Read 'London Labour and the London Poor ' by Henry Mayhew, published 1851.  Very interesting and entertaining book, originally published as a serial in a magazine.  Lots of cheap copies of this about, including probably some online.

Old newspapers.

You could try looking for a grammar textbook from that time...of which there probably won't be many, since many people didn't go to school at all in 1850 and there was no need for many textbooks.