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.
The Italian Opera flourished. Madame Catalani, undeterred by her
reception by the public, at the time of the O. P. Riots, was prima
donna; for Mrs. Billington retired from the stage in May, 1811.
There was a pretty little riot on 2nd of May, 1813, at the Opera at
the King's Theatre.
"We are indebted to a correspondent for the following particulars of
what, we are told, for we were not present, was, in its progress, one
of the most disgraceful scenes that the walls of that, or any other
Theatre, ever witnessed.
"Much disapprobation had prevailed throughout the performance of
the Opera on Saturday night, and, at its conclusion, cries for the
Manager, and Catalani, resounded throughout the house. The Ballet
was, however, suffered to commence, but had not proceeded many
minutes, when, from behind the scenes--'a band of fierce barbarians
rushed upon the stage; the dancers flying for safety and for
succour.' The drop-scene in vain descended, for an irruption was
made through the body of it, and, on its being drawn up, there was
discovered a motley group of men and women, the latter shrieking and
the former shouting, and most destructively active in the demolition
of all that came within reach of their canes.
"Mr. Masterson, Secretary to the Theatre, made his appearance, to the
interruption of the pleasing interchange of shouts, which alternately
rang out from the audience before the stage, and the company of new
performers upon it. The Secretary bowed, and silence ensued--when
a gentleman, from the front of the pit, and not long from Ireland,
made a speech on the occasion demanding the Manager. The Secretary
expressed himself ready to convey their pleasure to Mr. Taylor,
but said he, himself, was unauthorised to answer any questions.
Catalani's name was immediately vociferated in one quarter, that of
Angiolini in another; and, in a third, a rise of salary was demanded
for them as well as Tramezzani; but the sums were so large, being
£10,000 for one, £5,000 for another, that, whether intended, or not,
it had the effect of changing the tone of this clamour, and the
Secretary was not honoured with any further commands.
"The audience appeared now to be satisfied; no further noise was
heard, and the multitude on the stage were beginning to disperse,
when, unfortunately, an order for the soldiers to clear the stage
as usual, produced a most alarming scene. Three or four soldiers,
and a sergeant, were most manfully assailed, and disarmed by the
disappointed lovers of music and Catalani. The firelocks were brought
as trophies to the front of the stage, and precipitated into the
Orchestra. The pit, which contained the sober and orderly part, only,
of its former contents, gave strong signs of disgust, which were
received and returned by one of the disarming heroes in a manner
only to be described as the utmost stretch of _blackguardism_. Our
Correspondent says that he dares not describe the impudent species of
insult which he offered to the spectators.
"The officer of the guard, the moment that he saw the unbecoming
attack made on his small party, hurried to the spot, with the avowed
intention of drawing them off; but the moment he appeared, he also
was hustled, his sword violently seized, and his person insulted,
until Major Mellish came forward, and assured the house that his
friend Lieutenant White, had only presented himself to call off
his party from the scene. The vengeance of the whole house was now
directed against the man who had acted in so brutal a manner in face
of the Ladies assembled in the Boxes. He was collared, dragged to
the front of the stage, tweaked by the nose, and called on, after
many other ingenious indignities, to make an apology to the house.
But he was most stubborn, and fought about him; till, at last, it
was discovered that he was too inebriated for utterance. This was
satisfactorily explained to the audience by a gentleman near him.
Peace would have been now restored, but Mr. Coates--the at all Mr.
Coates--made his appearance, and insisted on making a speech. He
was almost equally impetuous, but he also was manoeuvred off the
stage. Much mischief was done, both to the musical instruments in
the Orchestra, and to the scenery. It was most providential that a
scene of bloodshed had not been the result; for the detachment of
Guards in the street, hearing that their comrades had been assailed,
and their officer insulted, rushed into the Theatre, and it was by a
miracle that they were stopped from making their way to the stage. In
fact, the practice of employing soldiers to clear the stage is most
unbecoming. It puts the troops in a most embarrassing position, and
is sure to raise the indignation of the spectators. It was intimated,
we hear, that, in consequence of the dreadful scene of Saturday
night, the Lord Chamberlain has issued an order, that no person shall
be admitted behind the scenes, under the penalty of withdrawing the
License from the Theatre."
The managers of Theatres used to make large sums by allowing people
behind the scenes, and it was said that the Lord Chamberlain's
prohibition meant a loss of £3,000 a year to the Opera. I cannot,
exactly, trace the cause of this riot. I know that Catalani broke
her engagement, and can only suppose that it was something about
Money, for she was as greedy as a certain modern Prima Donna. She
had already received £1,275 for ten weeks, and would be paid at the
same rate for the remaining twenty weeks of her engagement. Take a
newspaper paragraph, 25th of March, 1814: "Madam Catalani has been
offered two thousand guineas, and a free benefit, for thirty nights'
performance at the Opera, which offer she has declined, asking three
thousand." So she did not sing that year.
