by Horse Riding at Chelsea, & that Johnson & Sampson were
exhibiting there feats of Horsemanship at the Three Hats at Islington,
at the Dog & Duck, and elsewhere, with considerable profit—with his
charger, & a Horse he bought in Smithfield, he set up for himself—He hired
a field near Wrights [Wright’s] halfpenny hatch, afterwards Curtiss [Curtis’s]; very near
Cupers [Cuper’s] gardens. where now stands the White Horse public House in the
Cornwall Road. Waterloo Bridge, as there was no public thoroughfare near
he was enabled, without much expense by a partial fence to proceed [proceed]
[illegible] exclude non payers from a view of his exhibitions–he
then put forth as follows — 4 april 1768 activity on Horseback by Mr
Astley, Sargeant [Sergeant] Major in his Majesty’s Royal Regiment of Light Dragoons
commanded by Lieut [Lieutenant] general Elliott – near twenty different attitudes
will be performed on one, two, & three Horses, every evening during
the summer, Sundays excepted, at his Riding School next Wright’s Horse,
or, Halfpenny Hatch, Lambeth Marsh — not the Dog & Duck — [manacle pointing right] Turn
down on the left hand as soon as over Westminster Bridge, or at the Turn
Pike, and over Black Friars Bridge by Christ Church turn on the
Right–being situated between the two Bridges & near Cupers gardens
Doors to be opened at 4 & he will mount at 5 – seats one shilling —
standing places six pence – will be much obliged to those Ladies & Gentlemen
who will humor him with their company & will to every thing in his power
