everything took longer to do
Posted by Caroline on January 05, 1998 at 13:38:15:
In response to Just some thoughts..., written by Lou on January 04, 1998 at 12:40:55
In the age before mass-production techniques and standardisation of components, the ordering of a dress or a carriage would be very much a dialogue between the purchaser and the maker, and such purchaes would demand quite a lot of time and attention, don't you think?
Also, the minutiae of daily life probably took longer- geting cash from the bank would involve going to the bank when it was open, talking to a clerk, and looking up in books, polite conversation, bumping in to people you know,etc. No paying bills by phone, and automatic banking at midnight.
Society was much more self-sufficient and waste-conscious too. Though ladies and gentlemen would not, themselves, unpick and re-use clothing, deal with piles of old leaves,call the vet. to deal with a sick sheep, they had to be in charge and supervise such things.
And not everyone was too proud to get their hands dirty. Mrs Austen was a keen gardener, and kept cows and chickens (herself? not sure) supervised the making of home remedies for various diseases, educated her kids,nursed sick ones, wrote verses,guarded the tea and sugar caddies,as well as entertained her neighbours.
And, of course, People learned to read properly!
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