Tag Archives: Charity

Throwing Cheese from the Belfry

Posted on December 24, 2018 by

Christmas History 39.  There is a longstanding tradition in Britain of giving aid to the poor at Christmas.  200 years ago, the Leicester Chronicle reported a wealthy landowner distributing “a fat beast, four sheep, and two hundred and eight yards of … Continue reading →

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How to Celebrate Christmas, 1818

Posted on December 10, 2018 by

Christmas History 35. How was Christmas celebrated, 200 years ago?  1818 was a simpler time, but in many ways the spirit of Christmas was much the same: the importance of good company, good cheer, and thinking of others.  The following … Continue reading →

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Christmas in the Workhouse

Posted on December 6, 2018 by

Christmas History 34.  The plan for this year’s Christmas History series of articles was to look exclusively at the Christmas of 150 years ago, the year 1868.  Unfortunately it turns out that 1868 was a year for unseasonable weather, so … Continue reading →

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Pennies for the Poor (Christmas History 17)

Posted on December 17, 2015 by

Mary Howitt (1799-1888) is best remembered nowadays for her poem The Spider and the Fly, with that memorable first line, “Will you walk into my parlour? said the Spider to the Fly.”  She also wrote many books, some co-authored with … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th Century, Books, Christmas, Christmas History, History | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Journals 4.2 – Man and Manners by Grant Thorburn (Part 2)

Posted on July 5, 2015 by

This is the second part of my article on Grant Thorburn’s journal.  For the first part please see the earlier entry from 1st July 2015. On 9th October 1833, Grant Thorburn departed from New York in the ship George Washington. … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th Century, Books, Britain, England, History, Journals, London, Travel, USA | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Journals 1.4 – England in 1815 by Joseph Ballard (Part 4)

Posted on May 26, 2015 by

The following is the concluding part of my essay on Ballard’s journal.  See the earlier entries from 14th May 2015 for the first part, 18th May 2015 for the second part, and 22nd May 2015 for the third part. Leaving … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th Century, Britain, England, History, Joseph Ballard, Journals, London, Napoleonic Wars, Royalty, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment