Today we feature a delightful "unboxing video" from the Antique Menswear YouTube channel.
The channel has a ton of interesting information well worth checking out.
Enjoy
The Victorian Society of Alberta
Friday 26 April 2024
April Fashion Friday
Saturday 13 April 2024
Spring and a young man's thoughts turn to...
ROAD TRIPS!
Courtesy of The History Wrangler on FB
Greetings,
here’s a little Alberta history for you! The first car in Alberta, also
known as the ‘Horseless Carriage’ was purchased in August 1903 by Billy
Cochrane, a British cattle rancher. Three years later, in 1906, he and
Mr White made the first Calgary to Edmonton trip when there was a total
of 41 licences cars in the province. Cheers! 
Friday 22 March 2024
March Fashion Friday
This month we have an interesting book found at the Internet Archive.
by De Valcourt, Robert
Publication date 1866
"If a woman fancies that she looks better or
feels better in men's clothes, there is no reason
why she may not indulge in so harmless a fancy. It
is done freely and frequently on the continent of
Europe. The author of Consuelo, for years, wore
a masculine dress in the streets and cafes of Paris,
whenever she chose to do so. Miss Weber, an ex-
cellent and highly accomplished woman, in Belgium,
in all societies wears no other. Some American
ladies of late have done the same, in defiance of the
laws. We do not see that any moral or proper
legal question is involved in this ; or, if the dress is
neat and becoming, convenient to the wearer, and
pleasant to others, that it is a breach of good man-
ners. It is a simple question of good and evil. If
the amount of happiness, immediate or ultimate, is
increased by any costume, it is right to wear it."
INTRODUCTION,
The Publishers of the "Illustrated
Book of Manners " have much satis-
faction in offering the following pages
to the public inspection.
They ask more than a cursory
glance at head lines and engravings;
for it is a work of a higher use and greater importance
than any one would be likely to suspect, from a slight
and superficial examination.
It treats of a subject of universal interest and utility.
Every man, woman and child, ought to know how to
dress, act, converse and respond to the varied demands
of our social relations, in the best possible manner. Our
whole life and society needs re-forming, educating, re-
fining, and polishing, to bring out its highest use and
beauty.
Life is made up of little things; little acts, little
courtesies, little enjoyments. He who has most of these,
gives most pleasure to others, and secures most happiness
to himself.
Do not say, these things are trifles, and of no import-
ance. It is worth every man's study and effort to be a
gentleman; and every woman should try to be a lady,
particularly in a country where public gallantry accords
to every one that designation. The many things which
combine to form the manners and guide the deportment
of the lady and gentleman, greatly increase the sum of
human happiness.
The author of this work has earnestly endeavored to
make it a great public teacher, and reformer, in all the
outward decencies, proprieties, graces, and accomplish-
ments, which fit men and women for the enjoyment of
social life; and as society is a natural want of humanity,
and the source of all his most exquisite pleasures, sure-
ly it is right that he should carefully avoid every thing
that will interfere with social happiness, and eagerly
cultivate every talent and accomplishment, that will
enhance its pleasures.
The illustrations have been selected from the works of
various artists; and are intended to contrast grac*e and
elegance, with awkwardness and deformity. In many
cases, the advice of the text is enforced by a picture in
ludicrous contrast; and the intention of the engravings
can only be understood by the careful reader. It would
have been easy to fill a book with beautiful designs, but
these would not have taught the lessons of life, which
it was our intention to impress vividly on the mind of
the reader.
This book is intended to be read, and even carefully
studied, in course, from the first chapter to the last.
Some chapters may be more worthful than others, but
each one contains its Life Lesson, and all combine in one
harmonious whole, in their influence upon the character
and actions. The author has endeavored, everywhere,
" To make the useful pleasant, and the pleasant useful."
The Publishers of the "Illustrated
Book of Manners " have much satis-
faction in offering the following pages
to the public inspection.
They ask more than a cursory
glance at head lines and engravings;
for it is a work of a higher use and greater importance
than any one would be likely to suspect, from a slight
and superficial examination.
It treats of a subject of universal interest and utility.
Every man, woman and child, ought to know how to
dress, act, converse and respond to the varied demands
of our social relations, in the best possible manner. Our
whole life and society needs re-forming, educating, re-
fining, and polishing, to bring out its highest use and
beauty.
Life is made up of little things; little acts, little
courtesies, little enjoyments. He who has most of these,
gives most pleasure to others, and secures most happiness
to himself.
Do not say, these things are trifles, and of no import-
ance. It is worth every man's study and effort to be a
gentleman; and every woman should try to be a lady,
particularly in a country where public gallantry accords
to every one that designation. The many things which
combine to form the manners and guide the deportment
of the lady and gentleman, greatly increase the sum of
human happiness.
The author of this work has earnestly endeavored to
make it a great public teacher, and reformer, in all the
outward decencies, proprieties, graces, and accomplish-
ments, which fit men and women for the enjoyment of
social life; and as society is a natural want of humanity,
and the source of all his most exquisite pleasures, sure-
ly it is right that he should carefully avoid every thing
that will interfere with social happiness, and eagerly
cultivate every talent and accomplishment, that will
enhance its pleasures.
The illustrations have been selected from the works of
various artists; and are intended to contrast grac*e and
elegance, with awkwardness and deformity. In many
cases, the advice of the text is enforced by a picture in
ludicrous contrast; and the intention of the engravings
can only be understood by the careful reader. It would
have been easy to fill a book with beautiful designs, but
these would not have taught the lessons of life, which
it was our intention to impress vividly on the mind of
the reader.
