House, declared, lately, she would persist in support of Mrs. C.,
whatever was the consequence, 'for,' said she, 'I hate the thoughts of
mixing with any body merely because they have half a guinea in their
pocket; and that such scums should sit on the same bench, and think
themselves on a level with the first nobility!' 'I agree with you'
(says Lady A----r), 'and am grieved to think that we are, one day or
other to mix in heaven with the dregs of the people.' 'God forbid'
(says the D----s), 'I should ever be in such company.'"
The Subscription balls, and Masquerades still went on--and she
instituted a society called "the Coterie," which had not the
reputation of insisting on the strictest morality on the part of its
members.
This _coterie_ broke up. The Pantheon was built, and opened, in
opposition to her. Perhaps she was extravagant, but, anyhow, from some
cause or other, she became bankrupt, and was so gazetted on the 9th
Nov. 1772, as a "chapwoman, and dealer in gloves." Her goods were sold
in Dec. 1772, and it must have been a famous sale, as the Catalogues,
to admit two, were five shillings each.
She, herself, was taken to a debtor's prison, where she could not have
stopped very long, as there are advertisements of Masquerades
conducted by her, at Carlisle House, in the spring and summer of 1773.
She was again a bankrupt in Dec. 1774, and Carlisle House was
advertised to be sold. Still, somehow or other, she must have found
friends, with money, to help her, for she issued an advertisement, 15
January 1776. "Mrs. Cornelys most respectfully takes the liberty to
acquaint the nobility, and gentry, that, through the kind assistance
of her friends, she is again reinstated in Carlisle House, on her own
account."
But nothing could bring back her old patrons, and the social status of
her masked balls got lower and lower. Worse than all, the refreshments
were not so plentiful as of old, as we may see in the "Citizen's
Complaint to the Priestess of Soho," which concludes thus--
"Yet fairy scenes and preparations,
With all your novel decorations,
Are diet fitter, let me tell ye,
To feed the Fancy than the Belly."
In 1778, Carlisle House was again to be sold, but still Madame
Cornelys, somehow, kept her clutches on it. She established an
"Academy of Sciences and Belles Lettres"--a Library with Newspapers,
&c.--and a debating society, open to both Sexes. This "School of
Eloquence" collapsed in 1781. Scientific lectures, Joseph Borouwlaski,
the Polish Dwarf, and some more Masquerades, were all tried, but
without avail, to resuscitate her fallen fortunes. It was said that
she gave four and a half Masquerades, the half being accounted for, by
the fact that no license had been taken out, and the masquers were
ejected.
After 1782 Carlisle House seems to have been shut up; on 28 June 1785,
Christie sold the furniture, China, and other effects; and in 1788 the
old Mansion was pulled down, and what was the grand Saloon has been
altered into a Roman Catholic Chapel, St. Patrick's, Soho.
There is no record of Madame for some years, but we know from
Newspaper notices, that in 1792 she took a large house and grounds in
Knightsbridge Road, formerly occupied by a dealer in Asses milk, and
converted it into a "female archery."
Luck was against her, this failed; she was very old, had fought her
fight, and now the refuge for the remainder of her days was the Fleet
Prison. There, however, she met with kindness from friends, and help
from her daughter, who was very accomplished, and no more is heard of
her, until the paragraph in the _Times_, which heads this memoir.
"Masquerade at Marlboro House.
"At the Duchess of Marlborough's Gala, on Wednesday evening, one
of the principal ornaments was the _statute_ of Precedency,
elegantly illuminated, in variegated lamps over the grand
entrance. Lyon, Clarencieux, and Garter, Kings-at-Arms, in their
coats of office, were stationed in the hall, and marshalled the
guests upon their arrival. Upon the first landing place, were Her
Grace's Vice-Chamberlain, and three Masters of the Ceremonies,
attended by deputy Masters, and the Pages of the Presence, and
back staircase. In the antechamber, covers were provided for the
Lord Mayor, and Sheriffs of London, whose pease were said to be
served cold, but his Lordship eat his peaches without hazarding
any remarks. His Mace was thought to be one of the finest pieces
of sculpture ever executed in pastry. It contained a fine
pine-apple in the capital, with a beautiful crown in
Naples-biscuit, and his chair was entirely composed of barley
sugar drops. In the next room were the Barons and Baronesses, the
newly created ones next the door, and the premier Baron very
near, but not in contact with the lowest Viscount, in the
corridor of the third chamber. The Lord Chamberlain, the Lords of
the Bedchamber, the Gold and Silver Sticks, &c., had their wands
of the best double refined sugar, excepting the Gold Stick, whose
staff was of barley-sugar, or as some say sugar-candy.
