Victorians and their Dogs

The Nineteenth Century ushered in an age of devotion to the dog. In fact the saying “man’s best friend” is traced to a poem printed in The New-York Literary Journal in 1821. Queen Victoria exemplified this devotion and loved her animals, in particular her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dash. The Queen commissioned many paintings of Dash, as well as her other dogs, these paintings lead to the rise of "dog art" and in particular portraits of pet dogs. Paintings by specialists like Arthur Wardle and Maud Earl, became "must have" items for the well-to-do merchant and aristocratic class home.

In fact, in some ways, no Victorian home was complete without at least one canine. The animals were symbols of wealth and status during Victoria's reign. Some dogs even had their own maids who fed, groomed and kept them clean. Popular lapdogs included the Schipperke, the Skye Terrier, the Yorkshire Terrier, the Maltese and the King Charles Spaniel. Dogs like the Jack Russell Terrier, that were too large to fit comfortably in a lap, were used for fox hunting and were also considered fashionable companion breeds. The Newfoundland, a gentle giant, was beloved for its docile yet protective nature, becoming “nanny dogs”, thanks to their love and devotion to the family’s children.

A focus on breeding, and "pure bred" lines, started during this time period, and several modern breeds originated in the 1800s. However the emphasis on breeding for aesthetics allowed less desirable traits, such as propensity for diseases, to pollute many genetic lines. Despite that fact, when Victorians began to value their dogs both as companions and as partners, the press for the humane treatment of the animals began, a trend for which the Queen would be proud!

DOG-BREEDING ESTABLISHMENTS, ZAHNA - SCHWEINTZ - ANABURG Gold and Silver Government and Societies Medals Awarded. Permanent Exhibition Sale at Schweintz, District Merseburg, stations Jessen-Holsdorf, Berl.-Anh. Railway, of always upwards of 100 superior Dogs such as Ulm, Danish, English, Mountain, Newfoundlands, Mastiffs, and Pet Dogs. For the forthcoming hunting season I beg to offer thoroughly trained, also rough, Hunting, Pointers, Terriers, and Greyhounds, who can be brought to Zahna, a station between Leipsic and Berlin, over my extensive hunting-grounds, by my own huntsman if required. Illustrated Price-Lists, with 50 Illustrations, in the German, French and Dutch languages, with full particulars respecting breed, qualities, and description, with references to well-known sportsmen in all parts of the world, sent free and post paid on application. My Album of 50 various Dog breeds, which have been awarded a first prize, and containing directions as to care, breeding, treatment, and training of the Luxury and Hunting hound, is to be obtained for 10s. Address for letters and telegrams, OTTO FRIEDRICH, Zahna, Prussia.

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A "hat tip" to the Aurora Regency blog's Kristin Burlingame, for her Dogs in Victorian Times post.

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HMS Imperieuse

WAR SHIPS OF THE BRITISH ROYAL NAVY.

RECENTLY COMMISSIONED-H.M.S. IMPERIEUSE

As an example of one of the latest additions to the Royal Navy, we give an engraving of H.M.S. Imperieuse. for which we are indebted to the Illustrated London News. The Imperieuse and her sister ship, the Warspite, were launched in 1883 & 1884, receiving their commissioning pennants in 1886 & 1888 respectively. The ships are designed as fast cruisers, carrying four heavy revolving guns in barbette towers, capable of being fired in any direction, besides six lighter guns. Each ship will be able to carry 900 tons of coal, and to steam at the rate of sixteen knots per hour. The ships are brig-rigged, with a large spread of canvas for cruising.

The dimensions of the ship are: Length, 315 feet; displacement, 7,300 tons; horse power, 8,000.—Engineering

Technical Specifications:

Class	Year	MS	Ram	Spd	Hs	Blt	Bty	Blk	Trt	Deck	Armament
AC	1886	34	N	3	6	M5	-	4	4	4	F,A,P,S: [1x9B], FS,AS: 1x6B, BS:3x6B; BT-2, ST-2, MT-1, 4QF

Click image for a PDF copy of the ship chart.

Hallmarks of Civilization

The various departments of science are so closely interlinked that achievements in each throw light upon the problems of the others, often in vary unexpected ways. It is for those who, taking the worlds as they are, are concerned to make them as better as they can; for those who can see, without elaborate explanation, that sanitary savagery does not well accord with clean living which is a distinguishing mark of civilization; for those who are not too indolent or engaged to look fairly at the reasons which have given rise to the general demand, so frequent today, for clean surroundings, and the physical and mental vigor which these conditions foster.

Clean water is one of the hallmarks of civilization. Today, like never before, we can utilize science and technology to turn the brackish canal waters of Mars, the steamy swamp waters of Venus, as well as less-desirable quantities of water here on Earth, into potable water. Further, once purified, that water can be turned to ice for all manner of purposes, from the preservation of food to the cooling of dwellings. Truly we live in a gilded age.—editor

B R I G H T,   C L E A R   W A T E R guaranteed in all cases, at low cost, and in quantities from 5 gals. to 5,000 gals. per minute. Adapted to Private Houses, Hotels, Asylums, Hospitals, Factories, Mills, Boilers, Steam Boats, and Water Works in Towns and Cities. Our Filters are simple in construction and operation, will stand any pressure, the filtering material is imperishable, and can be cleaned in from five to twenty minutes, effectually removing all impurities from the Filter bed. Plans and specifications ready for a 15,000,000 gallon plant. Send for Circular, stating paper you saw advertisement in to: THE NEWARK FLITERING COMPANY, 141 COMMERCE ST., NEWARK, N. J. ICE MACHINES Of all sizes, from 10 lb. per Hour to 50 Tons per Day Binary Absorption System. ECONOMICAL SIMPLE, RELIABLE. Send for Circulars. Delamater Iron Works, 16 Courtlandt St., NEW YORK, U. S. A.

