The Dawn of the XIXth Century in England: A social sketch of the timesAshton, John
History
The Dawn of the XIXth Century in England: A social sketch of the times
Ashton, John
England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
Later in the day, Bachelors’ Acre was the scene of renewed festivity,
no less than a bull bait. “A fine sturdy animal, kept for the purpose,
given to the Bachelors for their amusement, by the same gentleman who
gave the ox, was baited; and, in the opinion of the _amateurs_ of bull
baiting, furnished fine sport; but, at length, his skin was cut by the
rope so much that he bled profusely, and, as it was thought he could
not recover, he was led off to be slaughtered.”
At Frogmore, the King gave a fête, and a display of fireworks at night.
Everything went off very well, except a portion of the water pageant,
which was not a success. “Two cars, or chariots, drawn by seahorses,
in one of whom (_sic_) was a figure of _Britannia_, in the other a
representation of _Neptune_, appeared majestically moving on the
bosom of the lake, followed by four boats filled with persons dressed
to represent tritons, &c. These last were to have been composed of
choristers, we understand, who were to have sung ‘God save the King,’
on the water, but, unfortunately, the crowd assembled was so immense,
that those who were to have sung could not gain entrance. The high
treat this could not but have afforded, was, in consequence, lost to
the company.”
The Jews celebrated the Jubilee with much enthusiasm, and, in the
Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, after hearing a sermon preached on a
text from Levit. xxv. 13: “In the year of this Jubilee ye shall return
every man unto his possession,” we are told “the whole of the 21st
Psalm was sung in most expressive style, to the tune of ‘_God save the
King_.’”
In spite of the want of unanimity as to the expediency of a general
illumination, there were plenty of transparencies, and even letters of
cut-glass. I give descriptions of two of the most important.
“STUBBS’S in Piccadilly, exhibited three transparencies of various
dimensions. In the centre was a portrait of His Majesty, in his robes,
seated in his coronation chair; the figure was nine feet in height,
and the canvas occupied 20 square feet. On the right hand of the King
was placed the crown, on a crimson velvet cushion, supported by a
table, ornamented with embroidery. Over His Majesty’s head appeared
_Fame_, with her attributes; in her left hand a wreath of laurel
leaves; her right pointing to a glory. At the feet of the Sovereign
was a group of boys representing _Bacchanalians_, with _cornucopia_.
Underneath appeared a _tablet_ with the words ‘Anno Regni 50. Oct. 25,
1809.’ On the right and left of the above transparency, were placed
representations of the two most celebrated oak-trees in England, and
two landscapes—the one of Windsor, and the other of Kew.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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