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Napoleonic daily soap - special. Bonn, December 1795

I'm not sure if anybody still remembers the idea of a napoleonic daily soap. Briefly, I was quite fascinated by the idea but, as usual, I got quickly distracted. By that time, I had begun a little "special", featuring an event unrelated to Napoleon. Because, after all, the napoleonic saga is so much more than only one monsieur Bonaparte.

I had gotten halfway through the plot before I broke off. Now I've finished it - rather hastily and badly, but finished, and I'm posting it in case somebody is still interested. It's heavily inspired by some real complaints found in German sources 😋.

-.-.-

Napoleonic daily soap, special 1 – what was everybody else doing at the time [i.e.: September/November 1795]?

-.-.-

[Scene: Bonn. The Council Room/Ratsstube of the pub located in the town hall’s basement [that every German town hall seems to have]. Darkened wood lining the walls, carved ceiling, heavy oak furniture. Some dozen town officials, visibly well-off members of the local bourgeoisie in old-fashioned 18th century overcoats, gold watch chains hanging out of their waistcoats, are drinking and chatting happily]

[Mayor, raising his glass]:

"Gentlemen, we have every reason to be satisfied. The French army of the Rhine has continued its retreat." [Applause, town officials knocking on the table, cheering.] "The French headquarter has left our beloved Bonn for good. No longer will French soldiers rob our peasants, squeeze the money out of our working class and misappropriate the contents of the city's coffers."

[Town official, interrupting]

"Damn right! After all, that’s our job!" [Laughter, more cheering]

[Door opens. Kinzinger enters, an open letter in his hand.]

[Kinzinger]

"Don’t you rejoice too soon, gentlemen!"

[Mayor]

"Herr Kinzinger, you’re late for this meeting of the city council. Where have you been?"

[Kinzinger, handing him the letter]

"I was kept up by a courier who brought me this. Apparently, the French are returning."

[Groaning all along the table. The mayor hastily studies the letter]

[Mayor]

"The corps of one general Lefebvre will be stationed in our region … some brigadier general is even supposed to stay in our town … soldiers to be quartered in private houses … officers to be lodged and fed at the town’s expenses …"

[Town official]

"The usual, obviously."

[Mayor, gets agitated]:

"And there we have it. This brigadier general is not even here yet but already sends ahead a list of what he wants to be delivered to his personal cook on his entry into town."

[Town official sarcastic]:

"Efficient. What does he ask for?"

[Mayor, eyes bulging]

"He demands – get this: 12 pounds of ox meat, one mutton, half a calf, vegetables, white bread, chicken …" [some of what he reads is lost in a flurry of upset murmurs in the audience] "… coffee and sugar."

[Town officials all talking over each other]

"Outrageous – what sort of glutton is this? - this guy must weigh a ton! - do we really have to comply with this?"

[Kinzinger]

"We’ve had some bad guys here already but that one seems to be the worst so far."

[Mayor, knocks on the table calling for silence]

"Gentlemen, I say we must not put up with this. It is time to reign those Frenchmen in. We have met the demands of those French officers long enough. That's the last straw." [Cheers, applause and approval] "We will let this general …" [checks the letter] "... Soult know that the city’s coffers are empty, that the town’s resources are exhausted, that the things he asks for are nowhere to be found and that he has to come up with another way to indulge in his culinary vices."

-.-.-

[CUT to Soult’s office in Bonn. His younger brother Pierre is standing at attention before his desk.]

[Soult, confused]

"What do you mean you’re not going to stay here with me? You’re my aide de camp."

[Pierre]

"That does not mean I have to always sleep under the same roof as you, right? I mean, I will show up for my job, obviously. But Jean, I’d really love to have some time for myself occasionally."

[Soult stares]

[Pierre]

"Look, the only thing that will be different is that I won’t be there for dinner."

[Soult, aghast]:

"You will even eat elsewhere?"

[Pierre]

"You will barely notice! You always invite half of our officers to dinner…"

[Soult]

"For good reason. I want to have my people close by. At least then I know where they are and that they are not committing any excesses or stupidities in town on that evening. Which reminds me: Where precisely do you plan on staying in Bonn?"

[Pierre, a bit embarrassed]

"There’s a house close to the city gate."

[Soult's eyes narrow]

"You would not be talking about the one on the left side of the road? The one with the red paper lanterns in all its windows?"

[Pierre regards a corner of the room with great interest]

[Soult]

"You have to be kidding me!"

[Pierre]

"Look, Jean…"

[Soult]

"That’s general Jean to you, monsieur!"

[Pierre]

"I’m 25, okay? Plus, technically, it’s just another kind of inn. The rooms are clean and comfy, the girls are very nice, the food is excellent …"

[Soult]

"You’re staying at a brothel because of the food? When we have our own cook? Wait until Perrou hears about that!" [stares at Pierre]

[Pierre stares back]

[Soult, exasperated]

"Just so you know, I am appalled! And Perrou will be even more so! Do I really need to explain to you what an impression those good Germans will have when they see one of our sous-lieutenants, who is not only an ADC to the commanding general but also closely related to him, openly stay at a brothel? I do not have words to express my disappointment. This idea is outrageous. You're giving the French army a bad name by such behaviour. Even worse, you're giving me a bad name. You make us look like insatiable womanizers, you're confirming all the prejudice the Germans may have about French vices. How could you even dream about staying at a house of bad reputation?"

[Pierre, matter-of-fact-ly]

"I understand that, as brothels go, it actually has a very good reputation. The girls say that all important town officials are customers. The rooms are incredibly cheap, I'll have one all to myself, unlike when I’m quartered in town and can congratulate myself if I do not have to share the bed with some grenadier. And as a long-term client, I’ll get drinks and services at a discount."

[Soult]

"There’s a discount?"

[Pierre]

"I’m sure I could get my friends and family included into that."

[Soult]

"That does not make it any less outrageous."

[Pierre]

"True. But can I go now?"

[Soult]

"Unfortunately, you’re a grown up. I do not have any legal means to hinder what you do in your freetime."

[Pierre]

"Thank you, you’re the best big brother ever!"

[Soult, grim]:

"I may get back to you about that discount. And if Mum finds out, you’re on your own. I’m not covering up for you!"

[As Pierre turns to leave, the door opens. Soult’s cook Perrou enters the room.]

[Soult]

"Ah, Perrou, good you’re coming. We will be one person less for dinner tonight. And apparently all through the rest of our stay in Bonn. You can rearrange your plans for the meals accordingly."

[Perrou, furious]

"I’m sorry to say, general, but I fear there will not be any meals. At all. The town magistrate has refused to send anything for my kitchen. Am I supposed to conjure up dinner for everybody out of thin air?"

[Soult]

"What du you mean, refused?"

[Perrou]

"They flat out say there is no food in town."

[Soult, glares]

"They are trying to starve us. This means war. - Pierre?"

[Pierre, hastily]

"You already said I could leave for my inn…"

[Soult]

"You can. But make a quick detour. To the town hall."

-.-.-

[CUT to town hall. Kinzinger sitting behind a wooden desk. Pierre Soult standing in front of him. Both are engaged in a discussion that obviously has been going on for a while.]

[Pierre]

"I truly fail to understand you. A French army is quartered in your town. Of course the magistrate has to provide food for it. How else are the soldiers supposed to be nourished? Do you want them to just run around and grab stuff?"

[Kinzinger, menacingly]:

"Is that a threat?"

[Pierre]

"Actually, it was a question. This is not the first time you have a French army in town. You know how these things work. You have delivered provisions to the generals who used to be here before us, without any problems. So why not this time?"

[Kinzinger]

"Because our means are exhausted, because we are fed up with you guys, and because we have never before encountered such extraordinary demands. This is the first time a general already sent a list of stuff he wanted for dinner before he had even entered the town. What do you think our town of Bonn is? An all-you-can-eat buffet free of charge?"

[Pierre sighs]

"Look, Monsieur Quinzie …"

[Kinzinger, muttering, almost to himself, in the tone of somebody who has repeated himself several times already]

"That’s Kinzinger, actually…"

[Pierre]

"I do not know what the regular demands for the table of a brigadier general are. I’ve only ever served on this staff, so I cannot compare. What I do know: If you want to keep my brother in a good mood, you better keep him fed. And fed well!"

[Kinzinger]

"So you’re saying the general is your brother? - Typical. Greed, gluttony, nepotism."

[Pierre]

"Whatever. Just send him something to eat, or I don’t know what he will do. He’s cranky enough on a full stomach."

[Kinzinger]

"Very well. The town magistrate will provide the extraordinary amount of food stuff the general has demanded. But I let you know that we will send him the bill at the end of the week."

[Pierre]

"Fair enough, you do that. If you excuse me now, I’m off to the Towngate Tavern."

[Kinzinger, exasperated]

"You go where?"

[Pierre, grinning]

"Now don’t be jealous, Monsieur Quinzie. We French have had a long and exhausting campaign. I plan on making the most of my stay in your beautiful town." [mutters] "God knows I’ve deserved it. You, monsieur, only have to deal with my brother now. Can you imagine doing it every day?"

[Kinzinger]

"I admit you do have a point."

-.-.-

[CUT to Soult’s office in Bonn. Soult is sitting behind a desk covered with papers, making notes on some letter, obviously working hard. He picks up another document, studies it. Frowns.]

[Soult]

"Sublieutenant Soult!"

[CUT to anteroom. Pierre Benoit is on duty. Winces visibly at his brother’s call.]

[Pierre]

"Merde." [enters the office] "Mon général?"

[Soult hands him the document]

"What’s this?"

[Pierre]

"Looks like some kind of invoice."

[Soult]

"That much I saw myself. Why is the town magistrate sending me a bill for the food we consumed?"

[Pierre, regarding a corner of the room with great interest]

"Because they kind of expect compensation?"

[Soult glares at him]

[Pierre, exasperated]

"Look, it was the only way to get them to comply. You wanted food, you got the food. But they insisted on sending you a bill at the end of every week."

[Soult]

"So what am I to do with it now? You know we’ve not received any money from Paris in ages. How are we supposed to pay?"

[Pierre, shrugging]

"Maybe, if you explain this to the magistrate …"

[Soult, scoffs]

"Sure. Let’s tell the enemy that we do not even have enough money to pay for food expenses, let alone weapons and equipment. Great strategy, sublieutenant."

[Pierre]

"Then just ignore the bill, for what it’s worth. Who knows if they even expect you to pay? These are town officials, maybe they just needed some document to put a seal on and to file away in their archives. They’ve been difficult enough with all their bureaucracy."

[Soult, still frowning]

"They have?"

[Pierre]

"Sure. Refusing to honour a request because the list was not signed, or not signed by the right person, or not signed in the correct place… I’ve stopped counting how often they sent back one of the lists until we had corrected those mistakes. But in the end they have always played along so far."

[Soult]

"Keep me informed if these magistrates continue to harrass you. Who is the person responsible?"

[Pierre]

"A monsieur Quinzie. Quite a nice guy, actually. But stuffy as hell."

[Soult]

"Well, I hope he will remain cooperative. We’re expecting general Lefèbvre and his staff for the next weekend. And I want everything to be top notch for my old commander-in-chief."

-.-.-

[CUT. Town hall, one week later. Kinzinger’s office. Several town officials surrounding Kinzinger’s desk, all talking loudly over each other. A sheet of paper goes from hand to hand. General excitement.]

[Town mayor enters through a side door, regards the chaos for a moment]

[Mayor]

"Please don’t tell me this is Soult’s list again."

[Kinzinger]

"I fear it is."

[Mayor]

"But didn’t I already sign a supply list for French headquarters this morning?"

[Kinzinger]

"That was the regular list. This one is an add-on. For a special occasion. And I must say, we’ve really had to endure a lot from this glutton already. But this time he’s outdone himself. Here, have a look!"

[The mayor grabs the list Kinzinger hands him. We can see his eyes bulge and his jaw drop.]

[Mayor]

"Thirty … thirty bottles of red wine! For one evening! What, does he want to take a bath in it? And additionally two bottles of whisky, thirty bottles of beer, twenty pounds of ox meat, fish, several chicken … all sorts of jam and pastries, fresh and preserved fruits…"

[Kinzinger]

"We’ve heard that the scoundrel-in-chief of the French vanguard, general Lefebvre, and his staff are coming over to visit. That may explain it, but ..."

[Mayor]

"But it does not make the expenses in any way easier to bear, precisely! – Wait, what’s this? Whose name is that on the bottom on the list? Isn’t it usually the general’s brother who signs these demands?"

[Kinzinger]

"Most of the time, indeed. This is a different name. Possibly the cook?"

[Mayor, with grim satisfaction]

"Wonderful. In this case, we will regard this outrageous list as non-existent. The signature of a mere army cook cannot have any meaning for this town magistrate. Send it back, and inform whoever sent it that we will only accept demands through the proper channels. – And now, gentlemen, let us start today’s meeting. Surely we have more important concerns than the bottomless stomachs of our French guests."

-.-.-

[Half an hour later. The council meeting is in full swing. We see several bottles of wine and plates full of delicacies on the table, when the adress of some council member suddenly gets interupted by commotion outside the room. The door swings open, and in stomps Soult’s cook. All council members jump from their seats.]

[Mayor]

"What is this supposed to mean?"

[Perrou]

"That’s what I ask you." [points at Kinzinger] "Or rather you! Aren’t you that Monsieur Quinzie who sends me the supplies for my kitchen?"

