Wedding presents originated in Wales? This article suggests that giving presents to the bride and groom before their marriage started in Wales.
‘CUSTOM OF WALES.–Marriage Portion.– The following curious document, among others, was circulated lately in the town of Carmarthen, South Wales. It appears to be a very ancient, praiseworthy, and laudable custom among some of the inhabitants of that part of the principality, by way of assisting young married people on their wedding-day, to purchase a few necessary articles to commence housekeeping, &c. —
“Carmarthen, Aug. 19, 1828.
“We beg leave respectfully to acquaint you, that it is our intention to enter the matrimonial state, on Tuesday the 23rd of September next ; and from the encouragement we have received, by the kind promises of our friends, we propose making a bidding on the occasion, which will be held the same day, at the Old White Lion, in Queen-street, where we hope to have the pleasure of your company and influence ; and whatever favours you may then think proper to confer on us, will be gratefully acknowledged, and repaid with thanks whenever required on a similar occasion, by your humble servants,
"Dennis Woods, currier.
"Eugenia Vaughan, servant at the Ivy-bush Hotel."
“The young man’s father and mother (John and Anne Woods), his brother (John), and sisters (Jane and Anne), with James Powell, desire that all gifts of the above kind due to them, be returned to the young man on that day, and will be thankful for all favours granted. Likewise, the young woman’s mother (Elizabeth Vaughan), and her sister (Rebecca), and George Adams, of the Ivy Bush coach-office, with Anne his wife, request that all gifts of a like description due to them, may be repaid to the young woman on the above day, and will also feel thankful for any additional favours that may be conferred on her.”‘
Mr E. Wigelworth was clearly a theatrical man, to judge by the language of his advertisement for his Theatre of Arts. One wonders if Spalding appreciated the spectacular. A similar amusement by George Peck had been touring in Tasmania a few years earlier and this was based upon Thiodon’s Theatre of Fine Arts.
“Never Exhibited in Spalding before!
By Permission, at the TOWN HALL, SPALDING.
Original Royal Mechanical and Pictureque THEATRE of ARTS, forming a Repository of Rational and Interesting Amusements.
E. WIGELSWORTH most respectfuly announces to the nobility, gentry, and the public in general of Spalding and its vicinity, that he has arrived with his splendid Theatre of Arts, which he will open on MONDAY next, MARCH 19th, and every Evening during the week. The Exhibition consists of beautiful representations of the most interesting parts of the World, in the varying aspects of light and shade, forming the most splendid and majestic Scenery that nature and art ever produced; the foreground and bridges will be enlivened with several thousand chaste figures, and by the power of mechanism display all the minor and more complicated muscular actions of animated nature. The whole to conclude with a faithful delineation of a Storm at Sea, with all its characteristic phenomena. – Doors to be opened at Half past Seven o’clock, and the Performance to commence at Eight. Front Seats 1s., Gallery 6d. – For particulars see handbills.”
A gang of three shopliftering three sisters operated in Stamford on market days. There were many such gangs in London the victorian era. The fashion for long, voluminous skirts and cloaks made for easy concealment.
