(one of the books on the table in the room was called Wedded Bliss)

Don't worry, hon. We have this book in 'our library'! (an inside joke - this book is not in Pemberley's Bib.) It's in storage though, as we are running out of room, you know. It is VICTORIAN, and I did have to make room for those naval books! I did post this book along with tidbits a while back and so perhaps this information is in the old archives. Look up Wedded Bliss? Let me know if you need anything from the book.

(it was alright for a young lady to accept books, flowers or candy from a man as gifts, but anything other than that would not be appropriate (unless they were engaged, of course). This is true for Regency too. Here is what the Regency Companion says:

'One of the other fashionable ways to proceed with a courtship in the best circles was to send a posey to the young lady before an important ball or even elegant triffle like a hand-painted fan. An ardent swain might also seek to tempt the young lady that he fancied with delicious out-of-season treats such as strawberries in January.'

Were talking about small gifts here. As far as a young woman giving a man a gift, that was not very common, unless the man was related, a childhood friend, a fiance or something very close to it, and so forth. I don't believe that age was a factor.

Happy anniversary! I'll have my number 10 in May! Husbands probably gave jewelry. I don't believe there was a special stone as there is today. Whatever might have been fashionable that year would be nice. Something exotic too. Such as pineapple plants for the new (surprise!) hot house. And Spanish oranges (sorry forgot the name, the bitter ones used in Marmalaide). She might give him a statue for his Greek marble collection. Or perhaps a watch fob, monogramed shirts, something like that. Perhaps he is a botanist? Maybe some exotic orchids she special ordered for his collection? Get the idea? The gifts would depend upon how much money they have at their disposal, of course, or how much pin money the wife has managed to save!

Patricia