Pleasure gardens were open to the public for a fee during the summer months. Entertainments offered there included fireworks, masquerades, and music as well as dining facilities.

Newspapers advertise firework displays at Ranelagh gardens on various dates during the summer of 1796 but there are no references to any special events on 20 July. As a result, it is not clear which of London’s pleasure gardens Godwin was referring to.

See The Times and Morning Chronicle.