Recollections of Old Liverpool | Page 7

now standing at the corner
of Christian-street, of the bricks of which the Tavern was constructed.
The Folly was a long two-storied house, with a tower or gazebo 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 gardens
were full of beautiful flowers and noble shrubs. There was a large
fish-pond in the middle of a fine lawn, and around it were benches for
the guests, who, on fine summer evenings, used to sit and smoke, and
drink a sort of compound called "braggart," which was made of ale,
sugar, spices, and eggs, I believe. I used to sail a little ship in that pond,
made for me by the mate of the Mary Ellen. I one day fell in, and was
pulled out by Mr. Gibson himself, who fortunately happened to be
passing near at hand. He took me in his arms dripping as I was, into the
tavern and I was put to bed, while a man was sent down to
Church-street, to acquaint my parents with my disaster, and for dry
clothes. My mother came up in a terrible fright, but my father only
laughed heartily at the accident, saying he had been overboard three
times before he was my age. He must have had a charmed life, if he
spoke true, for I don't think I could have been above eight years old
then. My father was well acquainted with Mr. Gibson, and after I had
got on my dry clothes, he took us up to the top of the Gazebo, or
look-out tower. It was a beautiful evening, and the air was quite calm
and clear. The view was magnificent. We could see Beeston Castle
quite plainly, and Halton Castle also, as well as the Cheshire shore and
the Welsh mountains. The view out seaward was truly fine. Young as I
was, I was greatly struck with the whole scene. It was just at the time
when the Folly Fair was held, and the many objects at our feet made
the whole view one of intense interest. The rooms in the tower were
then filled with company. Folly Fair was held on the open space of
ground afterwards used as Islington