[Kinzinger, annoyed]

"That’s 'Kinzinger', actually, and I’m not a grocery supplier but a member of this esteemed town coun…"

[Perrou]

"Don’t you dare deny your responsibility! I’ve sent you a detailed list of everything I need in order to create a true feast for the visit of general Lefebvre! And you? You have refused to send me anything! How dare you? Do you know who I am? I am Perrou, the best cook in the Armée de Sambre-et-Meuse, and I am working for the best general of the whole of France!"

[Kinzinger]

"Well, I do not know if he’s the best general but he surely is the most demanding."

[Perrou]

"Demanding you call him? Demanding you call these poor soldiers, who would be happy to live of nothing but bread and onions for weeks? Demanding? Ha! If you knew, Monsieur Quinzie, what it takes to turn these boys into accomplished gentlemen, to teach them to even appreciate the finer qualities of life, to train their tongue and taste buds enough for them to recognise the true value of a culinary work of art such as I create! Because that’s what I am, an artist! An artist of the kitchen, and you, Monsieur, are hindering the creation of yet another masterpiece!"

[Mayor, annoyed]

"I think we’ve heard quite enough of this madman. Let’s call for the servants to get him out of here."

[Perrou]

"You want to kick me out like some random beggar? Me, Perrou? Oh, you wait, I’ll show you!" [stabs an index finger at Kinzinger, poking him in the chest] "You give me the food for tomorrow’s feast right now, Monsieur Quinzie, or all hell will break loose! Do you reckon I will feed general Lefebvre nothing but potatoes and cabbage?"

[Kinzinger]

"Hey, stop poking me!"

[He shoves him back. Perrou pushes him, Kinzinger strikes back, Perrou grabs him be the throat. Within a second, there’s a full brawl, with all the honourable council members joining in. Together, they succeed in pushing the enraged cook out of the room and in closing the door behind him]

[Mayor, panting]

"What a day! I wonder of we will get any work done during this meeting…"

-.-.-

[CUT to next scene: Pierre Soult and four soldiers are standing in front of them, ready to arrest Kinzinger.]

[Pierre]

"I’m sorry, it’s an order from my general."

[Mayor]

"You cannot arrest our colleague. He’s a town official, he is not under your general’s jurisdiction!"

[Pierre, shrugging]

"Possibly. But unfortunately, I am. Come on, Monsieur Quinzie, we have a nice room prepared for you, and I’ll see to it that you’ll have some of what Perrou has cooked for the visit of general Lefebvre tomorrow night. That should reconcile you a bit with your fate. I’m sure you’ll be out of prison again in time for christmas."

[Kinzinger, being led away, turning pale]

"You want to lock me up until christmas? Mayor!"

[Mayor, shouting after him]

"Do not worry, Kinzinger! This savage violation of the law will not be tolerated! It is about time to show these insolent French soldiers the limit of what they can do." [Door closes behind the French who march off Kinzinger. The mayor adresses the rest of the council] "And we shall do so by using their own weird laws of their own weird republic."

-.-.-

[Cut to new scene. A rather simply furnished room. The mayor, accompanied by two council members, is adressing Caselli. Who is sitting behind a desk and eagerly takes notes.]

[Mayor]

"So you assure us that you will be able to do something in favour of our friend?"

[Caselli]

"Absolutely. I have come here from Paris to the army as representative of the French people; taking care of such blatant abuse of power is precisely my job!"

[Mayor]

"I'm glad to hear there is some sort of justice under your new form of government. Just imagine: Kinzinger, one of the most respected citizens of our town, arrested! It's unheard of."

[Caselli]

"It is, and I shall put a stop to it. Put all your faith in me, messieurs! I will reign in those rogue generals in no time."

-.-.-

[CUT to next scene: Another day, another council meeting. Kinzinger’s seat is empty. The door is thrown open with such force it hits the wall. Enter Lefebvre and in his wake, somewhat slowlier, possibly a little embarrassed, Soult]

[Lefebvre]

"So these are the bastards who sicced that obnoxious 'representative of the people' on us, eh, boy?"

[Soult]

"Oui, mon général. But I assure you that I will be able to deal with these gentlemen on my own…"

[Lefebvre]

"I do not doubt that. But you will not have to. Because now I am here. [faces the mayor] How dare you give my dear general Soult so much trouble! I will teach you! Sending that idiot paper pusher after us so he writes some report to the other paper pushers in Paris! I will make you regret that idea, I’ll make you wish you’d rather shot yourself! You think prison is too much for one of your kind to bear? I’d have you all hanged, I’d have you all guillotined if you had gone through with the plan to let us starve! My dear Soult here wanted to cut down the trees in one of your alleys as a punishment, I say we’ll do worse, we’ll garrison another regiment in town just so you suckers know what it means to have to feed hungry soldiers! I’ll have you all put in iron and walked to Paris, I’ll…"

[Soult, putting a hand on Lefebvre’s shoulder, silently]

"General, I think they got the message."

[Lefebvre, still furious]

"They better have, or they’ll see how throroughly I can fuck up their pleasant bourgeois existence here!"

[The two French generals leave]

[Mayor]

"What brutes! We need to have another word with this representative Caselli."

-.-.-

[CUT to Caselli’s room. Caselli is busy packing his clothes into a trunk]

[Mayor]

"Monsieur Caselli! Are you leaving?"

[Caselli, smiling]

"Why, yes. My position here was always only temporarily."

[Mayor]

"Really? To me it seems you are running from Soult and Lefebvre?

[Caselli]

"What? How could anybody think that? Though I have to admit that I found these two generals rather unwilling to accept my authority. And also rather ... impolite. Rude. Almost threatening. You could have warned me about their character. But still, my departure has absolutely nothing to do with them. There have been some political changes in our government – well, to be fair, there are always certain changes in our government, and people like me need to make sure they are on the right side of events."

[Mayor]

"But what about our problems? You promised to help us?"

[Caselli]

"Oh, don’t you worry, Monsieur. My report must reach authorities in Paris within a week. I’m sure it will have dire consequences for the future careers of these two generals."

[Mayor, exasperated]

"I don’t care shit about Soult’s or Lefebvre’s military career. I want Kinzinger out of prison, and I don’t want to pay for these generals’ daily feasts anymore!"

[Caselli]

"You know how things are, Monsieur. You’ve lost the war, you pay the price. Be happy you only have to feed these men and don’t have to suffer them plundering your beautiful town, too. They do keep their men in check, right?"

[Mayor]

"Yes, but…"

[Caselli]

"There you have it. Isn’t that the most important point? And as to Monsieur Kinzinger, I understand that general Soult at least is quite aware he has overstepped his boundaries there. In his initial anger, he got carried away, and then felt he could not go back on his words. But once he feels he has saved face, he surely will release your friend. I’m convinced it’s only a matter of days. - Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to find some servants to get my luggage into the carriage."

-.-.-

[CUT to – epilogue. A rather dark corridor. Pierre Soult is leading Kinzinger out of prison.]

[Pierre]

"See? I told you you would be free before christmas."

[Kinzinger]

"Am I supposed to be grateful for that now?"

[Pierre]

"Oh, come on, we did treat you well enough, didn’t we. I even arranged for some … private visit from one of my Towngate Tavern ladyfriends, didn't I? And you have to admit that Perrou’s cooking alone would have been worth it."

[Kinzinger gives him a sullen look but starts nodding]

"He really seems to be a master of his craft, I’ll give him that. Truth be told, it may be hard for me to get back to my wife’s cooking after having been spoilt all these days…"

[Pierre, beaming]

"See? And that’s why Perrou told me to give you this. [He grabs a large package wrapped in paper from a table near the exit and hands it to Kinzinger.] Some leftover meat pies and pastries, to share with your family. With my brother’s blessings. It’s not as if he apologizes, mind you, it’s just… well, we do not want to end our stay in Bonn on such a bad note. [He sighs.] Unfortunately, we will not be able to enjoy this town’s hospitality much longer. We’ve received orders to move."

[Kinzinger]

"I hope you don’t expect me to fake tears about this change of events. May I ask where you will be going?"

[Pierre]

"Seems we’ll cross the Rhine. A town named Solingen, where we shall have our winter quarters. I hope we will not have any similar disagreements there. But most likely, in such a small country town, nothing of importance will happen..."

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Battle of Chippawa

The Battle of Chippawa (5 July 1814) was a major battle in the War of 1812, in which a US army proved its newfound discipline by defeating British regulars during the Americans' third attempted invasion of the Niagara Peninsula. Though the battle resulted in a US victory, the ensuing Battle of Lundy's Lane ended in a stalemate, dooming the invasion.

Battle of Chippawa

H. Charles McBarron, Jr. (Public Domain)

Background: The Last Invasion of Niagara

By the end of spring 1814, it was becoming clear that the chances for the United States to conquer Canada were slipping away. In Europe, French Emperor Napoleon I had finally been defeated and exiled to the island of Elba, freeing up thousands of veteran British soldiers to be sent across the Atlantic to fight the Americans. The British, previously outnumbered in North America, had been forced to stay on the defensive in the last two years of fighting; now, with this influx of battle-hardened reinforcements, they could easily drive down into New York, or even open up new frontiers anywhere else along the United States' vulnerable coastline. It was essential, therefore, for the Americans to make one last effort to establish a foothold in Canada, to give them any small advantage for when the British troops arrived. A successful invasion of Canada would, moreover, give the Americans a bargaining chip for the peace negotiations, which were soon to be underway in Europe, in the Flemish town of Ghent.

Command of the American army stationed at Buffalo, New York, was given to Major General Jacob Brown, the latest in a long string of luckless American generals ordered to cross the Canadian border. Brown's own orders, coming straight from the pen of Secretary of War John Armstrong Jr., had been quite casual in tone: "To give…immediate occupation to your troops, and to prevent their blood from stagnating, why not take Fort Erie?" (quoted in Berton, 702). The capture of Fort Erie would indeed give the Americans a strong toehold on the Niagara Peninsula, which could be used as a base of operations for subduing the surrounding lands. Brown, deciding that such a campaign had the opportunity to restore honor for the US Army if nothing else, began planning the invasion. Since his troops were ragged and undisciplined, he ordered one of his subordinates, Brigadier General Winfield Scott, to whip them into shape in preparation for the upcoming campaign.

At only 28 years old, Scott was perhaps the most up-and-coming officer in the US Army. Broad-shouldered, muscular, and towering over his fellow officers at a height of six-foot-five (195 cm), Scott was already well-known for his exploits in previous battles and was revered as a brilliant disciplinarian and tactician. Indeed, Scott's baggage wagon was bursting with military treatises and biographies of generals, which he could quote at length from memory; one of these works was the 1791 manual that had been used to drill the French Revolutionary Army, which Scott now employed to turn his ragtag volunteers into true soldiers. Under Scott's supervision, the American soldiers at Buffalo underwent daily drills that lasted anywhere between seven and ten hours; one captain wrote with astonishment that "General Scott drills and damns, drills and damns, drills and damns, and drills again" (quoted in Taylor, 383). Parades and inspections were conducted weekly, with Scott regulating every small detail from the contents of a soldier's knapsack to the angle of his arm while saluting. Scott worked to increase the health and morale of his soldiers, making sure that they always had access to fresh food and clean uniforms. He mandated that each man bathe three times a week with soap, thereby reducing the risk of disease. He did not hesitate to impose strict discipline and once made a show of having five deserters executed by firing squad.

Winfield Scott, 1814

David Edwin and Joseph Wood (Public Domain)

After just three months, Scott had completely transformed his soldiers into a force that was better disciplined, better supplied, and better trained than any other US army in the war. If there was any American force that could hope to resist the battle-tested British regulars coming over from Europe, this was it. Pleased with Scott's progress, General Brown prepared to launch his invasion, supplementing his troops with 1,000 militia volunteers under Peter B. Porter, a prominent New York politician. 500 Seneca warriors from Buffalo Creek were also assigned to Porter's command. Brown longed for his army to gain the respect of the British and warned his officers not to plunder private property after crossing into Canada; they were to conduct themselves with the honor of a true European army, to wash out the stains of the previous years of defeats and humiliations.

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What food was served to the sick aboard a Ship ?

This decision about what a sick person was allowed to eat was made by the surgeon. He determined whether the man was put on a full (pieces of meat were included in the meal wich included soft bread, pudding and soup)), half (soft bread, pudding and soup) or low diet (just soup). And in consultation with the purser, he gave the man his ration according to the instructions. The Surgeon also discussed with the Captain whether it was necessary to kill an animal for additional meat or whether the sick man was given wine while the rest of the crew was given beer or grog at the time.

Sickbay aboard USS Constitution, by Stephen Biesty (x)

In principle, however, the sick received their food with little or no salt. In addition, a sowins or flummery was cooked, which was a kind of very thin oat porridge. The flummery, by the way, developed in the course of the 18th century into a very popular desert, in which the porridge was sweetened, milk and cream were added, but also madeira and fruits were also added. If she was lucky, her porridge was sweetened a little and enriched with milk.

Another big part of the diet was the portable soup and flour, which was used to make soft bread or pudding, which could also be sweetened and sultanas added, depending on the surgeon's instructions. What was also not to be missed was the daily portion of alcohol, but it could be that the patient had to do without it completely, or only light wines diluted with water, or very strong alcohol.But that also depended on the Surgeon, whether he allowed it or not.

