Georgian Era Commerce, Part III: The Surrey Docks and the East India Docks

Posted on April 19, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

The cargo handling docks of the early nineteenth century were the West India Docks, the London Docks, the Greenland Docks, the East India Docks, and the St. Katherine’s Docks. Previously, we explored an overview of the time period and a look at the West India and London Docks. Today, we mean to explore the other major docks upon the Thames. 

The Surrey Docks lacked the “flash” and the design of either the West India Docks or the London Docks. The Surrey Commercial Docks included Greenland Dock. It is located in Rotherhithe, in the area known as the “Docklands.” The original plans for the docks came about in the last decade of the 1600s on land owned by the 1st Duke of Bedford. In 1695, the Russell family received parliamentary permission to build a rectangular dock and supporting acres to accommodate 120 ships. The dock was named Howland Great Wet Dock in honor of John Howland, a signer of the Mayflower Compact.

The name Greenland Docks came about because the docks accommodated whaling ships from Greeenland. The Docks fell into disrepair with the decline of the whaling industry. William Ritchie of Greenwich purchased the land upon which the docks sat and formed the Commercial Dock Company, headed by Alderman Sir Charles Price. The docks were converted to the timber and grain handling docks. The dilapidated buildings were brought down and new granaries constructed. In 1811, the dock was awarded an Act of Incorporation, giving it the capacity of 350 ships.

From A Rotherhithe Blog, we learn, “Another dock was also completed for timber handling and was ready for use at the opening of Greenland Dock, to which it was connected. On the map Greenland Dock is marked as “Commercial Docks” and the irregularly shaped dock above it, “New Dock,” later became Norway Dock (now the development known as The Lakes). Meanwhile, William Ritchie was busy with the creation of a small thin dock, which was added to the south of Greenland Dock, parallel to its southern end, also shown on the map to the left. This opened in 1811, the same year in which the Commercial Dock Company opened for business, with capacity for 28 ships. It supplemented Greenland Dock, handling similar traffic as well as supplies for the local shipyards. It is shown on maps between 1810 and 1843.

800px-commercial_dock_rotherhithe

The Commercial Docks. At the Commercial Dock, Rotherhithe, there were multi-storey warehouses designed to store grain and seeds. 1827 http://www.portcities.org.uk/london/server/show/conMediaFile.579/The-Commercial-Docks-by-G-Cooke.html

“The new Commercial Docks were not the only docks in Rotherhithe. In 1807 the entrance to the Surrey Grand Canal had been extended to incorporate a basin (where Surrey Water is now located) for loading and unloading ships; and at the same time the East Country Dock Company opened the East Country Dock, a long thin dock parallel to Greenland Dock to it east, so there was competition for the CDC from the word go. However, in 1850 the East Country Dock Company sold the East Country Dock to the Commercial Dock Company, which they renamed South Dock, for £40,000. Between 1850 and 1852 the Commercial Dock Company expanded the dock, and connected it to Greenland Dock. A connection to the rail network was established in 1855, which linked South Dock, Greenland Dock and Norway Dock. Competition between Rotherhithe’s two dock companies, the Commercial Dock Company and the more laboriously named Grand Surrey Docks and Canal Company resulted in the impoverishment of both. Eventually the losses became untenable, business sense kicked in, and in 1865 the two companies were merged to form the Surrey Commercial Docks Company. The two separate dock systems were connected by two locks where they ran along side each other, which enabled them to form one integrated, albeit complex dock network with entrances from the Thames from Greenland Dock at one side of Rotherhithe and Surrey Basin at the other.”

The East India Docks were located in Blackwall, for the company had a variety of warehouses in the area. They were the third set of wet docks built in the early years of the 1800s. The East India Company already had in place a cargo system to move their goods from Blackwall to London by barge before the docks were built. Because the East India ships were so large they traditionally unloaded some of their cargo at Long Reach before sailing up the Thames to dock at Blackwall. “The valuable cargoes were then carried by lighters to the ‘legal quays’ and ‘sufferance wharves,’ and from them to the spacious East India Company warehouses, which by the late eighteenth century centered on Billiter Street and Cutler Street. The system was not entirely satisfactory, especially after the opening of the West India Docks and London Docks robbed the river pirates of their previously easy pickings in the chaos of the Pool, and they turned their attention to the exotic cargoes from the East Indies and the Indiamen’s ports of call on their homeward voyages: teas, silk, saltpeter, Madeira, wine and spices, all of which had a ready sale on the black market.” (British History Online)

Surprisingly, there were no large warehouses associated with the docks. With quays 200 feet wide, the docks sported only three low buildings to house the salt petre. After being loaded on the West Quay of the import dock, the goods were moved to the City warehouses over roads in closed caravans. The deep chests holding the goods were mounted upon four wheels and the “wagons” moved with the assistance of horses. The chests were padlocked with iron lock.

“Despite the absence of storage within the docks, a variety of workmen was employed. As well as the Dockmaster, his Deputy and an Assistant, there were six officers and another six subordinate working men to supervise the labourers. There were 30 labourers, including watchmen, employed on yearly contracts, while another 100 men were engaged on a casual basis as ‘lumpers’ to load and unload the ships for eight months of the year. Other casual labour was hired if needed.  The docks were subject to stringent controls; indeed, regulation in the East India Docks was no less strict than in the West India Docks. Work in the dock did not start until ten o’clock, and at three o’clock in the afternoon in winter and four o’clock in summer a bell was rung which announced that the gate was to close. All work then stopped and the labourers, clerks, horses, wagons and carts as well as all visitors (permitted only with tickets) had to leave.” (British History Online)

Posted in British history, commerce, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Significance of Books and of Reading in Jane Austen’s Novels, Guest Post from Lauren Gilbert

Posted on April 18, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

 

The Significance of Books and Reading in Jane Austen’s Novels

By Lauren Gilbert


2cd7978cac40f9b0a7577d1d8b28f1c0_muay-thai-books-images-of-books-and-reading_640-360.jpeg Jane Austen was a reader.  She read widely.  We know she enjoyed novels; she was a subscriber to Fanny Burney’s third novel, Cecilia or Memoirs of an Heiress. She also enjoyed Henry Fielding, Samuel Richardson, Anne Radcliffe and Maria Edgeworth, among others. In Northanger Abbey, Austen defended Catherine Morland’s and Isabella Thorpe’s taste for reading novels (1). In fact, one of the most popular quotes from Jane Austen (also from Northanger Abbey, a remark by Henry Tilney) follows:  “The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.” (2)  Austen also read poetry, such as William Cowper and Walter Scott and others.  Non-fiction held no terrors for Austen either.  Her own The History of England in her Juvenilia shows her familiarity with Oliver Goldsmith’s The History of England from the Earliest Times to the Death of George II (she actually had a copy of the 4-volume 1771 edition of Dr. Goldsmith’s work). She also read Thomas Clarkson’s work on slavery and Robert Southey’s biography Life of Horatio, Lord Nelson (not surprising considering that she had sailors in the family) and other non-fiction.  Is it possible, given the importance of reading to Austen and the extent of her reading, that there was some significance to reading (or the lack thereof) in relation to characters in her books?   I took a look at Northanger Abbey, Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Persuasion just to see…

