“The Whitewasher”

City Characters, or, Familiar Scenes in Town published in 1851 included illustrations and descriptions of  individuals that were likely to be seen in an American city such as “The Fruitseller,” “The Retired Gentleman,” “The Huckster,” and “The Street Sweeper.” In the chapter “The Whitewasher” the author describes how whitewash is used as an inexpensive way to cover grime and dirt on walls, ceilings, and fences:

“It is made of lime and water, mixed together with a little bit of salt and indigo to make it clear. Brushes with long handles on them dipped into it, and rubbed over the walls of the room; when this dries, all the yellow is covered, and the room looks white and clean.”

The original engravings are in the collection of the Library Company of Philadelphia.

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“The Laundress”

The original engravings are in the collection of The Library Company of Philadelphia.

City Characters, or, Familiar Scenes in Town published in 1851 included illustrations and descriptions of  individuals that were likely to be seen in an American city such as “The Fruitseller,” “The Retired Gentleman,” “The Huckster,” “The Street Sweeper” and “The Woodsawyer.” The chapter “The Laundress” appears on pages 34-36:

“This woman is engaged by rich people to wash and iron clothes, which have been soiled by wearing. Washing clothes is not a very pleasant business; and, when followed every day, as a regular trade must be tedious and disheartening. Those articles of clothing made of linen require a great deal of care, and give the poor Laundress much trouble. Clothes are washed in large tubs, by means of soap and boiling water. After this they must be ironed before they can be worn.  This is done with a heavy piece of smooth iron, called a flat-iron, made hot in a furnace and passed over each piece of clothing. This makes them smooth and soft.

“All this, you can easily see, takes much time and care; and the women who work at it must labour very hard. They do not receive as much as they ought for their tedious and disagreeable labour. Many persons have their washing and ironing done at home, making it a part of the servants’ work; others hire the Laundress to work at their houses.

“The woman in this picture looks as though she had just finished a hard day’s work and was taking the clothes home to the owners; see what a large basket she carries. It is full of articles of clothing neatly folded up; and this shows how much this woman has done in one day. Perhaps her husband is dead, and she has several little children depend on her for support. This is frequently the case with those who follow the occupation of a Laundress.”

The original engravings are in the collection of the Library Company of Philadelphia.

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