Category: History

Washington Memorialized

On By kittycalashIn History, Museums1 Comment
An Indian Mourning Washington, Chinese School ca. 1799. American Museum in Britain, 58.124

Today marks the 214th anniversary of the death of George Washington, memorialized here in a Chinese reverse-on-glass painting. I suspect that the figure of the Indian personifies the North American continent rather than the actual tribes, given Washington’s role in the French and Indian war, but that’s only a guess.

Lucy Child, 1800. RIHS Museum Collection, 1922.4.1

Washington was memorialized in Rhode Island as he was everywhere else, with eulogies and speeches, and letter of condolence to his widow, who wrote back to four young ladies of Providence, enclosing a lock of hair.

Memorial samplers and embroidered pictures were popular projects for girls and young women in 1799, and the RIHS Collection holds a [sadly worn] tribute to Washington.

Fortunately, the National Society of Colonial Dames of America holds a sampler with the same text, made in 1803.

Columbia’s fair daughters forever shall / mourn While genius stands weeping at / Washington’s Urn. Let hope still support / you Fair daughters arise. In faith that your / Washington’s soard to the skies. Where / still as your guardian he’ll ever preside. / To virtue and goodness the Polestar and / guide.

They just don’t write poetry quite like that anymore.

“Unsuspected Cat”

On By kittycalashIn Clothing, History, Museums4 Comments

Squatting plump on an unsuspected cat in your chair!! George Cruikshank [1800]. Lewis Walpole Library, Image ID lwlpr09721 Call Number 800.00.00.176+

The Lewis Walpole Library provides endless amusement, and searching by subject yields some fun. People have had curious relationships with domestic pets for a centuries, and thank goodness cats invented the interwebs so we could get real perspective on this.

Quite aside from the minor domestic comedy of this engraving (I dislike the dark of winter and take my fun where I can), we can learn a lot. The domestic comedy itself helps remind us that while the people of the past saw the world differently, they were as foolish, bawdy and rude (or more so) than we are.

From a material culture perspective, we have (among many things):

  • a geometrically-patterned floor covering, probably a carpet but possibly painted.
  • floor-length curtains
  • looking glasses, paired
  • a slip-covered easy chair, matching the curtains and the cat’s cushion
  • two candles (only two!)
  • glasses with the characteristic straight temple pieces that end in loops
  • a colored open robe over a white muslin petticoat
  • a young gentleman in trousers, an old gentleman in breeches

I can imagine this depicting Emma and Mr Knightley (after their marriage) at home after dinner with her father and their young son: Mr Woodhouse in his nightcap and banyan, reading; Mr Knightley upset by the cat, while the Spaniel barks at the excitement.  All in all, highly satisfying.

A Good Day for a Greatcoat

On By kittycalashIn Clothing, History7 Comments
A greatcoat or driving coat from 1812
A greatcoat or driving coat from 1812

It is lashing rain on the windows chez Calash, and soon enough the present-day chariot known as the Subaru will commence hauling Mr S to the train station and the Young Mr to school. Bikes and buses are unpleasant in the rain, though the Young Mr is always (and only) driven to school on Wednesdays due to a peculiar busing and schedule arrangement.

But what if they lacked this luxury, and had to venture out? The way it sounds out there, the smartest choice would be to stay at home by the fire, but someone  has to fetch the wood and the water, and someone has to milk the cow and fetch the fool cat in.

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Greatcoat, Chester County Historical Society. from Fitting and Proper, by Sharon Burnston. Scurlock Publishing, 1999.

If you could afford one, you’d wear your greatcoat (new or second-hand).

Made of broadcloth, this would be your non-flammable water-resistant choice for inclement weather. Woven and then milled, the fabric would be dense enough to resist water and hold a cut edge, which makes those capes a more winning proposition.

Over a slim-cut body, layered capes can emphasize and exaggerate shoulder width, making these utilitarian garments sexier than you’d expect. (Of course, I have a thing for guys dressed like this, so your mileage may vary. But by the Civil War, the lines are boxy and, well, yawn.)

Greatcoats aren’t even remotely on my list for this year, but someday I’d like to make one, if only to borrow it. Baby, it’s cold outside.