I actually enjoy reading the fiction on my Kindle, and deciding which of the

projects or recipes I might do at home. This is sick because most Victorian

mainstream novel give me narcolepsy, if not heartburn. The editors of Godey's

had an audience in mind that wanted things rather lighter and faster paced. In

one of their advices to those submitting fiction they suggest skipping detailed

descriptions of the beauty of the lead characters "because no one reads them,"

and I can't thank them enough for the quote for my writing students. I'm not

sure how realistic any of it is, but it can't violate their readers' realities, so I find

it a fun way to tour the Northeast in 1880.

Covering as it does 6 months, locating specific things you like might be

difficult, so since I had to do this for myself, I share it with you. I happen to

like historical cooking (Spartan good, Athenian horrible; too Medieval or

Renn is very ... Athenian)and these probably err on the bland side, if you must

have chili or pepper in everything. The handwork articles may have something

delightful for knitters and crocheters, but the rest of us rarely get detailed

instructions. Still, it's a fun inspiration. As for re-enactors needing period

music, this is your spot.

Sheet Music -- (Page numbers are the PDF)
(20, 102, 182, 262, 344, 427)

Recipes
81, 178, 274, 370, 465, 561

Work Department

(4)/91 Glove box
77 Embroidered cover for flowerpot; Tun basket decorated
77-78 Case for Knives & Forks
78 Embroidered buttons; cylindrical work basket
79 Transparent painting on muslin, for lampshades
80 Tulip & Globe lampshades (no pattern given)
80 Border in cross-stitch w/twisted fringe
174 Chatelaine bag embroidered velvet; 2 fans (not folding)
175 Table cloth, Java canvas
176 Knitting needle case, silver canvas
176-7 Tidy in crochet; Child's collar in insertion & lace (pic only)
(172)/ Tobacco Pouch
269 Embroidered table cloth
270 Work basket; case for court-plaster crochet
271 Covers for flower-pots
271-2 Crocheted rag doormat
272 Vide poche or wall pocket
273 Satin pincushion
366 Breton lace, how to make on mesh; Crochet & Mediaeval braid; thimble

case w/emery cushion.
367 Tricot jacket for 2yo; Hunting pouch description; mantel cloth
368 Embroidered canvas tidy
369 Crochet garter; pincushion in the form of a brush;
461 Plush table cover; pin tray (vanity box)
462 Towel drawn work; folding circular housewife
462-3 Lamp mat
464 Lidded basket
557 Doily; collar & cuffs; patchwork pattern
558 Basket for cooked eggs; bib; needle case
558-9 Crochet trim
559 Embroidered penwiper; crochet bag for boiling fish whole
560 Crewel tidy