bec24b1744a650324dde441f7ac40635.jpg Northanger Abbey was Austen’s first completed novel as an adult (sold as Susan to Crosby & Co. in 1803 for publication).  She later bought it back and, during 1816-1817 revised it t0 the novel we know today.  The novel’s heroine, Catherine Morland, was only 17 years old, one of the youngest of Austen’s main heroines.  She was from a large and loving family and something of a tomboy.  She had opportunities to learn but was not supervised closely by her mother, and not pushed to study hard.  She memorized some poetry and was predisposed to like books as long as they were all story and had little practical information. (3)  She was passionately fond of Gothic novels, which coloured her friendships with Isabella Thorpe and Henry and Eleanor Tilney.  While Catherine and Isabella seemed almost obsessed by the Gothic novels, Henry and Eleanor were much more balanced in their enjoyment (given their greater maturity). Her romantic disposition and inordinate fondness for these novels were clues to her youth and immaturity, which led her to make several poor judgements, climaxing in her conviction that General Tilney must have murdered his wife (Henry’s mother) because the atmosphere in his home and the general’s demeanour were so reminiscent of her favourite novels.  She had the humiliation of being caught by Henry who recognized her misunderstanding and corrected it directly, and the greater humiliation of being sent home unescorted by General Tilney when he discovered that she was not the wealthy heiress he had thought her.  These experiences, including having to manage her journey on her own, hastened her maturing process and, by the end of the novel, she was ready to receive Henry’s offer of marriage.

Pride and Prejudice featured Elizabeth and Jane Bennet, arguably Jane Austen’s most popular heroines.  Elizabeth was 20 years old and Jane 22 at the beginning of the book, so were more grown up than Catherine Morland.  Jane was almost her mother’s favourite (because of her looks) while Elizabeth was her father’s (because of her wit and spirit).  Mr. Bennet was a scholarly gentleman and was most fond and involved the oldest two of his five daughters.  (The three younger girls were apparently left to their mother’s hands.)  His library was Mr. Bennet’s pride; he seemed to have spent a significant amount of money building it, and spent most of his time in it.  Elizabeth was welcomed into his sanctum. Elizabeth was keenly interested in people, and quite confident of her ability to size up individuals.  She formed opinions quickly.  There is no list of what Elizabeth (or Jane) might have read; THAT Elizabeth (and probably Jane) enjoyed reading is my opinion based on their father’s influence and involvement with them.  On her first night at Netherfield, Elizabeth picked up a book rather than join in a card game with Darcy, Bingley and the others.  There was no indication of her selection, and she denied being a great reader or liking books better than cards as accused by Miss Bingley. 

book-cover-fordyce-sermons.jpg Ironically, Mary Bennet’s taste for Fordyce’s Sermons is the only clear example of literary taste among the Bennet sisters and, unfortunately, this and her music were exhibited more to get attention than to give herself (or anyone else) pleasure.  Neither Kitty nor Lydia, the youngest Bennet girls, concerned themselves with accomplishments or reading at all. At Netherfield, after having heard Mr. Darcy aver that, with other accomplishments, a lady must also add “…the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.”(4), Miss Bingley picked up a book while Mr. Darcy is reading and the others are occupied otherwise (Elizabeth was working, probably on some kind of needlework).  Unfortunately, Miss Bingley’s effect was wasted as she selected the second volume of Mr. Darcy’s book and was clearly not really reading it.  Like Mary Bennet, Miss Bingley was using her book to draw attention.   Unlike her sister Mary and Miss Bingley, Elizabeth was aware of her lack of accomplishments and education, and how foolish her mother and younger sisters (and Miss Bingley) appeared when flaunting themselves for attention.  Her blind spot was her confidence in her ability to see through people and in her own judgement.  She blundered with Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy.  When she rejected Darcy’s poorly timed proposal, she was so sure he was the villain of the piece; Darcy’s letter explaining the circumstances of his and Wickham’s relationship, punctured her self-confidence and forced her to recognize her errors of judgement.  “Till this moment, I never knew myself.” (5)  Elizabeth and Jane decided not to tell anyone about Wickham’s past, which was a misguided effort to be fair (and also kept Elizabeth’s misjudgement quiet). 

When Elizabeth encountered Darcy again at Pemberly while travelling with the Gardiners, they were well on the way to a much better understanding, when Wickham ran off with her 15-year old sister Lydia.  Realizing that the elopement might have been prevented had she disclosed what she knew, then discovering Darcy’s role as Lydia’s rescuer when he compelled Wickham to marry Lydia, forced Elizabeth to recognize, yet again, her errors and pride.  Her recognition of Darcy’s virtues and the fact that she loved him indicated her maturing mind.   Her father’s and Darcy’s appreciation of her lively mind and intelligence, to me, demonstrated that reading was not an accomplishment neglected by Elizabeth even though we do not know what she read or actively see her engaged in reading as a frequent activity.

In Emma, books and reading were involved in the plot.  Emma Woodhouse was 20 years old, and bored.  She was talented in many ways, but did not choose to apply herself to fully develop her talents.  She was very fond of Miss Taylor, her governess, whose affection for Emma resulted in a lack of discipline.  Emma was indulged, and accustomed to being admired and having her own way.  When Miss Taylor married Mr. Weston and moved to her own home, it left Emma to her own devices.  Emma was very intelligent and active, more so than her sister and others around her.  Emma inherited her abilities from her mother, who may have been able to control and direct Emma had she lived.  (Certainly, no one else could.)  Consequently, Emma dabbled instead of applied, which gave her little satisfaction or occupation, and left her free to find another project. 

The only person to notice weakness and try to help her correct herself was Mr. Knightley, who told Mrs. Weston, “She will never submit to anything requiring industry and patience and a subjection of the fancy to the understanding.”(6)  Emma prided herself on making the match between her governess and Mr. Weston, and decided to make a project of matching Harriet Smith, a parlour boarder at the local school for young ladies with unknown connections.  Because of Harriet’s beauty and good nature (and good taste in looking up to Emma wholeheartedly), Emma decided that Harriet’s mysterious parentage must be of noble origin and resolved to match her with a gentleman.  Emma did not act so much out of malice but exhibited a consummate blindness to anything she did not want to see so missed many cues.  When Robert Martin, a tenant farmer of whom Mr. Knightley though highly, proposed to Harriet, Emma encouraged Harriet to refuse him, on the grounds he was beneath her and (among other flaws) illiterate.  Even though he wrote an excellent letter of proposal to Harriet and was known to read farm journals, Emma apparently equated his failure to procure and read The Romance of the Forest immediately upon Harriet’s recommendation as illiteracy. 

Emma’s attempts to throw the local vicar Mr. Elton (who had his eye on Emma herself) and Harriet together, her misguided jealousy and fault-finding of Jane Fairfax, and her misunderstanding of Frank Churchill’s intentions (while embracing his rather mean-spirited gossip) had her bouncing from awkward moment to worse.  Mr. Knightley’s attempts to rein her in rather pushed her even further on her path; she felt uncomfortable but was unwilling to concede her errors. Emma’s unkind remarks to Miss Bates at the Box Hill picnic, which resulted in a blunt and emphatic castigation by Mr. Knightly (showing how she had fallen in his estimation) brought her up short, and set her on a more appropriate path.  When Harriet confided that she had feelings for Mr. Knightley and thought Mr. Knightley might approach her, the final blinder came off and Emma realized she loved him.  All of these realizations allowed Emma to mature and evolve to the young woman ready to receive and deserving of Mr. Knightley’s regard.  (I always hoped that, after marriage, Mr. Knightley and Emma would read together some of those books she meant to read but never had.)

