_SOCIAL ENGLAND._
SOCIAL ENGLAND
UNDER
_THE REGENCY_.
BY
JOHN ASHTON,
AUTHOR OF "SOCIAL LIFE IN THE REIGN OF QUEEN ANNE," "OLD TIMES,"
"DAWN OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY," ETC.
_WITH 90 ILLUSTRATIONS._
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
London:
WARD AND DOWNEY,
12, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
MDCCCXC.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Anti-Corn Bill riots -- Riots in the north -- Ratification of
the Treaty of Peace with America -- Attempt to steal the Crown
-- Epithets applied to Napoleon -- The Prince of Wales' debts 1
CHAPTER II.
News of the Battle of Waterloo -- Rejoicings -- After career
of Napoleon -- His abdication and flight -- Goes on board the
_Bellerophon_ -- Arrives at Torbay -- His habits on board --
Ordered to Plymouth -- Crowds try to get a glimpse of him -- His
protest against being sent to St. Helena -- Transferred to the
_Northumberland_ -- Opinion as to the Prince Regent's conduct
towards him -- Sails for St. Helena 23
CHAPTER III.
Effects of Napoleon's capture -- The Navy in 1815 -- Margate
and Ramsgate -- French Prisoners of war -- Treaty of Peace with
France -- Napoleon's house -- A soldier's letter -- A zealous
Lord Mayor -- Hotels and clubs in 1815 51
CHAPTER IV.
1816.
Day of Thanksgiving -- "Battle for the Standard" -- Return of
the troops -- Frozen game brought over by Esquimaux -- The
Regent's practical joke -- Rejection of the Prince of Orange by
the Princess Charlotte, and acceptance of Prince Leopold as her
husband -- Her marriage -- "The R----l Whiskers" -- The Regent's
yacht 67
CHAPTER V.
Riots and agrarian outrages -- Colliers, &c., coming to London
-- "England in 1816" -- Riots in Newgate -- Marriage of the
Duke of Gloucester -- A chimney sweep's wedding -- Cruelty to a
"climbing boy" -- The Mortar at St. James's Park -- Lighting by
means of Gas -- The Coinage 89
CHAPTER VI.
Smuggling -- "Resurrection Men" -- More riots -- Orator Hunt --
Meetings at Spa Fields -- Riots arising therefrom -- Execution
of one of the rioters -- The King's health 109
CHAPTER VII.
1817.
Visit of the Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia -- Stones thrown
at the Regent -- Issue of the new Silver Coinage -- Riots and
arrests for sedition -- First issue of Sovereigns -- The Case of
Abraham Thornton and appeal by battle -- The Queen at Bath --
Death of the Princess Charlotte -- Richard Owen and his scheme
-- "The Fortunate Youth" -- "Caraboo" 133
CHAPTER VIII.
1818.
Distress among discharged Seamen -- Finding the Scotch Regalia
-- Strathfieldsaye bought for the Duke of Wellington -- The
Kyrle Society -- Royal Marriages -- Annoying the Queen --
Riotous schoolboys -- The Regent mobbed -- Death of Queen
Charlotte 161
CHAPTER IX.
1819.
Sale of the Queen's effects -- Duke of York has custody of the
King -- The "Dandy horse" -- Loss of, and finding the King's
jewellery -- A public dinner -- A Royal freak -- Unqualified
medical practitioners -- Emigration to America -- "The fair
Circassian" -- Birth of Queen Victoria -- Napoleon's carriage
-- An Irish witness 171
CHAPTER X.
Reform Meetings -- Peterloo -- Orator Hunt's entry into London
-- The King's last illness and death 203
CHAPTER XI.
A foreigner's view of England -- The packets -- Roads -- People
-- Posting -- Mail and Stage Coaches -- Amateur coachmen -- Fast
driving -- Perils of travelling -- A lioness attacks the Mail --
Dog-carts and donkey-riding -- The Streets and Houses 215
CHAPTER XII.
