British Pharmacopoeia

The British Pharmacopoeia was created in the mid-19th century as a standard reference to replace the three pharmacopoeias in use at the time. The first edition was published in 1864. From the first time I saw it, I thought it seemed a useful type of book. I'm not sure for what yet but one day...
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A dress

Back to the National Museum, and this dress was of interest. Actually it wasn't. I just glanced at it, and then the nearby labels, and then gave the dress a close look, for it is actually made from wool.

But my photo is very poor. Really, have a look at the much better photos on the museum's web site. The text below is from the panel accompanying the dress on display.


The Faithfull family of Springfiled station, near Goulburn, New South Wales, gew wealthy supplying wool to Britain. In about 1885, one Faithfull daughter bought this dress from David Jones department store in Sydney. The dress represented the latest in British fashion, but its origins probably lay close to home. It is made of fine wool of the type grown on Springfield.


By the 1880s, wool was Australia's most important export. Thousands of fleeces were shipped to Britain's mills to be scoured, carded, combed, spun, dyed and woven into cloth. Some of the wool eventually returned to Australia -- as bolts of fabric or ready-made clothing, drapery and furnishings.