Published in Windlesora 22 (2006)
© WLHG
In 1830, the residents of Windsor were entertained by two visitors. The first was The Travelling Piper. This man arrived here from Maidenhead and walked round the town playing what was called ‘The Scotch Pipes’.
He had started out in July 1828 and visited many towns throughout the British Isles. Nobody knew who he was. There were many rumours that he was a person of consequence and had a wager with a foreign Count that he could live on the money given to him by the public, and was apparently doing quite well. He kept an account of all the money he had collected in each town, and he made £2. 2s in Windsor, which was less than in many other towns. He was described as a tall person, and the character of his face was decidedly ‘Scotch‘. He wore coarse grey clothes, a bonnet of blue over an auburn wig and green spectacles, and had pleasing manners. He stayed overnight at the New Inn and left for Uxbridge the next day.
The second visitor was a Siamese elephant, who was accommodated at the Cavalry Barracks on her way to Dublin and gave four performances during the day. She was described as a superb animal who displayed sagacity in her performance of various extraordinary feats which made her exhibition one of the most curious and diverting of the day.
The poster reads:
‘Royal Cavalry Barracks Windsor, by Permission of Colonel Hill – the Nobility, Gentry, and Inhabitants of Windsor and its vicinity are respectfully informed,that on Monday next, April 5. they will have an opportunity of witnessing the extraordinary performance of the talented and colossal ELEPHANT of Siam, who, having concluded her engagement at the Adelphi Theatre, in London. is on her route to Dublin. It is not accounted necessary to say any thing by way of eulogium of Mademoiselle D’Jeck. by which name she has been known at Berlin, Moscow, and Paris. in each of which capitals she has been honoured by exhibiting before their respective Sovereigns.
The Chevalier HUGUET, Naturalist, Purveyor to the Menageries of the different Courts of Burope, Instructor and Proprietor of the superb animal, which is TEN PEET HIGH! and weighs 9000 lbs., will have the honour to present her to the Public and make’ her go through some entirely new exercises, the same. which she had lately the honour to perform before the King and Royal Family of France, at the Fete of St. Henri.’
The second visitor was a Siamese elephant, who was accommodated at the Cavalry Barracks on her way to Dublin and gave four performances during the day. She was described as a superb animal who displayed sagacity in her performances of various extraordinary feats, which made her exhibition one of the most curious and diverting of the day.
Windsor Local History Group 