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| Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal - Tuesday 26 August 1800 |
The 19th Century had just commenced and already its fascination for the masked or masquerade ball had begun. The fashion for masquerades peaked during the Victorian era, but the Regency was also enamoured of the mystique and charm of costumed fun. Even the royals celebrated birthdays with masquerades.
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| London Courier and Evening Gazette - Friday 02 January 1801 | |
By 1809, masquerades were vastly popular and even held as fund-raising events for charity.
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| Morning Chronicle - Wednesday 29 November 1809 |
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| Pantheon Masquerade - National Portrait Gallery |
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| London Courier and Evening Gazette - Wednesday 28 February 1810 |
The Pantheon was a frequent site of masquerades but the Christmas of 1812 saw a flurry of private events also.
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| Hereford Journal - Wednesday 15 January 1812 |
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| Morning Chronicle - Friday 03 January 1812 |
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| Cheltenham Chronicle - Thursday 16 January 1812 |
Public masquerades were often descried as scenes of license and vice. Crimes could and did take place. And certainly the anonymity provided by costumes and masks invited a freedom of manners that could degenerate into debauchery.
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| Morning Advertiser - Wednesday 28 February 1810 |
Specialist costumers were quick to see the sales potential of serving the masquerade-going public.
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| Morning Chronicle - Monday 22 June 1812 |
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| Morning Chronicle - Wednesday 19 June 1816 |
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| Saunders's News-Letter - Monday 05 February 1810 |
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| Morning Post - Saturday 24 February 1810 |
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| Newcastle Courant - Saturday 20 March 1819 |
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| Morning Chronicle - Friday 25 June 1819 |
And they all looked wonderful!
'Til next time,
Lesley-Anne
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