In 1838, the year following Queen Victoria’s accession to the British throne, a mother, living in the village of Rayne in Essex, decides to keep journal of her daughter’s infancy and childhood.
Much of what is written seems familiar in the 21st century – the affection for the child, the interest and amusement in the sayings and doings of a toddler, the concern for her health and her future. But at some points in the text we are made more aware of the setting and the times.
References to domestic nursery staff remind us that this is a relatively well-off 19th century household, in which Nursery Maids play important roles in the life of the child. Reflections on such matters as education, on moral or religious upbringing, on appropriate behaviour for a child (and, more particularly, for a young girl), even thoughts relating to clothing, draw us closer to the period concerned – though not always matching the stereotypes which have developed.
In the text below all spellings are as in the original. Unreadable sections are marked [……..?].
I commence writing a journal of the Early life of my daughter, as a companion to the volume begun for her brother – May they grow together in years & in Grace
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1838
Anna Maria Tabor, the daughter of Clement and Maria Tabor 1 was born at Rayne the 16 th of November 1838 – She was considered a small Baby, but there is every promise of her growing up healthy and well Unlike her brother in complexion, she being a decided Brunette – she also differs from him in being a remarkably quiet child – She was christened publicly at Church by Mr Willis 2 our present curate on the day of December – the Godmothers are her Aunt Fanny, and our favourite friend and neighbour Miss Carless – the Godfather Uncle Robert Lungley
1839
A handsome case containing an elegant silver knife, fork & spoon was presented by Aunt Fanny & Uncle Brooke Lungley – I took entire charge of her at night, and nursed her until the age of five months, when she began to take one meal a day- She is now [……?]ded by Mr Harrison, and the arms are doing well – she has a sweet pair of eyes and eye brows that promise to be worth of a “Sonnet” – her face is rather short, is short she greatly resembles her Papa who is especially satisfied with her
May
Baby will be six months old on the 16 th of this month- her teeth begin to trouble her, otherwise she has done remarkably well, and is a sweet, pleasing, engaging little dear – She sits up very strong and nicely – the weather has not yet been such as to allow her the benefit of the air As I am beginning to wean her she keeps in the Nursery now – She begins to notice greatly, and is much amused to see Walter 3 playing about – her first hair has fallen off, and it seems to be coming some shades lighter – her skin is fine & clear, tho brown beside her brothers – she begins to have a nice colour.
21
I gave baby her last meal this morning at six o’clock – for the rest of that day & the following one she had no milk, but was fed on baked flour mixed & boiled with water, & bread & water. Wednesday; this morning she had bread scalded with water, and cow’s milk poured over, which she likes, and she promises to do well – indeed a better behaved child cannot be – her Papa had been absent a week, & when he returned she seemed quite delighted to see him, stretching out her little arms and laughing at him Her Godfather, Uncle Robert Lungley, has just presented her with a very beautiful silver mug – a case containing a silver knife & fork & spoon her Papa presented.
August
Baby is now nine months old, doing very well – no teeth out – she has broth every day for dinner except about once a week when she has bread pudding – She rides in the little carriage, and stands nicely She is a pleasing temper but not without plenty of spirit and spirits – full of observation -the hair is growing nicely somewhat light & straight at present – the head a good shape – She is laid down without rocking, and if she wake when no one is in the room, she lies quietly looking about her
She has left off her first morning’s nap, also the 10 o’clock supper of baked flour
24
One tooth came out two days ago – the others look all ready to follow quickly.
Sept.
Dear Baby is very anxious to be on her feet, and steps very prettily – only 2 lower front teeth out – hair rather light than dark.
Nov 16
Baby this day attained her first year
She does not speak a word yet, except accidentally, but perfectly understands all that is said to her – 2 teeth only out, she is a good deal worried with the others which appear ready to pop out daily – the hair gets lighter & is thick & fine, but does not seem inclined to curl – she sometimes looks a plain child, but in general pretty & has a very expressive countenance & manner – Forehead very low, head, a good shape, complexion very sallow, tho’ with a nice colour in the cheeks, except when poorly from the teeth. She likes to play peep-bo, & pretends to use the pocket handkerchief – She has a pretty notion of walking, but the ankles being weak we do not allow her to try.
19
This day Martha leaves us, having given us entire satisfaction in her management of the children – her going is a trial for Mama and the children, to whom she is much attached She leaves to be married – Her successor is Diana Turner, who is at present a stranger to us; but we have reason to consider her likely to do well –
1840
Jany.