Here is another little story. May 23, 1814: "Dr. Busby intends giving
two Concerts at the Opera House. The Doctor consulted Mr. Braham in
the first instance, requesting his advice what vocal performers he
should engage. Mr. Braham immediately recommended Catalani, Dickons,
Salmon, &c., &c. The Doctor, in consequence, waited on Monsieur
Vallabrique, and begged to know Madame Catalani's terms. The answer
was, 500 guineas each day; or half the gross receipts; and Monsieur
said, if the Doctor would agree to the latter proposal, that he,
himself, would engage the singers at a great expense, and pay them
liberally out of his own portion. 'Well,' says the Doctor, 'what
would you offer them?' 'Why,' says Monsieur, 'my wife 500 guineas
each morning; Mrs. Dickons ten guineas each morning; Mrs. Salmon
ditto, and Mr. Braham'---- 'Stop!' says the Doctor, 'I have already
engaged that gentleman. He is to have thirty guineas each morning; or
if----' 'Ha! ha!' interrupted the astonished Frenchman, with a long
tragic groan. '_Thirty_ guineas every morning? He is a Jew!!!' On
which the Doctor made his bow and engaged Grassini."
People were very fond of music, and there were plenty of good
Concerts, and singers, with oratorios for the more seriously
disposed. Did you object to the heat of a Concert room, you could
have a very good vocal music, with an excellent band, _al fresco_,
at Vauxhall, with the very best of company to rub shoulders against.
Take, for instance, only one day--and from my notes I could give
many--July 12, 1819: "VAUXHALL. A more brilliant scene has scarcely
ever presented itself than that which these gardens exhibited on
Friday evening last. The walks were thronged with company of the
first description, among whom we noticed the Duke of Argyle, the
Duchess of Richmond, Bedford, and Rutland; the Marquess of Worcester,
the Marquess and Marchioness of Tavistock; their Excellencies the
French and Spanish Ambassadors, Viscount and Lady Castlereagh; Lords
George Cavendish, Petersham, Foley, Clare, Grantham, Harrington,
Forbes, Clifford, and Kier; Ladies Brownlow, Warburton, and Otway;
Sir Harry Hotham, Sir William Elliot, and Mr. Holme Sumner, M.P."
Of course there was the usual musical prodigy, no age could do
without that, and here it is, 10th of September, 1814: "_The Plymouth
Chronicle_ of Tuesday last (September 6th) contains the following
singular statement, respecting a boy, living in Plymouth, only
_eleven years and a half old_. Of Master _Whitcomb_, for such is the
name of this prodigy, it is asserted that 'unassisted in musical
composition, this child has produced to the musical world several
pieces in _score_, dedicated, by permission, to the inimitable
Catalani'; but what we chiefly allude to, is, a challenge he received
a few days since, viz., to compose a _full orchestra_, musical parts
to accord in harmony with a given bass!! Thus taken by surprise,
he accepted the challenge, and was locked up in a room, with only
pen, ink, and paper, the given bass was produced, and, without any
assistance, this child of nature produced, in about an hour, a
complete musical score, viz., two violin parts, two flute parts, two
horn parts, a tenor part, and oboe part!"
* * * * *
From Music to Art is but a short, and legitimate transition, and that
period was no mean one in the history of Art, which could produce
such a list of names as the following, which does not pretend to be
exhaustive: Sir George Beaumont, Sir William Beechey, R.A., Henry
Bone, R.A., the celebrated enameller, A. W. Callcott, R.A., A. W.
Chalon, R.A., R. Cosway, R.A., I. Constable, P. de Wint, W. Etty,
W. Finden, the engraver, Henry Fuseli, R.A., G. Hayter, W. Hilton,
R.A., E. Landseer, Sir Thomas Lawrence, R.A., C. R. Leslie, J.
Linnell, P. I. de Loutherbourg, R.A., W. Mulready, R.A., P. Nasmyth,
J. Northcote, R.A., H. W. Pickersgill, W. H. Pyne, P. Reinagle, R.A.,
H. Raeburn, R.A., R. R. Ramsay, A.R.A., M. A. Shee, R.A., H. Sass, T.
Stothard, R.A., J. M. W. Turner, R.A., W. Varley, C. H. Weigall, B.
West, R.A., D. Wilkie, R.A. and W. Wyon the medallist.
Then among Sculptors were some glorious names--W. Behnes, F.
Chantrey, R.A., J. Flaxman, R.A., J. Nollekens, R.A., W. Theed, P.
Turnerelli, and R. Westmacott, R.A.
There were, besides the Exhibition of Pictures of the Royal Academy,
which was held at Somerset House, or Somerset Place, as it was then
called, two Water Colour Exhibitions--"The Society of Painters in
Water Colours," and the "Associated Painters in Water Colours." And,
occasionally, there were, as now, collections of the works of some
one artist to be seen, as, for instance, in March, 1811, West's
pictures were shown; in May, 1812, Wilkie's pictures were exhibited;
and in May, 1813, a collection of Sir Joshua Reynolds' works was
made, and there was a supplementary exhibition for the sale of
pictures, called "the European Museum."
There was a craze for large Panoramas, and they generally followed
the progress of the war: thus in 1811 we find them of Malta, of
Cadiz, the Siege of Flushing, and a Panorama of Messina. In 1812 we
have one of Lisbon, and in 1815 we are treated to a view of Elba.
