tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31141303232012600522024-03-14T04:28:40.293+00:00A Visitor's Guide to Victorian EnglandMichelle Higgs's guide to the weird and wonderful world of Victorian EnglandMichelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-67139811231486617872019-03-08T16:34:00.000+00:002019-03-08T16:34:16.227+00:00NEW BLOGAs of today, I have relaunched my 'A Visitor's Guide to Victorian England' blog on a more responsive platform. I hope this will make it easier to navigate and search, and to be more reader-friendly.<br />
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From today, this old blog will no longer be updated. All of the content has been copied over to the new one and I will be adding new posts about the weird and wonderful world of Victorian England every week. Please hop over to <a href="http://visitvictorianengland.com/">https://visitvictorianengland.com/</a> to check out what's new. See you there!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qs4zqo8i-kI/XIKYZznbl1I/AAAAAAAACMQ/Al5PGX71NroXakNqKyllCyK0Lbgbsy7EwCLcBGAs/s1600/A%2BCrowded%2BCrossing%2Bfrom%2BLondon%2BPictures%2BDrawn%2Bwith%2BPen%2Band%2BPencil%252C%2B1890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qs4zqo8i-kI/XIKYZznbl1I/AAAAAAAACMQ/Al5PGX71NroXakNqKyllCyK0Lbgbsy7EwCLcBGAs/s400/A%2BCrowded%2BCrossing%2Bfrom%2BLondon%2BPictures%2BDrawn%2Bwith%2BPen%2Band%2BPencil%252C%2B1890.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'A Crowded Crossing' from <i>London Pictures Drawn with Pen and Pencil</i>, 1890</td></tr>
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<br />Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-46598269071754829432017-06-29T09:24:00.000+01:002017-06-29T09:27:28.672+01:00VICTORIAN CRIME: MURDER IN THE SUBURBS<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Today, I'm very happy to be hosting a guest post by Angela Buckley,<b> </b>who
specialises in writing about Victorian true crime. Read on for the shocking story of the murder of PC Nicholas Cock in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, one of Manchester's suburbs, back in 1876.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>MURDER IN THE SUBURBS</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chorlton-cum-Hardy is a suburb of Manchester, four and a half miles south-west of the city centre, now characterised by small shops, street cafés and delicatessens. Originally a rural village, the tranquil farming community was surrounded by fields and meadows, and nursery gardens. By the end of the nineteenth century, Chorlton had begun to develop into a more distinct suburb of the industrialised metropolis of Manchester. Factory owners and businesspeople moved out to the township’s leafy streets to escape the dirt and noise of the textile mills and factories. They built attractive red-brick villas with walled gardens, on tree-lined avenues, travelling into the city by the omnibus service or twice-daily packet boats on the canal. Crime was low, compared to the dangerous streets of the city centre, making it: ‘one of the most respectable suburbs of Manchester…covered by villa residences of some considerable pretension’ (<i>Manchester Courier</i>, 27 November 1876).</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The quiet suburb of Chorlton-cum-Hardy (copyright free)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the quiet township of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, there were occasional burglaries and robberies, yet many of the criminal activities were still rural in nature, such as poaching and theft of farm animals. In the early 1880s, there were two murders, one of a young woman on her way home from the market, which was never solved, and another resulting from a drunken argument, which had an uncanny link with shocking events some 30 years later. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In May 1847, market gardener Francis Deakin was drinking in a beerhouse with his friend George Leach, whose wife owned the establishment. An afternoon of beer and rum led to an argument between the couple, and when George started to hurl insults his wife, Francis stepped in to defend her. Enraged, George ran into the kitchen and grabbed a carving knife, meeting Francis in the passage. Shouting, ‘I’ll have no man interfering with me and my wife,’ he lunged at Francis and stabbed him. George was immediately sorry for what he had done and expressed the desperate hope that he had not killed his friend, but Francis Deakin died from his wounds. George Leach was convicted of aggravated manslaughter and transported for life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Francis’s wife, Martha, was left alone with six children, ranging from 15 years to a few days old. Helped by her family, she took over the management of their market garden business and supported her children until her death, 11 years later at the age of 46. The younger members of the Deakin family were left in the care of 16-year-old Francis junior, who looked after his brother and two sisters, whilst assuming responsibility for the market garden. Francis married in 1864 and had one son before his wife died. By the mid-1870s, he had become a prosperous nurseryman and was re-married with three more children. He lived at Firs Farm, which would become the focus of another murder, after the prime suspects were arrested on his property.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC Cock was murdered at the junction of West Point, Chorlton-cum-Hardy (copyright free)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On 1 August 1876, 21-year-old PC Nicholas Cock was walking his beat at midnight, from the township of Chorlton towards the junction of West Point where three main thoroughfares joined, when he met a law student on his way home, and a colleague. The three men stopped for a chat at the junction and, after a few minutes, went their separate ways. Shortly after, two shots rang back out in the dark. The student and PC Beanland ran back to West Point to find PC Cock lying on the ground - he had been shot in the chest.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tf-7JxfBGF8/WVJxSF48B_I/AAAAAAAABkE/w_I60Odk0LQ3s4OPUtosuYEfkC7m4g0DACLcBGAs/s1600/PC%2BCock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1112" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tf-7JxfBGF8/WVJxSF48B_I/AAAAAAAABkE/w_I60Odk0LQ3s4OPUtosuYEfkC7m4g0DACLcBGAs/s320/PC%2BCock.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC Nicholas Cock of the Lancashire Constabulary (copyright free)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As soon as he heard of his officer’s death, Superintendent James Bent knew exactly who the culprits were. He proceeded immediately to the farm of Francis Deakin and apprehended the three Habron brothers, who worked in his nursery garden. Superintendent Bent’s investigation led to a murder conviction and ended with a startling twist and an astonishing confession by a notorious burglar, which finally revealed the truth of this heinous crime. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>A
big thank you to Angela for writing such an interesting post, packed with Victorian period detail. Was anyone in your family tree a victim of violent crime? Please do get in touch if you have a story to tell about your Victorian ancestors.</i></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Angela writes about Victorian crime and </i><i>you can find out more about her work on her website <a href="http://www.angelabuckleywriter.com/"><b><span style="color: blue;">www.angelabuckleywriter.com</span></b></a> or on her Facebook page, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Angela-Buckley-445297185562283/"><b><span style="color: blue;">Victorian Supersleuth . </span></b></a></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why not join <b><a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/victoriansupersleuth/app/100265896690345/?ref=page_internal">The Victorian Supersleuth's Crime Club</a></b> to get a free newsletter?</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=who+killed+constable+cock">Who Killed Constable Cock?</a></b> by Angela Buckley is out now in ebook
and paperback via Amazon and other online retail outlets. Angela is also
