54 chapters
17 hour read
Selected Chapters
54 chapters
The Dawn OF The XIXth Century IN England
The Dawn OF The XIXth Century IN England
A Social Sketch of the Times BY JOHN ASHTON AUTHOR OF “Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne,” “English Caricature and Satire on Napoleon I.,” “Old Times,” &c WITH 114 ILLUSTRATIONS DRAWN BY THE AUTHOR FROM CONTEMPORARY ENGRAVINGS THIRD AND POPULAR EDITION London T. FISHER UNWIN PATERNOSTER SQUARE MDCCCXC THAT Sir Walter Scott, when he called his novel “Waverley; or, ’Tis Sixty Years Since,” thought that the time had come, when the generation, then living, should be presented with a pag
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
The poor old century had lost us America, whose chief son, General George Washington, died in 1799. In 1799 we were at war with France truly, but England itself had not been menaced—the war was being fought in Egypt. Napoleon had suddenly deserted his army there, and had returned to France post-haste, for affairs were happening in Paris which needed his presence, if his ambitious schemes were ever to ripen and bear fruit. He arrived, dissolved the Council of Five Hundred, and the Triumvirate con
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
JAMES HADFIELD’S ATTEMPT TO KILL GEORGE III., MAY 15, 1800. After his discharge he worked at his old trade; but even his shopmates gave testimony before the Privy Council as to his insanity. He was tried on June 26th by Lord Kenyon, in the Court of King’s Bench, and the evidences of his insanity were so overwhelming, that the Judge stopped the case, and the verdict of acquittal, on the ground that he was mad, was recorded. He was then removed to Newgate. He seems to have escaped from confinement
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
“Several other indictments for the same alleged crimes were tried during this year, which we fear tended to aggravate the evils of scarcity they were meant to obviate, and no doubt contributed to excite popular tumults, by rendering a very useful body of men odious in the eyes of the mob.” HINTS TO FORESTALLERS; OR, A SURE WAY TO REDUCE THE PRICE OF GRAIN. As will be seen by the accompanying illustration by Isaac Cruikshank, the mob did occasionally take the punishment of forestallers into their
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
“ W. J. Newman , Clerk .” In reading of these Riots we must not forget that the civil authorities for keeping the peace were, and had been, for more than a century previous, utterly inefficient for their purpose, and the laughing-stock of every one; added to which, there was a spirit of lawlessness abroad, among the populace, which could hardly exist nowadays. The male portion of the Royal Family were fearlessly lampooned and caricatured, and good-natured jokes were made even on such august pers
29 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
On the 1st of January, also, was a proclamation issued, altering the Prayer-book to suit the change, and, as some readers would like to know these alterations, I give them. “In the Book of Common Prayer, Title Page, instead of ‘The Church of England,’ put ‘of the United Church of England and Ireland.’ “Prayer for the High Court of Parliament, instead of Our Sovereign, and his Kingdoms,’ read ‘and his Dominions.’ “The first Prayer to be used at sea, instead of ‘His Kingdoms,’ read ‘His Dominions.
