Nothing ever changes.
Rosencrantz picked this book up for me called "Palace and Hovel" on the very correct assumption that I would like it. I like, I like a lot. Published in 1870 by Belknap and Bliss, it is a description of London written by an American abroad:
It's packed with juicy Victorian detail, from the various street markets (bird sellers! old, non-hip Covent Garden!) to the slimey underbelly. It is interesting to note the gaslight legend was being forged even in the era itself, as Mr Kirwan is far more interested in the homeless, hookers and obligatory trip to a Whitechapel den than he is on politics or high culture. When he mentions anyone of better fortune, it's only to do a Daily Mail on them.
...but so many of his comments make me laugh as thoroughly modern.
Palace and Hovel on drinking culture:
There's one on expenses too. Alas, the book is in The Other Place and I didn't note all the quotes down before blogging.
*cathexis is defined like this, and to laymen, means the same as "fixation". Gothicity is another daft academic word that Calypso has dug up in her studies, and means "very gothic indeed". Prince Eddy has become a target for everything that defines the Victorian era. Poor chap...
Rosencrantz picked this book up for me called "Palace and Hovel" on the very correct assumption that I would like it. I like, I like a lot. Published in 1870 by Belknap and Bliss, it is a description of London written by an American abroad:
It's packed with salacious gossip and hearsay: a curious man who hates what he sees, but has to gaze anyway. Or maybe one who knows debauchery sells. Chapters include "Rakes of the Royal Family" - yes, poor old Prince Eddy again, a gothicity cathexis*, who gets blamed for every Victorian exceess, from being an arrogant, mad aristocrat, to syphilitic, gay or Jack the Ripper - "Into the Jaws of Death" and "The Legion of the Lost".
"by day and night; with vivid illustrationsn of the manners, social customs and modes of living of the rich and the reckless, the destitute and the depraved, in the metropolis of Great Britain"
It's packed with juicy Victorian detail, from the various street markets (bird sellers! old, non-hip Covent Garden!) to the slimey underbelly. It is interesting to note the gaslight legend was being forged even in the era itself, as Mr Kirwan is far more interested in the homeless, hookers and obligatory trip to a Whitechapel den than he is on politics or high culture. When he mentions anyone of better fortune, it's only to do a Daily Mail on them.
...but so many of his comments make me laugh as thoroughly modern.
Palace and Hovel on drinking culture:
"it is an undeniable fact that the English are the greatest beer-drinking people in the world" (Chapter X)On UrbEx: a whole chapter called "Hunting the Sewers" which describes exactly the same perils as I've read described by modern covert drain explorers! From not getting caught and wearing high waders, to avoiding toxic smells and sudden tides,. the description is the same!
There's one on expenses too. Alas, the book is in The Other Place and I didn't note all the quotes down before blogging.
*cathexis is defined like this, and to laymen, means the same as "fixation". Gothicity is another daft academic word that Calypso has dug up in her studies, and means "very gothic indeed". Prince Eddy has become a target for everything that defines the Victorian era. Poor chap...
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