Sickbay aboard HMS Victory (x)

One problem was that the whole thing consumed a lot of extra material, which is why the Surgeon received ready-packed Necessaries boxes from the Sick and Injured Board. These came in three sizes - half single for 25 men, single for 50 men and double for 100 men. Their contents were sufficient for three months' service. If we now assume HMS Victory with her 850 men, then the Surgeon received 8 double and one single box for 3 months. If she had now been at sea for 6 months, we would have 17 double chests. A double case of 1806 contained linen and flannel, a saucepan, a canister for tea and one for sago, 4 1/2 pounds (2.04 kg) of tea, 4 pounds (1.81 kg) of sago, 8 pounds (3.63 kg) of rice, 16 pounds (7.26 kg) of barley, 32 pounds (14.51 kg) of soft sugar and 2 ounces (57 g) of ginger powder. In the Mediterranean, barley was replaced by macaroni and in the West Indies by arrowroot. Portable soap and lemon juice were added to the list of medicines, and the sickbay was even given special equipment that included pillows, nightcaps, bedpans and spitting pots. After the Napoleonic wars and the development of cannings, tins of beef and soup were added.

Small treats were also occasionally brought into the sickbay from the officers' table to get the men back on their feet more quickly and to spoil them a little. But this was only allowed after consultation with the Surgeon.

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"'Cause it's a Complicated Russian Novel" (All, Prologue)

Director Katie Clarke-Robertston and Stage Manager Cordelia King watching a run-through of NP&TGC1812. Credits to the Mainstage Theater Instagram page.

Call time for the actors is at 6pm sharp each day of tech week, but for the twenty-nine members of the student body that make up the tech team, their arrival time is even earlier. There is a lot to do to prepare for twenty-seven actors to be on stage all at once. Mic packs must be turned on, the lighting board must be set, the musical cues must be prepared, the props must be placed backstage. There is a lot to get done in a short amount of time, and no one can do it alone. Every team needs a leader though, and Olivia Darmanin, class of ‘26, spearheads the tech team as a Technical Student Coordinator.

All of the mic packs used in the show, ready to be put on actors for Mic Check. Darmanin calls them her “babies”.

One of Olivia’s duties is to send out call sheets to the actors each day, letting them know where to be and when to be there. All of her emails open with a bright and positive message: “Gooood morning super stars!” begins the Daily Call email for opening night. “Super stars” is an apt descriptor for all of the members of the cast and crew for the show Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. Set in Napoleonic era Russia, the musical tells the story of a small portion of Leo Tolstoy’s novel War and Peace, and it is just as entertaining and scandalous as your favorite soap opera. It’s a complicated Russian novel, everyone’s got nine different names, so look it up in your program. We’d appreciate it– thanks a lot!

A behind-the-curtain shot of the on-stage pit band making the music happen for over two and a half hours. Credits to the Mainstage Theater Instagram page.

Stage management, set construction, hair and makeup, costuming, mics and sound, lighting, props organization. These are some of the detailed and highly involved departments of technical theater, and without even one of them any given production would not exist. As the Lead Stage Manager, and Tech Coordinator, Olivia has her hands in each of these departments.

Actors and Techies alike socializing after a long run.

Set design and construction is one of the tech elements that are more obvious to audiences, and they are visually necessary to tell the story, as well as provide striking visuals when actors use them. The set for Great Comet is nearly entirely built by student hands, and designing/building the set is even a class that is available to take each semester. The checkered floor on the Great Comet set is a unique feature of the show, as this is a rare opportunity to have a painted floor in the performance space. This black and white flooring, contrasting with the brilliant red stairs, and the compass rose platform features at the edge of the stage, brings to life the extravagance and maximalism of aristocratic nineteenth century Russia. Set builder and designer Kyla Schultz described her experience as “My blood sweat and tears went into the creator of [the floor] and it’s definitely what I’m most proud of.” on a takeover for the program's instagram page.

The set of Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812 with stylized lighting

It certainly wouldn’t be nineteenth century Russia if the people telling the story didn’t look like they jumped out of the pages of Tolstoy’s novel. A mix of Russian traditional and Western modern styles, the costume choices for the show are irreverent and zany, blending the styles of aristocratic style and the glitz and glam of show business. Nothing in The Great Comet is done in halves, everything is meticulously planned and created for maximum spectacle. Pictured below are a few actors who portray on-stage musicians, blending in with the background and the lives of the noble class. Yes, they are very hot to dance in, but it is all worth it.

Actors Macayla Hamilton (left) and Grace Quinby (right) in-costume

Props are an often overlooked visual part of theater productions, but without them an important storytelling element would be completely absent. In Great Comet, the second act opens with a song called “Letters”, and with it features many sheets of paper thrown about the stage to convey not just the message the letters hold, but to visually impart the idea of chaos and uncertainty that our heroes are facing at this moment in the show. Of course having physical papers is not strictly necessary, as the lyrics of the song would be able to give the audience the same information, but having the emotionality of the song made manifest with the papers gives them a visual to latch onto.

There are also opportunities for the props department to get creative with what they put on stage. In one song, “Pierre & Anatole”, one man threatens another by singing the lyric “And I don’t know what deprives me of the pleasure of smashing your head in with this.” It is never stated in the show materials what “this” is, leaving it completely up for the props people to decide what blunt object is being wielded at this moment. Our lovely props people chose a birdcage for this show.

The props of Backstage Right, taken care of by Props Assistant Lana Sweeney

The Great Comet is a show that is full of drama, whimsy, magic, spectacle. Showing from April 2nd through the 6th, a long week of operatic fun is ahead of the cast, but none of which would be possible without the tech team that makes it all come to life.

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Honestly, when it comes to racism, I don’t know… I’m saying this while not liking Bonaparte. Yes, Napoleon made "racist" laws against Black people and slavery. Yes, his troops (and especially the slave traders afterward) committed atrocities in Guadeloupe and Haiti, among others. But let’s not forget that there were also horrors in Spain during the Napoleonic campaigns, so I think it’s more complicated than just racism… As for the food, let’s not forget the work of Cyril Drouet. Yes, I repeat the lie that Bonaparte perpetuated. Here’s an excerpt from Cyril Drouet that challenges this thesis, although, as you said, maybe they hoped the campaign would last longer:

"The large food supplies found, especially in Ramleh, were used by the besieging forces. According to Laporte, citrus fruits were the daily sustenance for the last three days (March 5, 6, and 7):

“The eagerness of the troops, who had been surviving only on oranges and citrons for two days, was such that the commander-in-chief decided to take advantage of this momentum to order the assault.”

On his part, Gerbaud mentions that on March 4, a convoy with four days’ worth of biscuits for the army arrived, and on March 6, detachments were sent to fetch supplies from Ramleh.

On March 7, the assault was launched, and the city fell. As in other major locations previously passed by the French, the enemy’s stores were well-stocked. This was not even accounting for the supply ships that became ensnared in the nets of the new occupiers of Jaffa.

“From March 8 to 13, the army rested and obtained supplies from the stores that had been found; we had rice and very bad biscuits.” (Lacorre)

“At Jaffa, we found […] large supplies of biscuits, rice, barley […] in addition to 15 ships anchored in the port loaded with supplies. […] On March 8, several Turkish ships, unaware of the fate of Jaffa, entered the port and were captured. They had come from Saint-Jean-d’Acre and were carrying provisions and ammunition.” (François)

“We [...] found at Jaffa enormous stocks of rice and biscuits.” (Campaign of Bonaparte in Egypt and Syria by an officer of the 32nd half-brigade)

“Although the city had been left to looting, numerous stores were found. The Muslim flags were still flying at the dock, which deceived several barges that entered, loaded with food and ammunition, and which we captured.” (Peyrusse)

“The stores intended for the Turkish army of Syria were seized.” (Vigo-Roussillon)

“The occupation of this city made us masters of nearly eighty small-caliber cannons, all their equipment, ammunition, and provisions, which we urgently needed because, if we had failed in this attack, it would have been the end of the army, all our resources being completely exhausted or damaged by the rain that lasted for six to seven days.” (Laporte)

“Finally, Jaffa provided us with twenty-five days of provisions of all kinds to reach Acre.” (Detroye)

“The army found [at Jaffa] another two to three thousand quintals of rice, four to five hundred thousand rations of biscuits. Additionally, fifteen small merchant ships coming from Saint-Jean-d’Acre, loaded with war supplies and provisions, entered the port of Jaffa on March 9, unaware that the city had fallen into French hands. Needless to say, they were immediately captured.” (Chalbrand)

“We found [at Jaffa] all the stores abundantly stocked with war materials, provisions, and fifteen hundred water skins.” (Lattil)

“In the port, we seized a large number of Turkish ships containing considerable supplies of provisions. [...] The convoy grew considerably from the captures made at Gaza and Jaffa, and we took supplies for eight days.” (Journal of a Dragon of Egypt)

“At Jaffa, we found […] 400,000 rations of biscuits, 2,000 quintals of rice; soap stores, and more than 600 horses. [...] We found some small vessels in the port, most of which were transporting war supplies and food from Saint-Jean-d’Acre to Jaffa. In the following days after the city’s capture, more ships arrived, bringing more supplies, and they were seized in the port.” (Doguereau)

“[March 8] A ship from Saint-Jean-d’Acre entered carrying biscuits. [...] [March 9] Two ships from Acre entered the port. They were said to be carrying rice and war supplies.” (Gerbaud)

Meanwhile, Bonaparte wrote to the Executive Directory on March 13: “We found at Jaffa […] more than 400,000 rations of biscuits, 2,000 quintals of rice.”

Let’s discuss the “2,000 quintals of rice.” While the General Correspondence recently published by the Napoleonic Foundation mentions “200,000 quintals,” the two works published under the Consulate: “Various Pieces Related to the Military and Political Operations of General Bonaparte” and “Various Pieces and Correspondence Related to the Operations of the Army of the Orient in Egypt” state “2,000 quintals.” If I am not mistaken, the “200,000” first appeared in the Correspondence of the Second Empire, but even then, depending on the edition, “2,000” is also found. In any case, 200,000 quintals seems enormous. For comparison, it’s worth noting that 1,200 quintals of rice were to be stored at Katieh for the expedition, and Standelet carried 1,400 on his flotilla. Therefore, I’ll go with the 2,000 quintals as stated in the Consulate publications.

In addition to the 400,000 rations of biscuits, what does such a food stock represent? For this, we can refer to the order of February 25, where Bonaparte distributes rations among the various components of his army (excluding the Reynier division) after seizing provisions found in Gaza. A total of 10,400 biscuit rations and 46 quintals of rice were distributed for two days. In summary, according to the March 13 report and based on the Gaza rations (accounting for the addition of the Reynier division compared to the February 25 order), we can estimate (a high estimate, as the February 25 rations seem particularly low for the Kléber division) that Jaffa had enough supplies to feed the French army for about sixty days (not counting the stocks from Ramleh and Gaza; in the latter, there were still, two and a half months later, 40,000 biscuit rations and 200 quintals of rice). Therefore, the often highlighted lack of supplies leaves me somewhat skeptical.

One point worth clarifying: despite such an abundant supply, Bonaparte intended, with the opportunities provided by the capture of a port, to further increase his stocks (while promoting Egyptian trade): “We found a lot of rice, and we needed it, because our flotilla is still missing. […] Since there is oil and soap here, and other goods useful to Egypt, and Palestine needs rice, encourage the merchants of Damietta to open trade with Jaffa. Assure them that they will be protected and will not face any mistreatment. If the flotilla hasn’t left, take all measures to get it out. Also, send me some djermes with biscuits directly to Jaffa.” (Bonaparte to Alméras, March 10)

“Encourage the merchants of Damietta to come sell their rice at Jaffa; we have a large amount of soap here, encourage merchants from Cairo to come buy it: they know I protect trade, they have nothing to fear from mistreatment or harassment; there are goods here that Egypt lacks, such as soap, oil, etc., which they can exchange for wheat and rice. Take all measures to activate this trade as much as possible.” (Bonaparte to Poussielgue, March 10)

However, the considerable stocks found in the city should be viewed in light of various considerations: the lack of draft animals, eaten by the troops, or dead from fatigue, thirst, or the bad weather that occurred during the desert crossing. This was a severe disadvantage when it came to supplying an army about to leave the city and head north, as well as the suffering from hunger; the pain of hunger only three weeks old, likely causing soldiers to be cautious about using the supplies, regardless of the quantity found.

Moreover, did the troops truly know the state of available supplies (old stocks found at Gaza, Ramleh, or Lydda; and supplies in Jaffa)? Reading Beauharnais’ memoirs, one might reasonably doubt this: “We had no provisions for these prisoners; the resources that Jaffa could offer had been annihilated by the looting, so the army was on the brink of running out of supplies. [...] These were the reasons [Beauharnais adds the argument of the “perjuries”] given to the army to justify such a cruel measure.”

Thus, it was probably announced to the army that Jaffa’s resources had been “annihilated.” After the famine and severe rationing of the desert crossing (a hardship where Bonaparte’s responsibility is far from negligible), such a lie could be a strong argument if one wanted to convince the troops of the impossibility of feeding the prisoners."

That's why I'm a little skeptical when Eugene takes up the lie again, we can doubt his good faith, I think he knew the lie from the start since he was on the ground (even if he didn't take part in the horror of the massacre it must be emphasized again). But yes you raised an important point maybe they thought that the campaign would last longer hence the question of food despite being important seemed insufficient in the eyes of soldiers like Eugene de Beauharnais and others (it's hard to know since they were in the middle of the action). This is a point to study further :)

The Massacre of Jaffa: Bonaparte's Lies

This tragic episode of the Jaffa massacre will explore the events surrounding the massacre carried out by Napoleon Bonaparte, the lies he used to justify it, and how these falsehoods were later repeated by others, including Eugène de Beauharnais, to defend the executions. Although Eugène was not involved in the massacre, he consciously repeated his stepfather's lies. In this analysis, we aim to avoid both the golden legend and the black legend.

On March 7, 1799, Jaffa fell to the French army during their campaign in Syria. The city became the site of a particularly brutal massacre of prisoners, some of whom, according to testimonies, were civilians. The main figure responsible for this carnage was Napoleon Bonaparte.

