The World in 1895

[kommy]

Ach, you two are a gloomy, misanthropic pair. You are coming this close to keeping me from enjoying life. Some people complain and mope, others try to make things better. I like to think I'm in the latter category. I work hard and like to think we're on the right track on so many things.

For the next topic, we'll continue our tour of Central Europe, I think. Deutschland uber alles. Or maybe part one of the British realm.
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"Doktor! Are you sure this will work?!" "HAHA! I HAVE NO IDEA!"

[Crimson]

Oh the british realm now thats something I know alot about.
Always a big fan of Irish and Scottish history
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Crimson's Construction.
Bettering Bon Bon one building at a time.

[duo2nd]

I also want to know that happened to Queen Victoria in that time.

[Xebulon]

[Ashton Gray]

"Sour debate"? I certainly did'nt see this as such. I saw it as a good natured but gloomy exchange of ideas. Still, I do think it's time this discussion closed, at least for now. Maybe we can continue it in General Discussion if we must but let's not clutter up the good Doktor's fun topic with this, shall we?
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Silentium est aurum

[Bestile1]

yes... gloom and the doctor shouldn't be mixed together.... they just don't seem right together, you know what i mean

[Marauder]

Now, I admit that I am unaware of whether Bon Bon does indeed have electric power throughout the town or if it's still using gas/coal. It is possible that the town does indeed have an electrical power plant (a possible workplace for Marauder's and Littlefox's characters?) but that might also draw too much attention as very few, if any, cities could power more than a few blocks electrically.

While I mainly see Stone and Jinx being more mechanically-inclined, I( believe he'd be more than happy to dabble some with electricity, if only to expand his hours with a strong, steady, non-flickering light. Hmm. a request then: If we ever see maps of the town, would it be possible to put the Little Shop of Mayhem on the edge of a fast-flowing stream? Water power from a mountain stream should provide enough power to provide enough power for his shop and maybe one or two other buildings. Not to mention the lazy badger wouldn't have to bother shoveling coal or splitting wood for electricity.
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I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy.

[admford]

[Xebulon]

Thank you admford. That answers my questions. I still have a lot to research about technology in the Victorian era it seems.
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I like old jokes. With them I know when to laugh.

[kommy]

Personally, I'd stick with the gas lamps. London's electric power station only opened the decade before in 1882 or so. But it is certainly possible and who am I to step on the toes of technological visionaries?

Anyway, I'm back with another article, Part One of a series of articles on the British Empire. Personally, I consider it my worst one to date, as there is just so much to cover and I cover so little. Great Britain and it's empire are iconic of the era in modern minds and like any culture and nation, is full of fascinating nuance and centuries of history. How can one cover the Victorian Era without going into huge detail on said Victoria and her realm?

Even splitting it up so much I cannot cover everything of relevance without writing a small book. So I will just have to make do with what little I have put to paper here...

The British Empire: The British Isles

“The sun never sets on the British Empire!”
“Because God doesn’t trust the English in the dark.”

The British Empire is the largest empire on the planet and the largest in recorded history. Roughly a quarter of all people and lands are under the rule of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria. The Royal Navy polices the seven seas without contest and British officials go about their duties across their empire with nary an impediment.

However, from whence did this empire spring? Great Britain itself is a smallish collection of islands off the coast of France. They are, however, densely populated and industrialized, with the capital of London being the pre-eminent city of the age. While its lead in manufacturing is eclipsed or rivaled by Germany or the United states, Britain is still dominant in the global economy. Indeed, as the home of the Industrial Revolution, Britain’s economy and infrastructure is second to none. Telegraph cables, train rails, and steamships link together not only all of Great Britain, but almost all of its empire.

Great Britain, or the United Kingdom, is the union of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Each retains its distinctive culture and identity, though not for lack of trying on the part of the English, who are the de facto rulers of the islands and the greater empire. Wales and Scotland accept their position with relative equanimity. This is, however, relative in comparison to Ireland. In a sense, Ireland is the first colony of England and their long experience in putting down resistance and establishing dominance there worked well in exporting British rule abroad. Currently, though, Britain is wrestling with granting Home Rule to Ireland and the bill to grant it has been debated fiercely in parliament for over a decade now, championed by former Prime Minister William Gladstone. Aside from occasional nationalistic motions, however, the United Kingdom is indeed a united government, plagued only by the plight of working poor and the underclass who live in poverty compared to the middle and upper classes. People from all across the islands have risen high in government service and the franchise is extended to almost all adult men. Currently, the Earl of Roseberry is Prime Minister of Her Majesty’s Government, but his time appears limited and soon the Marquess of Salisbury may hold that position.

