Oh! I thought it was just something pretty.

In the 2006 James Bond film, Casino Royale, the love-interest, Vesper Lynde, wears a particular necklace throughout the film, no matter what the occasion. Eventually, James remarks, “I know what that is?” And, he explains that her necklace is an Algerian Love Knot, given to her as a special gift. She counters with, “Oh, I thought it was just something pretty. James muses, “He must be a lucky man.”

I must say, I do like the necklace very much, and I did a bit of research about it. The Algerian Love Knot design is quite old, going back to primitive cultures, known for its magical abilities. Knots, typically, are associated with health, love, spirits. Generally, the design involves the intertwining of three chains, or wires, then flattened. Now it is locked into place. The design is also referred to as the Celtic Love Knot.

For my purposes, I looked into the 18^th Century, and found that sailors used to wear this kind of knot to remind them of loved ones back home. This not only lent it fashionable, but also popular. Known to sailors as the “True Lover’s Knot, it was woven with rope to make a “tori”: two flexible parts, but nevertheless inseparable.

Today marks the day in 1775 that the US postal system was established, by the Second Continental Congress, with Ben Franklin as the first postmaster general. In the 1600’s, few colonists needed to mail letters to each other. And, mail going across the Atlantic was sporadic, and took many months to arrive.

As there were no post offices, mail was generally left at inns and taverns, but the new systems established specific days, routes, rates. It was revolutionary! Franklin held the job for a year, then he was called to service as a diplomat to France. Later, President Washington appointed former Massachusetts congressman Sam Osgood to serve as the first postmaster general of the United States. By that time there were 75 post offices in the nation!

Today, the US has over 40,000 offices and delivers over 200 billion pieces of mail each year to over 140 million homes and businesses in the nation, and territories. Wow! Of course, the cost of doing business keeps escalating and what was once considered a high price for mailing a piece of paper, a couple cents or so, has jumped to 46 cents an ounce. Obviously, this makes email even more attractive, though there’s nothing quite like getting an actual letter in your mail box.

Recently, there has even been talk about disbanding mail delivery for every day of the week. Can you imagine? Instead of the system getting more efficient over time, it is now looking at ways to stem the possibility of bankruptcy. Ouch!

Anno 1790 - A different year!

Last Wednesday, I was surfing the channels looking for something good to watch. It was 10pm, and there was really nothing to be found, but by chance I happened on what looked like a drama set back in the 18^th Century. Ahh! I was right, and it looked interesting, though there were subtitles to read...not so easy when it’s a truly unfamiliar language and it’s late night tv!

But, I decided to give it some time, and I was glad I did. The show was Anno 1790, a Swedish historic crime drama. Set in Stockholm, it centers around a former army doctor from the Russo-Swedish War of 1788-1790. He is now a criminal inspector, inspired by the French Revolution and its new ideas. He is a supporter of Voltaire’s free thinking. He is in love with his superior’s wife, and he has an assistant who is his antitheist. Makes for some interesting dynamics.

A couple scenes were quite interesting. The first included someone utilizing magnetism along with hypnotism and the occult, an Italian named Cagliostro, who is an actual historic figure shrouded in mystery. The other was the medical treatment of a person stabbed, injured by the villian. Not a pretty picture but the techniques were brutal, but obviously effective. We have come a long way.

Last night, I found it again, and watched. This time, some religious intrigue. I find that some of these European dramas focus more on a story, less action, more dialogue. Slower paced, but infinitely more satisfying.  Look for it!

It's a boy!

It’s a boy! The joyful words the world was waiting for! Yesterday, I spent a great deal of time following the historic events in England of the Royal Birth. When the announcement came, I was giddy, weepy, overjoyed! It was a breath of fresh air and happy news for a weary world. And so, basically, the British monarchy has a new member, a future king who may reign in the 22^nd Century! But for now, he will be loved and adored by his parents and relatives and friends, just a baby, though he gets to live in the palace!

