THE DAWN

OF

THE XIXTH CENTURY

IN

ENGLAND

A Social Sketch of the Times

BY

JOHN ASHTON,

AUTHOR OF

"Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne," English Caricature and Satire

on Napoleon I.," "Old Times," &c

WITH 116 ILLUSTRATIONS DRAWN BY THE AUTHOR
FROM CONTEMPORARY ENGRAVINGS

VOL. II

LONDON

T FISHER UNWIN

26 PATERNOSTER SQUARE

MDCCCLXXXVI

Food-Statistics as to quantity of meat consumed-Scarcity of fish and

game-Supply of latter to London-Venison-A brewer's dinner-

Beer-Quantity brewed-Wine-Its price-Supply of vegetables-

Sardines and Harvey's Sauce-Scarcity of wheat- Forestalling-Rice

from India-Bounties given for its shipment

PAGE

CHAPTER XXIX.

Parliamentary Committee on the high price of provisions-Bounty on

imported corn, and on rice from India and America-The "Brown

Bread Bill"-Prosecution of bakers for light weight-Punishment of

a butcher for having bad meat-Price of beef, mutton, and poultry-

Cattle shows-Supply of food from France-Great fall in prices here

-Hotels, &c.-A clerical dessert

II

CHAPTER XXX.

Men's dress-The "Jean de Bry" coat-Short coats fashionable at water-

ing-places-"All Bond Street trembled as he strode "-Rules for the

behaviour of a "Bond Street Lounger'

20

CHAPTER XXXI.

PAGE

"The three Mr. Wiggins's "-The " Crops"-Hair-powdering-The

powdering closet-Cost of clothes-Economy in hats-Taxing hats—

Eye-glasses "The Green Man" at Brighton-Eccentricities in dress 28

CHAPTER XXXII.

Ladies' dress-French costume-Madame Recamier-The classical style

-"Progress of the toilet "-False hair-Hair-dresser's advertise-

ment-The Royal Family and dress-Curiosities of costume

36

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Diversions of people of fashion-Daily life of the King-Children-

Education-Girls' education-Matrimonial advertisements-Gretna

Green marriages-Story of a wedding ring—Wife selling—“ A woman

to let "

· 55

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Gambling-Downfall of Lady Archer, &c.-Card playing in the Royal

Circle-Card money-High play-Play at the Clubs-Lotteries-

The method of drawing them-Horse racing-Turf and horses better

than now-Curious names of race horses-Ladies Lade and Thornton

-Lady Thornton's races-Tattersall and Aldridge

69

CHAPTER XXXV.

Cock-fighting-Its illegality-Public recognition of it-Description of

company at a cock-fight-High stakes-Bull-baiting-Debate thereon

in the House of Commons-Prize-fighting-Famous pugilists-George

IV. as a patron of the Ring-Attempts to put down prize-fighting-

Female physical education-Cudgel-playing, and other sports

82