Watergate
This incredibly detailed drawing of a parlor room gave me a vast source of inspiration to design my own. While the home I built is quite extensive, something I felt always lacking was a room that people were simply in awe of no matter who they were or what particular mood they were in as they stepped in to it. And as I set my eyes upon this sketch, I knew what must be done. I took a great deal of what it depicted and simply rearranged it in my own way. Take, for instance, the little clock that sits in between the two large and decorative wine decanters. This accomplishes several things; for one it shows how my hard work has paid off and what I am able to afford, such as expensive wine to put in intricate and glistening decanters. It also depicts the value I hold on spending my time wisely, as I try to have a clock in every room (The sheer amount of grandfather clocks I have would only make an additional one damper the awe one feels in viewing the rest). in addition to these fine contributions, I must always show my appreiciation for art. And so I had numerous works like the ones shown in the sketch hung in my parlor room, as well as a frontal sculpture to show some variety in artistic form. While my new wife Gerty might not appreciate it as much as my guests, I know it is a valued addition to the Watergate Manor.
Editorial
In this entry of the commonplace book, a switch can be seen from pride in Lord Watergate's "collection" of women and instead pride in his material possessions, another typical characteristic of the higher classes of Victorian England. However these material possessions are a huge focal point for said upper classes, so much so to the point that people that suddenly jump to this higher class buy possessions simply to be known as a recognized member of that class. The hilarity in this was seen by certain Frenchmen that coined these kinds of needless purchases as nouveau riche, literally translating to new rich. This can be applied directly to Lord Watergate as "the European nouveau riche could often buy a title, or hope to be rewarded with ennoblement..." (Kris 391) Now there is some insight as to how Lord Watergate got the beloved Lord title. He might have wanted to seem worthy of the title by buying lavish items that screamed luxury. His apparent inexperience with wealth is further shown by his unoriginality. One would think that if someone was trying to decorate their house they'd do so with items that represent a part of their life; not Watergate. He chooses them based on how he think others will interpret his own character through his possessions. Even choosing a parlor room for this was not his own idea; His entry's purpose is interpreted as either wanting to be found later and remembered as a rich man, or simply just to gloat to himself.
Works Cited
The Tapestried Gallery: Liverpool Exhibition. from The Queen, The Ladie's Newspaper: Miscellaneous Issues Vol. 3. 14 August 1886. Mary Evans Picture Library.
Kris, Reinhild. New Wealth in the New World: The "Nouveau Riche," Temporality, and Social Order in the United States from the 1860s to the 1920s. Amerikastudien (2021) Vol. 66 Iss. 2. Pg. 377-400.