ABSTRACT
If one depended exclusively on the published criticisms, one might conclude that early eighteenth-century Londoners were completely immoral. The various societies dedicated to the reformation of manners, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, and numerous outspoken individuals were open in their condemnations of certain aspects of British culture and the general public’s behaviour. Royal proclamations by King William and later by Queen Anne were issued and reprinted at various times to the same purpose.1 All of these parties condemned drinking, profanity, prostitution, gaming, and general bawdiness, encouraging instead a more zealous life in keeping with wholesome Protestant Christian values.
