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.

The Thursday News - What??

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

22nd August 1806

Death - Lately died Mr. Robert BROMHEAD, late of Stamford, and within one day´s sail on his passage to New York, when he and another person imprudently attempted to bathe and both jumped out of the window. The latter was saved with great difficulty, but the former (Mr. BROMHEAD) never rose

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

29th April 1808

If John PALIAN of Helpringham still intends to persist in calling himself a Quaker, he is desired to produce the Minute of the Monthly Meeting by which he was admitted into the Society, as without such a Minute of Admission, no person who was not born in the Society, can become a Member of it. By producing, or failing to produce this proof of his assertion, it may be known whether or not he is in reality such ´A Lover of Truth´ as he professes himself to be. The advertiser repeats that John PALIAN never is, nor never was a Member of the Society of Quakers..

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

29th April 1808

Elopement: Whereas Thomas KIME of Scremby did, on Thursday 24th March 1808, take away Susanna, the wife of William STANDWELL of Candlesby in the County of Lincoln, Victualler, and two Children named Thomas and Elizabeth - Thomas KIME is about 29 years of age, stands about 5 ft 9½ inches high, round face, small thin nose, light blue eyes, light hair cropt, fair complexion. He had on a light great-coat, dark brown undercoat with yellow buttons, short waistcoat, light corded breeches and shoes tied with strings. Susanna STANDWELL is about 45 years of age, stands about 5 ft 3 or 4 inches high, a good looking woman, fresh coloured but rather subject to scurvy in the face. The son is about 12 years old and can write a decent hand. The daughter is about nine years old and is short-sighted. Susanna STANDWELL is supposed to have concealed cash, plate, linen and various other articles to the amount of £200 or upwards, the property of William STANDWELL. They went off in a Post Chaise from Boston in Lincolnshire and have since been seen in London. Whoever will apprehend the above named persons and lodge them in any of His Majesty´s Gaols, and if possible, secure the property, by giving notice thereof to William STANDWELL by letter or otherwise, shall immediately receive a Reward of Five Guineas. Candlesby, 27th April 1808.

The Thursday News - Missing Persons

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

6th May 1808

John ROLLITT of Walcot near Sleaford in this county left his house on Monday the 11th April to go to Pinchbeck, where he arrived on Friday the 15th and then returned as far homeward as the sign of the Wheel Inn at Heckington Fen on Saturday the 16th April where he staid (sic) the night, and on the next morning left that place, seemingly to pursue his journey homewards, but has not since been heard of. Mr John ROLLITT is 45 years old and about 5 ft 4 ins high with black hair and a dark complexion, stoops in his walk, is rather corpulent and is rather hard of hearing. He had on a blue coat and a dark great-coat and also had buckles in his shoes and is supposed to have a great deal of money with him. Whoever can give any information of him to his WIFE at Walcot aforesaid, to Mr James ROLLITT of Navenby, or to Mr Valentine INGRAM of Surfleet, shall be handsomely rewarded.

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

13th May 1808

TWENTY GUINEAS REWARD. If any persons will give information to Mr TORKINGTON of Stamford or to Mr WHITE of Grantham, attorneys at law, of Richard STANHAM of North Witham in the county of Lincolnshire, farmer and grazier, who left his home on Friday the 1st of April instant, he will receive the above Reward together with all reasonable Expences (sic). The said Richard STANHAM is about 48 years of age, 5 ft 7 ins high, stout made, ruddy dark complexion, black hair cut short, turning rather grey, rather inclined to corpulency, broad round face and a pleasant cheerful countenance: he wore a dark singlebreasted coat with metal buttons, and yellow and striped toilinette waistcoat, with metal buttons, and dark velveteen breeches with metal buttons, all new: he had on also a pair of boots with turn-down tops, a new round hat and an old drab loose top-coat with two capes, which were stained on the right side. The Creditors of the said Richard STANHAM are particularly requested to meet at the White Lion Inn in Colsterworth on Monday the 16th of May next, at Eleven o´clock in the forenoon, to take the affairs of the said Richard STANHAM into further consideration. Colsterworth, 27th April 1808.

