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
"In the intervals of the fire-works, the Pagoda, which was entirely
covered with lamps, shewed a calm mass of uniform light. Large masses
of fire, we understand, fell in George Street, and other adjacent
streets, but they extinguished themselves as they touched the ground,
and, we believe, no mischief was done.
[Illustration: The Temple of Concord.]
"We were as heartily glad when the cockle-shell fight was over, as
we had been tired of waiting for it. We were afraid, at one time,
that it would have neither beginning nor end. Indeed, there had been
a wretched skirmish between four and five in the afternoon, between
an American and an English frigate, at the conclusion of which,
the English colours were triumphantly hoisted on the rebel Yankee.
After this, followed a dreary interval of some hours, in which no
one seemed to know what was to come, or what had gone before, and in
which we at last sought refuge among our old friends, the booths of
Bartholomew Fair.
"While here we had nearly missed the battle of the Nile altogether,
something like the old woman who went to see a ship launched, and,
while she was stooping down to buckle her shoe, the ship went off!
After the Naumachia, the moon rose, and the Chinese lanterns were
lighted. At a signal given, the fire-works in the Green Park were let
off, and four of the little fleet in the Serpentine were set on fire.
The swans screamed, and fluttered round the affrighted lake. But it
is in vain to deny the beauty of the scene that followed, nor have we
room to do justice to it.
"After the conclusion of the Fire-works, the Grand Metamorphosis took
place of the Fortress into the Temple of Concord, by the removal
of all the Canvas fortifications, thus displaying the Temple
brilliantly illuminated, moving upon an axis, and exhibiting the
transparencies of which a description has already been given. The
lateness of the hour at which the Show concluded, renders it utterly
impossible for us to give the particulars more in detail. The Parks
continued crowded long after midnight.
"The Pagoda, at about twelve o'clock, took fire, and after continuing
burning for about a quarter of an hour, fell in with a great crash,
in a slanting direction towards the Mall. The Catastrophe surprised
no one but the Contrivers of the erection."
CHAPTER XVIII.
The celebration of the Jubilee continued -- Sale of the
Properties -- Continuation of the Fair -- Departure of Queen
Caroline for the Continent -- Scarcity of Gold -- French
prisoners of war -- State of the streets -- Red tape in the Navy
-- English visit France -- The War with America -- Treaty of
peace with America.
The Allegorical paintings on the Temple were by Howard, Stothard,
Smirke, Woodforde, Dawe, Hilton, &c.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account