A Victorian Passagetag:,2012:/22010-10-01T15:46:08ZA Victorian Passage into time is discovering how the Victorians really lived. From hair decor to antique tools we invite you to see how our ancestors lived!Movable Type Pro 4.21-en1888 German Spielbuch { Book of Children's Games}tag:www.victorianpassage.com,2010://2.32322010-10-01T11:46:30Z2010-10-01T15:46:08Z I have yet another eBook to offer. This one is a German book of children's games and songs. Now I haven't been able to read much of it since it is in German and I don't know many words...Jessicahttp://ridgetops.victorianpassage.com
I have yet another eBook to offer. This one is a German book of children's games and songs. Now I haven't been able to read much of it since it is in German and I don't know many words of the German tongue. But for those who do this will be an interesting book I believe.
This book has 160 pages of games and songs.
You can download this eBook here. As always please enjoy!]]>
How Fish-Hooks are Madetag:www.victorianpassage.com,2010://2.32302010-09-16T04:00:00Z2010-09-10T11:54:10Z This article was found in The Manufacturer and Builder - Februray 1870 issue. It looks at how fish hooks were still being produced in the 1870s and near the end of the article it briefly compares to how they...Jessicahttp://ridgetops.victorianpassage.comThis article was found in The Manufacturer and Builder - Februray 1870 issue. It looks at how fish hooks were still being produced in the 1870s and near the end of the article it briefly compares to how they were made many years before this.
The wire for making fish-hooks is procured in coils from Sheffield or Birmingham, of different qualities, varying with the kind of goods required. All first- class hooks are made from the very best cast-steel wire; other qualities are made of steel, but inferior; while the common sorts of large hooks are made of iron. Cutting the wire into lengths suitable for the hook about to be made is the first operation, and is performed in two ways. The small and medium sizes are cut from the bundle or coil in quantities, between the blades of a pair of large upright shears, in the same manner as needle wires are cut; but large sea-hooks made from thick wire are cut singly, each length being placed separately upon a chisel fixed in a block or bench and struck with a hammer. What are called "dubbed" hooks are "rubbed" after being cut - that is, placed in a couple of iron rings, then made red-hot and rubbed backward and forward with an iron bar until the friction has made every wire straight. Hooks in general are not rubbed, but are at once taken to be "bearded", or barbed, which is thus performed: the bearder, sitting at a work-bench in a good light, (see engraving,) takes up three or four wires with his left hand between the finger and thumb, and places the ends upon a piece of iron somewhat like a very small anvil, fixed in the bench before him. In his right hand he holds the long handle of a knife of peculiar shape, the blade of which, having the edge turned from him, is placed flat upon the wires, the knife-point at the same time being passed under a bent piece of iron firmly fixed, which enables him to obtain sufficient leverage to cut the soft wires and raise the barb, or "beard", this being done by pushing the handle forward, while the point remains fixed, as described. It becomes a laborious operation in the case of very large sizes, requiring not merely a forward motion of the arm, but a strong push with the body against the handle.
They are next taken by the filer, who makes the points. Each barbed wire is taken up separately, fixed in small pliers held by the left hand, then placed upon the end of a slip of boxwood and filed to the degree of sharpness required. This is a matter of great nicety and delicacy. Common hooks are pointel with one file, but the finer sorts require two or three fiat and half-round. Large sea-hooks have the ends flattened, and the burr cut off on each side with a sharp chisel into a roughly-shaped point, previous to being filed. The points of "dubbed" hooks are not filed, but ground upon a revolving stone, and this process is called "dubbing". When the points are made, the "benders" proceed to operate upon them. The woman seen in our illustration holds in her left hand a piece of wood, at the upper end of which is inserted a curve, or "bend", of steel projecting slightly. Taking a wire in her right hand, she catches the beard upon one end of the steel curve and pulls the wire round into the proper "hook" shape. For the larger sizes the "bends" are fixed, not held in the hand.
Nothing now is necessary to perfect the formation but "shanking", which is done in various ways. Hooks are flattened at the shank end by a workman who holds the curved part in his left hand, rests the end upon the edge of a steel anvil and strikes it one sharp blow with a hammer. Some are tapered at the end with a file, while others are simply curled round, or "bowed" to provide a fastening for the line. With steel hooks, hardening is the next process; but iron ones require converting, or "pieing" before they will harden. The pie-hole is a recess with a large, open chimney, and in this recess is placed an iron pot filled with alternate layers of hooks and bone-dust. At a little distance from the pot bricks are built up all round and the space filled with coal, which, when lighted, creates an intense heat, and to its action the hooks are exposed for about ten or twelve hours, allowed afterward to cool, and are then fit for hardening. To effect this they are exposed to a great heat upon pans in a fire-hole, and while red-hot poured into a caidron of oil. Small hooks are afterward tempered in a kind of frying-pan, partly filled with drift-sand and placed over a fire. The larger ones are tempered in a closed oven at a low heat.
