Linen Weddings

This comes from the Ladies' Home Journal ©1893

THE LINEN WEDDING
MAY be celebrated twenty years from the "day of days " in a woman's life. It must be confessed that, although it furnishes an excellent opportunity for pretty presents in embroidered doilies and all manner of other napery, it is less suggestive to a hostess as a "theme" for an entertainment. A dinner, to which only intimate friends and the families of bride and groom are invited, seems more appropriate than any more ambitious observance of the day.
The invitations may be written on squares of linen in indelible ink and inclosed in envelopes of the same material. The elaborate folding of napkins is no longer in vogue, but the fashion might be revived on such an occasion when linen is to be made the prominent feature. Any pretty drawnwork or embroidered linen may be appropriately introduced. Napkins folded to represent a succession of scallop-shells or fans may surround and conceal the dish holding the flowers in the centre of the table. No flowers are so suitable for the occasion as the pretty blue blossoms of the flax plant, but they are hardly vivid enough by themselves to be effective, as the table is so severely white. Bright poppies and yellow-hearted daisies mingled among the blue flax make a charming centrepiece. Small squares of fine linen with fringed edges may be embroidered with the guests' names in blue or red (Kensington stitch) in bold English writing, and will answer very well for name-cards when made to adhere to squares of Bristol-board bymeans of a little flour paste.
Nothing makes a better surface for watercolor painting than linen, and imagination may run riot if the hostess be an artist. Upon every dish a round, fringed doily should be placed.
A really dainty flower-holder may be made by placing a slender thin glass tumbler in the centre of a round piece of fine linen, edged with lace an inch or two wide. This should be drawn up and plaited around the edge of the tumbler and tied with narrow ribbon in many loops. The lace stands out like a ruffle, making a border around the flowers.

Crystal Wedding (Anniversary today)

This comes from the Ladies' Home Journal ©1893

THE CRYSTAL WEDDING
THE fifteenth anniversary may be effectively celebrated by an '' afternoon tea" out-of-doors, if the "happy pair" be the fortunate possessors of a lawn and shade trees. A few little tables in sheltered nooks—and a larger one for the more important dishes—are suggestive of pleasure at first sight. In the centre of the large table I would place a cut-glass dish, holding a mass of red roses.
As one is confined to glass dishes for everything at a crystal wedding its lack of color is better supplemented by red flowers than those of other shades.
A glass dish or vase filled with roses, geraniums or carnations might ornament each of the little tables, for the lavish month of June is so prodigal of blossoms.
It is the custom in Russia to serve tea in very thin glasses, in preference to cups, and as it is taken with lemon, instead of cream, it is much more dainty in appearance. The Austrians also prefer glasses to cups for their coffee, and the habit once formed 110 cup seems thin enough. Any excuse to use glass is admissible. The lemonade and ices are, of-course, served in tumblers and glass saucers. Instead of sugar for the tea and coffee the crystals of white rock candy may be used, and are no mean substitute. A profusion of cut glass on the large table makes, of course, an attractive decoration in itself, but the pressed glass now imitates it very nearly and is wonderfully cheap.
Should a dinner be preferred every possible device for using glass should be taken advantage of.
A large piece of looking-glass bordered with red roses, or other flowers if desired, may be placed on the table, a glass bowl of flowers in the centre. If one be not fortunate enough to have inherited old fashioned glass candlesticks with long pendent prisms, ordinary glass ones are cheap and easily procured. The shades may have a fringe of cut-glass beads around them, that, catching the light, has a pretty, prismatic effect.
For name-cards small, round, beveled mirrors, three inches in diameter, may be easily inscribed with the names of the guests in any colored ink preferred. Wreaths of tiny blossoms painted along the edges would, of course, greatly enhance their beauty. Should these prove too expensive a simple white card, around the edges of which crystal beads are thickly sewed, forming a sort of a frame, may not be an unacceptable substitute.

Tin Weddings

This comes from Ladies' Home Journal ©1893

THE TIN WEDDING
COMES with the tenth anniversary. If a dinner be given, the table may be made beautiful with pink roses and syringa placed in a bright new tin dish, in the centre. Four dishes, holding the pink and white bonbons, cakes, etc., may be set in the midst of tin rings (used for baking cakes in circular shape), the edges of the plates resting on those of the tins. These rings filled with roses and syringa will make pretty wreaths around each prominent dish. If a more elaborate decoration be desired any tinsmith can make a flowerholder in the form of the initial of the groom's name and that of the bride's maiden name—one to be placed at each end of the table.
The little round stands of twisted tin wire, made for the teapot, turned upside down and lined with pink laced papers, make dainty receptacles for salted almonds or small bonbons. If, as is now fashionable, small "individual " dishes are supplied for the almonds new heart-shaped "patty pans " will answer the purpose.
Cards of heavy Bristol-board, very lightly covered with mucilage, may be entirely enveloped in tin foil, and so smoothly that the artifice will not be suspected. The guests' names may be scratched upon the surface. A small tin funnel at each lady's place will make a pretty bouquet-holder.

Another post: In this one you'll find some suggested gifts for the 10th anniversary as well.
A Tin Wedding Day (5°» S. vi. 307) is the tenth anniversary of the happy day. "Cards" are sent out, made of tin, on which is printed a suitable inscription, and, by the way, for the benefit of all printers, I will say this should be done with a rubber stereotype, because type-metal will indent the tin. The inscription gives the year of the marriage and the current year, and, leaving out of view the material, is much like any "at home" card. Each guest is expected to bring a present which must be partly or wholly of tin, and may be a tin drinking cup worth twopence, or a costly piece of lace in an old tin mustard box. Dealers in tin ware prepare articles, assimilated in shape to wearing apparel, laundry utensils, or furniture, utterly useless, of course, and only intended to cause merriment. Fancy a broad brimmed hat or a flat iron made of tin, or a writing desk made of the same material. At a tin wedding I recently attended, a guest brought a tin pail, filled with lemonade, and a silver ladle to serve the beverage. Another brought a fog horn, such as the fishing schooners use on the high seas, in thick weather, to give warning of their presence, and avoid collision with other vessels. Its note is an exceedingly low c, so low that, after one solo on it, the hearer would be glad to see it so low in the sea that none would ever see it again. The tin wedding is an excellent occasion for the renewal of the kitchen tins, while it affords much merriment by the ludicrous offerings which are sometimes made. Like many other good things, it may be "run into the ground," or, as Dr. Johnson would say, become so vulgar and trite as to deserve the reprehension of all. John E. Norcross. Brooklyn, U.S.
Source: Notes & Queries ©1876

Below is a poem written by Alice Holmes ©1868
A Tin Wedding.
We hail your Tin wedding with eager delight,
And join the glad circle that greets you to-night;
And call back the moments we saw you with pride,
At Hymen's fair altar, made bridegroom and bride.