This book is intended to be read, and even carefully
studied, in course, from the first chapter to the last.
Some chapters may be more worthful than others, but
each one contains its Life Lesson, and all combine in one
harmonious whole, in their influence upon the character
and actions. The author has endeavored, everywhere,
" To make the useful pleasant, and the pleasant useful."
Tuesday 5 March 2024
March Book Tuesday
This month we highlight a fascinating look into Victorian history through a collection of fabric samples kept by a Victorian Lady.
H/T Penny Young on the Victorian/Edwardian Aficionados group on Facebook.
Enjoy.
The Victorian Society of Alberta
Friday 23 February 2024
February Fashion Friday
This month we have some good fashion tips from the Moose Jaw Times of 1897.
Found at the Time Travellers Rabbit Hole on FB which is definitely worth checking out!
Oh and beware that "French effect" <shudder>.
Enjoy
The Victorian Society of Alberta
Thursday 22 February 2024
Book Review and Recipe Test Feb 2024
Here is another fine book review and recipe test from VSA member Marian Gibbard.
Tasty Precious!
Enjoy
The Victorian Society of Alberta
Book Review with Bonus Recipe Test
Title: How to Cook the Victorian Way with Mrs Crocombe
by Annie Gray and Andrew Hamm
Published: 2020
This is the companion book to the English Heritage YouTube series, The Victorian Way, and invites you further into Mrs Crocombe’s kitchen, exploring the culinary story of the real Avis Crocombe, head cook at Audley End in the 1880’s. This is not just a collection of recipes and beautifully photographed food - it also presents the story of how Mrs Crocombe’s original kitchen notebook was rediscovered and returned to Audley End, some history of the site and fascinating social and practical information about the dishes and the ingredients used to prepare them.
The majority of the recipes presented are slightly modernised versions of recipes found in Mrs Crocombe’s notebook, with the addition of some additional period recipes that she would almost certainly also have prepared. All of the recipes include both mass (grams and ounces) and volume (cups) measurements, making it much easier for international audiences. Some of the recipes are repeats of those presented in the YouTube series, with minor variations and more detail in the cooking and preparation instructions.
The full text of Mrs Crocombe’s manuscript is transcribed as the final chapter of the book.
This is an excellent book - engaging, informative, lovely photography, and well presented recipes. I would recommend both the book and the YouTube series for anyone interested in Victorian country house cooking and culture.
Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.ca/How-Cook-Victorian-Way-Crocombe/dp/1910907421
Recipe Trial:
For this review, I tried the ‘Swiss Baskets’ recipe (page 103 in the book, 25 December 2020 episode of the YouTube series). The recipe is quite straightforward - basically miniature pound cakes made with lemon zest which are then garnished in an interesting manner.
I then placed the cakes on individual serving plates and set them aside until just before serving time when the centres were filled with lightly sweetened whipped cream and garnished with a well drained maraschino cherry.
The end result was a delicious and attractive dessert that we agreed would be well suited to a special occasion dinner or tea time. The preparation effort and time requirements were not onerous, and much of it could be done in advance. Next time, I would make smaller individual servings, or plan for the cakes to be shared - while not excessively rich, 1/6 of the recipe is still a large serving and could easily have been divided between two or more people.
In terms of taste and texture, these are most like a dense, old-fashioned lemon pound cake. The jelly adds a slight tartness and flavour burst, while chopped pistachios provide additional texture, colour and a sweet nutty flavour. I think any slightly tart jelly could be used - apricot will likely be the next one I try. The suggestion of using lemon curd to replace the whipped cream also generated much interest.
Overall, I think this is a crowd pleasing taste and presentation, easily modified to suit individual preferences or ingredients on hand, and one that has an excellent effort to wow-factor ratio. Definitely something that I will make again.
Resources
Mrs Crocombe's playlist on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx2QMoA1Th9deXXbo7htq21CUPqEPPGuc
Learn more about Audley End:
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/audley-end-house-and-gardens/history-and-stories/
English Heritage’s Victorian England main page:
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/victorian/
English Heritage’s Victorian recipe page:
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/victorian-recipes/
Thursday 1 February 2024
February Book Tuesday er Thursday
With Valentines Day quickly approaching this month's Book Tuesday (oops actually Thursday) has a special treat from 1900.
This marvellous collection of etiquette tips, poems, suggestions, manners, etc is a must have for anyone launching on the adventure of getting hitched, or not.
Available at the Internet Archive as a PDF file.
Enjoy!
The Victorian Society of Alberta
The modern art of making love
A complete manual of etiquette, love, courtship and matrimony
by James S. Wilson 1900
The desire to be married,— a desire from which we cannot rid ourselves, but nearly always follow, is so strongly imbued with our natural instincts, that we can surely doubt whether any man or woman on reaching maturity has ever been exempt from the feeling.
You will find it a strong characteristic which is held sacrea, and solemnized in the most serious manner by many of the wild and savage tribes of Africa. A great many of the different tribes of Indians within our own borders hold the rites of marriage more sacred and celebrate them more solemnly than do some of our civilized brethren.
Of all the institutions of the world, matrimony is the most important. On it the human race depends for perpetuation. It alone stands to-day with the least changes, from the beginning of time. Good marriages, happy marriages, ideal marriages will always be made. Indifferent marriages, unhappy marriages, bad marriages will always be made. But, by exercise of common sense, and even the discretion which we show in trivial matters, the latter kind of marriages need never exist.
If the advice given in "Selecting a Husband," and "Selecting a Wife:'* to be found in this little book, is closely followed there never need be unhappy marriages through fault of not understanding each other's charaters and tempers.
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