Ranelagh Gardens

The “poverty and pleasure” section of the exhibition looks at the rowdy delights of Ranelagh Gardens in Chelsea, where the boating lake was fed by the Westbourne, which flows under Knightsbridge – where the crossing was once infamous for highwaymen – Sloane Square and Chelsea Barracks.

In Canaletto's painting of the Rotunda at Ranelagh Gardens, a gigantic public space provides indoor promenading for people who just want to stroll about, chatting and being seen.

In a year when all the world was flocking to the new Rotunda in Ranelagh Gardens, Mrs. Northey would be particular, and have her evening party to Vauxhall.

But the gentleman must remain another day, and attend the grand "annual dinner of the Isle of Thanet," at the "Ranelagh Gardens;"—a delightful spot, Mr. Mortimer was assured it was: the gentleman would then be able to draw some more accurate conclusion as to the real importance of their distinct part of Kent.

Mr. Mortimer was exhilarated,—nay, he was exultant; and, although he had determined only to stay an hour in Sheerness, and then get on board a steamer for returning up the Thames, he was so pleased that he remained all day, and drank as hard, in his earnestness, as he had at the "Ranelagh Gardens" in the Isle of Thanet.