In the Li-Bree

Highclere Castle Library

Since the introduction of “Downton Abbey”, life in the great houses has fascinated me.  Not the stairs or the gowns and not the life style of the occupants, but it is the signature possessions that indicate “Now, here!  And here!  Well-to-do people live here!”

For me, the greatest indicators are the libraries (li-brees). 

Authenticity and status demanded floor to ceiling bookshelves, weighted with huge ancient books.  Faded leather bindings and spines, line up carefully with huge tomes on the top shelf, newer books in descending shelves.

Even in the respectable American homes, loaded bookcases mark the home as being one of means.

So many questions, I have so many:

1.   How is the library used in those houses?

2.   Do the Aged Leather bound books way up on top have a meaning?

3.   Did anyone read those books?

4.   If they did, where would one start?

5.   If the books were read, did anyone read them from start to finish?

6.   Who re-shelved these books?

7.   Would one have a cool library ladder?

8.   Who dusted those books (a female servant?)?

9.   What happened to those books as they deteriorated? And who ever checked to see if the crumbling books should be thrown out?

Did anyone actually know what books they had?

That is all I wanted to know. Well,not all, but I am certain you may have questions of your own. Any answers?

I want #78 on the third shelf down.

The Bottles on the Top Shelf

1st Writes Photo

Over the years, Helen had dusted the shelves for her Great-Aunt Elspeth.  At first Helen could reach only the bottom shelf, and Aunt Elspeth had praised her. 

“Oh, what a magnificent job you have done!  Someday,” Aunt Elspeth had pointed to the very top shelf, “you will reach that shelf!  I will let you choose the bottle you love the most!”

Each time Helen polished and cleaned the shelves, she gazed at the bottles so far out of her reach.  ‘Someday…’  One time Helen would favor the green bottle, but the next time she dusted, she desired the pink bottle.

Years stacked up in numbers as Helen grew and she could dust the next shelf, and then the next.  Which one would she choose?  The blue?  The violet?  So lovely, so hard to decide.

When Helen could just almost reach the shelf, Aunt Elspeth dropped dead right in front of her. 

 By this time, Helen was now grown as much as she ever would; she was a mother with a small child.  As she closed the eyes of her now-deceased aunt, Helen smiled gently.

Then Helen found a sturdy stool and a box.  She stepped onto the stool and stood level with the shelf.  Gazing fondly at each bottle, Helen sighed.  

Reaching tentatively, Helen spoke, “One?  Hell, I’m going to take them all!” 

This is a re-post of one done in 2011.  Click on the site beneath the photo to visit the creative blogger who posted this photo as a prompt!