Baby goes on well and is a healthy child – her complexion gets lighter & she has a nice colour, eyes looking blacker than they really are, & very bright with plenty of expression – She neither speaks nor walks, but knows well all that is said to her, and soon lets her attendants know what she wants. Two upper & 2 lower teeth only are out yet, & she has passed some restless nights, but has never had anything like convulsions. She is very lively -She has bread pudding once week, boiled bread twice, broth other days, but she does not choose to have the toast put in as usual, but drinks the broth and eats the bread dry –
Feby.
This month a sad accident happened to my dear Child, owing to the carelessness of the nurses in placing her in a high bed from which she fell and broke her collar bone – The medical man came twice & pronounced no injury had been received, but on the 6 th day after, we found what had really occurred – I am thankful to say, we have reason to think there will be no defect, but the sad circumstance has caused us much grief and trouble
May
Dear Baby is looking remarkably well saving a violent rash, caused by cutting the teeth – it makes her pettish, and not inclined to talk so much, indeed nothing is heard but some determined “No, no’s” – She walks nicely, led by our hand, evidently not liking the left to be taken – this was the unfortunate side the collar bone received the fracture – the right ankle is weaker than the other, but stronger than it was.
1840 Nov.
Baby will attain her second year the 16 th of this month – she continues to do well -a nice little figure, which she did not give promise at one time – her hight is 30 inches. Complexion clear brown in colour most lively dark eyes – head good shape -hair not quite dark brown curling a little behind – teeth good but large & not all out – the right ancle is weak at times, but we are informed she will outgrow it – Her spirit and spirits continue great, but she is as Walter assures “an obliging little girl” – especially fond of being assisted to dance, calling out in ecstasy to “Nurse” when she hears a quicker tune being played – She is still very attached to her left thumb – Quite attached to Papa, & the attachment is returned in full
1840 Nov. 28
Baby looking extremely well – she does not walk well – the defect appears to begin at the hips – the ancle better this week She has a salt water bath in the morning and the ancle rubbed at night with white of egg – our careless nurse had disobeyed orders in taking her into her own bed at nights, but Aunt Fanny has succeeded in breaking her of it, and reconciling her to her own crib again – Poor little dear! She had a hearty cry for it –
It is most amusing to see & hear her saying her letters every day to her Aunt – she also thinks it very amusing to say her Prayers
December
Baby’s face is apt to get flushed, particularly if she goes near the fire, & her lips often look feverish. I am inclined to attribute it to the non-appearance of the four back teeth – She is not inclined to walk much out of doors – therefore is not able to keep herself sufficiently warm, & chilblains ensue – but with good rubbing they may be kept off – her hair seems to be all the thicker and better for cutting-
1840 Decr
The feet are not very well formed and are too fleshy, but somewhat improved She lies down to sleep in the morning, & at night without trouble – All that Walter says, she repeats after him, & to see her pretend to look like a “fierce Turkey” is very amusing – She has a decided notion of singing – & is a particular observer & admirer of dress – I do not let her have Baths this very cold weather, and intend to order her to have tea in the afternoon, s[…?]d of milk, and less meat, as she is apt to get heated
Aunt Fanny has given Baby a new shilling of the first coinage of Queen Victoria-
1841 Jany. 1 st
A new Nurse came to day : D Turner not being suited to a Nursery, tho’ possessing some good qualities – Sarah D[…..?] is the fresh nurse, and Baby took to her directly – The day before, Anna went upstairs without assistance, she is decidedly stronger – on this day also, in the evening, she requested to be set up on the Music Stool where she forthwith pretended to play an accompaniment and sing the first verse of the “Little fish” – She repeated all the words correctly, but had never been taught them – gathering them from hearing us sing the song to Walter
May
Anna is not nearly so stout as she was in the Winter, but gets tall – She does not always look so healthy as is natural to her, which I attribute to her not having yet cut the proper number of back teeth – She is a famous hand at crying most lustily for trifles, but is a nice temper upon the whole, and a very droll, amusing child –
1841 June 12
Anna Maria went this day into Suffolk with Walter, escorted by Aunt Fanny & domestics – they stepped into the carriage with great delight – myself and Baby 4 remain at home this Summer. A.M. is a very good child – quite inclined to be clean, neat and industrious – she repeats the 23 rd Psalm, also several hymns 5, but does not yet speak very plainly – she is quite Papa’s Pet -her ancle seems to be now strong & well, and she grows nicely, tho’ at present promising to be a small person – A. is a most lively, clever, well intentioned child – The other day Walter was asking the meaning of the 8 th commandment 6 I illustrated it, by relating the circumstance of his Grandpapa’s Billiard room having lately been broken into and robbed – presently Anna entered “Oh Anna I have something to tell you” Whereupon he began to relate the news She, hanging her head on one side all attention – he had not got far before she made up a most amusing face & ran off, saying “Oh the naughty mens”, in such a laughable way-
21
Aunts are kind enough to write me a few of the children’s dialogues – Walter had seated himself on A’s frock. She said, “My dear Boy, do not sit on my dress” – She was eating a strawberry which Aunt S suspected was not ripe, so told her to put it out of her mouth – upon which she made haste to swallow it, and said “Now it is out of my mouth” – They are now staying in Suffolk –
Anna returned from Peyton Hall looking remarkably well, & generally speaking, no trouble to manage – but the young lady can cry most violently when there is no occasion for it and does not do so when there is reason enough to shed some of the largest tears ever seen-
Octr. 1
Anna went to London with us, and was very happy – not the least afraid on the rail road, tho’ she is quite so of Walter’s little Dogs Aunt Sarah makes the children handsome presents of Winter pelisses 7 and bonnets-
Novr.
