In my latest Austen-inspired release, Mr. Darcy asks for a magnifier and tweezers to have assurances that one of the character’s wound is clean from debris of clothing. Now, before any of you start to criticize me for making Darcy’s personality practical, a bit of an intellectual, and dependable, forget it. I shan’t listen, and you shall be wasting your breath. I have always written Darcy (and even Elizabeth upon more than one occasion) as being a bit ahead of his times, but when it comes to magnifiers and tweezers, the gentleman from Derbyshire was not.

The Optimax website tells us, “Ancient History: From ancient times, man has wanted to see things far smaller than could be perceived with the naked eye. Although the first use of a lens is a bit of a mystery, it’s now believed that use of lenses is more modern than previously thought. However, it has been known for over 2000 years that glass bends light. In the 2nd Century BC, Claudius Ptolemy described a stick appearing to bend in a pool of water, and accurately recorded the angles to within half a degree. He then very accurately calculated the refraction constant of water. During the 1st century AD (year 100), glass had been invented and the Romans were looking through the glass and testing it. They experimented with different shapes of clear glass and one of their samples was thick in the middle and thin on the edges. They discovered that if you held one of these “lenses” over an object, the object would look larger. These early lenses were called magnifiers or burning glasses. The word lens is actually derived from the Latin word lentil, as they were named because they resembled the shape of a lentil bean. At the same time, Seneca described actual magnification by a globe of water. “Letters, however small and indistinct, are seen enlarged and more clearly through a globe of glass filled with water.” The lenses were not used much until the end of the 13th century when spectacle makers were producing lenses to be worn as glasses. Then, around 1600, it was discovered that optical instruments could be made by combining lenses.”

There is more on this site about the development of microscopes for those who are interested. I just did not want someone to call me out in a review for using the magnifying glass, though I imagine it has been used previously (actually I read several stories where the hero uses a magnifying glass to look at insect specimens, etc.).

In addition to the above, we have Antonie Philips van Leeuwenhoek (24 October 1632 – 26 August 1723) who was a Dutch microbiologist and microscopist in the Golden Age of Dutch science and technology. A largely self-taught man in science, he is commonly known as “the Father of Microbiology”, and one of the first microscopists and microbiologists. Using single-lensed microscopes of his own design and make, Van Leeuwenhoek was the first to observe and to experiment with microbes.

Now, I am not expecting Darcy even to think of looking for microbes, but I find it reasonable that he would want to know confidence the wound was clean from a loose thread or fabric fiber.

As to tweezers, the earliest evidence of tweezers dates back to the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. These early tweezers were made from sea shells or animal bones and were primarily used for removing hair. They were simple in design, with two pointed ends that were aligned to grip the hair. During the medieval period, tweezers evolved into a more complex tool. They were made from metal and were used for various purposes, including medical procedures. The design was more intricate, with the tips curved and pointed, allowing for a better grip.

The word tweezer comes from etwee which describes a small case that people would use to carry small objects (such as toothpicks) with them. Etwee takes its origin from French étui “small case” from the Old French verb estuier, “to hold or keep safe.” Over time, the object now known as “tweezers” took on this name because the tool was commonly found in these tiny carrying cases. Eventually, the word “tweeze” was accepted as a verb in the English language.

I am not sharing an excerpt today, for I do not wish you to know who Mr. Darcy must attend with his burning glass and tweezers. You must find out by purchasing and reading the book, but when you do read the scene, you will know I did my research before I added either tool to the script, though I must admit it is a bit ridiculous to spend so many hours of my life in research for a few details, which many will simply overlook. Yet, it is important to me to have everything correct (or as correct as I am able to determine).

The Colonel’s Ungovernable Governess 

Rather than be forced to marry a man not of her choice, Miss Jocelyn Romfield runs away. She believes spending her life as a governess would be superior to a loveless marriage. 

An arrangement has been made by his father for Colonel Edward Fitzwilliam to marry a woman related to his Aunt Catherine’s last husband, Sir Lewis de Bourgh. Yet, how is Fitzwilliam expected to court his future bride, who has proven to be elusive during each of his attempts to take her acquaintance, when the governess of his brother’s stepchildren fills his arms so perfectly?

Jocelyn has no idea the man she has purposely avoided is the same one who fills her heart with love. 

Kindle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZZCMWW7

Available to Read on Kindle Unlimited 

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D11KC196

BookBub   https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-colonel-s-ungovernable-governess-a-pride-and-prejudice-vagary-by-regina-jeffers

GIVEAWAY: I have three eBook copies of The Colonel’s Ungovernable Governess available to those who comment on any of the blogs involved in this book’s release. The giveaway will end May 9, 2024. Prizes will be delivered on May 10, 2024, when the book officially releases.