1809.
General Fast—The Jubilee—Costume—Former Jubilees—Release of poor
prisoners for debt—Jubilee Song—Jubilee literature—Poetry—King
pardons deserters from Army and Navy.
EARLY in the year 1809 (on February 8th) was a day of Fasting, and
prayer, for the success of His Majesty’s arms.
Also, in January, began the celebrated Clarke Scandal, which ended in
the Duke of York resigning his position as Commander-in-chief; but this
will be fully treated of in another place, as will the celebrated O. P.
Riots, which occurred in this year.
Socially, the only other important event which occurred in this year
was “THE JUBILEE,” or the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of
the accession of George III., he having succeeded to the throne on
the 25th of October, 1760; and this Jubilee created quite a craze.
A Jubilee Medal was struck by Bisset, of Birmingham, having, on the
Obverse, a bust of the King, with the following legend: “KING GEORGE
THE THIRD ascended the Throne of the Imperial Realms of Great Britain
and Ireland, October 25, A.D. 1760. Grand National Jubilee, celebrated
October 25, 1809.” On the Reverse, was the Guardian Genius of England,
represented as Fame, seated in the clouds, and triumphing over
Mortality; she displayed a centenary circle, one half of which showed
the duration of the King’s reign up to that time, whilst rays from
heaven illuminate a throne.
Not content with this, it was suggested that there should be a special
costume worn on the occasion, and that gentlemen should dress in the
“Windsor uniform,” _i.e._, blue frock coats, with scarlet collars, and
the ladies’ dresses were to be of garter blue velvet, or satin, with
head-dresses containing devices emblematical of the occasion.
It is no wonder that people went somewhat crazy over this Jubilee,
for it was an event of very rare occurrence, only three monarchs of
England having kept jubilees—Henry III., Edward III., and George III.
Let us, however, hope that this generation may add yet another to the
list in Queen Victoria. Edward III. celebrated the jubilee of his birth
in a good and kindly manner in 1363, as we may learn from Guthrie:
“Edward was now in the fiftieth year of his age, and he laid hold of
that æra as the occasion of his performing many other popular acts of
government. For he declared, in his parliament, by Sir Henry Green,
that he was resolved to keep it as a jubilee; and that he had given
orders to issue out general and special pardons, without paying any
fees, for recalling all exiles, and setting at liberty all debtors to
the Crown, and all prisoners for criminal matters. He further created
his third son, Lionel, Duke of Clarence, and his fifth son, Edmund,
Earl of Cambridge. The Parliament, on their parts, not to be wanting in
gratitude, having obtained their petitions, on the day of their rising,
presented the King with a duty of twenty-six shillings and eight pence
upon every sack of wool, for three years, besides continuing the former
duty upon wools, fells, and skins. This year being declared a year of
jubilee, the reader is to expect little business, as it was spent in
hunting throughout the great forests of England, and other magnificent
diversions, in which the King laid out an immense sum. But we are not
to close the transactions of this year before we inform the reader
that it was from the jubilee then instituted, that the famous custom
took its rise of our Kings washing, feeding, and clothing, on Maunday
Thursday, as many poor people, as they are years old.”[31]
The whole of the country was determined to celebrate this occasion in
a way worthy of it, and, of course, everyone had his own theory, and
aired it; some were for a general illumination and feasting everybody,
others to relieve poor debtors, and rejoice the hearts of the poor;
others mingled the two. “Sir, benevolence is no less amiable for being
attended with gaiety; without a general illumination the day would be
like a public mourning, or fast; the shops shut, the bells tolling, the
churches open, a cloudy night, a howling wind, a Jubilee!!! But no such
dull Jubilee for JOHN BULL.”
Perhaps one of the most popular ways for people to spend their
money, in order to show their gratitude for the beneficent sway of
the sovereign who had ruled them for fifty years, and who was much
beloved of his subjects, was the release of prisoners for small
debts. Their case was cruelly harsh, and it must have been felt as
one of the hardest, and most pressing, of social evils. Take the
following advertisement from the _Morning Post_, October 23, 1809:
“JUBILEE. PRISONERS for DEBT in the Prison of the Marshalsea of His
Majesty’s Household. There are now confined in the above prison in
the Borough, seventy-two persons (from the age of twenty-three to
seventy-four, leaving fifty-three wives, and two hundred and three
children) for various debts from seven guineas, up to £140. The total
amount of the whole sum is £2092, many of whom (_sic_) are in great
distress, and objects of charity, every way worthy the notice of a
generous and feeling public, who are interesting themselves in the
cause of suffering humanity against the approaching Jubilee. It is,
therefore in contemplation to raise a sufficient sum, for the purpose
of endeavouring to effect their release, by offering compositions to
their respective creditors in the following proportions, _viz._, 10s.
in the pound for every debt not exceeding £20; above that sum, and
not exceeding £50, the sum of 7s. 6d.; and above £50, the sum of 5s.
in the pound, in full for debt and costs. Subscriptions ... will be
received by ... with whom are left lists containing the names of the
unfortunate Persons immured within the Prison, and other particulars
respecting them, for the inspection of such Persons as may be desirous
of promoting so benevolent an undertaking.”
