zebo at one end.
Gibson, it was said, was refused permission to extend the size of his
house, so "he built it upright," as he said "he could not build it
along." The entrance to the Gardens was from Folly-lane, up a rather
narrow passage. I rather think the little passage at the back of the
first house in Christian-street was a part of it. You entered through a
wooden door and went along a shrubberied path which led to the Tavern.
Folly-lane (now Islington) was a narrow country lane, with fields and
gardens on both sides. I recollect there was a small gardener's cottage
where the Friends' Institute now stands; and there was a lane alongside.
That lane is now called "King-street-lane, Soho." I remember my mother,
one Sunday, buying me a lot of apples for a penny, which were set out on
a table at the gate. There were a great many apple, pear, and damson
trees in the garden. When the Friends' Institute was building I heard of
the discovery of an old cottage, which had been hidden from view as it
were for many years. I went to see it--the sight of it brought tears in
my old eyes, for I recognised the place at once, and thought of my good
and kind mother, and her friendly and loving ways. Where the timber-yard
was once in Norton-street, there used to be a farm-house. The Moss-lake
Stream ran by it on its way to Byrom-street. I can very well remember
Norton-street and the streets thereabout being formed. At the top of
Stafford-street, laid out at the same time, there was a smithy and forge;
the machinery of the bellows was turned by the water from the Moss-lake
Brook, which ran just behind the present Mill Tavern. There the water
was collected in an extensive dam, in shape like a "Ruperts' Drop," the
overflow turned some of the mill machinery. Many and many a fish have I
caught out of that mill-dam. The fields at the back, near Folly-lane,
were flooded one winter, and frozen over, when I and many other boys went
to slide on them.

The Folly Gardens were very tastefully laid out. Mr. Gibson was a
spirited person, and spared no expense to keep the place in order. There
were two bowling-greens in it, and a skittle-alley. There was a cockpit
once, outside the gardens; but that was many years before my time. It
was laid bare when they were excavating for Islington Market. When I was
a boy its whereabouts was not known; it was supposed to have been of
great antiquity. How time brings things to light! The garden