Note 33 — VOLUME V. (continued 3)

Ranelagh was a famous place of public entertainment erected about 1740, at Chelsea, close to the banks of the Thames, on the site of the gardens of a villa which had formerly belonged to Viscount Ranelagh. The great hall, known as the Rotunda, was opened on April 5, 1742, it was 185 feet in diameter. This was designed by Mr. Lacy, formerly one of the managers of Drury Lane Theatre. Bonnell Thornton’s Burlesque Ode on St. Cecilias’ Day, set to music by Dr. Burney, was performed at Ranelagh to a crowded audience. The last grand fête held at Ranelagh was the installation ball of the Knights of the Bath, in 1802. The site now forms part of Chelsea Hospital Gardens, between Church Row and the river, to the east of the Hospital, but no trace now remains of Ranelagh. A very good description of the Gardens and Buildings will be found in Thomas Faulkner’s Description of Chelsea. London, 1810.