On This Day… in 1826 – Walter Cecil Macfarren by Donna Schlachter

The only known portrait of Walter Cecil Macfarren (Wikipedia)

When we think of great musical composers in history, likely names such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach jump instantly to mind. And while it is unlikely that the name of our featured guest would spark any connection with these legendary greats, he does hold a special place in the hallowed halls of musical composition.

Walter Cecil Macfarren was born August 28, 1826 in London, the youngest son of dramatist George Macfarren, and the less-famous brother of musician George Alexander Macfarren. At the age of four he showed some musical promise, and by age ten he was serving as a choir-boy at Westminster Abbey. He sang at the coronation of Queen Victoria when he was 12, in 1838.

However, soon after, his voice changed as he entered puberty, and he briefly considered becoming an artist, even taking painting lessons. When that didn’t suit him, he worked as a salesman for pianos in Brighton.

Not finding that to his liking either, he entered the Royal Academy of Music in 1842, studying piano and composition. On his graduation, he remained on staff at the Academy, first as a sub-professor of the pianoforte, and eventually as a full professor. Macfarren served for 57 years, lecturing six times a year and teaching piano.

In 1852, at the age of 26, he married Julia Fanner, the daughter of an artist. The story goes that “her mind gave way” in 1878, which implies she suffered from some form of mental illness. She died in their 50th year of marriage. The couple had no children.

In 1862, he was appointed musical critic to The Queen newspaper, and later he edited Popular Classics and Mozart’s complete piano works and Beethoven’s sonatas.

During this time, his classical education inspired his composition of many small but solid piano pieces, always pleasing to the ear and stylistic, reminiscent of Mendelssohn. He also conducted concerts at the Academy, and served as treasurer of the Royal Philharmonic Society for three years, before turning his attention back to composition. In 1881, he wrote a concert piece for piano and orchestra, proving his ability and skill at writing for more than one instrument at a time. As if he wasn’t busy enough, he also released his Scale and Arpeggio Manual in 1862.

On his 70th birthday, Macfarren founded two prizes for pianoforte playing at the Academy. He retired in 1904 from all other work apart from remaining as a contributor to The Queen, and he published his autobiography in 1905, Memories. He lived his remaining days in Osnaburgh Terrace, London, usually spending his vacations at Brighton. He died later that year and is buried in St. Pancras and Islington Cemetery in East Finchley, London.



About Donna:

A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers' groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter. She is taking all the information she’s learned along the way about the writing and publishing process, and is coaching committed writers eager to tell their story.

www.DonnaSchlachter.com

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Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Cecil_Macfarren

https://www.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Walter_Cecil_Macfarren Includes a list of his works

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Dictionary_of_National_Biography,_1912_supplement/Macfarren,_Walter_Cecil Includes more about his earlier life

 

Solving The Mystery of Cholera in Victorian London

 by Edwina Kiernan

During the Victorian era, against the backdrop of industrial revolution and urbanization, a sinister adversary emerged: cholera. 

This deadly disease claimed countless lives, fostering a growing atmosphere of fear and confusion. The quest to understand cholera and its mode of transmission would become a pivotal chapter in the history of public health. 

This article explores the Victorian struggle to comprehend and combat the cholera epidemic.

The Menace

Cholera, a bacterial infection, wreaked havoc throughout Victorian England. Characterized by severe diarrhea and vomiting, cholera led to rapid dehydration and, in many cases, death within hours. This deadly disease struck fear into the hearts of Victorians as its mode of transmission was, as yet, unknown.

Initially, the prevailing belief was that cholera spread through miasma — noxious fumes arising from decomposing organic matter. This misconception hindered efforts made to grasp the true nature of the disease and devise effective preventive measures.

Patients suffering from cholera, 1854

The Mastermind

One of the key figures in unraveling the mystery of cholera transmission was Dr. John Snow, a British physician. Snow challenged the prevailing miasma theory, proposing an alternative hypothesis: cholera’s transmission was waterborne. 

Through meticulous investigation and mapping of cholera cases in London, Snow identified a striking correlation between incidences of the disease and contaminated water sources. His famous map of the 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak highlighted a cluster of cases centered around a contaminated public water pump. 

Snow's work laid the foundation for understanding that cholera was not airborne as previously believed, but waterborne — a revolutionary concept that reshaped public health strategies.

John Snow, physician

The Mystery Solved

The Broad Street cholera outbreak, also known as the Golden Square outbreak, was a watershed moment in the history of epidemiology. In the summer of 1854, a densely populated area in London experienced a sudden surge in cholera cases. 

Dr. John Snow's meticulous investigation during this outbreak provided crucial evidence supporting his waterborne transmission theory. By interviewing affected individuals and plotting cases on a map, Snow pinpointed the Broad Street water pump as the epicenter of the outbreak. 