Miss Linwood ought to rank as an artist, and her exhibition of
Needlework was most popular, as may be judged by the fact that it
was on show at Saville House, Leicester Square, from 1800 till 1844,
when she died. It then filled up the place in public amusement now
occupied by Madame Tussaud's Exhibition. (By the way, Mrs. Salmon was
the wax-work woman of those days.)
Miss Linwood's work, although done with coloured wools, was as like
that awful Berlin wool-work of our day, as a picture by the President
of the Royal Academy would resemble a coloured wall-poster. They
were large and most faithful copies of some of the finest specimens
of art, both British and foreign. The South Kensington Museum
possesses some of them, notably a portrait of Napoleon. For one of
her pictures, the _Salvator Mundi_, after _Carlo Dolci_, she refused
three thousand guineas, and at her death left it as a legacy to the
Queen; but, when her collection was sold, it fetched very little,
somewhere about £1,000.
There was very little done in public statuary at this time, but the
monument to the memory of Nelson, in the Guildhall, was uncovered on
April 27, 1811 (Sheridan composed the inscription); and on March 27,
1813, that to Pitt, in the same building, was inaugurated, Canning
being responsible for the inscription.
In literature we have a strong list of names, but in the one I give
I do not pretend that it includes every one laying claim to literary
merit, but it is merely a representative catalogue:--Joanna Baillie,
Mrs. Barbauld, Robert Bloomfield, Lord Byron, Thomas Campbell,
Thomas Carlyle, G. Chalmers, S. T. Coleridge, George Crabbe, Alan
Cunningham, Madame D'Arblay, Isaac D'Israeli, Sir Philip Francis,
William Godwin, George Grote, Henry Hallam, William Hazlitt, Mrs.
Hemans, James Hogg, Thomas Hood, Theodore Hooke, Leigh Hunt, Mrs.
Inchbald, Mrs. Jameson, J. Keats, Charles Lamb, W. S. Landor, J.
Lemprière, M. G. (or Monk) Lewis, Lord Lytton, Edward Malone, Miss
Mitford, James Montgomery, Hannah Moore, Thomas Moore, Lady Morgan,
Lindley Murray, Mrs. Norton, Mrs. Opie, Jane Porter, Anne Radcliffe,
Samuel Rogers, Sir Walter Scott, R. B. Sheridan, Percy Bysshe
Shelley, John and Horace Smith, Robert Southey, J. Horne Tooke, Henry
Kirke White, William Wordsworth.
Death claimed, during these nine years, some of the older
_littérateurs_, as the Right Rev. Thomas Percy, D.D., Bishop of
Dromore, whose "Reliques of Antient English Poetry" is well known.
He died Sept. 30, 1811. On March 18, 1812, died John Horne Tooke,
who will always be remembered by "The Diversions of Purley." John
Philpot Curran, the celebrated Irish lawyer and orator, died at
Brompton, October 14, 1817; and Samuel Lysons, the eminent Antiquary,
who was Keeper of the Records when they were in the Tower of London,
whose "Environs of London" is still a standard book of reference,
expired June 29, 1819. On August 25th of the same year, died James
Watt, whose name is so well known in connection with the steam engine.
It was a dilletante age for books. It was the first wake up after
a long, long sleep. Men were only just beginning to understand
the value of the treasures they possessed, and the mysteries of
first editions, tall copies, &c., were just coming to light. Old
libraries were searched, and their secrets were exposed. I think they
over-valued their old books; as a proof, they do not fetch so much
now. For instance, take the "Valdarfer Boccaccio," printed in 1471.
This book was in the library of the Duke of Roxburghe, and at the
sale thereof fetched, on June 17, 1812, the enormous sum of £2,260.
It was purchased by the Marquis of Blandford. He afterwards sold it,
on June 16, 1819, to Messrs. Longman and Co., at the reduced price of
£875, and on December 7, 1881, Mr. Quaritch bought it for £585. At
the same sale the Duke of Devonshire bought a Caxton, "The Recuyell
of the historyes of Troye," for £1,060. People other than those
infatuated called it bibliomania, and so I think it was.
The foundation of the celebrated Roxburghe Club took place on that
_dies mirabilis_, the 17th of June, when the number was limited to
twenty-four, and they dined annually afterwards, the great toast of
the evening being always, "The memory of the immortal Valdarfer."
Here is a curious Advertisement, May 11, 1814: "A SHABBY OLD
MANUSCRIPT, to be seen at No. 15, Noel Street, Berwick Street,
Soho, is, perhaps, one of the greatest Curiosities now existing;
not so much for its Antiquity, though conjectured to be of the 13th
or 14th Century, for it has no date, or any striking peculiarity
either in the Character or spelling, as on account of the subject,
and the extraordinary nature of its contents. The Proprietor of
this singularly curious and interesting document, a gentleman of
high literary attainments, would, under certain limitations and
restrictions, dispose of a Correct COPY for 200 guineas. Mere
curiosity may, however, be gratified with a sight of the original,
and of the heads of its principal contents, for a One Pound Bank of
England Note, or twenty shillings good and current money."