the author </i><i><i>of<b> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amelia-Murders-Victorian-Supersleuth-Investigates-ebook/dp/B01C4F6426/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498574320&sr=8-1&keywords=amelia+dyer">Amelia Dyer and the Baby Farm Murders</a></b> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Sherlock-Holmes-Hidden-Caminada/dp/1781592691/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454505141&sr=8-1&keywords=angela+buckley"><b><span style="color: blue;">The Real Sherlock Holmes</span></b></a> (Pen and Sword). </i></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><i> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=who+killed+constable+cock" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1036" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hznPwUEVh-Q/WVJx0EeABRI/AAAAAAAABkM/YdiPFRbqKasm589UD8HYr6Zy7NbvV4xgQCLcBGAs/s320/Cover.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=who+killed+constable+cock">Who Killed Constable Cock? by Angela Buckley</a></td></tr>
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<br />Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-42569165426557795112017-06-26T17:01:00.000+01:002017-06-26T17:01:09.671+01:00VICTORIAN FASHION: WHAT TO WEAR IN JUNE (1885)Last week, many of us in the UK were sweltering in temperatures of more than 30 degrees C - very unusual for a British summer! In our house, we coped by throwing open all the windows, staying out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, and eating copious amounts of ice cream. In the 21st century, we're lucky to have technology like air-conditioning and electric fans, and to be able to wear fewer clothes when it's hot.<br />
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But spare a thought for the Victorians, especially women and young girls, for whom removing layers in hot weather just wasn't an option. One of my favourite Victorian periodicals is the <i>Cassell's Family Magazine</i> which is full of interesting articles on subjects as random as the benefits of Turkish bathing, how to cook potatoes and what should be in the family medicine chest. A regular column was 'Chit-Chat on Dress by Our Paris Correspondent' which advised young ladies and women how to dress fashionably, month by month. 'What to Wear in June' certainly doesn't mention dressing in fewer layers.<br />
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She describes June as "that delightful time of year when nature is seen at its very best, there is every encouragement to dress well. The sun shows up all defects, and you must don your freshest attire." This was in the days before deodorant and easy-to-wash clothes, although the readers of <i>Cassell's Family Magazine </i>would probably have had a maid to do their washing or it would have been sent out to a laundry to be cleaned.<br />
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The following illustration shows the stylish indoor costumes suitable for June:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXC6I6Mp8Ws/WVEaZu33lrI/AAAAAAAABjU/yGP6z3JJkhcxQABhOWA4mO-UFiKruneRQCLcBGAs/s1600/Circle%2BWhat%2Bto%2BWear%2BJune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1331" height="310" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXC6I6Mp8Ws/WVEaZu33lrI/AAAAAAAABjU/yGP6z3JJkhcxQABhOWA4mO-UFiKruneRQCLcBGAs/s320/Circle%2BWhat%2Bto%2BWear%2BJune.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indoor Costumes - What to Wear in June (<i>Cassell's Family Magazine</i>, 1885)</td></tr>
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The women are wearing polonaises (the dresses themselves) made with paniers (side hoops). The Paris correspondent noted that they were as popular as walking dresses because "they are both convenient and economical wear, for it is not imperative they should always match the skirt the accompany." They were worn "drawn away below the waist in front, curtain fashion, while at the back the drapery is arranged to look as bouffant as possible." It was important that the flounced skirt had either ruche or kilting at the edge. No concessions to possible heat here!<br />
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Outdoor costumes involved even more items of clothing, including gloves, hats and parasols:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVNThpgsFvU/WVEruPqHmqI/AAAAAAAABjk/p1Rr8oFo8soyUZdo1tYDl75gnMs88PTTQCLcBGAs/s1600/Cropped%2BWhat%2Bto%2Bwear%2BJune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVNThpgsFvU/WVEruPqHmqI/AAAAAAAABjk/p1Rr8oFo8soyUZdo1tYDl75gnMs88PTTQCLcBGAs/s320/Cropped%2BWhat%2Bto%2Bwear%2BJune.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoor Costumes - What to Wear in June (<i>Cassell's Family Magazine</i>, 1885)</td></tr>
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These elegant dresses were 'washing costumes' made of sateens and cambrics that were easier to wash than fabrics like silk. The dresses had "demi-long sleeves sewn in high at the shoulders, bunchy paniers, and rich embroideries". The two dresses for adults on the right were "equipped for travelling in soft, light woollens, of which there is an ample choice this summer in both Paris and London."<br />
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The column did offer a small amount of warm weather advice: "Some wonderful parasols are now keeping off the slow-coming summer sun; some have row upon row of red lace, some have stripes of moire and satin, some are of crocheted straw, but the prettiest are large and entirely white, with fall upon fall of lace."<br />
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The writer also advised that for country wear, "small-spotted gauze veils are very much in vogue, and for travelling we could not do better than copy our American cousins, who tie a gauze veil entirely over the hat or bonnet, so that all dust is excluded."<br />
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You can see beautiful Victorian dresses like this at the <a href="https://www.fashionmuseum.co.uk/">Fashion Museum</a> in Bath and the <a href="https://www.vam.ac.uk/">V & A</a> in London. Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-67456431355433661912016-04-27T14:20:00.000+01:002016-04-27T14:20:20.432+01:00VICTORIAN CHILDCARE: BABY FARMING<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Today, I'm delighted to be hosting a guest post by the fabulous Angela Buckley,<b> </b>who
specialises in writing about Victorian crime. Angela tells us the sad story of the infant victims of Amelia Dyer, the notorious baby farmer; many of their mothers were domestic servants who had no choice but to entrust their children to the care of women like Dyer. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Victorian Childcare: <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Baby Farming</span></b><br /><br />Life was particularly harsh for single mothers in the nineteenth century. Young women who fell pregnant outside wedlock lost their homes and jobs, and were shunned by society. Domestic servants were amongst the most vulnerable and their plight was brought to light by a series of dreadful discoveries in the river Thames at Caversham, in the spring of 1896.<br /><br />On 30 March, a bargeman was towing a boat of ballast upriver and, as he approached Caversham Weir near Reading, he spotted a brown paper parcel in the water. He and his mate hooked the package to take a closer look. Once on the towpath, they cut through layers of newspaper and flannel to expose a tiny human foot and part of a leg. When the police opened the parcel fully at the mortuary, they found the body of a baby girl, aged between six months and a year. She had been strangled by a piece of white tape tied around her neck and knotted under her ear. A faint name and address on the sodden parcel led the officers to Amelia Dyer, a local baby farmer. A letter found at her home suggested that the child recovered from the river might have been Helena Fry, daughter of Mary Fry, a domestic servant.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fhuVQZKaEmc/VyCpTHLfrGI/AAAAAAAABOs/S19p3R8NNb0hOhImozsLBCFH8ZW7VDzQwCKgB/s1600/Amelia%2BDyer%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fhuVQZKaEmc/VyCpTHLfrGI/AAAAAAAABOs/S19p3R8NNb0hOhImozsLBCFH8ZW7VDzQwCKgB/s1600/Amelia%2BDyer%2B1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia Dyer (With thanks to Thames Valley Police Museum)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Victorian servants who had illegitimate children were usually dismissed from their post, despite the fact that they may have been sexually exploited by a member of their employer’s family. Encumbered with an infant, they may not have been able to return home and they would not have found another position. Their choices were limited - there was no state assistance and they often ended up in the workhouse, where they were separated from their child. The only other viable option, if they could afford it, was to place the child with a baby farmer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Baby farmers, who were usually women, advertised in the local newspapers for children to adopt for a fee, either a weekly payment of about five shillings, or a one-off premium of around £10, which was a large proportion of a domestic servant’s annual wage. Transactions were organised by letter, and once the mother was satisfied that her baby would be taken care of, she handed over the child to the baby farmer, with the money, and often never saw them again.