When these operations are completed, they are taken to the scouring-mill, of which we have given an illustration. It is occupied by a number of revolving barrels driven by steam-power, and containing water and soft-soap, into which the hooks are put and allowed to remain for two or three days. At the end of that time, the friction having worn them all bright, they are taken out and dried in another revolving barrel contaiaining saw-dust. Bluing, japanning, or tinning follows, of which the two latter are performed in the ordinary way, and the bluing is done by exposing them to a certain degree of heat in drift-sand over a fire, in the same way as small hooks are tempered. Counting, papering, labeling, and packing complete the series, and the goods are then ready for the market.
Readers of the foregoing description can hardly fail to notice the extreme simplicity of most or all of the processes; and it seems strange that in such an age as ours there should be little improvement in the mode of production, as compared with the fireside practice of amateurs two hundred years ago. In the Secrets of Angling [ I believe this is a repirnt of the book this is speaking of. ] a very rare and curious book, the author describes the making of hooks (as practiced by himself) in the following terms: " Soften your needles in an hot fire in a chafer. The instruments - First, an hold-fast. Secondly, an hammer to flat the piece for the beard. Thirdly, a file to make the beard and sharpen the point. Fourthly, a bender, namely, a pin bended, put in the end of a stick, an handful long. When they are made, lap them in the end of a wire, and heat them againe, and temper them in oyle or butter."]]>
Simple Remediestag:www.victorianpassage.com,2010://2.32312010-09-13T04:00:00Z2010-09-10T12:59:45Z I run across a lot of these sort of lists for remeides but there are many on this particular list I had actually never run across before. It was quite an interesting list to read. It's taken from the...Jessicahttp://ridgetops.victorianpassage.comI run across a lot of these sort of lists for remeides but there are many on this particular list I had actually never run across before. It was quite an interesting list to read. It's taken from the The Lady's Annual Register and Housewife's Memorandum Book of 1838.
Mustard mixed in the usual way, and taken into the stomach, is the speediest emetic; and is of singular use in ejecting poisonous substances from the stomach, if resorted to immediately. So simple a remedy ought to be known by every one.
Cotton wet with sweet oil and paragoric, relieves the earache very soon. The negroes, at the south, consider a cockroach, cut in two and applied to the ear, the most certain cure for the earache.
A good quantity of old cheese is the best thing to eat when distressed by eating too much fruit, or oppressed with any kind of food. Physicians have given it in cases of extreme danger.
Honey and milk is very good for worms; so is strong salt water; likewise powdered sage and molasses, taken freely.
For a sudden attack of quincy, or croup, bathe the neck with bear's grease, and pour it down the throat. A linen rag soaked in sweet oil, butter, or lard, and sprinkled with yellow Scotch snuff, is said to have performed wonderful cures in cases of croup: it should be placed where the distress is greatest.
Cotton and oil, are the best things for a burn.
A poultice of wheat-bran, or rye-bran, and vinegar, very soon takes down the
inflammation occasioned by a sprain.
A rind of pork bound upon a wound occasioned by a needle, pin, or nail, prevents the lock-jaw. It should be always applied.
If you happen to cut yourself slightly while cooking, bind on some fine salt. Molasses is likewise good.
Black or green tea, steeped in boiling milk, is excellent for the dysentery. Cork, burnt to charcoal, about as big as a hazle-nut, macerated, and put in a teaspoonful of brandy, with a little loaf-sugar and nutmeg, is very efficacious in cases of dysentery and cholera-morbus. If nutmeg be wanting, peppermint may be used.
Flannel, wet with brandy, powdered with cayenne pepper, and laid upon the bowels, affords great relief in cases of extreme distress.
Whortleberries, commonly called huckleberries, dried, are a useful medicine for children.
Made into tea and sweetened with molasses, they are very beneficial when the system is in a restricted state, and the digestive powers out of order.
In case of any scratch or wound, from which the lockjaw is apprehended, bathe the injured part freely with lye, or pearlash and water.
Loaf-sugar and brandy relieve a sore throat; when very bad, it is good to inhale the steam of scalding hot vinegar through the tube of a tunnel.