The account of Jaffa’s capture has been shared in various versions, from immediate eyewitness accounts to official narratives published later. This diversity of perspectives raises important questions about how the events were perceived and reported, both by direct witnesses and by French authorities.

The siege of Jaffa was part of Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign. After capturing the city, the French encountered a determined garrison composed of soldiers from the army of Djezzar, the Pasha of Acre. The attack on Jaffa was intense and violent, leading to a massacre that targeted both soldiers and civilians.

Bonaparte justified this massacre with two lies. The first was that the prisoners had committed perjury (a complicated lie), and the second was that there was a lack of provisions (a simpler lie). Years later, Bonaparte even reduced the number of prisoners and continued to lie about the massacre, even on Saint Helena. This caused discomfort and raised further questions about the truth.

Men loyal to Bonaparte, such as Eugène de Beauharnais, also repeated these lies (although Eugène was not directly responsible for the massacre at Jaffa, he openly echoed his stepfather’s fabrications and must have known the truth, as he was present on the ground)to justify this massacre . You will see that these justifications do not hold up in the link I will share. Initially, I planned to write an article on the subject, but I found a French website containing the work of Cyril Drouet, who does an excellent job of debunking both the golden and black legends surrounding Bonaparte. His work includes testimonies and exposes the violations of wartime laws.

The golden legend justifies the massacre by relying on Bonaparte's lies, while the black legend portrays him as a man who enjoys massacring people for pleasure or executes people based on whim. Both of these views are false. I believe Bonaparte when he states that he did not take pleasure in such actions and was haunted by certain decisions (this perspective comes from someone who generally dislikes Bonaparte).

However, the Jaffa episode is revealing. Bonaparte sometimes believed that instilling fear in his enemies was the only way to deal with them, even if it meant ignoring basic rules. What happened? His opponents, who were seasoned soldiers, only intensified their resistance. These were not impressionable civilians. Bonaparte's victories, or defeats, came at such a high cost that they were often humiliating, resulting in what could be described as a Pyrrhic victory. I have the impression that Bonaparte was occasionally unable to think long-term and focused only on short-term gains.

Indeed, it has been observed that, contrary to popular belief, the victory against Delgrès in Guadeloupe was difficult. Richepanse himself acknowledged this, and for good reason: the soldiers facing him were experienced and well-trained in the art of war. Initially, Richepanse thought that the soldiers who fought against the restoration of slavery, having already faced the British, would bend under intimidation. This was an absolute mistake. Furthermore, the expected economic results never materialized. Similarly, in Saint-Domingue, the conflict ended with a victory and the proclamation of Haiti.

What is the connection to Jaffa? In a similar vein, the massacre not only strengthened the resolve of his enemies but also prompted the Ottomans to justify the execution of some French soldiers by sabre after this massacre ordered by Bonaparte. This is one of the many reasons why rules regarding the treatment of prisoners were established during wartime and should never be violated. (Interestingly, Ottoman forces, according to some testimonies, were more merciful than the French troops.) In short, Bonaparte’s attempt to intimidate the Ottomans by carrying out this horrific massacre under false pretenses failed, having the opposite effect.

I had initially planned to create a separate post, but I found an archived history forum, now closed, where a user named Cyril Drouet gathered all the testimonies and dismantled Bonaparte's and his allies' lies. It's an insightful read and provides a more analytical summary of the issue than I could. You can access it here: https://web.archive.org/web/20170629145019/http://passion-histoire.net/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=37621&sid=7f51b3c72ebbbe9534d2d163d70204fe (it’s in French, but can be translated into English).

For more information on Guadeloupe or Haiti, here are some posts I've written, which touch on the subject alongside Jaffa: More information on slave revolts in the Caribbean Louis Delgrès: Freedom Fighter Mini portraits of three revolutionary women A revolutionary and white battalion leader

The most comprehensive piece so far is about Haiti: The shocking acts by the French army

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My thoughts about MC in the mansion

(wolfs dent)

In my opinion vampires act a whole lot more like predators when it comes to things they love (and for sure everyone in the mansion loves MC).

Maybe I can get away with saying they all consider MC as their "property", snapping at everybody who's trying to get too close to her. Yes, all (or almost all) residents are just "normal" people, but they aren't able to supress their vampire/ predator instincts when it relates to somebody they love and want to protect.

I think MC would be the most protected treasure in Paris, and no foolish mortal could get away with trying to hurt or kidnapp her. And if it is not a foolish mortal, they still have Comte and Leonardo...

(Never understood why cybird didn't come up with the ability of vampires to trace the scent of someone, that would have made the kidnapping thing a lot more interesting, not to mention their perfect view in the dark, their inhumanly strength and speed... oh MC tries to run away? She's a fast runner? Hold my beer and watch this...)

Sometimes pictures stuck in my mind how the residents would watch over her (trying their best not to be noticed):

Napoleon, always on guard when MC has to pass crowdy places, shielding her with his body and if necessary with his sword. Watching closely EVERYBODY who gets near to her (ready to break some fingers if they dare to touch)

Jean, melts with the dark as MC comes home late, watching her from the shadows, a hand on the grip of his blade. A low growl comes up his throat everytime someone walks near to MC. He makes sure Mademoiselle has a safe trip back to the mansion.

Vincent: while MC is busy in the garden he decides to paint near to her. It makes him feel secure to have her in his sight. Painting with a bright smile, he watches over her at the same time. (Someone tries to snatch her? I almost feel sad for them...)

Theodorus: this adorable puppy can't go ANYWHERE without his knowing (Those words would never leave his lips though). He involved even his connections to the police to watch her steps. If MC is in town and his leisure time allows it, he's around, too (not too close, nobody should think he's there because of knabbeltje...).

Dazai: if you think MC could stroll around in the woods unnoticed, you're deadly wrong. She heard a noise, but can't see anyone around. Dazai observes her from a tree branch above with piercing eyes.

Isaac: shy boy but... his kids report him every day her actions in town. He feels secure when she is. When MC can't sleep at night he involves her into his stargazing, trying to comfort her in his own way. When a stranger comes too close, his eyes are glowing unearthly.

Mozart: there will be no ball MC takes part without him playing the piano. Even when he's playing, he observes her from the corner of his eyes. No man would dare to lay a single finger on this lady after a deadly glare from Mozart.

Arthur: for sure he knows every tiny move she makes. It's not only his brilliant mind that can tell right away where she is and what she's doing... he knows how filthy and cruel the world can be and he sees it as his duty to take care of MC's safety in his leisure time. Oh, she must be now at the book store... He can smell a hint of her lavender soap that way...

Shakespeare: Oh damn. She can't even breathe without his knowing. He knows her daily tasks and actions, making sure that he's around as soon as her feet touch the ground of the town. Unseen he observes and studies every single movement, so he is able to tell everytime what she is doing right now and who's with her. When he's busy with his plays, William has a few paid connections, reporting everything about her. Some day she returned late to the mansion, telling Vincent she got the feeling a few filthy men followed her for a few minutes. The next day Vincent talks with Shakespeare about that, and about the occurance that three injured men with broken bones were found in the streets. Oh, what a coincidence...

The purebloods: if the lesser vampires aren't enough... Comte and Leonardo can trace her smell better than any bloodhound! They are even able to feel her presence when MC is near enough. Another pureblood or lesser vampire gets to close to MC? Wants to marry her because it's usual for a girl at her age to be married in this time period? Be ready for some intimidating, threatening snarling and baring of fangs ...

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1. I own a ferret. 2. My best friend is my boyfriend 3. My best friend is a girl 4. I use the word super way too much 5. I am a boy 6. I like My Chemical Romance 7. I own more than 100 CDs 8. I like discussing politics 9. I collect state quarters 10. The Legend of Zelda is my favorite video game. 11. I have Cingular 12. I love MAC makeup 13. I smoke too much 14. I own more than 5 bandanas 15. My favorite movie is Kill Bill 16. I watched Lamb Chop when I was young 17. I have my ears gauged 18. I can do HTML without guidance 19. I watch Spongebob Squarepants regularly. 20. I go to the movies at least once a week 21. I play guitar or bass 22. I love Elvis 23. I’ve had a mo/bi/trihawk before 24. I have met my favorite band 25. I like to hardcore dance 26. Something’s outside my window 27. I believe in ghosts 28. I do drugs regularly 29. I am straightedge 30. My favorite feature about myself is my lips 31. I have never consumed alcohol 32. I want a tattoo. 33. My favorite actor is Will Ferrell. 34. I have seen Conan O'Brien live. 35. I hate MTV 36. I used to watch Cheaters every week 37. I have my own vaccuum 38. Frank Sinatra is awesome 39. I sleep with a stuffed animal 40. I am scared of werewolves 41. I watch hockey regularly 42. I am originally from New York 43. I own an iPod 44. Some people aren’t funny. 45. I hate school. 46. My favorite vegetable is lettuce. 47. Tickle fights are fun. 48. I am currently unemployed. 49. I have my license 50. I hate spelling mistakes 51. I love Spanish class 52. I live in a big city 53. I have been to the Grand Canyon 54. I listen to music to fall asleep 55. I watch TV to fall asleep 56. I only get a few hours of sleep each night 57. I’m relatively innocent. 58. I am a size 3 or smaller 59. I’m bored. 60. Purple is my favorite color. 61. I hate flossing 62. I have a car. 63. I believe in God 64. I’m in love. 65. I used to love Unwritten Law. 66. Reno 911 is my favorite show. 67. There is a mini stapler on my computer desk. 68. Cuddling’s my favorite. 69. For sure. 70. I have a flip phone 71. I love my handwriting 72. I own a Louis Vuitton handbag 73. I want to be an astronaut. 74. I love the song Dragostea Din Tei 75. 50 Cent is not talented 76. I like scanners better than digital cameras. 77. I own at least one Punk-O-Rama CD 78. My room is sound proof. 79. I’m 5'5 or less 80. Lying pisses me off 81. I backstab people. 82. I have been in a fist fight. 83. I have PaintShop Pro. 84. It’s almost midnight 85. My nightlight is cracked 86. I only listen to Dashboard Confessional when I’m sad 87. And I feel like a pansy when I do so 88. I hate metal 89. I’m in a band. 90. Napoleon Dynamite is annoying now. 91. I love hickeys 92. I want to lose weight 93. My favorite channel is the Food Network. 94. I don’t have a CD burner. 95. Pixar is stupid except for the Incredibles 96. I own an apartment/house 97. I am engaged. 98. My computer’s a Gateway. 99. I hate driving. 100. I like watching boys sleep. =========================== 01. I miss someone right now 02. I don’t watch much TV these days 03. I love olives 04. I love sleeping 05. I own lots of books 06. I wear glasses or contact lenses 07. I love to play video games 08. I’ve tried marijuana 09. I’ve watched porn movies 10. I have been in a threesome 11. I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship 12. I believe honesty is usually the best policy 13. I have acne free skin usually 14. I like and respect Al Sharpton 15. I curse frequently 16. I have changed a lot mentally over the last year 17. I have a hobby 18. I’ve been told I can suck the chromes off a trailer hitch. 19. I carry my knife/razor everywhere with me 20. I’m smart 21. I’ve never broken someone’s bones 22. I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal 23. I hate the rain 24. I’m paranoid at times 25. I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scars. 26. I need money right now! 27. I love Sushi 28. I talk really, really fast sometimes 29. I have fresh breath in the morning 30. I have semi-long hair 31. I have lost money in Las Vegas 32. I have at least one brother and/or one sister 33. I was born in a country outside of the U.S. 34. I shave my legs 35. I have a twin 36. I have worn fake hair/fingernails/eyelashes in the past 37. I couldn’t survive without Caller I.D. 38. I like the way that I look sometimes 39. I have lied to a good friend in the last 6 months 40. I know how to do cornrows 41. I am usually pessimistic 42. I have a lot of mood swings 43. I think prostitution should be legalized 44. I think Britney Spears is hot 45. I have cheated on a significant other in the past 46. I have a hidden talent 47. I’m always hyper no matter how much sugar I have. 48. I think that I’m popular 49. I am currently single 50. I have kissed someone of the same sex 51. I enjoy talking on the phone 52. I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants 53. I love to shop. 54. I would rather shop than eat 55. I would classify myself as ghetto. 56. I’m bourgie and have worn a sweater tied around my shoulders 57. I’m obsessed with my Livejournal 58. I don’t hate anyone. 59. I’m a pretty good dancer 60. I don’t think Mike Tyson raped Desiree Washington 61. I’m completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother 62. I have a cell phone 63. I believe in God/ a higher being. 64. I watch MTV/Vh1 on a daily basis 65. I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months 66. I love drama. 67. I have never been in a real romantic relationship before 68. I’ve rejected someone before 69. I currently have a crush on someone 70. I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life 71. I want to have children in the future 72. I have changed a diaper before 73. I’ve called the cops on a friend before 74. I bite my nails 75. I am a member of the Tom Green fan club 76. I’m not allergic to anything 77. I have a lot to learn 78. I have dated someone at least 10 years older or younger 79. I plan on seeing Ice Cube’s newest “Friday” movie 80. I am sometimes shy around the opposite sex 81. I’m online 24/7, even as an away message 82. I have at least 5 away messages saved 83. I have tried alcohol or drugs before 84. I have made a move on a friend’s significant other in the past 85. I own the “South Park” movie 86. I have avoided assignments at work/school to be on Xanga or Livejournal 87. When I was a kid I played “the birds and the bees” with a neighbor or chum 88. I enjoy some country music 90. I think that Pizza Hut has the best pizza 91. I watch soap operas whenever I can 92. I’m obsessive, anal retentive, and often a perfectionist 93. I have used my sexuality to advance my career 94. I love Michael Jackson, scandals and all 95. I know all the words to Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story” 96. Halloween is awesome because you get free candy 97. I watch Spongebob Squarepants and I like it 98. I have dated a close friend’s ex 99. I’m happy as of this moment 100. I was born in the 80s but I am truly a child of the 90s 101. I have slapped john dasaro and chris burke in the face..on the same night 102. I haven’t showered in two days… and I like it. 103. i own every f***er here 104. I procrastinate all the time 105. I’m a nerd 106. I LOVE the movie The Wedding Singer. 107. i hate corn. 108. i’ve attended the rocky horror picture show 109. i’ve never seen Bambi the movie 110. Thinking about the future terrifies me 111. Without music there would be no point in living. 112. If I could change one thing about myself I would 113. If someone of the same sex liked me, I would date them. 114. I went to the mall today for 5 hours ================================ Would do Have Done

