These recent posts of courtship and art made me think that this week I’d simply provide a glimpse into Daisy’s world from her own pen. She thoroughly enjoyed a fancy dress ball she attended in Savannah in the 1880s. Because her dear friend Mary was abroad and couldn’t share in the fun, Daisy described the dress she wore in a letter:
“My character was a daisy which was unmistakable if it had no other virtue. The skirt white satin, over wh. fell panels of white plush to represent daisy petals. The body green satin to represent a bud with small white satin petals coming out at the neck and sleeves, my hat consisted of a big Daisy so did my fan[,] my hair in two long pigtails down my back.”[i]
Then she drew a picture to help Mary visualize it:
I find this simply charming!
This is awesome! And so creative! If I were a better artist I would totally illustrate my letters!
This "character" must mean that she liked the name Daisy. When did she start going by that? I suppose it was more than just a nickname, but wholly interchangeable and accepted? I guess with Juliette being a family name it would make it easier to call her by another name. Did only certain people, such as her friends, call her Daisy, or did everyone? Also, did she ever tire of going to these sort of events, or did she just revel in the festivities and take them for what they were (places to meet a potential mate)?
Wow! That's a lot of great questions! Yes, I'd say she liked the name Daisy. It was a very common nickname in that era, and the family used it from her childhood on. Everyone on a first-name basis with her called her Daisy. And yes, certainly she could tire of the parties, but of the three friends, Daisy was the most outgoing and her letters are generally enthusiastic about such events. They got her out of the house, for one thing, and when she was bickering with her mother, that was an end in itself! Thanks for your comment!
I totally agree with your description of the drawing as "charming." I love the piece and I also really like your blog! How I wish all these wonderful tidbits could be included in your biography. I can't tell you how much we are looking forward to having it in print.
That's heady praise indeed, coming from you, Fran. I have even more wonderful tidbits for the book, don't worry! And some of these may reappear–but not the photos. Thanks so much for writing. It made my Monday morning!