An ointment made from the common ground-worms, which boys dig to bait fishes, rubbed on with the hand, is said to be excellent, when the sinews are drawn up by any disease or accident.]]>
1824 Domestic Cookery Cookbooktag:www.victorianpassage.com,2010://2.32292010-09-10T04:00:00Z2010-09-10T11:02:52Z I have a pretty large download this time around. It's an ebook of my 1824 Domestic Cookery cookbook. Its loaded with recipes of all kinds and even some handwritten ones on the endpapers - those are my favorites. I...Jessicahttp://ridgetops.victorianpassage.com
I have a pretty large download this time around. It's an ebook of my 1824 Domestic Cookery cookbook. Its loaded with recipes of all kinds and even some handwritten ones on the endpapers - those are my favorites. I will probably let this one stay up for a couple of Fridays. Enjoy!
This ebook contains 267 pages.
You can download this eBook here. We hope you enjoy!]]>
1892 Agricultural Almanac eBooktag:www.victorianpassage.com,2010://2.32272010-08-20T04:00:00Z2010-08-19T21:36:23Z Here I have the 1892 Agricultural Almanac for download. This e-book contains advice, hints, tips, stories, humor, recipes of the time and more. Here are just a few of the titles found in this issue. * Domestic Uses for...Jessicahttp://ridgetops.victorianpassage.com
Here I have the 1892 Agricultural Almanac for download. This e-book contains advice, hints, tips, stories, humor, recipes of the time and more. Here are just a few of the titles found in this issue.
* Domestic Uses for Ammonia
* Preserving Butter in Brine
* The Laying Hen's Food
* How to Take Care of a Watch
* Why Eggs Spoil
* Shoe Blacking and Cold Feet
* Recipes, tips, and hints can be found toward the back of the almanac.
This ebook contains 36 pages.
You can download this eBook here. We hope you enjoy!]]>
Paper Dolltag:www.victorianpassage.com,2010://2.32252010-08-06T04:00:00Z2010-07-23T20:51:55Z Hopefully you can take these in the spirit in which they were made - for fun. I was about 15 when I drew and painted these. I obviously wasn't a perfectionist in making them. The dresses are based on...Jessicahttp://ridgetops.victorianpassage.com
Hopefully you can take these in the spirit in which they were made - for fun. I was about 15 when I drew and painted these. I obviously wasn't a perfectionist in making them. The dresses are based on the outfits from the Dr.Quinn movie - as I was quite an avid watcher of the time. I actually created several sets of paper dolls when I was young. So you may be seeing more.
You can download the doll and her outfits here. Hope you enjoy!]]>
Fashions August 1842tag:www.victorianpassage.com,2010://2.31722010-08-01T04:00:00Z2010-04-23T19:44:03Z LATEST PARIS FASHIONS. {from the The New York Visitor and Lady's Album} Bonnets there is but little change in ; they are not worn quite so forward as last month; the crowns are a little raised, and the brims...Jessicahttp://ridgetops.victorianpassage.com
LATEST PARIS FASHIONS. {from the The New York Visitor and Lady's Album}
Bonnets there is but little change in ; they are not worn quite so forward as last month; the crowns are a little raised, and the brims shorter. The most fashionable are those of lace, crape lisse, tule, and plain and fancy rice straw. Poult de soi is mostly used for drawn bonnets.
Mantelets And Scarfs, of cashmere and silk, are not so generally worn as those of muslin and lace. Those of richly embroidered China silk are very fashionable. Shot silks are in favor for camails. Those of lace, muslin, and organdy, are lined with crape and gauze. Pelerine-cardinals, of silk, trimmed with fancy silk trimmings, are in great request.
Robes, notwithstanding the warm weather, are more generally made of silk than muslin. There is, indeed, quite a rage for shot silks. Bareges, we think, will soon lose their vogue. It is in the making, however, more than the material of robes, that the novelty this month consists. Alterations of the most decided character are proposed in ladies' and children's dresses.
In Evening Dress, organdy, tarlatane, and India muslin are generally adopted. In half-dress, the redingote form still preserves its ascendancy. In headdress no alteration has taken place. Flowers and ornamented combs are still worn. There is no change in colors. White still predominates.]]>
Edwardian Ladiestag:www.victorianpassage.com,2010://2.32242010-07-30T04:00:00Z2010-07-23T19:42:53Z Were they sisters? Cousins? Best friends? Who can know...but these Edwardian ladies in their fresh white frocks headed down to the Anderson Studio in Worcester to get their photograph taken so long ago. You can download this photograph here....Jessicahttp://ridgetops.victorianpassage.com
Were they sisters? Cousins? Best friends? Who can know...but these Edwardian ladies in their fresh white frocks headed down to the Anderson Studio in Worcester to get their photograph taken so long ago.