The pure cup of pleasure, unmingled with tears,
Hath flown for you sweetly these ten sunny years.
And strewn with bright roses your pathwhy hath been,
While joy crowned your labors again and again.

And smiling with plenty your garners are stored,
And bright is the future your prospects afford,
When buds ye are training in beauty shall bloom,
And love's sweetest halo the light of your home.

And while your new nuptials we now must begin,
We bring you in friendship some presents of Tin ;
And when their bright lustre by time is defaced,
With silver untarnished we'll have them replaced ;

And keep your Third wedding with high merry glee,
And hope that the Fourth one all golden may be.
And when for another the time rolls around,
With diamonds most brilliant, oh! may ye be crowned ;

And bright wreaths of honor around you be twined,
And friendship unfading your hearts ever bind.
With fast fleeting years may your pleasures increase,
And life's ripened harvest be gathered in peace.

Wooden Weddings

This was a new one for me, I hope you enjoy it too. It comes from Ladies' Home Journal ©1893

THE WOODEN WEDDING ""THE first milestone—after five years of * married life—when the young wife speaks of herself as "an old married woman," is called the " wooden wedding."

A cozy little dinner, to which those who were the bridesmaids and groomsmen are bidden, with a few intimate friends, is usually the favorite form of entertainment. Note-paper may be had, resembling birchbark, which is suitable for the invitations.

The dining-room may be made to look as "woodsy" as possible with roping of evergreen and verdure of any sort. The introduction of "Christmas trees" into the room adds much to the sylvan effect. They are to be had almost for the asking in summer.

A box made of twigs holding ferns makes an appropriate centrepiece for the table, and the cheapest wooden dishes lined with ferns will hold the bonbons and cakes quite acceptably. At each lady's place a little toy bucket or pail—the staves alternately of dark and light wood—will make a very pretty receptacle for the flowers. Wild flowers of all colors, those growing in the woods, are appropriate and plentiful in June. The city florists are always in communication with persons who can supply them when they are ordered. The little pails have the additional advantage that they may hold a little water, for wild flowers wither so quickly. The wire handles should be bound with ribbon and tied with bows.

The name-cards of real birch-bark should have at the top the date of the marriage and the present date, and under these the guests' names all written in dark green ink. On the reverse side of the one given to the bride her husband might write the summing up of all wifely duties, quoted from the famous game of '' oats, peas and beans ":
"Now, you're married, you must obey,
You must be true to all you say;
You must be loving, kind and good—
And help your husband chop the wood."

While the groom may be reminded of his responsibilities in the same vein, changing the first line—
"Now, you're married, this happy day,"
and the last—
"And keep your wife in kindling wood."
The candle shades may be bought very cheaply of plain white crimped paper, decorated with bits of evergreen. The colors of the flowers should be repeated in the bonbons and cakes, the green background of ferns harmonizing all shades.

The bride should wear her wedding dress. The more old-fashioned it be the more interesting.
Source: The Ladies' Home Journal ©1893

Mourning Clothing

This is a repost from an original post in Aug. 2011

Having loss my son a few weeks back this topic has come up a fair amount in my mind. So, I thought I'd share some mourning customs and clothing as presented as social etiquette during the 19th century. Today's tidbit comes from Collier's cyclopedia of commercial and social information ©1882

The mourning for parents ranks next to that of widows; for children by then parents, and for parents by their children, these being ol course identical in degree. It lasts in either case twelve months—six months in crape trimmings, three in plain black, and three in half-mourning. It is, however better taste to continue the plain black to the end of the year and wear half-mourning for three months longer. Materials for first six months, either Paramatta, Barathea, or any of the black corded stuffs such as Janus cord, about thirty-eight inches wide; Henrietta cord about same price and width. Such dresses would be trimmed with two deep tucks of crape, either Albert or rainproof, would be made plainly the body trimmed with .rape, and sleeves with deep crape cuffs Col lars and cuffs, to be worn during the first mourning would be made of muslin or lawn, with three or foui tiny lucks m distinction to widows' with the wide, deep hem. Pocket hand kerchiefs would be bordered with black. Black hose, silk or Balbriggan, would be worn, and black kid gloves. For out. door wear either a dolman mantle would be wom or a paletdt, either of silk or Paramatta, but in either case trimmed with crape. Crape bonnets or hats , if lor young children, all crape for bonnets, hats, silk and crape; feathers (black; could be wom, and a jet ciasp or arrow in the bonnet, but no othei kind of jewelry is admissible but jet—that is, as long as crape is worn. Black furs, such as astrachan, may be worn, or very dark sealskin or black sealskin cloth, now so fashionable, but no light furs of any sort. Silk dresses can be worn, crape trimmed aftei the first three months if preferred, and if expense be no obiect the lawn-tucked collars and cuffs would be worn with them. At the end of the six months crape can be put aside, and plain black, such as cashmere, worn, trimmed with silk if liked, but not satin, for that is not a mourning material, and is therefore never worn by those who strictly attend to mourning etiquette. With plain black, black gloves and hose would of course be worn, and jet, no gold or silver jewelry for at least nine months after the com mencement of mourning , then, if the time expires in the twelve months, gray gloves might be worn, and gray ribbons, lace or plain linen collar and cuffs take the place of ihe lawn or muslin, and gray feathers might lighten the hat or bonnet or reversible black and gray strings.

Many persons think it is in better taste not to commence half-mourning until after the expiration of a year, extent in the case of young children, who are rarely kept in mourning beyond the twelve months.

A wife would wear just the same mourning for her husband'9 relations as for her own ; thus, if her husband's mother died, the would wear mourning as deep as if for her own mother.

Napkin Folding

Folding napkins is not a new art, in fact, I've heard it mentioned in many volumes written during the 19th century. Below is an excerpt about Folding napkins for waiters in fine restaurants and hotels. Many of the napkin arrangements can be found at How to Fold Napkins also known as Serviettes.

