General Chat

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CORRESPONDING CARDS

Carlsruche Gazette

Reprinted in the Times

January 10 1871

POSTAL-CARDS

Corresponding cards are visibly extending. Besides Germany and Austria-Hungary, where they originated, they have already been introduced into Demark, France, Great Britain, Holland, Portugal, Roumania, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, and the United States. They are about to be adopted in Belgium and Italy.



MATRIMONIAL EXPENSES

Times, November 8 1833

Sir, - Being a stranger in London, and having occasion to visit Doctor’s Commons a few days ago to obtain a marriage – licence, I was immediately attacked by a cad wearing a white apron, who asked me if I wanted a proctor, and upon my answering in the affirmative he took me to one in the back street, who charged me with 3l. 13. 6d., besides 5s. for the clerk, and upon my mentioning the circumstances to a friend, he told me at once that that I had been imposed upon, and charged 1l. 6s. more than any respectable professional man would have charged me, which sum appears goes into some cad’s pocket.

Now, finding I cannot get any redress unless I proceed against this black sheep of his profession in the Ecclesiastical Court, and being obliged to leave town to-morrow, I thought my best plan would be to warn the public against such gross impositions through the medium of your widely circulated journal.





EMMIGRATION FOR PAUPERS

Spectator, April 24 1869

Lord Houghton, on Friday week “ventilated” a very important subject in the Lords. He wishes, in presence of the rapid growth of pauperism, the Government should aid emigration to the colonies, or at all events should appoint a commission to inquire into the subject.

His speech was an able resume of the well-known facts that while labour is redundant here, there are countries where it is scarce; but he failed to anticipate the crushing objections instantly made to the scheme; such as those that Lord Granville, who asked how aid could be granted to English emigrants and refused to Irish, whose friends now paid for them, but who would clutch at any Government money; or how the Colonies were to be induced to take paupers of whom we want to be rid? Or that of Lord Carnarvon, that labour in England was rather locally congested than redundant? Or that of Lord Grey, that if Australia wanted labour, Australia would aid emigration much more effectually than we could.

The truth is, this scheme of aided emigration for paupers is like transportation, an effort to rid, at others’ cost of our own responsibilities. We must extinguish pauperism, not export paupers, and the way we do this is to establish compulsory education throughout the kingdom. Till the people know something, they will neither emigrate nor save.

Fag Ash Lil

LION AND DOG FIGHTING

Sunday Monitor,

July 31 1825

On Friday, Wheeler, the agent of the Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals, waited upon the Lord Mayor to request, in the name of that society, and also at the desire of several individuals of high respectability, not connected with it except in humanity, that his Lordship would prevent Wombwell, the owner of the lion which was to be baited at Warwick, from having any place in Bartholomew fair.Wheeler said that if his Lordship interfered in this manner, the cruel and disgraceful exhibition intended to be made, would be effectually checked, and several poor animals saved from great agony and death.

He had gone to Warwick to endeavour to prevent the fight between the lion Nero and the six dogs, by procuring magisterial interference, but his application for mercy proved in-effectual. That scene of cruelty was over ; but as if the feeling part of the public were not sufficiently shocked and disgusted, the owner of Nero determined to have another exhibition of the same kind, and had matched another noble lion, which he had called “ Wallace, “ in like manner, to be torn at by trained dogs of the most ferocious description.

The Lord Mayor said, he had no power to interfere in the case. He had no authority, which he should take care to use upon the proper occasion.

STREET KEEPERS

Sunday Times,

March 25 1832

The race of Street - Keepers, with their gold-laced coats and hats, are about to be extinguished in their last strong hold – the City. They are to be suspended by a new police force, which is to patrol the streets by day only, to be regulated on the model of the country police. A hundred men have been chosen, and measured for their suits of blue.

Fascinating reading Susan........thank you.

xx

A SOOTY PATRONAGE

Morning Herald

October 28 1825

Astley’s and Coburg Theatres, it seems, are the only ones which admit chimney- sweepers in their working dress; in consequence of which, it is said that those places are sometimes honoured with this kind of sooty patronage to the extent of forty or fifty a night.




Fag Ash Note : Just to remind peeps...these newspaper clippings are taken from an out of print book called News from the Past 1805-1887 which is in my possession. They are not c&p from the internet :-)

Thanks Kitty as long as peeps like them I will continue to add.

