C.H. Simpson Esq Thirty four years Master of the Ceremonies at the Royal Gardens Vauxhall

C.H. Simpson was appointed the Master of Ceremonies of Vauxhall Gardens in May 1797 and continued until 25 December 1835. He became a well known figure, conspicuous in his top hat and silver mounted cane and well known for his courtesy to the visitors. One visitor wrote that ' he pierces through the mob like an eel in mud'. Simpson was responsible for looking afte rthe visitors , quelling any disturbances introducing acts in the pleasure gardens and ensuring the newspapers gave some favourable publicity.

In this lithograph drawn from life Simpson is shown in his usual costume.The print was part of a promotpn for the gardens and Simpson requested newspapers to recommend it to their readers. It was sold for 2s. He wrote to the editors ' I most respectfully and in the most humble and submissive manner entreat kind sir that your well-known goodness of heart will be graciously pleased to condescend to accept the enclosed portrait of myself'.