Tales From the Regency Tabloids

These short articles -- some funny, some snarky, some simply amazing -- appeared in actual Regency magazines. Sample a few. Have fun!

Big Dipper

“In consequence of the curious account given in the public prints of the swimming Elephant at Poonah, the people at Margate were lately surprised...

Mr. Milton’s Wild Ride

“Stamford, Dec. 23: Yesterday, Mr. Milton, who recently wagered 300£ against 500£ that he would ride from the end of Dover Street, Piccadilly to...

A Devoted Daughter

“The Parthenis, led by Captain Hume of South Shields in the county of Durham, was lately driven on shore near that place. All of...

Damsels in Distress

“Sept. 7: Yesterday as Miss Mellon and her friend, Miss Stevenson, were driving in her chariot along Little Russell Street, Covent Garden, a coal...

Blame the Music

“At St. Mary’s Church, Chester, Mr. Humphreys (the celebrated blind harper), was married to Mrs. Williams, widow of the late Mr. Williams of the...

Carriage Accident

“June 15: The Earl of Sefton met with a serious accident yesterday afternoon. As his lordship was driving his lofty barouche at a great...

Recipe for Longevity

“A gentleman lately died in London, who had attained the advanced age of 85. Some years ago he entered the holy state of matrimony...

Between Friends

“On Tuesday, February 26, a duel was fought between Lord Falkland and Mr. Powell, in which the former received a ball in the right...

Fatal Collision

“In Rotten-row on Sunday, May 25, a gentleman and a jockey riding at full speed, in opposite directions, struck against one another, and were...

A Lady Takes Flight

“Jan. 31: A daughter of a gentleman of fortune, in the vicinity of St. James’s Street, absented herself from her father’s house on Thursday...

Look Again

“Suffolk: A gentleman with a small independent fortune was surcharged for keeping a livery servant and not giving in a proper return to the...

Determined Petitioner Rebuffed

“July 2: Yesterday, just as His Majesty’s carriage arrived at the Queen’s palace, a woman decently dressed attempted to force her way into the...

Cradle Robber

“Married, at Scarbro’: John Dixon, an old fisherman aged 98 years, to Dorothy Booth, aged 30, both of Scarbro’. The number of persons present...

Brighton Sport

“The Brighton Races afford, this year, much sport. Besides the numerous studs which daily appear upon the ground, there is a constant display...

Fugitive Justice

“A young lady, nineteen years of age, the daughter of a gentleman at Brompton, eloped with a young Student at Law early on Wednesday...

Boys Will Be Girls

“The Masquerade given at the King’s Theatre, on the 1st instant, was numerously attended. Among the several characters, a Quack Doctor was most conspicuous...

Rigged and Wigged

“His Grace of Rutland has not only launched a new brilliant carriage, but has also mounted a new raven-colored wig, which is esteemed the...

Wife Sale

“A few days since, the following extraordinary circumstance took place at the White Hart, Sittingbourne: A woman of the name of Coveney was led...

Land of Hop and Glory

“A young man, for a wager of ten guineas, engaged to hop upon one leg for three quarters of an hour, which he performed,...

Noble Nuptials

“May 17: By special license, the Honorable Mr. Lambe, son of Lord Viscount Melbourne, was married to Miss Le Jeune, a ward of the...

No, Thanks

“Last week, a couple of lovers went to a church in Sheffield to be married. In that awful crisis of the ceremony when the...

Passion Takes Flight

“Monday evening, Lady Charlotte Wellesley, the mother of four children by an affectionate husband, eloped with Lord Paget, the father of ten children by...

Busted!

“A Nobleman, well known on the town as a fighter and bruiser, has been black-balled at the Jockey Club at Newmarket.” – The Sporting...

Nipped in the Bud

“Nov. 6: Miss N____, a ward in Chancery, who is entitled to a considerable fortune on her coming of age, eloped on Wednesday with...

Risky Business

“A certain dashing young man of large fortune lost, the other evening at a subscription house at the west end of town, eighty-thousand pounds,...

A Ruse Uncovered

“Southampton, April 4: A circumstance has occurred in the neighborhood of a large town in Hampshire which has occasioned much conversation. A young lady,...