London improvements -- The Country -- Gleaning -- Dairying and
out-door Washing -- The Gipsy 245
CHAPTER XIII.
Ladies' dresses -- The Dandizette -- Waltzing -- The Quadrille
-- Almack's -- Women's education -- Women's work -- Women
Soldiers and Sailors -- Female rowing match -- Female pedestrian
-- Gretna Green Marriages -- Some curious marriages 277
CHAPTER XIV.
The Man of the period -- Drinking habits -- Dandies -- Lord
Petersham -- A Dandy's diary -- Gaming -- Prize fighting --
Country Sports 303
CHAPTER XV.
Eating and drinking -- Recipe for Punch -- The Stage -- Baron
Geramb -- Romeo Coates -- Actors and Actresses -- Mrs. Jordan 327
CHAPTER XVI.
The Italian Opera -- An uproar -- Catalani and her terms
-- Vauxhall -- Musical prodigy -- Painters, Sculptors, Art
exhibitions -- Literature and writers -- Bibliomaniacs -- George
Bidder, the Calculating boy -- Musicians -- Medical men -- The
Clergy -- Roman Catholic emancipation -- Joanna Southcott 347
INDEX 371
ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOL. II.
PAGE
RECRUITING 15
"ANSWER TO JOHN BULL'S COMPLAINT" 19
BONAPARTE ON THE QUARTER-DECK OF H. M. S. _NORTHUMBERLAND_ 36
BOXIANA; OR, THE FANCY 48
"A SINGLE LIFE ON THE CONTINENT, STARVING ON SOUR KROUT!!" 79
"COMES TO ENGLAND, IS MADE A GENERAL," &c. 80
"R----L WHISKERS," 1816 84
HENRY HUNT, ESQ. 117
"THE NEW COINAGE; OR, JOHN BULL'S VISIT TO MAT OF THE MINT!!" 138
"A PEEP INTO THE PUMP ROOM; OR, THE ZOMERSETSHIRE FOLK IN A
MAZE," OCTOBER, 1817 147
ROBERT OWEN, AUGUST 21, 1817 151
"SALES BY AUCTION! OR, PROVIDENT CHILDREN DISPOSING OF THEIR
DECEASED MOTHER'S EFFECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEIR CREDITORS!" 174
"MAKING MOST OF £10,000 PER AN." 177
"THE HOBBY HORSE DEALER" 180
"THE LADY'S ACCELERATOR" 183
"HIGH LIFE BELOW STAIRS!!" 189
MASSACRE AT ST. PETER'S; OR, "BRITONS, STRIKE HOME!!!" 207
GEORGE III. 211
MARKET WOMEN 217
THE WAGGON 220
THE POST CHAISE 223
THE MAIL COACH 226
SOWING BROADCAST 250
USING THE FLAIL 250
THE PLOUGH 251
THE FARM LABOURER 254
GLEANERS 255
DAIRY FOLK 258
WASHING CLOTHES 259
MOUNTED BUTCHER BOY 262
THE GIPSIES 263
WALKING COSTUME. 1812 270
LADIES' HEAD-DRESS 271
NO. 1 AND 2, 1811; NO. 3, 1812; NO. 4 AND 5, 1813 274
NO. 1 AND 2, 1814; NO. 3 AND 4, 1815 275
FASHIONABLES OF 1816 TAKING THE AIR IN HYDE PARK 279
BELLES AND BEAUS; OR, A SCENE IN HYDE PARK, AUGUST 12, 1817 282
A DANDYESS, 1819 283
WALTZING 286
AT THE SPINNING-WHEEL 291
MAKING PILLOW LACE 294
MILK WOMAN 295
CONVIVIALITY 306
A PORTRAIT (LORD PETERSHAM) 309
LORD PETERSHAM. 1815 312
DANDY ON HORSEBACK 313
A DANDY 316
PLAYING AT BOWLS AND QUOITS 324
LOTHARIO, AS PERFORMED BY MR. COATES AT THE HAYMARKET THEATRE,
DECEMBER 9, 1811 337
A CLOWN AND A GRASSHOPPER 345
A PHYSICIAN 361
TWO OPPOSITE CHARACTERS 364
SOCIAL ENGLAND UNDER THE REGENCY.
