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
A contemporary newspaper speaking of it, says, "Never, within the
memory of man, has there been witnessed such scenes of drunkenness
and dissipation as these fooleries have given rise to, and the
misery they have brought upon thousands is extreme. A report from
the pawnbrokers would be an awful lesson to governments how they
encourage such riot. Since the delirium, from the example of the
highest quarter, began, the pawnbrokers have more than trebled their
business; clothes, furniture, and, worst of all, _tools_, have been
sacrificed for the sake of momentary enjoyment; industry of every
kind has been interrupted, and many hundreds of starving families
will long have to remember the _æra_ of the Park Fêtes."
I wind up this account of the Jubilee with the following "Epigram on
the P---- R----'s expressing a wish for the continuance of the Fair
in Hyde Park:
"The R---- we have oft been told,
Prefers the _Fair_ when _stout_ and _old_;
Now, here we've cause to think him wrong,
For liking _any Fair too long_."
And now, having exhausted the chief events of this memorable year,
I must fill up my account of the remainder of its existence with
notices of passing events, as they occur, a course which must
naturally be discursive.
First of all, the Princess of Wales, left England for the Continent
on the 9th of August, in the _Jason_ Frigate, landing at Hamburg on
the 16th. She was weary of the petty persecutions and slights she
had perpetually to undergo; and, refusing to use the extra allowance
granted her by Parliament, went into voluntary exile, against the
advice of her sincere friends, who, however, could not feel as she
did; for, in her position, she could not help feeling the social
indignities that were heaped upon her. From these, at least, she
could be free when away from England. She left its shores in a very
modest and unassuming manner, being driven to the sea shore in a
pony-cart--(the Chronicler giving, as a saving clause, "by her own
coachman"). Her dress might, at the present time, perhaps, be thought
rather _prononcée_, but it was only fashionable then. She wore a dark
cloth pelisse, with large gold clasps, and a cap of violet and green
satin, of the Prussian Hussar Costume, with a green feather, which we
should think rather a fetching costume for a lady of forty-six.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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