Showing posts with label literature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label literature. Show all posts

Friday, July 12, 2019

Godey's Lady's Book: Editor's Notes

Sometimes, the editor's messages in Godey's are the best part of the magazine. Yes,  mostly it's just shipping confirmations to various initials, but the January 1865 issue is practically a novel:

Clara.— Rubber gloves are used for whitening the hands, price $2.50 per pair.
Mr. B. Clinton, New York.— We know nothing of the whereabouts of the lady.
Maud N. — Perhaps you are growing older. We cannot judge from your description.
I. L. E. — The authoress yon mention died some time since. She was an admirable writer, and her Incognita was well preserved.
Mary. — A frock-coat is an admissible garment for a gentleman to wear when he nuptializes.
L. E. R. — The photographers will "pose" you, as they call it, but they sometimes pose you out of all likeness. A plaid or striped dress is best.
Miss D. H. — We know of no method of making blue eyes look expressive. If they are "naturally melancholy in their expression," we presume it is natural.
E. H. — Tell him at once that you have lost the ring. He must have little faith In you if he cannot believe you.
Miss Q. A. O. — Under the circumstance that you were engaged, you should wear mourning.

Thursday, July 4, 2019

July 4

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” 
--Emma Lazarus, "The New Colossus" (1883)