Monthly Archives: February 2017

Georgian Chimney Sweeps

In Georgian England, chimney sweeps took boys from orphanages and homeless children from the streets as indentured servants and apprentices. What they looked for were small boys, usually between five and ten years of age, to clamber up narrow chimney … Continue reading

Posted in Commerce, Georgian Society | 3 Comments

The Purposes of the Grand Tour

During the 17th and 18th centuries, rich young Englishmen finished their education by going on The Grand Tour — an extended cultural and collecting trip through continental Europe. You can think of it as a ‘finishing school’ for the sons … Continue reading

Posted in Fashion, Leisure, Travel | 5 Comments

Georgian Deism and Other ‘-isms’

I thought it would be useful to review and explain the basics of the three most common and widespread alternatives to orthodox Christianity in the 18th century—at least amongst the educated classes. All three attempted to find entirely rational explanations for … Continue reading

Posted in Georgian Society, Leisure | 6 Comments

Georgian “Madness” and Melancholy

In the eighteenth century, “madness” was used as a catch-all description for just about any type of mental illness, from depression to full-blown psychosis and mania. The causes were much debated, not just by medical men either. Some saw madness … Continue reading

Posted in Medicine & Science | 7 Comments