Opening Sentence Sunday

Start from the beginning.


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Opening Sentence Sunday

Bram stared into a pair of wide, dark eyes. Eyes that reflected a surprising glimmer of intelligence.

Anyone recognize it? Want to take a guess, leave a sentence of your own, or tell me what you think of the beginning? Leave a comment. Click for the answer.
Last week's opener was from...

Opening Sentence Sunday

I know I was handsome...and have always been fashionable, but I do assure you," Georgianna, Duchess of Devonshire, wrote her daughter at the end of her life, "our negligence and omissions have been forgiven and we have been loved, more from our being free from airs than from any other circumstance."

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The Thursday News - Caution

LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

26th April 1811

Caution to the Public: Whereas a Man named Jonas LAZARUS of Lincoln, has been travelling about the country and falsely representing himself to be the brother (by Marriage) of me, Moses LYON of Boston - I hereby give Notice, that the said Jonas LAZARUS is not related to me in any manner, nor have I any connection with him whatsoever. Boston, April 23rd 1811, Moses LYON.

LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

25th June 1811

Caution to the Public: Whereas a Person is travelling the County of Lincoln representing himself to be in Partnership with me - This is to give Notice, that I have no Partner whatsoever but brew Ale and Porter solely on my own Account. Boston, 21st June 1819, Samuel COX. NB: A Quantity of Bottled Porter on hand.

Opening Sentence Sunday

Once upon a time, not so very long ago,,,
Beautiful girls in fairy stories are as common as pebbles on the beach.

Anyone have a guess for this one? Want to leave one of your own? Feel free to comment. Click for the answer.
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The Thursday News - Classifieds

The London Chronicle

May 18, 1758

WANTED,An Advowson from 200l. to 600l. a Year, with any Life upwards of Fifty upon it; or a next Presentation of about the same yearly Value, provided there is an old Incumbent.
Any Person (being a Principal) may direct to Mr. Wm. Dobey, opposite the Sun Tavern, in Holborn.
 
To be LETT, Furnished, A very good House, consisting of three Parlours and a large Hall below stairs, five Bedchambers, a Dressing Room and a large Study, and two small Rooms, five large Garrets, with as many beds as may be wanted; over the Scullery and Dairy there are seven Bedchambers for servants; there are all reasonable Conveniences for Servants, such as Store-Rooms, Clossets, Shelves; good Stabling for ten Horses at least Coach-houses, Brew-houses, Out-houses, &c. with or without Land; The Gardens in good Order, a Dove-house, Fish-ponds, well stock'd, in a fine Sporting Country, a Mile from Buckenham, a Market Town in Norfolk; 16 miles from Norwich, and 99 from London.
Enquire of Mr. Jackson, Bookseller, in St. James's Street.

WIP Wednesday - 18th Century Servant's Clothing

Today I thought I would talk about servant's clothing.

The Chocolate Girl - Jean-Étienne Liotard 1745

This image is a bit before the time I usually
focus on here, but I thought it was a great example of the way servants were expected to dress. Her simple
Caraco and skirt are covered by an apron.
Her hair is covered with a bonnet (mob
cap) which is her only decoration, and
she's wearing a serviceable fichu.
Nothing in her appearance is particularly
ornate.

Henry Robert Morland – late 18th century woman servant

Henry Robert Morland painted a number of images of servants. You can see here that his 18th century servant woman is wearing a fairly plain dress. The bow on her cap is the only decoration. 




Highly visible male servants were the exception. Footmen, the butler, and other highly visible male servants were expected to dress in fancy livery as a show of the estate's wealth.

Colonial Williamsburg

While they were expected to dress well, in accordance with their employer's status, servants who wore clothing considered too ornate or above their station were scorned by the upper classes.  This came to a head toward the end of the 18th century, when the industrial revolution made luxuries more affordable. Soon, servant uniforms began gaining popularity as a mark of the separation of the classes within an estate.
This dichotomy can be seen in this panting, and yo can read more about it, and servants in general here. I also have a link to The Complete Servant (free on google books) under the For Writers tab at the top of the page.

Opening Sentence Sunday

The Duchess of Bridgwater, formidably elegant in her purple satin evening gown with matching turban and tall plumes, bedecked and sparkling with the family jewels, looked Miss Cora Downes over with slow and methodical care, beginning at the top of her elaborate coiffure, and ending at her slippers, which were already cramping her toes.

Anyone want to take a crack at the book this opening line belongs to, or want to post their own opener? Comment here. Click for the answer.
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