001. Bought everyone in the pub a drink 002. Swam with wild dolphins 003. Climbed a mountain *004. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive 005. Been inside the Great Pyramid 006. Held a tarantula. *007. Taken a candlelit bath with someone 008. Said ‘I love you’ and meant it. 009. Hugged a tree *010. Done a striptease 011. Bungee jumped *012. Visited Paris 013. Watched a lightning storm at sea *014. Stayed up all night long, and watch the sun rise several times *015. Seen the Northern Lights 016. Gone to a huge sports game 017. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa *018. Grown and eaten your own vegetables *019. Touched an iceberg *020. Slept under the stars 021. Changed a baby’s diaper 022. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon *023. Watched a meteor shower *024. Gotten drunk on champagne *025. Given more than you can afford to charity 026. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope 027. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment 028. Had a food fight 029. Bet on a winning horse 030. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill 031. Asked out a stranger 032. Had a snowball fight 033. Photocopied your bottom on the office photocopier 034. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can 035. Held a lamb 036. Organized and planned a surprise party for a loved one *037. Taken a midnight skinny dip 038. Taken an ice cold bath 039. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar 040. Seen a total eclipse 041. Ridden a roller coaster 042. Hit a home run 043. Fit three weeks miraculously into three days 044. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking *045. Adopted an accent for an entire day 046. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors 047. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment *048. Had two hard drives for your computer *049. Visited all 50 states 050. Loved your job for all accounts *051. Taken care of someone who was really sick *052. Had enough money to be truly satisfied 053. Had amazing friends 054. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country *055. Watched wild whales 056. Stolen a sign 057. Backpacked in Europe *058. Taken a road-trip 059. Rock climbing 060. Lied to foreign government’s official in that country to avoid notice *061. Midnight walk on the beach 062. Sky diving *063. Visited Ireland 064. Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love 065. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them *066. Visited Japan 067. Bench pressed your own weight 068. Milked a cow 069. Alphabetized your records 070. Pretended to be a superhero 071. Sung karaoke 072. Lounged around in bed all day 073. Protested something you feel strongly against 074. Scuba diving *075. Got it on to “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye 076. Kissed in the rain 077. Played in the mud 078. Played in the rain *079. Gone to a drive-in theater 080. Done something you should regret, but don’t regret *081. Visited the Great Wall of China 082. Discovered that someone who’s not supposed to have known about your blog has discovered your blog 083. Dropped Windows in favor of something better 084. Started a business 085. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken 086. Toured ancient sites 087. Taken a martial arts class 088. Swordfought for the honor of a woman 089. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight *090. Gotten married 091. Been in a movie 092. Crashed a party 093. Loved someone you shouldn’t have *094. Kissed someone so passionately it made them dizzy 095. Gotten divorced 096. Started an office war 097. Gone without food for 5 days 098. Made cookies from scratch 099. Won first prize in a costume contest 100. Ridden a gondola in Venice 101. Gotten a tattoo 102. Found that the texture of some materials can turn you on 103. Rafted the Snake River 104. Been on television news programs as an “expert" 105. Got flowers for no reason 106. Made out in a public place 107. Got so drunk you don’t remember anything 108. Been addicted to some form of illegal drug 109. Performed on stage 110. Been to Las Vegas 111. Recorded music 112. Eaten shark *113. Drank an entire 6 pack by yourself *114. Gone to Thailand 115. Seen Siouxsie *116. Bought a house 117. Been in a combat zone 118. Buried one/both of your parents 119. Shaved all of your hair off *120. Been on a cruise ship 121. Spoken more than one language fluently 122. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone 123. Bounced a check 124. Performed in theatre 125. Read - and understood - your credit report *126. Raised children 127. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy *128. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour *129. Created and named your own constellation of stars 130. Taken a bicycle tour in a foreign country 131. Found out something significant that your ancestors did 132. Called or written your Congress person 133. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over 135. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge 136. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking 137. Had an abortion 138. Had plastic surgery 139. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived 140. Wrote articles for a large publication 141. Lost over 100 pounds 142. Held someone while they were having a flashback 143. Piloted an airplane 144. Petted a stingray 145. Broken someone’s heart 146. Helped an animal give birth 147. Been fired or laid off from a job 148. Won money on a TV game show 149. Broken a bone 150. Killed a human being *151. Gone on an African photo safari 152. Ridden a motorcycle 153. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100mph 154. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced 155. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol 156. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild 157. Ridden a horse 158. Had major surgery 159. Ridden on a passenger train 160. Had a snake as a pet 161. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon 162. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing 163. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours 164. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states *165. Visited all 7 continents 166. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days 167. Eaten kangaroo meat 168. Fallen in love at an ancient Mayan burial ground 169. Been a sperm or egg donor 170. Eaten sushi 171. Had your picture in the newspaper 172. Had 2 (or more) healthy romantic relationships for over a year in your lifetime *173. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about 174. Gotten someone fired for their actions 175. Gone back to school 176. Parasailed 177. Changed your name 178. Petted a cockroach 179. Eaten fried green tomatoes 180. Read The Iliad 181. Selected one "important” author who you missed in school, and read 182. Dined in a restaurant and stolen silverware, plates, cups because your apartment needed them 183. …and gotten 86'ed from the restaurant because you did it so many times, they figured out it was you 184. Taught yourself an art from scratch 185. Killed and prepared an animal for eating 186. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt *187. Skipped all your school reunions 188. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language 189. Been elected to public office 190. Written your own computer language 191. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream 192. Had to put someone you love into hospice care 193. Built your own PC from parts 194. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you 195. Had a booth at a street fair 196: Dyed your hair blue 197: Been a DJ 198: Found out someone was going to dump you via LiveJournal 199: Written your own role playing game 200: Been arrested ====================== 1. I have self-mutilated before. 2. I still love the song Dragostea Din Tei 3. I used to like New Kids on the Block 4. The 80s was funny. 5. I have realtones enabled on my cellular phone. 6. Public bathrooms scare me 7. I have keys on my belt 8. I’m not wearing a belt 9. I hate writing 10. I hate reading 1. I love compilation CDs 12. My favorite teachers have all been guys 13. I think Bad Religion’s only been around for ten or so years 14. I don’t know who Bad Religion is. 15. I don’t wear my hood unless it’s raining 16. I enjoy smaller clubs rather than big ones 17. I’ve put a song on repeat for more than 8 hours 18. I have sound on my computer 19. Someone wants my hiney. 20. My mom loves Elvis 21. I have my own computer 22. I live on the east coast 23. My favorite animal is a kangaroo 24. I’m on vacation 25. I don’t own a pair of ripped jeans 26. I am very insecure somewhat 27. I love to dance 28. I curse way too much. 29. I choose the pansy way and star out my curse words (f*ck) 30. I feel dumb because I was just called a pansy 31. I have a flatscreen computer 32. I collect something. 33. I’m married 34. I won’t date someone who’s smaller than me smaller, as in also shorter? 35. Brass knuckles are the shit. 36. I own a hand puppet 37. I write with blue pens 38. I wear eye makeup almost every day 39. I wish I lived somewhere other than here 40. I don’t own a band shirt. Not yet anyway.. 41. I love techno. 42. I have my nipples pierced 43. I’m shitty at wrapping presents 44. I know someone in the KKK 45. I’m racist/anti-semitist. 46. I don’t know what those mean. 47. I love life most of the time 48. I have posters all over my room 49. I’ve never been a camera whore with someone.. And I want to. 50. I’m halfway done 51. I wish I lived in the 80s 52. I know what the term borgie means 53. I’m interested in social hierarchy. 54. I love music videos. 55. I have a DVD player 56. I’m drunk right now 57. I’m listening to music 58. I have a big screen TV 59. I have an STD 60. I know the singer of the Clash’s name 61. The only IM program I have is AIM 62. I skateboard regularly 63. I live on the north side of town 64. I have been to Alaska 65. I’ve worn a cowboy hat 66. I watch late night infomercials for retarded, unnecessary things 67. I LOVE DOING THE DEATH GROWL TO MY FAVORITE METAL SONGS. 68. That last question was dumb. 69. I know what the word “peligroso” means in English 70. I speak another language fluently 71. I’ve been in a limo 72. I own a bong 73. My lungs hurt 74. I know someone who’s committed suicide 75. I’ve got a six pack and I don’t need you! 76. I know what band sung the above line 77. I like strong boys. 78. I’m sick right now 79. I know someone who’s currently enlisted in the army 80. I do not own a color phone 81. My birthday is in September 82. I hate mall cops 83. I hate most cops in general 84. I’m wearing blush 85. I live in an apartment 86. I’m still in high school. 87. I own something from Victoria’s Secret 88. I don’t know a boy that wears girls pants 89. I’ve had the same best friend since I was 8. 90. Brownies are my favorite 91. So is cake 92. I’ve heard the song “Looks Good in Leather” 93. I own some sort of propaganda, fake or real 94. I deny the Holocaust happened 95. Kisses are my favorite sign of affection 96. I need to charge my phone 97. My purse could pass for a suitcase 98. I take birth control 99. I only buy what’s fashionable

1. I love bolding 2. I know someone named Mimi 3. I hate my old best friend 4. My favorite alcoholic drink is Jack n Coke 5. I have a digital camera 6. I’m talking to at least one person online 7. I like watching college basketball 8. I have never moved. 9. I have at least one cat 10. I have at least one dog 11. I’m going to see a movie tonight maybe 12. I make my own AIM icons 13. I’m in pain 14. I watch more than five shows a day 15. I love the Cure 16. My parents like some of the same music I do 17. I have never been to the dentist 18. I listen to the radio 19. I do my own laundry 20. I’ve made at least one article of clothing 21. I have/want something on my face pierced 22. I go to at least one concert a week 23. I’ve written a story 24. I’ve dyed my hair every color of the rainbow 25. I own a Grand Theft Auto game 26. My favorite pattern is camoflauge 27. I know someone who does/did cocaine 28. I have too many game systems 29. I love scary movies 30. I hate scary movies 31. I’ve had sex more than 5 times 32. My favorite chips are Lays Original 33. I think butter is unhealthy 34. I hate the Osbournes 35. I used to have dreadlocks 36. I need to take medicine for something 37. I suffer from insomnia 38. I speak ebonics 39. I’ve gambled 40. And won 41. I have at least one gay friend 42. I like going to pet stores 43. I own a dog toy 44. And I don’t have a dog 45. I own more than ten candles 46. I’ve smoked a cigarette in the shower before 47. I’ve flunked a class 48. I listen to music every day 49. I have more than one nickname 50. I wear pajamas when I feel like it 51. I’m wearing more than one jewelry item 52. I haven’t washed my hair in a week 53. I watch the Grammy’s every year 54. Along with the Macy’s Parade 55. My favorite season is winter 56. I have seen the All American Rejects live 57. And I’ve enjoyed it. 58. Boobs are nothing special 59. I go swimming at least once a week in summer. 60. I have a pool. 61. I’ve gone skinnydipping 62. I’ve played strip poker 63. And lost 64. I want a nautical star tattoo 65. My cell phone turns off when it’s charging 66. And it pisses me off 67. I used to buy my entire wardrobe from Hot Topic 68. I’ve been to albinoblacksheep.com 69. My favorite subject is History 70. And/or math 71. I am a republican 72. I am a democrat 73. I listen to the Used occasionally 74. I have been to the Warped Tour 75. I am part Mexican 76. I am part German 77. All of my grandparents are still alive. 79. I love bowling 80. I know that there is a South Park, Colorado 81. I love Dairy Queen 82. Sometimes I think I’m crazy 83. I own a Moffatts CD 84. I own a Backstreet Boys CD 85. I want plastic surgery 86. Operation, operation, snip and tie, snip and tie 87. I know what song that line is from 88. I have killed something [bugs!] 89. I’ve never had a Nokia cell phone 90. I’m never sarcastic 91. Light eyes turn me on 92. I have never been to a foreign country 93. I don’t eat enough 94. I own illegal weaponry 95. I know someone who has overdosed on something 96. And lived to tell about it 97. I don’t own a pair of mittens 98. I love the heat 99. I’ve never had a steady boyfriend/gf 100. I want to makeout.

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You know you’re an history nerd when:

-You always had your best marks in history and geography, even if they were bad in others subjects.

-Great historical figures are so familiar to you, you feel like you met them.

-You wear clothing inspired from a (or several) past period on a daily basis.

-You always correct wrong assumptions and false common knowledge in a conversation:“Napoleon was not small”,“Marie-Antoinette never said : “Let them eat cake” “ , “Everyone knew that Earth is round at Christopher Colombus’s era”, etc.