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iSRThQvEZAk/VyCp3q2gEhI/AAAAAAAABO0/I-IgPT6Ve4EDSZ85BbyJi7RlKudd8YSlACLcB/s1600/Adverts%2BTVP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iSRThQvEZAk/VyCp3q2gEhI/AAAAAAAABO0/I-IgPT6Ve4EDSZ85BbyJi7RlKudd8YSlACLcB/s400/Adverts%2BTVP.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newspaper advertisements placed by baby farmers (With thanks to Thames Valley Police Museum)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The reality for farmed-out children was bleak. Although there were some reputable baby farmers, many of them were unscrupulous practitioners who neglected the infants in their charge, drugging them with opiates, such as Godfrey’s Cordial, and starving them to death. The high infant mortality rate at the time masked the deaths of these poor mites. The practice was unregulated and completely legal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />When the body of baby Helena Fry was found in the Thames in 1896, the police investigated Amelia Dyer, who had been running her baby farming business for some 30 years. Many of the parents who had entrusted their children to her were in domestic service. The bodies of at least six children were discovered in the Thames at Caversham Weir, one of whom was Frances Jesse Goulding, illegitimate daughter of Elizabeth Goulding, who worked as a servant in a public house in Gloucester. The baby’s father was a married man and so Elizabeth made the heartbreaking decision to give her child up for adoption. When she saw an advertisement in the paper, she arranged with Amelia Dyer’s daughter, Mary Ann Palmer, to have baby Frances adopted. She met Palmer on Gloucester station and paid her £10 to take the child, who was later identified by a lock of her hair, after her body was found in the river.<br /><br />On 22 May 1896, Amelia Dyer was convicted of the wilful murder of baby Doris Marmon, whose body was found in the Thames in a carpet bag together with another child, Harry Simmons. Three weeks later Dyer went to the gallows. Following her execution, legislation was introduced to protect children like Frances Jesse Goulding and the other infants who perished at the hands of the notorious Victorian baby farmer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><i>A big thank you to Angela for writing such a fascinating, yet poignant post. Please
get in touch if baby farming has cropped up in your family tree or if you have a story to tell about your Victorian servant ancestors.</i></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Angela writes about Victorian crime and </i><i>you can find out more about her work on her website <a href="http://www.angelabuckleywriter.com/"><b><span style="color: blue;">www.angelabuckleywriter.com</span></b></a> or on her Facebook page, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Angela-Buckley-445297185562283/"><b><span style="color: blue;">Victorian Supersleuth</span></b></a></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Amelia Dyer and the Baby Farm Murders by Angela Buckley is available in ebook and paperback via Amazon and other online retail outlets. Angela is also the author </i><i><i>of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Sherlock-Holmes-Hidden-Caminada/dp/1781592691/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454505141&sr=8-1&keywords=angela+buckley"><b><span style="color: blue;">The Real Sherlock Holmes</span></b></a> (Pen and Sword). </i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><br /><i> </i></span><br />
<i><br /></i>Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-41953444939481602612015-12-23T11:01:00.000+00:002015-12-23T11:01:15.879+00:00DAY 12: 12 DAYS OF VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARDSWe've reached the last day of 12 Days of Victorian Christmas cards! The final card I'd like to share with you has a design of some naughty kittens in bed:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r1DZoQsC8ok/VmsxF8xiR1I/AAAAAAAABF4/smHx4-Yy3rc/s1600/Cats%2Bin%2Bbed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r1DZoQsC8ok/VmsxF8xiR1I/AAAAAAAABF4/smHx4-Yy3rc/s400/Cats%2Bin%2Bbed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The verse says:<br />
<br />
<i>While laurel boughs and berries red,</i><br />
<i>Glow bright on every side.</i><br />
<i>Oh, be their freshness o'er thee shed</i><br />
<i>And cheer your Holly-tide!</i><br />
<br />
All that remains for me to do is to wish you and yours a happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year!Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-71433847450647670322015-12-22T10:24:00.000+00:002015-12-22T10:24:18.007+00:00DAY 11: 12 DAYS OF VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARDSToday is day 11 of 12 Days of Victorian Christmas cards and I thought I'd share a very traditional-looking design of the Nativity with you. This is a three-dimensional card from the 1890s and this is the front when the card is flat:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3EhvqUQ7AF8/VmsuLfhz9QI/AAAAAAAABFk/L49BgJ5NIr8/s1600/Three%2BD%2BFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3EhvqUQ7AF8/VmsuLfhz9QI/AAAAAAAABFk/L49BgJ5NIr8/s400/Three%2BD%2BFront.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is what the card looks like when it's fully open:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATXLV0A1GSE/VmsuWWH__EI/AAAAAAAABFw/9UlsLaPigWU/s1600/Three%2BD%2BInside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATXLV0A1GSE/VmsuWWH__EI/AAAAAAAABFw/9UlsLaPigWU/s400/Three%2BD%2BInside.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The card was published by Raphael Tuck & Sons. As well as being a three-dimensional card, it's also a novelty card. If you shine a light through the blue cellophane-like material which represents the window, it illuminates the baby Jesus. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATXLV0A1GSE/VmsuWWH__EI/AAAAAAAABFs/be3Hp4dMkCA/s1600/Three%2BD%2BInside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-54358770822714131302015-12-21T09:28:00.000+00:002015-12-21T09:28:00.022+00:00DAY 10: 12 DAYS OF VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARDSNow we've reached day 10 of 12 Days of Victorian Christmas cards, it's about time that I share a mechanical card with you. Victorian Christmas card designers were ingenious in their designs and inventions and all manner of pop-up style cards appeared. This is one of my favourites: an embossed black cat. This is what the card looks like from the front when fully closed.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ftfxt_DJSM/Vmss5OlArXI/AAAAAAAABFQ/kBGnhQcSA6k/s1600/Concertina%2BCat%2BFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ftfxt_DJSM/Vmss5OlArXI/AAAAAAAABFQ/kBGnhQcSA6k/s400/Concertina%2BCat%2BFront.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The card opens out to reveal a brilliant concertina cat:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-avKL-BVQp7M/VmstWvTn_uI/AAAAAAAABFY/BU2KECh88ko/s1600/Concertina%2BCat%2BInside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="365" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-avKL-BVQp7M/VmstWvTn_uI/AAAAAAAABFY/BU2KECh88ko/s400/Concertina%2BCat%2BInside.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-39185912181801965332015-12-20T09:42:00.000+00:002015-12-20T09:42:24.947+00:00DAY 9: 12 DAYS OF VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARDSToday is day 9 of 12 Days of Victorian Christmas cards and I have another image of a shaped card to share. This one's in the shape of an envelope with a rose seal. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3iqwaAUBP9I/VmsrQwJ22bI/AAAAAAAABFA/1zVieQ97Z2A/s1600/Envelope%2BFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3iqwaAUBP9I/VmsrQwJ22bI/AAAAAAAABFA/1zVieQ97Z2A/s400/Envelope%2BFront.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The clue to what you'll find underneath the seal is in the dog collar at the top:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aAKko1NYkpA/Vmsr1F1TCsI/AAAAAAAABFI/_0YJNQbsna4/s1600/Envelope%2BOpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aAKko1NYkpA/Vmsr1F1TCsI/AAAAAAAABFI/_0YJNQbsna4/s400/Envelope%2BOpen.jpg" width="365" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The card is dated 1890 on the reverse and was sent to 'Master Hippo' from Annie.<br />
