A Weekly Paper, intituled "The Dutch Prophet," was published at the commencement of the Century. The Author, in one of those, gives the outlines of each day in the week as employed by different persons; it is a filthy publication, and the following is almost the only decent part. "Wednesday, several Shop-keepers near St. Paul's will rise before six, be upon their knees at chapel a little after; promise God Almighty to live soberly and righteously before seven; take half a pint of Sack and a dash of Gentian before eight; tell fifty lies behind their counters by nine; and spend the rest of the morning over Tea and Tobacco at Child's Coffee-house."
"Sunday, a world of women, with green aprons, get on their pattens after eight; reach Brewers-hall and White-hart court by nine; are ready to burst with the Spirit a minute or two after, and delivered of it by ten. Much sighing at Salters-hall about the same hour; great frowning at St. Paul's while the service is singing, tolerable attention to the Sermon, but no respect shewn at all to the Sacrament," &c. &c.
These extracts inform us that Tradesmen were in the habit of attending Matins, which is certainly not the case at present; that they breakfasted upon sack and the root Gentian, and drank tea and chewed tobacco at the Coffee-house. Mark the change of 100 years: they now breakfast upon tea, and never chew tobacco; nor do many of them enter the Coffee-house once in a year.
The Halls of the different Companies appear to have been used at the above period for almost every public purpose, but particularly for the sighings of grace and over-righteousness, and to reverberate in thrice dissonant thunder the voices of the Elect, who saved themselves, and dealt eternal misery to all around them. Here again is a change: I believe not one Hall is now used for such purposes. The Cathedral service is admired, the Sermon neglected, and the Sacrament received with awe and devotion.
The effect of the Queen's proclamation against Vice and Debauchery in 1703 is thus noticed by Observator in his 92d number; some of the customs of the lower classes may be collected from the quotation. He says, the Vintners and their wives were particularly affected by it, some of the latter of which "had the profit of the Sunday's claret, to buy them pins, and to enable them every now and then to take a turn with the Wine-merchant's eldest 'prentice to Cupid's[231:A] garden, or on-board the Polly[231:B]. The Whetters are very much disobliged at this Proclamation, who used on Sundays to meet on their parade at the Quaker's meeting-house, in Gracechurch-street, and adjourn from thence through the Tavern back-door to take a whet of white and wormwood, and to eat a bit of the Cook-maid's dumpling, and then home to their dinner with their dear spouses, and afterwards return to the Tavern to take a flask or two for digestion. They tell me, all the Cake-houses at Islington, Stepney, and the suburbane villages, have hung their signs in mourning: every little kennel of debauchery is quite dismantled by this Proclamation; and the beaux who sit at home on Sundays, and play at piquet and back-gammon, are under dreadful apprehension of a thundering prohibition of stage-playing."
The Grand Jury, impanneled July 7, 1703, renewed their presentment against the Play-houses, Bartholomew-fair, &c. and clearly demonstrated that the elasticity of Vice had recovered from its temporary depression by the weight of Justice. Upon this presentment, Heraclitus Ridens made the following observations, which will point out a new scene in the customs of the Londoners:
"Earnest. But the Grand Jury tell you, in their presentment, that the toleration of these houses corrupts the City youth, makes them dissolute and immoral, and entices them to take lewd courses.
"Jest. I am sorry to hear the Citizens' instructions bear so little weight with them, and am apt to think they are not so exemplary in their lives and conversations as they have been supposed to be. Would their masters keep a strict hand over them, there would be no reasons for complaints; and I dare be persuaded, there is more debauchery occasioned by pretending to eat Custards towards Hampstead, Islington, and Sir George Whitmore's[232:A], in a week, than is possible to be brought about by a Playhouse in a twelvemonth."
The reader of this work who has visited St. Paul's or Westminster-abbey within the present Century, will subscribe to the faithful representation of the manners of a certain class of Citizens, that seem to have survived the usual period of life, or have scrupulously transmitted them to their posterity, in a dialogue between Jest and Earnest, 1703[233:A].
"Jest. Certainly you have never been at St. Paul's. The flux of people there would cause you to make use of your handkerchief; and the largest Meeting-house in London bears no proportion to it.
"Earnest. And what should I do there, where men go out of curiosity and interest, not for the sake of religion? Your shop-keepers assemble there as at full 'Change, and the buyers and sellers are far from being cast out of the Temple. The body of the Church every Lord's-day contains three times the number of the choir; and when the organ has done playing an adieu to devotion, the greatest part of the audience give you their room rather than their company."
If an advertisement frequently published about this time may be credited, Dram-drinking prevailed rather more than a sound moralist would have approved of. Mr. Baker, a bookseller at Mercers Chapel, offered his Nectar and Ambrosia, "prepared from the richest spices, herbs, and flowers, and done with right French Brandy;" and declares that, "when originally invented, it was designed only for ladies' closets, to entertain visitors with, and for gentlemen's private drinking, being much used that way;" but, becoming more common, he then offered it in two-penny dram glasses, which were sold, inclosed in gilt frames, by the gallon, quart, or two-shilling bottles.
