It's hard to believe that a new year is upon us already.  I know it's not "just me" - everyone I talk to says that the years fly by faster and faster.  I thought perhaps it was a function of getting older, but it seems to affect people of all ages.

Possibly one reason is that we can do so many more things at lightning (if not light) speed.  We're accustomed to instant Internet results, overnight deliveries, everything at our fingertips right now.  Because we can do more in less time, we do more in less time--and wonder why our days seem to vanish in a puff of smoke.

So for a few minutes at least, take some time to step back and relax and put yourself in the mindset of another time.  A time when there was no "fast food" - if you wanted a nice dinner you might spend half a day preparing it.  A time when you went to market to buy the day's groceries. A time when relaxing with your favorite media meant curling up by the fire with a good book. And a time when being "social" meant actually visiting, or being visited by, a living human being.  We often mock Victorian social requirements for "calling" and "calling cards" - but think about it! This social obligation ensured that people actually got out the door and saw one another!  Novel concept.

I'm sure 2017 will fly by with as much haste, or more, as 2016.  But I hope it proves a year of blessing and prosperity for all my readers - and for those of you who have been putting off something important, a dream or a desire, may this be the year you take steps to make that dream come true!

And now, here's what we have for January:

• Grandfather's Picture Books (The Strand, 1892) A look at some curious children's books of older times, including "awful examples of children meddling with fire" and other cheerful topics.
• New Year's Receptions (Demorest, 1879) Suggestions for hosting a New Year's party, along with a look at how such social events have changed in "recent" years.
• Decorative Novelties (Demorest, 1879) A look at some of the latest household decorating trends, including gilt fire-fenders, tinware made to look like "fire-defaced iron," and the use of every imaginable type of animal in china and porcelain decor.
• An Imperial Ball at the Winter Palace, St. Petersburg (Demorest, 1879) Fascinating look at "the first Imperial Ball of the season," including a detailed account of the interior of the palace itself.
• New Year's Receptions (Demorest, 1880) Recipes for a New Year's dinner and reception.
• An Hour by Seven Dials (CFM, 1877) A look at a section of London "associated in our minds with all the worst vices of lower London life."
• A Few Samples Per Rail (CFM, 1894) Portraits of some of the travelers one might meet in a third-class rail carriage.
• A Painted Silk or Satin Pianoforte Front (GOP, 1898) You may not wish to cover the legs of your piano, but this gorgeous design by artist Fred Miller could be used in so many ways!
• Poor Josie: The Story of a Rescued Starling (Little Folks, 1883) The pampered pet of the household after falling down the chimney, Josie learned quite a repertoire of words - and enjoyed scaring sparrows by imitating the cat!
• American Women (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1888) The author - an Englishwoman - finds that American women are far ahead of their British sisters in terms of equality, practical education, and practical knowledge.
• New Year's Day in the Vosges (Cassell's Family Paper, 1860) Concerning the French country custom of erecting a lavishly decorated "New Year's Tree" to bring luck and prosperity to the village for the coming year.
• January Out-of-Doors (CFM, 1875) A monthly series on the seasons in the English countryside - the birds, beasts, and flowers to be seen, along with tips on what to do in the garden, and natural history notes.
• Precious Stones: Their Homes, Histories and Influence (GOP, 1894) An eight-part series on the lore and history of precious stones. For January: The Pearl.
• Things in Season, in Market and Kitchen (GOP, 1899) Suggested menu for the month, based on what is to be found in the market, and what is appropriate for the weather.
• Boots & Shoes of All Ages (The Strand, 1892) Pictorial feature.
• Fiction: The Tax on Moustaches (The Strand, 1899) An award-winning story from an American magazine, reprinted in The Strand - that shows, perhaps inadvertently, the positive effects a lady journalist can have on world politics...

Visit http://www.victorianvoices.net/VT/issues/VT-1701.shtml to download this issue!

Or download it directly from DropBox: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4isnxgdsfseh0wd/VT-1701.pdf?dl=0

Get Our Most Recent Issues in Print!

Don't miss Victorian Times Quarterly #10, which includes the October, November and December 2016 issues.  This volume includes:

Thanksgiving menus and recipes • Ghosts of Hampton Court • Animal courtesies • Seasonal folklore • Menus for the month • Canning and preserving recipes for the fall harvest • The etiquette (and fashions) of mourning • How to celebrate wedding anniversaries • Smuggling devices and an interview with the last of the Cornish smugglers • A look at historic rings • A visit to Coney Island • Some remarkable accidents • How to print coloured leaves • A lady's voyage to Canada • The working life of the Victorian waiter • Fiction: "Carter's Incandescent Cats" and "The Discourager of Hesitancy" • and more...

Find out more at http://www.victorianvoices.net/VT/VTQ/VTQ10.shtml or order it today from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca - there's plenty of time to get it by Christmas!

 Wishing you all the best for the New Year,