The Amusements of Old London
Being a Survey of the Sports and Pastimes, Tea Gardens and Parks, Playhouses and Other Diversions of the People of London from the 17th to the Beginning of the 19th Century

This two-volume set published in 1901 shows how entertainment in London changed between Charles II's restoration and Queen Victoria's accession.

William Biggs Boulton (Author)

9781108036283, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 24 November 2011

288 pages, 5 colour illus.
21.6 x 14 x 1.6 cm, 0.37 kg

Little is known about the life of William B. Boulton, who was active as an author in the 1900s. This illustrated two-volume set, published first in 1901 is perhaps the most famous of his works, though he also wrote biographies of Sir Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough. The work examines how popular entertainment in London changed dramatically between the restoration of Charles II and the accession of Queen Victoria. From cock-fights and bear-baiting, tastes turned to less bloodthirsty pursuits, and led to the rise of many leisure activities that are still popular today. Volume 2 looks at the growth in popularity of outdoor pursuits in parks and gardens, fairs, the growth of clubs and coffee-houses, and the refinement of boxing from a crude, bare-knuckle contest into something resembling its modern form.

7. London al fresco: Vauxhall
8. The fairs
9. The prize-ring
10. The parks
11. The clubs and coffee-houses
12. Of sundry diversions
Index.

Subject Areas: British & Irish history [HBJD1]