RIOTS AND DISTRESSES OF THE COUNTRY

Gentleman’s Magazine

May 1826

Owing to the unparalleled stagnation of trade, and the consequent want of employment in the manufacturing districts of Lancashire and Yorkshire, the greatest distress has for some time prevailed, and apprehensions were long entertained of some serious disturbance. It appears that on the rejection of Mr. Whitmore’s Motion for repealing the corn law, all hopes of amelioration were abandoned.

The unemployment and starving workmen were driven to despair, and they broke out in open riot. Reports of an intended rising had been previously circulated at Blackburn; and on the 24th of April, accounts were received from Accrington, and its vicinity, that a mob, consisting of several thousand men had marched, some armed with pikes and others bludgeons, and a part even with firearms, into the village, and proceeded to the factory of Messrs. Sykes. A party of the First Dragoon Guards, stationed at Blackburn, were immediately despatched; and the met the mob proceeding in the direction of Blackburn; but having no one with them competent to give the necessary orders, they were obliged to let them pass. On arriving at the place of their destination, they found the mob had entered the factory, and entirely destroyed all the power – looms, but had not injured any other property.




8 MURDERS IN 21 DAYS

Gentleman’s Magazine

July 1826

VAN DIEMAN’S LAND.

Van Diemen’s Land papers are full of details of atrocities by the bush-rangers (escaped convicts). The most horrible wretch among them, Jefferies, has been taken: he had committed eight murders in twenty one days; one of them on an infant.

A most readable thread My Lady .................... I trust that there be more to come ?

Fascinating! Keep them coming. Don't you just love the eloquence?

When you're ready ..................... My Lady !

THE SLAVE TRADE

Portland Paper, reprinted in St. James’s Chronicle

July 15 1826

We are informed by a ship-master, who lately arrived here, from Trinity Martinique, that while he was at that port, a French slave ship arrived there, after a long passage, from Africa. The whole number of slaves, when taken on board, consisted of 300, but, owing to shortness of provision, and other circumstances incidental to the traffic, 100 had died before the vessel had arrived.

The remainder were purchased by the commandant of the port, and sent to plantations. Our informant saw these poor wretches on the march. They were entirely naked, and so miserably weak and poor, that it was with difficulty that they could walk. Some of them were placed on mules; all their ribs and other bones could be counted. On asking a Frenchman the cause of their frightful appearance, he received, with a significant gesture “Want for de stomach.”

In the evening of the day of their arrival, a gentleman visited the plantation, and saw a few of them seated, eating sugar – cane; the rest were housed, with the exception of some who were burying one of their number, and, though at some distance, he heard the groans of the dying slave, who was partly covered with earth.





Sorry folks....had an early night for a change only just seen your replies :-)

will add some more later.

A DISGRACEFUL SPECTACLE

Northamptonshire Free Press

Reprinted from Essex and Herts Mercury

March 25 1834

EXECUTION --- SHOCKING ---- SCENE. ---

Yesterday the dreadful sentence of the law was carried into effect, by the execution of the incendiary, Thomas Gee, convicted at the last assizes of setting fire to a wheat stack. The culprit proceeded towards the drop, escorted by the Under Sherriff and his attendants. The Rev. Mr. Drake then offered up a prayer, and the prisoner at this trying moment shook violently. All being prepared, the prisoner ascended the scaffold, but, in consequence of a sudden turn of the head, the rope was moved from it’s proper position, and, when the drop fell, the spectators yelled and hooted in the most frightful manner; the knot of the rope having shifted completely under his chin, and admitted the means of respiration by which his sufferings were dreadfully protracted.

There were, it is supposed, 5000, persons present, many of whom testified their horror by violent gestures and exclamations. Immediately after the drop fell the wretched culprit’s knees clung to the woodwork, which were not removed for a short space of time, and during which the yelling of the multitude below was absolutely deafening, while the executioner pulled his legs, amidst the execrations of the people.

Fascinating stuff! What a different world it was!
xxxx Mick

Not always so different Mick :-)

A ROWDY OCCASION

Times, February 7 1839

MASQUERADE. ----

The “last grand masquerade” for the present season, at the English Opera-House, was given at that place on Tuesday night. Nobody will regret that it was the last of the season, and the residents in the immediate neighbourhood will congratulate themselves in getting rid of similar nuisances for some months. The “doings” at the masquerade of Tuesday night and Wednesday morning were not diversified by any incidence beyond such as generally accompany masquerades at the English Opera House.

