The French Revolution

Recently I've had a craze for all things French. i.e.: the language, the Revolution, the food.............and the clothing of 1700's France. I haven't seen any period films about the Revolution yet, but I do want to read and then watch Les Miserables.

I've been reading a book called Marie Antoinette and her Son by L. Muhlbach.

I must confess I saw no point in the Revolution itself. The royals were rather extravagant, but Marie herself made a better politician than her husband, who was an outdoorsy, quiet person. The satirists of the day had great hatred for the Austrian, as they called the queen, and exaggerated rumours about all the things she did that enraged the common people. In the end, the king and the queen and many of their friends and relatives were guillotined. One person of note was the Princess de Lamballe, the Queen's faithful friend, who died because she would not swear disloyalty to her Majesty.

The book spans the days leading up to the Revolution and covers the beginning of the reign of Napoleon.

Another great book about the Revolution and post-Revolution, as well as being an excellent biography, is The Man who Painted Roses, by Antonia Ridge.

It is about Pierre-Joseph Redoute, a humble Belgian peasant who became Painter of Flowers to two queens and an empress. I posted about his roses in my other blog, the Society of Accomplished Young Ladies. Here are some more.

I have made two Revolution-era gowns which I will post about (one day:-))

Picture of the Month

Well, a little while ago the P&P95 Forever Club had a DIY caption competition, and I thought of one.
 BUT......................
.....I forgot to post it on my blog, so it didn't get entered. Oh well, here it is!

  Mrs .Bennet's expression is just so emotional! Caption from Cars.

The Fifth and Last Episode of Cranford

I haven't posted for some time, due to general busyness. Anyway, here it is! The last episode!

   ~ Jem and Martha get married and live in Miss Matty's house as lodgers. Meanwhile, Miss Pole gathers the ladies of the town together to make secret monetal contributions to Miss Matty. Captain Brown suggests that Miss Matty open a tea-shop, which soon becomes a great success.
~Dr. Harrison is still being shunned by the Rector's family. Sophy has returned from a trip away in a very sickly condition. She develops typhoid and Dr. Harrison fears that Dr. Morgan's method of treatment will cause her death.
~Mary writes to Dr. Marshland, informing him of the dreadful consequences that his pranks have caused. He returns and apologizes to the Tomkinson sisters and to Dr. Harrison.
~ Lady Ludlow has mortgaged the estate without Mr. Carter's knowledge and with Miss Galindo's help. At first, Mr. Carter is angry with Miss Galindo, but both forget the quarrel when Mr. Carter unexpectedly calls with a posy of flowers.
~ Mr. Carter tries to sell timber and tools to the railway to pay the mortgage, but a disastrous explosion at the railway works leaves him injured. Dr. Harrison and Dr. Marshland agree that the only way to save him is to amputate his leg, but he dies before the operation is complete. Poor Harry is grieved, as are Miss Galindo and Lady Ludlow. Harry is astonished to be Mr. Carter's legal heir, on the condition that he lend Lady Ludlow enough money to pay the mortgage.
~ Sophy's younger sisters call Dr. Harrison for help, as they fear their sister is dying. The rector admits him on Mrs Rose's commendation, and the two doctors set to work to bring Sophy's temperature down. She survives.
~ Major Gordon returns and asks one last time for Jessie Brown's hand, and this time she says yes. Along with him comes Peter, Miss Matty's long-lost brother. The siblings are overjoyed to be reunited.
~ Miss Matty learns that Martha is expecting and eagerly anticipates having a baby in the house.
~ Dr. Harrison and Sophy marry at last, Sophy wearing a gown made from the muslin Peter brought (a bit too late!) for Miss Matty's wedding gown. Meanwhile, Mrs. Rose decides that Dr. Morgan is a better age for her, and Caroline Tomkinson becomes engaged to a butcher, of all things--with motherless twins! Well, that's the last we'll see of elegant economy in that house!

"Mrs Forrester, please. You are betraying your emotions."

"Are you the lady that was once Miss Pole?"
"I am the lady that is still Miss Pole."

"I have 'spinster' carved on my bones, and the doctor is a stranger to my door."

"That is the loveliest bridal gown. Such beautiful muslin."
"Such a fine close weave."

Cranford~ Episode Four

In this episode several things of an alarming nature occur. To be precise:
~ Mr. Holbrook's possessions are auctioned. Miss Pole buys a silhouette of him for Miss Matty, while Dr. Harrison, eager to begin furnishing his lodgings, purchases a table, not realizing that it is in fact a sewing table. He then gives it to Mrs. Rose, his housekeeper.
~ Miss Pole and Mrs. Forrester convince Mrs. Rose to let them dye her hair, persuading her that the sewing table from the Doctor was in fact a declaration of love. Poor Mrs. Rose is led to believe that Dr. Harrison intends to propose to her on May Day.
~ Lady Ludlow discovers that Mr. Carter is training Harry Gregson as a clerk, and insists on giving him work in the fields instead. Harry is very disappointed, but Lady Ludlow will not be moved. Her Ladyship then hears that the railway will be coming through her estate.
~ Caroline Tomkinson is extremely distraught as Dr. Harrison has not called on her. Meanwhile, he doctor has asked the rector for his consent to Frank's courting Sophy. They are permitted to walk out together, to the amusement of Sophy's younger sisters.
~ Miss Matty finds that her bank is on the verge of breaking and finds herself penniless. The loyal Martha concocts a plan to marry Jem and live with Miss Matty to support her. Jem, however, is reluctant to take such a step.
~ And finally, May Day dawns. Miss Matty tries to be cheerful for the sake of her friends. Miss Tomkinson tells the rector that her sister Caroline expects a proposal from the doctor, while Mrs. Rose is anticipating the same. Reverend Hutton angrily confronts Dr. Harrison, who is too bewildered to explain. The three injured ladies depart, Mrs. Rose in sorrow, Caroline in hysterics, and Sophy with a broken heart.

Memorable Quotes

"One and sixpence for a memento of my own cousin."

"I had a legacy once. It was a hat."

"I'm surprised you can hear anything with Sophy Hutton banging
  on that tambourine. It's giving me a headache."