1814.
The Fog -- Condition of Ireland -- State of the Navy -- The
Regent at Belvoir -- Coming of age of Princess Charlotte -- Day
of Thanksgiving -- Great Snowstorm -- Thames frozen over --
Sports thereon -- Frost fair -- The Country and the Snow.
The year 1814 was an _annus mirabilis_ for England, as will be seen
as it is unfolded. It began with a fog, not an ordinary fog, but one
which, from its exceptional character, was enshrined as part of the
history of the Country. It prevailed in London, and many miles round,
during the whole of the last week of 1813 until the 4th of January,
when it cleared off--the mails and other conveyances were delayed,
and many accidents happened. It was no respecter of persons, for
the Regent, who was going to visit the Duke of Rutland at Belvoir,
in order to stand personally as Godfather to the baby Marquis of
Granby, was delayed a day by this fog, so that the Christening had
to be postponed, and the young Marquis had to be a day longer in an
unregenerate state.
A dragoon, who left London for Windsor at 6 p.m. with particulars of
the passage of the Nive by the Allied Armies, did not arrive until 4
a.m. in consequence of the fog, although he got a lanthorn and candle
at Hounslow. A sergeant of the West Kent Militia, which corps was
then garrisoning the Tower, stepped off the wharf into the river, and
was drowned--and there were other fatalities.
Ireland was in its chronic state of bloodthirsty rebellion, as the
two following paragraphs in _The Morning Chronicle_ of January 1st
show. "The Barony of Lower Ormond, in the County of Tipperary, has
lately manifested a spirit of wickedness unknown in that part of the
country. A few nights since, the Haggards of the Rev. Edward Farmer,
of Springmount, near Cloughjordan, of Mr. Thompson, and the Rev. Mr.
Conolly, near Ballingarry, were maliciously set on fire, and totally
consumed. The ruffians also posted notices that if a reward was
offered, they would burn the haggards of the subscribers."
"On the evening of the 8th instant half-past 5 o'clock, as George
Wayland, Esqre, was going out of his house at Toureen near Dundrum,
in the County of Tipperary, accompanied by his herdsman, one of a
party, who were perceived lying in wait at a short distance from
the hall door, discharged a blunderbuss at him, loaded with balls
and slugs, the contents of which grazed his legs and passed through
his clothes. Immediately after, a servant boy of Mr. Wayland, going
towards the house, was fired at by the same party, and so dreadfully
wounded, that he has since died."
The number of troops required then, as now, in Ireland, together with
the fact that we had two wars on our hands, at the same time, caused
stock to be taken of the available "food for powder" remaining, and
we find, according to a statistical account taken this year, that
the number of men in Great Britain, capable of bearing arms, from 15
to 60 years of age, amounted to 2,744,847; or about four in every
seventeen males.
Our Navy was a large one, on paper, for the total number of ships at
the commencement of this year was 1032 (including those in ordinary,
&c.): of which there were, in commission, 116 sail of the line, 20
from 50 to 44 guns, 157 frigates, 110 sloops of war, 7 fire-ships,
199 brigs, 40 cutters, and 50 schooners, the total of ships in
commission being 768.
The Regent set out on his journey to Belvoir Castle, having, of
course, to do the distance in his travelling carriage. At Denton,
he was met by some two or three hundred horsemen, the gentry and
yeomanry of the County, who had assembled to welcome him to Belvoir.
On the arrival of the Prince, the air was rent with a general
burst of loyal enthusiasm. Many females, wives and daughters of
the tenantry of the House of Rutland, joined in the cavalcade,
and galloped like lunatics to keep up with the Regent's carriage.
Arrived at Belvoir, on the descent from his carriage of the '_vir
illustrissimus_,' a Royal salute of 21 guns was fired from the
Castle, and the Regent's _âme damnée_, the Duke of York, also was
similarly honoured.
It was with great difficulty and much persuasion, that the good
folk of Rutlandshire were prevented from making greater asses of
themselves, and debasing themselves by removing the horses from the
Royal Carriage, and transforming themselves into beasts of draught.