27 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
On the 10th of February the Right Hon. Charles Abbot, afterwards Lord Colchester, was elected Speaker to the House of Commons, in the room of the Right Hon. John Nutford, who had accepted the position of Chancellor of Ireland; and, on the 15th of February, Mr. Chancellor Addington presented the following message from the King: “ George R. “His Majesty feels great concern in acquainting the House of Commons that the provision made by Parliament for defraying the expenses of his household, and civ
23 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
On the 29th of April, a public proclamation of the same was made, and it must have been a far more imposing spectacle than the very shabby scene displayed in 1856. All mustered in the Stable-yard, St. James’s. The Heralds and Pursuivants were in their proper habits, and, preceded by the Sergeant Trumpeter with his trumpets, the Drum Major with his drums, and escorted on either side by Horse Guards, they sallied forth, and read aloud the Proclamation in front of the Palace. We can picture the roa
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
Peltier’s counsel, a Mr. Mackintosh, defended him very ably, asking pertinently: “When Robespierre presided over the Committee of Public Safety, was not an Englishman to canvass his measures? Supposing we had then been at peace with France, would the Attorney General have filed an information against any one who had expressed due abhorrence of the furies of that sanguinary monster? When Marat demanded 250,000 heads in the Convention, must we have contemplated that request without speaking of it
29 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
In these handbills, Bonaparte was accused of many things—that he became Mohammedan, poisoned his sick at Jaffa, with many other things which do not come within the scope of this work, and have been fully treated in my “English Caricature and Satire on Napoleon I.,” and which I do not wish to reproduce; only, naturally, Napoleon’s name can hardly be kept out, and, as I took the best for that book, this must not suffer therefrom. They are of all dates, as can be seen from internal evidence, but ve
39 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
“THE FREEMAN’S OATH. “Our bosoms we’ll bare for the glorious strife, And our oath is recorded on high; To prevail in the cause that is dearer than life, Or, crush’d in its ruins, to die. Then rise, fellow freemen, and stretch the right hand, And swear to prevail in your dear native land. ’Tis the home we hold sacred is laid to our trust, God bless the green isle of the brave, Should a conqueror tread on our forefathers’ dust, It would rouse the old dead from their grave. Then rise, fellow freeme
29 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
Take another by West (March, 1804), which shows equally, that terror is turning to derision. It is called “A French Alarmist, or, John Bull looking out for the Grand Flotilla!” John Bull is guarding his coast, sword on thigh, and attended by his faithful dog. Through his telescope he scans the horizon, and is thus addressed by a Frenchman who is behind him. “Ah, ah! Monsieur Bull, dere you see our Grande Flotilla, de grande gon boats, ma foi—dere you see ‘em sailing for de grand attack on your n
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.
When the King opened Parliament on the 15th of January, 1805, he referred to this letter thus: “I have recently received a communication from the French Government, containing professions of a pacific disposition. I have, in consequence, expressed my earnest desire to embrace the first opportunity of restoring the blessings of peace on such grounds as may be consistent with the permanent safety and interests of my dominions; but I am confident you will agree with me that those objects are closel
23 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
His body lay in State at Greenwich in the “Painted Hall” (then called the “Painted Chamber”) from Sunday the 5th of January until the 8th. Owing to Divine Service not being finished, a written notice was posted up, that the public could not be admitted until 11. a.m.; by which time many thousands of people were assembled. Punctually at that hour, the doors were thrown open, and, though express orders had been given that only a limited number should be admitted at once, yet the mob was so great a
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
Sir Francis Burdett wished to retrieve his former defeat, and we consequently find him, at the General Election in this year, putting up for Westminster. Paull, who had contested the seat with Sheridan, was one candidate, Lord Cochrane, and Elliott the brewer, at Pimlico, were the others. This election is chiefly remarkable in illustrating the manners of the times, by a duel which took place between two of the candidates, Paull and Burdett, the latter of whom had squabbled over his name having b
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV.
“We have it in command from His Majesty to inform you, that the determination of the enemy to excite hostilities between His Majesty, and his late Allies, the Emperors of Russia and Austria, and the King of Prussia, has been but too successful, and that the ministers from those Powers have demanded, and received, their passports. This measure, on the part of Russia, has been attempted to be justified by a statement of wrongs, and grievances, which have no real foundation. The Emperor of Russia h
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.
Not content with this, it was suggested that there should be a special costume worn on the occasion, and that gentlemen should dress in the “Windsor uniform,” i.e. , blue frock coats, with scarlet collars, and the ladies’ dresses were to be of garter blue velvet, or satin, with head-dresses containing devices emblematical of the occasion. It is no wonder that people went somewhat crazy over this Jubilee, for it was an event of very rare occurrence, only three monarchs of England having kept jubi
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVII.
“At one, the ox and sheep being considered to be sufficiently done, they were taken up. The Bachelors had previously caused boards to be laid from the scene of action to a box, which had been prepared for Her Majesty, and the Royal Family, to survey it from. They graciously accepted the invitation of the Bachelors, to view it close. Their path was railed off and lined by Bachelors, acting as constables, to keep off the crowd. They appeared much gratified by the spectacle, walked round the appara
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
About the middle of September, the Earl, finding that a large army was collecting at Antwerp, thought it would be more prudent to leave with a portion of his army for England, and accordingly did so. He resolved to keep Flushing, and the Island of Walcheren, to guard the mouth of the Scheldt, and keep it open for British commerce; but it was a swampy, pestilential place, and the men sickened, and died of fever, until, at last, the wretched remnant of this fine army was obliged to return, and, on
24 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XIX.
