The Old Bailey

The Old Bailey, from Ackermann's Microcosm of London.

Part 3 of my guide to Dukes Prefer Blondes (originally posted at Two Nerdy History Girls).

Several scenes in Dukes Prefer Blondes occur in or around the Old Bailey. Since this area is rather different now from what it was in the early 1800s, I highly recommend the Proceedings of the Old Bailey online, where I researched not only the building and environs, but my criminals and court cases.

“The Old Bailey, also known as Justice Hall, the Sessions House, and the Central Criminal Court, was named after the street in which it was located, just off Newgate Street and next to Newgate Prison, in the western part of the City of London. Over the centuries the building has been periodically remodelled and rebuilt in ways which both reflected and influenced the changing ways trials were carried out and reported.”

You can read more about its evolution here, as well as pinpoint the Sessions House (where trials were held) and Newgate Prison, conveniently located next door.

The color image of an Old Bailey trial is a couple of decades before the time of the story, but according to the website, the “basic design of the courtroom remained the same.”

Here’s an interesting historical detail from the Old Bailey site:

“Before the introduction of gas lighting in the early nineteenth century a mirrored reflector was placed above the bar, in order to reflect light from the windows onto the faces of the accused. This allowed the court to examine their facial expressions assess the validity of their testimony. In addition, a sounding board was placed over their heads in order to amplify their voices.”

Old Bailey scene 1848

By the time of the George Cruikshank illustration in 1848, the gas lights were in and the reflector was gone—although I’d think they could still use the sounding board.

Images: Thomas Rowlandson, “The Old Bailey,” from Ackermann’s Microcosm of London, Vol 2, courtesy Internet Archive.

George Cruikshank, “From the bar of the gin shop to the bar of the Old Bailey it is but one step,” from The Bottle in Eight Plates (1848), Courtesy of The Lewis Walpole Library, Yale University.

Clicking on the image will enlarge it.  Clicking on the caption will take you to the source, where you can learn more and enlarge images as needed.

 

What Is a Hackney Cab?

Part 2 of my guide to Dukes Prefer Blondes (originally posted at Two Nerdy History Girls).

The Last Cab-Driver

My characters in Dukes Prefer Blondes spend time in hackney coaches and hackney cabs. You will often find the terms used interchangeably, as though they were the same thing. However, a hackney cab was quite a different article from a hackney coach. The cab was a two-wheeled, one-horse vehicle. It held only two passengers, and seemed to be generally regarded as a mode of transportation for those who liked to live dangerously. It was called a "coffin cab"  not merely on account of its coffin-like shape.

Leigh’s New Picture of London for 1834 briefly explains the difference here. You can read about them here in Omnibuses and Cabs, Their Origin and History, which includes excerpts from Dickens’s lively descriptions.

1823 Hackney cab

I’ve written a bit more about hackney coaches here, and you can read Dickens’s full version (which originally appeared in Bell’s Life in London in November 1835) here in Sketches by Boz.

Images:
Cruikshank, “The Last Cabdriver", illustration in Sketches by Boz; 1823 cab, from Omnibuses and Cabs.

What Is the Heptaplasiesoptron?

Part 1 of my Guide to Dukes Prefer Blondes

Vauxhall Gardens, which existed 1661-1859, was a famous pleasure garden in Lambeth, on the south bank of the Thames.

While, sadly, I haven’t found any images of the Heptaplasiesoptron yet (still hoping), I have found several descriptions.

From The Gentleman’s Magazine, Vol 131 (1822):

Monday, June 3.  1822
...the principal novelty is of a more expensive kind; it is called in the bills " The Heptaplasiesoptron" and is formed at one extremity of the saloon. It consists of an illuminated area, with revolving pillars, around which are entwined serpents, shaded under the foliage of palm trees. The centre is occupied by a cooling fountain; and looking-glasses, skilfully placed in the back-ground, reflect both the ornamental objects and the spectators with something approaching to magnificence of effect.

From Real Life in London, Or, The Rambles and Adventures of Bob Tallyho, Esq ...
 By Pierce Egan, William Heath, Henry Thomas Alken (1821):

But the grand subject of their admiration was what is rather affectedly called “The Heptaplasiesoptron,” or fancy reflective proscenium, which is placed in the long room fronting the orchestra of the Rotunda. It is entirely lined with looking glass, and has in all probability originated in the curious effect produced by the kaleidoscope, and the looking glass curtains lately exhibited at our theatres. This splendid exhibition is fitted up with ornamented draperies, and presents a fountain of real water illuminated, revolving pillars, palm trees, serpents, foliage, and variegated lamps; and the mirrors are so placed as to reflect each object seven times. This novelty appeared to excite universal admiration, inspiring the company with ideas of refreshing coolness. The bubbling of water, the waving of the foliage, and the seven times reflected effulgence of the lamps, gave the whole an appearance of enchantment, which sets all description at defiance.

Images: Cruikshank, "Tom, Jerry, and Logic make the most of an Evening at Vauxhall", from Life in London 1821. Advertisement for Juvenile Fetefrom Theatrical Observer and Daily Bills of the Play, 1822