CHAPTER I.
Anti-Corn Bill riots -- Riots in the north -- Ratification of
the Treaty of Peace with America -- Attempt to steal the Crown
-- Epithets applied to Napoleon -- The Prince of Wales' debts.
At home our domestic peace was seriously interrupted at this time.
Doubtless, with a view to assuage the agricultural distress, a
measure was proposed, prohibiting the importation of corn, except
when it had reached a price considered by the great body of the
consumers as exorbitant. This, having once tasted comparatively cheap
bread (the quartern loaf was then about 1s.), his Majesty's lieges
did not like, and meetings against it were held all over the place,
and Resolutions passed, the first of which is as follows, the others
all hingeing upon it:--
"1. _Resolved._ That it is the opinion of the Committee, that any
sort of Foreign Corn, Meal, or Flour, which may, by law, be imported
into the United Kingdom, shall, at all times, be allowed to be
brought to the United Kingdom, and to be warehoused there, without
payment of any duty whatever."
The Mob, in those days, were even more unthinking than they are now,
and, whilst the respectable portion of the community were agitating
in a legitimate manner, they _acted_, according to their lights.
On the 6th of March many groups assembled near the Houses of
Parliament, about the usual time of meeting, and the Lobby and
avenues of the House were so crowded, that it was necessary to
increase the force of constables, who ultimately cleared them. Those
ejected stood on the steps, and cheered, or groaned, at the Members
as they passed in; then they took to stopping Members' carriages,
making them walk through a hissing and hooting crowd, and gradually
went from bad to worse.
There were no police, as we know them, in those days--that is, there
was no large body of stalwart, well-drilled men--consequently,
whenever there was a riot, the Military had the task assigned to them
of putting it down. They drove the people away from the House, but
only to go elsewhere, and, no longer having the fear of the soldiery
before their eyes, they gave unlimited scope to their powers of
destruction.
They began at Lord Eldon's, in Bedford Square; tore down his
railings, with which they forced an entrance into his house, smashed
the windows, and all the furniture they could get at. At Mr.
Robinson's, who introduced the Corn Regulations, they tore up his
railings, got into his house, smashed some of his furniture, throwing
the rest into the street, and destroyed many valuable pictures.
At Lord Darnley's, Mr. Yorke's, and Mr. Wellesley Pole's, all the
windows were smashed. Lord Hardwicke's house was attacked, but little
mischief was done, owing to the arrival of the Military. They went
to Lord Ellenborough's, but he behaved bravely; he opened the door,
and, standing before them, inquired into the meaning of it all. They
yelled at him that it was "No Corn Bill! No Corn Bill!" upon which he
spoke a few words to them, and they cheered, and left him. There were
the Horse Guards and three regiments of Foot Guards under orders; but
they were scarcely made use of, and that only in the most pacific
manner.
Next day (the 7th) they met, in the same manner, near the Houses of
Parliament, and, when driven thence, went forth to seek what they
could devour, but the Military were abroad, parading the streets,
and guarding each house that had been wrecked. The rioters paid
another visit to Mr. Robinson's, and seeing no signs of soldiers,
thought they could throw stones at the shutters with impunity. They
reckoned, however, without their host, for the soldiers were inside
the house, from which seven shots were fired, one of the Mob falling
dead, shot through the head. He was not identified, but was believed
to have been a naval officer.
This was too warm to be pleasant, so they went to Baker Street, where
the brave fellows smashed the doors and windows, and tore up the iron
railings, at the house of Sam. Stephens, Esq., late M.P. for St.