The Thursday News - Escapees, Runaways, and Gigolos, oh My!

LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

11th May 1810

ESCAPED from His Majesty´s Gaol, the Castle of Lincoln, about three o´clock in the afternoon of Wednesday the 9th day of May by getting over the walls, ROBERT WHARF, a Convict under sentence of Transportation for Life. The said Robert WHARF is about 20 years of age, light brown hair, grey eyes, a round visage, slim made, a good-looking young man, was born at Kirton near Boston; had on a brown coat, stript (sic) waistcoat, blue and drab coloured country breeches and had no shoes on - whoever will apprehend the said ROBERT WHARF and lodge him in any of H M Gaols, shall receive a Reward of Five Guineas from the Keeper of Lincoln Castle.

LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

 23rd November 1810

 RUN AWAY from his Master´s Service, JOHN MAJOR, apprentice to Mr William PYCOTTS, cordwainer of Crowle, Lincolnshire, on April 1st 1810. John MAJOR is about 18 years of age, 4ft 10ins high, has black curly hair, a scar on his chin and walks with his knees bent. Whoever will lodge the said John MAJOR in any of His Majesty´s Gaols, and shall give notice to Mr William PYCOTTS aforesaid, shall receive One Guinea Reward; but if he will return to his master´s service, within a Fortnight from this date, and behave himself well, his master will forgive the lost time. Crowle, November 13th 1810.

LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

 16th November 1810

A few days ago at Alford, after a brief courtship, was married Mr. HEWSON, aged 24, to Mrs. BRYON, a brisk widow of the Anchor public-house there, aged 70 years.

The Thursday News - Food Network 1800

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

31st January 1800

The POTATOE SOUP recommended by Mr TURNOR at Bourn Sessions, is prepared as follows: (see pamphlet entitled "Information for Overseers": Put an Ox´s Head, well washed, into 13 gallons of water, add a peck and a half of pared potatoes, half a quartem of onions, a few carrots and a handful of pat herbs, thicken it with two quarts of oatmeal (or barley meal) and add pepper and salt to your taste. Set it to stew with a gentle fire early in the afternoon, allowing as little evaporation as may be, and not skimming off the fat, but leaving the whole to stew gently over the fire, which should be renewed and made up at night. Make a small fire under the boiler at seven o´clock in the morning, and keep adding as much water as will make up the loss by evaporation, keeping it gently stewing until noon, when it will be ready to serve for dinner. The whole may be divided into 52 messes, each containing (by a previous division of meat and fat), a piece of meat and fat and a quart of savoury nourishing soup. The expenses of the meals are: Ox´s Head 2 shillings and 6 pence; Potatoes, onions, etc 1 shilling and 1 penny; 2 Qts of Oatmeal 11 pence; Cost exclusive of fire and cooking: 4 shillings and 6 pence.

The Thursday News - Wills

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

15th March 1799

A poor labouring man (whose name is CARRINGTON and who has a very large family of children) at Swinstead in this county, is said to be heir to a Mr SCOTNEY who got a large fortune in the East Indies and lately died in London. £10,000 secured by mortgage on an estate in Scotland, forms part of the fortunate property.

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

18th February 1791

PENNELL´S Will: The Heir at Law of WILLIAM PENNELL, late of Horncastle in the County of Lincoln, Attorney at Law, deceased, (whose Residence since the month of April 1783 at different times and for several months together, has been in London or the vicinity thereof, to the Month of June last, when the said William PENNELL returned to Horncastle aforesaid; continued there until his Death, which happened on the 26th day of January last), requests that if any Person or Persons can give Information of being a subscribing Witness or Witnesses to any Will or Codicil executed by the said William PENNELL, since the Month of April 1783, that they will forthwith give notice thereof either to JOHN HANSON, Attorney at Law, Chancery Lane, London: or to RICHARD HEALD of Horncastle aforesaid, Attorney at Law.