Despite initial skepticism, the local authorities, persuaded by Snow's evidence, removed the pump handle, effectively curbing the spread of the disease. This event marked a turning point in understanding cholera, paving the way for modern epidemiology.

John Snow's cholera outbreak map

The Microbiological Proof

While Snow's epidemiological insights were groundbreaking, confirmation of the waterborne transmission theory came with later advances in microbiology. 

In the late 19th century, scientists like Robert Koch and Louis Pasteur made significant strides in understanding bacteria and their role in infectious diseases. The identification and isolation of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae provided concrete evidence linking contaminated water to the transmission of cholera. 

This microbiological confirmation not only solidified Snow's findings but also paved the way for the development of water sanitation measures that proved critical in controlling the spread of the disease.

The Measures Undertaken:

Armed with the knowledge of cholera's waterborne transmission, Victorian society initiated significant public health reforms. Sanitary measures, such as the improvement of sewage systems and the establishment of clean water supplies, became paramount in preventing cholera outbreaks. 

Legislation and policies aimed at ensuring the purity of public water sources gained prominence, transforming the urban landscape and reducing the prevalence of waterborne diseases. 

The Victorian era's battle against cholera not only revolutionized public health practices but also laid the groundwork for future advancements in understanding and combating infectious diseases.

The Story Behind The Hymn—Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

 By Jennifer Uhlarik

 

Come, thou long expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.


Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.


I don’t know about you, but this hymn has been a staple in my church during the weeks leading up to this Christmas. And what beauty the two verses express. But do you know who penned these words, or what inspired the song? Let me briefly tell you.

Charles Wesley

These words were written by Charles Wesley (1707-1788) who, along with his brother John, were the founders of the Methodist movement within the Church of England. John and Charles are credited with leading many to Christ during the Methodist revival in America and England, through both their preaching and hymn-singing. Charles was a prolific hymn writer who wrote over 6,500 hymns in his lifetime, including this one, as well as Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

Wesley was inspired to write Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus in 1744 as he walked the streets of London and saw the great dichotomy between classes. The wealthy lived like kings in comparison to those who’d fallen on hard times. Some were fortunate enough to secure some form of low-rate housing, but worked long, arduous hours to stay in such accomodations. Then there were the “Blackguard Children” or “Blackguard Youth”—the homeless orphans and runaway children the likes of which inspired Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist and other such writings of the time. These children particularly caught Wesley’s attention, as many lived in squalor on the streets, starving and freezing to death. They were known to form gangs who pilfered, pickpocketed, and begged for what little they got. As Wesley walked the streets and saw this great contrast, Haggai 2:7 came to mind:

and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts. (NKJV)

As he pondered these words alongside the dismal poverty he saw around him, the lyrics of the hymn began to form in his mind. When he sat to write, he scribbled words that both evoked the longing of ancient Israel for their promised Messiah, as well as his own longing for the Lord to come and change the circumstances he saw while walking the streets of London. The song that he churned out became so popular that it was not only printed in a small hymnal of Christmas songs, but that hymnal would go on to be reprinted no less than twenty times in Wesley’s lifetime alone, as well as the song being printed in other books in England and America both.

 

May the beautiful words wash over you this Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Christ today—and await his second coming!

 

Merry Christmas to all our faithful readers, from each of the authors at Heroes, Heroines, and History!

Award-winning, best-selling novelist Jennifer Uhlarik has loved the western genre since she read her first Louis L’Amour novel. She penned her first western while earning a writing degree from University of Tampa. Jennifer lives near Tampa with her husband, son, and furbabies. www.jenniferuhlarik.com

 

 

Sherlock Holmes Brought to Life -- By Donna Schlachter

Sherlock Holmes statue

There are some characters in literature that we tend to think of as real people—Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, Mr. Darcy, Frankenstein, Dracula, to name a few. But perhaps one of the most loved yet deeply flawed characters in all history would be Sherlock Holmes. Movies are still being made featuring him today. And not simply remakes of original stories—there are new stories being written, new adventures, even revisionist versions where, for example, Dr. Watson is really the brain behind a blundering and incompetent Holmes.

So why would we still enjoy a character written more than a hundred years ago? One portrayed by a number of actors over the years, yet each of us has that one talent we think is the epitome of the character. For me, Jeremy Brett holds that honor.

The character’s observational and deductive skills are legendary, and yet he seems always to be racing headlong into self-destruction with his dark side that neglects his physical body when he’s on a case, or indulges his addictive personality when he isn’t. Not to mention his failure to understand why his playing of the violin until all hours annoys Watson and his landlady. Or what about the dysfunctional relationship with his brother Mycroft? Or his fixation on Moriarty, whom we are never really positive exists in the real world of the story.