You can download this photograph here. Enjoy!]]>
Tintype of a Little Girltag:www.victorianpassage.com,2010://2.32232010-07-23T19:14:49Z2010-07-23T19:43:40Z Once housed in an album but now long separated from her relatives this tintype of a little girl is a little rough around the edges. Yet you can just imagine how she was the pride and joy of her...Jessicahttp://ridgetops.victorianpassage.com
Once housed in an album but now long separated from her relatives this tintype of a little girl is a little rough around the edges. Yet you can just imagine how she was the pride and joy of her parents so long ago. This was taken sometimes in the late 1800's.
You can download this tintype here. Enjoy!]]>
1891 Agricultural Almanac eBooktag:www.victorianpassage.com,2010://2.32212010-07-16T15:57:08Z2010-07-16T17:33:56Z Yet another in the series of my Almanacs. This is the 1891 Agricultural Almanac and as you will see it has seen better days. This e-book contains advice, hints, tips, stories, humor, recipes of the time and more. Here...Jessicahttp://ridgetops.victorianpassage.com
Yet another in the series of my Almanacs. This is the 1891 Agricultural Almanac and as you will see it has seen better days. This e-book contains advice, hints, tips, stories, humor, recipes of the time and more. Here are just a few of the titles found in this issue.
* Apples as Medicine
* The Rights of Bicyclers to Sidewalk
* About Planting Trees
* How to Keep a Canary
* To Foretell Frost
* A Story of the Revolutionary War
* Recipes, tips, and hints can be found toward the back of the almanac.
This ebook contains 36 pages.
You can download this eBook here. We hope you enjoy!]]>
Spring 1855 Godey's Fashion Platetag:www.victorianpassage.com,2010://2.32202010-07-11T17:00:00Z2010-07-11T13:50:38Z Sorry, due to technical difficulties I wasn't able to post the Friday freebie...but better late than never tho - so here you go! This free download is from my personal collection of Godey's magazines. This color fashion plate, which...Jessicahttp://ridgetops.victorianpassage.com
Sorry, due to technical difficulties I wasn't able to post the Friday freebie...but better late than never tho - so here you go!
This free download is from my personal collection of Godey's magazines. This color fashion plate, which features a wedding dress, is from the May 1855 issue. Enjoy!
Download Godey's Fashion Plate
Here]]>
Fashions July 1842tag:www.victorianpassage.com,2010://2.31712010-07-04T04:00:00Z2010-04-23T19:43:29Z SUMMER FASHIONS. {from the The New York Visitor and Lady's Album} Morning Dress.--Striped foulard robe; the bodice quite high, tight to the shape, and the front ornamented in a novel style with silk cord. Demi-long sleeves, made tight except...Jessicahttp://ridgetops.victorianpassage.com
SUMMER FASHIONS. {from the The New York Visitor and Lady's Album}
Morning Dress.--Striped foulard robe; the bodice quite high, tight to the shape, and the front ornamented in a novel style with silk cord. Demi-long sleeves, made tight except at the elbow, below which they terminate, displaying a long undersleeve of muslin puffs. The skirt is trimmed on each side of the front, and round the border, with two deep tucks, each surmounted by a trimming composed of cord. Light green silk bonnet; a small shape, trimmed with ribbon to correspond, and a white and green willow plume.
Walking Dress.--The summers fashion for walking dresses are remarkably chaste and pretty. Close cottage bonnets are decidedly in vogue; flowers of white or fancy colored muslin, lace or straw, are still favorites, but are more delicate and lighter, than those of any previous season.
We give in our present number a beautiful plate of the July fashions. The standing figure represents a walking dress of white muslin, ornamented at the bottom with several rows of lace insertion; a pea-green silk mantilla, lined with fancy color, and finished with a scalloped frill, is thrown gracefully around the shoulders. The bodice of the dress is made of insertion and puffs to correspond with the skirts: light kid gloves and half gaiters complete the costume. The sitting figure also wears a walking dress of blush coloured striped silk; a muslin mantilla of a new pattern, with a full trimming of lace, fastened at the elbow with rosette of ribbon to match the dress, which gives a very pretty effect; bonnet of white silk, and white lace veil; the hair is worn in two long ringlets on each side of the face; the pocket handkerchiefs still continue to be decorated with broad thread lace-- a piece of extravagance scarcely to be encouraged these hard times.