“Shocking cases of shop-lifting by three sisters, daughters of a man at Edithweston, and all married women, were investigated at the Town-hall in Stamford on Monday and Tuesday last, as noticed in another column of our paper. It seemed that the three women, residing in parishes several miles apart, have long been in the habit of meeting at Stamford on market days, and, dressed in large cloaks, going together to drapers’ shops, and stealing whatever articles they could secrete amongst them. They were all three in the shop of Mr. Knight in the afternoon of Friday, last, when one of them, named Webber, of Baston, was detected in stealing a roll of cotton print; and other stolen goods (as well belonging to Mr. Knight, as to Mr. Brown, draper) were found upon her. Her two sisters (Woods, or Collyweston, and Broughton, of Edithweston) escaped from the shop before the relationship was known, but joining Webber afterwards when she was in custody at the station-house, sufficient passed between them to authorise their detention also, and warrants were granted to search the houses of their husbands. At Baston and at Edithweston an immense quantity of drapery goods of all descriptions were found concealed under beds and in boxes. Woods, being far advanced in pregnancy, was allowed to go home on Friday evening before the search-warrant was executed at Collyweston, and nothing was afterwards found there; but from confession since made, in which each sister charges the others, it seems that all three were in the habit of partaking of the plunder, which in one instance consisted of a whole piece of linen cloth, containing 68 yards and weighing more more than 30 lbs! this they stole from the door of Mr. Brown, in the High-street, in the middle of a Friday. The practice was, after stealing goods, to go together to a public convenience under the market portico, and there to make a dividion of them, each sister taking a share, or selecting articles of most use to her. – The scene at the Town-hall on Tuesday night, when the women ascertained that each had separetly made a confession implicating the others, can hardly be conceived. Each attributed to the ill counsel of her sisters her own criminality, and one laid her melancholy situation to the want of care of her education and habits of a dissolute father! They were all committed to gaol, for trial at the quarter sessions in April. – Besides drapery goods, stolen shoes, ironmongery, and other articles were found on executing the search-warrants.”
The Stamford Mercury, 23rd February, 1838.
The trial of the three sisters was later reported and also another woman who stole from her employer.
“All the four women tried at Stamford sessions on Saturday last were sentenced to transportation. The three shop-lifting sisters, from Baston, Collyweston, and Edith Weston, were all married women, and one of them has a family of six children: there were 17 indictments against them. – Against Frances Elsom, for robbery at Mr. Lumby’s in St., Martin’s, where she lived as servant, there were four indictments: the plunder she has committed is supposed to be the extent of more that a thousand pounds! about half of which has been recovered by the representatives of Mrs. Holman. On the day before her trial, Elsom made an assignemnt of her property to a person at Stretton, in Rutland, on whgose premises some of the stolen articles were found secreted, when the chief-constable of Stamfor executed a search-warrant on Friday afternoon. The most melancholy proof arising from this trial is, of the facility with which the convict found persons to purchase and to conceal stolen property of all kinds.”
A child, abandoned in mysterious circumstances was, sadly, placed in the workhouse, despite having all the appearances of being well cared for.
“Rather Mysterious. – About three weeks back, a respectably-dressed female, having an infant child, who had been staying two days in March, was about to leave by the Wisbech mail at 6 o’clock on the Monday morning. As she was proceeding to the coach-office she met a woman going to her work, whom she requested to carry the infant and a small basket, and say the lady would be there in a few minutes. The woman, on arriving at Mr. Wiles’s residence, gave them to Miss Barket, who with her monther also resided in the house, and who has since been married to Mr. Wiles: she declined receiving the infant, and would not allow it to be taken into the house. The poor woman, therefore, not knowing what to do, and being compelled to attend to her work, left the infant outside Miss Barker’s door, where it lay smiling at the passers-by nearly an hour, until at last some of the neighbours took charge of it: it appeared to be about six months old, and was very healthy, clean, and handsomely dressed; the basket containing various changes of clothes, made in the best manner. After remaining with these good samaritans some days, and no tidings being heard of the unnatural parents, the poor infant was removed to the Union-house at Doddington, where its fine clothes were exchanged for the workhouse dress. It is needless to say that the supposed mother did not make her appearance, nor has she since been heard of – thought rumour, which is very busy in this case, fixes her residence near Stamford. Several humane persons in March would willingly have taken charge of the child, but the Magistrates advised it being taken to the Union, in order that, being chargeable to the parish, proceedings might be taken against the parents should they be discovered, as it is hoped the will be.”
Harper Twelvetrees sold a wide variety of products to make a woman’s life easier in the 1860s. So thank heavens that nowadays we don’t have to scour, starch, mangle and wring.
“‘HARPER TWELVETREES’ Portable India Rubber CLOTHES WRINGER, price 20s. and 30s., can be fixed upon any tub or washing machine, and will wring three blankets or six sheets in a minute. Carriage free from the works, Bromley-by-Bow, London, E.