In Science great strides were being made; they were emerging from
the slough of ignorance, and treading the right path at last;
and, although they cannot boast either of the scientists, or the
discoveries, of the Victorian era, yet an age that could produce a
Humphrey Davy and a David Brewster brought forth two famous men.
About this time there was a wonderful boy, who, since, developed
into a good Civil Engineer. The earliest notice I can find of him is
in a Newspaper of March 4, 1814. "There is now at Moretonhamstead,
Devonshire, a boy only seven and a half years old, of a most
astonishing genius; indeed, as a Calculator, quite a prodigy. A
gentleman asked him how many eyes and toes six score of bullocks had,
and how many minutes in a year, each of which questions he answered
with the same ease and quickness. Another person put many difficult
questions to him in arithmetic, to the whole of which he immediately
replied correctly. The boy cannot account how he does it, and, till
within a few weeks, did not know a figure. His name is Bidder, and
his father is a mason at the above place."
We hear of him again in October, 1819. "A singular phenomenon
appeared in the metropolis this month, a boy of the name of George
Bidder, solved the most difficult questions in arithmetic by mental
calculation, in less time than could be accomplished by the most
skilful by the ordinary operation; and what was more remarkable he
did not work by common arithmetical rules, but by a process entirely
his own."
Among the musical composers who were then living may be named Sir
Henry R. Bishop, Dr. Calcott, Muzio Clementi, Dr. Crotch, Charles
Dibdin, Thomas Greatorex, Thomas Kelly, Vincent Novello, John Parry,
Cipriani Potter, and Samuel Wesley.
Medical Science had emerged from the empiricism in which it had so
long been shrouded: and to this era belong some great names, both in
Medicine and Surgery. Still, the Pharmacopoeia was a great deal too
redundant, and the family doctor was pompous, and not too learned.
Doctors and Clergymen still stuck to their wigs--Barristers and
Judges still do to theirs--and he could not be worth his salt as a
physician, unless he carried a gold-headed cane, often with a round
ball a-top, which was a relic of the time when it contained some
aromatic mixture, which he smelt, in order to guard himself against
contagion.
Among eminent medical men and surgeons of those days, first in
alphabetical order is that clever old bear, John Abernethy, whose
brusque sayings have been so often quoted. Joseph Constantine Carpue,
who distinguished himself by making false flesh noses, which he
covered with skin let down from the forehead. Sir Richard Croft,
who attended the Princess Charlotte in her confinement, and whose
death so preyed upon his mind that, about three months afterwards,
he committed suicide by shooting himself. Sir Henry Halford, who
was physician in ordinary to George IV., and whom we have seen, in
conjunction with that illustrious monarch, examining the bodies of
Henry VIII. and Charles I.; and Dr. Jenner, whose connection with
Vaccination every one knows.
[Illustration: A Physician.]
[Illustration:
"I shall endeavour in a short, but eloquent, discourse, to
remove the vulgar prejudices imbibed by a narrow education."]
[Illustration:
"With all the diffidence natural to my situation, I shall, for
the first time, venture to address this polite and discerning
audience."]
In the Church of England there were no particular luminaries.
No doubt every Clergyman, from a Curate to an Archbishop, worked
sincerely, according to their lights; but there was not the zeal,
hard work, and self-abnegation which are now the characteristics of
our Anglican Clergy. Nor of them only; all sects are striving hard
to win souls, and it would be invidious, in this matter, to make a
distinction. I give an illustration of two opposite characters, the
dear, suave old Bishop, and the Charles Honeyman of the period, of
the diamond ring and pocket-handkerchief religion. Says the Bishop,
"I shall endeavour, in a short, but elegant discourse, to remove the
vulgar prejudices imbibed by a narrow education." The other commences
his sermon thus: "With all the diffidence natural to my situation,
I shall, for the first time venture to address this polite and
discerning audience."
In matters religious, men had not the breadth of thought which we,
now, happily possess. For instance, on May 5, 1813, was introduced
into the House of Commons a Bill, which, afterwards, became law,
"For the further relief of persons impugning the doctrine of the
Trinity." The Acts of 9 and 10 William III. had not been repealed,
and by them, persons who, in writing or in conversation, denied the
existence of any of the persons of the Trinity, were disabled, in
law, from holding any office, civil, ecclesiastical, or military, on
conviction; and, if a second time convicted, they were disabled to
sue or prosecute in any action or information, or to be the guardian
of any child, and liable to be imprisoned for three years.
This may appear extremely intolerant, but it must be borne in mind
that, well within every one's memory, an atheist, avowing himself to
be such, could not give testimony in a Court of Justice, nor sit in
the House of Commons. Tardily, _nous avons changé tout cela_.
The Roman Catholics, too, felt the yoke that galled them, and made
strenuous efforts to obtain its removal. On April 30, 1813, Mr.
Grattan presented to the House of Commons his Bill "to provide for
the removal of the Civil and Military Disqualifications, under which
his Majesty's Roman Catholic Subjects now labour." At that time a
Roman Catholic had no vote for Members of Parliament, nor could he
sit in the House, and he could not hold any office, either civil or
military.