Sir Francis replied that he should not have allowed him to have remained, and that he would not yield a voluntary assent to the warrant, but would only give in, in presence of an overwhelming force. The Serjeant-at-Arms then withdrew, having refused to be the bearer of a letter to the Speaker, which was afterwards conveyed to that dignitary by private hands. In this letter he asserted he would only submit to superior force, and insultingly said, “Your warrant, sir, I believe you know to be illeg
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XX.
One would think that two Jubilees in one twelvemonth was almost too much of a good thing, but our great-grandfathers thought differently. There had already been one, to celebrate the fact of the King entering on the fiftieth year of his reign, they must now have one to chronicle its close. But, although there was somewhat of the “poor debtor” element introduced, it was by no means as enthusiastically received as it had been twelve months previously. This time we hear more of festive meetings: a
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE STAGE WAGGON. In the illustration showing a stage coach, it will be seen that there is a supplementary portion attached, made of wicker-work, and called “the basket.” This was for the reception of parcels. The mail coaches, which took long, direct routes, will be spoken of under the heading of Post Office. Inconvenient to a degree, as were these stage coaches, with exposure to all changes of weather, if outside—or else cooped up in a very stuffy inside, with possibly disagreeable, or invalid
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXII.
CHAPTER XXII.
“Two varying races are in Briton born, One courts a nation’s praises, one her scorn; Those pant her sons o’er tented fields to guide, Or steer her thunders thro’ the foaming tide; Whilst these, disgraceful born in luckless hour, Burn but to guide with skill a coach and four. To guess their sires each a sure clue affords, These are the coachmen’s sons, and those my Lord’s. Both follow Fame, pursuing different courses; Those, Britain, scourge thy foes—and these thy horses; Give them their due, nor
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXIII.
CHAPTER XXIII.
ONE OF THE MISERIES OF LONDON. Entering upon any of the Bridges of London, or any of the passages leading to the Thames, being assailed by a group of Watermen, holding up their hands, and bawling out, “Sculls, Sculls! Oars, Oars!” People, evidently, thought a voyage on one of these “hoys” a desperate undertaking; for we read in a little tract, of the fearsomeness of the adventure. The gentleman who braves this voyage, is a clergyman, and is bound for Ramsgate. “Many of us who went on board, had
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXIV.
CHAPTER XXIV.
LONDON was considered the best paved city in the world, and most likely it was; but it would hardly commend itself to our fastidious tastes. The main thoroughfares were flagged, and had kerbs; sewers under them, and gratings for the water to run from the gutters into them—but turn aside into a side street, and then you would find a narrow trottoir of “kidney” stones on end, provocative of corns, and ruinous to boots; no sewers to carry off the rain, which swelled the surcharged kennels until it
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXV.
CHAPTER XXV.
Each Fire Insurance Company had its badge, or cognizance, which was stamped out in sheet lead, painted and gilt, and then nailed on to the house insured—probably as an advertisement of the Company. There was no Fire Brigade, properly so called—that did not come till 1832; but each Company kept a staff of firemen and engines. We have seen that these men acted as constables when Sir Francis Burdett was released from prison. Although the dress was of somewhat similar pattern, its colour, &c
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXVI.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Morning Herald , October 1, 1802: “ Great Marlborough Street. Wednesday, an interesting examination took place at this office, relative to a male child, about eight years old, charged to have been kidnapped by the foreman of Mrs. Bridges, a chimney-sweeper, in Swallow Street. It was stated by Mrs. Wilson, of No. 5 in the same street, that, on Saturday last, she was dreadfully alarmed by the cry of murder, and the screams of the child at Mrs. B.’s, which induced her to run into the house, where s
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXVII.
CHAPTER XXVII.