-You like everything that’s old, including houses, clothes, objects, books, cars...

- You tend to do certain things the same way ancient ones do. You try old fashioned cooking recipes, fire-fueled heating system, wash and do the laundry with Marseille soap, etc.

-You read this:

-You’re a subscriber to several historical youtubers.

-You search spontaneously for“historical documentaries” when you search for something to watch.

-You watch this:

-You always swear by Herodotus and Clio’s underwear.

-You can spot inaccuracies in historical fictions.

-You do urbex, or at least the sight of abandoned spots stimulate your archaeologist fiber.

-You’d rather have a meeting in a museum, than a bar.

-You do historical reconstructions, medieval and renaissance fairs.

-On vacations, you must go to castles, battlefields and memorials, and think : "So, it happened right here. "

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November History

November 16 1620 - The first corn (maize) was found in North America by British settlers, including Myles Standish and William Bradford, in Provincetown, Massachsettes.

1676 - First colonial prison was organized in Nantucket, Massachusetts. William Bunker was the first warden.

1801 - First edition of New York Evening Post was published. It is the US' oldest continuously published daily newspaper.

1822 - Missouri trader William Becknell arrived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, over a route that became known as the Santa Fe Trail.

1841 - The first patent (#2,359) for a US life preserver of cork was issued to Napoleon E. Guerin of New York City for his "Improvement in Buoyant Dresses or Life-Preservers."

1855 - David Livingstone became the first European to see the Victoria Falls in what is now present-day Zambia-Zimbabwe.

1907 - Oklahoma joined the United States.

1910 - The first American driver to exceed the speed of 'a mile a minute' (60 mph) was of A.C. Bostwick on the Ocean Parkway Racetrack in Brooklyn, New York.

1907 - Oklahoma became the United States' 46th state.

1914 - The Federal Reserve Bank of the United States officially opened.

1938 - LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) was first synthesized by Swiss chemist Dr. Albert Hofmann at the Sandoz Laboratories in Basel, Switzerland.

1940 - New York City's "Mad Bomber" George Metesky set his first bomb at a Manhattan office building used by Consolidated Edison. He planted at least 33 over his career. He had gotten injured while working for Con Ed.

1945 - Two new elements were announced in Chicago: americium (atomic number 95) and curium (atomic number 96).

1945 - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded.

1959 - Sound of Music opened at Lunt Fontanne Theater New York City, starring Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel.

1965 - Venera 3 launched, and was the first to land on another planet (it crashed into Venus).

1965 - Walt Disney launched Epcot Center: Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.

1973 - President Richard Nixon signs the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act into law, authorizing the construction of the Alaska Pipeline.

1981 - Luke and Laura's wedding for ABC soap opera General Hospital was one of the most watched weddings in American television history.

1992 - The Hoxne Hoard, the largest hoard of late Roman silver and gold discovered in Britain, was discovered by metal detectorist Eric Lawes in Hoxne, Suffolk.

2006 - Great Firewall of China began, giving the Chinese government much control over what could be seen online by its citizens.

2012 - Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 grossed $500 million in 24 hours to become the biggest entertainment launch of all time (so far).

0 notes

And I don’t think this series does a really good job, to be very honest.

You would not be the only one!

I’m still not over the fact they managed to leave out the battle of fucking Leipzig... I have seen mentioned that the series is based on the books by Max Gallo but as I have not read those I cannot say if maybe the books are to be blamed rather than the TV series.

I guess the series’ main feature for me was the fact that Eugène actually is in it briefly and looks older than eight. Which, hey, is quite unusal and enough to make me happy! (Me, weird quality standards? I have no clue what you mean... As for Hortense, the “official” opinion of her still is very positive, I think. It’s just me, I simply can’t stand her 😊.)

But I think any movie or series trying to adequatly portray this era would be doomed from the start. Maybe it could be done in a huge show à la Game of Thrones, with seven to twelve seasons 😁? Because in order to truely understand developments, you would at least have to show the other countries as well, not only the French side. So we would need to have snippets from the court of Saint Petersburg and of Vienna (and of their different factions) as well, and of course the British government. At least. Add to that Prussia, Spain and Naples. Throw in Portugal for good measure, just because I want to see Lannes scare the Prince Regent.

But as I’m shallow, I’ll settle for a nice little daily soap detailing all the latest rumours from the French court, as reported by Constant and the d’Abracadabrantes.

In any case, thank you so much for this, @usergreenpixel​! We’re pretty much in agreement on this show. I always wondered if anybody would be able to understand the Napoleonic wars, let alone the era, after watching the series. But I assume, you have to know a whole bunch about the era in the first place in order to understand the series.

(My true sorrow:? Well, there is that one scene after the battle of Austerlitz when Napoleon receives an offer to marry Marie Louise, accompanied by a mug with ML’s portrait. Napoleon refuses and drops the mug. - Both the offer and the mug actually existed, and precisely at that time. But the offer was for Eugène to marry ML or some other archduchess, and it was the mug with Auguste’s portrait that Napoleon sent to Eugène. That mug is one of the first things that got me interested in the era; I just found it hilarious that Nap had to send his stepson that kind of “fan mug” because apparently nobody was ready to give him an actual painting, and that Eugène was basically invited to marry a coffee mug. The do sell mugs (not of Auguste though) in the museum shop of today’s Munich Residence, and whenever I was there I had fun imaging Napoleon in there, trying to decide between a mouse pad or a refrigerator magnet, before finally settling on sending a mug to Milan. The creators of the series obviously knew the story, maybe they had even planned a scene? Yet in the end, they managed to cut out both Auguste and Eugène, kept the mug, overpainted it with stupid Marie Louise and gave the mug to Napoleon - and Nap broke it!

No cookies for the emperor tonight. 😁)

MALMAISON MEDIA SALON SOIRÉE 3: NAPOLEON (2002)

1. The Introduction

Hello, Neighbors. Welcome back to our little salon. Unfortunately, this time the soirée will have to be organized without my personal presence since I have Covid and need to do the responsible thing. That said, I promised to make this review so here you go.

This series came up on my radar thanks to @tairin but I also saw @joachimnapoleon talk about it so this review will be dedicated to both of them, as promised. I love both of you, my friends!

(That said, I remember catching snippets of the episodes on TV back in Russia, but I didn’t watch the entire thing back then.)

I watched all 4 episodes in Russian so I don’t know where it can be obtained in other languages. If you have ways to watch it in English, dear Neighbors, please let me know.

Oh, and also please keep in mind that since I’m from the Frev community and the First Empire isn’t my area of interest, I won’t tackle any potential inaccuracies because I don’t feel like stepping on minefields.

Alright, with that out of the way, let’s begin our soirée before I run out of whatever energy I have. I hope you enjoy yourselves though.

Feel free to take a seat and grab some food. :)

2. The Summary

I think the title pretty much speaks for itself. The miniseries is about, well, Napoleon. Or rather, about his journey from a republican general to emperor. It also tackles his downfall so there’s a lot of stuff to work with.

Let’s take a look at how this series handles the topic.

3. The Story

Oh dear god, the pacing! I don’t think I’ll be considered a revolutionary for saying that cramming the entire fucking Napoleonic era into 4 episodes in hard as shit! And I don’t think this series does a really good job, to be very honest.

A lot of parts are skipped (like the Russian campaign) which makes things really confusing, especially because there is no narration nor clues to provide the unfamiliar spectators with the context they need to understand what the fuck is happening. The only thing we have are maps of campaign locations, but that’s just not enough for people like me,

There are just too many time skips and it makes me wish the creators either made a longer series or focused their miniseries on something in particular, like a particular campaign for example. But alas, that’s not what we see in the series.

Another issue I have is the fact that (partially due to the pacing), unfortunately, the narrative kind of idolizes Napoleon too much for my liking. My personal bias aside, a lot of his abusive actions are glossed over. But, since the framing device is that of Napoleon himself telling the story, I guess it makes sense.

Speaking of which, I actually like the framing device that the creators chose. It has Napoleon tell his story to Betsy Balcombe and I find the scenes of these two together extremely heartwarming. A genuine friendship, which is portrayed quite well. Props for that.

Other moments that I find pretty adorable are Napoleon’s interactions with Josephine in the first episode, but there’s just not enough of such moments to redeem the clunky and confusing story.

4. The Characters

Like I said in the previous section, Napoleon is idolized a bit too much for my liking. Look, I understand his contributions and whatnot but I couldn’t bring myself to like the guy even in the series. Why, you may ask?

Well, if I see the narrative idolize a character all the time, I actually end up having the exact opposite feelings I’m supposed to have and really dislike that character instead. I don’t know how to explain it, maybe I just got fed up with the characterization of Napoleon and couldn’t bring myself to care about him.

Josephine is portrayed in a pretty sympathetic way at first, but becomes more bitchy later, which is apparently a common trope in Napoleonic media,

Caroline and Murat are once again ungrateful ambitious traitors, but their portrayals lack nuance. As in, they’re portrayed as traitors simply due to ambitions and very little attention is given to other motives they may have had or their inner conflicts. That’s wasted potential right there.

Hortense is, as usual, innocent and sweet, which is apparently far from accurate. Thanks to @josefavomjaaga for posting evidence of her bitchiness.

Unfortunately, most characters here lack the complexity that real people have, at least in my opinion. Which is sad, but maybe the condensed narrative played into this. That and propaganda of course.

I love Betsy as a character here though. She is genuinely sweet and kind, but also confident. I like that and her heartwarming friendship with Napoleon.

5. The Acting

Most of the actors are pretty good at portrayed what they were told to but, again, there’s not much nuance and complexity here so the entire potential ends up being completely wasted.

The casting choices (save Josephine and maybe F**ché), however, are questionable at best. The actors look too old for the characters they’re portraying and most people don’t look like themselves at all. But that’s the fault of the casting director, not the actors.

6. The Setting

The decorations and the costumes are pretty good, but I have an issue with the camera pulling a dramatic slow motion a bit too much.

Oh, and also the series doesn’t shy away from showing blood so, if you’re squeamish, be careful.

7. The Music

I think the soundtrack is pretty good. Nothing to complain about.

8. The Conclusion

All in all, the style of the series is pretty, but the substance... The substance is turned into condensed, clunky, confusing mess with characters who are either too good or too bad to feel like real humans, heaps of propaganda that ends up becoming annoying and really questionable casting choices.

I personally wouldn’t really recommend this miniseries but I won’t stop you from watching it if you’re curious. The choice is up to you.

Anyway, with that, let’s finish our little soirée. I’m still weak but I already know what I’m going to review next so stay tuned for updates!

And also stay safe. Please. I mean it.

Love,

- Citizen Green Pixel

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Napoleonic daily soap, episode 1

Scene: Paris. A small, rather shabby room. Napoleon writing a letter to his brother Joseph. Voiceover.

"You would not believe how women behave here. Deciding about every goddamn thing, all preposterous and stuff. Reading and writing and becoming educated and having an opinion on everything, even politics. About time somebody puts them in their place. Good thing Desirée is not like that. By the way, had an encounter with a prostitute, went okay-ish, I guess. Love, Napoleon."

Marmont's voice from the next room:

"Hey, Naps - Junot, Bourrienne and I are off to the Palais Royal, watching the wenches. You coming?"

Napoleon [takes a new sheet of paper]

"Give me ten more minutes. Gotta write to my fiancée."

[writes]

"Dearest Désirée, I received your letter. It's very sweet and all. But you really ought to try and become a little more sophisticated. More like the Eugénie I was fantasizing about in that story I never finished. Maybe read more? And have somebody check your spelling. Thinking about you often. Love, your sweetheart Napoleon."

[puts quill down, grabs his uniform coat]

"Okay, guys, I'm coming!"

CUT to the Clary livingroom in Marseille. Aura of somewhat old-fashioned wealth.

Desirée [puts Napoleon's letter down]

"I can't help it, Julie. Sometimes Napoleon seems a bit weird. And annoying. Actually, he sometimes comes across like an arsehole. Do you have similar problems with his brother Joseph?"

Julie [shrugs]

"Oh, not at all. Joseph is a selfish, cheating bastard who finds about every woman in France more attractive than me. But other than that, he's the perfect husband."

Their brother Etienne François Clary [enters the room, exclaims already on the doorstep]

"Except that Joseph like his brother is a pennyless nobody and lives off our money. Really Desirée, I'm not sure we should go through with your engagement to Napoleon. One Bonaparte in our family seems expensive enough."

Desirée [pretends to cry silently into her handkerchief]

Maid [curtsies on the doorstep]

"Your brother-in-law Monsieur Joseph Bonaparte, sir."

Everybody rises, smiling and cheering. Joseph enters, beaming, hugs Etienne, kisses Julie on the cheek.

Etienne:

"So, how is my favourite brother-in-law today? Any news from your brother in Paris?"

Joseph:

"Indeed. Napoleon has just written to me how much he misses his little Desirée, and how happy he is she's not like those horrible, arrogant women in Paris."

Desirée [beaming]:

"Oh, he's such a sweetheart!"

CUT to new scene: A public festivity somewhere in Paris. Music, dancing. Napoleon, Marmont and Junot [watch as Madame Tallien and Josephine, in almost transparent dresses, walk by without noticing them]

Junot [whistles]

Napoleon [stares]:

“What the ...”

Bourrienne [returns with drinks for all four]

“What’s up with you guys?”

Napoleon:

“You can see the legs of some of these women up to their armpits.”

CUT to new scene: Next morning. Josephine's bedroom, Josephine sleeping soundly. Small room, furniture rather ramshackle. A clock shows the time: 11.50 AM

Euphemie [enters with a small, darkened silver tray]

"Yeyette, time to get your lazy ass out of bed."