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

7th January 1792

Next of Kin - Notice is hereby given that whoever can satisfactorily prove themselves to be nearest in Degree of Kindred to William OSBORN, late of Raithby in the county of Lincoln, Farmer and Grazier, deceased, may hear of something to their Advantage by applying to Mr WEBB, Attorney at Law at Louth. NB: The said William OSBORN died in the month of March 1789.

The Thursday News - Men, The Bad And The Good

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

4th January 1799

George ROSE left his Wife and Family about two Years Ago chargeable to the Parish of Billingborough in the county of Lincoln. He was born at Musson, Leicestershire, is about 44 years of age, Swarthy complexion, has a scar on the right side of his nose, thick lips, slim made, near-sighted, and wears spectacles; is about 5 foot 3 or 4 inches high; by profession a Rag-gatherer and Pattin maker. He has been a Soldier in the Cambridgeshire Regiment of Infantry, raised in the American War about the year 1776 or 1777, under command of General John PARLOW from which he obtained his discharge in the year 1783. Whoever will apprehend the aforesaid George ROSE lodge him in one of his Majesty´s Gaols and give Information immediately to the Overseers of Billingborough aforesaid, shall be hansomely rewarded for their Trouble.

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

25th October 1799

It is with great regret we have to record the death of that brave young officer, Captain SKYNNER, the eldest son of the Reverend Mr SKYNNER of Easton near this place. He commanded the ´La Lutine´ frigate of 32 guns, which was unfortunately wrecked off the coast of Holland in the night of the 9th instant, and all the crew perished, but one.

The Thursday News - Deserters

  LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

 16th September 1796

Royal South Regiment of Lincolnshire Militia; Deserted from the said Regiment, quartered at Chelmsford Barracks, the following persons, viz:-
George COOPER (from Capt. LLUELLWYN´s Company): 27 years of age: 5 Feet 5 Inches high; Residence Weston, Yorkshire; Occupation a Laborer: dark Complexion, Brown Hair, Hazle Eyes, a large scar on the Right side of the Throat - Deserted on 9th of August last, in full Battalion Cloathing and Black Leather Cap: - Substitute for William BUFF of Gosberton, Lincolnshire.
William MAPLESTON (from the same Company): 27 years of age: 5 Feet 7 Inches high: Residence at Kirton, Lincolnshire: Occupation a Laborer: Fair Complexion, Brown Hair, Grey Eyes with a Dimple on his Chin - Deserted on 9th August last in full Battalion Cloathing, and Black Leather Cap: - Substitute for Samuel TUNNARD of Kirton, Lincolnshire.
Edward PACEY (from the same Company): 33 years of age, 5 Feet 6 and a half Inches high: Residence at Boston, Lincolnshire: Occupation a Waterman: ruddy Complexion, Brown Hair, Black Eyes, a Mole on his left Cheek - Deserted on 9th August last in full Battalion Cloathing, and Black Leather Cap - Substitute for James SHAW of Algarkirke, Lincolnshire. (It is supposed the said Edward PACEY is gone into Timberland Fen, to Harvest Work. - Whosoever will apprehend and lodge him in any of his Majesty´s Gaols, shall receive Five Guineas Reward to be paid by Thomas RASDALL or Samuel BURRELL, Overseers for the Parish of Algarkirke, over and above what is allowed by Act of Parliament).
Charles CUTTS, 25 Years of Age: 5 Feet 7 Inches and a Quarter high: Residence at Corby, Lincolnshire: Occupation a Laborer, fair Compexion, sandy Hair, Grey Eyes: - Deserted on the 10th August last, in full Light Infantry Cloathing and Cap. - Substitute for John CLARKE of Colsterworth.
John SPENCE, 27 Years of Age: 5 Feet 6 Inches and a Quarter high: Residence at Donington, Lincolnshire: Occupation a Laborer: ruddy Complexion: Brown Hair: Grey Eyes: large Scar on his left Wrist: - Deserted on the 23rd August last - Substitute for John PARKER of Donington, Lincolnshire.
Thomas GREGORY (from the Grenadier Company): 30 Years of Age: 6 Feet One Inch and a Quarter high: Residence at Swineshead, Lincolnshire: Occupation a Laborer, Fresh Complexion, Light-Brown Hair, Grey Eyes, Cut on his left Hand: Straight and Stout made (Person): Deserted on 23rd August last in an old Regimental Coat and Round Hat. - Substitute for John CLEMENTS of St Nicholas Parish, Lincoln.
John LITTLE (from Captain BELL´s Company): 25 Years of Age: 5 Feet 7 Inches high: Residence at West Walton, Norfolk: Occupation a Laborer: Fresh Complexion: Brown Hair, Brown Eyes: a Scar on the fore-finger of his Left Hand: - Deserted on the 23rd of August last, in a Light-Brown Lacket and a Round Hat. Substitute for William ROBINSON of Kirkby Laythorpe, Lincolnshire.
Whoever shall apprehend the above Deserters, and lodge them or either of them in any of His Majesty´s Gaols, will, on Application to Colonel SIBTHORPE, Chelmsford Barracks, receive Twenty Shilling each, over and above what is allowed by Act of Parliament for apprehending Deserters: - and the Parish of Kirkby Laythorpe will allow the further Sum of Three Guineas for apprehending the said John LITTLE. (dated) September 1st, 1796.

The Thursday News - Theft

LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

 13th November 1795

The house of George JOHNSON of Bridge-End, in the Parish of Horbling, Lincolnshire, was broke open on the 28th October 1795 and amongst other things a remarkable WATCH was taken away; the outside spring of which is hollow, Three Clips on the Side of the Face, and the inside Engine is broke (sic). If the above is offered for sale or to be pawned, on giving Notice to Mr GEORGE JOHNSON, as above, FORTY POUNDS will be paid on the Conviction of the Offender for Burglary.

The Thursday News - Morality

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

21st August 1795

MARSTON FEAST - We the inhabitants of MARSTON, near Grantham, having duly considered the bad consequences attending Country Wakes and Feasts, which, tho originally intended for Religious Meetings, are now quite perverted, serving chiefly to encourage Drunkenness the Inlet of Vice and Prophaneness; and further considering that the present alarming high Prices of Provisions, must nearly involve every poor Family in insurmountable Debts and difficulties; which to prevent and keep our Parishioners from such Embarrassments, as well as to check the rapid Growth of Vice and Immorality, we have unanimously agreed to discontinue our ANNUAL FEAST and to give this Public NOTICE, of our Resolution to abolish it. Given under our hands this 16th day of August 1795. (signed) Thomas EDINBOROUGH Alexander WRIGHT William GEESON Thomas WORTH Richard HARMSTONE Samuel HUCKERBY Noah ROPER William WING D METHERINGHAM

The Thursday News - For Sale

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

13th March 1795 

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS TO BE SOLD - A NEW PORTABLE GRAND PIANOFORTE with Three Unisons, also a SQUARE ONE. The above, for Brilliancy of Tone and Principle of Action, are equal, if not superior to any Instrument of the Kind ever offered to the Public, being finished by one of the first Mechanics in Europe. Apply Mr BARNET, at STAMFORD.

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

13th March 1795

B FIRTH, MILLINER, IN THE CITY OF LINCOLN, Begs leave to inform her Friends, and the Public, that she has an assortment of MUSLIN that will be sold at REDUCED PRICES, they being an Article she don´t (sic) in future intend to deal in.

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

13th March 1795

GRANTHAM - THOMAS RAWLINSON has Cured a Large Quantity of HAMS, BACON and TONGUES: Ham from Ten Pound to Twenty Pound weight; Flitches from Three Stone to Eight Stone weight. Any Person giving Orders, may depend on having good and well cured (sic). NB AnAPPRENTICE to a BUTCHER and GRAZIER is Wanted at May-Day. For particulars apply of the above

The Thursday News - Help Wanted

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

20th March 1795

WANTED at EASTER Next, A MAN and his WIFE to RESIDE in the WORKHOUSE, and provide for the POOR of the Parish of HOWELL. For particulars apply to Mr John ELKINGTON, of HOWELL, near SLEAFORD.

LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

20th February 1795

CHRISTIAN KREBS, Surgeon and Occulist begs leave to inform his Friends and the Public that he may be consulted at his Apartments at Mrs GOODYEAR´s, High Street, BOSTON, Lincolnshire, every Day until the Second of April 1795. Letters to be post-paid. Boston, February 19, 1795.

The Thursday News - Sales

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

17th April 1795

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION (By THOMAS PENNY) on the Premises of Mrs CAMPLIN in DYKE in the Parish of BOURN in the County of Lincoln on TUESDAY the 28th Day of APRIL, 1795. SEVEN HORSES and MARES about FOURTEEN BEASTS of Different Ages and some IMPLEMENTS of HUSBANDRY. Six Months´ Credit will be given (on an Approved Security) for all Bargains above Forty Shillings. The Sale to begin at Ten o´clock in the Forenoon.

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

 23rd January 1795

SKENDLEBY near SPILSBY - NURSERY of TREES to be SOLD. A Variety of Forest Trees, Fruit Trees, Evergreens and Flowering Shrubs, Bulbous and Herbaceous Flower Roots etc, Garden Seeds of all Kinds: Clover Seeds, Grass Seeds of all Sorts, for the improvement of Lands; Rape and Turnip Seeds of different Sorts, the Turnip Seed chiefly of his own raising, with a particularly fine Sort never before sown in these Parts: all the above warranted to be of the best Quality, and the Lowest Prices by:- John OLIVER, Nursery & Seedsman. Good Allowances for Trade.

Fashion Friday

Portrait of the artist's daughter - François Boucher 1760

 

This lovely young girl has flowers in her tight coiffure, and a large bow tied around her throat. Her gown is fairly plain, aside from the pink ribbons cross her stomacher, but she is wearing a lovely shawl. The bird perched on her finger is likely to show her to better advantage. Paintings often included things of interest to the person being painted to relay a bit of their personality (at least the personality they wanted to put forth).

What do you think of her fashion sense?

Fashion Friday - The Love Letter

The Love Letter - Jean-Honoré Fragonard

Our love letter recipient wears her hair in a high fashion with a pink 

ribbon around her ruffled cap.  Her necklace, possibly a locket, ties 

at the back of her neck. 

Her watteau gown flows loose down her back, and ends in flounces 

at the elbows. Of course, she has the biggest accessory for a lady of 

means, a puffy dog, which seems to be about to take out the painter. 

What do you think of her style?

WIP Wednesday - Honest writing

For WIP Wednesday, I wanted to talk about writing honestly, no matter how much it bothers you, as the author, to do so. 

In my WIP, the heroine's sister just confessed something she witnessed. I felt a tightening in my gut the whole time I wrote it, then heavily considered removing it for two days after. In the end, I left it in and I'm glad I did. The story would have been paler, and probably more confusing without it.

In The Devil Wears Plaid, by Teresa Medeiros, we learn some pretty terrible stuff about Jamie's past. I have to wonder how different the story would have been if Ms. Medeiros had been to afraid to include it. Jamie's entire past wouldn't exist, a large portion of the motivation for the story wouldn't exist, and the reader would find it far harder to become invested in the story.

Sometimes, as writers, we might want to remove or avoid something that's hard to write. We might tell ourselves that it's not appropriate for the story, or it's not the kind of feelings we want to inspire in our reader, but I suggest thinking on it a few days before hitting delete. 

You might be glad you did. 

Please, feel free to share your favorite book with an indispensable shocking moment.

Fashion Friday

Los Angeles County Museum of Art - 1790 -1795

Here we have an antique clothing display at the LA Museum of Art.

The tailcoat is brown silk and cotton weave with deep brown silk satin stripes with a short waist and three buttons on each side and an open collar. The vest is silk as well, which was a popular fabric for upper class clothing in the 18th century.

The shirt has ruffles at the wrist and neck. The breeches are tan cotton and the shoes appear to have bows rather than buckles.

What do you think? does this gentleman-equin have style?

WIP Wednesday - Unusual Duels

Duel au pistolet au XIXème siècle 1857 Bauce et Rouget

During this week, I've been researching duels for a plot line running through my WIP. I found some very interesting tidbits I thought I'd share.