On May 24th, the House of Commons having resolved itself into a
Committee on Mr. Grattan's Bill, the Speaker protested against the
admittance of Roman Catholics into Parliament, the Privy Council, and
the Judicial Bench; and concluded with moving that the words, "to
sit and vote in either House of Parliament," in the first clause, be
left out of the Bill. After a long debate, a division took place, the
voting being, for the clause 247, against it 251, so that was lost
only by the small majority of four. Mr. Ponsonby then said that, as
the Bill, without this clause, was neither worthy of the Catholics,
nor of the further support of the friends of concession, he would
move that the Chairman do now leave the Chair, which was carried
without a division, and thus the Bill was lost.
The Catholic Emancipation Bill did not receive the Royal Assent until
April 13, 1829. Cardinal Wiseman was made Archbishop of Westminster,
September 30, 1850. Roman Catholic Chaplains were permitted in gaols
July, 1863. The first Roman Catholic Judge that sat on the Bench
since the Reformation, was Sergeant Shee, who was made a justice of
the Queen's Bench, December, 1863. We have even had a Roman Catholic
Lord Mayor, Sir Polydore de Keyser; and on November 3, 1884, Lord
Petre, a Roman Catholic priest, took his seat in the House of Lords,
so that justice seems to have been done at last.
Of the strength of the Nonconformists we gather something in the
following, August 28, 1815: "At the annual conference of the
_Wesleyan_ Methodists, held at Manchester, it appears that the number
of persons in the Connection amounted to nearly _One hundred and
ninety thousand_."
On December 29, 1814, died a remarkable religious impostor, one
Joanna Southcott, who was born, of humble parents, in Devonshire,
somewhere about 1750. In the year 1790, she was employed as a
work-woman at an upholsterer's shop in Exeter. The shopkeeper being a
Methodist, his shop was frequently visited by Ministers of the same
persuasion, and Joanna, possessing what is termed "a serious turn of
mind," did not pass unnoticed. She had frequent discussions in the
shop with these Ministers, and was regarded as a prodigy. Indeed, so
sensible was she of her own importance and superiority, that, with
the aid of a few dreams, and some extraordinary visions, she began to
think herself _inspired_.
But what confirmed her in this belief, was the realization of a
circumstance which she had been forewarned of, in a dream--it was
finding the _Miraculous seal_. One morning, in sweeping out the shop,
she found a seal, with the initials I.S., which could mean nought
else but Joanna Southcott. From this moment she bid adieu to the
upholstering trade, and set up in business for herself as Prophetess.
In her first prophecies she states that in 1792 she was visited by
the Lord, who promised to enter into an everlasting covenant with
her, and told her that a vision would be shown her in the night. It
accordingly appeared, sometimes in the shape of a cup, then like a
cat, which she kicked to pieces, but was very uneasy, until she was
told that it was nothing more than a trick of Satan, with a view to
torment her.
On the appearance of her first prophecies, the Methodist preachers,
already adverted to, endeavoured to convince her of the _diabolical_
nature of her doings, and attributed them to Satan himself. She then
appointed an interview with as many as might choose to attend, in
order to put the question at rest. The discussion was warm, but it
ended in all present signing the following document:--
"I, Joanna Southcott, am clearly convinced that my calling
is of God, and my writings are indited by His Spirit, as it
is impossible for any Spirit, but an All-wise God, that is
wondrous in working, wondrous in power, wondrous in truth, could
have brought round such mysteries, so full of truth, as is in
my writings; so I am clear in whom I have believed, that my
writings came from the Spirit of the most high God.
"JOANNA SOUTHCOTT."
From this time her converts increased surprisingly, so that she could
not furnish seals sufficient to answer all demands. The sealed papers
contained a text of Scripture (not uniformly the same), promissory of
beatitude hereafter, and the envelope was stamped with the seal found
in the upholsterer's shop. The _sealed_ person was forbidden to open
the paper lest the charm should be destroyed.
She came to London, at the invitation of Sharp the engraver, and then
she began deluding her followers that she was the destined mother
of the Messiah, who would be born on October 19, 1814. Her personal
appearance favoured the appearance that she was in an "interesting
condition," but after her death it was found she was suffering from
dropsy. Large sums of money were subscribed towards the expense of
her accouchement, and a most expensive cradle was provided. The time
passed by, but no Shiloh, and she died on December 29, 1814, and was
buried in the churchyard attached to St. John's Chapel, St. John's
Wood; her deluded followers believing for long after that she would
rise again, and come among them.
There are many satirical prints respecting this impostor, but I do
not care to reproduce any of them, as they are either too silly or
too coarse.
INDEX.
A.
Act of Regency, vol. i., 26
" to prevent sale of guineas, vol. i., 72
Actors, vol. ii., 340
Allies, The, vol. i., 188, 277
" before Paris, vol. i., 241
Almacks, vol. ii., 287
Amazons, vol. ii., 297
Amelia, Death of Princess, vol. i., 4
American war, vol. i., 169, 191
" " Declaration of, vol. i., 140
American war, exchange of prisoners, vol. i., 366
American war, treaty of peace, vol. ii., 7
Appeal by battle, vol. ii., 143
Art, vol. ii., 353
B.
