Victorian style and decor gets its name from the Victorian Era, the period when Queen Victoria ruled England. Her reign lasted from 1837 to 1901 and was a time when England experienced many decades with peace and economic growth. This impacted how the homes looked and how houses were developed during that period. The Victorian
Prostitution in Victorian England was a part of everyday life for people from every class, ethnicity, and gender. Prostitution became a major concern and a focal point for social reformers in the 1…
NATALYA WILSON takes a trip back in time through the pages of a new book about Whitby’s yards
If I was able to visit Victorian England, I know that one of the aspects which would fascinate me the most is the public transport. Aside from steam trains and the later electric trams, it was all horse-drawn which, of course, is so different from today's motor-driven vehicles. Horses pulled the omnibuses, carts, and brewers' drays through to the broughams, clarences and Hansom cabs. The sounds of hooves clattering on cobbles was everywhere, as was the smell of steaming horse manure... To get about town quickly, catching a cabriolet (or cab for short) was the best bet. Cabbies plied their trade from cab-stands, not while moving. The fare was based on the distance, so it was important to know how far away the destination was to avoid being overcharged. The driver sat on a raised seat behind and above the passengers' compartment with the horse's reins going over the top of it. Passengers communicated with the driver and paid him through a trap-door in the roof. The cab-man controlled the door by means of a lever, which made it difficult to dodge paying the fare. 'A Hansom Cab' from Living London (1901) Ladies often found that the overhanging reins could knock off their hats, and dresses could easily be soiled on the rim of the wheel. It was also extremely difficult to get in and out of a Hansom with any dignity while wearing a crinoline. A journalist from Living London visited a cab yard and observed cab-drivers at work in 1901: "The day cab-men, their hansoms and four-wheelers clean and bright from the washers' hands, begin to appear in numbers about nine a.m., some hurrying Citywards with fares, and others proceeding slowly to various stands, where they find a few unfortunate and somewhat despondent night cab-men waiting in the hope of obtaining at least one good job before taking their cabs back to the yard." The best cab-stands for the drivers were outside the railway stations and the West End theatres, but life was tough for them. They worked twelve hour shifts and had to pay for the hire of their vehicles and horses out of the fares they earned. 'In a Cab Yard' from Living London (1901) When John Hollingshead interviewed a cabman for Odd Journeys in and Out of London (1859), he was told that a Hansom cab driver had to earn fourteen or sixteen shillings a day in summer for his owner, in addition to ‘yard money’ which was the charges for the stables. This was before earning any money for himself. A four-wheeler could be let for slightly less at twelve shillings a day but the driver had to pay all expenses. At the time, cabmen driving licensed carriages had to pay five pound for the license plate and a shilling a day extra for the duty. Beatrix Potter commented in her journal in 1885, that if "cabmen were really paid at the rate of sixpence a mile, they must go forty-two miles before they begin to make any profit. They pay sixteen shillings per day to a cab-owner for a cab and two horses, and have incidental expenses as well." 'In a Cabmen's Shelter' from Living London (1901) Cab-men could enjoy a cheap midday meal at one of the cab-men's shelters. Between two and five in the afternoon, hundreds of cabbies drove to the big yards where they changed horses and had their cabs 'spotted' to remove splashes of mud. It was usually around 9.30pm before the first hansom to finish its twelve hour day arrived back at the yard. Although they were speedy, London cabs were rather uncomfortable. In Saunterings In and About London (1853), Max Schlesinger wrote that the "many crevices…let in wind and dust; the seats feel as if they were stuffed with broken stones; the check-string is always broken; the door won’t shut; or if shut, it won’t open; …to discover the faults of a London cab is easy." It sounds as though a ride in a Hansom cab was bearable for a tourist, but not necessarily for everyday use!
I’ve been real inspired by old circus posters lately. I wonder what’s going to come out of this? hmm….
My birthday is on Monday so today I am in a mood of recollecting that life is short and we should live it to the full. In honor of the "life is short" bit, I have come up with a slightly depressing list (don't worry - I will post a happier one tomorrow). The Victorians
image source During the nineteenth century many rapid changes were taking place in Victorian England regarding the… by ravenruis
London at the end of Victorian era was the most important city in the world. Take a tour of this city and era with these beautiful pictures of a bygone era.
Editor's Note: This post has been updated since it was originally published. As such, it may include comments or selections that don't reflect the opinions of
A three-page worksheet for reading comprehension. Students read the text about children's life in Victorian times. Then they do five tasks concerning the text. - ESL worksheets
London at the end of Victorian era was the most important city in the world. Take a tour of this city and era with these beautiful pictures of a bygone era.
Here is an amazing photo collection taken by English pioneering photographic artist Francis Meadow Sutcliffe (1853 – 1941) that shows everyday life in the seaside town of Whitby, England, and surrounding areas, in the late Victorian era. Fish stall, Whitby Fishermen on wharf Fishman House by river banks in Whitby. House by river banks in Whitby Landscape Marine Hotel at the seaside Marine Hotel Men at ease in Whitby Mending the nets Milking time People in work at a farm Port with small boats Portrait of three happy boys Portrait of three people outside a house Sheep grazing in the middle The fish pier The harbor of Whitby with sailboats The harbor of Whitby with sailboats The ingathering The question The river in Whitby The Strom family of Robin Hood's Bay Trees and river Two horses and a rider on a beach View of the Marina Hotel Village with a pile of wood in front West Cliff, Whitby Whitby from St Mary's Parish Church Whitby, Yorkshire Whitby Whitby Whitby Woman reading Yorkshire Coast, Whitby A conversation A group of boys bathing from a rowing boat A group of fishing girls in the stairs down to the beach, Whitby A quiet gossip At the field Dinner time Dock End, Whitby
Amazingly each of these incredible seaside landscapes is in Britain - and they're among the country's best kept secrets.
A dark and mysterious interpretation of Victorian London, England.
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King George III was the longest reigning king in British history. He was most famous, however, for the madness which consumed him. What could have caused it?
Editor's Note: This post has been updated since it was originally published. As such, it may include comments or selections that don't reflect the opinions of
Browse our royally delicious collection of Victorian recipes for everything from Battenberg cake to kedgeree.