While most duels were fought with sword or gun, some were far more unconventional.

On the 4th of September, 1843, in the commune of Maisonfort, France, two young men named Lenfant and Melfant, quarreled while playing at billiards, and agreed, at last, to settle their disturbance by a duel with billiard balls; after which they drew lots to see which one should get the red ball and throw first. Melfant won the red ball and the first throw, and the two at once took their positions in a garden at a measured distance of twelve paces from each other. Melfant, when the signal was given to throw, made several motions, saying to his adversary, “I am going to kill you at the first throw.” And then he hurled the ivory sphere with deadly aim and effect, for it struck Lenfant in the middle of the forehead and he dropped dead without uttering a word. The survivor was arrested and tried for willful murder, and convicted of manslaughter.

—The Field of Honor: Being A Complete and Comprehensive History of Dueling In All Countries; Including the Judicial Duel of Europe, the Private Duel of the Civilized World, and Specific Descriptions of All The Noted Hostile Meetings in Europe and America by Benjamin C. Truman.

And let's not forget the hot air balloons. The staple for any duelist. 

Rama

Two Frenchmen chose to fight from balloons over Paris because they believed they had ‘elevated minds’. Monsieur de Grandpré and Monsieur de Pique quarrelled over a famous opera dancer called Mademoiselle Tirevit, who was mistress of one and lover of the other. So,at 9 a.m. on May 3 1808, watched by a huge crowd, the two Parisians climbed into their aircraft near the Tuileries and rose gently up into the morning air. At about 2,000 ft, when the balloons were about 80 yards apart, de Pique fired his crude blunderbuss and missed. De Grandpréaimed his more effectively. De Pique’s balloon collapsed, the basket tipped, and he and his second fell headfirst to their deaths on the rooftops below. De Grandpré and his second, however, drifted happily away in the light north-westerly breeze before landing safely 20 miles away.

--The Last Duel: A True Story of Death and Honour By James Landale

Dueling was not always this conventional. One man actually threw off some surprising constraints when he dueled. 

A Member of Parliament once duelled in the nude. Humphrey Howarth, the MP for Evesham, was attending the races at Brighton in 1806 and dined one night at the Castle Inn. There he fell into discussion with the Earl of Barrymore, an Irish peer. Discussion turned into quarrel and they arranged to meet on the race course early next morning. Both men were rogues, and much given to taking the piss. But even Barrymore was astonished as his opponent took his clothes off and presented himself on the duelling ground armed solely with pistol and pants. The seconds and other witnesses burst out laughing, not least because Howarth was by then a fat old man. But Howarth was in earnest. He had spent much of his earlier life as an army surgeon for the East India Company. He knew gunshot wounds were often infected by the dirty clothing that preceded a bullet into flesh. In the end, however, his precaution was redundant. Both he and his opponent missed their targets  and  resolved their dispute without bloodshed.

--The Last Duel: A True Story of Death and Honour By James Landale

There you have it. Truth really is stranger than fiction.
Robin

Farewell to the Wet Nurse

Sometimes when doing research, I come across something that brings historical life into very tangible reality for me. When I was researching pudding caps (a post for another day) I came across this image, Farewell To The Wet Nurse, which did just that.

It was common for wet nurses to raise the children of noble women, at least until they weaned, and sometimes for longer. Since child mortality was so high, during the 18th century, there are stories of wet nurses exposing the baby and keeping the money paid to nurse the child. Babies were left swaddled too long and sometimes even tied to a peg on the wall, according to Society: a brief introduction by Ian Robertson. One gentleman wrote a letter to his wife during her vacation, telling her that he had removed their ten month old son from the care of the nurse because she'd broken his leg, and hidden it for weeks. 

However, say things went well. Your child happily lived with a wet nurse who cared for him as she should. You might end up with a scene like the one we have here. 

From a distance, this  appears to be a sweet farewell, with whispered goodbyes between mother and nurse. However, when we see the close up, the horror of the situation is clear. Even this scenario brought misery. The poor attached child must look at the wet nurse as mother, after a year or more nursing at her breast. the poor baby, and the wet nurse herself, are having a hard time saying goodbye.