From The Steward's Handbook ©1889

NAPKIN FOLDING TO MAKE MONEY.
In our talk about waiters it is several times mentioned that there are w hat are called good tables to which the best or most deserving waiters are allotted. In the case of a Paris cafe it is shown that these best tables are only reached by slow promotions and delinquent or absentee waiters are invariably placed at the bottom or worst tables when they return to work and have to progress to the better places slowly. The meaning of good tables is that they are occupied by guests who pay their waiter well; the worst tables are those frequented by, let us say, "dead-heads," or by some sort of customers of whom little or nothing is to be expected. It is precisely the same in our hotels and perhaps most markedly the case in pleasure resorts where families take up their summer or winter residence, occupy the same tables through the season and pay their waiter well. The headwaiter gives such tables as favors to the waiters he likes the best, and if he does not like a waiter he can keep him down to a table where he cannot make a dollar. The best way a waiter can help himself and make it so the headwaiter cannot afford to keep him down is to learn to be a boss napkin folder; if he is the best folder in the dining room he has a big advantage; he will be always needed, and needed at the best tables. Perhaps the reason of this is not plain to all, it is because the best guests expect all sorts of elegant little attentions and must not see the next table to them faring better than they. The waiter brings in various things upon folded napkins and if he could not produce ornamental effects that way he could not be in such a position. When, for example, he brings in the various cut cakes, macaroons and bonbons, he provides himself with, say, the "Chestnut Pocket" on page 8 or the "Heraldic Rose" and cross, page 14, not caring for the cross but opening up the pockets and filling them with the handsomest and most delicate confections he can obtain at the pantry or fruit room. The cheese and crackers he brings in another pattern; the table he has already furnished with such a pattern at each plate as the "Flower Basket," page 20, or what not, while his rival at the next table may be trying himself to do something still better These attentions are practiced by the waiters because it pays them to do so; the people at the good tables appreciate them, and moreover, they expect them and the head waiter is obliged to find waiters who can meet these expectations. Some of the handsomest folds are cabable of many changes; the "Heraldic Rose" when opened up is known as the "Boston Fold," the "Flower Basket" with the points up is known as the "Saratago Fold," but several of these might as well be called the "Tip Catcher," the "Remember Me," the "Christmas Gift Collector," etc.

NAPKIN FOLDING FOR EFFECT.
Napkins there must be at every dinner in every hotel of the least pretensions to elegance and it is a waste of a grand advantage not to make use of them for ornamental effects by employing the more imposing forms of folding them for setting on the table in readiness for the dinner. The use of the napkin to hold the dinner roll or piece of bread is a fashion of private table-setting and for caterers for private parties, but the piece of bread to each plate is not a hotel custom, it is not suitable. The flat folds of napkins instead are used as above named to bring pretty things to table in and to hold buttonhole boquets or the menu. Where the napkin and the art of folding shows up the grandest is in the hotel dining room with its fifty tables, its hundreds of plates, its long white rows of Pyramids, Hamburg Drums, Tulips, Palm Leaves , Double Fans; Columns, Crowns, Mitres, any of them, the taller the better, all alike, of course, on each day but changed in form every day. That indeed is a sight that is pleasing alike to hotel man and guest and for good reason; it is a scene of real beauty and symmetry of forms and distances, pleasing by its whiteness and intimation of cleanlines and purity. It is something much too ornamental and satisfactory to be lost to a dining room for want of a knowledge how to fold napkins.

THE WAY TO LEARN.
Learn the folds by using good stiff white paper, the size is of but little consequence. The apparent difficulty of following the diagrams . 1 and directions vanishes after one trial, and when the folds CS (A have been carried out with a sheet of paper a stiff napkin VI yi can be tried with a better chance of immediate success. Duji Some of the forms which require a hot iron for every fold are hardly practicable for use in hotels except for special Y*# party occasions, but there are plenty of easy forms that do Y not consume much time and some of them produce as good

Etiquette & Manners

Etiquette & Manners is something often discussed on some of my of the writer loops I belong to as they pertain to the 19th century. Through Google books I've found a great source of books regarding such topics. Below is a list ordered by the year they were published. I've gathered this resource list over the past two years from Google Books. Hope it helps you in your search for proper behavior in the time period of your setting.

1832 Domestic Manners of the Americans
1835 Pencil Sketches
1837 The Young Lady's Friend
1839 Miss Leslie's Behavior Book
1842 Elegant Extracts
1843 Etiquette or, A Guide to The Usages of Society with a Glance at Bad Habits
1854 Etiquette Social Ethics and the Curtiousy of Society
1854 The Behavior Book
1860 The Gentlemen's Book of Etiquette and Manners
1860 The Hand Book of Etiquette
1866 Marine's Sensible Letter Writer
1868 Manners or Happy Homes
1870 Good Manners a Manual of Ediquette
1872 The Ladie's Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness
1873 The Gentlemen's Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness
1884 Don't: A Manual of Mistakes and Improprieties More or Less
1888 Manners
1889 American Etiquette and Rules of Politeness
1889 Perfect Etiquette or How to Behave in social...
1892 Etiquette An Answer to the Riddle, When? Where? How?
1896 Social Etiquette or Manners and Customs of Polite Society
1897 Manners for Men
1897 Practical Letter Writing
1899 Twenty Letters in Letter Writing and Business

Manners in Speech

The excerpt I'm sharing today comes from the 1854 publication "Manners" by Miss Leslie. In the chapter Incorrect words. You can read the entire chapter at Google Books with this Link

When you mean that an article of dress (a bonnet or a cap) is neat and pretty, do not say that it is cunning. An inanimate object cannot be cunning. To be cunning requires some mind. We are sorry to say that we have heard females who, when they intend to be witty, talk of taking a snooze, (which means a nap,) and speak of a comic anecdote as being "rich," and of a man in faded clothes as looking "seedy." We have heard Philadelphia ladies speak of a "great big" house, or a "great big" ship; and there are still some who expect what has already come to pass—as, "I expect it rained somewhere last night" —"I expect she arrived yesterday"—"I expect he went to Baltimore." In all these cases the proper term is "I suppose," and not "I expect."
The word "mayhap" (instead of perhaps) is a positive vulgarism. It is of English origin, but is only used in England by very low people—and by English writers, never.

Household Pets 1868

Hi all,

Below is an excerpt from "Manners: or, Happy Homes and Good Society all the year round," by Mrs. Hale, regarding household pets. The passage is quite long, the humor is in the account of the various pets in the author's home.

The small wood-tortoise will be found to be one of the best, safest, and most convenient pets for little boys. Children always long to handle a pet; and they can do so here, without risk either to themselves or the object of their affections. We shall have more to say on this point later.
Our aquarium has had a large population; but, as in the world of humanity, few individuals have risen to particular distinction. Fishes are monotonous pets ; still it is pleasant to see an aquarium, with its variety of life, * and very little care is needed to make the pets comfortable. The chief pleasure to the owners of this " watercolony " is in replenishing it; and one might well envy the happiness of our May, when she comes home with her wealth of snails, bugs, tadpoles, and dragon-flies.
The glory of our aquarium has departed. Only fishes, gold and silver, remain, with one eel and two lizards. During the past winter, this eel lay concealed under the pebbles and gravel at the bottom of the aquarium; but at the call, or rather whistle, of pater familias or May, this " water-snake" would wriggle itself up and out, eager to get the little rolls of meat held in the hands of its friends, even thrusting its long head above water to seize its food.
We have had a large collection also of birds, canaries, paroquets, ring-doves, and a mocking-bird. The paroquets were a novelty at first, and made a grand sensation at the end of their career. May had set her heart upon a parrot, and pater familias promised to bring her one from Brazil; but the fleet was ordered home suddenly while lying at Monte Video, where only the larger kind of paroquets abound, and the result was that May had two paroquets instead of one parrot. We all tried to love and praise these birds, and to persuade May that they were beauties.
Their color was beautiful, — green all over, in different tints, from the softest spring green of grass and opening leaves, to the dark shade of the closing summer foliage; and then their brotherly love (they seemed like brothers) * was more beautiful than their colors. Nestled closely side by side, as their habit was, with their necks crossed together, like green ribbons to be tied in a knot, they were indeed lovely.
At first they were very quiet; but, as time went on, their vocal powers developed. They did not talk; but oh, when they opened their beaks, what a volume of strange sounds those green throats could pour forth !
Unfortunately for our peace, a piano in full practice was within hearing of our paroquets. They listened and learned, and, after some time, began, on their own resources, a performance which none who heard can ever forget. It was as if every chord in music had broken loose, every quaver gone distracted, every semi-tone become a grand crash. This caused laughter at first; but, as the unearthly din went on day by day, even our steadfast patience with pets gave way, and we hailed the escape of one of them from the window, and exchanged the other for a pair of ring-doves; and thus ended the farce of the paroquets. May has never since coveted a parrot.

