Transcription
evening till the 3d [3rd] of Augt [August], which I hope you will accept as
the last day. – In 1773, he announced that he had given
up parading the Streets. & never more intends that abominable
practice — Astley was a remarkable handsome, well made
Man, in the parading, he mentions. He commenced the procession
mounted on his white charger, dressed a la militaire, and a light
blue coat: followed by Trumpets. Two of his Riders in their
costume, with his little learned pony Looking out of a Hackney
Coach Window. he, distributing Bills [^ for his = [illegible] British Riding School British Riding School] on the 14 July of that
year, both he & Hughes were taken up for illegally performing
Hughes [^ did] not open any more, & Astley closed [^ for] the remainder of that
Season & the whole of the next. – In Oct [October] 1777 at the Kingston
assizes assizes. The King v. Philip Astley Riding Master West
Bridge – for perfg [performing] conty [contary] to act 25 Geo. 2, various feats of Horse-
-manship accompanied with music. after a hearing of three Hours
Astley was Honorably acquitted —
In March 1779 he announced two exhibitions by candlelight – he roofed
over his Ride, with the boards purloined by the mob from the Hus-
tings at the Close of the Election, for which he paid [^a mere trifle to] the men as they
brought them in [^ [illegible]] from this period he continually made improved
-ments. till it became a regular Theatre – introducing all sort of
Exhibitions. Dogs, Cats, Monkeys, Giants Dwarfs Monstrous
Craws Ladies with Long Hair, Monkees [^ without tail] musical Infant 36
Months old, Grimacer Whistler &c &c &c. in 1780 - announced no Dogs
to be admitted