HARPER TWELVETREES’ Patent WASHING MACHINE will wash as many clothes in a few hours as a woman can wash in 2 days by the old method of hand rubbing. Price, with Rocking Frames, 21s., 45s , 55s , and 75s,; with Wringing and Mangling Apparatus combined 4l.10s., 5l.10s., and 7l. Carriage free to Railway Stations from the Works, Bromley-by-Bow, London, E.”
Stamford Mercury, 13 March, 1863.
“HARPER TWELVETREES’ GLYCERINE SOAP POWDER has triumphantly won its way into every home. It saves one-half of soap, two-thirds of time, and three-fourths of labour. A Penny Packet will make a Pound of capital Scouring Soap, possessing remarkable saponaceous and detergent qualities.
Patentee, Harper Twelvetrees, Bromley-by-Bow, Manufacturer of Washing Machines, Wringers, Mangles, and other Domestic Machines.
The luxury of Starching with BRIGGS’ AUSTRALIAN SATIN-GLAZE STARCH, which may be bought where you purchase Harper Twelvetrees’ Soap Powder. One Pound is equal to nearly Two Pounds of any other, and will make 16 Pints of strong Starch Fluid. Sold by Grocers and Druggists.–Wholesale Agent, Harper Twelvetrees, Bromley-by-Bow, London, E.”
Norfolk Island today is a tourist destination, where immigration is strictly controlled. In the past, to be transported there was considered a punishment worse than death. The island’s population includes the descendants of mutineers from the HMS Bounty who were transferred from Pitcairn Island in 1856. You may rememer the various films of this event: 1935 – starring Clark Gable and Charles Laughton (winner of the Best Picture oscar), 1962 – with Marlon Brando and Trevor Howard ( a critical and financial disaster) and 1984 (the most accurate) – Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins.
‘It is known to but few, that persons who are transported a second time are sent to Norfolk Island, a place about 1200 miles distant from the place usually assigned. This punishment is looked upon by many as worse than death–perpetual labour, without the possibility of redemption, is the lot of the convict. The impossibility of escape may be guessed at, from the fact, that no vessel can approach the island, except in two months in the course of the year, and there is but one way of access, which is defended by an armed force, and which Nature herself seems to have applied as her protection to society against those who deserve to be cast out of it.’
How well-worn is the path from fagging to the Bullingdon Club to the House of Commons, ever onwards and upwards to the Lords ? … now there’s an interesting thesis just asking to be written. How ironic that Sir Alexander Malet thought that Parliament would seriously consider his complaint and help his cause. Nevertheless the Party goes on.
‘SCHOOL “FAGGING.”–A correspondence has taken place lately between Sir A. Malet, Bart. and the Rev. D. Williams, head-master of Winchester school. The circumstamces that called it forth are curious, and likely to excite much public discussion :–The younger brother of Sir A. Malet had, it seems, resisted the authority of one of the prefects, or senior boys, and was, on a complaint to that effect being made to the master, expelled, together with four of his young confederates, from school. Sir A. Malet remonstrated by letter to Dr. Williams, who, however, refused to revoke the sentence–on the principle, we presume, of the Medes and Persians, whose laws, whether absurd or otherwise, were held immutable. The whole injurious effects of what at public schools is called fagging, are here laid open. A high-spirited lad resists the semi-official, and perhaps unreasonable, authority of another lad, and is at once peremptorily expelled. Appeal is useless–the decree has gone forth–and his prospects, if not totally blasted, are at least materially injured, for life. Every Englishman, possessing the free and generous sentiments of one, must deprecate this over-abundant measure of punishment ; it savours of despotism, and can produce no possible benefit, but a great deal of harm. That a due subordination should be kept up at our public schools, which in many cases can count their hundreds, no one will dispute ; but that the caprice of the seniors (many of whom are the greatest tyrants on earth) should be unreservedly submitted to by the juniors, simply because the system of such slavery is old, and a relic of the feudal ages–is what none but a lazy tyrant can approve. Expulsion from so public a school as Winchester is a serious concern : it disqualifies its victim from entering either University, and sends him forth into life with a taint upon his character. The matter will come before Parliament.’
