Dear Friends,
I have almost finished reading a book which was a school prize
awarded to my Grandfather, David McGARVIE, in 1902 when he was 10
years old. I can tell you that the language is even quite difficult
for an adult. I doubt it has ever been read. The book is called
"Crown & Empire - Glimpses of Royal Life" by A.E. KNIGHT which is
mainly centred around the life of King Edward VII and was published
after Queen Victoria had died but prior to his coronation.
On Thursday October 18th1860 the then Prince of Wales and his wife
were on a visit to Canada and the USA, and whilst in Boston attended
a ball held in their honour. I thought you would enjoy the
description of some of the other folk there:-
"As to the ladies, if their should happen to be reporters present who
are sufficiently acquainted with the bewildering technology of the
mantua-makers, we trust that they may receive ample justice. For
ourselves, we have only a confused recollection of beautiful
shoulders, not too much encumbered, of necks undisfigured with chains
and jewels, of gauzy muslins, glistening stains, and exquisitely
tinted silks - of floral head-dresses, deep laces, recherche
nosegays, and all the array of nameless trifles that make up the
attire of the reigning belle. A more uniformly set of elegant
costumes among 1500 ladies we never saw. The ball, in fact, was
representative of Boston; substantial and comfortable; rich and
attractive in its rather quiet way; well conducted; marked by good
breeding, easy manners, and with just enough of curiosity respecting
the guest of the evening to give piquancy to what might otherwise
have been a prosaic entertainment."
Oh where are those balls today???
Enjoy
David in Ballarat
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