Josephine [muffled sounds]

"Why?"

Euphemie [puts the tray on the nightstand]

"Because your children have written from boarding school. Both of them. When have you written to them last? Or visited? It's only an hour's trip, Yeyette."

Josephine [sits up all of a sudden, hastily reaches for the letters on the tray]

"Oh, my Hortense, my Eugène! Such sweet children, always thinking of their mother ... [reads] Listen to this, Mimi, Hortense writes that she's taking piano lessons. And Eugène needs more books and thinks that the roads are very fine and that the weather today would be perfect for a trip to their schools in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. [sniffles] Oh, they are so sweet, and I'm such a bad mother for not taking better care of them!" [starts crying]

Euphémie [after watching Josephine cry for some time]

"So, shall I get a carriage, do you want to visit?"

Josephine [puts the letters back on the nightstand]

"Heck, no. You know I have to help out at Barras' party tonight; Teresa will be totally out of her depth if I'm not with her. We'll visit some other day. But do bring me some paper and quill so I can write to Teresa and ask if she's already decided what she's going to wear tonight. We want to have matching outfits."

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Discover Top 14 Premium Creed Cologne for Men 2019

Nearly 260 years of life with 6 generations of succession and glory, Creed created for itself a beautiful, quintessential scent and unmistakably unique empire. Thanks to the refined essence aroma material, which blends with the experience and the passion of running in the arteries, Creed is a perfumery that makes scent lovers smile at any time. contact. Simply, we understand one thing, whenever smelling a Creed creation, it is not just a scent but also a long-lasting, enduring and sublime journey.

Because of its popularity in the world of high-class perfumes, Creed has too many markets. Similar to the fashion world, the name is bright and the name is pressed against fake, so is Creed. It can be affirmed, Creed is the highest perfumery perfumer. Speaking of fake Creed problems, Creed is … silent. Want to “enjoy” a true Creed scent, you should be a thoughtful and responsible consumer.

Let’s explore Top 14 best Smelling Creed Cologne for Men:

Overview

Amazing Guide to Top Smelling Creed PerfumeFor Men 2019

How to choose the right fragrances

How to make your perfume last longer

How to apply perfume when your body has a lot of sweat

Review Top 14 Premium Creed Cologne for Men

1. Creed Aventus

2. Creed Himalaya

3. Creed Silver Mountain Water

4. Creed Imperial Millesime

5. Royal Water Millesime

6. Creed Tabarome Millesime

7. Creed Original Santa

8. Creed Erolfa

9. Creed Bois du Portugal

10. Green Irish Tweed

11. Creed Virgin Island Water

13. Creed Original Vetiver

14. Creed Jardin d’Amalfi

Conclusion

Amazing Guide to Top Smelling Creed PerfumeFor Men 2019

[table id=64 /]

How to choose the right fragrances

If you don’t know, please read here

How to make your perfume last longer

If you don’t know, you can refer to some guidelines here

How to apply perfume when your body has a lot of sweat

You worry about the body has too much sweat, some instructions will help a improve your situation. Please read here

Review Top 14 Premium Creed Cologne for Men

1. Creed Aventus

Officially recognized by Creed as the most favorite scent in the history of perfumes, and also the creation of a highly successful contemporary fragrance. Launched in 2010, Aventus immediately became “fad” lasting until now, 8 years later, and of course, Aventus fever has no sign of cooling down. Many Aventus fans are seen to the point of instant collection at various Aventus jars. Not only that, before being successful beyond the imagination of this scent, other perfume companies also had to admire themselves, then took advantage of the aroma of Aventus style, the essence of the fragrance’s success.

Talking about Aventus, Creed created scents to honor Napoleon’s heroic spirit. Aventus pineapple ripe topic. However, hidden under the scent of this heat-rich fruit is Creed’s characteristic aroma notes. On the master’s skin, the aroma is persistent and passionate, attractive and vibrant. The charm of Aventus is strong, it is also extremely warm. The luxurious scent, but not stylish, nor aloof. Read more review here.

Click to Check Amazon Price Try Sample here

2. Creed Himalaya

Olivier Creed created the masculine Himalayan scent to commemorate his expedition to the Tibetan mountains. The scent of the Himalayas portrays the beauty, grandeur, strength and eternity of the mountains with this snow-covered snow. Himalaya was launched in 2002 and is classified as an oriental wood incense line for men.

The aroma of Himalayas opens with the explosion of citrus notes including bergamot, grapefruit, lemon and tangerine. Soon after, the aroma converts to oriental notes, which have hidden notes and are not listed, including juniper fruit with nutmeg, vetiver and pepper Finally, Himalaya leaves a fragrance of wood, combined with white musk, ambergris and tonka beans.

Add a little session to your daily life with the Himalayas. This fragrance is a perfect choice to explore your masculine aspect and still maintain quiet confidence. Use it before going to an important meeting to feel a source of energy spread over a long day.

Click to Check Amazon Price Try Sample here

3. Creed Silver Mountain Water

Silver Mountain Water is the Creed brand of unisex perfume. Inspired by Olivier Creed’s skiing fun, Silver Mountain Water is designed to spark images of waterfall streams in the Swiss Apls.

This is a fragrant perfume that is easy to identify. Tea leaf flavor, citrus, black sour and musk mixed together make the top notes really stand out. The scent is a little sweet, sweet and sour, the tea leaves bring a little bitterness that some people will like or hate. Silver Mountain Water’s scent will bring you to the snowy mountains, where the air is cool and fresh. And before the scent transforms from cool to woody, you can feel the scent of the black and white scent also enticing along with that cool scent.

Silver Mountain Water is a unisex line, but the fragrance is fresh and unique. It is very suitable for use during the daytime for street festivals. The crisp and pure fragrance makes Silver Mountain Water more luxurious and easy to satisfy users. You only need to spray a little perfume on your wrist or neck so that the fragrance can spread throughout your body to create your own unique scent.

Click to Check Amazon Price Try Sample here

4. Creed Imperial Millesime

The Creed brand of Imperial Millesime (unisex) was launched in 1995. The Imperial Millesime belongs to a group of citrus scents. Its creator is the Olivier Creed 6th Generation.

The citrus scent brings ocean head flavors open with fruity notes and mineral salts. Middle notes include lemon, bergamot, iris and citrus. The base notes are musk, wood incense and some marine flavor ingredients. The first impression of the user is freshness like a watermelon, however, this fruit flavor will soften to make room for the ocean flavor to remind a sea breeze.

There are many people who like this unique scent because it is a perfect fragrance that does not overwhelm the sense of smell of those around you. This fragrance is suitable for use in offices, meeting partners or customers.

Click to Check Amazon Price Try Sample here

5. Royal Water Millesime

Royal water is a fresh and pure scent that is believed to be the perfume for the royal generation which was launched in 1997. This fragrance of Creed can be used by both males and females and belongs to the fragrant citrus perfume group and is also the spirit child of Olivier Creed 6th.

Perfect scent. The citrus scent unfolded seemed quite strong with the bergamot orange flavor, lemon green skin and lemon yellow skin. The whole fragrance is cleverly blended between peppermint and basil to create a herbal flavor. Juniper fruit flavor notes bring mild spicy flavor to perfume fragrances. Olivier once again created a timeless fragrance with a balance between classic and modern. As it gradually dries, the fragrance retains its excellentness with freshness and soap properties with its musk and rare notes of ambergris. You will imagine yourself going into a British garden with the warm sunshine with the aroma of herbs wafting in the air.

Royal water is a pleasant scent emitted with herb flavor so it is suitable for those who like sophistication and simplicity. The Royal Water was as cool as a spring stream, tearing the thread of the master’s spirit and soul. The scent uses mint leaves and basil grass to create a cool, melting, pure water effect. Just a small amount on the neck or wrist is enough to make you confident for the day’s activities.

Click to Check Amazon Price Try Sample here

6. Creed Tabarome Millesime

Tabarome perfume was created exclusively for a famous British politician who is fond of Brandy and cigars. The name “Tabarome” is used to praise the aroma of tobacco which is the main ingredient in the fragrance of this perfume. In 2000, Tabarome was officially launched. The 6th Olivier Creed is the one who created the fragrance of this perfume bottle.

The opening notes bring freshness and crispness and sweet aroma, with citrus notes – mainly bergamot orange flavor and fade slowly to create a sparkling feeling. The scent is very natural and blends well with tangerines and lemons (without leaving a bitter taste). Middle notes dominate by passionate ginger flavor and blend with ambergris in the base. When it comes to base notes, the cigarette aroma becomes more prominent – the aroma of tobacco leaves is fresh with some pipe tobacco and cigars (during the evaporation period – the fragrance does not contain smoke, but instead is the smell Churchill cigar flavored by hand)

Bring a little romance to your life with Tabarome aroma. The passionate fragrance in the perfume will definitely create a romantic atmosphere and warmth will help prolong this atmosphere. The aroma of Tabarome will make those who feel like being inclined in your arms. A great scent for the cool weather days.

Click to Check Amazon Price Try Sample here

7. Creed Original Santa

Original Santa is a line of perfumes for both men and women with an oriental fragrance, inspired by the splendor and majesty of the Indian royal family. The essence of rare sandalwood from India combines with other ingredients to create a wonderful scent with mental strength and extreme calm. Launched in 2005, this Original Santal fragrance for both sexes is categorized as Oriental wood.

The overall aroma brings a mature and passionate feeling to the quite outstanding incense components such as ginger, vanilla, coriander, and delicious ripe fruit. The top notes were cinnamon, coriander, juniper, berry and sandalwood. Middle notes are lavender, sweet orange, rosemary & ginger. The base notes along with tonka beans, vanilla combined with sandalwood, musk and benzoin resin give a warm feeling to users.

Creed Original Santal is an elegant scent that will surely bring the spicy flavor of spices to your body. The scent of this growth will make people around you feel comfortable and awake. It is suitable for everyday use as a characteristic, simple and ideal scent when working or walking with friends

Click to Check Amazon Price Try Sample here

8. Creed Erolfa

The scent of Erolfa for men from the prestigious Creed perfume company, released in 1992, is categorized into the attractive Cypriot fragrance.

Erolfa opened with a rather elegant note of green aroma with a hint of citrus. Mainly the scent of lemons and purple flowers, then the fragrance became more interesting with the appearance of Persian dill and orange. After a few minutes, the notes of melon also contributed and combined with the faint scent of jasmine, ginger, pepper and coriander. The base has the characteristic scent of classic Creed bottles: amber and musk, sandalwood and cedar. Erolfa contains a strong aroma of synthetic ozone, which was quite popular in the 1990s, bringing the flavor of clean laundry scent. The scent of the first-class aroma gives a little dusty characteristic to the overall scent as if to add the masculine features to Erolfa.

Add some style to your everyday life through the scent of Erolfa from Creed perfume company. Erolfa will help you feel the natural sophistication through daily activities, just with a little perfume on the skin in the morning before you leave the house and enjoy the energy it brings for you all day.

Click to Check Amazon Price Try Sample here

9. Creed Bois du Portugal

The Creed Bois du Portugal of Creed brand is a perfume-oriental perfume for men and was launched in 1987. The perfume is inspired by the aromatic plants of Turkey.

The warm and charming fragrance of Bois du Portugal starts with the aroma of bergamot. Next is the lavender scent in the middle layer and a combination of complex wood notes that include sandalwood, vetiver, cedarwood and ambergris. With the citrus aroma beginning and ending with wood notes, the perfume will help to enhance your mature style.

Bois du Portugal will add masculinity to your handsome look. Since its launch, this perfume bottle has overcome all the challenges of time and will continue to do so as a position to be one of the most beautiful and classic male perfume bottles. With the moderate passion of perfume, Bois du Portugal is extremely suitable for night outings, dates or any casual occasion you encounter.

Click to Check Amazon Price Try Sample here

10. Green Irish Tweed

Green Irish Tweed belongs to the classic Fougere incense group. This is one of the most popular scents of celebrities. The fragrance is rich, fresh, sporty and unforgettable. Green Irish Tweed was released in 1985, belongs to the group of flowers, grass and wood – musk.

Green Irish Tweed has a base of top notes of Iris and horsetail. The middle notes is the outstanding fragrance of purple flowers. The base notes are amber and sandalwood. The delicate combination of citrus notes and wood notes creates a manly and powerful male fragrance.

Green Irish Tweed is suitable for delicate men. The fragrance will be more perfect when used during the day. Spicy aroma creates confidence and sexy. Sillage is considered quite long.

Click to Check Amazon Price Try Sample here

11. Creed Virgin Island Water

Virgin Island Water is inspired by a boat trip near Ginger Island in the Caribbean. This is a beautiful island with white sand beaches and unspoiled nature. This island inspired the Sixth Olivier Creed and his son, Erwin Creed, the creation of Virgin Island Water perfume in 2007. This scent is intended to celebrate the wonderful tropical scent and period. imagined by the wind of the Sir Francis Drake canal.

The perfume has a sweet taste in the serenity of the tropics. Top notes like a citrus cocktail of bergamot, Jamaican lemon and Sicily tangerine. The citrus aroma is combined with coconut rice flavor to create a new unique. The middle notes are jasmine, hibiscus, orchid and spicy ginger, cool. The top notes are warm with sugarcane, musk and white rum.

