Whist
March 27th, 2011
In preparation for tomorrow’s General Meeting of the New York Nineteenth Century Society, I have been reading up on the game of Whist. According to Whist: its history and practice, by “an amateur,” published in London, 1844, the game finds its roots in a 17th century game (reportedly played by Jonathan Swift and his fellow bishops) called Whisk & Swabbers.
By the 19th century, Whist had become a drawing room staple. Gentlefolk spent hours taking tricks, memorizing cards, and exchanging small stakes over the green baize of the card table. Played with a standard deck of cards, Whist requires four players, in two partnerships. In many ways, it is quite similar to Bridge. But of course, being 19th century, the imagery is much more pleasant.
Here, for example, is a representation of the whist partnership (as illustrated in the aforementioned book):
They hardly look as though they are playing cards, do they?
Beautiful Dreamer
March 25th, 2011
“Beautiful Dreamer” was Stephen Foster’s last song, published shortly after his death in 1864. What an appropriate title for a final tune, especially at a time when sentimentalists were beginning to liken death to a deep sleep. (Yes, I know Shakespeare also made the comparison, but it fell off for a few centuries, for reasons I shall explain another time.)
This print from Courier & Ives, while illustrating the song, also serves to illustrate the changing ideals of beauty. Compared to the stick-thin models in 21st-century fashion magazines, this Victorian beauty is decidedly zoftig. Also note her neat little “bud-like” mouth — no lip augmentation here! It is very refreshing to see such a natural looking woman idolized, but I must admit her tiny hands are a bit creepy — I guess that’s what Elizabeth Gaskell meant when she described Margaret’s “taper fingers” in North and South. Something unnatural there if you ask me.
I have been learning “Beautiful Dreamer” in anticipation of the next general meeting of the New York Nineteenth Century Society, next Monday, March 28. We decided to have a theme song, and my husband finally convinced me that “Oh! I’d Be a Sailor” wasn’t widely known enough to sing in mixed company. So far, I have learned to play the song on the auto-harp, the ukulele, and the guitar. Now if only I could carry a tune…
NYNCS Meeting
January 20th, 2011
The New York Nineteenth Century Society, of which I am a founding member, will hold its first meeting of 2011 on Monday, January 31, at 7 p.m. in B Bar & Grill on East Fourth Street, between Lafayette and Bowery.
We’ll accept new membership applications and discuss proposals for 2011 public events. There will also be an update on the group’s formalization (we are beginning the long process of obtaining non-profit status).
All are welcome, so if you are in the New York area, do stop by!
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