Quote from Forum Archives on May 11, 2001, 2:40 pm

Posted by: homenews <homenews@...>

Dear Hope Chest friends,

I thought you might like to see this Victorian Visits newsletter by Judi
Brandow, since it meshes so nicely with the Hope Chest theme this month!
Subscriptions are free. Click on the web link for more information.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*

Visits With a Victorian LadyTM
MAY 2001 "Heirloom Quotation of the Month" Online Newsletter
website: www.victorianvisits.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*
Featuring Heirloom Quotations, Book Reviews, Useful Information,
Victorian Trivia and MORE!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*

"Who is queen of baby land?
Mother kind and sweet,
And her love, born above,
Guides the little feet."

**WELCOME!**

Warm greetings from my home to yours. One of my favorite quotes contained
in
one of the vintage books in my collection is: "It has been said that the
sweetest words in our language are 'Mother and Home;' and one might
almost
say the word home included them both; for who can think of home without
remembering the gentle mother who sanctified it by her presence?"

What comes to mind when you hear the word "mother?" In the Victorian era,
motherhood was celebrated and elevated, as the little poem above
indicates.
In this month's online newsletter we will visit the pages of the past and
discover its tributes paid to the mothers of yesteryear. I trust you will
find the contents inspiring and enlightening for today as well. So, pour
yourself that nice cup of tea you are longing for, and sit and savor the
slow with me as you read.

Cordially,
Judi Brandow
a.k.a.
"Abigail Bradshaw"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*

**VINTAGE POEM**

"There was a place in childhood, that I remember
well,
And there a voice of sweetest tone, bright fairy tales
did tell,
And gentle words, and fond embrace, were given with
joy to me,
When I was in that happy place upon my mother's knee.

When fairy tales were ended, 'good-night,' she softly
said,
And kissed and laid me down to sleep upon my tiny bed,
And holy words she taught me there; methinks I yet
can see
Her angel eyes, as close I knelt beside my mother's knee.

In the sickness of my childhood, the perils of my prime,
The sorrows of my riper years, the cares of every time,
When doubt and danger weigh me down, then pleading
all for me,
It was a fervent prayer to Heaven that bent my mother's
knee."
by S. Lover (from the book, The Mother's
Legacy, 1908)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*
**VICTORIAN TRIVIA**

This month we visit the story of the creation of the beloved song, "Home,
Sweet Home," composed by John Howard Payne.
John Howard Payne was born in New York City, June 9, 1792. Payne's
mother
died when he was only thirteen, and it is said that thereafter, the
author
of the world's "home song" never knew what it meant to have a home of his
own.
At the age of thirteen he became a clerk in a mercantile house. At
seventeen he went on the stage and achieved great success, particularly
in
the large eastern cities. He was twenty-one when he made an appearance on
the stage in the Drury Lane Theatre, London. Although he lived abroad for
twenty years and wrote several successful dramas, among them, "Clari, the
Maid of Milan," it is noted that he was often poor and struggling.
At the suggestion of the manager of the Covent Garden Theatre, the play,
"Clari, the Maid of Milan," was changed into an opera and the words of
"Home, Sweet Home," were introduced into it. The song was a great success
and made money for all those involved, *except* its author. John Howard
Payne did not even receive the twenty-five pounds which was his share of
the
proceeds from the sale of the manuscript.
The 1884 book, "Our Home" provides a glimpse into the impact the song
has
had on the world:
"The powerful influence which the home sentiment exerts over the minds
of
men and women was shown in a striking manner a few years ago at Castle
Garden, New York. Some ten thousand people had gathered there to listen
to
that sweet-voiced singer, Jenny Lind. She began with the sublime
compositions of the great masters of song. Her audience applauded her
with a
respectful degree of appreciation. But at length, with sweetness
ineffable,
born of the holy parentage of genius and passion, she poured forth that
immortal song, "Home, Sweet Home." At once the irrepressible contagion of
sympathy spread through that vast audience. Peal on peal of thunderous
applause resounded, until the song was stopped by the very ecstasy of
those
who listened; and when the soft refrain was heard again, that mass of
humanity was melted into tears; the great masters were all forgotten,
while
ten thousand human hearts knelt at the shrine of a poor and obscure
outcast.
Why was this? Was John Howard Payne a greater genius than they? Must
these
mighty names yield their places to one whom the world has forgotten? No;
it
was simply because when sorrow laid his iron hand on the heart of John
Howard Payne, in his cruel grasp he chanced to strike that chord which
vibrates to a lighter touch than any in the human heart save that alone
swept by the master's hand."

