What was dinner conversation like in polite society in London 1815?

Question

Did friends address each other as "Sir", or by their surnames? What food did they eat? Who cooked it? What did they drink? How did they manage without electricity and central heating, I mean in the bedrooms and corridors away from the coal fires. What were the toilets like? Can you describe for me a dinner party in London in 1815?

Answer 1

Wasn't there, so I can't give you all the details. Men addressed each other by their first names or surnames. Young men addressed their elders by "Sir". The well-to-do had cooks living in. The food would be things like coddled eggs, game birds, pheasant, pigeons, etc. Also cured ham, stews, broths, rabbit, home baked pies and cakes, scones, pates, ox tongue, deviled kidneys...and so on. They drank claret, tea,etc.They had gas lights and coal fires in each room, apart from the servants quarters. The toilets were bowls placed in cupboards, which the servants had to empty each morning, or sometimes a pot with a handle on, under the bed. A dinner party would be a grand affair, the best foods served, best china and cutlery. Afterwards, the ladies would retire to one room, gossiping, while the men retired to another, with their claret, port or brandy, and cigars.

Answer 2

All of the above answers are correct and the main topic of conversation would have surely been Wellingtons victory over Napoleon at Waterloo

Answer 3

Watch movies like Pride and Prejudice, Upstairs, downstairs, etc to get a pretty good flavor of the times.

Answer 4

No, not quite correct. Gas light was only just coming in for lighting public places and I don't think they had it indoors. It would have been candles.