Titbits*
A choice or pleasing bit of anything, as news or gossip...
by Meg Gardner
Did you know that the fashion for white lawn and organdy dresses we associate with Victorian era tea parties were a break-through of women’s rights? Although it was becoming a more popular and socially-accepted drink during the mid-nineteenth century, Queen Victoria wasn’t allowed to drink tea when she was growing up. One of her first actions after her coronation in 1837 (she was eighteen years old) was to order a cup of tea. She liked the drink so much that she began serving it to ladies only in her boudoir; the first “tea gowns” were light and airy and bore a resemblance to night gowns and robes. Until this time, coffee had been the reigning drink and it was served socially in all-male coffee houses. When tea drinking began to replace coffee, the idea of using it as a basis for a social opportunity that included both men and women moved out of the boudoir setting and into more public areas. However, the white filmy dresses remained “de rigueur.” They were a welcome breath of cool and freedom from the heavily corseted, hooped, cumbersome, and hot costumes that women were expected to wear. Another advantage was that young women were more seductive in these pretty, airy dresses, and were much appreciated by the young men in attendance.
Did you know that the fashion for white lawn and organdy dresses we associate with Victorian era tea parties were a break-through of women’s rights? Although it was becoming a more popular and socially-accepted drink during the mid-nineteenth century, Queen Victoria wasn’t allowed to drink tea when she was growing up. One of her first actions after her coronation in 1837 (she was eighteen years old) was to order a cup of tea. She liked the drink so much that she began serving it to ladies only in her boudoir; the first “tea gowns” were light and airy and bore a resemblance to night gowns and robes. Until this time, coffee had been the reigning drink and it was served socially in all-male coffee houses. When tea drinking began to replace coffee, the idea of using it as a basis for a social opportunity that included both men and women moved out of the boudoir setting and into more public areas. However, the white filmy dresses remained “de rigueur.” They were a welcome breath of cool and freedom from the heavily corseted, hooped, cumbersome, and hot costumes that women were expected to wear. Another advantage was that young women were more seductive in these pretty, airy dresses, and were much appreciated by the young men in attendance.
Maypoles and their companion dances were rites of spring celebrated from the murky days of the Druids. Even in fifteenth century England this celebration of the return of spring and promise of new life was referred to as “from ancient days.” The custom of raising a pole decorated with fresh flowers and stylized dancing that involved winding and rewinding ribbons around it flourished all over northern Europe in similar forms. The dances are often variations of the traditional and ancient Morris dance; these are thought by many to have originated from the Druids’ Maris dances, which were fertility and agricultural dances. In England the dancing was often bawdy and included men dressed like clowns, dragons, and bushes or trees. As the centuries progressed and society was less approving of improper public behavior, maypole dancing became less rambunctious and more genteel and became the form we know now. From its beginnings the celebration is associated with the first of May, or May Day. The earliest May Day celebration (including dancing and a maypole) was held in Massachusetts in 1627 or 1628 and was resoundingly censured by the Puritans, particularly by Governor William Bradford.
Volume 48, January to June (inclusive) 1909, of Good Housekeeping Monthly Magazine describes “The Fair at Quillcote,” Kate Douglas Wiggin’s summer home in Hollis. This fair was a fund-raising event held by the Dorcas Society (which had been founded by Ms. Wiggin). Proceeds of the benefit supported “the old church at Buxton Lower Corner” and drew hundreds of visitors from near and far. Quillcote’s gorgeous grounds, delicious food stuffs, and beautiful homemade items for sale, as well as the unique “gift tree,” all contributed to the festive atmosphere. According to Good Housekeeping “There are diversions for every taste and within the reach of every purse, and best of all is the splendid feeling of friendliness.” One of the very special “diversions” is the maypole: “Farther down the lawn is the varicolored Maypole, around which eight pretty girls dance through picturesque old figures to the accompaniment of their singing and a guitar played by Miss Smith**, a violinist assisting.
*“Titbits” is the British version of the American word “tidbits.” Since the derivation of the word is British, it seems to me that “titbits” is most appropriate. There is a lot of heated discussion among etymologists about which one is correct — all tit-for-tat (British, 16th century) if you ask me. To further complicate the matter, “tit for tat” in Cockney rhyme means “hat.”
**Nora Archibald Smith was Kate Douglas Wiggin’s sister and often co-authored children’s books with her.
**Nora Archibald Smith was Kate Douglas Wiggin’s sister and often co-authored children’s books with her.