<br />Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-5540483142096252422015-12-19T09:23:00.000+00:002015-12-19T09:23:00.174+00:00DAY 8: 12 DAYS OF VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARDSFor day 8 of 12 Days of Victorian Christmas Cards, here's a very unusual card. Look away if you're scared of spiders! In a circular shape, the design is of a large spider on its web with a fly approaching:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yZbfrkUF93k/VmspoUS8paI/AAAAAAAABE4/iXZBuzyXtxs/s1600/Spider%2BFly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yZbfrkUF93k/VmspoUS8paI/AAAAAAAABE4/iXZBuzyXtxs/s400/Spider%2BFly.jpg" width="397" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The verse isn't clear at all on the scan but it says:<br />
<br />
<i>Will you walk into my parlour</i><br />
<i>Said the spider to the fly.</i><br />
<i>I've a very nice plum pudding</i><br />
<i>And a beautiful Mince pie.</i><br />
<br />
Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-23714495744119458822015-12-18T10:40:00.003+00:002015-12-18T10:40:45.938+00:00DAY 7: 12 DAYS OF VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARDSIn today's card for 12 Days of Victorian Christmas cards, I'd like to share another card with an animal design. This one is dated 1884 and it was published by Louis Prang & Co., Boston. A group of owls and rabbits are playing blind man's buff by moonlight.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Urje9j6lgI4/VmsoWmElh1I/AAAAAAAABEw/phw7A_yHc_U/s1600/Rabbits%2BOwls%2BBlind%2BBuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Urje9j6lgI4/VmsoWmElh1I/AAAAAAAABEw/phw7A_yHc_U/s400/Rabbits%2BOwls%2BBlind%2BBuff.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In case you can't read the verse, it says:<br />
<br />
<i>By loving friends you are surrounded,</i><br />
<i>Oh, be not blind to this, I pray.</i><br />
<i>They wish that joy and mirth unbounded</i><br />
<i>May crown your happy Christmas day.</i>Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-7054919615219621392015-12-17T10:23:00.002+00:002015-12-17T10:23:27.185+00:00DAY 6: 12 DAYS OF VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARDSOn Day 6 of 12 Days of Victorian Christmas cards, here's an example of the Victorians' often very odd sense of humour.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0SoUDu8HBow/VmslVIsRktI/AAAAAAAABEg/FSOUVXTHptE/s1600/Soother%2BFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0SoUDu8HBow/VmslVIsRktI/AAAAAAAABEg/FSOUVXTHptE/s400/Soother%2BFront.jpg" width="347" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The card looks very unassuming with a baby's bottle design but it opens up to reveal this:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUFaSFWXhXw/Vmslnt-jMiI/AAAAAAAABEo/dMdaNb_78ak/s1600/Soother%2BInside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUFaSFWXhXw/Vmslnt-jMiI/AAAAAAAABEo/dMdaNb_78ak/s400/Soother%2BInside.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Imagine receiving this card as a 'soother' for Christmas! This is a very late Victorian or early Edwardian card published by Raphael Tuck & Sons.Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-54809645410054612472015-12-16T10:24:00.000+00:002015-12-16T10:24:01.881+00:00DAY 5: 12 DAYS OF VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARDSToday, I'd like to share an image of a shaped Victorian Christmas card. These are my favourite types of cards because they're all so different and unusual. This one has a Yule log design.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tPKkfOqXa5M/VmsYPIhnt8I/AAAAAAAABEQ/F0ymNxiQzls/s1600/Yule%2BLog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tPKkfOqXa5M/VmsYPIhnt8I/AAAAAAAABEQ/F0ymNxiQzls/s400/Yule%2BLog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Dating from the 1880s, the card is entirely flat but it's embossed and has a three-dimensional effect. 'Bringing in the Yule log' was a tradition when a large log was brought home on Christmas Eve and burned for the 12 nights of Christmas until Twelfth Night. Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-56290436158584680152015-12-15T09:45:00.002+00:002015-12-15T09:45:46.241+00:00DAY 4: 12 DAYS OF VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARDSToday, it's Day 4 of 12 Days of Victorian Christmas Cards and we return to the anthropomorphic theme - I did warn you!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Te3jAWHoyk/VmsEuYvW7jI/AAAAAAAABEA/i0IBg3cbckQ/s1600/Swallow%2BCuckoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Te3jAWHoyk/VmsEuYvW7jI/AAAAAAAABEA/i0IBg3cbckQ/s400/Swallow%2BCuckoo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This card from the late 1880s is signed RD for Robert Dudley and it's published by Castell Bros. In case you can't read the verse, it says:<br />
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<i>In spring the cuckoo calls, in summer swallow twits.</i><br />
<i>Plump goose to autumn falls, winter brisk robin fits. </i><br />
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The sender has hand-written in the 'from' section:<br />
<i> </i><br />
<i>The Town Friend the swallow</i><br />
<i>To the Country Friend the cuckoo. </i>Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-20504272207677539202015-12-14T11:50:00.003+00:002015-12-14T11:50:48.123+00:00DAY 3: 12 DAYS OF VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARDSOn Day 3 of 12 Days of Victorian Christmas cards, here's a design that doesn't look very Christmasy at all: a chick with a special message.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z75P2FwSN3w/Vmr9vTKcooI/AAAAAAAABDs/yZRHIEeYG08/s1600/Chick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z75P2FwSN3w/Vmr9vTKcooI/AAAAAAAABDs/yZRHIEeYG08/s400/Chick.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This slightly scary card is dated 1878 and is published by R. Canton. The design was part of a set which also included parrots, mice, cats and dogs. This is the card that first got me interested in Victorian Christmas cards, not just because of the unusual design but because it has a very cryptic message on the reverse. As mentioned yesterday, until the 1890s, most Victorian cards were flat, not folded, and the sender wrote a greeting on the back.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YT2U1CENGHk/Vmr_unex0TI/AAAAAAAABD0/giV1sef6RH8/s1600/Chick%2BReverse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YT2U1CENGHk/Vmr_unex0TI/AAAAAAAABD0/giV1sef6RH8/s400/Chick%2BReverse.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In case you can't read it, the message says:<br />
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<i>Good-bye! I leave on Sunday next - fare thee well!!! </i><br />
<i>Ato Acton </i>[not sure of these words]<br />
<i>23 - 12 - 78</i><br />
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It's difficult to work out the two words above the date because the way the letters are written is inconsistent. But the message has always intrigued me: who was the sender? Did he or she and the recipient ever meet again? All very intriguing...<i> </i>Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-84417248840605310472015-12-13T09:26:00.001+00:002015-12-13T09:26:29.553+00:00DAY 2: 12 DAYS OF VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARDSYesterday, I shared an image of a Victorian Christmas card featuring rabbits riding penny farthings. Today, I'd like to show you a more 'typical' design of a child enjoying winter pursuits. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LzwofXRus2M/VmrEVEYMOQI/AAAAAAAABDc/jdNPNLjfYdg/s1600/Girl%2Band%2BDog%2BSkating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LzwofXRus2M/VmrEVEYMOQI/AAAAAAAABDc/jdNPNLjfYdg/s400/Girl%2Band%2BDog%2BSkating.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here we have a young girl with her dog skating on the ice (probably a frozen river or lake), complete with a very stylish muff! This card is a typical design from the late 1860s and early 1870s; it has a scalloped edge and it's relatively small, about the same size as a visiting card that the Victorians left at people's houses to show they had called. <br />
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By the 1880s, children made up a good proportion of the target market so it was very common to see Christmas card designs featuring children.
