Frampton’s Pill of Health

Some newspapers (for instance The National (UAE) or Seattle Post-Intelligencer) are republishing or commenting on an article from Booktryst (as far as we can trace the origins) which is a well-done and researched... joke about product placement in 19th-century literature. The problem is that some of the newspapers, fortunately just a few, take it seriously! Check out this ad-including Jane Eyre fragment from Chapter 10:

When the typhus fever had fulfilled its mission of devastation at Lowood, it gradually disappeared from thence; but not till its virulence and the number of its victims had drawn public attention on the school. Inquiry was made into the origin of the scourge, and by degrees various facts came out which excited public indignation in a high degree. The unhealthy nature of the site; the quantity and quality of the children's food; the brackish, fetid water used in its preparation; the pupils' wretched clothing and accommodations--all these things were discovered, and the discovery produced a result mortifying to Mr. Brocklehurst, but beneficial to the institution: Frampton’s Pill of Health. This most excellent Family Medicine is the most effective remedy for Indigestion, Bilious and Liver Complaints, Sick Headache, Loss of appetite, Drowsiness, Giddiness, Spasms, and all Disorders of the Stomach and Bowels; and where an Aperient is required nothing an be better adapted.
Several wealthy and benevolent individuals in the county subscribed largely for the erection of a more convenient building in a better situation; new regulations were made; improvements in diet and clothing introduced; the funds of the school were entrusted to the management of a committee.

The Brontës get an "honorable mention" in a list of famous brothers and sisters published in The Indianopolis Star; Emily Brontë's book is discussed on Aspire2 Blog and 52 Books, 52 Documentaries & 52 Weeks; Nazione Indiana (in Italian), Dada doesn't catch flies, Ramblings from Emily Rose post about Jane Eyre; a book diary talks briefly about Villette. Finally DressingDown has visited Haworth and posts several pictures.

Categories: Haworth, Humour, Jane Eyre, Villette, Wuthering Heights