There were for many hours a tremendous din of voices, and a most discordant braying of trumpets and squealing of violins. The dancing was of the usual vehement character. The shins of all present were in danger of being kicked by the splay-footed activity of the dances. A wretched imitation of the worn out exhibition of Jim Crow was one of the annoyances, and the presence of a certain female ex-publican, surrounded with a group of roysterers, who were attempting to “do a bit” of the “Marquis”, created something beyond a sensation. Fortunately there was no “row” though several persons were attempting to get one up.

There was a mob of persons present, and a collection of all sorts of motley characters outside. The Police kept tolerably good order, but…..what was being done inside the theatre cannot be either instructive or edifying to anyone. Noise, violence, Indecency, and drunkenness, strove for the mastery from 11 o’clock on Tuesday night till 4 in the morning of Wednesday, nor was there a single gleam of real humour, or even tolerable wit, to relieve the vulgar monotony of the scene.



Fag Ash Note: and apart from him……a good time was had by all.

MRS. BATCHEN’S GREAT AGE

Times, March 23 1838

Died at Elgin, Mrs. Batchen at the very advanced age of 107 years. This long-liver dwelt in Elgin from her infancy. She was in the year of the rebellion, 1745, servant to Lady Arradowal, who at that time resided in the house formerly belonging to the Earls of Sunderland, and lately called Batchen’s Hall, a portion of the east wing of which still stands. Prince Charles Stuart, on his way to Culluden, slept in the house, and the subject of the present notice helped to make his bed. She used to relate that her mistress, Lady Arradowal, a staunch jacobite, laid aside the sheets in which the prince haid lain, and gave strict orders that when she died they might be used as her shroud. Mrs. Batchen for a long period enjoyed excellent health, and was at the fish-market a few days before her death.

AN ECCENTRIC PUBLICAN

Gentleman’s Magazine

March 1806

(death ) Suddenly, at his house, the sign of the Load of Hay, near Hampstead, Middlesex, the eccentric Joe Davis, known by the appellation of “The Host of Haverstock Hill.” The publick are well acquainted with the character and eccentricities of this huge man, whose caricature has long figured in the window of most of the print-shops in the metropolis. He used to offer copious libations to Bacchus early in the morning, and continue in a state of intoxication the whole of the day. It was in these happy moments that he amused his company by his eccentricities, clad in a gorgeous court dress. His house was frequented by strangers of all descriptions, whom curiosity led thither; and it was not uncommon to see the carriages of noblemen and gentlemen drawn up at the door, for the visitants to gratify their curiosity with a view of the celebrated host.

He died as he had lived, in the arms of the Jolly God; for, having spent another of his happy days, he at night threw himself prostrate at the bar, and, this being no novelty, remained there, unnoticed, till bedtime, when he was found dead.


Fag Ash Note : More on this and other places of interest can be found at...... http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=22645

MANCHESTER

Courier, reprinted in the Times

August 19 1819


Before 12 o’clock crowds of persons began to assemble, each town or hamlet having a banner, and some a cap, with “Liberty” upon it: each party, as they came through the streets, kept in military order, with sticks shouldered; and to make as much display as possible, did not go to the ground where the meeting was to be held by the nearest route, but marched through the principle streets to the scene of action. By about one o’clock all the persons from the neighbouring townships of Ashton, Royton, Middleton, Saddleworth, Oldham, Bolton, Stockport, Failsworth, Bury, etc. had arrived, and arranged themselves in regular line, and extended the whole breadth of the ground. A banner, with a black ground and large white letters, was brought by the Saddleworth and Mosley mob. On one side was painted “Taxation and no representation is tyrannical and unjust,” and on the reverse “No Bouroughmongering ----Unite and be free---equal representation or Death. On another banner “Die like men, and not be sold like slaves.” On a third “Major Cartwright’s Bill, and no Corn Laws”…..and the figure of a bloody dager, etc. There were on the whole 18 flags and 5 caps of liberty. The Magistrates took their station at a gentleman’s house within the sight of the meeting, and a chain of special constables kept a communication open to the hustings.

