Historical Factoids – 2018
Victorian Era England
London’s famous fog of the period is not exaggerated. At time during the year appeared yellow in color, was at the worst in November. In the winter months, the fog stretched to the surrounding towns and villages. Coal stoves were the main culprit for the filthy air. Dust from the pulverized stone that paved the streets was another major contributor to the poor air quality.
**
Sir Robert Peele created the Metropolitan Police Force in London in 1829. The slang or common terms-peelers and bobbies were derived from his name. The more formal term was constable. Constable has had a “patch” they were assigned to work comparable to a modern officer’s “beat.”
Source Material:
What Jane Austen Ate & Charles Dickens Knew by Daniel Pool.
**
One of the most popular forms of entertainment in Victorian times was the music halls. Music halls offered a large variety of entertainment; singers, dancers, magicians, conjurers, strongmen were a few. The most popular were singers and audiences were known to join in with the choruses and enthusiastically sing along.
Source Material:
The Book of London by Michael Leapman