The ring-doves proved stupid as dunces, rarely opening their beaks except to eat, and then sitting with stuffed crops, seemingly asleep. Nobody thought these would fly away, but they did. Dunces are usually discontented; neither birds nor people are happy who have no resources within themselves.
Our mocking-bird was a female, and therefore could not be expected to sing; but, as it was a present from
May's uncle, General , who was among the early
magnates of the war at the South, and brought the bird from Port Royal, we all prized it exceedingly. Mockingbirds, however, should never be confined pets. Their nature requires space and freedom. Poor Dixie ! Every feather in its plumage seemed to quiver with its longings for liberty. One of her tricks excited much amusement.
When we said, " Hurrah for General ! " teaching her
to know, by a particular motion of the hand, she would fly round and round the cage, like a whirligig, always watching our hand, and ceasing when we ceased to cheer and wave.
One bitter cold night the furnace went out, and Dixie's little life went out with it. She was buried in the garden, beneath frozen turf, but May's warm heart gave her a "fficjacet."
Of the beast kind, our guinea-pigs were a nuisance, the mice pests, and the gray rabbits not much better. But Bunny, our white rabbit, was Fay's particular treasure. Bunny was well trained, and would stand on his hind legs, and hold up his paws for food. He would come at call, and lick your hand, — " kissing " Fay calls it, — and be very innocently winning.
In appearance and habits, this Angora species of rabbit seems to unite the distinctive qualities of several animal tribes, — laps milk like a kitten, nibbles grass like.a sheep, browses like a goat, and loves sweets like a bear; he plays like a lamb, leaps like a kangaroo, and has, like that strange animal, long hind legs and strong tail to assist his bounds; whiskers like a cat, ears like a donkey, fur white and soft as the ermine, and eyes that, in some gleams of light, shine like rubies.
In short, we cannot but wonder where the rationalistic philosophy would place the " development" of our Bunny, and from what class of animal life he can claim to have been "evolved." Probably the learned Herbert Spencer would himself rank these queries among " The unknowable."
Among our domestic favorites the most distinguished is a very small English terrier, black and tan color, pure blooded and thorough bred, one of the most perfect specimens of doghood to be found in petdom. Mio belongs to May; but we all feel that "Mio" means mine, and so all claim a share in loving him. Mio's reverence as well as affection is certainly given to the pater familias, who — softly be it said — is as fond of pets as any of us children, old or young, can be. So Mio is pampered and petted, and leads a useless life, except that he gives much pleasure to the household. His own happiness would be complete, but for one fault; he will bark when gentlemen come in, and then he is scolded. This wounds his feelings, especially if the reproof comes from his master. Then tears gather in Mio's eyes, — veritable tears, tears that sometimes fall; and his whole manner is so humble and pleading, that you could not but forgive him had he bitten you. We should add that he admires ladies more than gentlemen, and rarely barks at a lady dressed in black.
Our sketch is growing long; but we cannot close without a notice of Tip, the only reptile we ever petted. This little turtle was given to May, as one of the waterspecies, for her aquarium: it was kept three years among the fishes. While there it was only known as the "snapping turtle," and deserved its name. It snapped up and ate or killed bugs, snails, the insects of all kinds, and even the little fishes. It was the ogre of the aquarium: though its shell was not larger than might have been covered by a silver dollar, it seemed ,so fierce we were all afraid to touch it lest it should bite.
At length it was discovered accidentally, that this turtle could live out of water,—indeed, seemed to like the change, and became more gentle in its nature. May was glad to be freed from such a destructive in her aquarium, and gave it to little Carolus who had been longing for a pet of his own ; but, as he could not take care of it, both boy and pet came under grandmamma's protection; and so we had a reptile to instruct.
The first thing was to give it a name; and Tippecanoe, shortened to Tip, was chosen. The first lesson was to teach this name. We have heen often asked about the process; the best illustration may be gathered from " Molly Dumpling's" way of " calling spirits from the vasty deep ;" that is, calling for her drowned lover and his drowned dog: —
" Oh ! tearfully she trod the hall,
And 1 Thomas !' cried, with many a sob ;
And thrice on Bobtail did she call,
Repeating sweetly, ' Bob ! Bob ! Bob !'"

There's the secret; repetition, "sweetly." Fix your eye (" sweetly ") on your pet's eye, and thus chain his attention ; then repeat the name (" sweetly") till the lesson is learned. This will be much sooner, probably, than you expect.
" Tip " soon knew his own name, and we then went further. We placed him upon our hand, extending the arm, saying, repeatedly, " Come, ' Tip,' come, if you love me;" and the little creature would run up the extended arm, and nestle at our throat. This feat he refused to perform with any other member of the family, although always ready to come to them when they called his name. But, alas! " Tip" proved himself unworthy the confidence reposed in him, and grieved us all by wandering away and getting lost. His place was then supplied by two little turtles, named " Tip" and " Tina," to which they responded when called, but never developed the intelligence shown by our old favorite.
Carolus has now a wood-turtle named "Terry," who seems to enjoy its new life upon carpeted floors and amidst the luxuries of civilization. We know little of his powers as yet, but trust much the effect of the two great tamers and civilizers, — kindness and love. We find our opinion in this matter confirmed in a charming little work which has lately appeared, " The Chronicles of a Garden, its Pets and its Pleasures," by Miss Wilson, niece of Dr. Wilson, who seems to have a large experience in pet-life. She says, —
"The great secret of training and attaching animals seems to be kindness and quietness, and a certain sort of friendly intercourse with them, which, perhaps, is only understood by those to the manner born. All teasing them, even in fun, should be avoided, if you wish them to trust you and be gentle. There are individual exceptions in every species; but there are few exceptions, either among quadrupeds or birds, that will not soon get attached to the person who feeds them; but they are frequently far more attached to the individual who understands them, and keeps up a quiet, friendly intercourse with them.
" Unless this sort of' rapport' is established between us and our pets, they are (to my mind) hardly worthy of the name: they degenerate into ' captive animals,' and can neither give pleasure to others nor be made happy themselves."

