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
On the 27th of March, the Duke of Gloucester was elected Chancellor
of the University of Cambridge, by a majority of 114 over his
opponent, the Duke of Rutland.
We may take the following as an example of how Jack fooled away
his prize-money:--"A Tar, who had just received his prize-money,
lately engaged a small provincial Theatre entirely to himself: he
took his seat in the centre of the pit, furnished himself with an
inordinate quantity of beer, punch, and tobacco, &c., and requested
the performances to commence, as no one should enter the Theatre
but himself; at the close of every speech which pleased him, he
presented the Actor with a glass, and when the curtain dropped, he
transferred his stores to the stage, and invited the whole of the
_Dram. Per._, to partake."
Under date of the 8th of April, we read: "A very singular discovery
has been made at Colchester, respecting the sex of a servant who had
lived thirty years in a family in that town, as housemaid and nurse.
Having lately paid the debt of Nature, it was discovered that the
deceased was a man."
On the 5th of May, the Court of Common Council voted the Regent, the
freedom of the City of London in _an Oak box_, but the presentation
was abandoned as it was found that etiquette forbade the Regent
accepting the Freedom, as he then stood in the position of Sovereign.
On March 5th the English troops under the command of General Graham,
engaged and defeated a much superior French force under the command
of Marshal Victor, at Barrosa in Andalusia, after a severe conflict.
How thoroughly the French were then beaten, may be judged by the fact
that an Eagle and twelve standards were taken from them. A sergeant
of the 87th, or Prince's Own Royal Irish Volunteers, who took the
Eagle, was promoted to an Ensigncy, and ordered to be removed to his
own regiment, on the first Vacancy. On the 18th of May, these Colours
were taken, with great military ceremony, from the Parade in St.
James's Park, to Whitehall Chapel, and deposited on each side of the
Altar. It was a fine sight, and three Royal Dukes, York, Cambridge,
and Gloucester, were present, besides many generals, and the Spanish
and Portuguese Ambassadors.
_Apropos_ of the Duke of York, he formerly had a mistress named
Mary Anne Clarke, who abused her position by selling Commissions in
the Army at a cheap rate, and using her influence over the Duke to
confirm them. In 1809, Mr. Wardell, M.P. for Oakhampton, brought
the scandal before the House of Commons, and, although the House
eventually found that there was nothing in the evidence to prove
personal corruption, or criminal connivance on the part of his Royal
Highness--yet public opinion against him was so strong, that he had
to resign his position as Commander-in-Chief.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account