The first three novels considered feature young heroines in the process of maturing and evolving.  The girls’ reading (or lack thereof) showed their need to grow up. They concluded with each young woman realizing her potential and making worthy matches accordingly.  The fourth novel considered here, Persuasion, featured a different heroine.  Being Austen’s last completed novel, written when she was over 40 and in ill health, the choice of an older heroine seemed logical to me.  Anne Elliot was 27 years old and a mature woman who knew herself, her strengths and her weaknesses.  Her father, Sir Walter Elliot, was inordinately proud of being a baronet and the only reading material in which he showed interest was his family’s entry in Debrett’s The New Baronetage of England.  Her older and more beautiful sister Elizabeth, single at age 29, no longer enjoyed the Baronetage, and had quit looking at it.  There was no indication of interest in any other form of reading interest for either of them.  Younger sister Mary was married with two children, primarily concerned with her own health and feelings (household and children were left to her servants, and she was very occupied with making sure that her own precedence was observed and feeling put upon).  Anne saw clearly the vanity and selfishness of her father and her sisters, and had experienced heartbreak (at the death of her mother at age 14, and at the breaking of her engagement to Captain Wentworth at age 19).  In the intervening years, Anne had recognized her own weaknesses and errors, and learned from them.  Her recognition of these matters did not lessen her affection and regard for her friend Lady Russell, who persuaded her that the engagement was an error; it taught her to respect her own judgement. 

All of the action was viewed through Anne, who saw clearly but not unkindly.  When Captain Wentworth, now successful and wealthy, turned up at Uppercross, while Anne was visiting her sister Mary and Mary’s family, Anne did not expect a second chance; she was focused on merely getting through meeting him again without exposing her own feelings.  Anne herself was a reader.  In the years prior to meeting him again, Anne had followed Captain Wentworth’s career in the newspapers and naval sheets.  She was fond of poetry, occupying herself during the long walk from Upper Cross with remembering autumnal quotes appropriate to the season and her mood, while the others were separated out (including Captain Wentworth strolling with Louisa and Henrietta Musgrove).  Anne was quiet but herself in the continuing interactions with Captain Wentworth, and he came to view her with renewed appreciation, especially during the visit at Lyme, where the admiration for Anne shown by an unknown gentleman (who turned out to be Mr. William Elliot, the cousin and heir to her father’s title) caught his attention and again when Louisa fell and injured herself and Anne kept her composure and took charge.  In Lyme, Anne engages Captain Wentworth’s friend Captain Benwick in conversation about literature.   As Anne had mourned the figurative death of her engagement, Captain Benwick mourned the literal death of his fiancee’ Fanny, and read poetry assiduously, quoting sad verses.   While having great sympathy for his loss, Anne’s recommendation was more bracing: she suggested that he include more prose in his reading.(7)  (Somehow, I could see Anne recommending Robert Southey’s Life of Horatio, Lord Nelson as suitable prose for a naval man.) 

As the action moved from Upper Cross to Bath, Anne continued to pursue her own path, resuming a friendship with her old school friend, Mrs. Smith, who was poor and an invalid, while Sir Walter and Elizabeth chased social standing.  Elizabeth neglected her sister in favour of Mrs. Clay, daughter of Sir Walter’s solicitor, who flattered both Elizabeth and Sir Walter assiduously.  Captain Wentworth re-entered Anne’s orbit in Bath, freed from any entanglement with Louisa due to her falling in love with and becoming engaged to Captain Benwick as he read poetry to her during her convalescence.(8)   Anne formed the warm, quiet centre of the action, the kind and sympathetic person to whom all were drawn, except for Elizabeth and Sir Walter who were both completely self-absorbed.  Anne’s affections had not changed; it only remained for Captain Wentworth to rediscover his love for her and to write possibly the most beautiful love letter ever written to give Anne her due reward.  She had already done the work and earned it.  Her fondness for reading and choice of materials seemed almost a metaphor for her maturity and the development of her mind and spirit.

As an author, Jane Austen was known for her subtlety and delicate touch.  One would not look for blatant symbolism or an obvious device in her novels.  In the matter of books and reading, a source of great interest and inspiration to her and her writing, one would expect to find some reference to reading in her novels, and one does.  Pride and Prejudice specifically referred to the improvement of the mind by extensive reading.  The neglect of this improvement was reflected by the missteps of Emma, who did not challenge herself or develop her abilities, and Catherine Morland, who spent too much time reading light fare.  Elizabeth, I believe, did read, but put too much faith in her own observations and judgements before her reading and her life experience could refine them.  We watched these three heroines struggle and mature, so that they were worthy of their happy endings. In Anne, we saw the culmination of experience and growth, nurtured by her reading and the variety of materials she read, as she received her just and natural reward when those around her saw and appreciated her worth.

Notes:

  1. Northanger Abbey  Vol. 1 p. 37-38
  2. Northanger Abbey  Vol. 1 p. 106
  3. Northanger Abbey Vol. 1 p. 15
  4. Pride and Prejudice  Vol. 1 p. 39
  5. Pride and Prejudice Vol. 2 p. 209   
  6. Emma Vol. 1 p. 37   
  7. Persuasion Vol. 3 p. 101           
  8. Persuasion Vol. 4 p. 167                  

Sources include:

Austen, Jane.  Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.  The Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen.  3rd edition.  Vol. 5.  1988: Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Austen, Jane.  Pride and Prejudice.  The Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen.  3rd edition. Vol. II.  1988: Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Austen, Jane.  Emma. The Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen.  3rd edition. Vol. IV.  1988: Oxford University Press, Oxford.

BBC Arts & Culture. “Jane Austen: What books were on her reading list?” January 23, 2013.  (No author shown.)  http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/0/21122727

Persuasions On-line.  “Jane Austen’s Reading: The Chawton Years” by Gillian Dow and Katie Halsey.  Vol. 30 No. 2 (Spring 2010).  http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/on-line/vol30no2/dow-halsey.html

Republic of Pemberly.  “Allusions to Books and Authors in Jane Austen’s Writing.”  (No date or author provided.)  http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/litallus.html

About the Author:

LAUREN GILBERT has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a minor in Art History. An avid reader, she is a long-time member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. She has presented several programs for JASNA meetings including a breakout session at the 2011 Annual General Meeting in Ft. Worth, Texas. She lives in Florida, with her husband.  Her first published book, HEYERWOOD: A Novel, was released in 2011.  Her second, A Rational Attachment, is in process, due out shortly.  You can visit her website at www.lauren-gilbert.com for more information.

HEYERWOOD: A Novel is a romantic historical novel, set in the Georgian/Regency period in England. The story of a woman learning to cope with power and control at a time when women traditionally had little power at all, this book will appeal to readers of history, fans of historical novels, and admirers of Jane Austen alike.

