Francis William Blagdon (1778–1819)
An historical memento: representing the different scenes of public rejoicing, which took place… in St. James’s and Hyde Parks, London, in celebration of the glorious peace of 1814…
London: edited, published and sold by E. Orme, 1814
Harley-Mason.a.24

News of Napoleon’s abdication was greeted with bonfires, pageants and other events across Britain. Peace celebrations were particularly intense in the great London parks, and a highlight for many was the inclusion of night-time illumination and spectacle. This account of junketing in August 1814 was written by Francis Blagdon, jobbing publisher and journalist, co-editor of the Morning post and a commercial as well as a political rival of William Cobbett. Ten years earlier, Blagdon, who spoke fluent French, had translated and published Vivant Denon’s Travels in Egypt. Denon, writer, archaeologist, and later first Director of the Louvre Museum, had visited Egypt in the entourage of Napoleon during the Nile campaign of 1798–1801. His work is of seminal importance in the developing study of Egyptology.

The Chinese bridge and pagoda shown in this plate formed one centrepiece in an exclusive celebration for the gentry in St James’s Park. Here, however, the extravaganza of lighting proved rather too enthusiastic. Around midnight, the pagoda caught fire ‘by some accident in the management of the machinery’. At least one workman died in the blaze.

For further images from the Historical memento click on ‘Open Digital Library’.