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!

     

On Trial The case of the missing underpants

On Trial The case of the missing underpants

Andrew Cook, 60. was indicted for stealing on the 1st of April, a pair of flannel drawers the property of John Ward of Rhayader.

Mr Clement Jones prosecuted, and explained that the prisoner declined to have the case summarily disposed of by the Magistrates, who had, therefore, no alternative but to commit him for trial at these sessions.

John Ward, a miner and a native of Lancashire, stated that he lodged at Thomas Hope’s, Rhayader, a week and lost a pair of drawers, which he left on a table by his bedside on the morning of the 1st April; he suspected the prisoner of having taken the drawers, as he believed him to be the man who slept in the same room that night; he gave information to the police, and described certain marks upon the drawers, which were now produced, and identified by him as his property.

Sergt Jones of Rhayader, said that from information given him by the prosecutor, who described the drawers to him, he went in search of the prisoner and apprehended him about half a mile from Newbridge, on the Breconshire side; he had previously had a description of the prisoner from the lodging house; on searching the prisoner, he found him, wearing a pair of drawers, which he said were his own property; this was about half past two o’clock on the same day.

Ann Davis, servant to Thomas Hope, lodging-house keeper, at Rhayader, stated that the prosecutor lodged at her master’s house, and was there on the 31st of March; the prisoner also lodged there that night, and slept in the same room as the prosecutor; on the following day, Ward spoke to her about his drawers, when she told him she had not seen them; the prisoner left the house a few minutes before ten; the prosecutor had previously gone to his work.

In his defence the prisoner claimed the drawers as his own property, and said that the prosecutor could not tell their colour before he was shown them by the policeman.

The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and he was sentenced to one month’s hard labour.

The prisoner, who was rather deaf, on being told the sentence of the Court, grunted out, ‘oh’ and was removed.

Hereford Times, 11th April 1868

Education

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