Posted in Austen Authors, books, British history, family, George Wickham, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Guest Blog, Guest Post, Jane Austen, literature, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, reading | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Princess Helena’s Marriage Splits Queen Victoria’s Family

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Regina Jeffers
Christian_and_helena

Princess Helena and her fiancée, Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein (1865) http://crownstiarasandcoronets.blogspot.com/2016/06/princess-helena-of-uk-princess-of.html

Princess Helena chose to marry Prince Christian, one of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburgs. On the maternal side, Prince Christian held ties to a Danish noble family, as well as to the British royal family. His grandmother was the granddaughter of Frederick, King George II’s son. He was 15 years Helena’s senior. Unfortunately, the prince appeared older than he actually was, a fact that Victoria remarked upon on numerous occasions. Moreover, Christian was not the most intelligent of men (certainly nothing in the manner of Victoria’s “dear Albert”). He was not sophisticated or ambitious or very amiable. Nor did he possess a fortune worthy of Victoria’s daughter.

(For more on Helena’s path to marriage, see Princess Helena Escapes Queen Victoria’s Heavy  Thumb.)

According to Jerrold M. Packard in his Victoria’s Daughters (New York. St Martin’s. 1998. pages 112-113, the Prusso-Danish war “… would have a profound impact on Queen Victoria’s third daughter as the Augustenburg family became a second casualty of all this Realpolitik. A younger son of the Augustenburgs, who were a branch of the Schleswig-Holstein family, Christian recognized that his family were no longer practical candidates for a throne of the duchies. This signified that his own future was pretty much bereft of recognizable landmarks, and specifically that he was free from any dynastic responsibility at home. Yet even with the issue of Christian’s political liabilities largely obviated by his family’s loss to Bismark’s scheming and Prussia’s strength, his own personal lack of desirability would drive a wedge between members of Lenchen’s family.” 

When Bismarck gained control of the provinces of Schleswig and Holstein (at Denmark’s expense), he transformed his military into one of the world’s greatest and himself into an adversary the rest of the world needed to beware. The Danish king had owned Schleswig since 1815. Meanwhile, the duke of Augustenburg claimed both Schleswig and Holstein. . The duke was the personal friend of Frederick tIII, Princess Victoria’s husband. Bismarck’s plans included replacing the Hapsburg Austrian leadership with a Hohenzollern Prussian one. The Prussians and Austrian armies defeated the Danes in Schleswig and Holstein. The Austrians  pressed to have the Augustenburg family (Christian’s family) govern the two states, but two years later, Bismarck turned his discontent on Austria for vocally expressing its disdain for the Prussian occupation of the duchies to eliminate Austrian rule in Germany.

Christian’s Augustenburg family were no longer candidates for the throne of the duchies. Prince Christian’s dynastic responsibility were eliminated by Bismarck’s scheming. His lack of “merit” became an issue within Queen Victoria’s family. Victoria’s eldest, Princess Victoria and Frederick III strongly supported Christian’s family’s claim to the two duchies, for Christian’s family had long been welcomed at the Neues Palais. Meanwhile, Albert Edward (Bertie) held a different opinion. Bertie’s wife, Alexandra, was Princess of Denmark, daughter of the monarch, and the Augustenburg family were the enemy of Denmark. Alexandra supported her father’s claim to Schleswig. Bertie threatened to “disown” his family if they ignored his and his wife’s objections to Prince Christian. 

Princes Louise agreed with her eldest sister, mainly because she recognized Helena’s desire to be from Victoria’s rule. Princess Alice sided with Bertie. Alice believed the marriage would upset the Hohenzollerns, who considered the Augustenburg faction as too liberal. Alice thought it foolish to rile Princess Victoria’s powerful in-laws. Alice also thought that Prince Christian was too old for Helena, but, moreover, she thought that her mother was too dependent upon Helena. The queen had insisted that Helena and Prince Christian reside in England. Alice’s objections to Christian made her a target for Queen Victoria’s venomous complaints regarding her daughter. 

Alice, however, proved herself the better person. She was the one who convinced Bertie to attend the wedding when he threatened to boycott it. Alice also reminded Bertie that England had stood against the Hohenzollerns’ objections when Albert decided to marry Alexandra. 

Two years passed before the actual marriage took place, smack dab in the middle of the Austro-Prussian War. “On a family level, this second of Bismarck’s wars split Victoria’s progeny and their spouses between the Belligerents, Fritz (Frederick III) commanding the Prussian troops, Alice’s husband leading Hessian forces in support of the Austrian Army. The state of affairs kept Vicky and Alice away from the wedding, which in all likelihood, was for the best.Despite the bitter feelings over Christian’s entering her family, Lenchen’s (Helena’s) wedding day – July 5, 1866 – represented a personal triumph for this most timid of the five sisters, and the one that would happily spare the bride the political trials her two already married sisters were to endure in their more consequential marriage. What was more, these nuptials were not celebrated with the deafening gloom that overlaid those that had joined Alice and Louis.” (Packard 115)

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The Wedding of Princess Helena & Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein (Christian Karl Magnussen, 1866) http://crownstiarasandcoronets.blogspot.com/2016/06/princess-helena-of-uk-princess-of.html

 

Posted in British history, family, history, kings and queens, marriage, political stance, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Princess Helena’s Marriage Splits Queen Victoria’s Family

The Trauma of PTSD and How It Plays Out in The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin, a 2016 Finalist for the Chanticleer International Book Awards

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

ptsd_brain1.pngIn my The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery, Darcy’s cousin Major General Fitzwilliam (the former Colonel Fitzwilliam from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice) suffers from what we would now call “PTSD.” During the Regency there was no such distinction. The most one might consider as a diagnosis for the effects of many years in war was “melancholia.” Yet, melancholia was also the diagnosis for the most severely deranged. Bethlem Royal Hospital was the destination for those considered mentally ill. BRH was the first hospital to specialize in the treatment of those “not in their right mind.” Historically, the hospital proved to represent the worst excesses of asylums in the realm of mental disorders and lunacy during its early years. Mental health reforms were slow coming. It is from this hospital’s name that we derive the word “bedlam.”

PTSD is not a new condition. It existed since the beginning of time. There are references to the “madness” in Shakespeare, Dickens, the Bible, Mahabharata, Aristotle, Homer, and the like. We are now more knowledgeable of the trauma that any life-changing event can cause a human (war, rape, natural disasters, etc.). But in the time of the Regency period in England, no one had a name for what surely must have claimed more than one man returning to “normalcy” after all the years of the Napoleonic War. Yet, it was 1980 before the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder entered the English vocabulary.

Over the years, the disorder with termed as nostalgia, melancholy, homesickness, soldier’s heart, hysteria, neurasthenia, ester root, railway spine, compensation sickness, combat exhaustion, shell shock, compensation sickness, and stress response syndrome. It was not until after World War II that psychologists classified the illness as a form of trauma. Unfortunately, early physicians thought of the illness as temporary in nature and returning home would solve the situation.

The National Center for PTSD says, “PTSD is unique among psychiatric diagnoses because of the great importance placed upon the etiological agent, the traumatic stressor. In fact, one cannot make a PTSD diagnosis unless the patient has actually met the “stressor criterion,” which means that he or she has been exposed to an event that is considered traumatic. Clinical experience with the PTSD diagnosis has shown, however, that there are individual differences regarding the capacity to cope with catastrophic stress. Therefore, while most people exposed to traumatic events do not develop PTSD, others go on to develop the full-blown syndrome. Such observations have prompted the recognition that trauma, like pain, is not an external phenomenon that can be completely objectified. Like pain, the traumatic experience is filtered through cognitive and emotional processes before it can be appraised as an extreme threat. Because of individual differences in this appraisal process, different people appear to have different trauma thresholds, some more protected from and some more vulnerable to developing clinical symptoms after exposure to extremely stressful situations. Although there is currently a renewed interest in subjective aspects of traumatic exposure, it must be emphasized that events such as rape, torture, genocide, and severe war zone stress are experienced as traumatic events by nearly everyone.”

