Portrait of Queen Victoria in a white dress wearing the Star of the Garter, holding a rose, in a landscape. The 1842 from a portrait at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, by German artist Franz Xavier Winterhalter, (1806-1873).
Our young Victoria was a trendsetter for white wedding dresses, childbirth, anesthesia and much more.
Pablo Fanque, (born - William Darby), was the first Black English circus owner, becoming famous in Victorian Britain for his extraordinary shows. They remained the most popular for around 30 years, often having extended seasons – as in Hull, in September/October 1846. He primarily performed in Yorkshire and Lancashire, though he also travelled to Scotland, Ireland and other parts of England.
Pablo Fanque Fair: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/pablo-fanques-fair-71575787/
December 4
From Dicken’s “Christmas Carol”
“A Merry Christmas, Bob!” said Scrooge with an earnestness that could not be mistaken, as he clapped him on the back. “A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have given you for many a year! I’ll raise your salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon over a bowl of smoking bishop, Bob!”
Link: To make your own Dicken’s Smokey Bishop punch: https://punchdrink.com/recipes/smoking-bishop/
Red Cap Snowshoe Club Photo credit: Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame
Exactly who are these fine fellows who founded this club in 1874?
See Narrative: http://novamuse.ca/index.php/Detail/objects/124577
December 7
Flower Language in Victorian Era
There is a language, little known, Lovers claim it as their own. Its symbols smile upon the land, Wrought by nature’s wondrous hand; And in their silent beauty speak, Of life and joy, to those who seek For Love Divine and sunny hours In the language of the flowers.
A painting by Laurence captures an evening of fun in the skating rink. Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
The Halifax Skating Club was formed in 1862, and skating on Griffin’s Pond in the Horticultural Society’s grounds became a very popular. For further information, see link.