Carriage Dress. -- Muslin robe; the skirt is trimmed horizontally, with a succession of points, lightly embroidered; bodice made high, and cased in a succession of horizontal rows; the sleeves correspond. Italian straw bonnet; the interior trimmed with flowers ; the exterior with a pink and white willow plume, and pink ribbon. A very broad pink ribbon descends in long floating ends from the girdle.]]>
1890 Agricultural Almanac eBooktag:www.victorianpassage.com,2010://2.32192010-07-02T04:00:00Z2010-07-02T15:13:03Z Another in the series of the my Almanacs. It's the 1890 Agricultural Almanac. This e-book contains advice, hints, tips, stories, humor, recipes of the time and more. Here are just a few of the titles found in this issue....Jessicahttp://ridgetops.victorianpassage.com
Another in the series of the my Almanacs. It's the 1890 Agricultural Almanac. This e-book contains advice, hints, tips, stories, humor, recipes of the time and more. Here are just a few of the titles found in this issue.
* Rules for Building Barns
* For Those who own Horses
* About Road Tax
* How to Build a Rat-Proof Corncrib
* Mutton Suet as a Household Remedy
* Recipes, tips, and hints can be found toward the back of the almanac.
This ebook contains 32 pages.
You can download this eBook here. We hope you enjoy!]]>
1888 Agricultural Almanac eBooktag:www.victorianpassage.com,2010://2.32182010-06-25T04:00:00Z2010-06-23T14:44:08Z We have another eBook to offer for download. It's the 1888 Agricultural Almanac. This e-book contains advice, hints, tips, stories, humor, recipes of the time and more. Here are just a few of the titles found in this issue....Jessicahttp://ridgetops.victorianpassage.com
We have another eBook to offer for download. It's the 1888 Agricultural Almanac. This e-book contains advice, hints, tips, stories, humor, recipes of the time and more. Here are just a few of the titles found in this issue.
* Good Rules for Butter Making
* To Make Soft Soap
* To Prevent Bedsores
* Prize Method for Curing Hams
* Rules Concerning Notes and Checks
* Wedding Anniversaries
* The Dogs of St. Bernard's Hospice
* Recipes, tips, and hints can be found toward the back of the almanac.
This ebook contains 36 pages.
You can download this eBook here. We hope you enjoy!]]>
1885 Print of Childrentag:www.victorianpassage.com,2010://2.32172010-06-18T04:00:00Z2010-06-17T21:37:27Z Today we have this print of three children. Two little girls and one little boy all facing the same direction. The title of the print is, "The playmates of the nursery." It was in the face pages of an...Jessicahttp://ridgetops.victorianpassage.com
Today we have this print of three children. Two little girls and one little boy all facing the same direction. The title of the print is, "The playmates of the nursery." It was in the face pages of an old children's book from 1885. Enjoy!
Download the print
Here]]>
I have yet another eBook to offer. This one is a German book of children's games and songs. Now I haven't been able to read much of it since it is in German and I don't know many words of the German tongue. But for those who do this will be an interesting book I believe.
This book has 160 pages of games and songs.
You can download this eBook here. As always please enjoy!]]>
This article was found in The Manufacturer and Builder - Februray 1870 issue. It looks at how fish hooks were still being produced in the 1870s and near the end of the article it briefly compares to how they were made many years before this.
The wire for making fish-hooks is procured in coils from Sheffield or Birmingham, of different qualities, varying with the kind of goods required. All first- class hooks are made from the very best cast-steel wire; other qualities are made of steel, but inferior; while the common sorts of large hooks are made of iron. Cutting the wire into lengths suitable for the hook about to be made is the first operation, and is performed in two ways. The small and medium sizes are cut from the bundle or coil in quantities, between the blades of a pair of large upright shears, in the same manner as needle wires are cut; but large sea-hooks made from thick wire are cut singly, each length being placed separately upon a chisel fixed in a block or bench and struck with a hammer. What are called "dubbed" hooks are "rubbed" after being cut - that is, placed in a couple of iron rings, then made red-hot and rubbed backward and forward with an iron bar until the friction has made every wire straight. Hooks in general are not rubbed, but are at once taken to be "bearded", or barbed, which is thus performed: the bearder, sitting at a work-bench in a good light, (see engraving,) takes up three or four wires with his left hand between the finger and thumb, and places the ends upon a piece of iron somewhat like a very small anvil, fixed in the bench before him. In his right hand he holds the long handle of a knife of peculiar shape, the blade of which, having the edge turned from him, is placed flat upon the wires, the knife-point at the same time being passed under a bent piece of iron firmly fixed, which enables him to obtain sufficient leverage to cut the soft wires and raise the barb, or "beard", this being done by pushing the handle forward, while the point remains fixed, as described. It becomes a laborious operation in the case of very large sizes, requiring not merely a forward motion of the arm, but a strong push with the body against the handle.