Ives, the said house being then under the solitary care of an elderly
female. Then these heroes, animated by their last exploit, tried to
wreck No. 38, Harley Street, the house of an inoffensive lady, named
Sampson, broke the windows of two houses in Wimpole Street, and three
in Mansfield Street, Portland Place. The excitement spread to the
City, and a Mob collected in Finsbury, whence they valiantly marched
to Chiswell Street, where they broke a few windows at Whitbread's
Brewery.
The next night, the 8th, the riots were continued, but were rather
worse. The Mob was charged once by the Military, and dispersed, only
to form again in another place. It was time that something should
be done, and _le Roi fainéant_ at Carlton House woke up, and on the
9th issued a long proclamation all about the wickedness of rioting,
and offering £100 reward on conviction of any of the rioters. But
the thing was wearing itself out, and on this day nothing worthy the
name of a riot took place, except when they broke the windows at the
house of Mr. Davies Giddy, M.P. for Bodmin, who retaliated by firing
on the Mob, whereby a boy was wounded in the neck. But there were
more Military about this day, which may account for its comparative
quiet, and Lord Sidmouth, as Home Secretary, had issued a Circular
to every parish in the Metropolis, urging them to take individual
action in suppressing the riots, each in its own locality. There was
an attempt to get up a riot in Canterbury, but no mischief was done,
except a few broken windows, and it was promptly quelled.
About the same time in March there were more serious riots occurring
at the seaports at Durham and Northumberland, among the sailors
employed in the Colliery trade. They wanted an increase of wages,
and they did not like the introduction of machinery, fearing that
it would interfere with their livelihood. Take one instance, as an
example.
"March 20. A serious riot took place at Bishop Wearmouth, near
Durham. It appears that Messrs. Neshams, the extensive coal-dealers
of that place, have been for several years busily employed in
erecting railways, and other conveniences, to save the labour of
men and horses in conveying coals from the pit. The keel men, who
are employed to convey the coals in boats or barges, had, it seems,
taken offence at these improvements; and this afternoon, having
first moored their barges opposite Messrs. Neshams' premises, they
proceeded, in a riotous manner, to demolish their works. After
completing the destruction of the most expensive and valuable part of
the waggon road, which was the object of their animosity, they set
fire to an immense pile of coals, which burned with great fury during
the whole night, presenting a grand and awful spectacle for many
miles round. The rioters previously overpowered all the proprietors,
and their friends, who had assembled to repress the tumult. Mr.
Robinson, the Collector of the Customs, Mr. Biss, and several other
gentlemen of respectability, were repeatedly knocked down and
bruised. It was three o'clock the next morning before the rioters
were dispersed by the arrival of the military."[1]
[Footnote 1: The Corn Bill passed the Commons on the 10th
of March, and the Lords on the 20th.]
On the Tyne, the sailors, and keel men took possession of the river,
making a chain of boats right across it, and they would not allow a
vessel to pass without a regular permit. The efforts of the local
magistrates, and conciliatory propositions from the merchants,
proving insufficient to restore obedience, whilst the sailors in
other ports were also manifesting a disposition to combine for
similar purposes, Government determined to interpose with effect,
in order to quell this dangerous spirit. A strong force, both Naval
and Military, was collected at the disturbed ports, which was so
judiciously applied, that no resistance was attempted on the part
of the sailors, and their coercive system was immediately broken
up. Reasonable offers were then made to them, and tranquility was
restored. Not a life was lost, and only a few of the ringleaders were
apprehended.
The ratification of the Treaty of Peace with America arrived in
London on the 13th of March, and created no comment. The main points
in this treaty are contained in Article 1, of which the following is
a portion:--"... All hostilities, both on sea and land, shall cease
as soon as this Treaty shall have been ratified by both parties
hereinafter mentioned. All territory, places, and possessions
whatsoever, taken by either party from the other during the war, or
which may be taken after the signing of this Treaty, excepting only
the Islands hereinafter mentioned, shall be restored without delay,
and without causing any destruction, or carrying away any of the
artillery, or other public property, originally captured in the said
forts or places, and which shall remain therein upon the exchange
of the ratification of this Treaty, or any slaves, or other private
property. And all archives, records, deeds, and papers, either of
a public nature, or belonging to private persons, which, in the
course of the war, may have fallen into the hands of the officers of
either party, shall be, as far as practicable, forthwith restored,
and delivered to the proper authorities and persons to whom they
respectively belong."
