Beyond the metropolis: The changing image of urban Britain, 1780–1880

216 Pages·2016·38.098 MB·English

by  Katy Layton-Jones

Beyond the metropolis

Beyond the metropolis
The changing image of urban Britain,
1780–1880
Katy Layton-Jones
Manchester University Press
Copyright © Katy Layton-Jones 2016
The right of Katy Layton-Jones to be identified as the author of this
work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Published by Manchester University Press
Altrincham Street, Manchester M1 7JA
www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data applied for
ISBN 978 0 7190 9969 4 hardback
First published 2016
The publisher has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of
URLs for any external or third-party internet websites referred to in
this book, and does not guarantee that any content on such websites
is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
Typeset
by Frances Hackeson Freelance Publishing Services, Brinscall, Lancs
Contents
List of illustrations page vi
Acknowledgements x
List of abbreviations xii
Introduction 1
1 The urban prospect 21
2 The town on show 57
3 Improving the urban image 89
4 Advertising the town 122
5 Crucibles of liberty and ruin 151
Conclusion 174
Bibliography 178
Index 199
Illustrations
1 T. Kelly, Glasgow (1817). page 23
2 ‘Liverpool Looking North’, in H. Lacey, Pictorial Liverpool: its annals;
commerce; shipping &c. a new and complete handbook, 2nd edn (Liverpool, 1846).
Reproduced courtesy of Liverpool Record Office. 23
3 Richardson and Dobbie, ‘Edinburgh Old Town from Princes Street’, in Black’s
Picturesque Tourist of Scotland, 2nd edn (Edinburgh, 1842). 26
4 W. H. Craig and J. Landseer, View of Manchester (1802). MLSL, m07520.
Reproduced courtesy of Manchester Archives and Local Studies. 27
5 W. F. P. W. Hole after Pen, ‘View of Liverpool in 1806’, in T. Troughton, The
History of Liverpool, from the earliest authenticated period down to the present time
(Liverpool, 1810). Reproduced courtesy of Liverpool Record Office. 28
6 T. Dugdale, ‘Bristol’, in Curiosities of Great Britain: England & Wales Delineated
(London, c.1850). 29
7 Illman and Pillbrow after T. H. Shepherd, Edinburgh, from the Calton Hill
(c.1847). 30
8 W. Dugdale (attr.) View of Birmingham from Bradford Street (c. 1816), BLSL,
WK/B11/2602. Reproduced courtesy of the Library of Birmingham. 33
9 J. Cousen after C. Cope, View of Leeds Looking North West along the River Aire
(1834). LLIS, Q LIQA Aire 1. Reproduced courtesy of Leeds Library and
Information Service. 34
10 R. G. Reeve after S. Walters, View of the Port of Liverpool (1836). Liverpool
Record Office, Binns Collection, box A23. Reproduced courtesy of Liverpool
Record Office. 36
11 E. Umfreville, Birmingham South (c.1840). BLSL, WK/B11/2615. Reproduced
courtesy of the Library of Birmingham. 38
12 ‘Manchester from Kersal Moor’, Illustrated London News, 4 July 1857,
p. 13. 39
13 E. Finden after W. Westall, Sheffield (1828–30). 40
14 K. Johnson after S. T. Davis, ‘Nottingham’, in The Land We Live In, 3 vols
(1854–56). 41
vi
Illustrations
15 ‘Manchester, from the entrance to the London and North-Western Railway’,
in The Land We Live In, 3 vols (1854–56), I, p. 227. Reproduced by permission
of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library. 42
16 Lenz, View of Manchester (1850). MLSL, m7529. Reproduced courtesy of
Manchester Archives and Local Studies. 43
17 ‘View of Bradford’, in The Land We Live In, 3 vols (1854–56), III, p. 40.
