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
"Yesterday being the last day that the public were permitted to view
the interior of Carlton House, the crowd, from an early hour in the
morning, was immense; and, as the day advanced, the scene excited
additional interest. Every precaution had been adopted to facilitate
the entrance of the visitors. The Horse-guards paraded in front of
the House, and were stationed at both ends of Pall Mall, and the
various streets leading from it. The pressure to gain admittance was
so great, that early in the day several females fainted away; many
lost their shoes, and endeavoured to extricate themselves from the
crowd, but this was quite impossible. The gates were only opened at
certain intervals, and, when this was the case, the torrent was so
rapid, that many people were taken off their feet, some with their
backs towards the entrance, screaming to get out. The scene, at
last began to wear a still more serious aspect; when it was deemed
expedient that some measure should be resorted to, to prevent farther
mischief. Lord Yarmouth, and the Duke of Gloucester appeared, and
announced to the public that the gates would not be again opened:
and that, for the sake of preventing the loss of any lives, they
had to express the strongest wish that the persons assembled would
cease from endeavouring to gain admittance. This, however, had not
the desired effect; as many, who probably were ignorant of what had
happened, remained, in the anxious hope of being admitted at last.
"The greatest pressure to obtain admittance took place about
half-past two o'clock. About one, the crowd in the inside of Carlton
House had accumulated so much, that it was found necessary to shut
the gates. The line of carriages now extended the whole length of
Pall Mall, up to the very top of St. James's Street, and, as there
had been a complete stoppage for above half an hour, hundreds of
ladies left their carriages, and hastened on foot towards the gates
of Carlton House. At this time you might see ladies and gentlemen
coming out of the crowd covered with perspiration, and unable any
longer to bear the pressure. Those who thus made their retreat in
time will be able to congratulate themselves on their superior
prudence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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