This article covers so many of the things I geek out on. Old books? Check. This issue of The Gentleman’s Magazine came out in 1852. Puppets? Check.
MADAME DE PUYSIEUX was a witty and vivacious lady. Among her recorded sayings is one that exceedingly well suits us for the nonce. “I would rather,” she said, “be occasionally found looking at puppets than listening to philosophers.” There was doubtless some reason in this, but the fact is also indubitable that puppets and philosophy are not so far apart.
Further on:
The gravest of authors are at issue as to the actual origin of the puppet race. Charles Nodier is satisfied in tracing it to the doll that lies in unconscious felicity within the loving arms of youthful and precocious maternity. M. Charles Magnin, on the other hand maintains that the puppet does not spring from the hearth but from the altar. The rude god whittled out of a gnarled bough is with him the undoubted sire of the universe of dolls
Hey– That last sentence could be the plot of a fantasy story. Hm…
When do you have time to find and read this?
Last summer. I keep a backlog of things that are interesting to post when I’m too busy to actually think of content.