A selection by Emma Butler-Way
We have a bumper issue of ‘On This Day’ today! If you want to know what Queen Victoria was up to, or if the periodicals have any advice for sweethearts look no further! Looking for some work repairing sewers in the South East of England? We have just the thing for you.
How about some fiction? Allow us to introduce you to the angry Sir John Gale, currently convalescing in the pages of All The Year Round.
If you yourself are feeling a little under the weather – fear not, we have a couple of genuine, guaranteed to work a charm, remedies lined up for you, as well as a selection of musical offerings to choose from…
28th August
1838
The Marquis of Normanby and Viscount Melbourne had audiences. Her Majesty rode out on horseback during the afternoon, accompanied by their Serene Highnesses the Duke Ferdinand, Princes Augustus and Leopold of Saxe Coburg, Count A. Mensdorm, and a numerous suite.
(Source: The Queen’s Gazette: Court and lady’s magazine, monthly critic and museum, 17(September), p. 336)
1847
The London Journal offers the following advice in its ‘Miscellaneous’ section:
Quietness.—The more quiet and peaceably we get on, the better—the better for ourselves, the better for our neighbours. In nine cases out of ten, the wisest course is, if a man cheat you, to quite dealing with him; if he be abusive, quit his company; if he slander you, take care to live so that nobody will believe him.
(Source: The London Journal, and weekly record of literature, science, and art, 5.131, p. 115)
1868
If you were to pick up the day’s issue of All the Year Round, then chances are your sensibilities might have been assaulted by the following opening of ‘Chapter VIII. Convalescent.’ of Book 1 of Veronica, by the author of “Aunt Margaret’s Trouble”, which featured on the first page:
“Paul!” cried a harsh, querulous voice from behind the curtains of the bed in the guest-chamber at Shipley vicarage. “Paul! Where the devil—”
Then followed a strong of oaths in English, French, and Italian; not pretty rose-water expletives, such as are occasionally attributed to the pages of fashionable novels to irresistible younr guardsmen and such-like darlings of the world. There was no odour of rose-water about these oaths. They were vile, fierce, blasphemous phrases, borrowed from the vocabulary of the ignorant and degraded.
Sir John Gale was the speaker. Sir John Gale was impatient and angry. When that was the case, Sir John Gale was apt to express himself in the strongest, coarsest, most ferocious language with which his tongue was acquainted.
Well, aren’t we all a little tetchy when confined to bed to convalesce from an illness?
(Source: All the Year Round, 2.39, p. 289)
All The Year Round also carried the following advertisement for MRS WINSLOW’S SOOTHING SYRUP, which appears to be a bona fide miracle cure that tackles both teething and dysentery:
Advice to Mothers.—Are you broken of your rest by a sick child, suffering with the pain of cutting teeth? Go at once to a chemist, and get a bottle of Mrs Winslow’s Soothing Syrup. It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately; it is perfectly harmless: it produces natural quiet sleep, by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub awakes “as bright as a button.” It has been long in use in America, and is highly recommended by medical men; it is very pleasant to take; it soothes the child; it softens the gums, allays all pain, relieves wind, regulates the bowels, and is the best known remedy for dysentery and diarrhoea, whether arising from teething or other causes. Be sure and ask for Mrs Winslow’s Soothing Syrup, and see that “Curtis and Perkins, New York and London,” is on the outside wrapper. No mother should be without it.
Sold by all medicine dealers at 1s. 1 ½ d. per Bottle. London Depot, 205, High Holborn.
(Source: All the Year Round, 2.39, p. 313)
1882
Contracts open: Sewerage and paving works.
Eastbourne – For restoring iron pipe outfall sewer, repairing existing main sewer and ventilating the same, and extending existing pipe drains. Mr. G. A. Wallis, M.Inst.C.E., No. 14, Seaside Road, Eastbourne.
(Source: The British Architect, 18.7, p. 379)
1886
The ‘Advertisement’ pages of The Academy (iss. 747) offers some delightful(ly scathing, at times) notes on recent musical publications, a selection of which are featured in full below for the enjoyment of our readers:
Sight-reading Studies for the Pianoforte. By J. Clarkson. (Heywood.) These are rather curious studies. They are written on three staves, bass above treble, and vice-versa. The C clef is also introduced in some. They should certainly help to make good readers, but we fear they are somewhat too elaborate.
A Fancy (song), by R. E. Lyon (Novello), is not remarkable either for its melody or its accompaniment. The composer shows a hand by no means practised.
My true love hath my Heart. By C. H. H. Parry. (Stanley Lucas.) A short but tuneful and graceful song, with an effective accompaniment.
Other Days (song), by E. Fletcher-Bennett (Stanley Lucas), contains one or two nice little phrases; but there is, throughout, an uncomfortable straining after originality.
(Source: The Academy, 747, p. 144)
A bit of investigative work led me to find the piece by C. H. H. Parry (and fall down a delightful rabbit hole looking at his other work…). For voice and piano, it is a setting of Sir Philip Sidney’s poem:
Source: IMSLP
1886
The London Reader offered the following advice in ‘DONTS FOR SWEETHEARTS’ [sic.]
Don’t flirt. If you have already won the love of a good young man or woman, you ought not to risk losing it by flirtation with others, no matter how slight. While you sweetheart may have full confidence in your love, it is hardly likely his or her dignity will allow flirting.
And, don’t forget that Dr J. Collis Browne’s CHLORODYNE according to the General Board of Health in London ‘acts as a CHARM’ (with one does usually sufficient), against:
- Coughs
- Colds
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Pain of every kind
- Epilepsy
- Spasms
- Colic
- Palpitation
- Hysteria
But, we are nonetheless offered the following ‘IMPORTANT CAUTION’:
The IMMENSE SALE of this REMEDY has given rise to many UNSCRUPULOUS IMITATIONS. Be careful to observe the TRADE MARK.
(Source: The London Reader: of literature, science, art and general information, 69.1791, p. 480)
Do you have a day that you wish to explore? Was a shocking plot twist revealed on a particular day? Drop us a line at vpfamedia@gmail.com, with the subject ‘Blog: On This Day’, to pitch an idea and, pending approval, we’ll get it up on the website on the day in question (or as close to)! We’re after the arbitrary, the bizarre, and the intriguing – the gossip, the advice columns, and, of course, the popular fiction!