Tag Archives: business

Capability Brown, England’s Greatest Landscape Artist: “This site has great capabilities.”

Posted on June 10, 2019 by

Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown changed the face of eighteenth century England, designing country estates and mansions, moving hills and making flowing lakes and serpentine rivers, a magical world of green. (About Capability Brown) The fifth child of William Brown, the land … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, business, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

How Did Smith Brothers Cough Drops Get Its Name?

Posted on January 14, 2019 by

William (Trade) and Andrew (Mark) were the sons of James Smith, who moved his family from St. Armand, Quebec, to Poughkeepsie, New York in 1847. A carpenter by trade, Smith meant to open a restaurant, Smith’s Dining Saloon, in his … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, business, medicine, science | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

James Lackington: The Man Who Revolutionized Book Stores

Posted on November 12, 2018 by

In a time when we bemoan the loss of Borders, Waldenbooks, and fear the demise of Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million, it is hard for us to imagine what it must have been like for those who entered “The Dome … Continue reading →

Posted in books, British history, buildings and structures, business, England, Georgian England, history, publishing, reading, reading habits, real life tales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wilkin & Sons, Jam Making Extraordinaire

Posted on August 6, 2018 by

Arthur Charles Wilkin took over his family farm, located in Tiptree, Essex, England,  in his late 20s. The family had owned the farm since the early 1700s. Arthur had a vision for the farm, which was not producing as well … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, business, commerce, customs and tradiitons, England | Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Rapid Growth of Industrialization in America and Britain

Posted on January 26, 2018 by

See yesterday’s post on why Britain and American led the Industrial Revolution. The cultural differences among America and Britain and many other European nations led to a rapid industrial growth. One thing we saw in America (and not in the other … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, commerce, Great Britain, real life tales | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Georgian Commerce: The London Docks, Part V

Posted on May 17, 2017 by

In Roman and medieval times, ships tended to dock at small quays in the present-day  city of London or Southwark an area known as the Pool of London. However, this gave no protection against the elements, was vulnerable to thieves and suffered from … Continue reading →

Posted in British currency, British history, buildings and structures, business, commerce, Georgian England | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

How Did Baker’s Chocolate® Get Its Name?

Posted on May 1, 2017 by

 Edible Traditions tells us, “In North America English colonists loved chocolate too, and in the early 18th century it was an established beverage throughout the 13 colonies. Direct trade routes from theWest Indies and the absence of tariffs made cacao … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, business, commerce | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Do You Know the History of ®Murine Eye Drops?

Posted on April 6, 2017 by

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…  Murine UK tells us this about the history of ®Murine: “The Murine® Eye Drops brand was first … Continue reading →

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

Truth Stranger Than Fiction, a Guest Post from Jennifer Petkus

Posted on March 16, 2017 by

This post originally appeared on Austen Authors, but I thought it worthy and wanted to share it with others. If you do not know Jennifer Petkus’s works, check them out.  Truth is stranger than fiction, they say, which I’ve never … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, British Navy, business, commerce, Scotland | Tagged , , , , ,

Costs of Living During the Regency Period

Posted on February 24, 2017 by

For those of us who write Regency-based novels, the cost of items periodically comes up. How much would would a lady’s gown cost for her Come Out? What was the cost of bread or cheese? For a better understanding of … Continue reading →

Posted in British currency, British history, business, Georgian England, Jane Austen, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments