Laugh and the world laughs with you, goes the old saying, and it has probably been true throughout history. But times change, and humor, what makes people laugh, changes along with the times.newtownhistory.org.

On Monday, March 14, at 7:30 pm, Newtown Historical Society, in conjunction with C.H. Booth Library, will host a program entitled "Oh, How We Laughed - Humor in the 18th Century."

Frank Hendrickson will present the program in the community room of the library, 25 Main Street in Newtown.

The 18th Century was an unusual time, full of enlightenment ideas and philosophies, revolutionary thoughts, social mobility, migration to more promising lands, and other momentous changes in everyday life. Humor, however, remained much the same as in the previous century: ribald, coarse, often ethnically based, even poking fun at physical or mental handicaps, not at all what the 20th Century would deem politically correct, nor even calling to mind the refinements of the 19th Century.

Scatological, sexual in more than innuendo, a parent might well chastise a child for resorting to bathroom humor if he or she made an attempt at such humor today.

This was the case in both written and visual humor, but the visual was by far the more daring. The great visual satirists such as Hogarth and Gilray had no real constraints, and published scenes of debauchery which were relished by their audiences. Any hint of scandal attaching to a public figure would result in an explosion of humorous satires pillorying their real or imagined exploits. Textual humor tended to be a bit tamer, especially as the century wore on.

Fran Hendrickson has been immersed in the 18th Century since the bicentennial year of 1976. She and her late husband Chip formed a partnership that specialized in music and especially dance of the Revolutionary era. The couple re-created much of the dance of the time, and published their findings for others to use.

After her husband's death, Fran finished her career as coordinator of Danbury Senior Center, and then revived and expanded their old efforts to include all aspects of 18th Century life, including this look at what made people laugh.

Newtown Historical Society programs are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the presentation.

Reservations are not needed, but for further information, call 203-426-5937 or visit

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