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PoMDC Cover-3 copy The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery

Fitzwilliam Darcy is enjoying his marital bliss. His wife, the former Elizabeth Bennet, presented him two sons and a world of contentment. All is well until “aggravation” rears its head when Darcy receives a note of urgency from his sister Georgiana. In truth, Darcy never fully approved of Georgiana’s joining with their cousin, Major General Edward Fitzwilliam, for Darcy assumed the major general held Georgiana at arm’s length, dooming Darcy’s sister to a life of unhappiness.
Dutifully, Darcy and Elizabeth rush to Georgiana’s side when the major general leaves his wife and daughter behind, with no word of his whereabouts and no hopes of Edward’s return. Forced to seek his cousin in the slews of London’s underbelly, at length, Darcy discovers the major general and returns Fitzwilliam to his family.
Even so, the Darcys’ troubles are far from over. During the major general’s absence from home, witnesses note Fitzwilliam’s presence in the area of two horrific murders. When Edward Fitzwilliam is arrested for the crimes, Darcy must discover the real culprit before the authorities hanged his cousin and the Fitzwilliam name knew a lifetime of shame.
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__________________________________________
Excerpt (Scene ~ Elizabeth observes Georgiana in the nursery at Yadkin Hall. Georgiana’s husband, Major General Fitzwilliam, abandoned his wife and child.) 

Georgiana did not realize Elizabeth was in the nursery when the girl entered: Elizabeth came to sit on the floor beside Bennet’s bed to rest a comforting hand on her son after the child awakened with dreams of dragons. Elizabeth sat in the dark shadows and silently observed her sister-in-marriage.

Although in obvious turmoil, Georgiana closed her eyes to listen to the soft “snore” of her daughter. Earlier Darcy’s sister admitted to Elizabeth that since the major general’s exit, only quiet moments with their child brought Georgiana any harmony. During the day’s growing tension, Georgiana insisted they would receive word from Darcy in the late post, but Elizabeth reasoned Darcy was in the Capital less than a day.

“It is too soon,” Elizabeth insisted, despite the look of hope upon the girl’s countenance.

Poor Georgiana! Darcy’s sister convinced her foolish heart that if Edward meant to return, he would do so when Darcy confronted him.

Over the four years of Elizabeth’s dwelling at Pemberley, she learned something of the girl’s nature: Georgiana always professed to be a very practical woman, one who recognized how life’s troubles made a person stronger; however, Elizabeth knew at her core that the girl possessed a romantic heart. Lamentably, when Georgiana married the major general, Darcy’s sister assumed her husband possessed the same sensible nature, as did all the Fitzwilliam men. Needless to say, the girl erred.
         Elizabeth watched as Georgiana hugged herself tightly and stared down upon her sleeping child. Georgiana’s earlier tear-filled confession in a moment of weakness surprised Elizabeth. The girl spoke of a most troubling incident.

“I suppose I should not say this,” Georgiana whispered through a hiccuping sob and her painful admittance. “But I know you will forgive me for being so forward. I must tell someone.”

“I am as always your confidant,” Elizabeth assured.

With downcast eyes, Georgiana confessed.

“It is wanton of me to say, but I miss the exquisite feel of Edward’s hand upon my skin and the sound of his voice as he calls my name. I miss all the little things, Elizabeth: The gurgle of a snore when he sleeps, the way his eyes meet mine, even in a crowded room. With him, I knew the end of loneliness, a feeling, which haunted me my entire life. My mother’s early passing marked me as a single.”

Bitterness laced the girl’s tone.

“As you will recall from my girlish confessions in those early days of our acquaintance, I fell in love with my cousin when I was but fourteen, but Edward was seven and twenty at the time, and he had a life in Town. It was the pain of young love thwarted, which drove me to foster a relationship with George Wickham, an act that nearly ruined my chances of knowing my cousin’s tenderness. Lacking the sensibility of one more mature to recognize the foolishness of my choices, I sought the familiarity of Mr. Wickham’s acquaintance to replace the love I thought never to possess.”

At the time, Elizabeth wondered if the same could not be said of Georgiana’s choice of Edward: Neither Georgiana nor the major general was prepared to know a deep, trusting love.

With a shudder of dread, the girl continued.

“Elizabeth, I must speak of what occurred at Yadkin Hall or I shall go mad. However, you must promise me you will not share what I say with Darcy. My brother would act with honor, and one of us would wear widow weeds.”

“You have my word,” Elizabeth assured. “If I may be of service to you, speak from your heart.”

However, Elizabeth possessed no idea how far the situation at Yadkin Hall deteriorated.

As Georgiana’s tears increased, Darcy’s sister buried her forehead into Elizabeth’s shoulders.

“One day, perhaps a fortnight prior, I innocently strolled into the estate chapel to say my prayers; instead, I found Edward kneeling at the altar, a gun positioned beneath his chin.”

Her sister in marriage’s pronouncement shook Elizabeth’s customary resolve. How had things come to know such an end?

“I heard my husband cock the hammer, and pure terror filled me. Do you see? Edward thought to take his life. Here I was thinking we found happiness—that having me as his wife pleased him.”

Georgiana laced her fingers through Elizabeth’s, and Elizabeth held tight to both her growing anxiousness and the girl’s hand.

“I was afraid to call out–afraid my voice might jar Edward into action. I watched in interested horror, praying my husband would not pull the trigger. Unable to say anything, I backed from the vestibule, and then I pretended to approach again, this time, humming the lullaby I sing to our child at night. I meant the song to serve as a reminder of the good things in our life. It was all of which I could think to prevent Edward’s dudgeon claiming him. As I reentered the chapel, the major general returned the gun to a pocket and plastered a smile of greeting upon his lips; yet, I am no longer so naïve.”

“Have you also known the major general’s ire,” Elizabeth asked as Georgiana hid her face deeper in Elizabeth’s shoulder.
Elizabeth prompted Georgiana’s response.

“I apologize for my impertinence, but I noticed earlier that you do not move with your customary grace, as if you suffered a fall, and there is the remnants of a bruise, which appears to be fingerprints, upon your arm, just above your sleeve.”

“Please tell me Darcy did not observe what you did!”

“Men are not so sharp-eyed as they would like to think,” Elizabeth assured.

“It was my fault,” Georgiana declared. “I wished to know whether Edward was happy in Oxfordshire or not, and my shrewish tongue was too much for my husband to bear. He did not strike me, Elizabeth. I swear it is true. I stepped into Edward’s path when he meant to quit the room, and he shoved me from his way. I hit the wall to the left of the hearth in his quarters. The look upon the major general’s countenance spoke of instant regret, and all I suffered were a few bruises. You must not speak to Darcy of this, but I believe the incident and the one earlier in the chapel precipitated Edward’s speedy exit. If Darcy knew of the incident, my brother would defend my honor against my husband, and I would lose one of the two men I love most dearly.”

Georgiana’s voice in the darkness brought Elizabeth to the present.