And that large sums were so raised, we have evidence in many instances.
Take one case:
“At a meeting of MERCHANTS and BANKERS appointed to conduct the
ENTERTAINMENT to be given at Merchant Taylors’ Hall on the 25th inst.,
held this day—
“BEESTON LONG, Esq., in the Chair.
“Resolved, That since the advertisement published by this Committee
on the 5th day of September last, various communications having been
made to this Committee which lead them to imagine that a general
Illumination will not be so acceptable to the Public as was at first
supposed, and, wishing that the day may pass with perfect unanimity of
proceeding, on so happy an Occasion, this Committee no longer think it
expedient to recommend a general Illumination.
“Resolved, That it appears to this Committee that, instead of such
general Illumination, it will be more desirable to open a SUBSCRIPTION
for the Relief of Persons confined for Small Debts, and that the sums
collected be paid over to the Treasurer of the Society established for
that purpose.”
To show how warmly this idea of releasing the debtor was taken up, in
this instance alone, considerably more than £2,000 was collected.
“JUBILEE SONG.
“For WEDNESDAY, 25th OCTOBER, 1809.
“_Tune_—‘GOD SAVE THE KING.’
“BRITONS! your Voices raise,
Join cheerful Songs of praise,
With grateful lay;
May all our Island ring,
Her Sons’ Orisons sing
For their Beloved King
On this bright day.
May he the vale of life
Close free from ev’ry strife;
His subjects see.
Bless’d with a lasting Peace,
May War for ever cease,
Pris’ners each Pow’r release,
And all be free.
King George’s Fiftieth Year
Of Sceptred greatness cheer
Each loyal Heart;
May the stain’d Sword be sheath’d;
Amity once more breath’d;
Commerce, with Plenty wreath’d,
Sweet Joy impart.
Thus may our Children find
Cause which will e’er remind
Them to agree,
That we with Justice sing.
God bless our good old King,
For him, our Noble King,
_This Jubilee_.”
This is not the sole attempt at a Jubilee literature. There was a
satirical pamphlet called “The Jubilee; or, John Bull in his Dotage.
A Grand National Pantomime. As it was to have been acted by His
Majesty’s subjects on the 25th of October, 1809.” Another pamphlet,
by Dr. Joseph Kemp, was entitled “The Patriotic Entertainment,
called the Jubilee.” And yet another book of 203 pages printed in
Birmingham, which had for title, “An Account of the Celebration of the
Jubilee of 1809 in various parts of the Kingdom.” This was arranged
in alphabetical order, and gave an account of the doings, on this
occasion, in the various cities, towns, and villages of England. It was
published by subscription, and the profits were to go to the “Society
for the Relief of Prisoners for Small Debts.”
There was a poem, too, which is too long to be reproduced in its
entirety, but which contains some pretty lines, such as would go home
to a people who really loved their king—who had suffered when God had
afflicted him, and yearned for his recovery, and who were then spending
both blood, and treasure, to preserve his throne and their own country.
“_Seculo festas referente luces,
Reddidi carmen._”—HORACE.
“OFT (ah! how oft) has the revolving Sun
Smiled on Britannia’s joy at battles won?
How oft our bosoms felt the conscious glow
For brilliant triumph o’er the stubborn foe?
If, then, our patriot hearts could proudly feel
Such zealous transports at our Country’s weal,
Shall not the Bard his cheerful efforts lend
To praise that Country’s first and truest friend?
For such is GEORGE, the pride of England’s Throne,
True to his people’s rights as to his own.
* * * * *
Mild is the Prince, and glorious were the arts,
That gave him sov’reign empire o’er our hearts.
Our love for him is such as ever flows
Spontaneous, warm, and strength’ning as it glows;
Unlike the smiles, and flattery of Courts,
Which int’rest prompts, and tyranny extorts;
A Monarch so belov’d has nought to fear
From mad ambition’s turbulent career;
For subjects ne’er from their allegiance swerve,
Who love his person they are bound to serve.
* * * * *
History shall tell how deep was every groan
When ‘erst black sickness struck at England’s throne:
For her lov’d KING was heard the Nation’s sigh,
While public horror star’d in ev’ry eye;
But, when restor’d, to many a daily pray’r,
What heartfelt joy succeeded to despair.
* * * * *
Then oh! Thou KING of KINGS, extend thy arm
To shield thine own anointed George from harm;
Grant, if it so comport with thy behest,
For thy decrees must ever be the best;
Grant that he long may live, and long may stand
‘A tow’r of strength’ to guard our native land.”
The King, on the 18th of October, issued a proclamation pardoning all
deserters from the Navy and Marines, but not allowing them any arrears
of pay or prize-money; and he also pardoned all deserters from the
Army, who should give themselves up within two months from the 25th of
October, but then they must rejoin the Army. Not particularly inviting
terms when they come to be analyzed, for the sailors would certainly be
marked, and, eventually, pressed, and the soldiers were simply asked to
exchange their present liberty, for their old slavery. But he really
did a graceful, and, at the same time, a kindly action in sending
through Mr. Perceval, to the Society for the Relief of Persons confined
for Small Debts, £2,000 from his privy purse.
[Illustration]