HIJMS Kotaka

TORPEDO BOAT FOR THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT.

THE JAPANESE NAVY'S SEA-GOING TORPEDO BOAT KOTAKA.

We give a photograph of the Japanese Government's new torpedo boat, HIJMS Kotaka, lately completed by Messrs. Yarrow & Co., of Poplar, which is of more than usual interest, as she is a distinct departure from the now stereotyped form of torpedo boat. Not only is she the largest that has hitherto been built, but she embodies several new features. The principal novelty is that vulnerable parts of the the vessel, including the machinery, are all protected by one inch steel armor which may be considered as an almost perfect defense against machine-gun fire, having in view the distance at which a torpedo boat attacks and the acute angle of fire at which it would be hit. The dimensions are 166 ft. long by 19 ft. beam, and she will be propelled by twin screws driven by engines indicating 1,400 horse power, from which a speed of nineteen to twenty knots, or about 23 miles an hour, maybe reasonably expected. The vessel has already been shipped in pieces to Japan, where she was put together; and if the trials come up to the expectations formed, there is no doubt that this type of torpedo boat will find much favor with many governments. For not only is good protection obtained, but the vessel, from her large size, offers great and very comfortable accommodation for the officers and crew, and is undoubtedly deserving of being considered thoroughly sea-going. How far the advantages gained by the one inch of steel armor will counter-balance the disadvantages of reduced speed and increased cost in consequence is for naval authorities rather than for engineers and shipbuilders to determine.

The Kotaka's armament consists of two torpedo tubes placed forward for direct firing ahead, the torpedoes being ejected by gunpowder. There will also be amidships and aft, on the deck, turntables, upon each of which will be mounted two torpedo guns, placed at an acute angle with one another and arranged for firing over the side. These guns, by being nearly, but not quite, parallel with each other, if fired simultaneously, will clearly very materially increase the probability of the vessel aimed at being hit. It is a remarkable fact that the Japanese were the first to introduce sea-going torpedo boats into their navy, Messrs. Yarrow & Co. having, some eight years ago, constructed a number of such craft for the Japanese Government, under the superintendence of Sir E. J. Reed. Again they have taken the initiative, in conjunction with Messrs. Yarrow and Co., in adopting a vessel of such an entirely new type and possessing such evident advantages over their predecessors. —The Engineer.

Technical Specifications:

Class	Year	MS	Ram	Spd	Hs	Blt	Bty	Blk	Trt	Deck	Armament
TB	1888	(4)	N	3	3	-	-	-	-	-	BT-2, DT-4, 4QF

Click image to download a PDF copy of the chart.

Coca Cola on Mars

In 1886, when prohibition laws were passed in some areas of the United States, Colonel John Pemberton developed the "soft" drink Coca-Cola -- a non-alcoholic version of his previous French Wine Coca. Initially, Pemberton sold Coca-Cola as a patent medicine for 5 cents per glass near soda fountains; he claimed Coca-Cola could cure diseases like headache, morphine addiction, and impotence. Beginning in the late 1880s and early 1890s, after Asa Griggs Candler acquired the controlling interest in the company, Coca-Cola was sold in bottles, and began to be advertised even more broadly.

Candler's aggressive marketing tactics led the company to its dominance of the world soft-drink market. With a foothold in the American quarter in Thymiamata, Coca-Cola looks poised to extend its influence to the red planet as well.—editor

SYRUP ✦ AND ✦ EXTRACT. For Soda Water and other Carbonated Beverages. The "INTELLECTUAL BEVERAGE" and TEMPERANCE DRINK contains the valuable TONIC and NERVE STIMULANT properties of the Coca plant and Cola (or Kola) nuts, and makes not only a delicious, exhilarating, refreshing and invigorating Beverage (dispensed from the soda water fountain or in other carbonated beverages), but a valuable Brain Tonic, and a cure for all nervous afflictions -- SICK HEAD-ACHE, NEURALGIA, HYSTERIA, MELANCHOLY, &c. The peculiar flavor of COCA-COLA delights every palate; it is dispensed from the soda fountain in same manner as any of the fruit syrups. Druggists, increase trade at your fountain by dispensing the delicious, refreshing beverage, No fountain beverage ever increased in popularity so rapidly. None will draw so many customers to your fountain. Advertising matter from any branch free. Atlanta.   Chicago.   Dallas.   Philadelphia.   Thymiamata.

The "Hall" Type-Writer

Price £8 8s. - Weight, 8 lb. - Size, 14 by 7 by 2½ in.

THE ONLY PORTABLE AND COMPLETE MACHINE EXTANT. UNIQUE IN ITS SIMPLICITY.

THE "HALL" TYPE-WRITER

The "Times" referred to this Machine on March 11, 1881, as follows: "Messrs. Witherby may claim the credit of having introduced from America a NEW TYPE-WRITER, which is both cheap and portable... The principle of this beautiful little machine... It may be used in any position, on a desk or in a railway-carriage... A practiced hand can achieve from thirty to forty words a minute, which is a good deal more than most people can write...The plate is fitted with capitals and small letters, stops, numerals, &e."

PROSPECTUS AND ALL PARTICULARS POST FREE FROM

WITHERBY and CO., High Holborn; and 74, Cornhill, London