“I can tolerate the pain of knowing Edward’s displeasure.”

As Elizabeth looked on from the silent corner, Georgiana traced the curve of Colleen’s cheek.

“If your Papa will simply return to us, I can bear it all.”

Elizabeth never witnessed Darcy’s sister so distraught.

“There is room in my heart for one more private ache. All I wish is for you, my Sweet One, to know your father’s love. I can live without love if Edward would return for you. A child should never spend her life without knowing both her parents’ affections.”

Elizabeth felt tears forming in her eyes. Georgiana concealed her deepest pains, even from her brother. The girl suffered dearly from being the cause of her mother’s death.
        Quietly, Georgiana moved to where she could look out upon the night, and Elizabeth sank deeper into the shadows. In the moonlight, Elizabeth could observe how worry and pretense left its mark upon Georgiana’s features. Harsh lines appeared around her sister’s eyes. The girl shivered before resting her forehead against the glass.

“The major general thinks I do not know he reaches for me only when he wishes to silence my questions.”

Georgiana’s tone spoke of the heartache of unfulfilled dreams.

“All, which remains, is the hollowness I knew all my life.”

The girl sighed in acceptance.

“Sixteen months,” Georgiana admitted in chastising tones. “I had sixteen months of happiness. It is enough. I have Colleen and Darcy and Elizabeth and my nephews. It is foolish for me to think I could also claim Edward’s love. I must not covet what others possess. I must make myself act with Christian forgiveness and make my marriage as tolerable as possible.”

 

Posted in Austen Authors, British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Do You Know the History of ®Murine Eye Drops?

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

I am forever adding allergy drops to stop my eyes from itching and later adding eye drops to prevent the dryness. It got me thinking…

heritage.jpg Murine UK tells us this about the history of ®Murine: “The Murine® Eye Drops brand was first launched in the 1970’s with a pharmacy strength eye drop containing a medicine known as a vasoconstrictor, which acts by constricting the blood vessels in the eyes to reduce redness. Over the years, the Murine® range of products has continued to grow, offering specialist solutions for a number of common eye conditions such as red, dry and hayfever eyes.”

However I found a “more interesting” tale about ®Murine. I do not know whether it is true or not, but it a grand story. 

Otis F. Hall was one of the three founders of the Murine Eye Remedy Company, serving as its secretary and general manager. He was born in Auburn, New York, in October 1848, but soon found himself and his family in Michigan. He entered the banking business as a cashier at the People’s Bank of Manchester, and later he joined a private banking business with J. A. Sexton in Detroit. He spent time with the Second National Bank of Detroit, the D. M. Perry Company, and the Gale Sulky Harrow Company. At length, Hall traveled to the West Coast and founded the Old National Bank of Seattle. It was from there that the story of Murine came about. 

Screen Shot 2017-03-14 at 2.36.41 PM copy 2According to the story, around 1890, Otis F. Hal was discussing a broken shoe on a friend’s horse. As he bent to examine the shoe, the horse swished his tail, which struck Hall in the right eye, cutting the cornea’s surface. An ulcer developed. When nothing he tried had proven beneficial, Hall and his son traveled to Chicago to engage the most renowned ophthalmologists of the time, Doctors James B. and George W. McFatrich.

Under the doctors care, Hall’s eye healed within a few weeks. Moreover, Hall’s son was also cured of a minor eye irritation. The doctors used a specially prepared eye lotion that they had compounded in their lab. Mr. Hall, recognizing an opportunity, pressed the doctors to make the compound available upon a wider basis. However, the McFatrich brothers were not easily persuaded. It took Hall several years to convince them to mass produce the mixture. Hall and the McFatrichs formed the Murine Eye Remedy Company, naming the product after the chemical formula – muriate of berberine. They used the “mur” + “ine” from the two words, creating ®Murine.

The trio also founded the Northern Illinois College of Ophthalmology and Otology of Chicago. Hall died in October 1918.

 

 

Posted in business, commerce, medicine, real life tales | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A Walk Through Green Park from Guest Author, Joana Starnes

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

 This is a repeat performance from the archives  from my dear friend, Joana Starnes, who gives us a brief look at London’s Green Park, which plays a pivotal role in Ms. Starnes’s Austen-inspired The Second Chance: A Pride and Prejudice/Sense and Sensibility Variation . 

51xQRHHwoBL When drawn to Jane Austen’s world, we readers attempt to find glimpses of Regency London, but sadly we are often disappointed. Two hundred years have elapsed, bringing along hordes of Victorian improvements, air raids, the dreaded 1960s-70s, also known as the ‘decades that taste forgot’, and the necessary growth of a city which could not be expected to remain frozen in time – much as some of us would have liked it to!

240px-Canada_Gate_-_Green_Park,_London_England

Green Park, London. Canada Gate, located on the south side of the park via Wikipedia

 Green Park and Piccadilly are no exception. No longer associated with the glamour of Devonshire House, long demolished, the junction between Piccadilly and Berkeley Street is now known for the glitz and glamour of The Ritz. Many other townhouses that customarily graced this area are no longer standing, or are substantially altered.

The only mansion that seems unchanged is the one overlooking Green Park: Spencer House, built by the ancestors of Diana, Princess of Wales. Alongside it runs the Queen’s Walk, that used to be greatly favoured in Jane Austen’s time and also before then, as a place to see and be seen.

Green_Park,_London_-_April_2007

via Wikipedia

 Green Park is virtually featureless these days – but a very different vista would have opened before one’s eyes in the early 1800s. A wide open space, not quite so cluttered with trees and allowing a good view of Queen’s Palace, later to become Buckingham Palace. At the other end of the Park, near Piccadilly, one could still see the Queen’s Basin, a reservoir that provided water for St James’s Palace and was adorned with a tall sprinkling fountain. And further down Queen’s Walk stood the Queen’s Library – all named in honour of Queen Caroline, wife of George II.

There is a large collection of engravings on the British Museum website. If you follow the link, the viewer will see one that shows what Mr. Darcy might have seen, if he strolled into Green Park: the reservoir and fountain, the path leading to the Queen’s Library to the left, and Westminster Abbey in the distance.

In my own works of fiction, I’ve chosen to believe that Mr Darcy’s townhouse would have been in Berkeley Square, quite close to Grosvenor Square, Miss Bingley’s oh-so-fashionable address; also very close to the glamorous Devonshire House and Lansdowne House, and a few doors down from Mr. Canning, the Foreign Secretary who fought a duel on Wimbledon Common with Lord Castlereagh, the then Secretary of State for War, over a difference of opinion regarding the Peninsular Campaign – hard as it might be nowadays to imagine politicians settling their differences in this manner!

So, why am I taking you on this trip down memory lane? Just to show the setting of an excerpt from my latest book ‘The Second Chance’.

Hoping for a modicum of peace in times of deep regrets, uncertainty and anguish, Mr. Darcy wanders off from his house to stroll through Berkeley Square, under the same plane trees that Jane Austen herself might have walked past, on her way to Gunther’s, the famous pastry-shop.

And then he makes his way towards Green Park and, unbeknownst to him, towards a most fortuitous encounter…

~ ** ~

EXCERPT from The Second Chance: Bingley had not written yet, of course! He would sooner travel to town on foot than set pen to paper, Darcy thought with more than the customary irritation. The very notion that he was wasting precious days because he did not know where he should seek her was driving him to distraction!

