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
The meeting was got up by T. Atwood, Esq., M.P., and the site chosen for
it was a large vacant piece of ground, at Birmingham, on the north-west
side of the town, and there drinking booths galore were erected. The
morning began very wet, and the different divisions from the neighbouring
country marched bemired and bedraggled to the rendezous. There they soon
filled the drinking booths, in which they abode; hence, probably, the
very diverse statements as to the numbers present at the meeting, which
vary from 10,000 to 200,000. The ground chosen was a natural
amphitheatre, and, if the weather had been finer, it would have been a
pretty sight, enlivened by the bright banners of the different Trades’
Societies. However, Mr. Atwood read the Petition, which embodied the
above six points, and moved its adoption. Feargus O’Connor, a well-known
firebrand, seconded it in a violent speech, in which occurred the
following balderdash.
“On with your green standard rearing,
Go, flesh every sword to the hilt;
On our side is Virtue and Erin,
On yours is the _parson_ and guilt.”
Of course the Motion was enthusiastically carried, and then a very heavy
shower of rain terminated the proceedings. The petition was afterwards
presented to Parliament by Mr. Atwood on the 14th of June, 1839.
On 17th Sept the London and North Western Railway (then called the London
and Birmingham Rly.) was opened throughout to Birmingham; the first
train, containing Directors and their friends, leaving Euston at 7.15
a.m. The times of this train are useful for comparing with the present
time. “The train left Euston at 15 minutes past 7, but did not take on
locomotive until 20 minutes past. It arrived at Tring station at 25
minutes past 8, where there was five minutes’ delay. Arrived at
Wolverton at 6 minutes past 9, where the directors alighted and changed
engines. The train arrived at Rugby at 11 o’clock, where the Duke of
Sussex and his suite alighted, and proceeded by carriage to the place of
his destination. The directors remained at Rugby 10 minutes, and arrived
at Birmingham 3 minutes past 12, having performed the whole journey,
including stoppages, in 4 hours 48 minutes, and, exclusive of stoppages,
in 4 hours 14 minutes. This is, unquestionably, the shortest time in
which the journey from London to Birmingham has ever been performed,
being upwards of two hours less than the time occupied by Marshal Soult
and attendants a few weeks ago.”
“The fare for one person from London to Birmingham, or back, by the ‘four
inside’ carriages, by day, or the first class, ‘six inside’ by night,
will be £1 12s. 6d; by the second-class carriages, open by day, which is
the cheapest, it will be £1. The intermediate fares will be £1 10s. and
£1 5s.”
It is not generally known that the two lodges at the entrance of Euston
Station, were the original ticket office and waiting room.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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