I'm just thankful I live now, where I can raise my beautiful babies myself, with the means to keep them safe and the desire to keep them happy.  

Feel free to leave a comment. If you want to, you can share the practice that most shocked you about 18th century living.

Spotlight Sunday - Jillian Stone

Today, our visitor is Jillian Stone, a wonderful debut author of dark Victorian novels with a fantastic and original voice. Her debut novel, An Affair With Mr Kennedy, comes out January 31st 2012 and is available for pre-order on Amazon. Please help me welcome her.

I'd love to find out a bit about you as a writer. When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

I have always been a storyteller and have been fortunate to work in the creative arts my whole life. In 2005, I experienced the loss of three deaths in my family. If anything jolts you into getting on with the work you are meant to do in life, it is the realization that we are here on the planet for a brief moment in time––so best get your stories told! 

I can understand that drive to get a manuscript complete and polished. After that was done, how long did it take you to publish your first novel? 

About three years. In the year I was marketing the AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY manuscript, I wrote another novel, THE SEDUCTION OF PHAETON BLACK, a paranormal, steampunky story about an eccentric occult detective who lives in a basement flat below a brothel. On a layover in the Dallas airport on the way to RWA Nationals in 2010, I received "the call" from Kensington Brava editor, Audrey LaFehr, offering a contract for Phaeton! Oddly enough, my first book offer came before I had an agent or had won the Golden Heart for AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY. Such a strange business!

That does sound pretty crazy. Now that we know a bit about your writing, let me ask some fun questions.

What is your favorite dessert?  

A coconut cream cupcake from Zov's Bakery!

Ooh, that sounds yummy! Speaking of yummy, let's move to a subject near and dear to all romance writers (and readers) hearts. Men. 

What most attracts you about a man?  

His mind and his sense of humor. I look forward to the day when men return the compliment!

Lol. Anything else you'd like to share? 

Just to give thanks to all the many wonderful editors and writers (April Dawn included) who have helped mentor me through the process of becoming an author. 

 Bio

Jillian Stone was born a storyteller. A skill that got her into considerable trouble as a youth until she solved the problem by becoming an advertising creative. And the career did seem to suit her as she won many national ad awards including the Clio and the New York Art Director’s Club Gold. What more could she ask for? Create her own worlds? Become goddess of her own universe? Yes! So, she began to write fiction. Her Victorian Romantic Suspense novel AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY won the 2010 Golden Heart and sold to Pocket Books. Her sexy, supernatural Steampunk novel, THE SEDUCTION OF PHAETON BLACK, won the 2010 Romance Through The Ages Erotica category and sold to Kensington Brava. Jillian lives in California and is currently working on the next adventure for both series.

 An Affair With Mr. Kennedy

London, 1887. Part stoic gentleman, part fearless     Yard man, Zeno “Zak” Kennedy is an enigma of the first order. For years, the memory of a deadly bombing at King’s Cross has haunted the brilliant Scotland Yard detective. His investigation has zeroed in on a ring of aristocratic rebels whose  

bloody campaign for Irish revolution is terrorizing the city. When he discovers one of the treacherous lords is acquainted with his free-spirited new tenant, Cassandra St. Cloud, his inquiry pulls him unexpectedly close to the heart of the conspiracy and into the arms of a most intriguing lady.

     And Cassie is no Victorian prude. An Impressionist painter with very modern ideas about life and love, she is eager for a romantic escapade that is daring and discreet. She sets her sights on her dour but handsome landlord, but after she learns their meeting was not purely accidental, she hardly has a chance to forgive her lover before their passionate affair catapults them both into a perilous adventure.



We're having a holiday blog hop, so be sure to come back Dec 16-23 and comment on the blog hop post to have a chance to win an Author Signed, Advanced Reader Copy of this book. And one grand prize will be given away for one lucky commenter from the whole blog hop. A Nook Color. So be sure to check it out.This contest has concluded.