** "Home, Sweet Home" is just one of sixteen favorite fireside songs
featured on the new "Visits With a Victorian Lady" music CD, "Musical
Reflections of Hearth and Home," now available for sale under the
"Vintage
Music" section on the website at:
www.victorianvisits.com/html/memorabilia.htm. Order yours today
for
only $14.95 plus shipping.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*
**BOOK REVIEW OF THE MONTH**

With our theme on "Motherhood" this month, what could be more appropriate
than a review of author/illustrator Mary Engelbreit's new book, "Mother
O'
Mine." Mary's art is always such a delight, and this little gift book is
no
exception. It is a treasure for gift giving on Mother's Day, or any day
you
want to pay deserving tribute to a mother or mother-to-be! From the
gilded
edges and ribbon marker to the wonderful excerpts from both classic and
contemporary authors, it is a book any mother would love to receive. Oh,
and
last, but not least, it reveals the true story of "Ann Estelle," Mary's
beloved paper doll creation. You won't want to miss it!
**DISCOUNT PRICE: $23.96 at "Abigail's Bookstore" --
www.victorianvisits.com/html/bookstore.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*
**VINTAGE QUOTE OF THE MONTH**

This month's Vintage Quote is by Mary Howitt as recorded in "The Mother's
Legacy" (1908), an anthology of quotes and poetry on motherhood and home
from the 19th century.
"God sends us children for another purpose than merely to keep up the
race:
to enlarge our hearts; to make us unselfish, and full of kindly
sympathies
and affections; to give our souls higher aims, and to call out all our
faculties to extend enterprise and exertion; to bring round our firesides
bright faces, and happy smiles, and loving, tender hearts."

For other enlightening quotes on motherhood from the 19th century, be
sure
to check out the Vintage Pages section on the Visits With a Victorian
LadyTM
website: www.victorianvisits.com/html/vintage.htm

This month in Vintage Pages on the website:
~The "Vintage Quote" is "A Tribute to Mother"~
~We read "Vintage Advice" to mothers on the need to "spare themselves"~
~Discover the value of day-dreaming in "Vintage Pastimes"~
~The "Vintage Poem" is on a mother's love~
~The month's "Vintage Recipes" are selections for a breakfast (in bed?)
fit
for "Queen of Home"~
~"The American Countess" -- our "Vintage Serialized Story" -- continues~

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*

The Visits With a Victorian LadyTM website has stalled at 20th place in
ranking in the "Inner Dreams Top 30 Sites." Your vote again this month
would
be much appreciated to see it move up again. When you visit the home page
at
www.victorianvisits.com, just click on the "Inner Dreams" bar at
the
bottom of the page, and your vote will be counted. THANK YOU!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*

**USEFUL INFORMATION**
Motherhood has many challenges, and has had through the ages, regardless
of
the era. This month we look to some useful information on "Mothers, Put
Your
Children to Bed" from a vintage source: an 1885 anthology entitled
"Golden
Thoughts on Mother, Home and Heaven from Poetic and Prose Literature of
all
Ages and all Lands."
"There may be some mothers who feel it to be a self-denial to leave
their
parlors, or firesides, or work, to put their children to bed. They think
that the nurse could do just as well; that it is of no consequence who
'hears the children say their prayers.' Now, setting aside the pleasure
of
opening the little bed and tucking the darling up, there are really
important reasons why the mother should not yield this privilege to any
one.
In the first place, it is the time of all times when a child is inclined
to
show its confidence and affection. All its little secrets come out with
more
truth and less restraints; its naughtiness through the day can be
reproved
and talked over with less excitement, and with the tenderness and
calmness
necessary to make a permanent impression. If the little one has shown a
desire to do well and be obedient, its efforts and success can be
acknowledged and commended in a manner that need not render it vain or
self-satisfied.
We must make it a habit to talk to our children, in order to get from
them
an expression of their feelings. We cannot understand the character of
these
little beings committed to our care unless we do. And if we do not know
what
they are, we shall not be able to govern them wisely, or educate them as
their different natures demand. Certainly it would be unwise to excite
young
children by too much conversation with them just before putting them to
bed.
Every mother who carefully studies the temperament of her children will
know how to manage them in this respect. But of this all mothers may be
assured, that the last words at night are of great importance, even to
the
babies of the flock; the very tones of the voice they last listened to
make
an impression upon their sensitive organizations. Mothers, do not think
the
time and strength wasted, which you spend in reviewing the day with your
little boy or girl; do not neglect to teach it how to pray, and pray for
it
in simple and earnest language, which it can understand. Soothe and quiet
its little heart after the experiences of the day. It has had its
disappointments and trials as well as its play and pleasures; it is ready
to
throw its arms around your neck, and take its good-night kiss.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*

**NEXT MONTH IN THE NEWSLETTER**
In the June issue of the Visits With a Victorian LadyTM Online
Newsletter
our theme will be on flowers and fairies -- a combination much beloved by
our Victorian ancestors! We will also resume the "Abigail's Advice From
the
1890s" column. If you have a question on romance, courtship,
old-fashioned
remedies, motherly advice, woman's work, household hints, beauty and
hygiene
tips, proper etiquette, or?? to ask "Abigail Bradshaw," 1890s lady,
please
send by e-mail *no later than May 20th* to: "Abigail" at
<ABradshaw@victorianvisits.com> for inclusion in the newsletter. You will
receive an answer typical of those given in the Victorian era. (No
profane
or obscene language. Questions should be ones a Victorian woman would not
find offensive to answer.)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*

If you enjoy your FREE copy of the Visits With a Victorian LadyTM
"Heirloom Quotation of the Month" Online Newsletter,
Please encourage your friends to visit the website and subscribe while
there:
www.victorianvisits.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*
Copyright 2001 Visits With a Victorian LadyTM/Judi Brandow,
all rights reserved. Reprint permission granted only if full credit
given to Judi Brandow and visits With a Victorian LadyTM.
Visits With a Victorian LadyTM is a protected trade/servicemark.

Your comments, critique and feedback are always welcome.

To unsubscribe, e-mail your request to: <jb@victorianvisits.com>