Belle Chalmers Wadley - Childhood in England

(About 1893 through 1897)

There were no furnaces to keep the house warm - only fireplaces, which burned coal and were not too big or hot either. There were only fires in the dining room or drawing room; and then only when they were to be used.

The English people do not care for it to be warm, or so they say. They will have a window open, wear plenty of woolen clothes, including "longies," keep the temperature around the 60's.

Chilblains were very common and I would get them on my toes, and they aren't a bit pleasant. But this was winter when its very damp. The thermometer does not go so low, but you never seem to get dry and warm.

The lawns stay green all winter. No electricity of course, gas was used as central light, but we each took a candle up to bed. Silver candle sticks they were, and they were cleaned and polished by the servants. Silver was polished once a week.