the world, in having seen a work of such importance and magnitude happily brought to a conclusion under his auspices, when he was called away to speak with some other gentlemen, who were anxious to hear his opinion on some of the details of the road. Before he left Mr. Sandars, he said to that gentleman, “Well, I must go and shake hands with the Duke [of Wellington] on this day at any rate.” The gentlemen who had called him away detained him some time, and whilst he was standing with them, the Rocket engine, which, like the Phoenix, had to pass the Duke’s car, to take up its station at the watering place, came slowly up, and as the engineer had been for some time checking its velocity, so silently that it was almost upon the group before they observed it. In the hurry of the moment all attempted to get out of the way. Mr. Holmes, M.P., who was standing by the side of Mr. Huskisson, desired the gentlemen not to stir, but to cling close by the side of their own car – most excellent advice, had it been followed – for as no engine can move off the rail, any person who stands clear of it, is perfectly safe from danger. Unfortunately, in the hurry and agitation of the moment, Mr. Huskisson did not pursue this advice. He hesitated, staggered a little as if not knowing what to do, then attempted to run forward, found it impossible to get off the road, on account of an excavation of some 14 or 15 feet depth being on that side of it, on which he was, attempted again to get into the car, was hit by a motion of the door as he was mounting a step, and was thrown down directly in the path of the Rocket, as that engine came opposite to the Duke’s car. He contrived to move himself a little out of its path before it came in contact with him, otherwise it must have gone directly over his head and breast. As it was, the wheel went over his left thigh, squeezing it almost to a jelly, broke the leg, it is said, in two places, laid the muscles bare from the ankle, nearly to the hip, and tore out a large piece of flesh, as it left him. Mrs. Huskisson, who, along with several other ladies, witnessed the accident, uttered a shriek of agony, which none who heard will ever forget.
The Liverpool and Manchester railway – the first line to join two cities – opened on 15 September 1830. It was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, the Duke of Wellington, and by the running of no less than eight locomotives, among them George Stephenson’s Rocket.
William Huskisson was an MP for Liverpool who had been Secretary of State for War and Leader of the House of Commons. He had resigned, however, in 1828 from Wellington’s Cabinet over a matter of parliamentary reform. It was in the hope of repairing his relationship with the Duke that he went to shake his hand.
Huskisson died later that same evening. He had been a staunch supporter of the expansion of the railways and the reports of the accident indirectly helped to publicize the new form of transport.
THE CORONATION OF QUEEN VICTORIA
29 June 1838
Shortly after the procession had passed Apsley-house, the amusements of the fair commenced in good earnest. We say in good earnest, because for the last two or three days business in a partial manner has been going on. The altered appearance presented to the eye yesterday from that we had observed on the preceding day, was almost as surprising as the masses of beef and ham to which we then referred; for then there were not any swings, scarcely any shoes, and apparently but few arrangements made to afford entertainment other than those of a supportive nature, or for the cultivation of the disportation of the human frame in the wily mazes of dance.
The lapse of 12 hours, however, worked marvellous results, and at an early hour it became evident that sleep alone had not been the object of the fair-makers. A number of theatres of a minor class had sprung up, and swings, almost beyond enumeration, had been erected, whilst it had been arranged that donkey races and several other attractive pursuits should be added to the originally proposed objects. Much merriment was afforded in the course of the afternoon by a race between donkeys, one of which was ridden by a sailor. It happened that the sea-farer was astride of the second-best runner, whereupon he took it into his head that it would be but proper for him to endeavour to retard the rapid progress of the foremost animal. No sooner, therefore, did the idea strike upon his mind than he coolly slipped off his own donkey, and, running onward laid hold of the tail of the one in advance, with the manifest intention of retarding his hitherto successful progress, and it was not without very considerable difficulty that “Jack” was made to understand that he had been guilty of an action for which the Jockey Club would have imposed some penalty.
During the day a balloon went up from the Green-park, and another from Vauxhall, as was understood, passed over the same place. In reference to the ascent of the former, it was rumoured that Mrs. Graham had met with an accident by a rapid and unexpected descent.
After a minute inspection of the arrangements in Hyde Park, it may be said that on the entrance thereto the spectator was introduced to an extraordinary scene; at the first glance it appeared as if hostilities and not enjoyments were about to occupy all, for an immense encampment covered the crown of the Park from the margin of the tranquil Serpentine to within a trifling distance of the several main entrance to the usually tranquil scene. Marquees, tents, booths, of every form and construction, lay grouped together with, at first, all the confused appearance of haste and chance; but a closer survey showed that much indeed of military regularity had been observed in setting out the grand line of circumvallation, as well as the almost numberless parallels and intersections of the interior. And although banners and pennons there were of every country, tribe, and hue, the breeze that unfurled them passed over the regions of peace. Pleasure had sent forth her pioneers, and had occupied the ground to some purpose, in the provision of every entertainment the most numerous of her votaries could desire.
Victoria had come to the throne the previous year, aged just 18. Her coronation, organized by the government of Lord Melbourne, was the first to be staged since reforms meant that MPs as well as peers had to witness it.
Melbourne, however, went much further with changes to tradition, lengthening the route of the carriage procession so that it ran, for the first time, from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. This would enable larger crowds to see it. Carried by the new railways, more than 400,000 people came to London for the occasion, with many visiting the vast fair in Hyde Park.
The five-hour long ceremony itself was marred by the lack of any rehearsal. The Archbishop of Canterbury forced the Queen’s ring onto the wrong finger, and she had to be called back after part of the service was skipped by mistake. Later, she watched the fireworks display in Green Park and the next day went herself to the fair. There would not be another coronation for more than 60 years.
7 August 1840
When his Excellency had finished, he invited the chiefs to ask explanations on any point they did not comprehend; 20 or 30 chiefs in consequence addressed the meeting, five or six of whom spoke with so much violence and effect that his Excellency was apprehensive that they had fairly turned the tables on him, but at the crisis the Hokianga chiefs, “under Neni and Potawoni, made their appearance,” and nothing, says Captain Hobson, “could have been more reasonable.” His Excellency insinuates that underhand influence had been at work, and two chiefs whom he names as being followers of the Catholic bishop, were the principal opposers. One of these orators, “Rovewah” said, “Send the men away: do not sign that paper: if you do, you will be reduced to the condition of slaves, and be obliged to break stones for the roads. Your lands will be taken from you, and your dignity as chiefs destroyed.” In this dilemma, and when things appeared to be looking very black for his Excellency, at the first pause “Neni” came forward and eclipsed all rivals. He spoke with so much “natural eloquence” as surprised all the Europeans and turned aside the temporary feeling that had been created by the arguments of the other orators. No wonder, then, that Captain Hobson should speak favourably of his talents.