Article 2 provides for cessation of hostilities.
Article 3 for the exchange of prisoners.
Article 4 deals with the Islands and boundaries in dispute, and
appointed two Commissioners, one on each side, to settle them.
Articles 5, 6, 7, and 8 relate to the boundaries, and powers of the
Commissioners.
Article 9 relates to making peace between the Indians, on both sides.
Article 10 provides for the joint abolition of the slave trade.
Why the American prisoners were not released, on receipt of the
Ratification of the Treaty, I cannot say, but that they were not is
evidenced by the fact that, on the 6th of April, those confined at
Dartmoor attempted to escape; having armed themselves with knives,
they attacked their guards, who in self-defence fired on them,
killing seven of the prisoners, and wounding thirty-five. A coroner's
jury brought in a verdict of "justifiable homicide."
The following story is best told by the Police Report:--
"ATTEMPT TO STEAL THE CROWN FROM THE TOWER.
"LAMBETH POLICE OFFICE.[2] Yesterday (_5th April_) MARGARET
MOORE was brought before Sir Daniel Williams, and underwent a
second examination, charged with an attempt to steal the King's
Crown from the Tower, on Friday, the 31st March last.
"Elizabeth Eloisa Stackling, Deputy Keeper of the regalia in
the Tower, deposed, that about one o'clock in the afternoon
mentioned, the prisoner came, and asked to see the regalia--the
usual charge for such exhibition is eighteenpence, but the
prisoner, having offered her a shilling, and she, supposing her,
from her appearance, to be a soldier's wife, consented to take
it. She proceeded to show her the regalia in the usual way,
until she came to the last article, the Crown. This is contained
in a case, and is never taken out; she opened the case, and held
it with both hands, on the ledge of a table, except when she was
obliged to disengage one hand, and point out particular jewels.
She had just been describing the _aqua-marine_, a jewel of great
value, when the prisoner stared, and in an instant thrust her
hand through the centre bar of the railings, or grating placed
there, and, seizing hold of the centre bow of the Crown, pulled,
with great violence, to draw it forth.
"Witness put her hand at the top of the bow, and bottom of the
Crown, to preserve it, while the prisoner kept struggling,
with still greater violence, to get it away. The struggling
continued for about five minutes, and she, at length, got the
Crown from her grasp. She, then, put the Crown at a distance
behind her, and instantly slipped the bolt of the entrance,
secured the prisoner, and called for assistance. When help was
obtained, she sent for the Governor, but the Ward-keeper having
come in, a Constable was also sent for, who soon arrived, and
took the prisoner into Custody. She was searched, and about £5
in money was found upon her; there were also some papers. In the
struggle between the witness and the prisoner, there were two
bows of the Crown broken from the socket; a string of pearls
was also broken, which rolled upon the floor, some inside the
railing, and some outside, where the prisoner was. They were
subsequently picked up by the witness, assisted by the Governor.
"The prisoner, being called upon for her defence, said that she
was a single woman, residing at No. 3, Union Street, Apollo
Gardens; she was a milk woman, and had a girl of about thirteen
years of age, her daughter, residing with her; she was a widow,
her husband, who was a labouring man, had been dead about eleven
years; is not acquainted with a soldier, nor was she ever in
company with one, nor had she been to the Tower in her life
before the day in question. Being asked by the magistrate why
she came so far from home, she replied she very often went to
Thames Street to buy salt herrings.
"Then, said the Magistrate, what induced you to go to the Tower?
"_A._ I went on Friday, purposely to see the lions, no one was
with me--I then went to see the Crown.
