21 July 1821: Manchester is alert to celebrate the coronation of the unusual KingEver since the public assembly held on the 27th of June,to consider of the proceedings to be adopted in Manchester, for celebrating the Coronation of his Majesty George the Fourth, and the Committee have been indefatigable in their exertions to total the arrangements necessary for giving to the day a tall degree of interest and importance. On Monday the oxen and sheep designed for distribution amongst the populace,having been decorated with ribbons, were paraded through the principal streets of the town. They appeared to be very fine cattle; but this exhibition of them seemed to be regarded with considerable distaste. It was not possible to avoid thinking how soon the poor animals were to be slaughtered; and the seeing of them decorated for death like the victims of old for the altar, and presented to many minds the carnivorous propensities of our race,under circumstances of more than ordinary repulsiveness.
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Source: theguardian.com