"In the inner rooms, according to their rank, and date, were
placed the Earls, Marquisses, and Dukes of England. The premier
Duke, and E. M., nearest to the Noble Hostess. The Lords on the
cross bench were served with some difficulty by _Beefeaters_, who
were obliged to move like the Knights at Chess, which had a very
pretty effect. It added to the liveliness, and gaiety of the
meeting, that every mask had for its neighbour, on both hands,
the same individual it conversed with so frequently at Mr.
Hasting's trial, which made the 'I know you,' and 'Who are you?'
exceedingly facetious and happy. The Lords of the Bedchamber were
in high glee, and spirits, but were discovered by their jokes,
some of which were remembered upon former occasions. The Maids of
Honour were in perfect character and detected in an
instant."--(_Times, June 21, 1799._)
Music was much in vogue both publicly and in private. Concerts were
plentiful, the most aristocratic, perhaps, being held in Willis's
Rooms, of which I will give one Advertisement, relating to a ball.
Advt.--"Assembly Rooms, King Street, St. James's Square.
"Willis humbly begs leave to acquaint the Nobility, and Gentry,
Subscribers, that the first Ball, this season, commences This
Day.
"The Rooms will be lighted at Ten, and the Ball will be opened at
Half-past Ten o'clock, precisely.
"_N.B._--By order of the Ladies (Directresses), no person
whatever will be admitted without producing their ticket, and no
ticket but those of the night, can possibly be admitted.
"The Nobility and Gentry are most earnestly requested to order
their Coachmen to set down, and take up, with their horses'
heads towards St. James's Street.
"The side doors are for chairs only."--(_Morning Post, Feb. 14,
1788._)
[Illustration: A Country Concert, or, An Evening's Entertainment in
Sussex.]
This refers only to the subscription Balls, which were so famous, and
so select--but, as I said above, this was the chiefest Concert Hall. A
greater libel against the English nation never was uttered, than when
it was said they were not a musical nation--and it was, essentially,
in Chamber music, glees, madrigals, ballads--small home concerts in
which a few friends met together and spent a pleasant evening--in
which the harpsichord, or pianoforte (for that instrument was then in
vogue), joined with the cello, violin, and flute, in pretty, and
harmonious, quartets.
This Illustration shows Mrs. Billington and the Duke of Sussex, with
two friends, thus engaged, and an exceedingly home-like group it is.
It was an unusual thing for ladies, then, to play on any other
instruments than the harpsichord, or piano, and the harp, or guitar;
this latter coming specially into vogue, some twenty years later,
after the Peninsular War, so Mrs. Billington created some surprise.
"_Mrs. Billington_ who is solicitous for musical distinction in
any respect, as far as her talents can extend, is now applying,
with very great diligence, to the _violin_; and, from the present
state of her progress, it is supposed she will hereafter figure
amongst the most shining performers on that
instrument."--(_Morning Post, Feb. 16, 1788._)
Judging by this illustration, the ladies of 1799 were not at all
restricted in their choice of instruments.
_Apropos_ of Concerts, we get several paragraphs about them from one
Newspaper, the _Morning Post_ of Jan. 15, 1789.
"Since the illness of a certain Great Personage,[12] Lady Young
has entirely surmounted her _religious qualms_, and is
determined, once more, in defiance of the proclamation, to fix
her Concerts on the Sabbath Day. Thus, Politics and religion,
and music, go hand in hand."
[Footnote 12: The King's first attack of insanity.]
"Lord Hampden, Lord Cholmondeley, the Duke of Queensbury, Lady
Petres, the Duchess of Bolton, Lady Bridget Tollemache, &c., &c.,
will have their alternate concerts, as usual."
"The dissensions continually subsisting between the different
performers and directors of the Tottenham Street Concert,[13]
added to the present indisposition of its Royal Patron, and the
daily decrease of subscribers, will, it is feared, reduce that
_light_ amusement to its primitive obscurity."
[Footnote 13: Ancient Music.]
"Should Cramer quit the above Concert, it will be a loss not to
be repaired, as they might as well attempt to proceed without
Harrison, as without that incomparable leader. Mr. Bate may
conduct, but he cannot lead; every man may _blow the bellows_,
but it is certainly more difficult to _play the organ_."