"_Q._ How came you to snatch that article from the keeper?
"_A._ I thought it a pity that so valuable a thing should remain
there, while half the nation was starving, for want of bread! I
wished, also, at the time, to take the whole of what was there,
and give it to the public!
"_Q._ Who told you to do this, or who was it put that good
thought into your head?
"_A._ I had no adviser whatever.
"Jeremiah Brett, one of the Chief Constables, deposed to having
taken the prisoner into custody. When he was conveying her away
in the Coach, he asked her why she had made an attempt to seize,
or lay hands on the Crown, and why she might not as well have
laid hold of one of the lions? She replied--she was not such a
fool, for she knew better than that.
"Upon being asked by the Magistrate to state a little more
particularly who she was, she said she was a Welsh woman,
from the county of Carmarthen, and had been brought up in the
principles of the Church of England. About ten years ago she
purchased some ground from Mr. Henry Hooper, of Apollo Gardens;
and, about five years ago, built a small house, in which she
lives, and which has already cost her £110. She was to have paid
£150. Her other houses and property were stolen from her by
ejectments, executions, &c., and her losses amounted, at least,
to £500. She never had any idea of stealing the Crown, until she
saw it, and was only impelled by the motive already stated. Does
not recollect that she ever thought of providing for the poor
until then.
"Mr. Swift, the Keeper of the Jewels in the Tower, was then
called, but it was stated that he was out of town, and would not
return before Saturday, or Monday.
"The evidence of this witness, however, being deemed necessary,
the Prisoner was remanded for a final examination."
[Footnote 2: Lambeth Street, Whitechapel, removed to Arbour
Square, Stepney, and now called the Thames Police Office.]
On Tuesday, April 11th, she was again examined, but a number of
persons attended, who had known her for many years, and, as their
unvarying testimony was that she was mentally deranged, she was
discharged.
Whilst on the subject of the Regalia I may mention the following,
which is taken from _The Gentleman's Magazine_, May 19, 1814: "An
interesting discovery has lately been made by the Keeper of the
Regalia in the Tower. In cleaning out some secret places in the Jewel
Office, a Royal Sceptre was found, equalling in splendour, and in
value, the others which are there exhibited. It is imagined, from the
decayed state of its case, and the dust wherewith it was enveloped,
that the Sceptre must have been thrown into that neglected corner,
in the confusion of Blood's well-known attempt on the Crown Jewels,
nearly a century and a half ago."
The war on the Continent was going on, but though it does not come
within my province to narrate its progress, I may mention some _bon
mots_, which being produced here, belong to the social life of the
period.
ON LOUIS LE DÉSIRÉ.
"The Paris folks, when I inquired
If Louis really was 'desired,'
'We had (said they), but one desire,
That Master Louis should--_retire_.'"
A CONVERSATION BETWEEN TWO GENSDARMES, MODELLED ON _THE TIMES_.
"_First Gensdarme._ What is the news?"
"_Second Gensdarme._ _Ma foi!_ the news is short.
_The Tiger_ has broken out of his den.
_The Monster_ was three days at sea.
_The Wretch_ has landed at Frejus.
_The Brigand_ has arrived at Grenoble.
_The Invader_ has entered Lyons.
_Napoleon_ slept last night at Fontainbleau.
_The Emperor_ enters the Thuilleries this day."
Here are some of the names by which he was assailed by _The Times_:
The Tyrant.
The impious tyrant.
The flagitious tyrant.
The wretched tyrant.
The Corsican tyrant.
The wretch.
The impious wretch.
The Corsican.
The impious Corsican.
The rebellious Corsican.
The usurper.
The Corsican usurper.
The homicide.
The impious homicide.
The Outlaw.
The Corsican outlaw.
The infamous outlaw.
The perjured outlaw.
The impious outlaw.
The rebel.
The perjured rebel.
The traitor.
The perjured traitor.
The Brigand.