Our dear Anna grows pretty, good and engaging – all the teeth are come and she seems to have no ailments beyond the stomach being now and then disordered – She is very hearty, and nothing comes amiss in the way of eating, tho’ never wanting or asking for anything between meals, unless she hears Walter doing so –
16 th
She this day completes her third year, and measures 3 feet nearly 10 inches – continues very lively & chatty – repeats poetry very well tho’ not having the slightest inclination to learn, having a variety of amusing stratagems to avoid any offered instruction – She has quite an idea of charades &c – She said the other day, “Baby is like a worm” – “because he can crawl” – She just now looks like a little Do[….?] M[….?] […..?] – When driving out, she likes to sit with her back to the horses & and looks quite the little woman – she is observed and admired by the passers by. Her disposition is decidedly kind upon the whole, tho’ given to contradict and set her elders to rights
1842
April
Anna grows nicely and promises to be much like our cousin Elizabeth Dent in figure and hair but of a more lively and agreeable countenance – She seems though inclined to have will & way of her own in all things – I was asking her how many legs she had. “I have these”/lifting them up/ How many for a dog? “Some before & some behind”, was the answer. She came into my room this morning, saying she had been telling Holland the whole story of Joseph & his brethren – then she looked thoughtful and observed “ I think Joseph’s naughty brothers should have been put in the pip (pit)” –
1842 August
This month is very hot – the chief cause of all the three children having mild bilious fever – Anna was first taken – they are getting over it, but I do not expect them to be quite well till the weather gets cool – Anna improves in being more attentive in learning to read &c ; about half an hour in the morning is thus spent – She is very lively – last month she was standing on a chair pretending to be Mr Cooke the hair cutter, cutting her Papa’s Wig, as she called it, with the Paper knife Presently Walter enters, looking half jealous to see her so happily employed, and directly said “you’ve no apron” – She looked round with great composure for something as a substitute /feeling the truth of his observation/ & not being able to help herself, said, with a little return of his […?]ding air, “do you get me one” – Anna has grown very much this Summer, but is much thinner than she was. She continues very pretty – when in a good mind!
1843
Jany.
I thought to have written an account of the children’s sayings and doings, but they are so numerous, I find it impossible to follow them up – Anna often looks and is, sadly, but we know not what may be the matter with her. Her appetite is good, & except occasionally she sleeps well – She is very lively and begins to write nicely – not forward in reading, nor clear in spelling as Walter is – she has not so quick and idea of [sound?] as he has – yet she has an ear for Music. She is as forward as Walter in learning to repeat poetry –
March
Anna grows very well, tho’ at present promising to be small – she has a pretty little figure, head & face – improved in reading – too fond of contradicting, & setting every one to right – She can be very lively and agreeable, & she can put on some very determined looks and manners – but as she has an excellent understanding, I of course, “fondly hope” the agreeable points of her composition will prevail – Anna was walking with her Aunt Sarah and Brother lately, when they passed a Pony – one of the party thought that perhaps the pony would be going too near them &c – but Anna observed that as the pony was engaged feeding, it was not likely to think of hurting them. The children have all had Influenza cold, down to Baby, but no Hooping cough, nor any of the usual nursery complaints have yet visited us – Uncle George has given the children a rocking horse which pleases Anna more than the rest, and she sits on it remarkably well. She improves in her work & begins to make herself handy & useful One of her duties is to fold up three Pinafores & three tidies, three times a day, placing them in a drawer
August
Anna is very well just now, improved in reading, taught by Aunt Sarah she is very lively & pleasant – temper too quick, but of an affectionate disposition – They (Walter & Anna ) are now in Suffolk, very happy – I am thankful to say, she at present escapes the Ringworm, which Walter & Rose have unfortunately taken tho’ having met their cousins only once – Anna works away prettily, having hemmed half a day pocket handkerchiefs for Aunt Sarah – & she is especially pleased with the rabbits given to them by their cousin Savills – promising to make every body presents, when they have young ones, and rabbit pies to the Servants – She says “all young ladies who are pik (old enough) for them, should have them” – then they have a deal of conversation as to how they intend to manage their “children” as they term them – Walter says he shall let his do just what they like – Anna says, with considerable force of manner, “she should punish hers, and severely too”, if they are naughty –
Sept.