One of the customs of the Police of 1708, was the sending a Constable through the streets at night, with proper assistants, to apprehend offenders of all descriptions, but particularly idle men, who were immediately dispatched to the receptacles of this species of recruits for her Majesty's service; but it was a hazardous employment; and one of those peace-officers, named Dent, lost his life in endeavouring to convey a woman to Covent-garden watch-house, by the cuts and stabs of three soldiers, who were all seized, and committed to Newgate. The above Mr. John Dent was buried at St. Clement's Danes, March 24, 1708-9, when a Sermon was pronounced by Thomas Bray, D. D. Minister of St. Botolph, Aldgate, and afterwards published under the title of "The good Fight of Faith, in the cause of God, against the Kingdom of Satan," by desire of the Justices and the Societies for the Reformation of Manners, who were present at the solemnity.
Mrs. Crackenthorpe, the Female Tatler of 1709, justly reprehends the practice of pew-opening for money during Divine service; and thus describes "A set of gentlemen that are called Sermon-tasters: They peep in at 20 different churches in a service, which gives disturbance to those united in devotion; where, instead of attention, they stare about, make some ridiculous observations, and are gone." And the same lady informs us that the fashionable young men were quite as much at a loss how to kill time as those of the present day; they played at quoits, nine-pins, threw at cocks, wrestled, and rowed upon the Thames. Nor were ridiculous wagers unknown: they betted upon the Walking Dutchman; and Mrs. C. adds, that "four worthy Senators lately threw their hats into a river, laid a crown each whose hat should swim first to the mill, and ran hallooing after them; and he that won the prize was in a greater rapture than if he had carried the most dangerous point in Parliament."
To this voluble Tatler I am indebted for an illustration of the manners of the male shopmen of 1709; and I will consent to be accounted an ignoramus if it can be proved that the shopmen of 1809 are not an improved race. "This afternoon some ladies, having an opinion of my fancy in clothes, desired me to accompany them to Ludgate-hill, which I take to be as agreeable an amusement as a lady can pass away three or four hours in. The shops are perfect gilded theatres, the variety of wrought silks so many changes of fine scenes, and the Mercers are the performers in the Opera; and, instead of vivitur ingenio, you have in gold capitals, 'No trust by retail.' They are the sweetest, fairest, nicest, dished-out creatures; and, by their elegant address and soft speeches, you would guess them to be Italians. As people glance within their doors, they salute them with—Garden-silks, ladies Italian silks, brocades, tissues, cloth of silver, or cloth of gold, very fine mantua silks, any right Geneva velvet, English velvet, velvet embossed. And to the meaner sort—Fine thread satins both striped and plain, fine mohair silk, satinnets, burdets, Persianets, Norwich crapes, anterines, silks for hoods and scarves, hair camlets, druggets, or sagathies, gentlemen's night-gowns ready made, shallons, durances, and right Scotch plaids.
"We went into a shop which had three partners: two of them were to flourish out their silks; and, after an obliging smile and a pretty mouth made, Cicero like, to expatiate on their goodness; and the other's sole business was to be gentleman usher of the shop, to stand completely dressed at the door, bow to all the coaches that pass by, and hand ladies out and in.
"We saw abundance of gay fancies, fit for Sea-captains' wives, Sheriffs' feasts, and Taunton-dean ladies. This, Madam, is wonderful charming. This, Madam, is so diverting a silk. This, Madam—my stars! how cool it looks! But this, Madam—ye Gods! would I had 10,000 yards of it! Then gathers up a sleeve, and places it to our shoulders. It suits your Ladyship's face wonderfully well. When we had pleased ourselves, and bid him ten shillings a-yard for what he asked fifteen; 'Fan me, ye winds, your Ladyship rallies me! Should I part with it at such a price, the Weavers would rise upon the very shop. Was you at the Park last night, Madam? Your ladyship shall abate me sixpence. Have you read the Tatler to-day?' &c.
"These fellows are positively the greatest fops in the Kingdom; they have their toilets and their fine night-gowns; their chocolate in the morning, and their green tea two hours after; turkey-polts for their dinner; and their perfumes, washes, and clean linen, equip them for the Parade."
It is not improbable that many of those effeminate drivelers composed part at least of the various Clubs held at different Taverns: the Beaux was an attractive title for them; and if they were not Virtuoso's, the Beefsteak had irresistible charms; besides, they had the choice of many others, such as the Kit-cat, Knights of the Golden-fleece, Florists, Quacks, &c. &c. which were supplied by no less than fifty-five newspapers weekly.
The Fashionables of 1709 dined by candle-light, and visited on Sundays; and their footmen announced them in the same ridiculous manner upon the doors of their friends as at present. A quotation from the Tatler will confirm this assertion: "A very odd fellow visited me to-day at my lodgings, and desired encouragement and recommendation from me for a new invention of knockers to doors, which he told me he had made, and professed to teach rustic servants the use of them. I desired him to shew me an experiment of this invention; upon which he fixed one of his knockers to my parlour-door. He then gave me a complete set of knocks, from the solitary rap of the dun and beggar, to the thunderings of the saucy footmen of quality, with several flourishes and rattlings never yet performed. He likewise played over some private notes, distinguishing the familiar friend or relation from the most modish visitor, and directing when the reserve candles are to be lighted. He has several other curiosities in this art. He waits only to receive my approbation of the main design. He is now ready to practise to such as shall apply themselves to him; but I have put off his public licence till next Court-day.