As mentioned yesterday, Victorian toy shops were one of the types of
retail outlet which sold Christmas cards. <br />
<br />
At first, Victorian Christmas cards were completely different from modern
versions because they weren't folded; they were flat and the sender wrote a message on the reverse.
It was not until the 1890s that the folded card became popular. Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-83276309775344063962015-12-12T09:04:00.001+00:002015-12-12T09:04:20.831+00:00DAY 1: 12 DAYS OF VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARDSLast year, in the run-up to Christmas, I shared some images of Victorian Christmas cards from my small collection (my very first book was a Shire book on collecting cards). People seemed to like these images so I've selected twelve more unusual, humorous or downright odd cards to show you. Hope it's a good antidote to the madness of Christmas shopping... <br />
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On Day 1, I give you rabbits riding bicycles! Penny farthings, to be precise. These bunnies are extremely good at multi-tasking because some of them are also playing trumpets!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Nfe-RcGUUQ/VmrDx7rB1wI/AAAAAAAABDU/Dgs6RztFt2s/s1600/Rabbits%2Bon%2BBicycles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Nfe-RcGUUQ/VmrDx7rB1wI/AAAAAAAABDU/Dgs6RztFt2s/s400/Rabbits%2Bon%2BBicycles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In case you can't make out the verse, it says:<br />
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<i>By "Rabbit" Transit 'mid snow and icicles</i><br />
<i>We bring our Christmas wishes on bicycles.</i><br />
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The Victorians loved to put animals on their Christmas cards and they particularly enjoyed making them anthropomorphic, like these rabbit cyclists. I have quite a few cards with anthropomorphic designs so I'm sure you'll be seeing a few more! <br />
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Just a quick recap about the history of Christmas cards: although the world's first Christmas card was produced in 1843 for
Henry Cole (later Sir), sending pre-printed Christmas cards did not
catch on until almost twenty years later. Before the invention of
chromolithography in about 1860, Christmas cards were very expensive to
produce. They were also expensive to post until 1870 when the Post
Office in England introduced a halfpenny stamp for postcards. At the
same time, it declared that Christmas cards (and letters) could be sent
for a halfpenny if they were enclosed in an unsealed envelope. <br />
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From
1870, the popularity of Christmas cards really took off and by the
1880s, sales reached well into the millions. In 1877, it was estimated
that 4,500,000 letters and cards were sent in the seven days before
Christmas. The Victorians liked to collect all manner of things, and
Christmas cards became the new craze. This hobby was especially popular
with children, and they stuck their cards into albums, often with the
date and name of the sender written underneath. <br />
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Christmas
cards were sold in toy shops, tobacconists and drapery stores as well
as bookshops and stationers. They were reviewed in newspapers, as books
are today, and long advertisements were printed detailing the designs of
cards in the run up to Christmas. Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-58532310443537264352015-12-09T10:03:00.003+00:002015-12-09T10:03:46.399+00:00VICTORIAN PRISON BABIESBack in 2006, when I did the research for my book <a href="http://www.michellehiggs.co.uk/victorianprisons.html">Prison Life in Victorian England</a>, I remember being struck with sadness and pity for the babies of female prisoners who were born in prison and incarcerated with their mothers. Women who gave birth in prison could keep their babies with them, providing they were breastfeeding, sometimes until the end of their sentences. <br />
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In the 1860s, when Henry Mayhew visited Brixton Prison, the chaplain explained the rules about infants in the prison: ‘If the child be born here it is to stay with the mother but if born in jail before the mother comes here, it is to be sent to the Union immediately she is ordered to be removed to this prison. We never had a child older than four years, but at Millbank one little thing had been kept so long incarcerated, that on going out of the prison it called a horse a cat’.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQxStYJ3PRs/Vmc0XCg9_7I/AAAAAAAABCU/FpCX15wQFkY/s1600/A%2BBaby%2527s%2BCot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQxStYJ3PRs/Vmc0XCg9_7I/AAAAAAAABCU/FpCX15wQFkY/s400/A%2BBaby%2527s%2BCot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'A Baby's Cot' from 'In Wormwood Scrubs Prison' <i>(Living London</i>, 1901)</td></tr>
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The first crèche for prison babies was at Holloway Castle prison where babies born in jail and those under three months old at the time of their mothers’ conviction were cared for. Under this system, a baby slept in a cot in its mother’s cell and was taken to the day-nursery at 8.30 a.m. The wardresses bathed and fed each baby before putting it to bed again. If the mother's conduct had been satisfactory, she might be allowed to see her baby at lunchtime or to take it with her when exercising in the prison yard. In fine weather, after lunch the baby spent most of the day with a prison nurse in a special tent in the garden. <br />
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Concerns were raised about children in convict prison nurseries, especially those who were there for long periods. It was feared that the contaminating influence of the criminal mothers on their offspring would mean the children themselves would be tempted into a life of crime. By 1900, all babies had to leave the prison at nine months. After this age, if a criminal mother had no family to look after her baby, it was sent to the workhouse and became an inmate for the duration of the prison sentence.<br />
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How wonderful, then, to read of a more positive view of prison babies at the end of the 19th century. I recently discovered an article in <i>Living London </i>(1901) about Wormwood Scrubs Prison which argued that "in many cases the prison born are better off than the free born - more cared for, more delicately nurtured than those who have first seen the light and have been dragged up in the purlieus and dark dens of the town."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7S3vxdDxt4/Vmc1FByWZTI/AAAAAAAABCg/N6J1uxhRgDM/s1600/Baby%2BParade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7S3vxdDxt4/Vmc1FByWZTI/AAAAAAAABCg/N6J1uxhRgDM/s400/Baby%2BParade.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Baby Parade' from 'In Wormwood Scrubs Prison' (<i>Living London</i>, 1901)</td></tr>
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The journalist added:<br />
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<i>"Prison mothers are generally a pattern to their sex. Discipline apart, and the stimulus it gives to good behaviour, there are no disturbing emotions within the walls, no incentives to neglect of offspring, no drink, no masterful men, no temptation to thieve or go astray; and thus their better feelings, their purer maternal instincts, have full play. So the prison baby has, for the most part, a good time. </i><br />
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<i>High officials, visitors, matron, warders, are all glad to pet and cosset it, there is plenty of wholesome food, it has toys to play with, fresh air and exercise in its mother's arms, while its nursery, though no doubt a cell, is bright, well-ventilated, not ill-furnished with its comfortable cot, and is scrupulously clean. Moreover, when the prison mother is drawn elsewhere by the necessities of her daily toil, she knows that her baby will be well cared for in the prison nursery or creche." </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CbwPwBgPADM/Vmc1esT4BqI/AAAAAAAABCs/KbK9FweQNAE/s1600/In%2Bthe%2BWomen%2527s%2BWorkroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CbwPwBgPADM/Vmc1esT4BqI/AAAAAAAABCs/KbK9FweQNAE/s320/In%2Bthe%2BWomen%2527s%2BWorkroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'In the Women's Work Room' from 'In Wormwood Scrubs Prison' (<i>Living London</i> , 1901)</td></tr>