Anna is well & lively – She attends school with me from 11 ‘till one o’clock 8 – she is fond of working & does it very handily – she has been most fortunate in not taking the Ring worm from her brother & sister –
Nov.
Anna attained her 5 th year on the 16 th Inst. : She said she should not be five until she was eating the plum pudding Many friends were very kind – Godmama Carless gave her a box of Dominoes, which are most suitable improving toys for them – Aunts Sarah and Fanny knitted a scarf and shawl for Dolly – Mama presented a set of Tea things complete, & Anna made tea as nicely as could be – It is amusing to see the children pair off – Walter patronises Rose, Anna, Baby 9.
1844
Jany.
Anna looks better than she did, but is not very well – She takes more pleasure in reading than any other part of her studies she is generally speaking a good girl and enters into religious duties with great attention and feeling – her disposition is warm and affectionate – Anna promises to be remarkably pretty and is extremely well made, form head to foot – the young lady is very particular in wishing to have a good appearance and being properly dressed –
April
In February (NINE LINES CROSSED OUT)
On Good Friday at Church, I gave Walter ….
TWO PAGES CUT OUT 10
1845
May
..staying with us , who is accustomed to live in a larger and loftier house than ours Upon my observing he would miss his lofty rooms- he said, he had not thought of them – Anna went upstairs to Miss Wicks and said she was charmed with Mr Springett’s politeness – regarding what had passed – “ how polite it was” – “I thought it sounded so pleasant”
Nov 16
This day Anna attains her 7 th year – Happy am I in believing her to be a sensible dear little girl – She shows a good desire to attend to her religious duties, & I thank God for giving me His grace & the inclination to teach my children the knowledge and practice of Religion it is our principle study & I trust they will be rewarded in Life & Death – “Thus armed” I have no fears for their present and everlasting happiness
Anna has read scripture beautifully these 2 years past – & has a clear understanding of the sacred writings – She is very lively & happy – herself and sisters are now reckoning on their dear Brother Walter’s first return from School, at Brighton, where we have been truly fortunate in placing him with two excellent Ladies, who have a Preparatory School – The Miss Phipps’s – Anna is of a very affectionate disposition -warm & quick in her feelings, but I trust a little of it will wear off. By the help of good Principles & her good sense She is engaged in learning a little writing, cyphering, grammar, geography – embroidery and plain work, which she is clever at – besides a regular course of Scripture reading, she is now engaged in her third history of England (Mrs. Monkhouse’s) 2 nd. vol. Aunt Sarah gave her three little Chinese Pictures, one for herself & one for each sister – in writing a note of thanks for them, she asked Which was the most honorable title to give them Pictures or Presents”? I was showing her a Picture of Ancient Rome last night – she was particularly struck with the great space of ground covered with so many Buildings, & said one person could not have bought so great a place many must have joined their money together to buy it – I name it, as a proof of her thinking powers-
1846
Feb.
