Gossip in the First Decade of Victoria's ReignAshton, John
History
Gossip in the First Decade of Victoria's Reign
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
In the _Times_ of 10 Nov. is the following: “A rather amusing scene took
place in Cheapside, yesterday, shortly before the Lord Mayor’s procession
to Westminster. Whilst the streets were blocked up against the passage
of vehicles and horses, one of those sharp little urchins, known by the
generic title of the ‘twopenny cavalry,’ who rattle through the streets
with Her Majesty’s suburban mails, was stopped, opposite Bow Church, by a
party of police, who told him they acted under the orders of the Lord
Mayor. The post-boy, with all the dignity of Her Majesty’s
representative, assuming an air of great condescension, assured the
police that he had the highest possible respect for the Lord Mayor, but,
being express upon Her Majesty’s business, he was determined to proceed.
The police persisted in stopping him, a crowd collected, and it was clear
their sympathies sided with the post-boy, who carried himself, throughout
the controversy, with great courage, calmness, and self-possession. The
police had, by this time, seized the bridle, whilst the boy endeavoured
to force his way forward, backed by the strenuous exertions of his steed,
who also appeared as if inspired by the authority of a Royal Commission.
The post-boy, finding physical force insufficient, tried what authority
would do, and threatened them with the vengeance of the Home Secretary,
for attempting to stop Her Majesty’s mails. This had the desired effect
of bringing the police to a parley; and, as the post-boy was backed by
popular applause, he gained momentarily in the discussion, but did not
complete his advantage until he took out a memorandum book, and began,
coolly, to note down the numbers of the constables. This stroke was
decisive; they, at once, capitulated, merely stipulating that they should
have his address in return. To this, he readily assented, and searched
diligently for his cardcase, but that mark of gentility was not at hand.
He, however, made a page from his memorandum book serve his purpose, and
took his leave amid the loud congratulations of the applauding crowd,
with the following pithy address to the constables: ‘I can’t well see
what use you are. A hundred years ago there were no police, and Lord
Mayor’s shows went off better than they do now. For my part, I can’t see
what you do here at all, for you know’—he added with a significant
grin—‘you know you don’t look so very well in a procession.’ Shouts of
laughter followed the post-boy’s brief speech, as he rode on
triumphantly.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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