"N. B. He teaches under ground."
It appears from the lucubrations of Mr. Bickerstaff, that the idea of obtaining a wife by advertisement was not unknown in 1710; there is a specimen in the Tatler of September 23. It will be remembered that the hint has been pretty well improved upon.
There was a paper published in 1711, called The Growler. True to the assumed character, this modern Diogenes snarled at the vices and follies of the day. One of his subjects was the Mercers, who are thus introduced: "Alas! a handsome young Mercer cannot carry on his business with any reputation without an embroidered coat to stand at the shop-door in, instead of a sign or a footman in a laced livery, to invite in his customers."
The Tatler of May 1, 1711, speaks of the strange infatuation then and at present prevalent, of walking in the Park during the Spring. He says that "No frost, snow, nor East wind, can hinder a large set of people from going to the Park in February; no dust, nor heat in June. And this is come to such an intrepid regularity, that those agreeable creatures that would shriek at an hind-wheel in a deep gutter, are not afraid in their proper sphere of the disorder and danger of seven rings."
Perfumes scented the air, and rendered the paths of fashion delightful and inviting, long before the period at which I date my review. The votaries of this fickle Goddess distributed their money so liberally amongst the inventors and combiners of sweets, that they had become very conspicuous persons by the reign of Queen Anne; as Mr. Charles Lillie will serve to prove, who had the good fortune to be celebrated by Sir Richard Steele in his Tatlers, and by the authors of the original numbers of the Spectator. But, that this gentleman may not monopolize all the fame of his day, I shall proceed to exhibit the flowing periods of another retailer of essences, who points out in which way they were generally used by the belles and beaux of the time. "Incomparable perfuming drops for handkerchiefs, and all other linen, clothes, gloves, &c. being the most excellent for that purpose in the Universe; for they stain nothing that is perfumed with them any more than fair water; but are the most delectable, fragrant, and odoriferous perfume in nature, good against all diseases of the head and brain. By their delicious smell, they comfort, revive, and refresh all the senses, natural, vital, and animal, enliven the spirits, cheer the heart, and drive away melancholy; they also perfume rooms, beds, presses, drawers, boxes, &c. making them smell surprizingly fine and odoriferous. They perfume the hands excellently, are an extraordinary scent for the pocket, and, in short, are so exceeding pleasant and delightful, so admirably curious and delicate, and of such general use, that nothing in the world can compare with them. Sold only at Mr. Payn's Toy-shop, at the Angel and Crown in St. Paul's Church-yard, near Cheapside, at 2s. 6d. a bottle, with directions."
One of the most inconsiderate and provoking customs prevalent in the lower classes of the community was the peal rattled in the ears of a new-married pair on the morning after their nuptials. The Spectator mentions drums on such occasions; those, though they were continued till within these very few years, are not now used; and I believe the practice is confined to the procession of Butchers' men and boys, who ring their discordant cleavers with leg-bones of oxen in a sort of chime, which may be prevented by a few pence, and is always a day-light operation.
Another of the customs of the Londoners is thus accidentally noticed in the British Mercury, October 1712, "who plied there to be hired, like Chimney-sweepers, at Cheapside Conduit."
The Peace of 1713 gave great satisfaction to the Citizens; and the Proclamation of it was honoured with the usual State ceremonies, the responses of shouts and bonfires, and with general illuminations. Although many eccentric methods may have been taken by individuals to express their joy, one only of those has been recorded, which was the thought of the keeper of the Spread Eagle Inn, in Gracechurch-street, who advertized one shilling tickets for a Peace Pudding, nine feet in length, twenty inches in breadth, and six inches deep.
The ingenuity of Mr. Winstanley, exhibited at his Winter Theatre by his widow on the same occasion, may be worthy notice. That lady advertised, as a specimen of their skill in Hydraulicks, "six sorts of wine and brandy coming out of the famous barrel, to drink the Queen's health, and Peace. Being enlarged, there will be an addition of claret, pale ale, and stout, playing out of the head of the barrel when it is in the pully, and water at the same time, &c. &c."
"A Coach-maker, of Long-acre, actuated by mistaken zeal, provided the effigies of Dr. Burges, just then deceased, which he placed in an old chariot, with a pipe in the mouth, and two tapers before him. Thus represented, as if in his pulpit, he gave the whole to the mob to burn, which they did in due time, much to his shame."
The tenth number of the Lover, published March 18, 1714, treats on the absurdity of filling the best rooms of the houses of fashionable females with china. The author says, that the venders of articles of this description usually bartered them for rejected clothing, a custom now faintly discernible amongst certain Jews, who exchange with servants glass, earthen-ware, and a little china, for old clothes. Mr. Addison, who wrote the paper, adds, that he remembered when the largest article of china was a coffee-cup; but that it had then swelled to vases as large as a half-hogshead, and that those useless jars were accompanied by a variety of absurd representations, arranged, I suppose, in cupboards and on mantle-pieces, as the reader may have seen in some old-fashioned apartments of the present day: indeed, I believe some of the jars may be found in corners yet; but it would perhaps puzzle the owners to designate their use, or to prove in what respect they are even ornamental.