Anna paid a little visit to Boxford after Xmas & was there taken very ill – She had been bilious & threatened with an attack for some time & we had long believed the hair to be out of order, but as our Medical man had not done her any good, I did not again consult him, & it was well I so acted , for the medical attendant in Suffolk pronounced that she had not been correctly treated she has now been taking Mercury 11 under his directions & is likely to be obliged to go on with it a long time –
I have just begun Music with her
Sept
Anna has had several bilious attacks from time to time, but upon the whole looks better – She derived benefit from a visit to Walt[on?], which her kind Aunts and Uncle Brooke treated her to, with her Brother & sister I have now the entire charge of the four children! I pleases God to keep me in better health than I expected to be, with so much & unexpected anxiety & fatigue of body & mind – Anna does not like Music, but she has some ear & will I am convinced be a good performer if she continues to be well taught & practices attentively – I have begun French with her, which she also learns with facility –
Nov 16
This day Anna completes her 8 th year She does not grow very tall, stouter and better now than she did – She continues to suffer from bilious attacks, and when threatened with them is very uncomfortable in her manner so violent & unmanageable, then suddenly changing to being perfectly good and agreeable – I can only hope & pray she will outgrow such defect of temper as is seen at times in her – I have had charge of all four children since the Summer Holidays – Anna learns Music & French with me besides the usual routine of English education- in which Anna is very fairly advanced – She has a very good memory – is fond of all kinds of reading – in her studies, Geography is preferred by her I have difficulty in persuading her to learn Music but I am certain she will thank me one day for exerting myself to teach her – as she would not like to differ from others when amongst them – in not doing what they do – She uses her hands very cleverly at the Piano, indeed at every thing – & is a nice worker – but has now little time for the needle 12, as I am anxious they should be in the air as much as possible
1847
Brighton – May 10 th
We have determined on residing at this place for one year, for the health & general benefit of the children – The three girls began to take lessons in Dancing today at the celebrated Mr [Micham?] – He was much pleased with their manner of being dressed- /no whalebone &c/ & praised their “points” very much – They all took great pains & gave full attention to all he said to them – Anna & Rose were delighted at the thought of dancing & dear little Mary now says she likes it very much –
1848
May Rayne
We are again home, having left Anna at school for one quarter in Montpellier Crescent – Miss Poole 13 Which we hope will be a service to her – There are only six Pupils I trust my dear girl will have the opportunity of seeing the necessity of endeavouring to correct her quickness of temper, as she is otherwise a very sensible, agreeable, kindly disposed girl – Anna does the Minuet D’Exaudet well – and does the Spanish Exercises beautifully –
Octbr 11
Anna was poorly after her return to school at midsummer, but my favorite medical man at Brighton, Mr Oldham, soon restored her – She is getting very forward in everything at School and seems to enjoy learning – The Misses Poole are the names of the ladies Anna is at School with – 34 Montpellier Crescent, Brighton – There are only 6 Pupils – a French teacher resides in the house now – Walter is at School in the next house but one to her, which is very pleasant for them both
November 16 th
My dear Anna completes her tenth year to day – Rose, Mary & myself wrote to her at School – Rose printed her note very nicely, & dear little Mary pencilled her first note, in capital letters – (printed/
HALF PAGE CUT OUT
1850
Feby
Through the kindness of Uncle George Lungley & Aunt Sarah, Anna was sent to School for another year- She is getting on well in all her studies- is good at Music, playing difficult pieces for her years & time of learning, and with taste & judgement-
We had the happiness of finding her much improved in character and conduct – her great aim must be to soften the spirit – an infirmity of temper she is born with – I trust her good sense and understanding….
HALF PAGE CUT OUT
November 16 th
My dear girl completes her 12 th year this day – She is still at School thanks to good Uncle George – We sent her & Walter a famous Hamper of eatables on the occasion being the first we have now sent, on account of the expense – We have satisfactory news of the progress she is making in her studies – But I regret to say the observations on her conduct, with regard to obedience have not been of a favourable nature – which causes ,me much grief, as I have ever endeavoured to impress on her mind the necessity of having a good character, without which all other acquirements are useless – as she is blessed with sense and a good understanding I […?]ly pray & hope that grace will be given her also, to enable her to make the best use of them – which it behoves her to do on her two sisters accounts as well as her own –
Xmas
Anna had the Measles at this time with her Brother & Sister at present, all appear to have ended well. She returned from School greatly improved in her studies – but I am disappointed to see so little attempt made to control her feelings & temper – I can only hope & pray for her, that it will please God to give her grace to make a right use of the sense & excellent understanding she is blessed with & without which determination she can know no happiness herself, nor offer it to others – her first duty!