Calls for Inquiry

To finish the week on manners, I'm again using the Manners for men ©1897 by Mrs. C.E. Humphry and including the excerpt concerning funerals. Note the choice of flowers for the occasion in the last paragraph.


In calling on friends who have suffered bereavement, after having received their card of thanks for kind inquiries, it is, of course, requisite that the dress should be of the quietest description. A red tie, for instance, would be horribly out of place. Only in case of friendships is bereaved. the call prolonged beyond ten minutes or a quarter of an hour. The caller takes his tone from that of the family. It is in the worst taste to refer to the loss sustained unless the initiative is taken by one of those bereaved. This is very seldom done, and the conversation is usually conducted on lines calculated to avert any disturbing remark. No one likes to break down or lose self-command except in seclusion; and, in fact, it is only necessary to look into one's own consciousness in order to discover what is the best course to follow in such cases.
Should a young man be invited to attend the funeral, he must wear mourning, black gloves, and black hatband. Punctuality, important at all times, is particularly essential at this dreary ceremonial. The family usually provides carriages, but in the case of friends who possess equipages, they always take their own. It is the custom to assemble at the house, or to go by fixed train should the family reside in the country. It is better not to accept any invitations to return to the house afterwards; for, as a rule, these are only given as a matter of form.
We often see in newspapers after the announcement of a death, a request that no flowers may be sent. Failure to comply with this would argue a want of perception, but when no such intimation is made a friend may send flowers, the only essential being that they should consist as a rule of pure white flowers or orchids, pansies, or violets. Occasionally an exception is made to these in the case of favourite flowers of the lost friend. An exquisite garland of pale tea-roses appeared among the scores of wreaths seen at the funeral of one of our greatest poets.

Manners for Men

I found a book entitled "Manners for men" by Mrs. C. E. Humphry ©1897 written toward the end of the 19th century. In it the author goes into great detail on how a man is to behave if he is a gentleman. The first thing that caught my eye was the title of a chapter, entitled "The Ideal Man." I had to chuckle at that. I do not believe there is an ideal man nor is there an ideal woman. I do however believe that there is an ideal man for me, and I'm fortunate enough to have married him but as much as I love my husband he is not perfect, neither am I. It's a rather fun book to read but today I'm going to share an excerpt that also goes to my current writing project of a non-fiction book on 19th century Carriages & Wagons.

Manners for Men in escorting Ladies into a Hansom Cab.


IN A HANSOM.
In handing a lady into a hansom care must be taken to protect her dress from the muddy wheel. The gentleman asks if she would like the glasses down, and conveys her instructions to the driver, then raises his hat as she drives away. Should he be accompanying her in the hansom, she seats herself at when accom- the nearest side to the pavelady. ment, so that when he enters he will not have to go round a corner, as it were. In this case he gives the cabman instructions across the roof of the cab, and if his companion wishes the glasses to be lowered, he asks for them through the trap-door at the top of the cab. He must never smoke when the glasses are let down— to do so would render the atmosphere unbearable to almost any woman. But if he knows his partner in the drive sufficiently well, he can ask permission to smoke, should the glasses not be required.

Balls & Evening Parties

On several of the writer's email loops I'm on questions about Balls and proper behavior are often asked. In writing historicals we try to be accurate but we also want our characters to mingle and speak with one another. The challenge is to do allow your characters to speak with one another in a proper fashion and setting that won't send our historical readers into a frenzy throwing our books across the room because the situation we've created wasn't believable. With that in mind, I've been searching various books on manners and customs of the 19th century. Today's excerpt comes from "Manners: A handbook of social customes" by Elisabeth Marbury ©1888 Note the last comment posted, isn't it great that our 19th century ancestors and characters enjoyed fiction.


BALLS OR EVENING PARTIES.
These entertainments always include dancing and a supper. If large, they are called "balls," but if small simply "dances" or "parties."
Hour.—Unfortunately, fashion has made this very late, and unless especially indicated on the invitation, half-past ten is the earliest a hostess can hope to assemble her guests. In large cities, an hour later even will hardly insure the rooms being full.
Subscription Dances.—In most of the large cities, several series of dances are arranged by certain of the social leaders, to which people are invited to subscribe. Each subscriber, is usually entitled to a number of invitations for distribution, though in some instances the price of the subscription is small, and only permits one person to take advantage of each.
Public Halls.—The subscription balls take place in some public ball-room, as a rule. In New York, for instance, at Delmonico's.
Ladies Receiving.—Several ladies are selected to form the reception committee, and they stand in one of the outer rooms, bowing to the guests as they enter.
Shaking Hands.—On such occasions, no one shakes hands; the ladies courtesy, and the gentlemen bow.
Chaperons.—No unmarried lady should go to one of these balls, or to any large party, without a chaperon, and invitations should be sent to an elder member of her family, in order that she need not look out side for proper attendance. In the West and South, it is quite customary for gentlemen to take unmarried ladies to evening entertainments, but in the Eastern States, and in the best society in our cities, such a thing is unheard of, and would be considered the greatest breach of decorum.
Small Dances. — It is not absolutely necessary that a young lady should have a chaperon at a small or informal dance in a private house, but she should be escorted there and back by a servant or some relative.
Toilets.—At a ball, a lady can display her handsomest jewels and wear as elaborate a toilet as she pleases. Gentlemen should always appear in dress suits.
MUsIc, etc.—Excellent music should be provided, and a smooth floor to dance on.
SUPPeR.—Is usually served about 12.30, and should consist of hot and cold dishes, such as oysters, bouillon, game, croquettes, filet of beef, salads, pates, ices, cakes, sweets, jellies, fruit, and champagne, punch, lemonade and mineral waters are usually provided. Small tables are frequently used at balls, so that four or six people may sit at one table and eat their supper comfortably in courses.
Attendance.—Maids should be in the ladies' dressing-rooms, and valets in the gentlemen's. Small fees of twenty-five or fifty cents are often given to servants in the dressing-room at a public ball, but never in private houses in this country, though the custom is common in England. Waiters should be on hand at supper to serve the meal, as the fashion of the gentlemen waiting upon the ladies is rapidly becoming obsolete.
Awnings. — In large cities, an awning should always be extended from the front door to the curb-stone, on the occasion of a reception, or other entertainment, as the ladies do not like to step out of their carriages in light and elaborate dresses without some protection from the weather and from the impertinent gaze of a curious crowd.
Cotillon Or German. — This dance, now so widely known, fills up the larger part of the evening, and begins, as a rule, immediately after supper. In a private house, the gentleman who has been invited to lead the German must ask the unmarried daughter of the family to dance with him, or the married daughter, if so indicated as the family's choice. At the more general dances or large balls, a young married lady is usually the one selected to dance with the leader.
Partners.—It is quite the custom for a gentleman to engage a partner for the Cotillon before the evening of the dance, and in this case, provided he can afford it, he usually sends her a bouquet of flowers.
Flowers Carried To Balls.—The fashion of carrying numerous bouquets to a ball is rapidly ceasing to exist, and many of the most popular belles refuse to take any flowers into a ball-room, the old custom having given rise to so much vulgar rivalry and display.
Public Balls.—These are much more promiscuous than private balls, even when conducted carefully, and tickets can generally be purchased for $5.00 each, not including supper. As a rule they are undertaken for the benefit of some charity or public fund.
Cards Of Dancing.—At such balls cards giving the order of dances are provided, on which gentlemen can write the names opposite the numbers of the dances, for which they have been accepted by the lady holding the card. In England such cards are used universally, but rarely at private balls in our country. At public balls square and round dances are danced, but no cotillons.
Fancy Balls.—In private houses these are conducted like other parties, the only difference being in the costumes of the guests, who are expected to personate some historical character, or one in fiction, etc.

