Early 19th Century London

The book is set at the turn of the eighteenth to nineteenth century. London is the capital city of England, so most rich and important people had houses there. Many of the very wealthy would also have country estates or houses. At this time, London was bustling, dirty and smelly, with sewage often thrown into the streets and rivers, and the poor areas would have been very overcrowded. This book deals with the richest members of society, who lived in large townhouses with servants. They would use carriages to travel in the city and to visit the theatre, balls and parties. In general, sellers such as dress-makers and hat-makers would come straight to the rich person's house. Department stores had not yet been invented. People selling food and coal would come to the servant's entrance of the house and deal directly with the cook...