Ballooning, vol. i., 88, 342, 351
Banquet at Guildhall, vol. i., 288
Baron Geramb, vol. ii., 332
Bartholomew Fair, vol. i., 136
Bath, Order of the, vol. i., 372
Battle, Appeal by, vol. ii., 143
Battle for the Standard, vol. ii., 69
Bellingham, John, vol. i., 113
" " execution of, vol. i., 117
Belvoir, The Regent at, vol. i., 213
Birth of Queen Victoria, vol. ii., 198
Blucher a gambler, vol. i., 273
" and the ladies, vol. i., 271
" arrival of, vol. i., 266
" at Oxford, vol. i., 273
Body-snatchers, vol. i., 147; vol. ii., 111
Boy, The calculating, vol. ii., 359
Brooke's Club, vol. ii., 63
Brougham, Lord, vol. i., 325
Bull-baiting, Suppression of, vol. i., 80
Bullion, Scarcity of, vol. i., 43, 67, 110
Burdett, Sir Francis, vol. i., 65
"Burking," vol. i., 147
C.
Calculating boy, vol. ii., 359
Caporal Violette, vol. i., 250
Caraboo, vol. ii., 158
Caravats and Shanavests, vol. i., 40
Carlton House, vol. i., 49
Caroline, Princess, leaves England, vol. i., 358
Caroline, Princess, letter to Regent, vol. i., 193
Catalini, Madame, vol. ii., 351
Catholic soldiers, treatment of, vol. i., 23
Cat in a conflagration, vol. i., 191
Census, The, vol. i., 91
Charles I., exhumation of, vol. i., 159
Charles I., Relics of, vol. i., 163
Charlotte, Princess, vol. i., 192
" " and the Regent, vol. i., 316
Charlotte, Princess, and Prince of Orange, vol. i., 311
Charlotte, Princess, Betrothal of, vol. ii., 74
Charlotte, Princess, coming of age, vol. i., 216
Charlotte, Princess, death of, vol. ii., 148
Charlotte, Princess, flight of, vol. i., 323
Charlotte, Princess, presentation at Court, vol. i., 306
Charlotte, Princess, wedding of, vol. ii., 81
_Chesapeake_ and _Shannon_, vol. i., 169
Circassian, The fair, vol. ii., 194
Chimney sweep, Bill to regulate, vol. i., 133
Chimney sweep, Marriage of a, vol. ii., 100
Chimney sweep, Trial of a, vol. ii., 101
Clown's wager, vol. ii., 343
Clubs, vol. ii., 60
Coaches, vol. ii., 227
Coates, Robert, vol. ii., 334
Cobourg, Prince Leopold of, vol. i., 312; vol. ii., 75
Cochrane, Lord, vol. i., 236
Cock fighting, vol. ii., 321
Comet, The, vol. i., 83
Costumes of period, vol. i., 57, 365
Coinage, New, vol. ii., 106, 139, 142, 168
Cossack, A, vol. i., 155
Cricket by candlelight, vol. i., 104
Cricket match of women, vol. i., 87
Crown, Attempt to steal the, vol. ii., 8
_Cumberland_, The, vol. i., 15
Custom House, burning of, vol. i., 233
D.
Dandisette, vol. ii., 277
Dandy, A, vol. ii., 317
Dandy Horse, vol. ii., 176
Death of George III., vol. ii., 213
" Princess Charlotte, vol. ii., 149
Death of Queen, vol. ii., 168
Debtors' prisons, vol. i., 11, 202
Dinner, A public, vol. ii., 185
" A volunteer's, vol. i., 203
" party, An enormous, vol. i., 51
Dining, vol. i., 302; vol. ii. 327
Doctors, vol. ii., 191, 360
Donkey riding, vol. ii., 233
Drury Lane Theatre, vol. ii., 339
Duelling, vol. i., 137
E.
Earthquake, Shock of, vol. ii., 133
Eating extraordinary, vol. i., 42; vol. ii., 328
Emigration, vol. ii., 193
Emperor of Russia, arrival of, vol. i., 262
Emperor of Russia at Oxford, vol. i., 281
England in 1816, vol. ii., 97
English prisoners in France, vol. i., 21, 331
Esquimaux in London, vol. ii., 72
Evans, Rev. John, vol. i., 5
Exchequer Bills, vol. i., 200
"Excursion to Windsor," vol. i., 5
F.
Fair, Bartholomew, vol. i., 136
" in the parks, vol. i., 256
" on the Thames, vol. i., 219
Fasting woman, vol. i., 168
Female cricketers, vol. i., 87
" pedestrian, vol. ii., 299
" sailors and soldiers, vol. ii., 297
Female sports, vol. ii., 298
Fête at Carlton House, vol. i., 49
Fireworks, vol. i., 346
Fog-extraordinary, vol. i., 209
Footpads, vol. i., 77
Fortunate Youth, The, vol. ii., 153
Fraud on Stock Exchange, vol. i., 235
French fiddler, vol. i., 384
" prisoners, vol. i., 119, 124, 182, 363; vol. ii., 55
Frost, fair, vol. i., 219
" severe, vol. i., 217
Frozen meat, vol. ii., 70
Fruit, Scarcity of, vol. i., 237
G.