Kensington Palace, that is! Though Kensington was built in the 1600’s Jacobean Age, the major additions took place in the early 1700’s, with King George I improving the royal apartments, adding the Cupola Room, which he designed, and used as a principal state room. It was later used for the baptismal site of Princess Alexandrina Victoria in 1819.

The last reigning monarch to live at the Palace was George II, as it was later declared outmoded, but after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, AKA Wills and Kate, were married, Queen Elizabeth II offered it to them as their principle residence. The new parents bring their son there today, a place to call home, and hopefully to romp and play in the beautiful Kensington Gardens as he grows.

Rosetta Stone

On this day in 1799, the Rosetta Stone was discovered! An ancient Egyptian granodiorite stone inscribed with a decree from King Ptolemy V. It features the text in three languages: hieroglyphs, Demotic and Greek script.  It dates back to 196BC.

The discovery of the stone opened the door to the meaning of hieroglyphics, as comparisons were made of the different texts, and where the names of the pharaohs coincided! It was Pierre Francois Bouchard who is credited unlocking the mysteries of the stone. Now, all the history, religious practices, political maneuvering, daily living....everything....about the ancient Egyptians could now be read.

The stone makes its home since 1802 in the British Museum where it is on display right at the front entrance. It always has a myriad of people around it, but if you are patient, you can eventually stand before it. It was a remarkable find, and fascinates still.

Yumm!

Desserts are always a special treat at the end of the meal. Everyone looks forward to something sweet. In 18^th Century France, the dessert course was actually a descendant of a court ritual originally from the medieval period, when the king rose at the end of the meal to partake of sugared anise and caraway seeds along with some spiced wine. These, by medical standard, were consumed as a digestive for his royal highness’ stomach, but it also served as a “eucharistic” thank you for the meal! He then washed his hands and departed the table.

Interestingly enough, the word “dessert” derives from the French “to clear the table”. As the word dessert was kind of bourgeois, the correct name for the final service of the meal was called “fruit”. Hence, here comes the fruit course, which was a luxurious additional as not all fruits were readily available, and some exotic types were extremely expensive. Even oranges, from more sunny or tropical locations were a particular treat. And then came the imitation of fruit with the introduction of marzipan, or a concoction of almond paste, painted to resemble fruit. A noble lord could really show off his status with an incredible dessert course!

By the middle of the 18^th Century, the dessert course was taken to an inspired level, with displays of gardens, towers of confectionery flowers, elaborate mirrored platters with flowing patterns of spur sugar. If it could be imagined, it was tried! Served along with special sweet wines, these desserts were a feast for the eye as well as the stomach!

A Bit of the Bubbly

As the temperature soars here in Las Vegas, and the thermometer read "only" 110o today, I am heartened by the fact that somewhere in the heart of Derbyshire in England, at the magnificient estate known as Chatsworth House, cool, clear, cold water is bubbling, spewing, jetting, meandering and dancing!

I watched a marvelous program last night on PBS highlighting all the historic country estates throughout England. Last night's installment was all about Chatsworth, the home of the Dukes of Devonshire since the 15th Century.

One of the most impressive sites is the various water features on the property. Added throughout many years, they reached their pinnacle by the 18th Century, and are maintained to this day by the current Duke. The famous Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana Cavendish, lived at Chatsworth at the heights of its beauty. She was born in 1757 and died 1806. I can imagine her strolling along, hearing the refreshing water.  Here a couple pictures of the estate while The Duchess was being filmed.

I visited there in the later-2000's with my daughter in the Summer. The water cascading down the stairs (as shown above) is a magnificent site. There is also a wonderful labyrinth to challenge, all green leaf walls, another shady, verdant spot to explore. There's just something about seeing water; just the site makes you feel cool. And so today, I take a break from the work for just a bit, and savor the Chatsworth's refreshing scene.