They are next taken by the filer, who makes the points. Each barbed wire is taken up separately, fixed in small pliers held by the left hand, then placed upon the end of a slip of boxwood and filed to the degree of sharpness required. This is a matter of great nicety and delicacy. Common hooks are pointel with one file, but the finer sorts require two or three fiat and half-round. Large sea-hooks have the ends flattened, and the burr cut off on each side with a sharp chisel into a roughly-shaped point, previous to being filed. The points of "dubbed" hooks are not filed, but ground upon a revolving stone, and this process is called "dubbing". When the points are made, the "benders" proceed to operate upon them. The woman seen in our illustration holds in her left hand a piece of wood, at the upper end of which is inserted a curve, or "bend", of steel projecting slightly. Taking a wire in her right hand, she catches the beard upon one end of the steel curve and pulls the wire round into the proper "hook" shape. For the larger sizes the "bends" are fixed, not held in the hand.
Nothing now is necessary to perfect the formation but "shanking", which is done in various ways. Hooks are flattened at the shank end by a workman who holds the curved part in his left hand, rests the end upon the edge of a steel anvil and strikes it one sharp blow with a hammer. Some are tapered at the end with a file, while others are simply curled round, or "bowed" to provide a fastening for the line. With steel hooks, hardening is the next process; but iron ones require converting, or "pieing" before they will harden. The pie-hole is a recess with a large, open chimney, and in this recess is placed an iron pot filled with alternate layers of hooks and bone-dust. At a little distance from the pot bricks are built up all round and the space filled with coal, which, when lighted, creates an intense heat, and to its action the hooks are exposed for about ten or twelve hours, allowed afterward to cool, and are then fit for hardening. To effect this they are exposed to a great heat upon pans in a fire-hole, and while red-hot poured into a caidron of oil. Small hooks are afterward tempered in a kind of frying-pan, partly filled with drift-sand and placed over a fire. The larger ones are tempered in a closed oven at a low heat.
When these operations are completed, they are taken to the scouring-mill, of which we have given an illustration. It is occupied by a number of revolving barrels driven by steam-power, and containing water and soft-soap, into which the hooks are put and allowed to remain for two or three days. At the end of that time, the friction having worn them all bright, they are taken out and dried in another revolving barrel contaiaining saw-dust. Bluing, japanning, or tinning follows, of which the two latter are performed in the ordinary way, and the bluing is done by exposing them to a certain degree of heat in drift-sand over a fire, in the same way as small hooks are tempered. Counting, papering, labeling, and packing complete the series, and the goods are then ready for the market.
Readers of the foregoing description can hardly fail to notice the extreme simplicity of most or all of the processes; and it seems strange that in such an age as ours there should be little improvement in the mode of production, as compared with the fireside practice of amateurs two hundred years ago. In the Secrets of Angling [ I believe this is a repirnt of the book this is speaking of. ] a very rare and curious book, the author describes the making of hooks (as practiced by himself) in the following terms: " Soften your needles in an hot fire in a chafer. The instruments - First, an hold-fast. Secondly, an hammer to flat the piece for the beard. Thirdly, a file to make the beard and sharpen the point. Fourthly, a bender, namely, a pin bended, put in the end of a stick, an handful long. When they are made, lap them in the end of a wire, and heat them againe, and temper them in oyle or butter."]]>
I run across a lot of these sort of lists for remeides but there are many on this particular list I had actually never run across before. It was quite an interesting list to read. It's taken from the The Lady's Annual Register and Housewife's Memorandum Book of 1838.
Mustard mixed in the usual way, and taken into the stomach, is the speediest emetic; and is of singular use in ejecting poisonous substances from the stomach, if resorted to immediately. So simple a remedy ought to be known by every one.
Cotton wet with sweet oil and paragoric, relieves the earache very soon. The negroes, at the south, consider a cockroach, cut in two and applied to the ear, the most certain cure for the earache.