Gambling, vol. ii., 62, 321
" with Napoleon's life, vol. i., 208
Garter, Order of, vol. i., 179
Gas, Introduction of, vol. i., 208; vol. ii., 105
George III., custody of person, vol. i., 36; vol. ii., 176
George III., Death of, vol. ii., 213
" Health of, vol. i., 2, 4, 93, 197, 372; vol. ii., 131, 210
George III., love of music, vol. i., 9
Gilray, Death of, vol. i., 76
Gipsies, vol. ii., 263
Grand Duke Nicholas, vol. ii., 133
Gretna Green, vol. ii., 300
Guard's Club, vol. ii., 64
Guildhall, Banquet at, vol. i., 286
Guineas, vol. i., 67, 72, 110, 360
H.
Habeas Corpus suspended, vol. ii., 141
Hamilton, Lady, vol. i., 376
Hanger, Colonel, vol. i., 29
Hedgehog and man fight, vol. i., 203
Highwayman, vol. i., 77
Hobby Horse, vol. ii., 176
Houses of London, vol. ii., 234
Hunt, H., _Saved Sinner_, vol. ii., 116
Huntingdon, William, vol. i., 175
I.
Ibbetson's hotel, vol. ii., 61
Ireland, State of, vol. i., 209, 329
Irish witness, An, vol. ii., 201
J.
Jews, cruelty to, vol. i., 25
Jordan, Mrs., vol. ii., 341
Jubilee of George III., vol. i., 342
K.
Kean, vol. ii., 339
Kemble, vol. ii., 343
King of Prussia, and prize-fighters, vol. i., 287
King of Prussia, Arrival of, vol. i., 205
King of Prussia, bed of, vol. i., 287
King, Lord, vol. i., 68
Kyrle Society, vol. ii., 164
L.
Ladies' costumes, vol. i., 57, 365; vol. ii., 277, 289
Lady Parachutist, vol. i., 89
" Pig-faced, The, vol. i., 377
Leipsic, Battle of, vol. i., 185
Leopold, Prince of Cobourg, vol. i., 312; vol. ii., 75
Letter of a soldier, vol. ii., 57
Limmer's Club, vol. ii., 61
Linwood, Miss, vol. ii., 355
Lioness attacks coach, vol. ii., 232
Literature, vol. ii., 356
Louis XVIII., welcome to, vol. i., 253
Lucien Buonaparte, vol. i., 11
Luddite Riots, vol. i., 91, 108, 150
M.
Mackerel, Price of, vol. i., 201
Man and hedgehog fight, vol. i., 203
Margate, vol. i., 143; vol. ii., 54
Marlborough House, vol. ii., 247
Marriage, A chimney sweep's, vol. ii., 100
Marriage Act, Royal, vol. ii., 78
" curious, vol. ii., 300
" of Duke of Gloucester, vol. ii., 99
Marriage of Princess Charlotte, vol. ii., 81
McMahon, Colonel, vol. i., 103
Meat, Frozen, vol. ii., 70
Medical men, vol. ii., 191, 360
Men of the period, vol. ii., 303
Men's dress, vol. ii., 307
Midshipmen, vol. ii., 52
Museum, British, vol. ii., 14
Musical Prodigy, vol. ii., 353
N.
Napoleon, abdication, vol. ii., 25
" attempts suicide, vol. i., 248
Napoleon, _Bon mots_ about, vol. ii., 13
Napoleon, Carriage of, vol. ii., 199
" escape from Elba, vol. i., 386
Napoleon, Fall of, vol. i., 246
" letter to Regent, vol. ii., 28
Napoleon on _Bellerophon_, vol. ii., 36
Napoleon, personal appearance, vol. ii., 33
Napoleon sent to St. Helena, vol. ii., 43
Navy, Strength of, vol. i., 211
New Coinage, vol. ii., 106, 139, 142, 168
O.
Oldenburgh, Duchess of, vol. i., 238
Opera, Italian, vol. ii., 347
"Orange Boven," vol. i., 187
Orange, Prince of, vol. i., 187, 261, 311
Order of Bath, vol. i., 372
Owen, Robert, vol. ii., 149
Oysters, vol. ii., 331
P.
Parachutes, vol. i., 88
Paris, Capitulation of, vol. i., 243
Parish Registers, vol. i., 147
Percival, Rt. Hon. S., vol. i., 112
" " murder of, vol. i., 115
Percussion cap, vol. i., 76
Peterloo, vol. ii., 205
Petersham, Lord, vol. ii., 308
Pig-faced Lady, vol. i., 377
Platoff, Mdlle., vol. i., 159
Population, vol. i., 91
Post-chaises, vol. ii., 221
Prince of Orange, vol. i., 187, 261, 311
Printing on the ice, vol. i., 223
Prisoners in France, vol. i., 21, 331
Prisoners of war, American, vol. i., 363, 366; vol. ii., 8
Prisoners of war, French, vol. i., 89, 119, 124, 182, 363; vol. ii., 55
Prize-fighting, vol. ii., 322, 371
Prodigy, Musical, vol. ii., 353
Provisions, Price of, vol. i., 149, 237
Punch, Recipe for, vol. ii., 330
Pye, Death of, vol. i., 181
Q.
