Mr C.H. Simpson had held the office of Master of Ceremonies since 1797. Renowned for his excessive politeness, servile manner and elaborate bows he became one of the great attractions of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. He greeted everyone and was extremely adept at diffusing the difficult drunken situations that arose in the gardens. He became such a famous 'Character' that he wrote his own autobiography, in which he stated that he was saved from drowning in a bathtub, aged three, by the family’s Newfoundland dog called William Tell.