Social England under the Regency, Vol. 1 (of 2)Ashton, John
History
Social England under the Regency, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Ashton, John
England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century; Regency -- England
We hear more about poor Blücher's unfortunate popularity. "The
gallant Blücher seems to have been the peculiar favourite of the
people. He could not stir without a crowd, and the vehemence of their
salutations has been almost painful to him. His rooms at Christ
Church were generally surrounded by a crowd of people. On the morning
of Wednesday, he was sitting at the end of his bed, the window being
quite open, smoking his long pipe, in a white vest with a ribbon
over it, with complete military _sang froid_. He frequently advanced
to the window, and bowed. The excessive joy of the people almost
overpowered him in the Theatre on Thursday. Two of the newly-created
doctors were obliged to rescue him from the hands of the people by
force, or he must have sunk under their pressure."
[Illustration: Doctor Blücher.
_Cruikshank._ (_Satirist, July 1, 1814._)]
After receiving their degrees, the two sovereigns returned to town,
of course, immediately to resume dining, and Balls. On the 16th the
Czar went to see the Charity Children, numbering seven thousand,
at St. Paul's. In the evening, both sovereigns dined with Lord
Castlereagh, and then went to Drury Lane Theatre, after which there
was a ball at the Marchioness of Hertford's.
On the 17th they visited Chelsea Hospital; spent a fairly quiet
day, and dined at Merchant Taylor's Hall. The King of Prussia seems
to have had tastes identical with those of the Shah of Persia, at
his visit here in June 1873, for, at eleven in the morning, he,
accompanied by the Prince Royal, Princes William and Frederick of
Prussia, Prince Mecklenburgh, General d'York, Platoff, and several
other of our illustrious visitors had a dejeuner at Lord Lowther's.
The most celebrated pugilists were in waiting to exhibit their skill.
Jackson, Cribb, Tom Belcher, Richmond, Cropley, Oliver, Painter,
and some others. After breakfast they set to, and there was some
excellent sparring, as might be expected.
A Banquet was given on the 18th at the Guildhall, by the City, on
a scale of magnificence never since equalled. The Regent and his
Royal guests went in the utmost state with one hundred Yeomen of the
Guard--the Kings at Arms. Six heralds and all Herald's College. The
Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Aldermen, and Civic Officers all on horseback,
met them at Temple Bar, and accompanied them to the Guildhall, which
was most superbly fitted up, principally with crimson velvet, gold
fringe, lace, lines, and tassels.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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