The location of the Post Office has been changed many times. We are apt to associate it with St. Martin’s-le-Grand, but it was not always so. It was originally in Cloak Lane, near Dowgate, whence it was removed to the Black Swan, in Bishopsgate Street; and, at the time of which we write, it occupied the site of Sir Robert Vyner’s mansion, in Lombard Street: that Sir Robert Vyner, who is historical, if only for his treatment of his king, Charles II.—a story which is well told in No. 462 of the Sp
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXVIII.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
It was an age of eating and drinking— i.e. , men ate and drank in larger quantities than now; but we must not take the following as a typical feast of the time; it was simply a brewer’s dinner, cooked after a brewer’s fashion—yet it was also typical, for then the cult of beefsteak and porter was at its culminating point, and people bowed down, and reverenced them exceedingly. The Morning Post , May 30, 1806: “Alderman Combe’s Annual Dinner. Yesterday, Mr. Combe gave his annual dinner at his brew
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXIX.
CHAPTER XXIX.
“5. That there be given on every quarter of oats, weighing 280 lbs., which shall be imported into the port of London, or into any of the principal ports of each district of Great Britain, before the 1st of October, 1801, a bounty equal to the sum by which the average price in London, published in the Gazette in the third week after the importation of such oats, shall be less than 30s. per quarter. “6. That there be given on every barrel of superfine wheaten flour, of 196 lbs. weight, which shall
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXX.
CHAPTER XXX.
Then, the same year, only towards its close, came a craze for short coats, or jackets, resembling the Spencers, but they did not last long, being only fashionable at Brighton, Cheltenham, &c. There seems to have been very little change until 1802, when a modification of the Jean de Bry coat was worn, with the collar increasing very much in height, and boots were discarded in walking. The portrait of Colonel Duff, afterwards Lord Fyfe, on the next page, is only introduced as an exemplar o
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXI.
CHAPTER XXXI.
As all the members of the family, including the domestics had to be powdered, most houses of any pretension had a small room set apart for the performance, called “the powdering room,” or closet, where the person to be operated upon went behind two curtains, and, by putting the head between the two, the body was screened from the powder, and the head received its due quantity, without injury to the clothes. Still, all the world was not rich, and, therefore, with some, economy in clothing was a n
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXII.
CHAPTER XXXII.
However, the eccentricities of English costume, at this period, were as nothing compared with their French sisters. The Countess of Brownlow, [48] speaking, as an eye-witness, says: “The Peace of 1802 brought, I suppose, many French to England; but I only remember one, the celebrated Madame Recamier, who created a sensation, partly by her beauty, but still more by her dress, which was vastly unlike the unsophisticated style, and poke bonnets, of the English women. She appeared in Kensington Gard
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXIII.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
GROUP OF CHILDREN, 1808. Children were, in those days, “seen and not heard;” and were very different to the precocious little prigs of the present time. The nursery was their place, and not the unlimited society of, and association with, their elders, as now. When the time for school came, the boys were taught a principally classical education, which was considered, as now, an absolute necessity for a gentleman. Modern languages, with the exception of French and Italian, were not taught. German
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXIV.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The men lost and gained large sums of a night; and, for that age, gaming had reached its climax. Little birds whisper [51] that it is not much better now; but, at all events, it is not so open. From the highest to the lowest—from the Heir Apparent, and the two great leaders of party, Fox and Pitt, down to the man who could only afford to punt his shilling, or half-crown, at a “silver hell”—all were bitten, more or less, by this mania of gaming. The magistrates lashed the petty rogues when they w
21 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXV.
CHAPTER XXXV.