The honoured host, of course, was at the door to receive his guest,
and the Rev. Dr. Staunton, by virtue of the tenure of a Manor of
Staunton, in Nottinghamshire, did his _devoir_, suit, and service,
by presenting the Regent, as representative of the King, with an
exquisitely worked gold key of Staunton tower, which is an outwork,
and yet the chief stronghold of the Castle, the command of which is
held by the family of Staunton, and the tenure by which they held the
Manor of Staunton is, that they were formerly required to appear,
with soldiers, to defend this strong post, in case of danger, or at
the requisition of the Lord of the Castle.
January 4th, the day of the Christening of the little Marquis of
Granby, was also the birthday of his father, the Duke of Rutland, so
that the two events, combined with the Royal visit, made an event of
unexampled rarity in the annals of Rutlandshire. Whenever was babe
received into the fold of Christ, under more illustrious mundane
auspices? His two Godfathers were the Prince Regent and the Duke of
York, _in person_; his Godmother was the Queen, represented by her
Grace the Dowager Duchess of Rutland. The Archbishop of Canterbury
himself "performed the baptismal ceremony with solemnity, and
graceful expression," and what more could be done for the child?
After this ceremony, the swine were fed. Open house and lavish
hospitality were the order of the day, and the "piggies" availed
themselves of it. The _grands seigneurs_ sit down to dinner--and the
[Greek: oi polloi] go to their troughs, to eat as much, and drink
as much, as they possibly could. "At Belvoir Castle all partake of
the festivities, for, although the doors are not immediately thrown
open to admit improper persons, yet the tenantry, and persons of
respectability have access thereto, and such is the affability and
condescending amiable manners of her Grace the Duchess of Rutland,
that her whole suite of rooms are open for the inspection of all
ranks, and even the curiosity of seeing the young Marquis is acceded
to. Mr. Douglas, the Duke's butler, entertained the tenantry with
an oval Cistern of strong punch, containing 50 gallons, when the
tenantry drank 'Long life to the young Marquis'--'Many returns of the
day to the Duke'--and 'God preserve our Noble Prince Regent.'"
This latter was attired, in compliment to his host in "the Belvoir
uniform of scarlet and buff," and, to the toast of his health, "His
Royal Highness replied with much eloquence, but evidently at first,
labouring under the affection of fine feeling, and concluded by
assuring the noble host, that, as long as he lived, he should never
forget the respectful manner in which he had been received at Belvoir
Castle."
This hospitality went on for days; and we read, "The house contains
more than two hundred individuals, who partake daily of the
festivities. The Cistern of punch, under the management of Mr.
Douglas, administered in the Servants' Hall on Tuesday, to the
household and tenantry, laid many a brave fellow prostrate. The
passages of the house reminded one of a Castle taken by storm, and
the young Marquis, the Noble Host, and the Prince Regent, were
toasted until articulation ceased. Many were found the next day in
the subterraneous passages of the Castle, with symptoms of recovering
animation. The punch was not out at 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning.
"This Cistern, according to the history of the county, was filled
with Cordial when John, Duke of Rutland, father of the present Duke,
was born. The silver Cistern is 16 feet in circumference, holds 60
gallons, and is a matchless piece of Workmanship. Ale, at the rate of
21 strike to the hogshead, is now making, to be kept till the young
Marquis comes of Age."
This Saturnalia ceased on January 7th, when the Prince left on a
visit to the Earl of Winchilsea at Burleigh; but whilst in the
country, he was keenly scanned by the eyes of critical sportsmen, and
the result, as regards his horsemanship, is thus given:--
"LETTER FROM GENERAL T. TO J. MC.M., ESQ., IN LONDON.
Dear Mac, we are passing our time here most gaily,
Events by the dozen are happening daily:
We left Burleigh the 2nd--you never were there?
The house stands in a quadrangle forty feet square;
'Tis built on a terrace, with fine freestone walls,
On a level, 'tis said, with the top of Saint Paul's.
WINCHILSEA, you know, 's a mechanical man.
For having it measured, he's forming a plan.
LONSDALE, you know, is a noble old fellow,
With a fine open heart, and a capital cellar,
We do just as we like, and have excellent cheer,
For guests, horses, and dogs, are all treated well here.
WALES would have a hunt, so we hunted on Monday,
In spite of the fog, and the hard frost of Sunday.
And O! some gentle Muse indite
My bold, aspiring lay,
While in hasty verse I write
'The hunting of that day!'