St. Valentine's Day

Below is an excerpt from a 1898 publication: School Education Vol.17. This probably isn't something one would think about when picturing Valentine Celebrations during the 19th century but I felt it is kinda fun to see what School teachers were encouraged to do.

ST. VALENTINE'S DAY, FEB. 14
If it seems to interrupt the regular work and you are tempted to overlook it, go back into your own childhood for a minute and think whether it is the "regular" days that you remember, or the days in which something a little out of the ordinary happened. Tell the legend of St. Valentine, and that it is love that makes the tokens valuable. Nobody wishes to send his love with anything that is not pretty, of course, so the question of comic valentines is easily disposed of.
Now we will make some valentines to take home, and mamma shall be the recipient of these favors. Sketch a dainty flower on a small card and have the children color it with colored pencils or with water color. A bird with a letter in his mouth is a pretty design to be perforated or sewed, while a heart sewed in red worsted, or cut from red paper and pasted on a white card, is effective with an appropriate motto. Always choose some simple design. The result will be much more satisfactory when completed than an elaborate affair, for the latter will be only half done, and so soiled that neither' giver nor receiver will find much pleasure in it, except as an expression of love.
Let envelopes be made and the "love tokens" taken home to be put at mamma's plate or to be left at the door with a loud ringing of the door bell.

Conduct on the Street

During the 19th century there were many forms of behavior and attitudes that were proper and improper. When researching an area keep in mind if these books on behaviors and manners were in keeping with your area and time frame. And of course putting a character into a situation where she or he has been taught to behave in one way and is frowned upon in the new area he or she find themselves, is great for building tension. With that in mind I'd like to share a couple of these "proper" manners and behavior from Miss Leslie's "The Behavior Book" ©1855 Note this book was written with English manners in mind and the author notes a few differences for American behavior. 

CONDUCT IN THE STREET.
When three ladies are walking together, it is better for one to keep a little in advance of the other two, than for all three to persist in maintaining one unbroken line. They cannot all join in conversation without talking across each other—a thing that, in-doors or out-of-doors, is awkward, inconvenient, ungenteel, and should always be avoided. Also, three ladies walking abreast occupy too much of the pavement, and therefore incommode the other passengers. Three young men sometimes lounge along the pavement, arm in arm. Three young gentlemen never do so.
If you meet a lady with whom you have become but slightly acquainted, and had merely a little conversation, (for instance, at a party or a morning visit,) and who moves in a circle somewhat higher or more fashionable than your own, it is safest to wait till she recognises you. Let her not see in you a disposition to obtrude yourself on her notice.
It is not expected that all intimacies formed at watering-places shall continue after the parties have returned to their homes. A mutual bow when meeting in the street is sufficient. But there is no interchanging of visits, unless both ladies have, before parting, testified a desire to continue the acquaintance. In this case, the lady who is eldest, or palpably highest in station, makes the first call. It is not customary for a young lady to make the first visit to a married lady.
When meeting them in the street, always speak first to your milliner, mantua-maker, seamstress, or to any one you have been in the practice of employing. To pass without notice any servant that you know, is rude and unfeeling, as they will attribute it to pride, not presuming to speak to you themselves, unless in reply. There are persons who having accepted, when in the country, much kindness from the country-people, are ashamed to recognise them when they come to town, on account of their rustic or unfashionable dress. This is a very vulgar, contemptible, and foolish pride; and is always seen through, and despised. There is no danger of plain country-people being mistaken for vulgar city-people. In our country, there is no reason for keeping aloof from any who are respectable in character and appearance. Those to be avoided are such as wear tawdry finery, paint then- faces, and leer out of the corners of their (yes, looking disreputably, even if they are not disreputable in reality.
When a gentleman meets a lady with whom his acquaintance is very slight, (perhaps nothing more than a few words of talk at a party,) he allows her the option of continuing the acquaintance or not, at her pleasure; therefore, he waits till she recognises him, and till she evinces it by a bow,—he looking at her to give the opportunity. Thus, if she has no objection to numbering him among her acquaintances, she denotes it by bowing first. American ladies never curtsey in the street. If she has any reason to disapprove of his character or habits, she is perfectly justifiable in "cutting" him, as it is termed. Let her bow very coldly the first time, and after that, not at all.
Young ladies should yield the wall to old ladies. Gentlemen do so to all ladies.
In some cities it is the custom for all gentlemen to give their arm to all ladies, when walking with them. In others, a gentleman's arm is neither offered nor taken, unless in the evening, on slippery pavements, or when the streets are very muddy. A lady only takes the arm of her husband, her affianced lover, or of her male relatives. In the country the custom is different. There, a gentleman, when walking with a lady, always gives her his arm; and is much offended when, on offering his arm, the lady refuses to take it. Still, if it is contrary to the custom of her place, she can explain it to him delicately, and ho will at once see the propriety of her declining.
When a lady is walking between two gentlemen, she should divide her conversation as equally as practicable, or address most of it to him who is most of a stranger to her. He, with whom she is least on ceremony, will excuse her.
A gentleman on escorting a lady to her own home, must not leave her till he has rung the bell, and waited till the servant has come and opened the door, and till she is actually in the house. Men who know no better, think it sufficient to walk with her to the foot of the steps and there take their departure, leaving her to get in as she can. This we have seen— but not often, and the offenders were not Americans.
If you stop a few minutes in the street to talk to an acquaintance, draw to one side of the pavement near the wall, so as not to impede the passengers—or you may turn and walk with her as far as the next corner. And never stop to talk in the middle of a crossing. To speak loudly in the street is exceedingly ungenteel, and foolish, as what you say will be heard by all who pass by. To call across the way to an acquaintance, is very unlady-like. It is best to hasten over, and speak to her, if you have any thing of importance to say.
When a stranger offers to assist you across a brimming gutter, or over a puddle, or a glair of slippery ice, do not hesitate, or decline, as if you thought he was taking an "unwarrantable liberty. He means nothing but civility. So accept it frankly, and thank him for it.
When you see persons slip down on the ice, do not laugh at them. There is no fun in being hurt, or in being mortified by a fall in the public street; and wo know not how a lady can see any thing diverting in so painful a circumstance. It is more feminine, on witnessing such a sight, to utter an involuntary scream •than a 6hout of laughter. And still more so, to stop and ascertain if the person that fell has been hurt.
If, on stopping an omnibus, you find that a dozen people are already seated in it, draw back, and refuse to add to the number; giving no heed to the assertion of the driver, that "there is plenty of room." The passengers will not say so, and you have no right to crowd them all, even if you are willing to be crowded yourself—a thing that is extremely uncomfortable, and very injurious to your dress, which may, in consequence, be so squeezed and rumpled as never to look well again. None of the omnibuses are large enough to accommodate even twelve grown people comfortably; and that number is the utmost the law permits. A child occupies more than half the space of a grown person, yet children are brought into omnibuses ad libitum. Ten grown persons are as many as can be really well seated in an omnibus—twelve are too many; and a lady will always regret making the thirteenth—and her want of consideration in doing so will cause her to be regarded with unfavourable eyes by the other passengers. It is better for her to go into a shop, and wait for the next omnibus, or even to walk home, unless it is actually raining.
Have your sixpence ready in your fingers a few minutes before you are to get out; and you may request any gentleman near you to hand it up to the driver. So many accidents have happened from the driver setting off before a lady was entirely out of the vehicle and safely landed in the street, that it is well to desire the gentleman not to hand up the sixpence till after you are fairly clear of the steps.
When expecting to ride in an omnibus, take care to have sufficient small change in your purse—that is, sixpences. "We have seen, when a quarter-dollar has been handed up, and the driver was handing down the change, that it has fallen, and been scattered among the straw. There was no stopping to search for it, and therefore the ride cost twenty-five cents instead of six: the driver, of course, finding the change himself, as soon as he got rid of all his passengers.
It is most imprudent to ride in an omnibus with much money in your purse. Pickpockets of genteel appearance are too frequently among the passengers. We know a gentleman who in this way lost a pocketbook containing eighty dollars; and various ladies have had their purses taken from them, by welldressed passengers. If you are obliged to have money of any consequence about you, keep your hand all the time in that pocket.
If the driver allows a drunken man to come into an omnibus, the ladies will find it best to get out; at least those whose seats are near his. It is, however, the duty of the gentlemen to insist on such fellows being refused admittance where there are ladies.
No lady should venture to ride in an omnibus after dark, unless she is escorted by a gentleman whom she knows. She had better walk home, even under the protection of a servant. If alone in an omnibus at night, she is liable to meet with improper company, and perhaps be insulted.

