Happy EDWARDIAN Christmas.

from 'Ladies Home Companion.'

" .... Kissing under the mistletoe is a very old custom, and no girl should feel indignant or hurt if one of her admirers shows a keen desire to salute her in the way that Cupid strongly approves.
Girls should remember, however, that because a man wishes to kiss her under the mistletoe, he does NOT necessarily mean to Propose to Her..."

(and this only just under 100 years ago.   How times have changed!)

SISTERS' LOVE

How precious is a sister's love
Calm, durable, and kind.
Friendship or passion vainly try
A firmer knot to bind.

It gushed beside our mother's knee
When 'baby' slumbered there;
'Twas hallowed by the lisping breath
Of our first infant prayer.

'Twas cherished by the cradle side,
And on the cheerful hearth;
It grew 'midst all our infant griefs,
And all our childish mirth.

It blent our voices to one tone
When, round our father's knee,
We sang, in happy artlessness,
Some sacred melody.

It strengthened when advancing years
Bade childish thoughts depart.
And other joys, and hopes, and cares
Engrossed the busy heart.

It grows more firmly in the soul,
While other things decay.
Next only to our filial love,
It cannot pass away.

Such, precious sisters, is your love;
And such, I trust, is mine.
These holy bonds, so pure, so sweet,
Shall Heaven itself untwine?

(Fanny Barker. 1875).

MY PICTURES

 I wonder why it is that when

I pictures draw of boys and men,

And horses too, for my Mamma,

She doesn't quite know what they are.

Sometimes I draw a big brick house

Sometimes a cat and little mouse;

And then Mamma will say to me;

"Why, yes, this is a mouse, I see"

When really, what she's looking at

I'm sure she must know, is a cat.

And if I draw a butterfly,

That goes far up into the sky;

She thinks - I can't imagine how -

Perhaps it is the old red cow!

But when I draw, as best I can,

A Picture of a big tall man,

Then clap my hands and shout "Hurrah!"

She always knows it is Papa!

***   ***   ***

'The Superseded'

One or two things have happened recently which have made me feel my age, and be a little melancholy.    I seem to remember my own Grandma feeling the same at about my age and Thomas Hardy's little poem (1901) seems to sum it up ...

As newer comers crowd the fore,

We drop behind.

-We who have laboured long and sore

Times out of mind,

And keen are yet, must not regret

To drop behind.

Yet there are some of us who grieve

To go behind;

Staunch, strenuous souls who scarce believe

Their fires declined,

And know none spares, remembers, cares

Who go behind.

'Tis not that we have unforetold

The drop behind;

We feel the new must oust the old

In every kind;

But yet we think, must we, must we,

Too drop behind?

***   ***   ***   ***

'A KNITTED SCARF '

' .....  This scarf for outdoor sports, which comes to us from Sweden, is decidedly a novelty for its simplicity and general usefulness.  The fact that it is worn close-fitting and out of the way, while being merely a straight scarf in the making, is not the least of its charms.......  The scarf is made absolutely straight, in plain garter stitch.        To don the scarf, the centre of the length is placed around the waist in front, with the width well spread out and extending somewhat below the waistline.  Then the ends are carried under the arms and crossed at the centre of the back, brought over the shoulders and beneath the centre of the scarf in front; the whole pulled as closely to the figure as possible.  '   (1908)

(We are always looking for new ways of wearing our scarves nowadays ..... who will be the first to try this?)

"Flo's Letter"

A sweet little baby brother had come to live with Flo,
And she wanted it brought to the table that it might eat and grow;
'It must wait for a while' said Grandmama, in answer to her plea,
'For a little thing that hasn't teeth can't eat like you and me'.

'Why hasn't it teeth, dear gran'ma?' asked Flo in great surprisel
'Oh my! But isn't it funny? No teeth! But nose and eyes;
I guess the baby's toofies must have been forgot.
Can't we buy him some like grandpa's?  I'd like to know why not.'

That afternoon, to the corner, with papers, pen and ink,
Went Flo, saying 'Don't you talk - if you do you'll disturb my think.
I'm writing a letter gran'ma, to send to heaven tonight.
And 'cause its very important, I want to get it right.'

At last the letter was finished - a wonderful letter to see -
Directed up to heaven, and then Flo read it to me;
'Dear God, the baby you brought us was awfully nice and sweet,
But because you forgot his toofies, the poor little thing can't eat.'

'So that's why I'm writing this letter, on purpose to let you know
Please come and finish the baby - that's all, from little Flo.'

The Parent Prayer.