Now I think on't, the task would be rather too hard,
And you'll hear it describ'd by our Treasury Bard:--
For I watch'd him all thro' the field, and I saw
He was scanning the picturesque look of a thaw,
He hated a _Fox_ from the time of his birth,
And ran foul of a _Pit_, as Reynard took earth.
As for WALES, he soon staked a thorough bred mare,
His legs, arms, and chest, were all quite _militaire_.
A mere Bond Street rider, Tom Musters would say,
Sits damn'd well by rule, as I told him one day;
He's abroad in all cases not taught in _ménage_,
And rides at a leap, as he would at a charge;
In short, one might swear he ne'er hunted before,
By his heading the hounds, as he would do his corps;
And YORK on the fences made desperate attack,
And was giving the _word of command_ to the pack;
Determined to give his Conscience relief,
And, for once, be in person, _Commander in Chief_."
What a contrast was the keeping of the coming of age of the Princess
Charlotte, the heir to the throne! which happened at the same time,
on the 7th of January. "In the morning her Royal Highness's tutors
and principal attendants were introduced to her Royal Highness at
Warwick House, and paid their respects in due form. A number of
nobility, persons of distinction, and her private circle of friends,
called at the house, and left their respectful inquiries and
congratulations on the return of the day." She spent the remainder
of the day, quietly, and without fuss, with her mother, at Connaught
House.
The Regent returned from his tour in time for the Day of
Thanksgiving, 13th of January, and he attended Divine service at the
Chapel Royal, St. James's, in state. He wore "a purple top wrapping
coat, ornamented in a most splendid manner with gold lace, fringe,
and frogs, with the Order of the Garter." Besides a great number of
the nobility, the procession was formed as follows:--
"The Gentlemen Ushers and Grooms in waiting.
"Six Heralds, with their superb and splendid Mantles, with other
ornaments.
"Four Sergeants at Mace, with gold Maces, and their elegant Collars,
King at Arms, in his superb dress, with his sceptre of Office, Sir
Isaac Heard.
"York Herald, and Genealogist of the Bath, Sir George Naylor, in his
splendid dress, with the Order of the Bath.
"Windsor Herald, Francis Townsend, Esqre., also in his splendid
dress, and appropriate ornaments.
"The Duke of York.
"The Sword of State.
"The Prince Regent,
followed by his Lord in Waiting, &c.
"Eight of the Gentlemen Pensioners, with their Battle Axes, closed
the procession."
The phenomenal fog, which obtained at the end of 1813 and the
commencement of 1814, was immediately followed by very heavy falls
of snow, unprecedented in the memory of man. On one occasion it
snowed incessantly for 48 hours. Few carriages could travel, and the
land seemed deserted. In London, the water-pipes in houses were all
frozen, and open plugs were running in the streets. Of course this
water froze, and added to the general inconvenience, and the state of
the streets may be judged by the following: "Mr. Maxwell, of skating
celebrity, agreed, for a considerable wager, to skate from Long Acre
to the Parade in St. James's Park in five minutes, which he performed
with ease, ten seconds within the time, to the no small amusement of
a numerous concourse of spectators."
Coals went up to any price; and no wonder. There were no railways,
and the large inland beds of coal, were only worked for local use,
so that London was dependent upon Sunderland, and the north-eastern
ports, for her coal supply; and this, of course, came at once to
an end with such a frost as this was. A remedy was proposed, but
was never acted on. "Supposing nine-tenths of the housekeepers
of the metropolis to have laid in coals sufficient for their
consumption--some to the month of June, but generally throughout
the whole of the summer season--it would be an act of benevolence
on their part without affecting their interest, to sell their
overplus stock, at reduced prices, to the needy individuals in their
respective neighbourhoods, who are unprovided with that fuel, or who
can afford to supply themselves only from week to week. This, it is
conceived, _might be done at 6s. 6d. or 7s. a sack, whereas double
that sum is now asked_."