Reproduced by permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library. 44
18 ‘View of Birmingham from Bordsley Fields’, in W. H. Smith, Birmingham
and its Vicinity as a Manufacturing and Commercial District (London and
Birmingham, 1836), frontispiece. Reproduced courtesy of the Library of
Birmingham. 46
19 J. Roffe after W. Westall, ‘New Bailey Bridge, Manchester’, in Great Britain
Illustrated (London, 1830), plate 84. 49
20 G. Pickering and J. Sands, Liverpool from Toxteth Park (1834) LRO, general
views folder. Reproduced courtesy of Liverpool Record Office. 50
21 E. Colyer after H. West, ‘Irwell Bridge’, in E. Colyer, Descriptive Catalogue of
the Padorama of the Manchester and Liverpool Railroad (London, 1834),
opp. p. 9. 60
22 ‘Town and Bay of Swansea’, in G. Dodd (ed.), Knight’s Cyclopædia of the
Industry of All Nations (London, 1851), plate 6. 66
23 ‘Manchester’, in G. Dodd (ed.), Knight’s Cyclopædia of the Industry of All
Nations (London, 1851), plate 12. 67
24 Rodgers and Sons’ Norfolk Knife. Company of Cutlers, Sheffield. Photograph
by kind permission of Stephen Brooks. 68
25 ‘Birmingham Small Arms Trophy’, Illustrated London News, 14 June 1862, p. 618. 71
26 Advertisement for the Manchester Exhibition (c.1815). MLSL, m58956.
Reproduced courtesy of Manchester Archives and Local Studies. 77
27 J. Heywood, The Exhibition of Art Treasures, Manchester, 1857 (1857). MLSL,
m58871. Reproduced courtesy of Manchester Archives and Local Studies. 78
28 ‘Interior View of the Art-Treasures Palace’, in A. Heywood, Heywood’s Pictorial
Guide to Manchester and Companion to the Art-Treasures Exhibition (Manchester,
1857), p. 13. Reproduced courtesy of Manchester Archives and Local
Studies. 80
29 ‘The Queen’s Visit to Manchester – The Royal cortège passing through St
Anne’s Square’, Illustrated Times, 11 July 1857, p. 28. 82
30 S. Bradshaw after W. H. Bartlett, ‘Bristol from Rowham Ferry’, in W. H.
Bartlett, The Ports, Harbours, Watering-places, and Coast Scenery of Great Britain
(London, 1844). Reproduced courtesy of Bristol Museums, Galleries, and
Archives. 92
31 ‘Perspective View of Bridgewater Crescent, Manchester, Piccadilly’, in W.
Fairbairn, Observations on Improvements of the Town of Manchester (Manchester,
1836). Reproduced by permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University
Library. 94
32 ‘Sketches of an Improved and Elegant Style of Steam Engine Chimneys’,
in W. Fairbairn, Observations on Improvements of the Town of Manchester
(Manchester, 1836), p. 12. Reproduced by permission of the Syndics of
Cambridge University Library. 96
vii
Illustrations
33 J. Swan, ‘View of Glasgow from Knox’s Monument’, Select Views of Glasgow
and its Environs (Glasgow, 1828). 99
34 G.W. Wilson, Glasgow Necropolis (Aberdeen, 1870). 100
35 ‘St James’s Cemetery, Liverpool’, The Mirror of Literature, Amusement and
Instruction, 14 December 1833, p. 638. 102
36 H. Lacey, St. James’s Cemetery, Liverpool (c.1835). 103
37 E. Goodall after W. M. Craig, View of the Old City of Edinburgh from an Original
Drawing by the Marchioness of Stafford (1815). 104
38 ‘The Liverpool Free Library and Museum’, Illustrated London News, 2 May 1857. 109
39 Commemorative print of ‘St George’s Hall’, Liverpool Standard, 7 October
1851. Reproduced courtesy of Liverpool Record Office. 112
40 T. Kaye, ‘Athenaeum’ and ‘Lyceum’, Stranger in Liverpool (Liverpool, 1838),
p. 42. Reproduced courtesy of Liverpool Record Office. 113
41 ‘Miscellaneous Professions’, in Bisset’s Magnificent Guide; Or Grand Copper
Plate Directory for the Town of Birmingham (Birmingham, 1808). Reproduced
courtesy of the Library of Birmingham. 126
42 ‘View of Matthew Boulton’s Soho Manufactory and Royal Mint Offices in
Handsworth near Birmingham’, in Bisset’s Magnificent Guide; Or Grand Copper
Plate Directory for the Town of Birmingham (Birmingham, 1808). Reproduced
courtesy of the Library of Birmingham. 128
43 Advertisement for Henry Clay, Japanner, in Bisset’s Magnificent Guide; Or
Grand Copper Plate Directory for the Town of Birmingham (Birmingham, 1808).