"Lord Uxbridge's new Music Room in _Vigo Lane_, will be opened in
the course of this season; the time is not yet fixed, but it is
supposed it will be as magnificent a _Gala_, as music can afford.
The extreme care taken that nothing should obstruct the sound,
has nearly answered every purpose, and it certainly promises to
be the best _private_ room for music in London;--we hope, when
filled with company, the small reverberation at present
remaining, will be entirely dispelled."
It is sad to read of such a case of reverse of fortune as the
following:--
"A French Marchioness, who a few years since, possessed a fortune
of £5000 a year, is engaged to sing before their Majesties at the
Concerts of Antient Music, which commence on Wednesday
next."--(_Times, Feb. 1, 1794._)
[Illustration: Savoyards of Fashion--1799.]
Of Pictorial Art, we hear but little in Old Times--but the Art Critic
of the _Morning Post_, May 20, 1788, did not fear to speak out, and
give his opinion freely.
"Royal Academy.
"235. Theseus receiving the Clue from Ariadne. H. Fuseli.--Poor
Theseus, with a broken leg, is endeavouring to support Ariadne,
whose figure suggests more the idea of a _sick ideot_, than a
beautiful woman. Whilst we pity the situation of these two
lovers, we cannot forbear laughing at the little cock-tailed
Minotaur, galoping about, for amusement, in the distance. The
design, however, has some merit, but Theseus appears as if he had
left his skin behind him, and, indeed, some of his muscles are
not in their proper places.
"181. Portraits of three Children. P. Reinagle, A.--The Colouring
of this picture is _Currant Jelly_ and _Chalk_. The glare of
crimson and red, confines the eye, in such a manner, that it is
difficult to find out what the subject is meant for. This picture
(like most of this Artist's works) is an imitation of the stile
of some other master, which is certainly very commendable in a
painter who possesses no genius of his own; but as we do not
think this is the case with Mr. Reinagle, we recommend him, as
before, to look at nature.
"175. Portrait of a young Gentleman, and his brother, flying a
Kite. W. R. Bigg, A.--We cannot determine on the likeness of
these portraits; we are also at a loss to say, whether the
figures, or the Kite, are drawn with most taste and elegance."
Fuseli opened a Gallery for the display of a series of his paintings
illustrating "Paradise lost."
Advt.--"The general impression felt by all kinds of people, on
entering the Milton Gallery, is, this is unlike everything we
have seen before. The old nurses stories about the devil are
properly confuted by the exhibition of a figure that is bold,
daring, and majestic, and a model of muscular strength and
gigantic symmetry. 'I have often wondered,' said a Lady, 'how Eve
could have been tempted to transgress by such a hideous monster,
as Satan has been represented to me: but, if he was, in reality,
such a being as Mr. Fuseli paints him, why--That accounts for
it.'"[14]--(_Times, June 17, 1799._)
[Footnote 14: A slang phrase then in use.]
* * * * *
Advt. "CURIOUS NEEDLEWORK.
"VIEWS in EMBROIDERY will begin to be exhibited THIS DAY at No.
11, New Bond St., consisting of three views of Constantinople,
two of Egypt, one of Switzerland, one of Weymouth, one of the
Tower, and London Bridge, and of Blackfriars, &c., taken from the
top of the Albion Mills, the same as has been seen at the
Panorama.--Admittance 2s. 6d. An Explanation, with a sketch of
the above Views, will be given gratis, at the place of
Exhibition."--(_Times, April 13, 1795._)
* * * * *
Advt. "DAY EXHIBITIONS.
"The convenience of Day Exhibitions must be obvious to the Polite
Circles, who are otherwise engaged in the evening.
"At the MECHANIC THEATRE, No. 38 Norfolk Street, Strand, will be
exhibited the
"ANDROIDES.
"Doors open every day at half-past 12, and begins at 1, and every
Evening doors open at half-past 7 and begins at 8.