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If you ever get the chance, visit <a href="http://www.angleseyheritage.com/key-places/beaumaris-gaol/">Beaumaris Gaol</a> on Anglesey. In the prison, there is a nursery in which you can see a Victorian baby's cradle. On one end
of the cradle was a rope which hung down into the room below. This was
the female prisoners' workroom and they could rock their infants'
cradles from below the nursery without stopping their work. At Beaumaris, you can also
explore all the corridors and cells, including the condemned cell and
the punishment cell. There's also the original treadwheel used to provide work for
the prisoners - this is the only place I've ever seen a surviving one of
these. Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-74182616278786834072015-09-18T07:31:00.002+01:002015-09-18T07:31:50.424+01:00LIFE AS A POLICE CONSTABLE IN LATE VICTORIAN LONDONAs the current series of <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03fvc1c">Ripper Street </a>draws to a close on BBC1, I decided to devote this blog post to policing in late Victorian London. I've been impressed by the character of P.C. Bobby Grace in Series 3 and will look forward to his development in the next series. But how were police constables recruited and what were their day-to-day duties?<br />
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In 1901, a journalist for <i>Living London</i> observed the Metropolitan Police Force at work. When referring to police constables, he wrote: "Any young man in possession of good health and character, between twenty-one and twenty-seven years of age and not less than 5 ft 9 in. in height, may apply for admission to the force; and, if preliminary inquiries prove satisfactory, he will be directed to attend at headquarters on a specified Tuesday. There, in company with some fifty other candidates, he must undergo a searching examination at the hands of the Chief Surgeon, and if pronounced physically fit for police duty will be further tested as to his general intelligence and his ability to read and to write well."<br />
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Afterwards, the budding constable was sent for three weeks as a 'candidate on probation' to the Candidates' Section House in Kennington Lane. While there, he was drilled twice daily in squad exercises by an instructor at Wellington Barracks, and also trained in the use of the ambulance. He was then sworn in as a constable "from which moment his career as a guardian of the public peace begins". He was then posted to fill a vacancy at one or other of the twenty-two divisions of the force.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Drilling Recruits (Wellington Barracks)' from <i>Living London</i> (1901)</td></tr>
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At his division, the new young constable was given his number and a uniform. His on-the-job training continued: "After attending the local police court to observe how police cases are conducted, he is sent out for a little while under the charge of an experienced officer to gain practical knowledge of his duties, and is given leisure for the study of his 'police instruction book' - a vellum-bound volume, full of statutes and regulations, and apt to prove a very indigestible mental diet to the 'new chum'. And at last he finds himself a recognised 'duty man' taking his share with the rest in the police control of London."<br />
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In 1901, a police constable's pay started at 25s. 6d. weekly, "rising a shilling annually to the modest limit of 33s. 6d." But if he was a efficient officer, a policeman like P.C. Bobby Grace could "rise through the grades of sergeant, station officer, and inspector to the rank of superintendent, at a salary of £400 a year." Along with his uniform, the police constable was given "an armlet, to be worn on the left sleeve when on duty, a whistle and chain, and a stout boxwood truncheon - his sole weapon of defence." By 1901, handcuffs were no longer carried unless some violent or dangerous offender was to be apprehended. The young officer was then sent to do eight hours' duty daily in the London streets, either in two terms of four hours each or in a single spell.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgo24_SDQYs/Vfsb_fjAVAI/AAAAAAAAA88/hB5Tj1pry3w/s1600/Police%2BGoing%2Bon%2BDuty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgo24_SDQYs/Vfsb_fjAVAI/AAAAAAAAA88/hB5Tj1pry3w/s320/Police%2BGoing%2Bon%2BDuty.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Going on Duty' from <i>Living London</i> (1901)</td></tr>
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The work was extremely varied with "disturbances to be quelled and crowds dispersed, doubtful characters to be watched and obstructive costermongers and street vendors to be 'moved on', endless questions to be answered and directions given; stray dogs to be seized, pickpockets, beggars, drunken persons, and other actual or suspected offenders to be arrested, besides innumerable minor breaches of the law to be reported."<br />
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The single men of each division were housed in the 'divisional section house', "a sort of police barracks, but roomy, well-appointed, and homely, as soldiers' quarters are not". For a subscription of six or seven shillings weekly, the constable was entitled to a comfortable bed in this building, a hot dinner or supper daily, and the use of the police library and common rooms. After his duty was over, "he amuses himself with billiards, chess, boxing, and gymnastics, or, if he prefers, can read or study for promotion undisturbed. There are cricket and football clubs in each division, a band for musical members of the force, a sick room and medical care for the suffering."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l1388usDy6I/Vfsa5DJyeDI/AAAAAAAAA8s/Dty6bfkINA8/s1600/Wrestling%2BBout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l1388usDy6I/Vfsa5DJyeDI/AAAAAAAAA8s/Dty6bfkINA8/s320/Wrestling%2BBout.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'In a Section House: A Wrestling Bout' from <i>Living London</i> (1901)</td></tr>
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The journalist for <i>Living London</i> was at pains to point out the benefits of working in the police force: "reserve pay, snug billets as caretakers, special payments for doing duty at London theatres and museums, and so on. Thus, arduous and trying as is police life in London, it has its compensations. And it is rewarded, besides, after twenty-six years' service, with a life-pension of two-thirds of the officer's pay - a fitting conclusion to the career of this long-suffering guardian and useful servant of the London public."<br />
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It will be interesting to see how far P.C. Bobby Grace progresses up the ranks - if he doesn't get killed off, that is!Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-47252466072345349182015-05-07T16:08:00.000+01:002015-05-07T16:13:48.452+01:00TANTRUMS, TEARS & TOIL: DOMESTIC SERVICE IN A VICTORIAN COACHING INNThe second episode of the BBC's <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05t5l7t">24 Hours in the Past</a> was set in a coaching inn in the 1840s, with the <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/">National Trust's</a> New Inn at <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe/">Stowe</a> providing a very authentic backdrop. Coaching inns (or stages) were the hub of stagecoach activity, providing extensive stables, fresh horses and refreshments for passengers en route. They were also the principal hotels for the towns in which they are located. On a major route, there could be as many as 15 or 20 coaches passing through every day, from early in the morning to late at night. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Country Mails at the Peacock Islington, 1838, courtesy of Print & Photographs Division, Library of Congress, LC-DIG-pga-03502</td></tr>