Reproduced courtesy of the Library of Birmingham. 130
44 Bill of trade for George Davey, Printseller, Number 1 Broad Street (Bristol,
1843). BCBL, IV, 105. Reproduced courtesy of Bristol Museums, Galleries,
and Archives. 132
45 Advertisement for Thomas Hunt, manufacturer of fine scissors and scissor
knives, Blackwell’s Sheffield Directory (Sheffield, 1828). © British Library
Board. All Rights Reserved. 134
46 Advertisement for L. G. Reed and Company, Sheffield (c.1840). SLSL,
s09749. Reproduced by permission of Sheffield City Council. 136
47 Advertisement for John Traies, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, in William
Hawkes Smith, Birmingham and its Vicinity as a Manufacturing and Commercial
District (London and Birmingham, 1836). Reproduced courtesy of the Library
of Birmingham. 137
48 Advertisement for Stanley, Bellamy and Co., Ironfounders, Midland Works,
Savile Street, Sheffield (1858). SLSL, s09768. Reproduced by permission of
Sheffield City Council. 139
49 Advertisement for Davy Brothers Ltd., Engineers, Park Iron Works, Sheffield
(1879). SLSL, s09878. Reproduced by permission of Sheffield City Council. 141
50 Advertisement for William Greaves and Sons, Sheaf Works, Cadman
Street and Maltravers Street Sheaf Works, Sheffield (c.1830). SLSL, s09760.
Reproduced by permission of Sheffield City Council. 142
51 Porter mug depicting the engineering works of Peel, Williams & Peel at the
Phoenix Foundry on Swan Street near Shudehill and the Soho Foundry on
Pollard Street in Ancoats (Derby, c. 1820). MAG 2004.21. © Manchester City
Galleries. 144
viii
Illustrations
52 T. Slack after J. Parry, Phoenix Foundry, Manchester and Soho Foundry, Manchester
(c.1818). MLSL, m61383–4. Reproduced courtesy of Manchester Archives
and Local Studies. 145
53 After R. Carlile, ‘Peterloo Massacre’, All the Year Round, 8 June 1867,
pp. 559–65. 155
54 Atkins, ‘Recent Events at Manchester’, in Disturbances at Manchester (London,
1819). Reproduced by permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University
Library. 156
55 J. Wroe, A View of St Peter’s Place (Manchester, 1819). 157
56 T. George, Town Hall, Brighton (1841). 158
57 Decorative panel after J. Sudlow and T. Whaite, A View of St. Peter’s Plain
Manchester on the Memorable 16th of August 1819. Longcase clock produced by
W. Stancliffe of Barkisland near Halifax (c.1840–50). MOSI, 1988.60. Science
& Society Picture Library, London. 160
58 L. Hague after T. L. Rowbotham and W. J. Muller, Charge of the 3rd Dragoon
Guards upon the Rioters in Queen Square, Bristol, at 6 o’clock on the morning of
Monday, October 31st, 1831 (Bristol and London, 1831). BCMAG, M559.
Reproduced courtesy of Bristol Museums, Galleries, and Archives. 161
59 W. J. Müller, Queen’s Square on the Night of October 30th, 1831 (c.1832).
BCMAG, M269. Reproduced courtesy of Bristol Museums, Galleries, and
Archives. 162
60 L. Hague after T. L. Rowbotham, View of the City of Bristol from Pile Hill,
During the Riots of October 30, 1831 (c.1831). BCMAG, Mb 6892. Reproduced
courtesy of Bristol Museums, Galleries, and Archives. 164
61 S. Jackson, View of Bristol from Clifton Wood (1832). BCMAG, M719.
Reproduced courtesy of Bristol Museums, Galleries, and Archives. 165
62 After C. H. Walters, The City of Bristol as it Appeared Generally on Sunday Night
(c.1831). BCMAG, Mb3964. Reproduced courtesy of Bristol Museums,
Galleries, and Archives. 166
63 S. Jackson, Views of the Fires in Bristol (c.1832). BCMAG, M145. Reproduced
courtesy of Bristol Museums, Galleries, and Archives. 168
ix