Sometimes very large sums depended upon these combats— vide Morning Post , April 28, 1800: “A main of cocks is to be fought this week at Newmarket, as interesting to the sporting world as that, last summer, at York. The match is ostensibly made between Mr. Cussans, and Mr. Germain; but Sir Harry Vane Tempest, and others we could name, are supposed to be the real principals. It is for 1,000 guineas a side, and forty guineas each battle. Great sums are depending, and much money will be sported.” T
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXVI.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Then, however, there was never heard a whisper of the scarcity of foxes. A fox found poisoned, or shot, would have been considered as an indelible disgrace to the district. The word vulpecide was not coined, because the crime had not been committed. No farmer ever sent in a claim to the Hunt, and only old women, cottagers, ever wanted compensation for the gander, or the two or three hens that they had lost; as to warning off land, it had never been dreamt of, much less practised. In other ways,
20 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXVII.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
“On the other side of Battersea Bridge, met two men driving geese . Offered them eighteenpence, which they accepted, for a shot at the flock, at twenty yards. Drew lots who should fire first; it fell to Billy Candlewick’s chance, who, from his father belonging many years ago to one of the regiments of City Militia, knew something of taking aim. “The goose driver stepped the ground, and Billy took aim for above ten minutes, when, shutting both his eyes lest the pan might flash in his sight, he sn
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
I can only find the mention of one fracas in the whole ten years, and the report of that, in the Annual Register , December 26, 1801, shows how very far the audience were from sympathizing with the offender. “At Covent Garden Theatre the holiday folks were inclined to be mischievous. As soon as the curtain drew up to commence the play of ‘Richard the Third,’ a wine glass was thrown on the stage by way of prologue, but without exciting much observation; a few minutes after, determined to attract
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXIX.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
“The audience received this child very favourably on her entrance. She is said to be ten years of age, but in size she does not look to be more than five. She is extremely diminutive, and has not the plump, comely countenance of an infant: her nose is very short; her eyes not well placed; she either wants several teeth, or is, perhaps, shedding them; and she speaks very inarticulately. It was difficult to understand what she said. When she attempts expression of countenance, her features contrac
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XL.
CHAPTER XL.
Had this been the only grumble, probably no more would have been heard of it, but all sorts of rumours got about—That the proprietors, of whom Kemble was one (and, except on the stage, he was not popular), would make a handsome profit out of the insurance, and sale of old materials; that the increased number of private boxes, with their ante-rooms, were built for the special purpose of serving as places of assignation for a debauched aristocracy; and, therefore, a virtuous public ought to rise i
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XLI.
CHAPTER XLI.
THE PIC-NIC ORCHESTRA. In 1801, there were to be seen in Spring Gardens, Maillardet’s Automata, where a wooden lady performed on the piano; also Miss Linwood’s Exhibition of Needlework, first at the Hanover Square Rooms, and afterwards at Saville House, Leicester Square, where were exhibited marvels of crewel work. There are one or two of her pictures in the South Kensington Museum; but her “Salvator Mundi,” after Carlo Dolci, for which she refused 3,000 guineas, she bequeathed to the Queen. She
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XLII.
CHAPTER XLII.
Morning Post , June 12, 1800: “Mrs. Billington is engaged for the King’s Theatre next season, and she is to have two thousand guineas.” THEATRICAL DOCTORS RECOVERING CLARA’S NOTES. Morning Post , July 15, 1801: “Mrs. Billington after humming all the Theatres, has, at last, fixed on the hive in Covent Garden, where she will, no doubt, make much buzz and honey next season. Articles were signed between her and Mr. Harris yesterday. This we can state as a positive fact . It is with much pleasure we
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XLIII.
CHAPTER XLIII.
The principal painters of this decade, although numerous, do not represent a school likely to be perpetuated, although, as we read them, they are well known; many are respectable, two or three are famous. First must come Benjamin West, President of the Royal Academy, who then lived in Newman Street: and, indeed, if we look at the addresses of these old painters, we find them very humble compared with the palatial habitations of some of our modern painters. As a Master , West will never live, he
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XLIV.
CHAPTER XLIV.
The Times opened the ball on the 15th of November by inserting a paragraph, “Under the Clock”: “ ☞ We are under the necessity of requesting our Correspondents and Advertisers not to be late in their communications, if intended for the next day’s publication; as the extraordinary Sale of THE TIMES, which is decidedly superior to that of every other Morning Paper, compels us to go to press at a very early hour. ” The Morning Post , November 17th (which number is unfortunately missing in the Britis
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XLV.
CHAPTER XLV.
But these old quacks were disappearing, and the progenitors of the present hard-working, energetic, and scientific men, our medical advisers, were arising, and I append a list, imperfect as it may be, which contains names of world-wide reputation, and thoroughly well known to every fairly educated Englishman. They are taken in no sequence, chronological or otherwise. Sir Anthony Carlisle, F.R.S., President of the Royal College of Surgeons; Sir Charles Mansfield Clarke, so famous for his treatmen
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XLVI.
