CHAPTER I. 1837 The Queen’s Accession—Proclamation—Funeral of the 1 King—The Queen and Social Functions—Mr. Montefiore—Amusing Letter—Electric Telegraph—Knocker-wrenching: Amusements of the Young Aristocracy CHAPTER II. Thames Tunnel Flooded—First Mention of the Nelson 12 Column—Sale of the King’s Stud—Marriage by Registrar—Commencement of New Houses of Parliament—Lunatics and the Queen—The Queen’s Visit to the Guildhall—Lord Beaconsfield’s Maiden Speech CHAPTER III. 1838 Destruction of the Royal Exchange—Sale of the 23 Salvage—Spring-heeled Jack and his Pranks—Lord John Russell’s Hat CHAPTER IV. Lords and Pugilists—“Penny Gaffs”—Steam between 34 England and America—A Man-Woman—Designs for Nelson’s Monument—A Termagant—Scold’s Bridles, &c. CHAPTER V. Thom, the Religious Fanatic—His Riots and 45 Death—Delusions of his Followers CHAPTER VI. The Queen’s Coronation—The Carriages—The Fair and 53 Festivities in Hyde Park—The Marquis of Waterford’s Drive: His Freaks at Melton Mowbray—Steam Carriages—Dog Carriages—Grand Dinner at Guildhall CHAPTER VII. Genesis of the “Charter”—London and North-Western 65 Railway opened to Birmingham—Overland Route to India—A Bold Smuggler—Visitors to the Queen—“The Boy Jones” CHAPTER VIII. 1839 Death of Lord Norbury—Birth of 77 Photography—Experimental Street Pavements—Forecast of the Queen’s Marriage—Sad Story of Lady Flora Hastings—Story of a Climbing Boy—Van Amburgh—Embanking the Thames—Victoria Park—Robbery of Gold Dust CHAPTER IX. Queen Elizabeth’s Statue—The Ladies of the 89 Bed-chamber—The Queen hissed at Ascot Races—Land at Melbourne—Sunday Trading—New Way of Paying Church Rates CHAPTER X. The Eglinton Tournament—Sale of Armour, &c.—The 100 Queen of Beauty and the Cook—Newspapers and their Sales CHAPTER XI. The Chartists: Their going to Church—Dissolution 111 of the Convention—Approaching Marriage of the Queen—The Queen and Lunatics—Raid on a Gaming House—Act of Penance CHAPTER XII. 1840 Commencement of Penny Post—Postage Stamps—Prince 118