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The Rural Voice, 2001-02, Page 371 Book Review Book reveals surprises about lives of Victorian Ontarians Review by Bonnie Gropp Much to be Done — Private Lives in Ontario from Victorian Dairies is an often informative, occasionally entertaining look at an interesting era. It is with some amusement that one considers how exciting a peek into the past to a time known for its prudishness might be. Yet, researchers and authors Frances Hoffman and Ryan Taylor have compiled an accurate account of the structured time, while at the same time upsetting some of the moral stereotypes. For instance, those who might think of dating in the mid -1800s as a well -chaperoned event, should be surprised to read that it was common Decorating them higher to achieve a French flair or lower for a more casual feel. There is now no set rule on where they have to be. Replace your fabric tiebacks with cording and tassels. (Yes they're back in vogue.) Create groupings of houseplants and rearrange their positioning within your room. Paint all the pots to match your decor. This is a fun time to incorporate stenciling and decoupage. And mentioning stenciling and decoupage, these techniques can be incorporated onto lamps and lampshades, and small accent furniture pieces and even onto odd chairs you may wish to incorporate into your decor. The truth of the matter is there are so incredibly many ways to creatively express oneself with our living spaces that we'll run out of wintertime before we run out of ideas and techniques to be experimented with. What a wonderful way to get through the winter doldrums ... creating a "new look" for one's home! Have fun and drop me a line if you come up with some fun new ideas.0 Patti Robertson operates Classic Interiors in Wingham. for young people not to return home their stories connect us historically to from an evening's outing until the them, the varied voices recounting next day's dawning. The reason was them make it difficult for any because of long distances and slow emotional connection. Whereas much transportation. enjoyment can come from a book "Sarah told us MUCH TO BE DONE when the reader becomes familiar there was to be a rNrpu.Lirr,..uw.f.. with its heroes. the constant inter- ji,ar is vamp,! nt.:rv. concert at Aylmer. changing of Victorian voices stymies It was 12 miles - such empathy. there... We had a •� ' While revealing much about the gay time and did ;� people, it reveals little about each not get in until 9 *, .. person. To better acquaint oneself o'clock in the with those whose intimacies have morning. We did been set out for public perusal there not take breakfast is a biography at the back. Flipping until 1 o'clock in `R^?CF1HOPfM"" frequently to it to develop some the afternoon." - human interest but it can be (Dairy of Hellen V Bowlby, 3 July 1867.) It is passages such as this that make Much to Be Done a bit of a surprise. While the majority of the book would best be described as a passive read to say the least, there are moments like the aforementioned that open the mind to the possibility that all was not as it seems to us. The compilation also has the ability to shock. Even though we can be certain life was harder then, seeing personal testamonies of this in black and white has a powerful impact. The section on childbirth offers one passage which taken in context with the other rather prosaic records is nothing short of grotesque. No fictional horror novel could create a scene as equally gruesome as the details of a birth gone very, very wrong. But, generally Much to be Done, is simply a narrative account by many storytellers, some better than others. It begins with an explanation about diaries and, backed up by example, what daily journal keeping meant to women, and men, of that day. From there, chapter, by chapter everything from how to prepare the dead, to how to prepare a traditional fruitcake is set out in first-hand account. The source of the narratives is diverse. There are young women, married women and even men. They come from all types of social and economic backgrounds. Yet, while 1 somewhat distracting. However, one can assume that the intent of Hoffman, an oral historian with the Kitchener Public Library and Taylor, who works with the historical genealogy department of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne Indiana, was not to create entertainment, but rather offer a unique, yet accurate perspective into this romantic era. Much is, therefore a revealing portraiture of the times, an insightful glimpse of a lifestyle gone. To review it is to retlect on our great- grandparents and our heritage. Much to be Done: Private Life in Ontario From Victorian Diaries can be obtained from the National Heritage/Natural History Inc. PO Box 95, Station 0, Toronto, ON. M4A 2M8 or call 1-800-725-9982.0 Deadline for the March issue of The Rural Voice is February 14, 2001 FEBRUARY 2001 33