A good quantity of old cheese is the best thing to eat when distressed by eating too much fruit, or oppressed with any kind of food. Physicians have given it in cases of extreme danger.
Honey and milk is very good for worms; so is strong salt water; likewise powdered sage and molasses, taken freely.
For a sudden attack of quincy, or croup, bathe the neck with bear's grease, and pour it down the throat. A linen rag soaked in sweet oil, butter, or lard, and sprinkled with yellow Scotch snuff, is said to have performed wonderful cures in cases of croup: it should be placed where the distress is greatest.
Cotton and oil, are the best things for a burn.
A poultice of wheat-bran, or rye-bran, and vinegar, very soon takes down the
inflammation occasioned by a sprain.
A rind of pork bound upon a wound occasioned by a needle, pin, or nail, prevents the lock-jaw. It should be always applied.
If you happen to cut yourself slightly while cooking, bind on some fine salt. Molasses is likewise good.
Black or green tea, steeped in boiling milk, is excellent for the dysentery. Cork, burnt to charcoal, about as big as a hazle-nut, macerated, and put in a teaspoonful of brandy, with a little loaf-sugar and nutmeg, is very efficacious in cases of dysentery and cholera-morbus. If nutmeg be wanting, peppermint may be used.
Flannel, wet with brandy, powdered with cayenne pepper, and laid upon the bowels, affords great relief in cases of extreme distress.
Whortleberries, commonly called huckleberries, dried, are a useful medicine for children.
Made into tea and sweetened with molasses, they are very beneficial when the system is in a restricted state, and the digestive powers out of order.
In case of any scratch or wound, from which the lockjaw is apprehended, bathe the injured part freely with lye, or pearlash and water.
Loaf-sugar and brandy relieve a sore throat; when very bad, it is good to inhale the steam of scalding hot vinegar through the tube of a tunnel.
An ointment made from the common ground-worms, which boys dig to bait fishes, rubbed on with the hand, is said to be excellent, when the sinews are drawn up by any disease or accident.]]>
I have a pretty large download this time around. It's an ebook of my 1824 Domestic Cookery cookbook. Its loaded with recipes of all kinds and even some handwritten ones on the endpapers - those are my favorites. I will probably let this one stay up for a couple of Fridays. Enjoy!
This ebook contains 267 pages.
You can download this eBook here. We hope you enjoy!]]>
Here I have the 1892 Agricultural Almanac for download. This e-book contains advice, hints, tips, stories, humor, recipes of the time and more. Here are just a few of the titles found in this issue.
* Domestic Uses for Ammonia
* Preserving Butter in Brine
* The Laying Hen's Food
* How to Take Care of a Watch
* Why Eggs Spoil
* Shoe Blacking and Cold Feet
* Recipes, tips, and hints can be found toward the back of the almanac.
This ebook contains 36 pages.
You can download this eBook here. We hope you enjoy!]]>
Hopefully you can take these in the spirit in which they were made - for fun. I was about 15 when I drew and painted these. I obviously wasn't a perfectionist in making them. The dresses are based on the outfits from the Dr.Quinn movie - as I was quite an avid watcher of the time. I actually created several sets of paper dolls when I was young. So you may be seeing more.
You can download the doll and her outfits here. Hope you enjoy!]]>
LATEST PARIS FASHIONS. {from the The New York Visitor and Lady's Album}
Bonnets there is but little change in ; they are not worn quite so forward as last month; the crowns are a little raised, and the brims shorter. The most fashionable are those of lace, crape lisse, tule, and plain and fancy rice straw. Poult de soi is mostly used for drawn bonnets.
Mantelets And Scarfs, of cashmere and silk, are not so generally worn as those of muslin and lace. Those of richly embroidered China silk are very fashionable. Shot silks are in favor for camails. Those of lace, muslin, and organdy, are lined with crape and gauze. Pelerine-cardinals, of silk, trimmed with fancy silk trimmings, are in great request.
Robes, notwithstanding the warm weather, are more generally made of silk than muslin. There is, indeed, quite a rage for shot silks. Bareges, we think, will soon lose their vogue. It is in the making, however, more than the material of robes, that the novelty this month consists. Alterations of the most decided character are proposed in ladies' and children's dresses.
In Evening Dress, organdy, tarlatane, and India muslin are generally adopted. In half-dress, the redingote form still preserves its ascendancy. In headdress no alteration has taken place. Flowers and ornamented combs are still worn. There is no change in colors. White still predominates.]]>
Were they sisters? Cousins? Best friends? Who can know...but these Edwardian ladies in their fresh white frocks headed down to the Anderson Studio in Worcester to get their photograph taken so long ago.