The year 1714 gave rise to the practice of a contrariety of customs. The Queen died, and the Nation outwardly mourned in black habits. Custom was thus complied with in relation to Death. But the joyful entry of George the First required the gayest apparel and the appearance of happiness. Surely the publick must have been puzzled how to express these opposite feelings; to-day all grief and sables, to-morrow all splendour, laces, scarlet, gold, and jewels; and the third, a recurrence to mourning.
As the public entry of this King undoubtedly secured the succession in the Protestant line, I shall be diffuse upon the ceremonies attending it; and those will be best explained by the ensuing original orders, published by the Earl of Suffolk.
"A Ceremonial for the Reception of his most sacred Majesty George, by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, &c. upon his arrival from Holland to his Kingdom of Great Britain.
"The King being arrived at Greenwich, and the day fixed for his Majesty's Royal Entry; public notice thereof is to be given by the Lord Marshal of the times and places where the Nobility, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens of London, &c. are to meet, in order to attend his Majesty. And some of the Officers of Arms, being appointed by the Lord Marshal, to go to Greenwich early that morning, to rank the coaches of the Great Officers, the Nobility, and others, in order, the juniors first, which are to assemble by ten of the clock in the morning in the Park there, in order to precede the King's coach: And notice being given to the Officers of Arms when his Majesty is ready to set out: His Majesty, preceded as aforesaid, and attended by his guard du corps, is to proceed from thence in his coach towards London, in the following order; viz.
Four of the Knight Marshal's Men on
Horseback.
Coaches[244:A] of Esquires with six horses each.
Baronets of Ireland, Nova Scotia, and
Great Britain.
The King's Solicitor. The King's Attorney.
Younger Sons of Barons of Ireland and
Great Britain.
Younger Sons of Viscounts of Ireland and
Great Britain.
| Barons of the Exchequer and Justices of both Benches |
|
according to their Seniority. |
Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas
(may go as a Baron.)
| Master of the Rolls, Lord Chief Justice of the King's-bench, |
|
may go as Privy Counsellors. |
Privy Counsellors not Peers.
Eldest Sons of Barons of Ireland and
Great Britain.
Younger Sons of Earls of Ireland and
Great Britain.
Eldest Sons of Viscounts of Ireland and
Great Britain.
The Speaker of the House of Commons.
Barons of Ireland and Great Britain.
Bishops of England.
Younger Sons of Marquisses.
Eldest Sons of Earls of Ireland and Great Britain.
Viscounts of Ireland and Great Britain.
Younger Sons of Dukes of Great Britain.
Eldest Sons of Marquisses of Great Britain.
Earls of Ireland and Great Britain.
Earl Poulet Lord Steward of the King's Household.
Earl of Suffolk and Bindon, as exercising the
Office of Earl Marshal of England.
Eldest Sons of Dukes of Great Britain.
Marquisses of Great Britain.
Marquis of Lindsey, Lord Great Chamberlain
of England.
Dukes of Ireland and Great Britain.
The Lord Chamberlain (who appears as Treasurer.)
The Great Officers, viz.
The Lord Privy Seal.
The Lord President of the Council.
The Lord High Treasurer.
The Lord Archbishop of York.
Lord Chancellor.
Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.
His Royal Highness the Prince, (if not in the
Coach with his Majesty.)
The KING's Majesty in his Coach.
The King's Guards of Horse, commanded by
the Captains of the Guards.
In this manner his Majesty, preceded by the Nobility and others in their Coaches as aforesaid, is to be attended from the Queen's House in the Park through Greenwich and Deptford to Kent-street end, and from thence to St. Margaret's-hill in Southwark, where the Lord Mayor of London and others wait his arrival.
And upon notice that the Nobility, &c. are arrived near to St. Margaret's-hill in their coaches, the Officers of Arms are to begin to draw out the grand proceeding, in the following order; viz.
A detachment of the Artillery Company
in buff-coats, &c.
The two City Marshals on Horseback, with their
men on foot to make way.
Two of the City Trumpets on horseback.
The Sheriffs' Officers on foot, with javelins in
their hands.
The Lord Mayor's Officers in black gowns, on
foot, two and two.
Two more of the City Trumpets on horseback.
The City Banner borne by the Water-bailiff on horseback, with a servant on foot in a coloured livery.
Then the City Officers on horseback, in their proper gowns, each attended by a servant on foot in coloured liveries.
The four Attorneys, two and two.
The Solicitor, and the Remembrancer.
The two Secondaries.
The Comptroller.
The four Common Pleaders.
The two Judges.
The Town-clerk.
The Common Serjeant, and the Chamberlain.
Two more of the City Trumpets on horseback.
The King's Banner, borne by the Common Hunt on horseback, with a servant on foot in a coloured livery.
The Common Cryer in his gown, and the City Sword-bearer in his black damask gown and gold chain, both on horseback, each having a servant on foot in coloured liveries.
Then those who have fined for Sheriff or Alderman, or served the office of Sheriff or Alderman, in scarlet gowns on horseback, according to their seniorities, two and two, the juniors first, each attended by two servants on foot in coloured liveries.
The two Sheriffs in scarlet gowns on horseback, with their gold chains, and their white staves in their hands, each attended by two servants on foot in coloured liveries.
The Aldermen below the Chair on horseback in scarlet gowns, two and two, each attended by his beadle and two servants on foot in coloured liveries.