It was 20 minutes after 1 o’clock before Hunt appeared on the ground. He came, (preceded by a band of music) in an open carriage; Johnson and some others were with him. A female rode on the box with the driver, bearing a flag with a figure of Justice painted upon it, and the words “ Manchester Female Union.”……Hunt then said “Gentlemen I must entreat you that you will be peaceable; a great deal depends on that, and I trust all who will hear me will remain quiet…..” At this moment several companies of foot soldiers appeared in sight, and presently the Manchester Yeomanry Cavalry galloped down Mosley-Street and having immediately formed their line towards the hustings and after cheers from each party, they made a charge and surrounded the hustings almost in an instant. A kind of battle ensued, but the Yeomanry succeeded in taking Hunt, Johnson, and Saxton into Custody.

The military cleared the streets several times, but the crowd gathering again immediately after the soldiers had quitted the place, and the night approaching fast, the Magistrates saw the necessity of some decisive measures, and therefore , after the Riot Act had been read, the streets were once more cleared, on the crowd re-assembling the soldiers fired right and left, and some of the mob fell; the numbers* of the wounded are not yet ascertained.


* Thirteen persons were killed and about 600 wounded in the Peterloo Massacre—ED.

THE PERFECT SKIRT

Advertisement, The Times

April 21 1864


CRINOLINES----

THE PATENT ONDINA, or Waved Jupon, does away with the unsightly results of ordinary hoops, and so perfect are the wave-like bands that a lady may ascend a steep stair, lean against a table, throw herself into an armchair, pass to her stall at the opera, or occupy a fourth seat in a carriage, without inconvenience to herself or others, or provoking the rude remarks of the observers, besides removing or modifying in an important degree all those peculiarities tending to destroy the modesty of Englishwomen; and lastly, allows the dress to fall into graceful folds.


Fag Ash Note: Sigh!.......Wish we wore them now……wouldn’t get through the door though…..and for those who take the bus…..no chance!

GUNPOWDER OUTRAGE

Times, October 9 1866

This morning, between 5 and 6 0’clock, one of the most fearful outrages which have been committed in this town* for some years was perpetrated upon a house in New Hereford-street, Sheffield, which is occupied by a man named Thomas Fearneyhough. Fearneyhough is a saw grinder, and not a member of the Saw Grinder’s Union.

At about half-past five this morning Fearneyhough and his family were awakened by a loud report resembling the discharge of a piece of artillery, and immediately afterwards their house was shaken as if by an earthquake, and it seemed as if it was falling to pieces. They, of course, immediately rushed out of their beds, and on hastening downstairs they found that the wall of their sitting-room had been blown almost in one huge mass away from the house to the other side of the passage which leads to the yards of several of the houses in the row.

The cause for the whole of this scene of disorder was soon afterwards found by one of the detectives, who, on going into the cellar beneath the sitting-room, discovered a tin can similar to those which are used by workmen for drinking their tea out of. The can it was supposed would hold about a quart. The sides were tightly secured with cords, so as to prevent it from bursting. This can must have been filled with powder, and then dropped into the cellar grating, where it was ignited with a fuse, and left to do it’s deadly work. Fortunately, although there were seven persons in the house, no one was injured.

* Sheffield.

THE CAB LAW OF LONDON

Spectator, February 9 1867

If Lord Belmore would like to “leave his mark” in the Home Office, a thing which nobody of late years has succeeded in doing, let him give Londoners a decent cab.

The prima facie case for reform is, indeed, quite perfect. The cabs, by everybody’s admission, are the worst in the world, badly built, badly fitted, badly horsed. London is the richest of all cities, yet if a woman wishes to drive a mile she must get into a box on wheels, with doors no woman can open from the inside, with seats which ruin her dress, with draughts which give her the face-ache, and with a floor often like that of a badly cleaned stable. This last evil is the worse, because a mat could be easily made which would last for years, yet be cleaned every time the cab returned to the stand.

These cabs are drawn at about five miles an hour by horses often too unfit to work, driven by men who have been taught to look on the public as their natural foes. No rests are provided for the arms, no support for the back, and by a refinement of cruelty no means of communicating with the driver. The passenger in a new bonnet must put her head out in the pouring rain, crane her neck round the intervening space, and shriek out directions for the edification of the street Arabs as well as the driver.