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
_The Marchioness of Exeter._ White satin, embroidered in gold.
_The Marchioness Cornwallis._ White satin dress, richly embroidered
with amethysts.
_The Marchioness Waterford._ White satin dress, richly embroidered
with silver.
_The Countess of Cavan._ A dress of white and silver tissue, with
a superb border of prominent silver jonquils; body and sleeves
splendidly ornamented with diamonds. Head-dress, diamonds and ostrich
feathers.
[Illustration: Gudgeon Fishing à la Conservatory.
(_Published July, 1811, by S. W. Fores._)]
Needless to say, this grand fête was made fun of--and so we see in
"Gudgeon fishing _à la_ Conservatory," the meandering stream down
the centre of the Regent's table is caricatured, and the fair ladies
are provided with rods and lines. The artist has taken liberties with
his subject--the Prince, for instance, sat on a plain mahogany chair,
and the "stream" was banked up with moss and flowers. The Earl of
Moira, and Sheridan, are taking wine together, and on the right of
the Regent sits the Duchesse d'Angoulême. A person in plain evening
dress is in the extreme right, and points to a paper on the ground,
"Admission to John Bull to look at the Gold."
This was the subject of another caricature, called "The Regency
Fête, or John Bull in the Conservatory." This shows John Bull, his
wife, three men and one woman looking at the royal table loaded with
gold plate and wine, a beef-eater and a butler guarding the plate
on the table and on the buffet behind the royal chair. Says John
Bull (scratching his head) to his wife: "Why, odd Zookers! this is
marvellous fine indeed. Oh, Nan! how we should enjoy a rasher on one
of they monstracious beautiful plates. Why, now I think I shan't
grumble to pay three or four Bank Tokens towards this grand treat;
methinks I should just like a nippikin or two." Mrs. Bull: "Oh, John!
one of our milk-white chickens roasted by myself by our wood fire
would be lusciosious indeed." The speeches of the others are not
worth reprinting.
Needless to say the privilege of visiting the scene of festivity was
eagerly embraced by the public, and they came in such shoals, that
the Horse Guards had to keep order, and it was feared some accident
would occur. And sure enough, on the last day, the 26th of June,
there was a pretty scrimmage. This is _The Times_ report:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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