Then the Recorder in a scarlet gown on horseback, attended by two servants on foot.
Then the Aldermen above the Chair in scarlet gowns, on horseback, wearing their gold chains, attended by their beadles, and two servants each, in coloured liveries.
Then the coaches of the Nobility, Great Officers, &c. in the order they come from Greenwich.
The Knight Marshal's Men on horseback,
two and two.
The Knight Marshal, or his Deputy, on horseback.
The King's Kettle-drums.
The Drum-major.
The King's Trumpets, two and two.
| Serjeants at Arms with their Maces, bare-headed. |
|
Serjeants at Arms with their Maces, bare-headed. |
The PRINCE in his Coach.
| Gentleman Usher of the Black-rod, on his left-hand, uncovered. | The Lord-mayor of London in his Crimson Velvet Gown on horseback, wearing his rich collar and jewel, uncovered, bearing the City-sword by his Majesty's permission, with only four servants on foot, bareheaded, in coloured liveries. | Garter King of Arms, or his Deputy, on the right hand, uncovered. |
| Yeomen of the guard, Footmen, Equerries. |
The KING in his Coach. | Yeomen of the guard, Footmen, Equerries. |
His Majesty's Horse-guards as before,
to close the proceeding.
Thus the KING is to pass from St. Margaret's-hill (after the Recorder has made his speech, and the Lord Mayor received the City sword from his Majesty) to his Royal-palace of St. James's.
The Trained-bands of Southwark, by order of the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, are to line the way from Kent-street end, to the foot of London-bridge.
Three regiments of the City Trained-bands are to make a guard from the Bridge to the Stocks-market.
The several Companies of London, with their Ensigns, are to line the streets on both sides, from the Stocks-market to St. Paul's Church-yard; at the East-end whereof, the Children of Christ's-hospital are to stand, and one of the King's boys makes a speech to his Majesty.
And the other three regiments of the City Trained-bands are to guard the way from St. Paul's Church-yard to Temple-bar. From Temple-bar, the Steward, High-bailiff, and Burgesses of Westminster, in their gowns, attended by all the Constables and Beadles with their respective staves: and the High-bailiff's officers, with their ensigns of office, are to line the way: and next to them the Militia of Westminster make a guard, leaving a space between them and his Majesty's Foot-guards (who line the way from St. James's into the Strand) for the Artillery-company to draw up in.
Against St. Alban's-street in the Pall-mall, the Sheriffs' officers and Lord Mayor's officers are to make a stand on the right-hand.
Those who have served, or fined for Sheriffs or Aldermen of London, are to make their stand between the passages into St. James's-square.
The Sheriffs and Aldermen make their stand towards the upper-end of the Pall-mall, on the right-hand leading to St. James's-gate.
The Nobility, and others who go in their coaches, are to alight at St. James's-gate; and the coaches to pass by St. James's Meuse into St. James's-park, and go out again at the upper gate by Hyde-park.
The Knight-marshal's men, kettle-drums, trumpets, and serjeant-trumpet, are to make a stand on the right-hand side from the end of the Pall-mall, by the Gloucester-tavern.
The Officers of arms and Serjeants at arms are to pass on to the second gate-way, and there alight.
The Lord-mayor, with Garter, and the Gentleman-usher of the Black-rod, are to attend his Majesty into St. James's, to the foot of the stairs leading up to the Guard-chamber; where they alight, and the Lord Mayor humbly takes his leave of his Majesty.
During the whole proceeding from St. Margaret's-hill, the Conduits at Stocks-market and other parts of the City are to run with wine as usual. And the great guns at the Tower are to be twice discharged: first, at his Majesty's taking coach at Greenwich; and secondly, after his passing over London-bridge. And at his Majesty's arrival at his Royal Palace, the foot-guards in the Park fire three volleys, and the cannon in the Park are to be discharged."
Such was the eagerness evinced on this occasion, that seats were erected in every situation where it was possible the King could be seen, and the balconies in Cheapside, Cornhill, &c. were let for 20 and 30 guineas each. It must, however, be acknowledged to have been a superb spectacle, to grace which the publick provided prudently and amply. Coaches, carts, &c. were forbid to enter the streets, and those were lined by six regiments of Trained bands; the Conduits ran with wine; the Charity-children, assembled on a vast range of seats, sung Hymns; the Livery Companies exhibited their persons and costume; and a number of aged gentlemen, whose hairs were silvered by time, determined to invite others to join them in white camblet cloaks, and seated on white horses to form part of the procession; but some unforeseen obstacles intervening, they were compelled to substitute a stand at the East-end of St. Paul's, erected over another appointed for a boy from Christ's-hospital to pronounce an oration to the King, where a considerable number appeared to shew their loyalty.—One of the newspapers of the day observes, that the weather was uncommonly fine, and that the cavalcade of the procession and volunteers reached from Greenwich to St. Paul's. Exclusive of the usual evening demonstrations of joy, a fire-work was exhibited in St. Paul's church-yard, representing two flaming dragons on one side, and on the other the Crown accompanied by the motto, "Floreat Civitas." Cockades of ribband, and ribbands decorated with mottos and devices in gold and silver, were very generally worn on this occasion, and at the subsequent Coronation; previous to which, the Envoys of Sicily and Venice had a warm dispute on precedency in the box prepared for the Ambassadors in Westminster-hall; this the Marshal of the Ceremonies adroitly parried, by declaring all precedency ceased in the box. Every description of utensils and table-linen were purloined from Westminster-hall, as at the preceding Coronation.
