Ann Lethbridge's Blog, page 18
January 6, 2014
Happy New Year
I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday celebrations and wish you all the best for 2014.I must say Christmas 2013 will be one that stays long in my memory and with a cocktail of emotions, both good and bad. We were hit by the ice storm on the Sunday before Christmas and it was almost Boxing Day morning, Dec 26, before power returned and even longer before we could honestly say we were back to normal, which is why I have been so slow posting this blog.
Really, we cannot complain. A great many people were hit a lot harder and for longer than we were. And we managed to get together with family and friends more or less as usual. Lots of laughter about do I use the generator to curl my hair, or keep the heat on the house? Scarcrow hair is the new in-thing, right?
Mostly, I am heartsick about the damage to the old trees in my neighbourhood. But we survived. And the trees will come back in their own good time. I hope you also survived whatever came your way, and are looking forward to the coming year.
Lots of plans for 2014 and lots of fun information coming your way.
December 18, 2013
Regency Advertisements
La Belle Assemblee is a positive mine of information about what our Regency Ladies and Gentlemen might be interested in purchasing. I thought it might be interesting to add these to my posts from time to time. Here is one for what we would call instant coffee.
Coffee Made in One Minute
Hawkins and Dunn's
Sold at their Manufactory, No. 79 Great Titchfield Streed, Mary-le-Bone, London and by various Grocers, Druggists, etc. in Town and Country in half pint bottles
Turkey.....5s 0dBourbon...3s 6dPlantation...2s 6d (including the bottle)
To make a cup of coffee no other trouble is required than merely to put about a teaspoon full of the Essence into a coffee cup, with the usual quantity of milk and sugar, and fill it with hot water.
The Essence is sold without sugar when wanted for immediate use; the half pint bottle containing one pound three ounces of coffee.
The Essence is also sold mixed with sugar for Hot Climates and for long keeping; the half pint bottle in that case containing one pound of coffee and six ounces of sugar at the same prices as above.
As good coffee cannot be made without pure water, Hawkins and Dunn have provided filtering vessels at four shillings and upwards.
Well I for one was surprised.
And I enjoyed this little Gem under the heading
Died
Lately at sea, Mr W. Clark, Captain of the Rebeca, privateer, of Folkstone, who, by frequent practice, had acquired the art of throwing the lead with his teeth father than almost any man could do with his hands; and in his last attempt, from having lost his balance, he fell a sacrifice to his dexterity.
Until next time, Happy Rambles
Coffee Made in One Minute
Hawkins and Dunn's
Sold at their Manufactory, No. 79 Great Titchfield Streed, Mary-le-Bone, London and by various Grocers, Druggists, etc. in Town and Country in half pint bottles
Turkey.....5s 0dBourbon...3s 6dPlantation...2s 6d (including the bottle)
To make a cup of coffee no other trouble is required than merely to put about a teaspoon full of the Essence into a coffee cup, with the usual quantity of milk and sugar, and fill it with hot water.
The Essence is sold without sugar when wanted for immediate use; the half pint bottle containing one pound three ounces of coffee.
The Essence is also sold mixed with sugar for Hot Climates and for long keeping; the half pint bottle in that case containing one pound of coffee and six ounces of sugar at the same prices as above.
As good coffee cannot be made without pure water, Hawkins and Dunn have provided filtering vessels at four shillings and upwards.
Well I for one was surprised.
And I enjoyed this little Gem under the heading
Died
Lately at sea, Mr W. Clark, Captain of the Rebeca, privateer, of Folkstone, who, by frequent practice, had acquired the art of throwing the lead with his teeth father than almost any man could do with his hands; and in his last attempt, from having lost his balance, he fell a sacrifice to his dexterity.
Until next time, Happy Rambles
December 15, 2013
Regency Fashion
December 1813
The second offering for December, is quite glamerous IMHO
It is named a Kutusoff Mantle
Kutusoff was a Russian Prince and a great general for his country who died earlier in 1813.
The mantle is described as follows;
Pink or scarlet cloth mantle, trimmed with a broad velvet ribband to correspond, a spenser of the same materials, on sleeve of which is concealed by the folds of the mantle; the collar, which is high and puckered, fastens at the throat with a broach; and a long lappel [sic], which ends in a point, falls considerably over the left shoulder. A Kutusoff hat of pink or scarlet cloth, turned up in front, with a little corner to the right side, ties under the chin, and is finished with aa pink or scarlet feather; a full puffing of lace or net is seen underneath. Plain cambric high dress, and pink or scarlet leather half boots. Its effect upon a tall and graceful figure is amazingly striking and it is for the carriage costume, decidedly the most elegant cloak that we have seen for some seasons back, and does the greatest credit to the tasteful fancy of its inventress, Miss Powell, successor to Mrs Franklin, Piccadilly.
