England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century; Great Britain -- History -- William IV, 1830-1837
But the King was not then popular, and as to the Queen, she was very
much disliked. It was currently said that she exercised too much
influence over the weak monarch, and that her influence was not for
people's good. Very many skits are in existence on the subject, as
well as satirical prints representing her wearing the regal breeches,
etc. The following extract from the _Times_ of June 27th, relative to
a review held in Hyde Park on the previous day, will show the popular
feeling at the time:--
"When the King and Queen entered the Park, the people, who had
lined both sides of the road, received them in profound silence.
As they proceeded on their route, a few bystanders, here and
there, took off their hats and cheered, but they never amounted
to more than a dozen at any one time. The applause of these
persons was sometimes opposed by a hiss from others, but the
great mass of the people remained entirely passive.... Shortly
before two o'clock, their Majesties quitted the ground. The
people had, by this time, assembled in great numbers along the
road. His Majesty was received with mingled applause and
disapprobation; but the Queen, who was exposed to the public
gaze, her carriage having been thrown open since her arrival, was
assailed with loud yells. In this way, the Royal party proceeded
through Hyde Park, and down Constitution Hill, where the
disapprobation of the mob was more unequivocally expressed, and
continued, without a single attempt, as far as we could perceive,
to turn the current of feeling, until their Majesties entered the
gardens of St. James's Palace, amidst a shout of the most
discordant sounds."
_Rien n'est sacré pour un sapeur._ Not even the Archbishop of
Canterbury in his own cathedral town! On August 7th, his Grace drove
into Canterbury to hold a primary visitation of the diocese, and, as
usual, the Corporation received him at the Guildhall; but, no sooner
had his carriage appeared in sight, than the most deafening noises
rent the air; and, when he arrived at the Guildhall, the groans and
hisses were tremendous. After dessert, his carriage was ready and his
Grace stepped in, evidently much alarmed. The hisses and groans were
now renewed, and missiles of every description hurled at the
carriage--hats, caps, pieces of brickbat, cabbage-stalks, indeed,
everything the ruffians could collect. To make matters worse, the
postillion missed his way, and had to return, thus running the
gauntlet a second time. When his Grace entered the precincts of the
cathedral, the large gates were instantly closed; but several hundred
persons had previously gained admission, and ranged themselves within
the walls of the deanery, where hisses and groans prevailed. His Grace
received no injury, although one of the carriage windows was broken.
CHAPTER XII.
1832.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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