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Monday, October 26, 2009
Relativity
Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems
like a minute. That's relativity. Albert Einstein
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Friday, October 23, 2009
Regency Marriage--Part One Ship's Captain
Jane Austen wrote: “A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony
in a moment.” I still think some girls behave this way today. Although during the 19th century, marriage was about the
only future a woman of breeding might look forward to, unlike today’s women.
There is a lot of confusion
regarding marriage during the Regency period. How, where and who might marry whom are just the beginning questions. One question
that is frequently asked on many on the writing loops I belong to:
Did a ship’s captain have authority
to marry people?
The answer is no. Although ship’s captains have performed many a marriage, (especially
in romance novels), a ship’s captain did not have the authority to marry people. These marriages would not be recognized
by the courts, the Church of England, or Society.
Marriages were performed by clergymen only, and unless a special
license was obtained, in a church or chapel. This according to the marriage act of 1753, which was set for in order to help
prevent clandestine marriages from taking place. From then on couples had to comply with one of three types of marriage: Banns,
License, or Special license. Fathers were trying to protect their daughters from being lured into marriage by some guy who
was only after her fortune. It was all complicated stuff. Next time I’ll explain marriage by banns.
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Sunday, October 4, 2009
Going to the Dogs
Every night when I arrive home I'm greeted by my "puppy parade". I own three dogs, a twelve year old
marshmallow-loving poochie, and two Shih Tzus. Oreo, the older Shih Tzu, keeps watch at the window until I arrive home. But
as soon as the other two dogs hear the car pulling up, all three of them are on the run to greet whomever walks through the
door. They trample all over each other trying to jockey themselves to the front of the line in order to be the first to say
hello. Happy greetings! You couldn't ask for a more genuine welcome.
The relationship between people and
their pooches have been evolving since dog's domestication. Initially, dogs were valued for service, but they quickly
became man's best friend. During the 18th century, many proud dog owners had their pets lovingly resting at their feet
during the commission of a portrait.
For more information on Georgian England's top dog breeds visit:
http://www.georgianindex.net/dogs/dogs.html
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