CHAPTER XLVI.
Man had enslaved steam, but had hardly begun to utilize it, and knew but very little of the capabilities of its energetic servant. Then it was but a poor hard-working drudge, who could but turn a wheel, or pump water. Certainly a steamboat had been tried on the Thames, and Fulton’s steamboat Clermont was tried on the Seine in 1803, at New York in 1806, and ran on the Hudson in 1807; but the locomotive was being hatched. The use of iron rails to ease the draft was well known, and several patents
21 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XLVII.
CHAPTER XLVII.
BRITISH SAILOR—1805. “He spent nine years at sea as a midshipman; and I have repeatedly heard him say, that during those nine years (so important for the formation of character) he never was invited to open a book, nor received a word of advice or instruction, except professional, from any one. More than that, he was thrown among a set in the gun-room mess, older than himself, whose amusement it was—a too customary amusement in those days—to teach the lad to drink, and to lead him into their own
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XLVIII.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
BRITISH SOLDIER—1805. SOLDIERS—1806. DRESSING PIG-TAILS IN THE OPEN AIR—1801. HON. ARTILLERY COMPANY—1803. VOLUNTEER RIFLE CORPS—1803. BLOOMSBURY AND INNS OF COURT VOLUNTEER—1803. The Volunteer movement has been glanced at when treating of the threatened Invasion of 1803. There had, in the previous century, been a grand Volunteer force called into existence, but nothing like the magnificent general uprising that took place in 1803. Their uniforms, and accoutrements, nearly approached the regular
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XLIX.
CHAPTER XLIX.
accepted subsequently to August 3, 1803. War Office , September 3, 1803. “A Regiment to consist of not more than 12 Companies, nor less than 8 Companies. “A Battallion to consist of not more than 7 Companies, nor less than 4 Companies. “A Corps to consist of not less than 3 Companies. “Companies to consist of not less than 60, nor more than 120 Privates. “To each Company 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 1 Second Lieutenant or Ensign. “ It is, however, to be understood that where the establishment of any
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER L.
CHAPTER L.
She kept two carriages, and from eight to ten horses, and had an elegant mansion at Weybridge, the dimensions of which may be guessed, by the fact that the oil cloth for the hall cost fifty pounds. The furniture of the kitchen at Gloucester Place cost upwards of two thousand pounds. MRS. CLARKE’S LEVÉE. [77] These things swallowed up a great deal of money, and, although the Duke had a fine income, yet he had the capacity for spending it; nor only so—could contract debts with great facility, so t
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER LI.
CHAPTER LI.
“The streets of London are better paved, and better lighted than those of any metropolis in Europe; we have fewer street robberies, and scarcely ever a midnight assassination. Yet it is singular, where the police is so ably regulated, that the watchmen, our guardians of the night, are, generally, old decrepit men, who have scarcely strength to use the alarum which is their signal of distress in cases of emergency.” WATCH-HOUSE. MARYLEBONE—1808. Thus we see that even contemporaries were not enthu
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER LII.
CHAPTER LII.
Another curious custom, now also done away with, we meet with, in an advertisement in the Morning Herald , March 17, 1802: “ Wanted , one or two Tyburn Tickets, for the Parish of St. George’s, Hanover Square. Any person or persons having the same to dispose of, may hear of a purchaser,” &c. These tickets were granted to a prosecutor who succeeded in getting a felon convicted, and they carried with them the privilege of immunity from serving all parochial offices. They were transferable b
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER LIII.
CHAPTER LIII.
Another relic of barbarism was the driving a stake through the body of a suicide, and burying him at the junction of a cross road— Morning Post , April 27, 1810: “The Officers appointed to execute the ceremony of driving a stake through the dead body of James Cowling , a deserter from the London Militia, who deprived himself of existence, by cutting his throat, at a public-house in Gilbert Street, Clare Market, in consequence of which, the Coroner’s Jury found a verdict of Self-murder, very prop
21 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter