Commentary
This public notice begins: 'THE LORD PROVOST and MAGISTRATES, aware of the Anxiety of their Fellow -Citizens to make preparations as Time will permit'. This sheet was issued by the Council-Chambers on the 26th July 1822. This sheet discusses how citizens should dress on the day that royalty visits. White trousers and waistcoat and a blue jacket are suggested as is a St Andrews emblem worn on the side of the hat. From the context of the piece it seems to refer to George IV's visit to Edinburgh in 1822 - the first royal visit for over 150 years. The tour was stage-managed by Sir Walter Scott, who created a kind of false, romantic Scotland, in the vein of his writing style. It is curious to note that these clothing suggestions are only for men and that the presence of women is not even hinted at. Broadsides are single sheets of paper, printed on one side, to be read unfolded. They carried public information such as proclamations as well as ballads and news of the day. Cheaply available, they were sold on the streets by pedlars and chapmen. Broadsides offer a valuable insight into many aspects of the society they were published in, and the National Library of Scotland holds over 250,000 of them.
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Date of publication:
1822 shelfmark: ABS.10.203.01(045)
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