The Englishwoman's Conversazione

Leonora - Is the wearing of jewellery on the decline, or otherwise? On the decline, most certainly, in a general sense, but on state occasions the blaze of diamonds is not less than ever. Beautiful execution and design in ivory, jet, or stone are now-a-days often more esteemed than ugly masses of gold and brilliants. The love of variety too, prompts even ladies of rank to change the fashion of their jewellery, and to be happier with an electro-plate duplicate of a work of fine art, which cost but a few pounds, than when adorned with a "gem" which would buy a German dukedom. The following historical facts, ancient and comparatively modern, are particularly interesting on this subject: - Sollia Paulina, a Roman lady, being invited to a banquet went to it bearing about her person chains, carcanets, and precious stones worth a million of money. Sir Walter Raleigh was observed at the court of Queen Elizabeth to wear his shoes so set with pearls and precious stones that they were estimated to exceed the value of six thousand six hundred crowns; and George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, the favourite of James I, when admitted to an audience by Louis XIII, King King of France, as ambassador from the King of Great Britain, had jewels on his coat to the value of £100,000. These facts undoubtedly apply to state occasions; but, even at such times as those, we, in these latter days, do not desire to vie with our ancestors.
The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine, October 1862

Our Drawing Room

Two correspondents, who write very badly - in blue ink - and if possible spell still worse, address us on the subject of matrimony. They want to make the leap through the golden hoop, and consider that if their wishes were made known in the "drawing-room," there would be no difficulty about it. We decline to have anything to do with it; and we advise both young ladies to improve their education, and to try to exercise some share of modesty and good sense.
Taken from the regular feature "Our Drawing Room" where correspondents queries are answered. The Young Englishwoman, January, 1867.

Answers to Correspondents

Helena Taylor, it really is impossible to say what is the best material for cleaning teeth, so much depends upon the state of the teeth and the bodily health of different persons: but all teeth, we think, may be safely kept clean with simple white curd soap. Your handwriting is pretty, but not sufficiently firm. Bessie, Vol. I. of the Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine can be had complete with Fashion Plates, price 5s. Vol. II. is also ready. The covers for binding Vols I. and II. with Index and Title-page, can be had, post free for 1s; the Index separately for 2d. Fanny is informed that moles are rarely removed by any process; but freckles may be eradicated. A good wash for the purpose may be made as follows:- Take one drachm of muriatic acid, half a pint of rain-water, half a teaspoonful of spirits of lavender. Mix, and apply two or three times a day to the freckles with a bit of linen, or a camel-hair pencil. Sixpence in postage-stamps has been received from Blandford, with one of our printed forms, ordering the Double Number of the Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine for May but with no address. There are no publishers in London more lavish of advertisements than ourselves, and yet we are, day by day, receiving 6d. for a 1s book, and orders - to be executed "by return of post" - without any clue whither they are to go. Dinah Harris. Mrs Wilcockson. Goodge-Street, Tottenham-court-road, sells silk for embroidering shawls.- Harry. Those "horrid little insects" you speak of may be kept under, as housewives say, by ceaseless cleaning; but the only effectual way to destroy them all, your house being very old, is to destroy the house.
The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine, September, 1861.

Coiffure Maintenon and Hair Appendages from Mr. Douglas's, New Bond Street London W.

Formerly a little repugnance was felt in making use of false hair, when more simple coiffures were in vogue; now this is no longer the case, when on account of the voluminous nature of dress generally, elaborate headdresses are absolutely necessary. Bows of hair, curls of every shape and length, and plaits are purchased to form a portion of the headdress, just as our grandmothers purchased flowers or ribbons; and ladies now think no more of their false plaits than their progenitors of their ribbons and flowers; for the moderns do not pretend to make people think that the rich, handsome plaits and curls which ornament their heads are their own hair, more than the ancients wished to persuade others that the flowers they were grew on the head they adorned. And there is a substratum of common-sense at the bottom of this arrangement. If a lady happens to have a really good head of hair, it is a pity to cut, frizz, and crimp it, when by a small outlay she may obtain something to wear which will preserve her own beautiful locks. Of course we are now speaking of our friends who insist on being in the fashion, and are suggesting a few remarks to them.
Domestic Magazine Supplements - January, 1863