Tea at Trianon: Black Friday

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Friday, November 26, 2010

Black Friday

Spode Christmas Tree Tea Set

Royal Albert 3-piece Tea Set

Christmas is coming. Please browse my Amazon store for gift ideas as well as a just about everything you might need for a Christmas tea party, including food and teas. I have selected some of my favorite books, CDs, films...and much more. There are many items on sale. Have fun shopping. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Here are a few samples:

Flowering Tea Gift Set

A conversation starter for any tea party. Children love to watch the tea as it blossoms.

Genuine English Clotted Cream

It is delicious with crumpets, scones and biscuits.

Scones


Biscuits

The holidays are a great time for practicing manners. We have a whole category of books on that topic.


Tiffany's Table Manners for Teenagers

Looking for a new hat to wear on Christmas Day?

Winter Wool Felt Church Hat

And my own books...great reading for any time of the year.

Reviews and interviews, HERE.

And last but not least, there are some excellent books for spiritual reading, an important part of any season of grace, here and here.