Dreadful accidents occurred during the procession, by the fall of over-loaded scaffolds in Old Palace-yard and the Broad Sanctuary: nineteen persons were killed and wounded, amongst whom was Lady Burton, far advanced in pregnancy; this unhappy lady died in a few minutes. Every recompence was made to the survivors, by the King's orders, that pecuniary assistance could afford.
The King soon after witnessed the Lord Mayor's annual ceremony from Mr. Taylor's balcony in Cheapside. This gentleman was a Quaker and a Linen-draper, to whom the Monarch offered the honour of Knighthood in return for his civility; but the wary Friend declined the tempting bait, which would have procured him the less acceptable ceremony of being read out of Meeting.
The Proprietors of Sion gardens advertised the following singular method of selling deer from their park, in May 1715. They appointed the afternoons of Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, for killing those animals; when the publick were admitted at one shilling each to see the operation, or they might purchase tickets from four to ten shillings, which entitled them, I suppose by way of Lottery, to different parts of the beast, as they say the quantity killed was to be divided into sixteen lots, and the first choice to be governed by the numbers on the tickets; a ten shilling ticket was entitled to a fillet; eight a shoulder; seven a loin, &c. If the full price of the Deer was not received on a given day, the keeper held the money till that sum was obtained. They offered to sell whole deer, and to purchase as many as might be offered.
A singular wedding occurred in November 1715, secundum usum Tremulorum, between a rich Quaker Apothecary, and a daughter of Daniel Quare, the celebrated watch-maker in Exchange-alley. The place of entertainment was Skinners-hall, "where 300 persons were present, amongst whom was the Duchess of Marlborough, &c. The Princess of Wales was invited, but did not go."
However unpleasant the yells of Barrow-women are at present, no other mischief arises from them than the obstruction of the ways. It was far otherwise before 1716, when they generally carried Dice with them, and children were enticed to throw for fruit and nuts, or indeed any persons of more advanced age. However, in the year just mentioned, the pernicious consequences of the practice beginning to be felt, the Lord Mayor issued an order to apprehend all retailers so offending, which speedily put an end to street-gaming; though, I am sorry to observe, that some miscreants now carry little wheels marked with numbers, which being turned govern the chance by the figure a hand in the centre points to when stopped.
The first notice of coloured lamps for illuminations that I have met with is in the year 1716, when Dr. Chamberlain displayed 200 on the front of his house in Surrey-street, in honour of the King's birth-day.
The same year produced the annual rowing-match by six young watermen who have just completed their apprenticeship, which was founded by Mr. Doggett, the Comedian, who left a certain sum in trust for the purchase of the prize, an orange-coloured coat with a silver badge, representing the Hanoverian horse, as I take it; but the papers of the day will have it to represent the wild unbridled horse Liberty.
The reader will find in the following advertisement a singular method of invitation to a public-house and gardens; and I think he will agree with me, that this custom of our predecessors is better honoured in the breach than in the observance.
"Sion Chapel, at Hampstead, being a private and pleasant place, many persons of the best fashion have been lately married there. Now, as a Minister is obliged constantly to attend, this is to give notice, that all persons, upon bringing a licence, and who shall have their wedding-dinner at the house in the gardens, may be married in the said Chapel without giving any fee or reward; and such as do not keep their wedding at the gardens, only five shillings will be demanded of them for all fees."
A grand aquatic procession occurred in July 1717. The King, accompanied by the Dutchess of Newcastle, Lady Godolphin, Madam Kilmanseck and the Earl of Orkney, went in the evening in an open barge to Chelsea. As they floated up the tide, surrounded by thousands of boats, fifty performers in a City-barge serenaded his Majesty with the strains of Handel, composed expressly for this occasion, with which he was so enraptured that they were thrice repeated. At eleven o'clock the boats had reached Chelsea; there the Monarch landed, and, proceeding to the mansion of Lady Catharine Jones[257:A] he supped, was entertained by a concert, and returned at two in the morning. The Princess of Wales frequently hired the common watermen, and glided about the same part of the river; and once honoured a West-country barge with a visit, partaking with the men their homely fare of salt-pork and bread, and distributing a tenfold equivalent of guineas. This honour was so acceptable to the Master of the vessel, that he immediately gave her a Royal title, and expended great part of the money in purchasing a splendid cockade as a distinguishing vane for his head, vowing to renew it when decayed.
Such were the happier moments of Royalty! Thanks to our Constitution, happiness reigns in gradations from the Throne to the Cottage; and while George I. solaced in his Gondola, fanned by the evening breeze, and lulled by the sweet notes of Handel, his peasants were celebrating their Florists' feast at Bethnal-green, with a Carnation named after him, the King of the Year; the Stewards bearing gilded staves, crowned with laurel, and bedecked with flowers, and 90 cultivators in their rear, each bearing his blooming trophy, traversed the fields to the sound of musick, happy in themselves, and rendering the numerous spectators not less so. Why is this pleasing custom neglected and forgotten?