Letter Writing Part 2

In continuing with the theme of letter writing I'm posting


Ease in writing Letters must not degenerate to carelessness.
It ought, at the same time, to be remembered, that the ease and simplicity which I have recommended in epistolary correspondence, are not to be understood as importing entire carelessness. In writing to the most intimate friend, a certain degree of attention, both to the subject and the style, is requisite and becoming. It is no more than what we owe both to ourselves, and to the friend with whom we correspond. A slovenly and negligent manner ofwriting is a disobliging mark of want of respect. The liberty besides, of writing letters with too careless a hand, is apt to betray persons into imprudence in what they write. The first requisite, both in conversation and correspondence, is to attend to all the proper decorums which our own character, and that of others, demand. An imprudent expression in conversation may be forgotten and pass away; but when we take the pen into our hand, we must remember, that " Litera scripta manet." (What is written is permanent.)
Source: Elegant Extracts ©1842 pg. 386

NO ARGUMENT is necessary to show that a text-book on corre'' spondence is needed. The average student can solve difficult arithmetical problems, analyze 'Paradise Lost,' or read Greek, before he knows the requirements of an ordinary business letter. Much of the business done at the present day is by correspondence, and the only writing that many persons do is comprised in their letters. One's habits and abilities are judged by his letters,—and usually correctly. If he writes a well-arranged, neat, business-like letter, he is given credit for possessing like qualities in business. But if his letter is awkwardly worded, slovenly and carelessly written, we conclude he possesses similar traits of character. It is. important, therefore, that early training be given in neatness, correct forms, and established customs in writing letters.
. . .
A letter that is worth writing, is worth writing carefully. A slovenly letter is indicative of a slovenly man, and there is surely no compliment, but rather disrespect,. in sending such a letter to one's friends. Do not be afraid to write and re-write until a sentence is as nearly perfect as you can make it. From this practice you will acquire skill in composition. Prominent literary men and women do not allow their compositions to appear in print until they have been rewritten, corrected, and improved many times. Charles Darwin's manner of writing was, first, to make a rough copy, then have a fair copy made and corrected, then a new copy made, once more corrected, and sent to the printer; the printer's proofs were then corrected in pencil, reconsidered and written in ink; and then he was glad to have corrections and suggestions from others.
. . .
2. Social Letters are letters of sentiment; and embrace domestic or family letters, letters of affection, introduction, congratulation, condolence, advice, and all letters that are prompted by friendship or love.
3. Business Letters.—A business letter is a letter on public, private, or personal business. There are two classes of business letters. Apersonal business letter includes letters of merchants, bankers, manufacturers, and others in connection with their business, either as firms or individuals. An official letter is one written by or to a public officer on business pertaining to his office. This class embraces the letters of various officers of a city, state, or nation.
Source: Practical letter writing ©1897

Letter Writing

Today we text and we have cell phones, email, instant messaging, etc. Back in the 19th century letter writing was at the heart of almost all correspondence. Below is an example given by Arthur Martine in his little book "Martine's sensible letter-writer." ©1866 I stumbled across this little gem while searching ebay, believe it or not. Google books has the entire book available for download You might want to download a copy to get a sense of the language used during that time period. You won't find LOL or any of the other modern day short cuts but it is quite enjoyable to see how they choose their wording.


To a Friend, on being Married.
New York, Oct. 10th, 18—. My Dear Frank,—I believe there are certain stereotyped phrases in which it is customary to congratulate newly married folks ; but utterly discarding all rules and regulations in such cases made and provided, I wish you joy in the familiar words which our friendship warrants and my feelings suggest. If your married life is half as happy as I desire it to be, you will have good cause to be satisfied with your lot. Present my kind regards and compliments to your bride. Wishing you many happy returns of the anniversary of the wedding-day, I remain, Your attached friend,
Frederick Fielding.
To Francis Moore, Esq., Cincinnati, Ohio.
Reply to the Foregoing.
Broadway, Cincinnati, Oct . 15th, 18—. Dear Fred,—Lest you should think my happiness— which I can assure you is complete—has made me forgetful of a valued friend, I take the earliest possible opportunity of thanking you for the good wishes you tender to myself and my dear Lucy. I think they will be realized as far as mutual affection can realize them. To say the truth, I am so delighted with my condition as a Benedict that I feel inclined to say to every bachelor and widower, "Go and do likewise." Yours truly,
Frank Moore.