Queen Victoria, queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India, is currently 73 years old and has reigned for over fifty years, her coronation having occurred in 1837. Indeed, her Diamond Jubilee is scheduled to be held two years from now, in 1897. While a beloved monarch, even by many in Irish and other territories where British rule is unpopular, she rarely appears in public. When she does, she is dressed in black and wears a widow’s bonnet rather than her crown. She has never stopped mourning the death of her husband, Prince Albert, who died more than twenty years ago.

The culture of Great Britain is currently quite dynamic, such as the comical operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, but the largest contributions coming in the field of literature. Charles Dickens, the Bronte sisters, and Jane Austen being well loved and their works quickly becoming classics. Others, such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker, and HG Wells prove extremely popular with smaller audiences. Indeed, Mr. Doyle’s success can be credited to the public’s fascination with daring crimes, such as Jack the Ripper’s killing spree in 1888 and his evasion by the best efforts of the famed investigators of Scotland Yard.

The people of the United Kingdom can be confident that their nation is at the peak of prosperity and the greatest amongst Great Powers. Their industriousness and determination has led them across the globe and one of the most affluent and technologically advanced societies on the planet.
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"Doktor! Are you sure this will work?!" "HAHA! I HAVE NO IDEA!"

[MrWolf12]

Very good work, my dear.

[duo2nd]

Jack the Ripper’s killing spree?? That's scary even you put that in thought. Hope Bon Bon didn't have that kind of incident.

[kommy]

It's even scarily relevant here when you remember that the Ripper's targets were prostitutes working the streets. I highly doubt such viciousness will be visited upon the beautiful and idyllic seeming Bon Bon, though.

Of course, this is indeed the home century of gothic horror and stories of crime. Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was published in the early part of the century, in 1818 or so. Van Helsing and Dracula match wits only two years from now, Dracula being published in 1897. And Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famed Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are currently solving the most baffling of crimes and murders. I can only theorize that people, many now living in highly developed and polite societies, were fascinated by the [word censored] and criminal.

While on the subject, this is also the birth century of modern science fiction, Frankenstein having already been mentioned. Jules Verne's famous and sometimes amazingly accurate books were written in the 1860s. Paris in the 20th Century in particular is quite remarkable, foreseeing air conditioning, automobiles, and even a world wide information network among other things. I'm afraid I made a mistake regarding HG Wells, however, as he will not publish until the beginning of the 20th century, though he is certainly alive and well right now. Oddly, one of his first famous works is Little Wars (A Game for Boys from twelve years of age to one hundred and fifty and for that more intelligent sort of girl who likes boys' games and books) and is the father of tabletop wargaming as well as one of the father's of science fiction.

Must admit I was very pleased to learn he thinks so highly of people like me in my chosen hobby.
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"Doktor! Are you sure this will work?!" "HAHA! I HAVE NO IDEA!"

[Xebulon]

[duo2nd]

Ah..... Van Helsing. I remember that story and the movie.

[kommy]

Well, you're in luck, Mr. Burke! The copyright on Mr. Wells' work is long since expired in the US. While you should check the copyright laws in your home area if you are not a US resident, the text is available online and free on Project Gutenberg. The introduction is quite a joy to read so far.

And the hobby I refer to is miniature gaming. Warhammer being the one I play most due to availability of opponents.

[LabrnMystic]

[Crimson]

dont worry about a jack the ripper running around, that why my avatar is wlking the streets late at night for.
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Crimson's Construction.
Bettering Bon Bon one building at a time.

[LabrnMystic]

[LabrnMystic]

[quote="LabrnMystic"]

[Ashton Gray]

Another informative and enjoyable article, Doktor, thank you.
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Silentium est aurum

[Crimson]

[Ashton Gray]

Uh-oh.
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Silentium est aurum

[LabrnMystic]

Ah Crimson, you play too?

I mostly do 40k, but a few friends and I are going to try Fantasy Warhammer.

40K: Eldar, Imperial Guard (Both Regular & Armored Co.), Space Marines, Dark Eldar, Necrons, Sisters of Battle, Orcs, Iron Warriors (Chaos), and Tyranids.

Fantasy: Empire, Lizardmen, Skaven, Vampire Counts, Ogres, a mix of Goblin & Orc, and High Elves. No, I don't own all of these, these are the armies my friends and I will play, but I do own most of them, thanks to E-bay of coarse.
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The suspense is killing me. I hope it will last.

[duo2nd]

That's a good thing.

Anyway, The Philippines is in a Spanish Rule in the 1800 until the Philippine Revolution in that time.

[Crimson]

[kommy]

[Crimson]

this at the time usa was falling behind in the imperial race only having hawaii, if memory serves correctly this is around the time of admeiral perry and japonese trade agreement.
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Crimson's Construction.
Bettering Bon Bon one building at a time.

[duo2nd]

I do remember that in History Class. Japan opens it's doors again to the world and Nagasaki became it's port to the outside world.

[Bestile1]

which lead to a great economic boost for Japan but sadly also lead to the death of some of its oldest customs