The snow-drifts were terrible all over the country, and even near
London, in many places, the snow drifted higher than the Coaches. On
Finchley Common, in the course of one night, it drifted to a depth
of sixteen feet; on Bagshot Heath, and about Cobham and Esher, all
traffic was stopped. The Kent and Essex roads were the only ones
passable. From the country came worse news. The Snow in the Midland
Counties was very deep; indeed at Dunchurch, a small village on the
road to Birmingham, through Coventry, for a few miles round, the snow
was twenty-three feet deep, and no tracks of travellers were seen for
many days. The Cambridge Mail Coach was snowed up, and completely
covered, for eight hours, when, at last it was dragged out by
fourteen waggon-horses, the poor passengers, meanwhile, being almost
frozen to death. These examples must suffice, for my space cannot
accommodate anything like one hundredth part of the snow-stories of
this time.
The Thames was frozen over, and upon it was held a "Frost Fair,"
which, as, owing to the greater width of the arches of the bridges
which span it, is hardly likely to occur again, I must be pardoned,
if I somewhat dilate upon.
_Sunday, Jan. 30._--Immense masses of ice that had floated from
the upper part of the river, in consequence of the thaw on the two
preceding days, now blocked up the Thames between Blackfriars and
London Bridge; and afforded every probability of its being frozen
over in a day or two. Some venturous persons, even now, walked upon
the ice.
_Monday, Jan. 31._--This expectation was realized. During the whole
of the afternoon, hundreds of people were assembled on Blackfriars
and London Bridges, to see several adventurous men cross and
re-cross the Thames on the Ice; at one time seventy persons were
counted walking from Queenhithe to the opposite shore. The frost on
Sunday night so united the vast mass, as to render it immovable by
the tide.
_Tuesday, Feb. 1._--The floating masses of ice having been stopped
by London Bridge, now assumed a solid surface over the river from
Blackfriars Bridge to some distance below Three Crane Stairs, at the
bottom of Queen Street, Cheapside. The watermen, taking advantage
of this circumstance, placed notices at the end of all the streets
leading to the City side of the river, announcing a safe footway
over it, which, as might be expected, attracted immense crowds to
witness so novel a scene. Many were induced to venture on the ice,
and the example thus afforded, soon led thousands to perambulate the
rugged plain, where a variety of amusements were prepared for their
entertainment.
Among the more curious of these was the ceremony of roasting a small
sheep, which was toasted, or rather, burnt over a coal fire placed in
a large iron pan. For a view of this spectacle sixpence was demanded,
and willingly paid. The delicate meat when _done_, was sold at a
shilling a slice, and termed Lapland Mutton.
[Illustration: The Frost Fair.]
_Wednesday, Feb. 2._--The Thames now was a complete FROST FAIR. The
Grand Mall, or walk, was from Blackfriars Bridge to London Bridge.
This was named "_The City Road_," and was lined on both sides with
booths and petty tradesmen of all descriptions. Eight or ten
printing presses were erected, and numerous pieces commemorative of
the "Great Frost" were printed on the Ice. Many of these have come
down to us; among them are the following:
"Amidst the Arts which on the THAMES appear,
To tell the wonders of this _icy_ year,
PRINTING claims prior place, which, at one view,
Erects a monument of THAT and YOU."
"You that walk here, and do design to tell
Your children's children what this year befell,
Come, buy this print, and it will then be seen
That such a year as this hath seldom been."
"_Friends, now is your time to support the Freedom of the Press.
Can the Press have greater liberty? Here you find it working in
the middle of the Thames; and if you encourage us by buying our
impressions, we will keep it going in the true spirit of liberty,
during the Frost._"
"Behold, the River Thames is frozen o'er,
Which, lately, ships of mighty burden bore;
Now, different arts and pastimes here you see,
But printing claims superiority."
Besides the above, the Lord's Prayer, and several other pieces were
issued from these Presses, and they were bought, as mementos, with
great avidity.
_Thursday, Feb. 3._--More people than ever ventured on the ice.
Swings, book-stalls, dancing in a barge, drinking and eating booths,
skittles, knock-'em-downs, and all the apurtenances to a Fair on land
were there on the Thames. The ice was strong and firm, and although
there were fairly smooth parts, yet, in the main, it was very rough.
_Friday, Feb. 4._--Every day brought more people, and additions to
the petty merchants who vended their wares, at twice or thrice their
value, because of the rarity. Any old goods could be passed off if
only duly labelled "Bought on the Thames," "From Frost Fair," &c.,
and money was literally shovelled into their pockets, as every one
wanted some lasting reminiscence of this great Frost. The watermen
mulcted all who visited the Fair, of 2d. or 3d., and you were
expected to repeat the compliment on your return. They were said to
have taken as much as £6 each, in the course of the day.
