RULES OF PASSION  -  A Brief History of Ballooning and Vauxhall Gardens

 Rules of Passion begins, more or less, with a ride in a hot air balloon.  The amount of research necessary for that scene was unbelievable and even then I didn’t feel as if I’d covered the subject sufficiently.  One thing I now know, those who ascended in the early balloons were very daring, and often didn’t survive the experience.

 For instance in August 1844, a night ascent in a balloon from Vauxhall Gardens during fireworks ended in the balloon bursting at 7000 feet.  Luckily someone had the bright idea of cutting some of the lines, turning the balloon into a parachute, and all descended safely.  And in 1862, the highest descent up to that time was made, to 7 miles.  One of the two aeronaughts became insensible and the other’s hands froze, forcing him to pull the valve-cord with his mouth, and thus descend and escape death.  Early ballooning is full of perilous tales.      

 I particularly enjoyed reading the sights those intrepid adventurers saw as they looked down…

            The earth, as the aeronautic vessel glided over it, seemed positively to consist of a continuous series of scenes which were being drawn along underneath us, as if it were some diorama laid flat upon the ground, and almost gave one the notion that the world was an endless landscape stretched up on rollers, which some invisible sprites below were busy revolving for our especial amusement. – Henry Mayhew, Illustrated London News, 1852

 Many of the balloons ascended from Vauxhall Gardens, and great crowds gathered to watch them ascend, or for a fee, joined in the adventure.

 Vauxhall Gardens had been a place of pleasure for many years, reaching its peak of popularity during the 18^th century.  A great sprawling place, it consisted of broad tree-lined avenues and walks, as well as a collection of entertainment rooms, pavilions, supper rooms, and a rotunda.  The gardens were lit, although this did not always prevent persons from using the walks as places for lude behavior, or thieves from lurking in the groves.  Music was played there, and famous singers sang.  There were celebrations such as the one held in 1813 to commemorate one of the Duke of Wellington’s victories.  And of course the thinness of the slices of ham served in the supper rooms was infamous.

 The gardens had begun to lose their popularity among the fashionable members of society during the Victorian era, and were looked upon as disreputable and tawdry.  That didn’t stop romantic couples from strolling there in the evenings, or visiting during the day when balloon ascents drew huge crowds.  But by 1859 the gardens were closed forever.                  

 A few useful sites to visit if you are interested:

 Science and Society Picture Library  http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/

Victorian London  www.victorianlondon.org/

History of Balloons http://www.planoballoonfest.org/balloon_history.html

Vauxhall Gardens http://www.vauxhallsociety.org.uk/VauxhallGdns.html

 And   http://www.vauxhallandkennington.org.uk/sgdetail.shtml