| Absinthe Journals |
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Satirical journals of the Belle Epoque, café life reflected in the journals of the day, anti-absinthe
propaganda in the popular press.
propaganda in the popular press.
Journals I - Humour
The satirical journals of the day delighted in mocking the pretensions of absintheurs, and the intricacies of the absinthe
ritual. A particular point of amusement was the tendency of experienced absinthe drinkers to hold the carafe as high as
possible above the glass, so as to battre (batter) the absinthe.
The satirical journals of the day delighted in mocking the pretensions of absintheurs, and the intricacies of the absinthe
ritual. A particular point of amusement was the tendency of experienced absinthe drinkers to hold the carafe as high as
possible above the glass, so as to battre (batter) the absinthe.
Journals II - Absinthe and the Military
The association of the French military with absinthe went back to the Algerian wars in the 1840's, where it was used as a
fever preventative. Mixed with wine or water - jokingly referred to as "absinthe soup" - it was believed to kill germs and fend off
dysentry (no doubt, this high alcohol combination also helped to relieve the boredom of barracks life). When the troops of the
Bataillon d'Afrique returned to France, they brought with them their taste for the refreshingly bitter drink, and absinthe became
a hit in bars and bistros all over France. It remained a strong favourite of military men, of all ranks.
The association of the French military with absinthe went back to the Algerian wars in the 1840's, where it was used as a
fever preventative. Mixed with wine or water - jokingly referred to as "absinthe soup" - it was believed to kill germs and fend off
dysentry (no doubt, this high alcohol combination also helped to relieve the boredom of barracks life). When the troops of the
Bataillon d'Afrique returned to France, they brought with them their taste for the refreshingly bitter drink, and absinthe became
a hit in bars and bistros all over France. It remained a strong favourite of military men, of all ranks.
Journals III - Social Commentary
As absinthe spread to the working classes in the 1890's, the social ills arising from its abuse attracted increasing attention
from the satirical illustrators of the day. Particular attention was paid to the abuse of children by alcoholic parents, and to the
increasing numbers of woman who enjoyed the drink.
As absinthe spread to the working classes in the 1890's, the social ills arising from its abuse attracted increasing attention
from the satirical illustrators of the day. Particular attention was paid to the abuse of children by alcoholic parents, and to the
increasing numbers of woman who enjoyed the drink.
Journals IV - Belle Epoque Cafes
The lengthy article "Characteristic Parisian Cafés" by Theodore Child, published in the April 1889 issue of Harper's New
Monthly Magazine, is the most detailed contemporary English language account of the café environment in Paris at the time,
and the absinthe-drinking boulevardiers who frequented them. It includes the famous engraving by Renouard below.
The lengthy article "Characteristic Parisian Cafés" by Theodore Child, published in the April 1889 issue of Harper's New
Monthly Magazine, is the most detailed contemporary English language account of the café environment in Paris at the time,
and the absinthe-drinking boulevardiers who frequented them. It includes the famous engraving by Renouard below.
Journals V - Artists and Men of Letters
Commentary on the effects of absinthe on the artistic movements of the era such as impressionism, and a portrait of
Verlaine, perhaps the most famous absintheur of all.
Commentary on the effects of absinthe on the artistic movements of the era such as impressionism, and a portrait of
Verlaine, perhaps the most famous absintheur of all.
bars and cafés every Saturday. A passionate devotee of La Fee Verte, Bron ensured that Guguss was at the forefront of the
fight to save absinthe from prohibition, and in the years from 1905 many articles and sometimes entire issues of the
magazine were devoted to attacking the prohibitionist movement, and campaigning in favour of absinthe.
fight to save absinthe from prohibition, and in the years from 1905 many articles and sometimes entire issues of the
magazine were devoted to attacking the prohibitionist movement, and campaigning in favour of absinthe.