The Thief.
The Robber.
The Murderer.
The Tiger.
The Monster.
The Villain.
The Criminal.
The notorious Criminal.
The Prisoner.
The Assassin.
The Incendiary.
The Impostor.
The bloody and perjured chief, &c.
This man of many names gave us much trouble just at this time. Lulled
in false security, everything was being put on a peace footing, only
to be brought again to its old dimensions, and Sergeant Kite was once
more abroad, and active.
A few disjointed _ana_ must fill up the time until we come to the
next halting stage of history--the Battle of Waterloo.
[Illustration: Recruiting (_Geo. Walter. del. Jan. 1, 1814._).]
Of course London has vastly increased in population since 1815, and
Visitors come by rail, or steamboat, from all parts of the earth,
but the difference in the number of visitors to the British Museum
in one year, is very marked. In the year ending March 25, 1815,
they amounted to 33,074; in that ending Dec. 31, 1889, to 504,537,
and this does not include the visitors to the Natural History
Department, at South Kensington, which, although removed from the
parent building, is part of the Institution, and is governed by the
same trustees.
The Prince of Wales was utterly reckless in his expenditure, he put
no kind of curb to his extravagance, and left no whim ungratified.
The consequence was he was again fearfully in debt.
"THE CIVIL LIST.
"'John Bull,' exclaims old NICK, 'pray mind,
The Civil List is now behind:'
'Good Lord!' cried JOHN, 'why, what a bore,
It was _behind_, you know, _before_.'"
Here is a list of the Prince of Wales's debts:
Debts 1787 £161,020
Debts 1795 640,080
--------
801,100
Debts paid in three years to Feb., 1815, from
Extraordinary Allowances to the Prince 150,000
Sum granted for outfit Feb., 1812, and applied
to debts 100,000
Paid from Droits of Admiralty, 1813 39,000
Paid from Feb., 1815, to May, 1815, one q{r} of
£50,000 12,500
Paid in three years from Duchy of Cornwall to
Feb., 1815 39,000
Known to be remaining unpaid May, 1815 339,000
-------
Total of debts contracted by the Prince £1,480,600
----------
The Newspaper from which this is taken goes on to say: "The public
will see, by this statement, how unavailing all engagements, and
all Acts of Parliament hitherto passed, have been to prevent the
system of incurring debts; but the distresses of the country now
demand some effective prohibitory checks, and we trust Parliament
will not separate without supplying them; although from the vote for
the payment of the Russian debts, for the reduction of Guadaloupe,
and the aids to Holland, there is too much reason to fear that the
Senate, and the public, entertain different views as to the necessity
of economy, and that the public must encounter the awful trial of a
protracted system of profusion and prodigality."
"The statement of the debts was extracted from the Journals of
Parliament, and when £339,000 was described as the _known_ excess
still due, the term _known_ was certainly used to signify _avowal_,
but not to embrace the _total_, for there is great reason to believe
that treble £339,000, would not release the Prince Regent from his
pecuniary embarrassments."
[Illustration: "Answer to John Bull's Complaint."]
Needless to say, the satirical artists seized upon the occasion, and
I reproduce one picture called "Answer to John Bull's Complaint." As
may be perceived from his dress, poor John is reduced to a pitiable
plight, and he has laid his case before the Regent. To him "the first
Gentleman in Europe" replies, "Why! you unnatural Grumbler! after
I have done all I could to get rid of your Money, you still grumble?
Did I not give you a _Fête_? Did I not build you a _Bridge_? Did I
not treat you to a smell of all the nice things at my _Feast_? Did I
not sign the _Corn Bill_? Did I not refuse your _Address_? Have I not
drunk whole Pipes of Wine, for fear it should be wasted? Have I not
spent all your Money, because you should not spend it yourself? Have
you not got the Income Tax to keep you sober? and, as for your Dress,
the thinner the better for the summer season. So, Johnny, go home to
work, 'tis all for the good of your Country."