by J. Ewing Ritchie
About this book
About London by J. Ewing Ritchie delivers a lively, candid portrait of Victorian London—an engaging travelogue and social history that reads like a guided walk through the city’s streets, institutions, and characters. Ritchie’s essays and sketches range from the newspaper men who shape public opinion to the mysteries of spiritualism, the grit of commercial life, the pomp of Westminster Abbey, and the everyday details of cabs, drinking fountains, and volunteer drills.
Written in 1860, these observations capture key debates and pastimes of mid‑Victorian Britain: the press and politics, early‑closing movements, pedestrianism, matrimonial and breach‑of‑promise cases, charity work, and the darker corners of criminal London. Ritchie’s tone mixes wit, curiosity, and moral reflection, offering both anecdote and reportage that illuminate the era’s manners, institutions, and urban energy without sacrificing readability.
Ideal for listeners who love Victorian London, urban history, or classic travel writing, this nonfiction audiobook is perfect for history buffs, commuters craving atmospheric storytelling, and anyone intrigued by how a great city looked and felt to a contemporary observer. Tune in to discover London’s personality through one of its keenest 19th‑century guides.