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The six celebrities were given various domestic service roles from maid of all work and potman through to kitchen maid and ostler. Experience with horses and quite technical harnessing expertise would have been required to be an ostler; without these skills, Alistair McGowan and Colin Jackson both found it difficult.<br />
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The work of the other servants was made up of more general duties. As the maid of all work, Miquita Oliver's predicament in not knowing how to start a fire in the dining room was fairly common for young girls new to domestic service. She was also required to clean and iron laundry, wait at the tables and service the guests' bedrooms, including emptying the chamberpots. <br />
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Tyger Drew-Honey drew the short straw in his role as potman. This job involved being a general dogsbody and jack of all trades from serving drinks in the taproom and washing the plates and cutlery through to butchering a pig! <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05t5l7t">24 Hours in the Past</a> stressed the importance of the stagecoaches keeping to a strict timetable with all the servants working as a team to effect a quick turnaround.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The County Hotel, Lancaster, circa 1900.</td></tr>
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There wasn't much mention of tips in the programme but the staff at coaching inns, rustic inns and hotels relied heavily on tips from guests to augment their meagre pay. On his first visit to England in 1847, the American John Henry Sherburne stayed at the Black Bear in Manchester, but he was unaware that service was not included. He paid his moderate bill and while getting into his cab, he was ‘surrounded by all the servants of the establishment, asking to be remembered from the head cook to the boots’. He was later advised by a friend that, when asking for his bill at a hotel, he should insist that the servants also be charged in it. In this way, he would find himself ‘a few pounds the richer’ and save himself ‘much trouble and mortification’.<br />
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Most of the celebrities managed to work well as servants but there was one scene which simply didn't ring true. I'm referring, of course, to the refusal by Ann Widdecombe and Zoe Lucker to skin rabbits or pluck pheasants as part of their work as kitchen maids. In the real world of the 1840s, refusing to do what was asked by a master or mistress would result in instant dismissal without a character (the written reference provided by an employer so that a servant could find another place in service). <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cat and Fiddle Inn, Hinton, Dorset, circa 1900</td></tr>
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Knowing one's place, being deferential and only speaking when spoken to were the golden rules if you wanted to keep your job as a servant, gain valuable experience and move on to a position with higher pay and better prospects. This was a time when people worked simply to earn money for food and lodgings; there was no choice but to do as one was told. Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-36336662731547554992015-04-30T19:25:00.002+01:002015-04-30T19:25:57.950+01:00DUST, DOG DIRT AND DUNG IN VICTORIAN ENGLANDI wasn't sure about the concept of the BBC's <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05t5l85">24 Hours in the Past</a> at first. Watching celebrities complain about the frankly unpleasant nineteenth century tasks they had to undertake didn't sound very appealing. However, I was impressed by how realistic the scenes in the first episode were. Filmed at the wonderful <a href="http://www.bclm.co.uk/">Black Country Living Museum</a>, episode 1 was set in a dust-yard where dust and other rubbish was sifted through to collect bones, rags and pieces of metal. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Removing Street Refuse' from <i>Living London</i> (circa 1901)</td></tr>
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The street was covered with horse manure and the celebrities were expected to clean it up while looking out for valuable 'pure' which was mixed in. Zoe Lucker, quickly getting fed up with her shovel, got stuck in and used her bare hands to pick up the manure. <br /><br />While this is shocking to the modern eye, for the lower working-classes it was simply a fact of life. 'Pure-finders' spent every working day picking up dog excrement to sell on for a premium to leather-dressers and tanners (it was used to soften the animal skins before the actual tanning could take place). <br /><br />Upper-class Victorians who happened to witness this daily task were equally as shocked. An American, John Henry Sherburne, who visited England in 1847, wrote that on passing through the great thoroughfares of Liverpool, ‘the most disgusting sight’ to him ‘was seeing women and young girls employed in scraping up street manure with their naked hands, and placing it in baskets, or their aprons’. He concluded, ‘These scenes are so common, as not to be noticed by the citizens'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lRMWZxkexk/VUJySv_RNYI/AAAAAAAAAt4/tO3coxWCJGg/s1600/Sorting%2Ba%2BDust-Heap%2Bat%2Ba%2BCounty%2BCouncil%2BDepot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lRMWZxkexk/VUJySv_RNYI/AAAAAAAAAt4/tO3coxWCJGg/s1600/Sorting%2Ba%2BDust-Heap%2Bat%2Ba%2BCounty%2BCouncil%2BDepot.jpg" height="195" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Sorting a Dust-heap at a County Council Depot' from <i>Living London</i> (circa 1901)</td></tr>
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The dust-yard was the Victorian version of today's recycling factories. No landfill for them! Nothing was thrown away because every single thing had a value and could be re-used in different forms. Rags were sold to paper makers after washing; bones were used to make knife handles and ornaments, and the grease from them was a component of the soap-making process; coal and cinders were needed for brickmaking; while horse manure mixed with night-soil (human excrement) and hops made an excellent fertiliser. <br />
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This first episode of <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05t5l85">24 Hours in the Past</a> illustrated the back-breaking manual labour our working-class ancestors had to carry out on a daily basis for a pittance; they lived a stark hand to mouth existence - when there was no work, there was no pay and no food. We take so much for granted today and this episode was a timely reminder of that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'A Crossing Sweeper' from <i>Living London</i> (circa 1901)</td></tr>
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<br />Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-32217366586528305622015-04-23T11:50:00.000+01:002015-04-23T11:50:06.787+01:00REVIEW OF 'LIFE IN THE VICTORIAN ASYLUM' BY MARK STEVENSMy Victorian England blog has been shamefully neglected of late because most of my time has been taken up with my forthcoming book, 'Servants' Stories'. Now that I have a bit more breathing space, I can start to blog again.<br /><br />Let's start with a review of Mark Stevens' thoroughly absorbing book '<a href="http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Life-in-the-Victorian-Asylum-Hardback/p/7816">Life in the Victorian Asylum</a>'. This is very late as the book was published in October last year, but better late than never! Regular readers of this blog will know that this is a subject I'm fascinated with.<br /><br />'Life in the Victorian Asylum' is the companion to Mark's highly successful first book, '<a href="http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Broadmoor-Revealed-Hardback/p/4005">Broadmoor Revealed</a>' which dealt with the treatment of the criminally insane and focused on some of the most interesting case histories. This new book is more general and as the title suggests, it describes daily life for the asylum patient.<br />