I bend above the little heads beyond the blanket's edge -
Wee polls of tangled gold-brown hair like wind-blown wisps of sedge
Then oh, the yearning that I know, compared with once when I
Longed but for my own pleasure in the time called by-and-by.
Yet now - what, as one's own begot, one's selfishness may cure?
'Lord keep my children happy, and my happiness is sure.'

And now I know (as once I could not dream or even care)
What as my parents bent o'er me at bedtime, was their prayer
The loyalty, all latent then, wells up intensified -
The pent up love of childhood and of riper years beside.
When I, their child, was tombed within the night's sweet sepulture,
They prayed, 'God make her happy, and our joy will be secure'.


('Girl's Own Annual' - Strickland W.Gillilan.)

'What to do with our Girls' - 1903.

                                                                           
There are no cooks in England, none.
A sad and weary sameness
Pervades our dining rooms with un-
Imaginative tameness.
The Jones's dinner which I eat
Tonight with pain and sorrow
I shall inevitably meet
At Robinson's tomorrow.

The skill which made the steak a dream
The bold imagination
Which made the common cutlet seem
A poet's inspiration.
The hand of cunning which could call
From simple fowl and bacon
Ambrosial savours - have they all
These rosy shores forsaken?

Up Woman, Up!  Behold thy sphere
The saucepan and the kettle
Provide a glorious career
For any girl of mettle.
Then wherefore ape the poet's part
By scribbling songs and ballads
More deep and subtle is the art
Of mayonnaising salads.

Ah do not seek to wring from men
The suffrage, I implore you
Nor aim at County Councils when
You've nobler aims before you.
Why study Conic Sections? Stop
For ever stewing Plato,
And learn instead to grill a chop,
And boil the new potato.

'The Breakfast Table' - 1910.

".....  The wife who possesses the gift of sending her husband off every morning in a good humour to his business can claim to be the inspirer of half his success in life.   Who does not prefer a simple meal with a spotless cloth, shining silver, and glistening glass.    With regard to the choice of china, avoid gaudy colouring that will clash with the flowers - a simple pattern is always in good taste.    Porridge and cereal foods should be very daintily served, or they are apt to look messy ....."

LOVE AND MARRIAGE

'THE CHOICE OF A HUSBAND' .....

In general you may look with favour on those gentlemen whom your papa invites frequently to his table, and mama rejoices to introduce to her evening parties..... If a suitor remains long at his wine, and joins the ladies with a flushed cheek, or is understood to be fast in his habits, reject his offers, and on no account be entrapped by his professions of reformation.

Let your accepted lover be some years your senior, you will respect him all the more hereafter.

Do not marry a vulgar rich man, he will not elevate you much in the social world, and any little advantage in this way will be more than negated by your having to endure manners which are unpleasant to you.

'THE CHOICE OF A WIFE' .....

Remark the lady's temper.  No extent of accomplishments will compensate for the lack of amiability.  A lady who answers her mother petulantly will prove a thorn in her husband's pillow.

Beware of flirts.  Marriage with the heartless is not to be thought of.

Never dream of marriage with one of extravagent habits. Let every suitor carefully remark as to his admired one's views concerning domestic expenses and personal attire... if in the parental home she is heedless of outlay, he may be satisfied that her profusion will be boundless when she is admitted into her own.

The gentlewoman who exhibits sordid inclinations is unsuitable as a wife - your friends would not invite her to their homes.

If the object of your affections has a wise father, and a discreet mother, you may make your proposal  with full confidence that, should your suit prevail, your future partner will be 'a crown to her husband' .
                                                          

'MY WIFE AND I ARE ONE - AND I AM HE !'

MADCAPS!

Long Ashton Petty Sessions.. 5th May 1900
'FURIOUSLY DRIVING A MOTOR CAR'

'....Mr.A.Thomas said that on the afternoon of the day in question he was walking down Old Church Road when a motor car passed him going at the rate of 25-30mph.  It was in a cloud of dust, and none of the passengers were recognisable.  He telephoned to the Clifton Suspension Bridge for the time to be taken when the motor car arrived there.  Wm.Gibson said he was in charge of a horse and cart in Elton Road when a motor car came round the corner and caused his horse to shy and back into another cart coming behind, and broke the shaft and a portion of the harness.  He believed it to be going at 16-20mph.
Defence : ... According to checked time, the distance covered to the Suspension Bridge was 11 miles, and this was done in just under the hour... there was no traffic about, therefore no question of danger.
BENCH came to the conclusion that the car was driven over 12 mph, and imposed a fine of £1 with costs. '


Bristol Police Court.  10th May 1900.