It would have been well if the Society for the Reformation of Manners had attempted the reform of a class of people whose manners were extremely provoking and very disgusting.
I beg leave to introduce a paragraph from the Medley of May 16, which will explain my meaning, and support my assertion, that in this particular the watermen of our day are greatly improved, though still very rough in their actions and conversation.
"On Monday last, being the day King George set out for Hanover, several of his lower domesticks went before; and while they were upon the Thames, a brisk bold lass, that was perfectly well versed in water-language, gave them several plaguy broadsides; certain it is, she made use of several odd, comical, out-of-the-way expressions, at which, though at the same time they were heartily vexed, they could not forbear laughing. The phrases she made use of should be repeated here, but only they were of such a rude nature, that, though they did not fall under the cognizance of the law by water, yet they would be perfectly punishable by land; and I question whether if they would not even be deemed treasonable. The Thames seems to have a charter for rudeness; and the sons of Triton and Neptune have not only a freedom of, but a licence for, any sort of speech. The privilege, by being so antient, is grown incontestible; and scandal there is as it were a law by prescription. Crowned heads in former times did not go scot-free, and yet no punishment ensued; so that Majesty then seemed, by conniving in silence at the abuse, to give the Royal assent to those rough water-laws. Several bitter jests were cast on our good Queen Catharine; and people told her Majesty merrily of the several children King Charles had by his concubines, and made it a matter of ludicrous wonder and surprize, that the constant bedfellow of so mettlesome a Prince should not give the world one token of their mutual love."
Such were the manners of watermen; and, without doubt, their passengers frequently bore a part in the low amusement of abuse. Mr. Mist, well known as one of the heroes of the Dunciad, enables me to shew those of some of the landsmen of the same period. He introduces them in very good advice to parents and masters previous to the holidays of May; and observes, that many coaches were in a state of requisition for the conveyance of journeymen, apprentices, and their masters' daughters, to the churches of St. Pancras and Mary-le-bon, for private marriage.
He conjures all sober honest tradesmen who love their wives to walk abroad with them and their children. "And whereas Mr. Mist has been informed, that in holiday times divers persons of distinction and figure transform themselves into the shapes of journeymen, apprentices, and other mechanical habits, to trepan young wenches out of their modesty; he therefore requires of all viceroys and governors of families to give the strictest orders for their female children and servants to repair to their respective habitations before candle-light.
"All journeymen Drapers, Mercers, Lawyers-clerks, and other ten or twelve-shilling workmen, are strictly forbid to cause riots and routs in the streets concerning precedency, as they return from their carouses in the night-time.
"N. B. Bullies and Gamesters, who have an indisputable right to make disturbances every night in the year, are not meant in this article.
"Journeymen Shoemakers are desired to take notice, that by an antient statute, yet unrepealed, any of their function going sober to bed on the night of Whitsun-Monday forfeits 5s.; upon non-payment to be levied by distress, one moiety to the informer, and the other to the poor alehouse-keepers of the Parish where the fact was committed."
The horrid custom of Duelling never was at a greater height than at the above date. The newspapers from 1700 to 1719 appear to have preserved their progression faithfully; every gaming-table, despicable brothel, tavern, coffee-house, masquerade, the theatres, and even festive meetings, produced its duellist; and the universal fashion of wearing swords allowed no time for passion to subside, or reason to reflect; a walk into the street or into an adjoining room, enabled the parties to wound each other in an instant; revenge and pain maddened them; and death frequently ensued to both. Government at length interfered; but duelling has again recovered from temporary interruption!—Doctors Mead and Woodward fought like a pair of butchers, in June 1719, at the very gates of Gresham-college; and every drunken rake who staggered through the streets had it in his power to plunge a sword into an unoffending breast, or to wound where he now dare not strike. Dead bodies were frequently found; and the thief and the duellist seemed emulous which should furnish the Diaries of the time with the greater number of victims. Robberies, attended with monstrous cruelty, were dreadfully frequent; and such was the general profligacy of the age, that the paragraph-writers endeavoured to convey horrid facts with a levity of expression suited to the coarseness of their style, which was truly vulgar throughout all the newspapers. Let one instance speak for me: "People sicken and die at an uncommon rate in and about this city and suburbs; and there is a sad outcry raised (especially by antient females) of a plague, pestilence, and what not, which has occasioned abundance of people to leave the town, and fly to the countries for refuge, whilst horse and foot physicians, mountebanks, dead-mongers, parish-clerks, and other lesser ministers of dust and ashes, are continually in motion in one part or other to perform their several offices; and we hear that in some parishes the sexton or grave-digger can afford to employ two or three journeymen."
Original Weekly Journal, May 22, 1719.
It must, however, be allowed that frequent attempts were made to resist the progress of vice, and many of the Justices concurred in warning the people of the illegality of their conduct; ten of them, at a special Session held for the division of the Tower, in pursuance of an order made at the General Quarter Sessions for Middlesex, on the 19th of January 1719, for putting in execution the Statute of 33 Henry VIII. Cap. 9, directed authentic copies of the order to be given to all victuallers, &c. whom it concerned, and also to be affixed in all public places within that Division; "That none shall keep or maintain any house or place of unlawful games, on pain of 40s. for every day, of forfeiting their recognizance, and of being suppressed; that none shall use or haunt such places on pain of 6s. 8d. for every offence; and that no artificer, or his journeyman, husbandman, apprentice, labourer, servant at husbandry, mariner, fisherman, waterman, or serving-man, shall play at tables, tennis, dice, cards, bowls, clash, coiting, loggating, or any other unlawful game, out of Christmas, or then out of their master's house or presence, on pain of 20s."