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<br />The book is separated into two distinct parts. The first part is written in the style of a handbook for Victorian asylum patients and the reader is addressed as if he or she was a new inmate. Walking them through step by step, the information includes what they could expect during the admission process and how a diagnosis was made; what the accommodation and the daily routine was like; the treatment for mental illness and general healthcare; and how patients were discharged after recovery. <br /><br />If you have an ancestor who was admitted to an asylum, this section of the book will give you a detailed overview of daily life for him or her inside the institution. The sad thing about the handbook is that, in reality, even if the process had been fully explained to asylum patients, their fragile mental state would probably have meant they would not have understood it.<br /><br />The second part of the book is written as a straight history of Victorian asylums with special reference to Moulsford Asylum (Fair Mile Hospital) in Berkshire, which was the inspiration for the book. Mark Stevens is an archivist at Berkshire Record Office where he looks after the archives of both Fair Mile Hospital and Broadmoor so there are plenty of fascinating examples and case histories from the archives throughout the book.<br />
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The book provides a tantalising snapshot of a world behind the locked doors of the
asylum and shatters a few myths about the purpose of such institutions
and the treatment for patients within them. So often portrayed as dark, forbidding places from which there was no escape, Mark Stevens offers a different point of view about lunatic asylums. What really comes across is that the staff of Victorian asylums were extremely compassionate in the way they treated their patients with the aim of achieving recovery for as many as possible.<br />
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If you haven't already read '<a href="http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Life-in-the-Victorian-Asylum-Hardback/p/7816">Life in the Victorian Asylum</a>', I would highly recommend it. It's available from <a href="http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Life-in-the-Victorian-Asylum-Hardback/p/7816">Pen & Sword Books</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Victorian-Asylum-Nineteenth-Century/dp/1781593736/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429785535&sr=8-1&keywords=life+in+the+victorian+asylum">Amazon</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJjMs5HOP6o/VTjJz2aPjHI/AAAAAAAAAtE/Mb5D6QVXNVI/s1600/Needlework%2BBethlem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJjMs5HOP6o/VTjJz2aPjHI/AAAAAAAAAtE/Mb5D6QVXNVI/s1600/Needlework%2BBethlem.jpg" height="264" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Needlework in Bethlem' from 'Lunatic London' in <i>Living London</i>, 1900</td></tr>
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<br />Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-30321853965328587672014-12-23T07:44:00.001+00:002014-12-23T07:44:29.608+00:00DAY 12 OF '12 DAYS OF VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARDS'On the final day of '12 Days of Victorian Christmas Cards', I'd like to share a card from the 1860s featuring a New Year message. Many Victorian cards looked ahead to the New Year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LrPjxgfHc_k/VItQGCK-NFI/AAAAAAAAAqE/IZ0Djp7k7wM/s1600/1.%2BChristmas%2BPudding%2BGlobe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LrPjxgfHc_k/VItQGCK-NFI/AAAAAAAAAqE/IZ0Djp7k7wM/s1600/1.%2BChristmas%2BPudding%2BGlobe.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
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Cards from the 1860s always had a paper 'lace' border like this. In this card, you can see a scene from Dr Yule's Popular Lectures for the Young with a Christmas pudding for the globe. I'm not sure what the diagram on the blackboard is referring to!<br />
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I hope you've enjoyed looking at these cards as much as I've enjoyed selecting them. This is my last blog of the year so I'd like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-26122479595618925782014-12-22T07:46:00.003+00:002014-12-22T07:46:49.516+00:00DAY 11: 12 DAYS OF VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARDSOn Day 11 of '12 Days of Victorian Christmas Cards', I have a humorous card from the 1870s to share. It pokes fun at the skill and balance required to ride a penny farthing safely:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zFQaLdYmcGs/VItPQQoOxcI/AAAAAAAAAp4/GUnTMGiyJLw/s1600/Comic%2BCard%2BPenny%2BFarthing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zFQaLdYmcGs/VItPQQoOxcI/AAAAAAAAAp4/GUnTMGiyJLw/s1600/Comic%2BCard%2BPenny%2BFarthing.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
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The cyclist, complete with top hat and newspaper, is about to fall into the canal. I love the expression on his face - and his whiskers!Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-25037798313821944692014-12-21T09:23:00.000+00:002014-12-21T09:23:04.809+00:00DAY 10: 12 DAYS OF VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARDSIt's Day 10 of '12 Days of Victorian Christmas Cards' and I have a real treat for you today. Continuing with the animals and birds theme, here is a wonderful card from the 1880s: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCD0S_GmgVw/VItOuun83CI/AAAAAAAAApw/Jq5ztzTH8XU/s1600/Owls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCD0S_GmgVw/VItOuun83CI/AAAAAAAAApw/Jq5ztzTH8XU/s1600/Owls.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
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It features two beautiful owls flying in the moonlight while wearing top hats. One of them has an intriguing key around its neck. <br />
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The reason may be found in a second card which makes up the pair:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cVxLbNYBs-0/VJaQVgMYSfI/AAAAAAAAAqc/Zy1UYGIRLgU/s1600/Owls%2Bin%2BBonnet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cVxLbNYBs-0/VJaQVgMYSfI/AAAAAAAAAqc/Zy1UYGIRLgU/s1600/Owls%2Bin%2BBonnet.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
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I think the owls in top hats are possibly a bridegroom and his best man, and that the second card shows the bride owl in her bonnet with her new husband at her side. How very romantic!<br />
<br />Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114130323201260052.post-16792907721942625172014-12-20T08:49:00.000+00:002014-12-20T12:36:08.215+00:00DAY 9: 12 DAYS OF VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARDSOn Day 9 of '12 Days of Victorian Christmas Cards', I give you mice pulling a cracker!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sQAmsjCE4qQ/VItOGtQFYrI/AAAAAAAAApo/xPjtdnSXy4o/s1600/4.%2BMice%2BPulling%2BCracker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sQAmsjCE4qQ/VItOGtQFYrI/AAAAAAAAApo/xPjtdnSXy4o/s1600/4.%2BMice%2BPulling%2BCracker.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Michelle Higgs</td></tr>
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Or is it a sweet? I can't tell but it's another typically Victorian subject for a Christmas card featuring cute animals.<br />
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Having looked at the picture again, the tails of the mice look suspiciously long. Maybe they are rats, not mice, and are not so cute after all! Unless, of course, they are friendly pet rats...Michelle Higgshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264314764222438419noreply@blogger.com2