And so we are offered a couple of interesting tidbits, in particular, the name and location of one of the seamstresses to the ton in addition to what I agree is a stunning ensemble.
Until next time, Happy Rambles.
The second offering for December, is quite glamerous IMHOIt is named a Kutusoff Mantle
Kutusoff was a Russian Prince and a great general for his country who died earlier in 1813.
The mantle is described as follows;
Pink or scarlet cloth mantle, trimmed with a broad velvet ribband to correspond, a spenser of the same materials, on sleeve of which is concealed by the folds of the mantle; the collar, which is high and puckered, fastens at the throat with a broach; and a long lappel [sic], which ends in a point, falls considerably over the left shoulder. A Kutusoff hat of pink or scarlet cloth, turned up in front, with a little corner to the right side, ties under the chin, and is finished with aa pink or scarlet feather; a full puffing of lace or net is seen underneath. Plain cambric high dress, and pink or scarlet leather half boots. Its effect upon a tall and graceful figure is amazingly striking and it is for the carriage costume, decidedly the most elegant cloak that we have seen for some seasons back, and does the greatest credit to the tasteful fancy of its inventress, Miss Powell, successor to Mrs Franklin, Piccadilly.
And so we are offered a couple of interesting tidbits, in particular, the name and location of one of the seamstresses to the ton in addition to what I agree is a stunning ensemble.
Until next time, Happy Rambles.
December 11, 2013
Regency Fashion
December 1813
It wouldn't be fair to let a month go by, without a peek at the fashions since I was fortunate enough to purchase La Belle Assemblee for 1813, I have been posting pictures from exactly 200 years ago.
Our Fashionista has this to say in general terms:
This gown is an Opera Pelisse.
Described as follows:
Made of the richest orange or amber twilled sarsnet, lined with ermine, the collar, cape and cuffs are also of ermine. In the form of this dress there is nothing peculiarly novel, but its general effect is strikingly elegant and highly appropriate to the season. The waist is very short, and the sleeves not quite so loose as they have been worn. Small turn-up hat of the same materials as the pelisse, superbly ornamented with white ostrich feathers and tied under the chin with a ribband to correspond. White kid shoes and gloves.
We have another December fashion plate to share next time. Until then, Happy Rambles
It wouldn't be fair to let a month go by, without a peek at the fashions since I was fortunate enough to purchase La Belle Assemblee for 1813, I have been posting pictures from exactly 200 years ago.
Our Fashionista has this to say in general terms:
The winter has now completely set in, and our elegantes cannot, as formerly, be charged with a want of sufficient clothing: no bare elbows or thin muslin dresses are now seen in the out-door costume; on the contrary, our very fashionable belles are apt to run into an opposite extreme, and we have observed some winter habiliments which would be very suitable to the Russian climate.A bit of sarcasm, perhaps?
This gown is an Opera Pelisse.Described as follows:
Made of the richest orange or amber twilled sarsnet, lined with ermine, the collar, cape and cuffs are also of ermine. In the form of this dress there is nothing peculiarly novel, but its general effect is strikingly elegant and highly appropriate to the season. The waist is very short, and the sleeves not quite so loose as they have been worn. Small turn-up hat of the same materials as the pelisse, superbly ornamented with white ostrich feathers and tied under the chin with a ribband to correspond. White kid shoes and gloves.
We have another December fashion plate to share next time. Until then, Happy Rambles
December 8, 2013
Regency Library - Saltram
Saltram's Library is one of those amazing places in a house where you would like to be invited to spend an afternoon. Especially at this time of year. While it isn't a small space, it has a very warm feel about it.This first view gives a sense of its size and shape. Originally it was two rooms, the wall being where the columns are now with one are being the dining room. The guidebook says that at the end of the nineteenth century new book presses were set into the walls. This was the first time I have seen them called book presses and I have been unable to locate a source for this description. A description from the period describes them as bookcases.
The current arrangements date from 1819, so during the Regency.