Queen, The, and madwoman, vol. i., 166
Queen, The, and Quaker, vol. ii., 146
Queen, The, at Bath, vol. ii., 146
" " Death of, vol. ii., 168
" " practical joke, vol. i., 84
Queen, The, sale of effects, vol. ii., 173
Queen, The, Wealth of, vol. ii., 169
R.
Reform meeting, vol. ii., 203
Regalia, Finding of Scottish, vol. ii., 163
Regency, vol. i., 2, 19
Regent, The, at Belvoir, vol. i., 213
" at Oxford, vol. i., 282
" and Freedom of London, vol. i., 44
Regent, The, and Napoleon, vol. ii., 49
Regent, The, companions of, vol. i., 29
Regent, The, debts of, vol. ii., 17
" hissed, vol. i., 307
" in the kitchen, vol. ii., 188
Regent, The, public worship, vol. i., 26
Regent, The, sprained ankle, vol. i., 98
Regent, The, stoned, vol. ii., 135
" sworn in, vol. i., 30
Regent's Canal, vol. ii., 246
" The, joke, vol. ii., 73
" Street, vol. ii., 246
" The, remonstrance, vol. i., 352
Regent's, The, yacht, vol. ii., 86
Registers, Parish, vol. i., 147
Religion, vol. ii., 365
Resurrection men, vol. i., 147; vol. ii., 111
Riots, vol. i., 89, 116; vol. ii., 5
" Anti-Corn Bill, vol. ii., 1
" at a theatre, vol. ii., 348
" in public schools, vol. ii., 166
" The Luddite, vol. i., 91, 108, 150
Riots, The Spa Fields, vol. ii., 125
Royal sceptre discovered, vol. ii., 12
Royal milling match, vol. i., 99
" whiskers, vol. ii., 85
S.
Sailors, distressed, vol. ii., 161
Sailor's frolics, vol. i., 43, 376
Salamanca, vol. i., 129
Sceptre, Discovery of Royal, vol. ii., 12
Shanavests and Caravats, vol. i., 40
_Shannon_ and _Chesapeake_, vol. i., 169
Sheridan, Funeral of, vol. ii., 342
Shops, vol. ii., 240
Siddons, Mrs., vol. ii., 336
Slave trade, vol. i., 207
Smuggling, vol. i., 68, 75, 151; vol. ii., 109
Snowstorm, vol. i., 217
Soldier, Letter of a, vol. ii., 57
Southcott, Joanna, vol. ii., 367
Southey, Robt., vol. i., 182
Spinning, vol. ii., 290
Stage, The, vol. ii., 331
Steamboats vol. ii., 215
Steam locomotives, vol. i., 142
Stock Exchange fraud, vol. i., 235
Strawberry, Large, vol. i., 203
Streets, The, vol. ii., 237
Suspension of Habeas Corpus, vol. ii., 141
T.
Tea Gardens, vol. ii., 242
Theatres, vol. ii., 331
Thames frozen, vol. i., 219
_Times_, _The_, and Napoleon, vol. ii., 13, 26, 29
Torpedoes, vol. i., 204
Trade, Stagnation of, vol. ii., 94
" reopened with France, vol. i., 128
Treaty of Peace with America, vol. ii., 7
Treaty of Peace with France, vol. i., 293
V.
Vauxhall Gardens, vol. i., 174
Vegetables, price of, vol. i., 237
Vittoria, Battle of, vol. i., 174
Volunteers' dinner, vol. i., 203
W.
Waltzing, vol. ii., 278
War, American, vol. i., 140, 169, 191, 366; vol. ii., 7
Washington, Burning of, vol. i., 369
Waterloo, Battle of, vol. ii., 23
" Bridge, vol. ii., 247
" medals, vol. ii., 70
" thanksgiving day, vol. ii., 67
Wellington, Duke of, vol. i., 257, 300, 331
Whiskers, Royal, vol. ii., 85
White's Club, vol. ii., 62
Wife selling, vol. i., 374
Wines, vol. ii., 329
Witchcraft, vol. i., 78
Witness, Irish, vol. ii., 201
Woman, The Fasting, vol. i., 168
Women cricketers, vol. i., 87
Women of the period, vol. ii., 278
Y.
York, Duke of, vol. i., 45; vol. ii., 176
Youth, The Fortunate, vol. i., 153
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[Transcriber's notes: Obvious printer's errors have been silently
corrected, all other inconsistencies are as in the original. The
author's spelling has been maintained.
Other changes made:
--Page 43: "Generals Savary and Tallemand" changed to "Generals
Savary and Lallemand".
--Page 54: "Argaud lamps" changed to "Argand lamps".
--Page 125: "'And, will you protect me!" changed to "'And, will you
protect me?"
Unusual supscripts are placed between parentheses.]