Elopement in Galway. After having eight children with her husband a devout woman elopes with a Roman Catholic clergyman, followed by her husband in hot pursuit. Let’s hope it was worth it. The priest had access to a large number of novices through his role as their confessor. It’s Jimmy Savile with a Catholic twist. “Get thee to a nunnery”, indeed.
“Extraordinary elopement.–The Dublin Daily Express publishes an extraordinary story, received through its correspondent at Galway, relative to a Roman Catholic clergyman. “For the last few days,” says the writer, “the most painful rumours have been afloat, involving the honour of a family of high respectability in Galway. For self-evident reasons, I for the present withhold the names of the parties ; but as to the facts there is no second opinion. The report is prevalent, and believed to be true, that a Roman Catholic Priest, officiating in a chapel in Galway, and high in the confidence of his bishop, has eloped with the wife of a professional man, who leaves a young family of eight children and an affectionate husband. The lady was of very attractive appearance and manners, and was very constant in her attendance at the confessional where this priest officiated. Her husband has started in pursuit of the fugitives. What adds to the excitement is the fact that this priest was confessor to one of the Galway nunneries, where there are a large number of nuns and young novices : the friends of these ladies are, of course, in a very painful state of mind.”
True British Oyl is a marvellous product. It cures everything from bruises to leprosy, from withered limbs to consumption, from coughs to rabies and, as an added bonus, maggots and mange in sheep. If you need a cure for ‘deafness to admiration’ (don’t we all ?) then this medication was made just for you.
‘By His Majesty’s Royal Letters Patent,
Is now Sold at the Printing Office in Stamford, and by the Men that carry this Mercury, the only True British Oyl, at One Shilling a Bottle.
WHICH is an effectual Remedy for many Disorders incident to human Bodies. It is an absolute Cure for all scorbutick and rheumatick Diseases, for all old Contusions and Contractions of the Nerves, or contracted and withered Limbs, Strains, Ulcers, old Sores, all fixed and wandering Pains : It discusses Nodes ; cures the Palsy ; Lameness, Swellings, Inflammations, St. Anthony’s Fire, King’s Evil ; takes away all Blackness of a Fall or Bruise in an Hour’s Time, and allays all Swellings that usually attend such Accidents : It cures all green Wounds and Cuts, if (speedily applied) by the first Intention : Is an almost infallible Remedy for the Rickets in Children ; is a certain Cure for the Leprosy of ever so long standing : very much helps to knit broken Bones, and is an excellent Antidote against Poison. Inwardly taken, it cures Ulcers of the Lungs, Shortness of Breath, Consumptions, Phthisick, Coughs, and almost all Disorders of the Breast or Lungs, it also cures Deafness to Admiration ; it cures all surfeits in Cows or Horses ; also Hardness or Stoppage in the Maw, the Maggots or Manage [sic] in Sheep, &c.
N. B. It will expel Poison, heal the Bite of a mad Dog, and is an absolute Cure for the most obstinate Itch that has baffled the Force of all other Medicines.
There is likewise the superfine Royal Oleum Britannicum, or the treble refined British Oil, which is an absolute Cure in all the Disorders above-mentioned, being extracted and refined in such a manner, as renders it four Times as efficacious as the common Sort, and (very suitable for such as cannot take that as it is) as fine as Amber, of a very pleasant Smell and grateful Taste. Price Three Shillings a Bottle.’
As we mourn our own dear Queen Elizabeth II, we found this interesting piece about how the French mark the passing of their monarchs. The piece was published in 1837, just after Queen Victoria’s accession, so such things were of interest to the public. Presumably, if the clock exists today (somewhere?) it still marks the moment of death of Louis XVIII.
“In the courtyard of the Palace of Versailles is a clock with one hand, called l’Horologe de la mort du Roi. It contains no works, but consists merely of a face,in the form of a sun, surrounded by rays. On the death of a King the hand is set to the moment of his demise, and remains unaltered till his successor has rejoined him in the frave. The custom originated under Louis the Thurteenth, and continued till the Revolution. It was revived on the death of Louis the Eighteenth, and the hand still continues fixed on the precise moment of that Monarch’s death.”