An ugly accident was nearly happening this day, for three persons--an
old man, and two lads--having ventured on a piece of ice above London
Bridge, it suddenly detached itself from the main body, and was
carried by the tide through one of the arches. They threw themselves
flat upon the ice for safety, and, luckily, were observed by the
boatmen at Billingsgate, who, with laudable activity, put off to
their assistance, and rescued them from their impending danger. One
of them was able to walk, but the other two were carried, in a
state of insensibility, to a public-house, where they received every
attention their situation required.
_Saturday, Feb. 5th._--The morning of this day augured rather
unfavourably for the continuance of FROST FAIR. The wind had shifted
to the south, and a light fall of snow took place. The visitors to
the Thames, however, were not to be deterred by trifles. Thousands
again ventured, and there was still much life and bustle on the ice.
The footpath in the centre, or "_City Road_," was hard and secure,
and thousands promenaded thereon. Gaming had now its votaries; there
were E. O. Tables, Rouge-et-Noir, Te-totums, Wheels of Fortune, Prick
the Garter, &c., and a brisk business they plied in emptying the
pockets of their dupes. Skittles were being played in many places,
drinking tents were filled with females, and their companions,
dancing reels to the sound of fiddles, while others sat round large
fires, drinking rum, grog, and other spirits. There were for the more
temperate, tea and coffee, and people were earnestly requested to
eat, in order that in after years they might be able to say that they
had indulged in a good meal in mid Thames.
_The Morning Chronicle_ of February 4th says:--"Notwithstanding
the heavy thaw of Tuesday night, an immense multitude continues to
assemble between London and Blackfriars Bridges. Booths, hoisting
the flags of all nations, and painted with _Cherokee_ taste,
everywhere gladdened the sight, while bands of Pandean minstrels,
relieved by the dulcet strains of the _tin_ trumpet from all sides,
delighted the ear.
"In the centre of the river, a narrow stream defied the power of the
frozen region, and marked the path 'where once the current ran.' This
interruption, however, so far from impeding the gambols of the day,
increased the sport, and added to the profit of the stewards of the
scene. A few small planks in some cases, and an old boat or two in
others, with the addition of _Charon's fare_, kept the communication
entire, and enlivened the pastime.
"In some parts of the stream where the width of the unfrozen water
admitted of it, boats completely bent for sail, with their full
equipments, attracted the heedless throng. In these were placed food
for the hungry, and for the thirsty, relief; _gin_ and _gingerbread_,
with _other cordials_, were here on sale, at moderate prices--'_Ubi
mel--ibi apes_.' The Crowd poured toward this magnetic point with
extraordinary avidity. Men, women, and children were often seen in
one promiscuous heap. Although it is impossible not to feel anxious
to afford every opportunity of cheering, by playful pastime, the
nipping severity of the season, yet we cannot disengage our mind
from the hazardous consequences of such an exhibition as we are now
noticing.
"Between the bridges the river is entirely covered, not with a
regular, even frozen surface, but with an incongruous accumulation of
icy fragments, and congealed piled snow, which, during the partial
thaws, was disengaged up the river, and wafted downwards; this having
been intercepted by the intervention of the bridges, and partially
united by the frosts of the last two or three days, has completely
covered the surface of the water. It is yet extremely dangerous, and
was, in many places, last night, set in motion by the influx of the
tide, and carried, with extreme velocity, against the piers of the
bridges. Some watermen, more foolhardy than others, ventured to cross
opposite Temple Gardens, and one of them nearly lost his life by the
experiment. The public ought carefully to prevent the young men and
thoughtless part of the community from indulging in experiments of
this description, which may terminate fatally."
Towards the evening of the 5th of February rain fell in some
quantity, the ice gave some loud cracks, and large pieces were
detached, and floated off with booths, printing-presses, and people
on them. No lives, however, were lost. Perhaps the last thing printed
on the ice was a letter:--
"_To Madam Tabitha Thaw._
"Dear dissolving dame,
"FATHER FROST, and SISTER SNOW, have _boneyd_ my borders, formed
an _idol of ice_ upon my bosom, and all the LADS OF LONDON come to
make merry: now, as you love mischief, treat the multitude with a few
CRACKS by a sudden visit, and obtain the prayers of the poor upon
both banks. _Given at my own press_, the 5th Feby., 1814.
