Letter 8 ~ Rondeau

Rondeau - "Jenny Kiss'd Me" - Leigh Hunt

Leigh Hunt was a versatile poet of the Romantic movement, whose remarkable talent extended to a diverse range of poetic forms such as narrative poems, satires, poetic dramas, odes, epistles, sonnets, short lyrics, and translations.

Jane, the wife of his friend Thomas Carlyle was the inspiration for his rondeau entitled, "Jenny Kiss’d Me" (first published in the Monthly Chronicle, November 1838). The poem was written when Hunt visited his friends just after he recovered from the flu during the epidemic and refers to a kiss on the cheek Jenny had given as a gesture of affection.

Jenny kissed me when we met,
Jumping from the chair she sat in;
Time, you thief, who love to get
Sweets into your list, put that in:
Say I'm weary, say I'm sad,
Say that health and wealth have missed me,
Say I'm growing old, but add,
Jenny kissed me

 

Flinders Street Station

Flinders Street Station is considered to be Australia's oldest continuously operating railway station and was build just a few years after the first railway line opened in Australia in 1851.

Built in 1854, it serves as a major terminus for both local and regional trains. Its historical significance, distinctive architecture, and central location have made it an iconic part of Melbourne's cultural landscape.

The station's distinctive yellow facade, clock tower, and arched entranceways make it a popular meeting spot and arranging to meet friends under the clocks is a Melbourne tradition that dates back over 100 years. Inside, the station is bustling with activity, with multiple platforms and a variety of shops, cafes, and amenities for travelers.

Flinders Street station is not only a vital transport link for commuters, but also a beloved cultural icon and symbol of Melbourne's history and identity.

 

 Helena Rubinstein was a Polish-born entrepreneur and cosmetics industry pioneer who rose to become one of the wealthiest and most successful businesswomen of the 20th century.

She was born in 1872 in Krakow and was the eldest of 8 daughters. After refusing an arranged marriage, she emigrated to Australia in 1895, settling first in the small Victorian town of Coleraine, then moving to Melbourne in 1902 to open a small beauty salon.

Over the next few decades, Helena built up her business empire, developing a range of innovative skincare products and expanding her brand across Europe, the United States, and Asia.

Rubinstein was known for her tenacity, creativity, and marketing savvy, and she is credited with revolutionising the cosmetics industry by introducing new products and techniques to women around the world.

Her legacy lives on through the Helena Rubinstein Foundation, which supports arts and education initiatives in Australia, Israel, and the United States.

 

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Sources for images and further reading