Sherlock Holmes museum in London, England

Perhaps it is the unique combination of skills, strengths, flaws, wounds, wrapped in a package that each of us can identify with. An odd child, perhaps, who never quite fit in, because he was too analytical for his friends, always second to his brilliant brother, believing lies that he wasn’t quite good enough, wounded to the core by the one love of his life who left him, seeking solace in the clouds of opium addiction. Which of us hasn’t experienced some of that to one degree or another?

Sherlock Holmes, no matter how low he sinks, finds strength to rise above the situation and go on to solve yet another mystery.

We can find in this character the answer to our own present-day dilemmas and problems: rise above the situation and go on. Whether we find the strength in our faith, in our friends and family, or in the needs of another, we, too, can carry on.

Here’s some interesting trivia about the character:

· Queen Victoria had a soft spot for Sherlock.
· Moriarty and Sherlock might have had a history.
· There are Hundreds of Societies Worldwide Dedicated To His Life
· Sherlock Holmes Didn’t Wear a Deerstalker
· Sherlock Holmes is the most popular film character
· Sherlock never says ‘Elementary, my dear Watson’

If you’re a Sherlock Holmes fan, following are several interesting sites I found:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/chelseypippin/things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-sherlock-holmes

https://www.rankred.com/interesting-facts-about-sherlock-holmes/

https://www.yours.co.uk/leisure/celebrity-tv/15-facts-about-sherlock-holmes/



About Donna:

Donna lives in Denver with husband Patrick. As a hybrid author, she writes historical suspense under her own name, and contemporary suspense under her alter ego of Leeann Betts, and has been published more than 30 times in novellas and full-length novels. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Writers on the Rock, Sisters In Crime, Pikes Peak Writers, and Christian Authors Network; facilitates a critique group; and teaches writing classes online and in person. Donna also ghostwrites, edits, and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, and travels extensively for both. Donna is represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management.


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Faith, the Brave Little Church Cat of WWII

In September, when I shared stories of some cats from World War II, I promised to share the story of a special cat who deserved a post of her own! Her touching story brought a tear to my eye.

On Watling Street in London at St. Augustine's and St. Faith's rectory, Fr. Henry Ross had an unexpected visitor. A thin little cat had followed the aroma of breakfast to the second floor. Ther verger (one who takes care of the sanctuary and order of service) tried to throw the persistent feline out for the third time. Henry was concerned the cat looked thin and cold. The verger's wife liked cats and Henry asked if she would bring a box for the little feline along with some bowls for feeding her.

Used with permission from
http://www.purr-n-fur.org.uk/famous/faith.html
article: "Faith, the Church Cat"

After no one in the congregation answered Henry’s message in the church bulletin, attempting to find the cat’s true home, he happily made her the church cat and thought that the name “Faith” would fit, since she hadn’t given up on finding a home in the church. Faith enjoyed the full range of the church and mice to catch. She grew fatter and even attended services. She curled up at Fr. Ross’ feet as he preached. When he wasn’t the celebrant, she sat on the front pew. The little cat became a well-loved fixture in the church.

In 1940 she’d grown plumper than usual and it was discovered she was expecting. One August morning, Henry found she’d given birth to a male kitten. Due to his black and white markings he was named “Panda.”

On September 6, Faith somehow communicated to Henry to follow her all the way from the second floor down to the basement door. She persisted until he opened it for her. Faith made her way down to the basement and Henry left the door open for her. Later, she transported her kitten, Panda, down to the cold, musty basement.

When Faith's basket stayed empty. Henry found them in the basement both between two piles of retired sheet music. He brought Panda back upstairs to where the two cats would be warmer while Faith followed. 

Lucka97, 2011,(CC) from Wikimedia Commons.
Perhaps, with his black ears and tail, and
white body, Panda looked a little like this kitten.

Henry went to lead a church service, but Faith didn’t attend that time. Instead, he later found she had taken Panda back to the basement. He brought the kitten up again. This happened a few times before he decided to consult the verger’s wife and some of the other church ladies. They seemed to believe that Faith felt her kitten was in some sort of danger.

On September 9, Henry rode his bike to Westminster for business. When he was returning later that day, the air raid sirens had begun. He was forced to spend the night in a shelter. The next day, amidst the destruction he made his way back to Watling Street. Though the church tower still stood, most of the church was a twisted mess.

A fireman warned Henry that what was left of the roof could collapse at any moment. Still, Father Ross searched determinedly through the rubble for his beloved feline companions. He called to Faith until he heard a faint mew. He finally found her under the old singed sheet music, nursing her kitten, while surrounded by the smoking rubble.

St. Augustine's, Watling Street
London, by ChrisO, current photo,
from Wikipedia.org (CC)

Henry, overjoyed, moved them to safety before the roof collapsed. The verger and his wife invited him and the cats to stay with them until the rectory would again be inhabitable.