Virgin Island Water is really a pleasant fragrance that radiates warmth. Virgin Island Water has a complex but balanced structure and combines incense notes used. Just a small amount on the neck or wrist is enough to make you confident for the day’s activities. A gentle tropical scent that still brings freshness and refreshment, with good Sillage and continuous for many hours

Click to Check Amazon Price Try Sample here

12. Creed Royal Oud

Creed has released Royal Oud for unisex and unisex after receiving many offers from customers, but they have changed the scent in the style of Creed brand. The composition of wood, leather, marble and gold – the ingredients that made up the Persian palace – was inspired to create this fragrance of Persian and Parisian styles. Royal Oud Unisex perfume was introduced in 2011. The cologne is a wooden incense group, created by Olivier Creed 6th.

Royal Oud is a stylish scent and warmth from the nuances of wood, green and spicy. Agarwood composition is an indispensable part, playing a role in balancing other incense ingredients. Described as “fresh and aromatic”, the top notes are citrus notes with pink pepper. The middle notes are blended by white cedar, cedarwood and angelica. And base notes end with incense wood incense and other dry and strong incense.

Royal Oud is for men and women who like modern, knowledgeable fashion. This fragrance has been used by at least 5 members of US presidential family lives. With this unique blend of incense ingredients, Royal Oud gives users a sense of luxury and charm. Suitable for daytime use.

Click to Check Amazon Price Try Sample here

13. Creed Original Vetiver

Original Vetiver is a new and modern vetiver odor for classic vetiver fragrances. This unisex perfume combines turf with citrus and Mediterranean spices to create a warm, sensual and delicate fragrance for the fragrance of the perfume. The fragrance evokes the warm sunshine of summer in southern France.

Original Vetiver has been and is always a perfect choice for anyone who wants to add a classic scent in their perfume collection. Its scent is suitable for many different occasions, from dating out with friends or romantic meals with lovers. No matter where you are, this fragrance will definitely draw attention to you.

Click to Check Amazon Price Try Sample here

14. Creed Jardin d’Amalfi

The famous perfume brand Creed expands the Royal Exclusive luxury line with three perfume versions launched in the world perfume market in 2011: Jardin d’Amalfi, Original Cologne and White Flowers. These three fragrances celebrate the 250th anniversary of this brand. Jardin d’Amalfi is the creative crystallization of the sixth-generation Olivier Creed perfectionist, demonstrating the sumptuous summer gardens of Italian Amalfi waters.

The beginning of this scent is the explosion of fresh, succulent fruit of bergamot, red pepper as the background for fresh, natural tangerine and sweet Neroli orange flowers. Next is the green, sour taste of green apple, the intense aroma of Bulgarian rose but warmed up slightly thanks to the cedar wood flavor in the middle notes. Olivier has subtly brought the essence of charismatic white musk and sweet sweet cinnamon and the natural flavor of Haiti vetiver to make the fragrance more depth.

A youthful, fresh daytime scent for both men and women. With a reasonable distance of incense and incense, it will give you confidence, youthful, dynamic in every situation such as going to work, walking around the street or outdoor parties with friends.

Try Sample here

Conclusion

At the present time, the world of scent has flourished with many names, extremely diverse and constantly being replaced. More than ever, this rule of elimination in this dreamy and flying hobby is extremely realistic and fierce. However, before the “whirlwind of scent” is both hot and easy to fall into this forgetfulness, there are always a few names that stand and survive. Creed is one of those few.

Not as flashy and easy to identify as fashion names as perfumes, nor easily found in commercial centers, Creed is an independent and traditional perfume. Called independent and traditional because Creed did not draw pants, Creed had only one passion to create scents. In other words, Creed is not dominated by any element of the fashion industry – cosmetics, no trends, no movement, no manipulation or subjugation to large corporations. Creed is hundreds of years diligent with the only way, which is to collect and preserve the essence of natural ingredients and concentrate all the enthusiasm that create scents. Not to say too, in the world of high-end scent, Creed is a pioneer who creates many trends.

Wish you choose the best Creed cologne for men from our suggestions!

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How was shaving handled on board a warship during the Napoleonic era? Did each guy know how to use a straight razor or was there a designated shaving guy?

Hi, well, it was compulsory for every man not to wear a beard. And that was for hygienic reasons, but sidburns were allowed. For shaving, only the straight razor was available, and that was still feasible in calm seas, but in rough seas - well, that could get tricky. The officers were expected to be clean and shaven, but sometimes this was not possible because there was a battle going on or something else was going on, so the daily shave had to be postponed. And not everyone trusted their servant or steward with their throat. However, no one walked around with a three-day beard, but beard shadows were to be seen. Sunday, nevertheless, had to be shaved, and if a barber was caught at the impressment, so much the better, then he could take over the work.

A small shaving set, with razor and trasportbox containing a mirror, mid 19th century (x)

The next problem was the material, not everyone could afford a razor. They had to get one first, and if they were lucky they could even share it.

The officers often had small travel sets. It was a small box with a mirror, brush, razor, cream, etc. Those who couldn't afford it only had a razor, the brush and the soap, and maybe a small mirror. Shaving was a must, but it could also be a challenge.

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Hotel Review: Fontevraud L’Hôtel, Loire Valley, France

Imagine sleeping in a priory where nuns once tended lepers, sipping an aperitif in the former chapel, dining in the cloister. L’Hotel at Fontevraud, near Saumur in the Loire Valley, announces itself so discreetly that it’s hard to distinguish from the rest of the great French abbey complex of which it forms part. Until you get inside. Then it’s Apple meets the Middle Ages. On arrival guests are given a mini iPad which serves as a remote control, a source of information and enables them to make free internal and external phone calls – even internationally.

Accommodation

The bedrooms have a monastic look but without monastic discomfort. There’s a hairshirt coloured angled bed head and spotlights perfectly positioned for reading. The bed has a breathable mattresses from a Nantes-based company, Biosense. The television is hidden behind a sliding screen so you can just want to ignore it. You get BBC 1 and 2 if you don’t. The Fontevraud TV channel provides information on the Abbey.

The bathroom has arain and hand held shower heads. I thought that the wash basin was rather large for a hotel claiming eco credentials – but loved the locally made honey soap with a little sisal sack so you can take it away rather than waste it. There are heating controls but no air conditioning.

Who for

Perfect for lovers of European history and foodies. The Abbey, founded at the start of the 12th Century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was unusual in that it was run by Abbesses and welcomed both sexes. Among the tombs in the great abbey church are those of Richard the Lionheart, Henry II and his Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Napoleon turned the Abbey into a prison. It has since been restored to a approximation of its original state. You can wander around it at night after the other tourists have left, or book a modestly priced, guided tour through the hotel.

Facilities

The bar has touch screen tabletops enabling guests to mug up on the history of the abbey and those associated with it, or play chess.There is a fully equipped seminar/conference/event rooms for 20 – 1000 people.

Food

Chef Thibaut Ruggeri’s cooking is inventive and exciting. Think radish sorbet, lemon and black olives for dessert, pigeon fillet with almonds and a cognac marzipan. It doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, either, with menus at €20, €58 and €95. Water comes from the spring after which the abbey was named. Like dinner, the buffet breakfast is set up in the cloister – a lovely French selection including croissants, fresh bread, pastries, eggs – and delicious honey from the abbey’s own hives.

What’s nearby

If you’re staying more than one night the Chateaux of the Loire and the vineyards and caves of Saumur are within easy reach.

Wi-Fi available

Free Wi-Fi is accessed with a code which changes daily.

Room Rates

Double rooms from €125 – €185 depending on season; family rooms (2 adults, 2 children €150 – €195; suites €170 – €230. Breakfast is extra at €15.

Value for money

Genuine value for the whole experience – room, cooking and intimate access to the abbey.

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REVIEW OVERVIEW TripAdvisor (171 reviews) Booking (332 reviews) SUMMARY

“Genuine value for the whole experience – room, cooking and intimate access to the abbey.” ~ Roger Bray

4.5

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The Ultimate Beauty Brush Care Guide

The Ultimate Beauty Brush Care Guide

It's no secret that I'm somewhat addicted to makeup brushes and beauty blenders, and it's a habit I've passed along to my children!It drives me crazy when I go to use one of my beautiful brushes on a nude shadow or BB cream and just as I sweep the brush over my face there's an undertone of black eyeshadow or a way-to-dark foundation! Enter brush care 101!

Even without your kids playing around in colours you'd never wear, brushes and beauty blenders need a little love to keep them pristine and fabulous. Not to mention it also helps to avoid the build-up of bacteria and those annoying little breakouts that the bacteria can cause.

Although from what many beauty experts tell me most people don't clean their brushes often enough!There are many options available that will suit all budgets, from big brand cleansers and cleaners to your everyday shampoo and makeup remover or a bar of beauty soap.

How often you should clean your brushes?

The longer you leave makeup on your brushes the higher the risk is of them developing bacteria. Liquid products like foundation and concealer have the highest risk of bacteria growth. Plus, the more buildup that's on the brush the more uneven your makeup application will be.

The general recommendation is to clean your brushes weekly if you wear makeup daily or monthly if you only wear it a few times a week or just on special occasions.And always, after you have cleaned your brushes, gently squeeze out the excess water and lay them flat on a clean towel to dry.

Beauty Blender Cleaning 101

The Beauty Blender from Beauty Blender itself has an almost cult-like following, but regardless of whether you've invested in the original, or you have a budget-friendly KMART blender, it's important to clean them properly. The product can slowly soak towards the middle of the sponge if you don't.

Avoid using excessive amounts of spray brush cleaner, it can dissolve or tear the sponges.Instead, use a beauty blender dedicated cleaner to gently clean away foundation and bacteria like the beauty blender liquid cleanser. They're quick, efficient, and can prolong the life of your blender.

Just wet the blender, squirt a little cleanser onto it and gently massage away the product. They also have a bar cleanser, gently rub the blender over the bar and massage away the product.Rinse, squeeze out excess water, and allow it to dry completely before putting it away.

And be gentle, remember a blender is soft and bouncy and you don't want to be too rough and risk losing that soft bounciness.

If these cleansers are out of your budget you do have a few more options.First up, use a gentle beauty or face soap like the Dove Beauty Bar, they're only a few dollars and work a treat.Your regular cleanser is another option; the same rules apply as if you were using a beauty blender specific cleanser.And if you just can't budge those stains, you could always cut the blender in half…

Real Hair Bristle Care

If your brushes are made from natural hair, as many are, it's a good idea to shampoo and condition them to keep the bristles smooth.

First up, add a few drops of shampoo to the bristles and gently massage it in, hold under warm running water until the water runs clean.

Then add a few drops of conditioner after shampooing and rinse well.

TIP: For hard to remove stains like red lipstick or waterproof makeup try using makeup remover.

Synthetic Makeup Brushes and Removing Stains

Synthetic brushes can stain quite easily with products like foundation, concealer and lipstick.

The best way to remove these stains is to hold them under warm running water to wash away the excess product, then lightly rub the brush over a bar of soap in circular motions to create a soft lather, rinse clean. For stubborn stains repeat as needed.

Pat dry in a towel while gently pressing the bristles back into shape then lay the brush on its side on a towel to dry.

Drying Your Beauty Brushes

It is important to make sure your brushes are completely dry, gently squeeze out excess water and leave them laying on their side on a towel to dry rather than standing up, this will stop any water running down the handle and causing damage.

Don't be tempted to use your hair dryer on makeup brushes. The heat can damage the bristles and the melt the glue holding on the handle causing the brush to fall apart.

Cleaning Options at a Glance

Pro Cleansing Fluid or Cleaning Bar

Bar of Soap

Shampoo

Cleanser

Makeup Remover

Liquid Soap

Sard – this was a tip from a Napoleon MUA on removing stains from synthetic brushes.

Beauty Blender Cleanser Solid RRP $25

I'm addicted to the scent of this little disc, it also comes with a silicone disc to help clean away stubborn stains, or use it to sit your blender on while it dries.

Available at Sephora in Australia

Beauty Blender Cleanser Liquid RRP $28

Neat and easy to use, just push down on the internal cap to release the right amount of liquid. It has a natural soy base and smells great too.

Available at Sephora in Australia

E.L.F Daily Brush Cleaner RRP $9

If you prefer an actual brush cleaner over a bar of soap, the E.L.F brush cleanser is a great cheaper option.

E.L.F Daily Brush Cleaner is available from E.L.F

Dove Beauty Bar RRP $3.95 (x2 bars)

Dove beauty bars are a great option to clean your brushes and I know a few beauty experts who use it regularly. Simply wet the bar, hold it in the palm of your hand, and gently run the brush over the bar in a circular motion. Rinse clean and dry as recommended.

Mecca Cosmetica Brush with Success RRP $24

Quick drying formula with antibacterial ingredients to maintain the bristles and extend the life of your brushes.

Mecca Max Brush Refresh Mist RRP $24

Spritz directly onto bristles and pat with a tissue. Quick drying, antibacterial and refreshes brushes between deeper cleans.

Napoleon Perdis Instant Clean Brush Cleanser RRP $40

Napoleon's cleaning spray prevents bacteria growth while cleaning away makeup. They suggest spraying it on a tissue and patting it on your brush to clean it regularly, follow up by shampooing brushes once a month.

Silicone Brush Cleaner The Body Shop RRP $9

While many beauty brands suggest you use a tissue or your fingers to clean your brushes The Body Shop has a silicone, hand-held cleaning tool.

Simply add a few drops of brush cleanser or shampoo and gently rub the brush over the grooves. Rinse and dry as recommended.

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New article has been published on The Daily Digest

New article has been published on http://www.thedailydigest.org/2018/07/17/schaeffer-antietam-part-2-the-young-napoleon/

SCHAEFFER: ANTIETAM – Part 2: The Young Napoleon

The soap opera tenure of George B. McClellan, who’d left the peacetime army to find success as a railroad executive before accepting a commission as major general when civil war broke out, was a fifteen-month play in two acts. [READ MORE HERE]

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