Small talk does not always come naturally, as First Lady Louisa Adams knew.| Shannon Selin
The Wellington Door Knocker was invented by London ironmonger David Bray in 1814. Door knockers were a common feature of 19th-century life, until replaced by the electric doorbell.| Shannon Selin
Charades, which began in France as a type of riddle, became a popular 19th-century parlour game. Sit in on a game played by the Duke of Wellington in 1821.| Shannon Selin
Transparencies (paintings on see-through paper or cloth) were a DIY craze in the early 19th century.| Shannon Selin
Panoramas were large circular paintings that aimed to give the viewer the experience of being physically present in the scene being depicted - an early attempt at virtual reality.| Shannon Selin
A hostess in Regency London had plenty to do to get her house ready for an evening party, even if she did have servants to help her.| Shannon Selin
These money-saving tips for students, entitled “Twelve Golden Rules of Prudent Economy," could usefully be heeded by anyone at any age, even today.| Shannon Selin
Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington never met, and they fought only one battle directly against each other.| Shannon Selin
Many 19th-century packing tips sound remarkably like those of today.| Shannon Selin
What if Napoleon Bonaparte had escaped from St. Helena and wound up in the United States in 1821?| Shannon Selin