But, though it was sometimes possible to prevent the depravity of the lower order of people, there were others, that moved in the sphere of gentlemen, who set the worst of examples to their inferiors. Such were those that had assembled on the evening of a Court drawing-room at the Royal Chocolate-house in St. James's-street; where disputes at hazard produced a quarrel, which became general throughout the room; and, as they fought with their swords, three gentlemen were mortally wounded; and the affray was at length ended by the interposition of the Royal-guards, who were compelled to knock the parties down with the butt-ends of their muskets indiscriminately, as intreaties and commands were of no avail. A footman of Colonel Cunningham's, greatly attached to his master, rushed through the swords, seized, and literally carried him out by force without injury.
This horrid rencontre was the effect of sudden passion, roused by disappointment and avarice; there was nothing of depravity prepense, except the act of gaming. Weak as this palliative may be, the members of two other clubs had them not to plead for their infamous profligacy. The wretches who associated under the titles of the "Bold Bucks" and the "Hell-fires," are described in a paper of February 20, 1720, as deliberate abandoned villains. "The principles of the first are to come up to the flaming lust of their worthy patrons, from whom they take their denomination, by their examples; they attempt all females of their own species promiscuously—grandmothers and mothers, as well as daughters; even their own sisters fear their violence, and fly their privacies. Blind and bold Love is their motto, and their soul's faculties strictly terminated in a participation of entertainment and judgment with brutes."
"The Hell-fires, you may guess by the appellation, aim at a more transcendant malignity; deriding the forms of Religion as a trifle with them, by a natural progression from the form they turn to the substance; with Lucifer they fly at Divinity. The third person of the Trinity is what they peculiarly attack; by the following specimen you may judge of their good will: i. e. their calling for a Holy Ghost-pye at the Tavern, in which, by the bye, you may still observe the propriety and justice of God's judgment on them, that blasts the advantages of their education, so as to make this shocking stupidity to be the poignancy of their wit, and the life they lead, the sublimity of their genius. Such is their disposition; the next things to be remarked are their education and usual place of conference. Their education then, after the care of tender parents, and their initiation into the liberal arts, is proposed to be finished in an academy; (do not mistake me) not a scholastic schismatical one, but a riding one; where obsceneness, curses, blasphemy, exclamations, with revolving regularity, meet each curvet of the more rational animal. Their usual place of conference in full council, is a diminutive Tavern not very far from thence; where the master and cook may perhaps in time hear something from a Magistrate for striking in with the rakes' blasphemous jests, and supplying them with cards and dice on Sundays."
As a further illustration of the manners of the times, the following paragraph is of importance: "On Wednesday night last, about twelve, there was such a great riot in Windmill-street, near the Haymarket, that near 100 gentlemen and others were all engaged at one time, some with swords, and others with sticks and canes, wherein abundance were dangerously wounded; the watchmen that came to put an end to the affray were knocked down and barbarously used; at last the patrole of Horse-guards came, and finding them obdurate, rode through them cutting all the way with their swords; yet we hear of none that were killed upon the spot, though many, it is thought, cannot recover of their wounds. When they saw their own time, they gave over; and, upon summing up the matter, the quarrel began at first by two chairmen only[266:A]."
On the evening of May 28, Captain Fitzgerald and three young men his companions met a lady in the Strand, returning from St. James's, conveyed in a sedan-chair. They immediately endeavoured to force her out, but were opposed by the chairmen, upon which they drew their swords, and proceeded to demolish the vehicle. The noise brought a watchman to the spot, who instantly received a deadly wound through the back, and as instantly expired. This mighty son of Mars was secured; but the others fled from their foul deed, like true cowards.
It may be supposed that this laxity of manners influenced all ranks, when inroads upon the paths of decorum prevailed even in the Church. In order that this fact may not rest upon my mere assertion, I shall quote the concluding lines of a letter to the Author of the London Journal, dated December 21, 1720, and signed "A. A. a lover of decency and order." He speaks of an impropriety, now become quite common, in the Stewards of the Sons of the Clergy permitting persons from the Theatres to perform in their annual celebration at St. Paul's; and then proceeds: "There are other things truly blameable to be observed, when the Te Deum or Anthem hath been performing, yes, when the parson hath been preaching, (viz.) persons eating, drinking wine, laughing and talking; a conduct much more becoming those who attend the performances of Drury-lane or the Haymarket, than the Temple of the Lord.
"What is here taken notice of, as it is fact, so it is abominable, and ought to be exposed; the doing of which may tend to reform such irregularities for the future, and keep those disorders from the House of God, which cannot admit of a justification unless by those who may think the same liberties may be taken in places set apart for devotion, as are in the Synagogue of Satan."
The progress of the shocking Clubs already noticed became so alarming, that the King found it necessary to issue his proclamation for their suppression, in April 1721, which establishes their existence beyond all dispute.