"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. '