Character & Manners

One of the ways Character and Manners were taught in the 19th century was through the use of stories. The paragraphs below come from Pencil Sketches: or outlines of character and manners © 1835 by Eliza Leslie

JOHN W. ROBERTSON
A TALE OF A CENT.
Some there be that shadows kiss.—Shakespeare.
Selina Mansel was only sixteen when she took charge of her father's house and entered on the arduous task of doing as she pleased: provided always that she duly attended to his chief injunction, never to allow herself to incur a debt, however trifling, and to purchase nothing that she could not pay for on the spot. To the observance of this rule, which he had laid down for himself in early life, Mr. Mansel attributed all his success in business, and his ability to retire at the age of fifty with a handsome competence.
Since the death of his wife, Mr. Mansel's sister had presided over his family, and had taken much interest in instructing Selina in what she justly termed the most useful part of a woman's education, Such was Miss Eleanor Mansel's devotion to her brother and his daughter, that she had hesitated for twelve years about returning an intelligible answer to the love-letters which she received quarterly from Mr. Waitstill Wonderly, a gentleman whose dwelling-place was in the far, far east. Every two years this paragon of patience came in person: his home being at a distance of several hundred miles, and his habits by no means so itinerant as those of the generality of his countrymen.

On his sixth avatar, Miss Mansel consented to reward with her hand the constancy of her inamorato; as Selina had, within the last twelvemonth, made up two pieces of linen for her father, prepared the annual quantity of pickles and preserves, and superintended two house-cleanings, all herself—thus giving proof positive that she was fully competent to succeed her aunt Eleanor as mistress of the establishment.
Selina Mansel was a very good and a very pretty girl. Though living in a large and flourishing provincial town, which we shall denominate Somerford, she had been brought up in comparative retirement, and had scarcely yet begun to go into company, as it is called. Her understanding was naturally excellent; but she was timid, sensitive, easily disconcerted, and likely to appear to considerable disadvantage in any situation that was the least embarrassing.
You can read the rest of the story at Google books.

Preparing Writing Quills

For those of you who are writers you might find this tidbit of interest. This information comes from The New Family Receipt Book: Containing Seven Hundred truly Valuable Receipts ©1810. This book sold for seven shillings and Sixpence when it first came out in London.

Dutch Method of preparing Goose Quills for Writing.
The process consists in immersing the quill, when plucked from the wing of the bird, into water almost boiling; to leave it there till it becomes sufficiently soft to compress it, turning it on its axis with the back of the blade of the knife. This kind of friction, as well as the immersions in water, being continued till the barrel of the quill be transparent, and the membrane, as well as the greasy kind of covering, be entirely removed, it is immersed a last time to render it perfectly cylindrical, which is performed with the index finger and the rhumb; it is then dried in a gentle temperature.

The Bronx Zoo

On Nov. 8, 1899 the Bronx Zoo opened as the New York Zoological Park. In 1899 there were 261 acres. New York purchased the property for a mere thousand dollars from Fordham University with the condition that the area be used for parks and no further building (for private homes, businesses, etc) of the area.

Google Books has a copy of the second addition of the Popular official guide to the New York Zoological Park ©1900 the following year of the Parks opening. Below is the preface. Here is a link to the entire guide book.


PREFACE.
The opening of the Zoological Park marks another great step toward the education of the people of the City of New York. It will bring the beauties and wonders of living Nature within reach of hundreds and thousands who are unable to travel. Like its predecessors in this field of popular education, the Park is maintained by the City, while its collections of animals and all of its present buildings are due to the generosity of citizens of New York. "We look to the continued and increasing support of all classes of people for whose education and amusement the Park is designed, rather than for the exclusive interests of science.
Although the Park is only one-third of the way toward completion, the Zoological Society believes that visitors will welcome a popular and reliable guide to what has already been accomplished. One year ago we began active work, and after two years of planning and organization ceased to speak publicly of our plans for the future. This handbook describes and pictures only what has actually been accomplished up to the day of going to press.
We bespeak for the Director and his colleagues on the Zoological Park staff, as well as for the Architects, indulgence for such shortcomings as are inseparable from such a difficult undertaking as this, during its first year. As rapidly as possible the incomplete parts of the Park will be taken in hand and brought to a finish. It has been no trifling matter to provide plans and surveys, building materials and workmen for our twenty-two installations, proceeding simultaneously with the construction by the City of miles of walks, roads, sewers and water-lines ; to finish-Bonds and entrances, trim the forests, establish a nursery, grade and plant miles of walk - borders, and build retaining walls ; to select a staff of assistants, collect animals, write labels, disburse $170,000 in small sums, without loss or dispute, and finally, during the last few weeks to improve Lake Agassiz sufficiently to make it a full and wholesome body of water.
That all the above has actually been accomplished in one year's time, without costly mistakes, or losses on account of changes in plans, and with no friction whatever, is certainly a cause for congratulation. We have enjoyed the constant and capable co-operation of the Park Department for the Borough of the Bronx and its engineers, as well as the generous support of the Mayor and other City authorities.
Executive Committee
Of The Zoological Society

1859 Menu for an Elegant Dinner

I stumbled on this menu from The Peterson Magazine Vol. 35-36, ©1859. It was a ladies magazine of all the latest outfits and social graces of that time period. Below is an elaborate menu for an important affair.


BILL OF FARE
FOR A LARGE AND ELEGANTLY APPOINTED DINNER.
Upon the table should be placed a soup, and large sized dinner-plate for each guest, together with knife and fork, napkin, (handsomely folded.) a wine, champaign, hock, and finger-^lass, and a goblet for water. A pyramid of flowers should occupy the centre of the table. Extra plates, glasses, dishes of ice, broken in pieces, Ac, Ac, should be placed upon a side-table, reudy for use. The courses are to be served in order.
First Course.
Green Turtle Soup. 
Sherry. Madeira. 

Second Course.
Salmon, boiled. Holland Sauce. New Potatoes.
Haut Sauterne Chateau T.

Third Course.
Sweetbreads.—Fillet of Beef with Mushrooms.
Lamb Cutlets. Green Peas. Tomatoes.
Mashed Potatoes.
Ltebfrauinilch.

Fourth Course,
Soft Shell Crab*. Turtle Steak with Olives. Woed-cock.
Fried Potatoes. Roast Potatoes.
Moet.—Fleur de Sillery.

Patisserie.
Meruigues, with Cream. Wafers. Macaroons. Vanilla Ice Cream.
Harliquin Ice Cream. Strawberries and Cream.
Strawberries with Wine and Sugar. Cream Cakes.
Biscuit Glace. Roman Punch. Charlotte Russe.
Old Burgundy. Port.

Dessert.
Oranges. Bananas. Pine Apple. Cherries
Almonds. Raisins. English Walnuts.

Strong Coffee.
Old Nectar Cognac. Maraschino.
Annisette. Curacao