In 1945, Faith was given an honorary Dickin medal and citation for her bravery, even though she wasn’t a military cat. The Archbishop of Canterbury even attended the ceremony at St. Augustine’s! Even across the pond, the Greenwich Village Humane League in New York had gotten wind of her story and made sure her story was printed and shared.

Panda grew up into a handsome tom and eventually went to become the in-residence cat at a nursing home, where I’m guessing he brought joy to many of the residents. Then one morning in 1948, after Henry gave Faith her breakfast, she laid down in front of the fireplace for a nap and peacefully passed away.

She was buried near the churchyard gate and was remembered by the congregation in a service. After her act of bravery to protect her kitten during the Luftwaffe bombing, her photograph was placed on a chapel wall with this tribute below it:

Photo from Popular Social Science article "The Cats that
Fought WWII: The Allies"

"Faith"

Our dear little church cat of St. Augustine and St. Faith.

The bravest cat in the world. On Monday, September 9th, 1940, 

she endured horrors and perils beyond the power of words to tell.

Shielding her kitten in a sort of recess in the house (a spot

she selected three days before the tragedy occurred), she

sat the whole frightful night of bombing and fire, guarding her

little kitten. The roofs and masonry exploded. The whole house

blazed. Four floors fell through in front of her. Fire and water

and ruin all round her.Yet she stayed calm and steadfast and 

waited for help.We rescued her in the early morning while the

place was still burning, and By the mercy of Almighty God, she and

her kitten were not only saved, but unhurt. God be praised and

thanked for His goodness and mercy to our dear little pet.

(Used with permission from: 
http://www.purr-n-fur.org.uk/famous/faith.html)

For a more complete story of Faith, go to: Purr-n-Fur UK for the article "Faith, the Church Cat", by Patrick Roberts, where much of this information was found and you can find more delightful stories about famous felines!

Kathleen Rouser is the award-winning author of Rumors and Promises, her first novel about the people of fictional Stone Creek, Michigan. She is a longtime member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Kathleen longs to create characters who resonate with readers and realize the need for a transforming Savior in their everyday lives. She lives in Michigan with her hero and husband, and the sassy tail-less cat who found a home in their empty nest. Connect with Kathleen on her website at kathleenrouser.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kathleenerouser/, and on Twitter @KathleenRouser

Lalique Crystal

René Jules Lalique was born in France in 1860. When he was two-years-old, his family moved to the outskirts of Paris, but often traveled to northeastern France. As he grew, René developed a love of nature, which would later be reflected in his artwork.

As a boy, René apprenticed to a goldsmith, and began to show a penchant for art. When he was twelve, he began college classes, and began to hone his skills in sketching and drawing. He spent two years at the Crystal Palace School of Art in London. He learned to design jewelry and continued to garner attention with his naturalistic artwork.

By Yelkrokoyade 

By Yelkrokoyade 

In London, René began to make jewelry for well-known jewelers such as Cartier. In 1885, René ventured into his own business and began to design jewelry and glasswork in his own name. By 1890, he was recognized as one of the leading artists in designing jewelry and often made pieces displayed in upper end Parisian shops. His creativity, quality and the beauty of his pieces were highly sought after.

Spirit of the Wind hood ornament
Photo by Ingrid Taylar 

Firebird

While Lalique jewelry garnered popularity, he made his biggest impact when he began to work with glass. In the 1920’s he designed in credible art works in crystal. He was known for his art deco style. He designed a lighted glass wall for the SS Normandie and glass fonts and fixtures for St. Matthew’s Church in France, which became known as Lalique’s Glass Church. His glasswork is in other places, including the infamous Orient Express.

Glasswork in St. Matthew's Church
Photo by Danrok

René’s glassworks are in museums throughout the world. The simplicity of his design and the artistry is breathtaking. He designed beautiful perfume bottles for François Coty.

Renard Photo by Morio

Falcon Photo by Morio

I recently viewed some pieces of Lalique crystal, which made me curious about the artist. I’ve included some pictures of the pieces I saw at the antique book fair. Have you ever seen any Lalique glass? I would be hesitant to have a glass hood ornament, but the ones I saw were beautiful. What are your thoughts?

Crystal bowl inside

Crystal bowl outside

Perfume bottle

Perfume bottle

Nancy J Farrier is an award winning author who lives in Southern California in the Mojave Desert. She loves the Southwest with its interesting historical past. Nancy and her husband have five children and two grandsons. When Nancy isn’t writing, she loves to read, do needlecraft, play with her cats, and spend time with her family. Nancy is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Literary Agency. You can read more about Nancy and her books on her website: nancyjfarrier.com.