"These much-admired Pieces of Mechanism, which not only imitate
human actions, but appear to possess rational powers, consist of,
1st--
"The Writing Automaton.--A Figure, about the size of a Boy of
four years old, which will be brought to a table, and set to
write any word, words, or figures required, in a round legible
hand. 2nd--
"The Fruitery--the model of a neat rural mansion, and contains
the following figures: first, the Porter, which stands in the
gate, and, on being addressed, rings a bell, when the door opens,
the Fruiteress comes out, and any Lady, or Gentleman, may call
for whatever fruit they please, and the figure will return, and
bring the kind required, which may be repeated; and the fruit
varied as often as the company pleases: it will likewise receive
flowers, or any small articles, carry them in, and produce them
again, as called for. As the Fruits are brought out, they will be
given in charge to a Watch Dog, which sits in front of the house,
and on any person taking away, or touching them, will begin to
bark, and continue to do so until they are returned. The next
figure belonging to this piece is, the Little Chimney Sweeper,
which will be seen coming from behind the house, will enter the
door, appear at the top of the chimney, and give the usual cry of
'Sweep' several times, descend the chimney, and come out with its
bag full of soot.--Third,
"The Liquor Merchant and Water Server. These are on a platform
of about two feet square, which (as the former pieces) will be
placed on a table. The Liquor Merchant stands at a small cask
from which it will draw every kind of spirits, wine, &c.,
required. The Water Server stands at a pump, and will fill a
tumbler with water as often as called for.--Fourth,
"The Highland Oracle: a Figure in the Highland Dress, stands on a
Time-piece, and gives the Hour and Minutes whenever asked, by
striking its Sword on a Target: it gives a rational Answer (by
Motion) to any Question proposed: it calculates Sums in
Arithmetic, and gives the amount instantly of any number of
pounds, yards, &c., at any given price, beats time to music, &c.
"The Table the different Pieces will be played on, contains an
Organ, on which the Proprietor introduces a few Notes: also
"The Machine or (self-playing) Organ, will play occasionally
several Pieces of Music, Airs, Country Dances, &c.
"Mr. Hadcock flatters himself the Androides will be found more
curious than anything of the kind ever before offered to the
Public, as the principles of Action are entirely new. The Theatre
is neatly fitted up, and everything calculated to give
satisfaction to a polite and discerning Audience.
"Boxes 4s., Gallery 2s. Admittance, after the Two First Parts,
Half Price. Exhibition lasts nearly Two hours."--(_Times, Jany.
15, 1796._)
If there was little mention of "Art," in the old newspapers, there was
still less of "Literature," except in the advertisement of new books.
"What is Jemmy Boswell about? where is his Life and Adventures of
the _great Lexicographer_, the Atlas of obscure sentiment, and
pompous phraseology? Mrs. Piozzi's last work hath been read, and
re-read, with avidity, and admiration. If the men doth not look
sharp, the women will run off with all the biographic
laurels."--(_Morning Post, June 12, 1788._)
Mrs. Thrale's book, "Letters to and from S. Johnson," was published in
1788, and her "Anecdotes of S. Johnson, during the last twenty years
of his life," in 1786. Boswell's "Life of Samuel Johnson," &c., was
published in 1791.
"The last exit of the celebrated Mr. Gibbon, was attended with
some very extraordinary circumstances. He was sitting with an
intimate friend, on the evening of his death, and remarking of
himself, that he thought there was a probability of his enjoying
thirteen, or fourteen, more years of life. He had not been long
in bed, before he was seized with excruciating pains. He
endeavoured to swallow some brandy, but in vain. He then made a
signal to his valet to leave the room, and in a few minutes
expired. He has left everything indiscriminately to a young Swiss
gentleman, to whom he was attached, and who accompanied him last
year to this country."--(_Times, Jany. 27, 1794._)
* * * * *
"Four thousand and seventy three Novels are now in the Press,
from the pens of young Ladies of Fashion. At Mrs. D----'s School
all the young Ladies write Novels, in the fourth class!! and
those whose parents are rich, or honourable, are at the expense
of printing them. Lady L. G. and Lady C. C. are busily employed
upon two rival Novels, which are the favourite work for Young
Ladies at present: and the lawful successors of bell-ropes,
coronet cushions, and painted flower-pots. Lady G.'s is
entitled--'Duke or no Duke,' Lady Charlotte's 'All for Nothing.'
Those who have seen the latter, are loud in the praise of its
beauties: the plot of the former is not thought to have been
_well laid_."--(_Times, April 18, 1796._)
MONETARY.
We are apt to think that among the other advantages of progressive
Civilisation which we possess in this latter part of the 19th Century,
Commercial failures and stoppage of Banks are peculiarly our own, but
it was not so; the years 1793 and 1796--the former especially--were
times of severe mercantile depression--the tale of which is best told
in the language of the times.