'   Several gentlemen were summoned for riding bicycles down Park Street, Bristol, at a furious pace, generally early in the morning.  In most cases the constables timed the offenders between definite points, and the general pace was between 12 - 16 mph.  Fines (for exceeding the Speed Limit of 12 mph) ranged from 10s. and costs were imposed. '

'AGE CANNOT WITHER HER'

(from Punch, 28th March 1906).

Demurely full of girlish tricks
And dimpled with a pouting smile,
The modern crone of sixty-six
Must now be reckoned juvenile.
Her pearly teeth and satin cheek
Are made to match her youthful brow,
And only ill-bred persons speak
About the middle ages now.

Oh! Mrs.A. and Madame X.,
Who boom the Bond Street beauty cult,
To think that for such trifling cheques
You guarantee this brave result.
How do those operating hands
Restore 'lost tone' to wrinkled dames,
And fit the fashion that demands
Old pictures in enamelled frames?

Should any lady think her hair
Suggests too much the autumn tints,
She does not in the least despair,
But follows your attractive hints.
By apt adulteration's aid
Some artful spirit brings again
The latest fashionable shade-
A rare oasis in the plain.

Those subtle touches never fail
To smooth away the marriage-lines;
The sallow cheek so sere and pale,
A guinea rouge incarnadines;
And oh, how sweet must be the thrill
That penetrates a grateful soul,
When the divine electric drill
Eradicates some horrid mole!

To what a pitch of high content
That matron's ardent spirits rose,
When the 'Proboscis' instrument
Equiped her with a Grecian nose!
And how some hearts have yearned to buy
Those patent 'Straps' for flabby skins,
That not uncharitably try
To hide a multitude of chins.

Nor does the mode in which your days
Are spent, dear ladies, cause offence;
To thoughtful minds your latest phase
Betrays the hand of Providence;
For though this beauty-culture fad
Has gone, perhaps, a bit too far,
T'would make the brightest of us sad
To see you as you really are!

MOTHERHOOD. Two contrasting views.

.
A MOTHER'S SACRIFICE  (from Punch 1909).

.... To a Suffragette, who on being brought before the Magistrate, made the following statement, according to the Daily Telegraph.
"I have a little son, eight months old, and his father and I decided, after calm consideration, that when that boy grew up he might ask 'What did you do mother, in the days of women's agitation, to lay women's grievances before the Prime Minister?' and I should blush if I had to say I made no attempt to go to the P.M."

And so, this boy of yours, years hence perusing
Records of women wronged by man-made laws,
May ask, an eager flush his face suffusing,
'What did you do to help the Women's Cause?'

If, when this searching question has arisen
You answer 'Nothing' , picture his surprise!
T'were better to endure the pains of prison
Than face the scorn in those reproving eyes.

Let it be his to hear the tale - and may be
It will not lose through being often told-
How you renounced your husband, home, and baby,
When he (the last named) was but eight months old.

Such be your answer!  Yet, O happy mother,
Is this the only question you foresee?
What will you say, suppose he asks another:-
'Meanwhile, dear Parent, who looked after me?'

   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***

MY TREASURES
(From 'Woman's World' - The Journal for Every Lady.
 One Penny.  1909.  )

My children, how many? Why bless you there's four
Two rollicking fun-loving boys
Who always give Mamma enough work to do
But working is one of my joys.

Dear Ruby, who 'helps Mamma lots' in her way,
And my baby so winning and sweet,
Bright jewels, adorning my wifehood's crown
In a house where angels may meet.

At the close of the day, I sit down beside
My baby, to lull her to sleep,
In sweet dreams of childhood the others repose,
Kind Father, Thy watch o'er them keep.

You ask am I worried with trouble and care
Ah no, it is restful and sweet
To be the fond mother of blossoms so fair,
To guide in the right their young feet.

Would I wish to exchange?  Not for kingdom or crown
Nor for all of your wealth, and your pleasures.
You keep your fair hands, and your couches of down,
I'll keep, what is best, my four treasures.

“Woman at Home” – 1910

Mr. Charles Garvice on – ‘The Qualities I Most Admire in a Woman’

“ …Woman is always hankering to protect and comfort her man as a mother watches over and shields her infant; and it is the woman who possesses this quality to the largest extent who appeals to us men most effectually……..

… I have to say that I am not particularly attracted by clever women; quite between ourselves, I have the fatuous idea that I can bring into the firm all the cleverness that’s necessary. I am trying to be clever all day, and when I go home to dinner I want a nice woman , who will listen while I talk; never, oh never, want to argue, and who will murmur at proper intervals ‘Yes dear, of course!’ ; ‘You’re right dearest’ and ‘How nicely you put it darling!’. And I am ready to reward her by letting her sit on the second best chair in my den, and mend my socks, and enlarge my waistcoats, while I smoke, and talk, and read to her ….’