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

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!
Anti-magnetic properties of the onion
The magnetic power of a compass needle, will be entirely discharged or changed by being touched with the juice of an onion.

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!
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!
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!
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!

Cook books we like to use

Cook books we like to use

Don’t be put off by these books being old – many of them are still available in modern editions, if you want to look at them further.

Eliza Acton Modern Cookery for Private Families 1845

Anon Handwritten recipe notebook from Radnorshire (probably Rhayader), early Victorian, held in the Powys County Archives

Mrs Beeton The Book of Household Management 1859-61

Mistress Margaret Dods Cook and Housewife’s Manual 1829

John Farley, The London Art of Cookery, 1783

Augusta Farwell Handwritten recipe notebook 1852

Charles Elmé Francatelli The Cook’s Guide and Housekeeper’s & Butler’s Assistant 1884

Hannah Glasse, First Catch your Hare: The Art of Cookery Made Plain & Easy 1747

Henrietta A Hervey Anglo Indian Cookery at Home: A Short Treatise for Returned Exiles by the wife of a retired Indian Officer 1895

Georgina Hill How to Cook Eggs in 100 Different Ways 1866

Colonel Kenney-Herbert, also known as Wyvern Culinary Jottings for Madras 1881

Dr William Kitchener The Cooks Oracle, 1807

C C Kohloff Indian Cookery and Domestic Recipes, 1906

Mrs A B Marshall The Book of Ices 1885

Elizabeth Raffald The Experiences English Housekeeper, 1786

Eliza Smith The Compleat Housewife, 1758

William Verrall’s Cookery Book, 1759

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