 

Pretty Prison

It’s many a girl’s dream to marry a president and become the First Lady, or a royal and become a titled noble. Ahh, to live the charmed life of privilege and access. But, as it goes, be careful what you wish for, for along with the opportunity comes the lack of privacy and the pesky task of avoiding paparazzi, news media and these days, even the average person with an Iphone camera. Your ill-fitting dress, your imperfect hair, your stolen kiss, it could all be splattered on Wonderwall, or Facebook, or front-page headline news, if you’re famous enough

Recently I saw an interview of former First Lady Laura Bush, and currently First Lady Michele Obama discussing what it’s like to live at the White House. Both of them, in their own words and style, equated the experience to living in a “pretty prison”. One might say, “Oh, my! Poor you! I can hear the violins playing”, but there is always some bitter with the sweet, always some good with the bad. And, it’s nothing new.

Take “poor” Martha Washington, back in 1789 -1797, when George was in office. She complained that she would much rather be back in Mount Vernon:

"I think I am more like a state prisoner than anything else, there is certain bounds set for me which I must not depart from". In one of her surviving letters, she confides to a relative that "many younger and gaver women would be extremely pleased" to be in her place, but she would "much rather be at home".

 

She endured until it was over, and when George Washington died, she freed his slaves a year later! I guess she could relate! Ha Ha !

 

 

 

 

 

The Floating World

Friends of mine, serving in the US Military, Marines to be exact, are currently living in Okinawa, stationed there for the next three years. I recieve emails and snail mail from them, and it is a joy to be part of their adventure.

Recently, I took time to read a bit about Okinawa, especially their 18th Century history. Of course, European ships were sailing there from the 1500's. In 1614 the famous British captain William Adams landed in Naha, the capital, for repairs. He was in route to Japan when the ship was damaged in a storm. The ship remained there until 1615, with the East India Company recording that goods were sold and Okinawa represented a possible market for the company. As a result of his time there, Adams introduced the sweet potato into Japan! In 1797 another british ship, HMS Providence, was shipwrecked off Miyako, another major city.

The 17th and 18th Century period in Japan is known as Ukiyo-e, or the "floating world", representing a time of escape through pleasure, living only for the moment. There is a 17th Century book entitled Ukiyo Monogatari (tales of the Floating World), mentioning "turning our full attention to the pleasures of the moon, the snow, the cherry blossoms and the maple leaves; singing songs, drinking wine, refusing to be disheartened, like a gourd floating along with the rive current; this is what we call the floating world".

Many artists captured images of the floating world, including artist Utamaro, with his famous woodcuts of courtesans. Toyokuni, another renown artist, published his drawings "Views of Actors on Stage" in 1794.

Okinawa is the biggest of a group of islands off Japan, including the Okinawa and the Ryuku Islands.  Below, see some interesting Okinawan 18th Century facts:
1711 - A dictionary of old Ryuku language was compiled.
1719 - Famed musician Tamagusuku composed the Kumi Udui, a narrative Ryuku dance of diplomatic importance.
1734 - The noted scholar Chobin Hishicha was executed for political offenses.
1771 - A major tidal wave struck the city of Miyako causing tremendous damage.
1798 - a state school was founded at Shuri for upper class descendants of Samurai!

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                         

A Reflection of the Fourth of July

Just taking time today to wish you Happy Fourth of July! I am posting a couple photos of the holiday as it is celebrated in Colonial Williamsburg, VA. It's quite different from the celebrations we see generally across the United States today, especially in urban areas.

We are supposed to be celebrating the birth of our nation, but it ususally ends up with  THE BIG SUMMER SALE! ALL ITEMS 50-75% OFF! ACT NOW.

It really has nothing to do with the holiday. It's just another opportunity for spending and indulging. Yes, there are fire works at night, but it's just not the same. There will be picnics where people eat and drink way too much.

I like to think that somewhere people will actually reflect on the true meaning of the Fourth, the sacrifice of so many nameless folks that worked tirelessly to bring about a new nation, one that with all its faults, is still the greatest country of all. I wish you joy of the day!