The next pictures shows the door which is open. When it is
closed it would appear to look like any of the walls of shelves. The books all date from the first Earl of Morley's time and contain a large collection of prints and original drawings. Note that the cornices and pediments to the book cases were added in the 20th century
Here are some more views you may enjoy. It is thought that the fireplaces and over-mantel mirrors were purchased during the family's trip to France in 1818.Until next time, Happy Rambles. December 6, 2013
Contest Winner
And the winner is Debbie Mccreary. Debbie, I am looking forward to hearing from you. Go to my website for my contact email. Regrets to all the other entrants, I wanted each one of you to win. I will be entering all of your names in the drawing for the grand prize and am keeping my fingers crossed for all of you.December 4, 2013
Weapons - Eighteenth Century
I thought these weapons were really interesting. The large one is described as a muzzle loading carbine for domestic defense or for use on horseback.It is dated from 1762. It was made by Henry Hadley and the siversmith was Jeremiah Ashley.
The other two is a pair of dueling pistols.
Next time we visit Saltram's Library.
December 2, 2013
Contest - Harlequin Historical Authors Advent Calendar
Today is my day for this contest. To find get all the details go to my website. You can comment here, like me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @annlethbridge to be entered for my prize, and to be entered for the grand prize. The more days you enter on, the more chances you will have to win the grand prize, a fancy dancy Kindle. Please make sure you read the rules. Good luck to all. And Happy holidays. You will also find me hanging out on the ROMNA Blog today so if you fancy a chat, drop by and say hi..
November 26, 2013
Harlequin Historical Holiday Giveaway
It is that time of year again when the Harlequin Historical authors get together to have a fun month of prizes every day and one grand prize at the end. Look for this calendar on the participating authors websites and blogs. You will find links by date to each author's page where they tell you how to win and what prizes they are offering. The more times you enter the more chance you have of winning in the grand prize drawer at the end. Find the interactive Calendar on my page, here.
You must enter each author's contest on their day of the month. My day is December 3.
Good luck, enjoy the fun and have a wonderful holiday season.
Regency Houses ~ Saltram
Since no one guessed about the hole in the windowsill a couple of posts ago, I can tell you that it was a place to tip out the water used for bathing.
There was also a servants area upstairs, a room they used while working in the bedrooms to store linens and undertake other tasks out of sight. Known as the Service Room, some remedial cleaning would have also taken place here, shoes and boots. Perhaps the odd bit of mending.
Here are two storage areas, one inside the small room and one just outside on the landing. These would have been full of linens, sheets, pillowslips etc. all waiting for someone to freshen up beds
Some more tools of the trade of the upstairs maid. A bowl and a water can. A drying rack or clothes horse. this one holds a carpet and since there was also a carpet beater hanging on the wall, see below, perhaps rugs were beaten in here also? maybe when it was raining.
And of course the delightful tin bath ready to be carried into to the bedroom of a guest or the master or mistress at a moments notice.
The table would have come in handy for the odd bit of polishing of a candlestick, and perhaps the housekeeper might have sat here while she inventoried her linens and noted what had to be repaired.
As promised here is our trusty carpet beater made out of cane.
Finally the view down into the courtyard. I suspect the master and mistress wouldn't want their servants day dreaming about the splendid vistas to be seen from other rooms in the house.\
Until next time happy rambles.
There was also a servants area upstairs, a room they used while working in the bedrooms to store linens and undertake other tasks out of sight. Known as the Service Room, some remedial cleaning would have also taken place here, shoes and boots. Perhaps the odd bit of mending.
Here are two storage areas, one inside the small room and one just outside on the landing. These would have been full of linens, sheets, pillowslips etc. all waiting for someone to freshen up beds
Some more tools of the trade of the upstairs maid. A bowl and a water can. A drying rack or clothes horse. this one holds a carpet and since there was also a carpet beater hanging on the wall, see below, perhaps rugs were beaten in here also? maybe when it was raining.And of course the delightful tin bath ready to be carried into to the bedroom of a guest or the master or mistress at a moments notice.
The table would have come in handy for the odd bit of polishing of a candlestick, and perhaps the housekeeper might have sat here while she inventoried her linens and noted what had to be repaired.As promised here is our trusty carpet beater made out of cane.
Finally the view down into the courtyard. I suspect the master and mistress wouldn't want their servants day dreaming about the splendid vistas to be seen from other rooms in the house.\
Until next time happy rambles.