Was travelling to Netherfield his only option, then – to go and ask Bingley, face to face? He frowned, knowing full well he would, if it came to that, though heaven knows how he was to justify such a drastic course of action to his friend without giving rise to speculations or, worse still, to questions that he had no answers for!

Darcy stopped pacing and dropped the post back on his desk. He lowered himself in the great chair and rubbed his temples. He had spent a large part of the morning poring over estate business, and the struggle to give it his undivided attention had brought on a headache. As with everything in recent months, it was impossible to give anything his undivided attention!

He cast another glance at his papers, then pushed them from him and stood. It was no use, and he was getting nowhere! He rubbed his temples again. He needed a respite – from his papers, from this house, from himself!

He should go out. To his club? Nay, he could not bear it! To Hatchard’s, perhaps? Or his favourite small bookseller’s in York Street? Pall Mall maybe, to buy some music for his sister, to follow the pianoforte he had recently acquired for her – although he knew full well that gifts would not compensate for his absence, nor would they assuage his guilt for having left her for so long with none but Mrs. Annesley for company. Still, it could not be helped. At least this time he had assured himself that the lady was eminently trustworthy and it was plain to see that Georgiana was very comfortable with her.

Darcy sighed. He knew that although he ought to, he could not return to Pemberley. Not yet. Perhaps the answer was to ask his sister if she would be willing to travel to town sometime soon.

He walked to the window and pushed the curtains aside, then opened one of the small casements. There was some rain in the early morning, but then most of the clouds were blown away. The gust of fresh air that brushed over his face was cool and pleasantly refreshing. A walk? Perhaps. It might settle his headache. Aye. A walk would suit him very well indeed!

Darcy took a deep breath as the heavy door of his London home closed behind him and finished putting on his gloves. He pondered his direction for a moment, and then he shrugged. Anywhere would do. Green Park was the nearest, and the Queen’s Library ensconced there, in a small pavilion, was proven well-worth visiting in the past.

He ambled along Berkeley Street, crossed the noisy madness that was Piccadilly and wandered into Green Park through the tall wrought-iron gates. He walked slowly past the Reservoir, his gaze wandering over the wide expanse of green, broken here and there by lime trees and tall chestnuts. He smiled to himself, safe in the knowledge that although the Queen’s Walk might be fashionable with some, the time of day was anything but, and he would not be plagued by encounters with the denizens of the West End and their progeny.

He regretted for a brief moment that he had not taken his latest purchase from York Street with him. It would have been quite pleasant to find an unobtrusive bench and enjoy a good book and a moment’s peace, if any could be found!

Seemingly, the notion had occurred to at least two others. Just in front of him, on a quiet alley, two young ladies appeared absorbed in their books. Or perhaps not so absorbed. One of them, suddenly distracted, abandoned her volume on the seat, stood and moved a few steps away from her companion, only to turn and look into the sky, her palm sheltering her eyes from the sunlight.

What was she looking for, Darcy wondered, his curiosity piqued despite himself. Clouds? Swallows? Were there any young ladies left in London who would show an interest in something so mundane as a lovely day? Or indeed an interest in anything at all, rather than exuding what was deemed to be a highly fashionable ennui?

Darcy looked again, then stared. It must be another figment of his imagination, surely! It could not possibly be–…!

“Elizabeth? By God, Elizabeth!” his voice came in a quiet whisper and before he knew how it came about, he found himself a few steps from her, his countenance unrestrainedly suffused in all the joy such a fortuitous encounter brought him.

“Miss Bennet! What a wonderful surprise!” he said, before he could even attempt to remember common civility, or his habitual reserve – only to find to his extreme mortification that he immediately followed it with, “You are looking remarkably well!”

‘Good grief!’, he mentally chastised himself. Could he possibly have been more gauche?

Why, yes, in fact. He could have said ‘You look even more beautiful than I remembered’, which were the very words on his mind at the time, he futilely reasoned.

“Mr. Darcy!”

The unexpected encounter and his surprisingly warm welcome made Elizabeth more open in her greeting than she might otherwise have been. Instead of a restrained curtsy, she offered him her hand. Darcy took it, belatedly remembering to bow over it, and the cheeks of both were overspread with the deepest blush. Darcy nervously cleared his voice and looked away, then down at his feet.

But no, this would not do! This unexpected, wonderful chance! What fool would waste it on mere commonplaces? He swallowed and, uncharacteristically, threw reserve and caution to the wind as he offered quietly but earnestly:

“I consider myself very fortunate to have happened upon this spot, Miss Bennet. ‘Tis far too long since I had the pleasure of seeing you.”

“Indeed, it has been a while, Sir.”

“Over seven months, I believe. We have not met since the 26th of November, when I had the honour of dancing with you at Netherfield.”

Elizabeth looked up in surprise to find his memory so exact and for a few brief moments their eyes met, before she looked away. His openness of manner was nothing short of extraordinary and although she found it pleasing, Elizabeth knew not what to make of it.

~ ** ~

I wonder, what do you make of it? If you enjoyed this excerpt and would like more details about this and my other books, they can be found here: Books by Joana Starnes or at http://www.joanastarnes.co.uk/

You can also find me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/joana.a.starnes

and Twitter at

http://www.twitter.com/Joana_Starnes

 

Posted in book excerpts, British history, buildings and structures, giveaway, Jane Austen, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , | 66 Comments

18th Century Folk Tune: “English Country Garden”

Posted on April 4, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

HGTV2501174-gardens-rms_perennials-minnesota-triciaf_s4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.725.jpegEnglish Country Garden is well known in the United Kingdom, English Country Gardens was originally a Morris tune (that is a tune usually played on the accordion or violin to accompany traditional English Morris dancing).  The tune was collected by Cecil Sharp, and has more or less entered the contemporary British national consciousness. (Acoustic Music Archive)

According to Wikipedia, Country Gardens is an English folk tune collected by Cecil Sharp,the founding father of the folk-song revival  in England in the early 20th century, and arranged for piano in 1918 by Percy Grainger,an Australian-born composer, arranger and pianist. In 2008, Country Gardens was added to the National Film and Sound Archive’s Sounds of Australia registry. A version of Country Gardens appears in the Quaker’s Opera  of 1728.

The tune and the Percy Aldridge Grainger arrangement for piano and orchestra is a favourite with school orchestras, and other performances of the work include morris dancing. Jimmie Rodgers  sang a well-known version (“English Country Garden”), which reached Number 5 in the UK charts in June 1962. Anglo-Australian comedian Rolf Harris recorded a satire of the Rodgers version in the 1970s. Comedian Allan Sherman  used this melody as the tune for his 1963 song, “Here’s to the Crabgrass.” 

