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
Looking at the list of Illuminations, they were not very grand,
when judged by our standard; but there was one transparency shown at
Ackermann's Repository of Arts, which, although very grisly and grim
in its conception, was of decidedly artistic merit. It was called
"The Two Kings of Terror," and I have here reproduced a portion of
it. The whole composition is thus contemporaneously described: "A
design representing Buonaparte sitting upon a drum, in a field of
battle, his hands under his chin, his elbows on his knees; opposite
is seated Death upon a dismounted cannon, in the same position,
his elbows upon his knees,' 'staring the tyrant in the face;' his
right foot has crushed the insolent French trophy, the _ci devant_
invincible French eagle, his left rests upon a cannon ball. In the
background is seen the French legions, filled with dismay, flying
before the conquering Germans, Russians, Prussians, and Swedes. The
whole was surmounted by an emblematic Circle, indicative of Union and
Strength, which was lighted by gas, and of dazzling brightness."
In October Bavaria joined the Allies. In November a revolution took
place in Holland; the people of Amsterdam rose in a body, and hoisted
the Orange Colours, and, with the ancient cry of "ORANGE BOVEN"
(Orange in the ascendant, or victorious) proclaimed the sovereignty
of that house. The example of the Capital was followed by the other
principal towns of Holland; which the French troops were compelled to
evacuate.
The Prince of Orange was in England, the sure asylum of unfortunate
Royalty, and on the 21st of November a deputation came to London
from Holland, inviting him to return. On the 28th he embarked at
Deal for Holland, on board the _Warrior_, of 74 guns, and landed at
Scheveningen on the 30th. The Dutch, having thrown off the French
yoke, were no longer our enemies, so that we had no further reason
for keeping any of that Nation as Prisoners of War, and they,
amounting to 10,000 in number, were ordered to be sent back to
their own country, to assist in liberating it from the domination
of France. On the 2nd of December the Prince of Orange made his
solemn entry into Amsterdam, when he declared his acceptance of
the sovereignty, and the title of Sovereign Prince of the United
Netherlands.
The _entente cordiale_, which thus, of necessity, sprung up
between the English and Dutch, among other things produced the
accompanying illustration, wherein is shown an English and a Dutch
Sailor fraternizing. Above them, is a label "Fendracht maakt Magt."
(_Concord makes Power_), and "The Sea is Open, Trade revives."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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