
When WILLIAM IV. was King.
PREFACE.
WHEN WILLIAM IV. WAS KING.
CHAPTER I. 1830.
CHAPTER II. 1830.
CHAPTER III. 1830.
CHAPTER IV. 1830.
CHAPTER V. 1830.
CHAPTER VI. 1831.
CHAPTER VII. 1831.
The years following George IV’s death ushered in a whirlwind of change, and this lively account takes listeners straight into the heart of William IV’s seven‑year reign. Rather than a dry catalogue of battles and legislation, the narrative shines a spotlight on the conversations heard in coffee houses, the glitter of society balls, and the buzz of a nation suddenly powered by steam. From the clatter of the first passenger railway to the rise of steam‑driven ships, the book paints a vivid picture of the technological leaps that reshaped everyday life.
Interwoven with forty‑seven contemporary illustrations, the author guides us through the fashions, the cafés, and the burgeoning factories that defined the age, while deliberately sidestepping the heavy political debates of the day. His conversational style makes complex social shifts feel immediate, letting listeners hear the clink of a teacup beside the hiss of a locomotive. Whether you’re fascinated by the birth of the modern railway or curious about the glittering salons of early Victorian England, the book offers a richly textured snapshot of a transformative period.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (565K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chris Curnow, Christine P. Travers and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2019-10-03
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1834–1911
Best known for lively social histories of Georgian and Victorian England, this English author and literary antiquary had a gift for turning old pamphlets, ballads, and forgotten customs into vivid reading. His books range from gambling and lotteries to bread, chapbooks, caricature, and everyday life.
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