In compiling it, my task has been similar to one who, having a necklace of old beads, finds it broken, and the beads scattered hither and thither. His business, naturally, is to gather them together, and string them so as to satisfy criticism. He may not pick them all up, and he may not please everyone's taste in his arrangement, but his course is clear--he should not add new beads of his own to supply deficiencies, but should confine himself to putting together all he can find in the best manner he possibly can. The almost total absence of domestic news in the newspapers has compelled me to draw largely on the essays and descriptive books of the time, and in one or two instances I have ventured to transcribe (as in the case of Misson) from works published, or written, two or three years before Anne actually reigned--but the facts were precisely the same as then obtained, so that much has been gained thereby. The Illustrations might, undoubtedly, have been made more artistic and unreal--but I have carefully taken them from contemporary prints, and prefer to present them in all their uncouthness and reality. JOHN ASHTON. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION (BOYS). Page The Duke of Gloucester -- The Queen's refusal to marry again -- Treatment of children after birth -- Baptismal feasts -- A christening -- 'Daffy's Elixir' -- Treatment of infantile diseases -- The nursery -- Toys -- Children's books -- Horn-books -- Private tuition -- Boarding and day schools -- Free schools -- Classical education -- School-books -- Penmanship -- Runaway boys -- College education -- Charity schools 1 CHAPTER II. CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION (GIRLS). Boarding schools -- Town and country educations -- Pastry schools -- Dancing -- Toasts -- 'The Little Whig' -- Madame Spanheim 17 CHAPTER III. MARRIAGE. Eloping with heiresses -- Marriage between children -- Tax on bachelors -- Valentines -- Marriage settlements -- Pin money -- Posies -- Drummers -- Private marriages -- Irregular marriages -- Fleet parsons -- Marriage Act -- Facility of marriage -- Liability of husbands -- Public marriages -- Marriage customs -- Bride's garters -- Throwing the stocking -- The Posset -- Honeymoon 22 CHAPTER IV. DEATH AND BURIAL. Longevity -- Undertakers' charges -- Costliness of funerals -- Mourning -- Burial in woollen -- Burial Societies -- Burial by night -- A cheat -- Mourning rings -- Funeral pomp -- Monuments -- Description of a funeral -- A Roman Catholic funeral -- Widows 35 CHAPTER V. HOUSES, FURNITURE, ETC.