"THOMAS THAMES."
The thaw had now fairly set in, the ice, broken up, swept everything
in the shape of light craft, barges, &c., irresistibly before it, and
damage was done to the extent of many thousands of pounds. There was
some loss of life, but it was small, and altogether every one was
very well rid of "The Great Frost of 1814." Before I finish with the
subject, I must quote some verses (which, although doggerel, are very
original) attached to "A View of FROST FAIR, as it appeared on the
ICE on the RIVER THAMES, February 3, 1814."
"All you that are curious downright,
And fond of seeing every sight,
If to the Thames you had repair'd,
You might have seen a famous fair.
Diversions of every kind you'd see,
With parties drinking of coffee and tea,
And dancing too, I do declare,
Upon the _Thames_, they call FROST FAIR.
It was really curious for to see
Both old and young, so full of glee,
The drinking booths they enter'd in
And call'd away for purl and gin,
Some play'd at Threadle my Needle, Nan,
The lasses slipt down as they ran,
Which made the men quite full of glee,
The young girls legs all for to see.
The Watermen, so neat and trim,
With bottle fill'd with Old Tom Gin,
And others bawl'd among the throng,
'Who's for a Glass of Sampson strong?'
'Here's Nuts, and Gingerbread, who buys?'
'Come, boys, and win my Mutton Pies.
Come, ladies, they're both hot and nice,
Fear not to eat them on the Ice.'
Boys and women, not a few,
Upon the Ice, they ventured too,
And swings there were, I do declare,
To take a ride up in the air.
And booths, wherein you might regale,
And have a pint of beer, or ale.
And skittle playing, I do declare,
Upon the Thames, they call Frost Fair.
Now to conclude my Icy song,
I'm glad to see the Frost is gone,
And ships, and barges, all afloat,
And watermen rowing of their boats,
Black diamond barges to appear,
That coals, they may not be so dear.
So, toss a bumper off with cheer,
And bid adieu to Frosty Fair."
With regard to this frost, for once, Justice was rendered to Ireland,
and she shared its pleasures, with "the bloody Saxon" (_Gentleman's
Magazine_, vol. 84, part i. p. 189): "So completely suspended has
been the internal intercourse between _Dublin_ and the interior, that
on 17th January, no fewer than fifteen hundred country mails were
due in the Irish Capital; and, in consequence of the obstruction to
the regular mails, arising from the severity of the weather, the
accumulated newspapers, at the Post Office, amounted to no less than
_ten tons_ in weight."
On the same page it is recorded that "Fifty Gentlemen dined in a tent
fixed on the ice on the river _Tweed_. One of the company was present
at a similar fête held on the _Tweed_ in 1740."
The Lords Lieutenant of the different counties had a circular sent
them from Lord Sidmouth, conveying the Regent's wishes for their
guidance in this juncture, part of which is as follows:--
"It will be obvious to your Lordship, that the first and immediate
duty to which your attention should be directed, is that of providing
all practical means for removing from the highways and principal
roads of communication lying within your Lordship's County, the
obstructions which have taken place from the late heavy falls of
snow, so that his Majesty's subjects may be able to traverse the
same, without danger or impediment, as occasion shall require.
"The discharge of this duty is, fortunately, most compatible with
the further object which his Royal Highness has anxiously in view,
inasmuch as it will enable your Lordship to ensure employment for
various classes of individuals, who, for the present, are deprived of
their usual earnings by the inclemency of the season.
"Your Lordship will be aware of the necessity of giving immediate
attention to the Prince Regent's commands on this important subject;
and you will accordingly communicate, without delay, with the
magistracy, and through them with the trustees of turnpike roads,
the overseers of the poor, the surveyors of the highways, and other
subordinate officers within the districts and parishes of the County,
in such manner, as to insure the most speedy and effectual means of
carrying his Royal Highness's pleasure into effect."
After the melting of this snow, came very heavy floods in almost
every part of the country.