After Admiral Vernon took Porto Bello from the Spanish in 1739 his birthday, 12 November, became a popular holiday. In 1740 it was kept with bells, public dinners, bonfires and illuminations in London and other cities, the greatest rejoicings in many years. Effigies of the Spanish admiral Don Blas were burned in some places, and at Chancery Lane end a pageant showed Vernon with a kneeling Spaniard offering up his sword.
Admiral Vernon’s birthday
12 November · London
No longer kept
The anniversary of this famous old admiral's nativity was formerly kept with great enthusiasm.
From Hone's Every-Day Book, vol. 1, col. 1474; Hone's Every-Day Book, vol. 2, cols. 1392-1393. Read the original
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