The Amusements of Old London

Little is known about the life of William B. Boulton, who was active as an author in the 1900s. This illustrated two-volume set, published first in 1901 is perhaps the most famous of his works, though he also wrote biographies of Sir Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough. The work examines how popular entertainment in London changed dramatically between the restoration of Charles II and the accession of Queen Victoria. From cock-fights and bear-baiting, tastes turned to less bloodthirsty pursuits, and led to the rise of many leisure activities that are still popular today. Volume 2 looks at the growth in popularity of outdoor pursuits in parks and gardens, fairs, the growth of clubs and coffee-houses, and the refinement of boxing from a crude, bare-knuckle contest into something resembling its modern form.