1852
I am surprised & vexed to find I have not kept this journal as minutely as I intended. My dear girl left Brighton at Midsummer 1850 – remained at home till August 1851 – when she went to Brompton Square 14 – which place did in no way agree with her health, & she is prevented from returning at all to school, on account of much derangement of health & the Spine being affected. We have had the best advice for her, having consulted Sir Benjamin Brodie 15. We are now putting his directions in full force, & shall have to continue them for some years, with hope it will please God to grant a blessing on the means taken for our dear girl’s recovery. This affliction is a great blow to us, but we humbly hope & pray it may end in good, well convinced all God’s dispositions are sent for a merciful end. I take this opportunity of remarking that the want of air & accustomed exercise & limited food at Schools must be injurious to children who require all these essentials in a greater degree than adults – added to which they are too hard worked in their Studies – Parents should think more seriously on these important matters & also be careful not to have tight clothing – so many injuries to girls! 16
Nov 16
This day does Anna attain her 14 th Birthday – she has written to both her Godmothers to release them from their early friendly engagements to her, & to thank them for consenting to undertake the Office of becoming her Sponsors – I am very thankful to speak of her becoming much improved in health and to observe with great thankfulness that she is taking pains to control her natural hastiness of spirit, & be more amiable & agreeable in her manners – as well as more dutiful to myself –
1853
Sept
This month we took our dear girl to a School at Dunkerque which was recommended to us, for her improvement in French more especially A young friend is already there She found many other English pupils. The Principals are Roman Catholics, a serious objection 17 & I cannot think we have done right in consenting to part with her on that account – but it would not have been done had I not known there was a Protestant Lady in attendance & a resident English clergyman, who particularly attends to instruct the Protestant Pupils
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USING LETTERS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS ANNA MARIA’S EXPERIENCE OF SCHOOL IN FRANCE WILL BE FOLLOWED-UP IN A FUTURE POST TO THIS SITE.
NOTES
1 Clement, the second son of a local Essex land-owning family, is described in census data as a merchant and banker. Maria came from a Suffolk family of farmers and merchants.
2 The Revd. Thomas Willis was Curate of the Church of All Saints, Rayne.
3 Walter – Anna Maria’s slightly older brother – there appears to have been less than twelve months between their births.
4 Baby – a younger sister, Rose, was born in 1841.
5 She repeats the 23 rd Psalm and several hymns – an indication of the importance of religion in the life of a child who is still under three years old. The 23 rd Psalm commences “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…”.
6 The 8 th commandment – Thou shalt not steal.
7 Pelisses -fur-lined or fur-trimmed cloaks
8 This reference to schooling at home, and the various references to reading and writing during 1843, indicate that Anna was beginning to acquire literacy skills before the age of 5. By the time she is 8 her mother is teaching her French and music, suggesting that Maria must, herself been able to acquire these skills when growing up in rural Suffolk at the turn of the 19 th century.
9 Baby – a fourth child, Augusta Mary, had been born in September 1842.
10 The removal of sections of text ,which occurs at a number places from this point onwards raises the question of responsibility. The crossing out of a few lines suggests a rethinking on the part of the author, Maria Tabor. But would she have cut out whole pages, or even half pages? There appears to be some correlation between the cuts and the appearance of a more critical approach to her daughter’s behaviour and character. Might Maria have later removed sections, knowing that Anna Maria would inherit the journal? Might Anna Maria, herself, have removed sections that she found unacceptable?
11 Though now seen as dangerous because of potential toxicity, mercury compounds, such as calomel, were extensively used in 19 th century medicine. Since Anna was put on a prolonged course of mercury there is a possibility that her continued bilious attacks accompanied by the incidents of violent temper, of which her mother complains, were actually consequences of the treatment.
12 Music and needlework clearly continue to be seen as appropriate skills for a young woman.
13 Anna’s school is in a newly-built part of the fashionable coastal town.
14 Brompton Square – in west central London.
15 Sir Benjamin Brodie – Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie, 1 st Baronet, was a prominent anatomist and surgeon of the period, sergeant surgeon to King William IV and Queen Victoria.
16 Tight clothing – so many injuries to girls! – This emphatic remark, along with a note of the Brighton dancing tutor’s approval of there being no whalebone in the girl’s clothing (May 10 1847) suggest a resistance on Maria’s part to the fashion for tight, whalebone-reinforced corsetry, particularly in relation to developing bodies.
17 The Principals are Roman Catholics a serious objection – at this time suspicion of Roman Catholicism was still very present among the English protestant majority. It was as recently as 1829 that the Catholic Emancipation Act had been passed, allowing Catholics to be members of the British parliament and ending the exclusion from certain public offices. From Maria’s perspective there is probably a concern that her daughter will be exposed to “incorrect” religious doctrine.