How many kinds of sweet flowers grow
In an English country garden?
We’ll tell you now of some that we know
Those we miss you’ll surely pardon
Daffodils, heart’s ease and phlox
Meadowsweet and lady smocks
Gentian, lupin and tall hollyhocks
Roses, foxgloves, snowdrops, forget-me-nots
In an English country garden


How many insects come here and go
In an English country garden?
We’ll tell you now of some that we know
Those we miss you’ll surely pardon
Fireflies, moths and bees
Spiders climbing in the trees
Butterflies drift in the gentle breeze
There are snakes, ants that sting
And other creeping things
In an English country garden


How many songbirds fly to and fro
In an English country garden?
We’ll tell you now of some that we know
Those we miss you’ll surely pardon
Bobolink, cuckoo and quail
Tanager and cardinal
Bluebird, lark, thrush and nightingale
There is joy in the spring
When the birds begin to sing
In an English country garden

imgres.jpg You Tube: PERCY GRAINGER: Country Gardens 

220px-Jimmie_Rodgers_1968.JPG You Tube: Jimmie Rodgers – English Country Garden

 

Posted in ballads, British history, music, Napoleonic Wars, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Announcing More Winners from Regina Jeffers’s “A Dance with Mr. Darcy” Giveaway

Posted on April 2, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

winners_are.png These are the winners from the various giveaways associated with the release of A Dance with Mr. Darcy. All winners were chosen by Random.org. Each date will have two winners of eBooks of A Dance with Mr. Darcy listed and will be updated regularly. 

Announcement for Sunday, March 26

March 21 – Every Woman Dreams Blog: Historical Handfasting as a Plot Point in “A Dance with Mr. Darcy” (ends March 24)

Gerri Bowen 

Anji 

March 22 – Every Woman Dreams Blog: Was an Annulment Possible in the Regency? (ends March 25)

darcyluvr 

Lynn Bischoff

_______________________________

Announcement for Sunday, April 2

March 24 (ends at midnight March 26) – Every Woman Dreams Blog: St. Agnes Eve, a Plot Point in “A Dance with Mr. Darcy”

mbresticker

Patty Edmisson

March 24 (ends March 28) – Darcyholic Diversion 

Becky C

Kate B

March 27 (ends March 30) – Austen Authors 

Rebecca Odom 

Carole in Canada

Suzanne Fraz

March 28 – Every Woman Dreams Blog: Mythical Handfasting (ends March 31)

Ginna

Anita P

March 29 – Every Woman Dreams Blog: The History of St. Agnes Eve (ends April 1)

Glynis

Jacqui

———————————————————

March 31 – Every Savage Can Dance (ends April 3) 

Anna 

Dung 

A Dance With Mr Darcy copy

Posted in book excerpts, book release, British history, Church of England, eBooks, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, marriage, marriage customs, Pride and Prejudice, romance, Scotland, servant life, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Announcing the Winners of Brenda Webb’s “Brother Can You Spare a Dime?” Giveaway

Posted on April 1, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

and-the-winner-is.png We at Every Woman Dreams are pleased to announce the winners of Brenda Webb‘s “Brother Can You Spare a Dime?” Giveaway. Random. org has chosen… 

Nancy Dworak   (and)   Luisa 1111 as the winners  of an eBook from Ms. Webb.  Brenda will contact the winners personally to make arrangements for the eBook delivery. The winners will have their choice of these titles. 

51iV6TC2NmL._UY250_.jpg 51jsehmfatl-_uy250_ 51nRaIxYZxL._UY250_.jpg 51M8w-WorBL._UY250_.jpg 51-e24YjlCL._UY250_.jpg 51rZNlyaHGL._UY250_.jpg

Posted in giveaway, Guest Post, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Why Do We Call a Toilet a “John”?

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

220px-Sir_John_Harington_by_Hieronimo_Custodis Sir John Harington was a courtier, translator, a not so successful poet of the Elizabethan era. Harington’s father married an illegitimate daughter of Henry VIII. His second wife was attendant to Princess Elizabeth, and Queen Elizabeth I stood as godmother to John, who was educated at Eton, Cambridge, and Lincoln’s Inn. Despite all these accomplishment, Harington’s fame came from inventing the flush toilet.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth banished Harington from her Court because he translated a lewd tale the 16th century Italian poet Ariosto. The ladies of the Court complained to the queen of the nature of the tale. Elizabeth sent him away until he could translate the whole of Ariosto’s epic poem, Orlando Furioso. She chose this punishment rather than actually banishing him, but she considered the task so difficult that it was assumed Harington would not bother to comply. Harington, however, chose to follow through with the request and completed the translation in 1591. His translation received great praise, and is one of the translations still read by English speakers today.

During his ‘exile’, 1584-91, he built himself a house, and devised and installed the first flushing lavatory, which he named Ajax. Eventually Queen Elizabeth forgave him, and visited his house at Kelston in 1592. Harrington proudly showed-off his new invention, and the Queen herself tried it out! She was so impressed it seems, that she ordered one for herself. His water-closet had a pan with an opening at the bottom, sealed with a leather -faced valve. A system of handles, levers and weights poured in water from a cistern, and opened the valve.

In spite of the Queen’s enthusiasm for this new invention, the public remained faithful to the chamber-pot. These were usually emptied from an upstairs window into the street below, and in France, the cry ‘gardez-l’eau’ gave warning to the people below to take evasive action. This phrase ‘gardez-l’eau’ may have been the origin of the English nickname for the lavatory, the ‘loo’.

flush

Waste disposal: Harington’s flush toilet describred in ‘A New Discourse of a Stale Subject, called the Metamorphosis of Ajax’, 1596

Around this time, Harington also devised Britain’s first flushing toilet–called the Ajax (i.e., a “jakes”—jakes being an old slang word for toilet). It was installed at his manor in Kelston. He also installed a flush toilet in Queen Elizabeth’s palace at Richmond in Surrey. In 1596, Harington wrote a book called A New Discourse upon a Stale Subject: The Metamorphosis of Ajax about his invention. He published it under the pseudonym of Misacmos. The book made political allusions to the Earl of Leicester that angered the Queen. The book was a coded attack on the stercus or excrement that was poisoning society with torture and state-sponsored “libels” against his relatives Thomas Markham and Ralph Sheldon. After the publication of this work he was again banished from the court. The Queen’s mixed feelings for him may have been the only thing that saved Harington from being tried at Star Chamber. The work itself enjoyed considerable popularity on its publication in 1596.

In 1599 he went on a military expedition to Ireland, winning a knighthood. His barbed epigrams and wanton writings gave too much offense, particularly under James I, to advance him beyond a reputation as Elizabeth’s “saucy godson.”

cummingswatercloset

Cumming’s water closet patented in 1775 (source:http://www.theplumber.com/closet.html) It was almost two hundred years later in 1775 that a flushing water-closet was first patented by an Alexander Cummings of London, a device similar to Harrington’s Ajax. In 1848 a Public Health Act ruled that every new house should have a ‘ w.c., privy, or ash-pit’. It had taken nearly 250 years for Sir John Harrington’s water closet to become universal …it cannot be said that the British embrace all new inventions with enthusiasm, despite Royal Approval!

And just because it is Friday, let us get your blood churning. Here is an FYI: Kit Harington stars on “Game of Thrones” as Jon Snow. In numerous interviews, he’s revealed that his ancestor is Sir John Harington, the inventor of the first flushing toilet in Britain in the 16th century. Not only is Kit Harington the relative of  Sir John Harington, but he suggests that same ancestor might be the very reason we call a toilet “the John.” 

jon-snow-game-of-thrones.jpg

Resources:

“The erudite courtier, and inventor of the flush water closet, died on November 20th, 1612.” History Today 

“History of the Flushed Toilet,” Toiletology 

“John Harington, Writer,” Wikpedia 

“Sir John Harington, English Author,” Britannica 

“The Throne of Sir John Harrington,” Historic UK  

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