"The late considerable failures in the City are no longer to be
concealed; public credit cannot therefore, suffer the more by our
publishing the fact. Four very considerable mercantile Houses
have stopped payment within the last ten days: they are
principally engaged in American West India Brokerage, and
Insurance concerns. One house, alone, has failed for £800,000,
and another for £500,000. It is feared that many more persons
will become involved in these failures--as there has been a very
extensive circulation of paper. The failures already known, are
estimated at three millions, and it is conjectured that they will
extend to two millions more. They have, naturally, created a
great scarcity of cash in the City, and the Bank, as well as the
Bankers, are extremely shy of discounting."--(_Times, Feb. 28,
1793._)
* * * * *
"Some more very considerable failures have taken place in the
City, within the last two or three days. A very large African
house, at Bristol, has likewise stopped payment, and the letters
from thence advise, that it is feared many more will
follow."--(_Times, March 10, 1793._)
* * * * *
"The Bankers, in the City, have refused to discount any more
paper, for the present. The alarm on the Royal Exchange, is
beyond conception to those who are not in business."--(_Times,
March 26, 1793._)
* * * * *
"At the Meeting, on Monday, of the Noblemen, and Gentlemen,
belonging to the County of Northumberland, we understand that
£340,000 was subscribed, to support the Newcastle Banks, the
Proprietors of which, are gentlemen of the first landed property,
and known to be worth many hundred thousand pounds.
"The commercial stoppages, we are sorry to learn, have at length
reached Manchester, and the most serious inconveniencies are to
be dreaded, if some effectual support is not given to that town.
The mischief is so much dreaded, that a committee of Gentlemen,
of that town, have come to London, to offer securities to the
Bank, provided it will afford a temporary relief to the
manufacturers who reside there."--(_Times, April 18, 1793._)
* * * * *
"Public Credit.
"The very depressed state of the public credit of the country, is
now so universally known, and felt, that it cannot suffer any
additional injury by our stating the fact, and the means which
are about to be carried into effect, as an experiment of relief.
We daily hear of new stoppages among persons, many of whom have
ever been considered as men of large real property: on a very
minute, and fair, enquiry into the truth of this supposition, we
have the best reason to believe that the fact is so; and that a
very large proportion of mercantile houses, which have been,
lately, obliged to suspend their payments, is still solvent, and
well able to pay every demand, in the course of time. At
Manchester, Liverpool, and other large trading towns,
particularly at the former, this fact is well authenticated; but
the failures at the country banks have stopped the circulation of
money so suddenly, that present engagements have not been able to
be fulfilled. To adopt a remedy, if possible, at this very
alarming state of public credit, a meeting was held at Mr. Pitt's
house, in Downing Street, on Monday last, to consult on the
business. The grievance being explained to Mr. Pitt, he assured
the Gentlemen of his anxiety, and readiness to give every
assistance, in his power, to the mercantile interest, and he
requested they would consult among themselves, and form some
specific proposition, for his consideration. A meeting was
accordingly held, yesterday morning, at the Mansion-house, to
consider of the plan which should be proposed to Mr. Pitt. The
number of gentlemen was reduced to 11, as being more convenient:
and, at nine o'clock last night, they waited on the Minister, to
obtain his approbation.
"We do not take upon us to state, OFFICIALLY, the nature of the
plan which has been proposed, but we are led to believe that the
outlines of it are as follows: 'That four millions of Exchequer
Bills should be issued for the support of public credit, as a
loan to the mercantile interest; that the security required,
should be on goods actually warehoused, and the advance to be
made on two-thirds of their value. Commissioners to be appointed
to superintend the securities, and the value of the merchandise.
The Exchequer Bills to be called in as they become redeemed. The
borrowers to be answerable for any loss in the discount of them.'
The plan was left for Mr. Pitt's consideration, who is to give
his answer this morning. Should he approve of it, it is probable
he will propose some resolution upon it, this day, in the House
of Commons, to the end that the relief may be as speedy as
possible."--(_Times, April 24, 1793._)
* * * * *
"The Funds continued falling yesterday, and Consols were below
60, for money. We shall be very much surprised if there were not
some very considerable failures before the next settling day.
Some persons connected with French Houses are known to be great
losers."--(_Times, July 15, 1796._)
* * * * *