You can download this photograph here. Enjoy!]]>
Once housed in an album but now long separated from her relatives this tintype of a little girl is a little rough around the edges. Yet you can just imagine how she was the pride and joy of her parents so long ago. This was taken sometimes in the late 1800's.
You can download this tintype here. Enjoy!]]>
Yet another in the series of my Almanacs. This is the 1891 Agricultural Almanac and as you will see it has seen better days. This e-book contains advice, hints, tips, stories, humor, recipes of the time and more. Here are just a few of the titles found in this issue.
* Apples as Medicine
* The Rights of Bicyclers to Sidewalk
* About Planting Trees
* How to Keep a Canary
* To Foretell Frost
* A Story of the Revolutionary War
* Recipes, tips, and hints can be found toward the back of the almanac.
This ebook contains 36 pages.
You can download this eBook here. We hope you enjoy!]]>
Sorry, due to technical difficulties I wasn't able to post the Friday freebie...but better late than never tho - so here you go!
This free download is from my personal collection of Godey's magazines. This color fashion plate, which features a wedding dress, is from the May 1855 issue. Enjoy!
Download Godey's Fashion Plate
Here]]>
SUMMER FASHIONS. {from the The New York Visitor and Lady's Album}
Morning Dress.--Striped foulard robe; the bodice quite high, tight to the shape, and the front ornamented in a novel style with silk cord. Demi-long sleeves, made tight except at the elbow, below which they terminate, displaying a long undersleeve of muslin puffs. The skirt is trimmed on each side of the front, and round the border, with two deep tucks, each surmounted by a trimming composed of cord. Light green silk bonnet; a small shape, trimmed with ribbon to correspond, and a white and green willow plume.
Walking Dress.--The summers fashion for walking dresses are remarkably chaste and pretty. Close cottage bonnets are decidedly in vogue; flowers of white or fancy colored muslin, lace or straw, are still favorites, but are more delicate and lighter, than those of any previous season.
We give in our present number a beautiful plate of the July fashions. The standing figure represents a walking dress of white muslin, ornamented at the bottom with several rows of lace insertion; a pea-green silk mantilla, lined with fancy color, and finished with a scalloped frill, is thrown gracefully around the shoulders. The bodice of the dress is made of insertion and puffs to correspond with the skirts: light kid gloves and half gaiters complete the costume. The sitting figure also wears a walking dress of blush coloured striped silk; a muslin mantilla of a new pattern, with a full trimming of lace, fastened at the elbow with rosette of ribbon to match the dress, which gives a very pretty effect; bonnet of white silk, and white lace veil; the hair is worn in two long ringlets on each side of the face; the pocket handkerchiefs still continue to be decorated with broad thread lace-- a piece of extravagance scarcely to be encouraged these hard times.
Carriage Dress. -- Muslin robe; the skirt is trimmed horizontally, with a succession of points, lightly embroidered; bodice made high, and cased in a succession of horizontal rows; the sleeves correspond. Italian straw bonnet; the interior trimmed with flowers ; the exterior with a pink and white willow plume, and pink ribbon. A very broad pink ribbon descends in long floating ends from the girdle.]]>
Another in the series of the my Almanacs. It's the 1890 Agricultural Almanac. This e-book contains advice, hints, tips, stories, humor, recipes of the time and more. Here are just a few of the titles found in this issue.
* Rules for Building Barns
* For Those who own Horses
* About Road Tax
* How to Build a Rat-Proof Corncrib
* Mutton Suet as a Household Remedy
* Recipes, tips, and hints can be found toward the back of the almanac.
This ebook contains 32 pages.
You can download this eBook here. We hope you enjoy!]]>
We have another eBook to offer for download. It's the 1888 Agricultural Almanac. This e-book contains advice, hints, tips, stories, humor, recipes of the time and more. Here are just a few of the titles found in this issue.
* Good Rules for Butter Making
* To Make Soft Soap
* To Prevent Bedsores
* Prize Method for Curing Hams
* Rules Concerning Notes and Checks
* Wedding Anniversaries
* The Dogs of St. Bernard's Hospice
* Recipes, tips, and hints can be found toward the back of the almanac.
This ebook contains 36 pages.
You can download this eBook here. We hope you enjoy!]]>
Today we have this print of three children. Two little girls and one little boy all facing the same direction. The title of the print is, "The playmates of the nursery." It was in the face pages of an old children's book from 1885. Enjoy!
Download the print
Here]]>