From the Journal of Mrs. Arbuthnot, May 26, 1821
I took a long ride into the country with Mr. Arbuthnot and the Duke of Wellington. The ladies and dandies have taken to ride in the Mall in St. James’s Park in such numbers as to be quite a nuisance. Yesterday I am sure there must have been above 100, and in that narrow road it is really dangerous. I have therefore taken to ride into the country, and we went today over the Vauxhall Bridge, by Brixton and Tooting round to Wandsworth and home by Chelsea, a beautiful ride thro’ a pretty part of Surrey, all looking right and happy, altho’ we are told every day that we are ruined and starving . . . . .