I'm going to start this issue by passing along an appeal for assistance.  A writer has contacted me in hopes of finding someone to help him fact-check a Victorian-era novella or novelette that he has recently written.  The story is set in 1844, and he is hoping to hire someone who can help him avoid obvious anachronisms or period errors (along the lines of "but surely you know they couldn't have eaten that for supper since it wasn't imported until 1852...")  He has contacted several Victorian research sites with no success.

Is anyone on this list interested in such a job?  Do you know of anyone who might be able to assist?  Are you connected with any other lists or groups to which you could pass along the request?  Again, this writer hopes to HIRE someone (not simply take advantage of a Victoriana-enthusiast's good nature).  If you have any ideas on where he might find help, please let me know.

I'll move on with an apology for the lateness of the April-May-June issue of Victorian Times Quarterly.  It is in the works, and, barring unforeseen complications at the printer, should be available by next week.  I'm in the midst of creating VTQs for our first year of publication (2014-2015) and updating all the subsequent volumes with new volume numbers.  (Don't worry; if you've already bought previous issues, nothing is changing except the volume numbers.) 

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

• Street Corner Men (The Strand, 1891) "Perhaps none are more interesting than the irregular individuals who may be seen at various street corners... cajoling, lecturing, flattering, preaching, and dogmatically declaring the advantages of their particular kind of goods or entertainment."
• An Unfashionable Day at the Seaside (CFM, 1884) A delightful visit to one of England's less popular (and less populated) shores.
• Sights and Scenes of the New World: Up the Hudson (CFM, 1883) "A river so beautiful, that if it were situated anywhere in Europe half the world would be going to admire it."
• The Druggist's Peculiar Orders Translating requests for such oddities as churrup and quill, carman seed, bow wax, stickrish and "hair manure."
• Model Menu for July (GOP, 1893) What to offer for this month's dinner party.
• Art Needlework (GOP, 1888) Beautiful embroidery patterns that work just as well today as they did more than 100 years ago.
• The History of Home: Domestic Ways Since the Times of Henry VIII. (GOP, 1887) A four-part series on the customs and furnishings of house and home, along with bits on historic cooking, costumes and more.
• Pickings from the Prairie (CFM, 1892) Frontier life on the vast prairies of Northwest Canada.
• Another Little Friend (CFM, 1878) On the charm of the harvest mouse, and tips on keeping one as a pet.
• Attractive Serving (Ingalls' Family Magazine, 1888) Choice summer dishes, and tips on decorating the table with summer flowers and greenery.
• Some London Street Cries (The Strand, 1892) Pictorial feature of historic London vendors.
• July Lore (ILA, 1846)Country lore, customs and feast days.
• The Art of Hand-Shaking (CFM, 1895) The firm, the lackadaisical, the demonstrative, the trifling... In other words, how not to do it!
• Fiction: Mr. and Mrs. Pidgeon's Visit to Their City Friends, as Related by Mr. Pidgeon (Godey's Lady's Book, 1863)

Visit http://www.victorianvoices.net/VT/issues/VT-1607.shtml to download this issue!

Download it from DropBox: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ds8ajr7nj7vtk2g/VT-1607.pdf?dl=0