[Illustration: William IV.]
When
WILLIAM IV.
was King.
BY
JOHN ASHTON,
AUTHOR OF
"SOCIAL LIFE IN THE REIGN OF QUEEN ANNE," ETC., ETC., ETC.
WITH FORTY-SEVEN ILLUSTRATIONS.
LONDON: CHAPMAN & HALL, LD.
1896.
[Illustration: Decoration.]
PREFACE.
Several "Life and Times of William IV." have been written, but they
all contain a great deal of "Life," and very little "Times." The
present book reverses this, and deals, primarily, with the chief
topics of conversation during the seven years of King William's reign,
and, afterwards, with the social aspect of the times.
Although I treat of a period but sixty years since, it is a time of
which much is to be said which is unknown to the present generation,
and one which has had a deep and lasting influence on our own times.
Then began the mighty reign of steam; then was inaugurated the first
passenger railway, to which small beginning England owes so much.
Then, too, steam navigation began to be general, developing that
commerce which has been the making of the country. Science woke up, as
did Art, whilst the introduction of the Railway caused our
manufactures to progress by leaps and bounds.
Politics have been avoided as much as possible; and, although the book
is necessarily somewhat discursive, I would fain hope it will be found
interesting; and, in the words of the writer of Maccabees (Book II.
xv. 38), I say, "Which if I have done well, and as it becometh the
history, it is what I desired, but, if not so perfectly, it must be
pardoned me."
JOHN ASHTON.
[Illustration: Decoration.]
CONTENTS.
Page.
CHAPTER I.
1830.
Illness of George IV.--His death -- Sale of his clothes, etc.
-- The new King -- His character 1