* The Young Ladies Journal , May 1, 1870

Here is another journal I will be donating to the British National Library or the British Museum in a few years time.

Lost for words reading the online History projects such as the Queen's University Library project  who refer this magazine to be tailored to middle class women who were fair ( very white skin) and how certain items such as gloves were seen to be of middle class women who stayed at home but women forced to work because of husband's economic situation could use gloves to cover dark rough hands ( signs of housework and work outdoors) and how sun shades could be used not only to protect fair skins as disguise darkened skins by effect of working out of the home.

Would be pointless to advise historians to be inclusive in their history rather than ignore needlepoint cushions, tapestries and especially bedding embroidered by working women.

The idea that working women cannot have a life outside work is not only exclusivist but a reflexion of the person who writes the history work itself. My mother worked most her life as high school maths teacher and after work gave private tuition lessons from home , sometimes until 10 pm.

Please scroll down for the pictures and yes contemplate  Carl Wagner music composed especially for The Young Lady's Journal of May 1, 1870.

The Journal is a delight with so many instructions , not to speak of the fiction story and brief news and music partiture. 

Hope you enjoy my brief review.

Until next time, 

Best wishes,

Ariane

PS- Don't know if you had the chance to read The Watsons by Jane Austen? Well, it approaches this view of European darkened by the  sun as being less worst of consideration for marriage . But...but this was ages ago.... And certainly not related to women capacity or knowledge of embroidery , needlepoint, crochet etc. If its part of the culture of a country you will see it throughout different economic stratifications. For example ' Irish linen' and ' winter hook rugging' primitive or not...Are these middle class terms?Food for thought right?Have a fantastic day!