By the end of June, London was so hot and smelly, everyone with a country estate would flee, but the coming sewer systems, and grand new neighbourhoods with improved wash rooms, would make the capital all the more bearable by the late 1860s. Young Queen Victoria happily embraced the gaiety of her uncles George’s and William’s reigns, but grew more prim and proper as she had children, then stricter upon the death of Prince Albert. Once wealthy young ladies were “out” they were expected to “ride the parks” and show off their fine statuesque figures, while mounted on magnificent expensive horses, accompanied by a parent, a brother, or a groom. James’s, where nice Saturday afternoons drew enormous crowds. Other popular meeting venues included the parks and gardens, in particular Hyde, Green, and St. An exception was Almack’s Assembly Rooms, which opened in 1765, and admitted both men and women. There were very few upper-class public social venues in London open to both sexes. Lord Byron referred to these galas as marriage marts, because it was the best venue for young ladies to encounter possible suitors. Débutante (French for female beginner) balls were a highlight, hosted at the grand houses of the aristocracy. During the Regency and into the Victorian era, the London social season was particularly busy from April to the end of June, but events were held throughout the winter, starting when Parliament returned in late January and included military reviews, dinner parties, and charity events, and went on to the end of July.
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