The Every-day Book and Table Book. v. 2 (of 3): or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the AlmanacHone, William
History
The Every-day Book and Table Book. v. 2 (of 3): or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac
Hone, William
Days; Great Britain -- Social life and customs
The severest and most remarkable frost in England of late years,
commenced in December, 1813, and generally called “the Great Frost in
1814,” was preceded by a great fog, which came on with the evening of
the 27th of December, 1813. It is described as a darkness that might be
felt. Cabinet business of great importance had been transacted, and lord
Castlereagh left London about two hours before, to embark for the
continent. The prince regent, (since George IV.) proceeding towards
Hatfield on a visit to the marquis of Salisbury, was obliged to return
to Carlton-house, after being absent several hours, during which period
the carriages had not reached beyond Kentish-town, and one of the
outriders fell into a ditch. Mr. Croker, secretary of the admiralty, on
a visit northward, wandered likewise several hours in making a progress
not more than three or four miles, and was likewise compelled to put
back. It was “darkness that might be felt.”
On most of the roads, excepting the high North-road, travelling was
performed with the utmost danger, and the mails were greatly impeded.
On the 28th, the Maidenhead coach coming to London, missed the road near
Hartford bridge and was overturned. Lord Hawarden was among the
passengers, and severely injured.
On the 29th, the Birmingham mail was nearly seven hours in going from
the Post-office to a mile or two below Uxbridge, a distance of twenty
miles only: and on this, and other evenings, the short stages in the
neighbourhood of London had two persons with links, running by the
horses’ heads. Pedestrians carried links or lanterns, and many, who were
not so provided, lost themselves in the most frequented, and at other
times well-known streets. Hackney-coachmen mistook the pathway for the
road, and the greatest confusion prevailed.
On the 31st, the increased fog in the metropolis was, at night, truly
alarming. It required great attention and thorough knowledge of the
public streets to proceed any distance, and persons who had material
business to transact were unavoidably compelled to carry torches. The
lamps appeared through the haze like small candles. Careful
hackney-coachmen got off the box and led their horses, while others
drove only at a walking pace. There were frequent meetings of
carriages, and great mischief ensued. Foot passengers, alarmed at the
idea of being run down, exclaimed, “Who is coming?”--“Mind!”--“Take
care!” &c. Females who ventured abroad were in great peril; and
innumerable people lost their way.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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