Social England under the Regency, Vol. 1 (of 2) — John Shaqi
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
Knowing his proclivities, it was imagined that he would give places
to all his _entourage_, and, accordingly, we have the caricature of
"Robeing the Prince, or the Road to Preferment." To the extreme left
is Earl Grey, who says "A bason of _Grey_ pease soup is better
than porter for your Highness," but Whitbread is of opinion that
"If his Highness should want any refreshment, here's a pot of my
best brewing." Grenville offers his services to the Prince. Sheridan
hopes "your Royal Highness will not forget _Old Sherry_; pray allow
me to brush the Royal shoes, they seem quite mouldy with lieing by
so long." Colonel Bloomfield is tying his garter. Whoever is holding
the looking-glass exclaims, "What an honour this is! but I hope for
greater." The Regent tells Sheridan, "Fear not, my friend, all in
good time." Col. McMahon says, "Why! can't you see you have given
him the wrong sleeve; do give it to me, you'll make a fine figure of
him!" But the person holding the robe replies, "Don't push so, Col.,
you won't let any one come near his Highness but yourself." Mr. Adam,
the Prince's Chancellor, soliloquises thus, "A dam good prospect now,
however." Sir John Douglas calls out, "Who wants me?" and Col. Geo.
Hanger, hopes "you won't forget poor Georgy."
Perhaps the three best known of these Companions of the Prince are
Sheridan, Col. McMahon, and George Hanger. The first belongs to
history, and the second will be noticed by and by. Col. Hanger came
of a noble Irish family, but in his youth led a wild harum scarum
life. Of course he entered the army, and whilst holding the King's
Commission he fell in with, and joined a gang of gipsies, when he
fell in love with a dusky beauty, and married her according to the
customs of her tribe, which, probably, only involved the jumping over
a broomstick. He introduced her to his brother officers, and all
went well for about a fortnight, when she eloped with a bandy-legged
tinker. His tastes were congenial to those of the Prince, and he
made himself useful, bought horses for him, looked after his racing
arrangements, and was one of his equerries, which post he kept until
he was, by his extravagance, compelled to resign it. He was more
than once imprisoned for debt, but turned steady after the death of
his brother Lord Coleraine (called _blue Hanger_, from the colour of
his garments) in 1814, when he succeeded to the title, which became
extinct on his death in 1824.
Meanwhile, all was being prepared for the assumption of the Regency,
Carlton House was being brushed up, chandeliers cleaned, &c., a
congenial task for its occupier, the Hanoverian creams were publicly
exercised, and made to pass between files of soldiers, and, at last,
the 6th of February, the day appointed for the Prince to take the
oaths, arrived. The following is probably an official _communiqué_,
as it appears in all the Newspapers of the period:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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