* 1725 Casanova born in Venice * 1746 Casanova employed as a lowly violinist but he soon makes a connection with the wealthy Bragadin family. * 1749 Casanova meets Henriette * 1756 Casanova escapes from the Leads Prison * 1759 La Charpillon’s family emigrate to London * 1762 John Wilkes founds the newspaper The North

A year or two before Casanova bought La Charpillon her raucous parrot, his contemporary from Venice, Giambattista Tiepolo, painted Young Woman with a Parrot (or a Macaw - I've seen both titles) and it is now in - where else - England of course - in Oxford'

Vauxhall Gardens once served as the equivalent of today's theme park - they were known then as "pleasure gardens." It was especially suited to those of any age who had romantic aspirations. Many arrived by boat rather than by London Bridge or Westminster Bridge. The latter