(no subject)

[rivka]

This icon is a picture of the pendant Michael gave me for my birthday. The flaming chalice, for those of you who don't know, is the religious symbol of Unitarian-Universalism. In the picture, the outer oval looks dark - but it's all the same sterling silver, of a sturdy and substantial thickness.

My mother's birthday present to me (maternity clothes, I'm pretty sure) appears to be lost in the mail. So my only other gift so far was a book, from my sister: What Jane Austen ate and Charles Dickens knew: From fox hunting to whist - the facts of daily life in nineteenth-century England. It's a fun book - a little superficial in its coverage, perhaps, but entertaining. Short sections cover details of, for example, plumbing, the monetary system, how rooms were arranged in London townhouses, the duties and status of different kinds of servants, and inheritance law. Both historical and literary examples are given in most sections. Then there's a lengthy and detailed glossary in the back.

I knew, or had deduced, a lot of these things already, but I'm still finding the book quite enjoyable. And finally, after a lifetime of reading 19th century novels (beginning with my mother's old children's books), I now know what a "bathing machine" is. I am satisfied.

Comments

Re: Until I get my own copy . .

[ororo.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's so wild. I can see the rationale for it, though. Since one is only seen in one's bathing gear while bathing, it isn't immodest, no. But walking from the beach would be showing it off.

The Victorians especially amuse, amaze and astound me.