Strange But True

Strange But True

Inexpressibles
The name given to the tight trousers worn by some Regency gentlemen, such as the notorious Beau Brummell and his ‘dandy’ followers, as they showed off their leg muscles.
What did Victoria do first
after her coronation in 1837? Have a parliamentary meeting? Have tea with all the royal dignitaries? No – she gave her dog, Dash, a bath.
Now that’s what we call a cake!
Victoria and Albert’s wedding cake was a colossal 9 feet wide and weighed 300 pounds.
Victorian ladies’ knickers had no middle
Once they got all those big dresses on, they couldn’t reach their knickers to pull them down, so they could stand over a potty to wee with these on instead.
Would you wee in your dining room?
Victorian gentlemen did! Some dining rooms (like ours) had a special cupboard to house a chamber pot so all the gentlemen could go for a wee without leaving the table (once the ladies had left the room, of course!).
The last ducking stool to be used in England
(in 1809) can still be seen not far from us in the Priory Church, Leominster, Herefordshire. It’s huge.

Handy Hints

Handy Hints

Keeping your kettle clean
To prevent teakettles coating with lime – put the shell of an oyster in the teakettle and the lime will adhere to it, instead of coating the sides. 1852
As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!
To take mildew out of linen
Take soap and rub it well, then scrape on some fine chalk, rub that also into the linen, lay it on the grass, as it dries, wet it a little, it will come out at twice doing. 1852
As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!
Antidote against mice
Gather wild mint, put it where you wish to keep them out, and they will not trouble you. 1852

As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!
To remove grease from books
Lay upon the spoon a little magnesium or powdered chalk, and under it the same; set on it a warm flat iron, and as soon as the grease is melted, it will be all absorbed, and leave the paper clean. 1852

As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!
An insect trap
Scoop out the inside of a turnip, scallop the edges, and place it downward in the earth. The insects will pass into it as a place of retreat through the holes, and the cucumbers, squashes, melons etc., may soon be clear of them. 1852

As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!
To clean gilt buckles, chains &c.
Dip a soft brush in water, rub a little soap on it, and brush the article for a minute or two, then wash it clean, wipe it, and place it near the fire till dry, then brush it with burnt bread finely powdered. 1823

As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

Extras

Extras

Lemonade

3 large lemons & sugar
Remove the peel very thinly from the lemons (with a potato peeler or a zester). Put them into a 7″ heavy pan and cover with about 1 inch of water. Cover with a lid and put on to a very low heat. Do not let it boil or it will taste bitter. Leave to cool and strain the liquid into a jug. Add the squeezed juice and sugar to taste. Must be sweet and strong. Dilute this cordial with sparkling or still spring water.

Casanova Salad

Shred the white stalks of two heads of celery in inch lengths and put these in a salad bowl with the whites of three hard-boiled eggs, also shred; season with white mayonnaise sauce, and a little shallot; strew over the surface of the salad the yolks of hard eggs previously rubbed through a wire sieve for the purpose.
Francatelli

Potato Salad

10 or 12 cold boiled potatoes, 4 tbsp of tarragon or plain vinegar, 6 tbsp of salad-oil, pepper and salt to taste, 1 tsp of minced parsley.
Cut the potatoes into slices about ½ inch in thickness; put these into a salad bowl with oil and vinegar in the above proportion; season with pepper, salt, and a tsp of parsley; stir the salad well, that all the ingredients may be thoroughly incorporated, and it is ready to serve. This should be made two or three hours before it is wanted for the table. Anchovies, olives, and pickles may be added to this salad, as also slices of cold beef, fowl or turkey.
Mrs Beeton

Education