Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original SourcesAshton, John
History
Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original Sources
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- History -- Anne, 1702-1714; Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 18th century
John Salter's (or, as he was christened by Steele, or Rear Admiral Sir
John Munden, 'Don Saltero') was situated in the middle of Cheyne Walk,
Chelsea. He was originally a servant to Sir Hans Sloane, and, when he
left his service to set up as barber and coffee-house keeper, Sir Hans
gave him some odds and ends from his Museum. Other kind friends
followed, and Don Saltero's became a place of note, the curiosities,
natural and otherwise, taking up much of the space. Indeed, Steele, in
recording a visit to the Don's, says,[310] 'When I came into the
Coffee house, I had not time to salute the Company, before my eye was
diverted by ten thousand jimcracks round the room and on the ceiling.'
The first catalogue of his curiosities that he published, was in 1729,
and in the preface he says, 'The first Donor was the Honourable Sir
John Cope, bart., to whom and Family I am much obliged for several
very valuable pieces, both of Nature and Art.' The list comprises 249
articles, which in the 12th edition, 1741, was increased to 420, so
that, probably, in Anne's time there were not more than a couple of
hundred. Apart from the natural curiosities, which were numerous, were
many undoubtedly spurious, as '(2) Painted Ribbands from Jerusalem
with the Pillar, to which our Saviour was tied when scourged, with a
Motto on each.' '(40) The Queen of Sheba's Fan.' He seems to have
invested largely in this royal lady's property, for we have '(53)
Queen of Sheba's Cordial Bottle,' and '(55) The Queen of Sheba's Milk
Maid's Hat.' No. 56 was 'Pontius Pilate's Wife's Chambermaid's
Sister's Sister's Hat'--a relic which, Steele declares, was made
within three miles of Bedford.
[Footnote 310: _Tatler_, No. 34.]
These rather detract from the possible authenticity of the historical
relics, which were numerous, and, if genuine, were curious and
valuable. '(15) A Wooden Shoe put under the Speaker's Chair in K.
James IId's Time.' '(37) Gustavus Adolphus's Gloves.' '(38) Harry
VIIIth's Coat of Mail.' '(39) Queen Elizabeth's Stirrup.' '(41)
Katherine Q. Dowager's Coronation Shoes.' '(42) King Charles IId's
Band, which he wore in Disguise in the Royal Oak.' '(43) William the
Conqueror's Flaming Sword.' '(44) Oliver's Sword.' '(45) King James
IId's Coronation Shoes.' '(46) King William the IIId's Coronation
Sword.' '(47) King William's Coronation Shoes.' '(49) Queen Anne's
Testament.' '(50) Henry the VIIIth's Gloves.' '(51) The Czar of
Moscow's Gloves;' and last but not least--an undeniable forgery,
'(242) Robinson Crusoe's and his Man Friday's Shirts.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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