The “Early Victorian” Period

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 12, 16 September 1908, Page 46

The “Early Victorian” Period

(Apologia Pro Juventute Sua)

(By

ROBT. HALL BAKEWELL,

M.D.)

1 notice very frequently in modern English books, especially since the death of the late Queen, that the expression "Early Victorian” is used with a contemptuous meaning. It is the embodiment of a sneer. Sometimes, but only by much younger writers, “Mid-Vic-torian” is employed in the same way. Belonging, as 1 do, to the “early William IV.” period—as 1 was born in 1831—(and 1 may just as well mention that William IV. was uncle of Queen Victoria, and preceded her on the throne), I have no particular interest in defending the early Victorian period. But when I remember the enormous progress made during that period in science, in humanity, and in the study of sociology, of the condition of the labouring classes, in the amelioration of the miseries that the “submerged tenth” have to endure, the more enlightened views in religion that had their commencement within that period, the larger and broader views of differences on political and religious questions, the greater facilities for travelling, the removal of the special burdens on trade and commerce caused by a protective tariff, and the enormously wider range of thought in all directions and on every subject, that commenced during that period, I am not. surprised—nothing the present generation does, or can do, would surprise me —but I am a little bit disgusted that all the great benefits which the present generation enjoys by virtue of the work done in the early Victorian period should be so little considered. Often this work was distasteful and repulsive, often it entailed a certain amopnt of social persecution and obloquy that .seems incredible to the younger generations. To take but one very simple instance. Now, total abstainers from alcoholic liquors form such a numerous and important section of the population,; that no one incurs the least odium from practising and preaching, if he likes, total abstinence. But when I was a young man of 20, the ridicule, the contempt, even the personal violence sometimes used (of course, in play) to make us swallow wine or spirits, which we total abstainers had to endure, was well nigh intolerable. In the same way, a person who belonged to any Christian churcli, except the Roman Catholic branch, and attempted to carry out in his daily life and conversation, the most ordinary- duties enjoined in the Gospel, was called a Methodist, was considered (invariably) as a hypocrite, was ridiculed in plays and novels, was pilloried by popular writers like Charles Dickens, whose works were read by everybody in those days, under ludicrous and most offensive caricatures, which were as untrue to nature as the caricatures in the “.''aiir+st” of that day, but which hurt and stung nevertheless. Ihe Early Victorian period may, X suppose, be dated from the commencement of Queen Victoria’s reign, to the death of the Prince Consort in December 1861—a period of about 24 years. Now, before the younger generation can projierly appreciate the good works that were done in those days. they must try to put themselves outside their present environments. and surround themselves with those of the pre-Vietorian period. They must try to imagine a country like England, with a population almost entirely." of British birth or origin, all speaking a language which they all called English, and few. even of the best educated., speaking any other language, looking on foreigners as invariably objects for suspicion, derision, and contempt, moving about but little in their own country, and never going out of it with the purpose of returning. Except what now forms the Dominion <?f Canada, colonies hardly existed when the good Queen began to reign. New Zealand was then merely a station of the i.-.M.S. in the Southern Pacific, affording a comfortable living to a number of (.’.M.S. and Wesleyan missionaries. Australia was inhabited by a few sheep farmer*, who had for labourers the convicts rent out front Home. The British territories in -South Africa were vaguely defined, ami practically only meant the Cap* Colony.

When the Queen began to reign, the Liberal party, or Whigs us they were then called, held the reins of power, and Lord Melbourne was Premier. The Reform Bill had only been in operation for about four years, but in that time immense changes for the better had been effected. In the old House of Coinmojis about 250 men could return a majority of the members. The entire government of the Empire was in their hands. There were no self-governing colonies. The only check on arbitrary government was rioting. Every now and again there was a formidable outbreak like those which brought about the passing of the Reform Bill, when a hundred thousand men threatened a march on London." At last the aristocracy gave way,and political power passed into the hands of the educated middleclass, headed by and largely influenced by a minority of the aristocracy. For more than 30 years legislation was virtually in the hands of this upper middle class, and never in the whole history of England were such a series of beneficial reforms effected, nor so much real liberty enjoyed. For the working classes the shortening of the hours of labour for women and children, which necessitated their shortening for men also, was the result of the intense determination of Lord Shaftesbury (Lord Ashley) and his followers. This reform was bitterly opposed by the manufacturers, including Bright and Cobden, but was carried in spite of them. The Poor Law was reformed, the municipal corporations were either ended or mended—ended in the smaller boroughs, which were simply hotbeds of corruption. The absurd protectionist tariff, including -the duty- on corn, was remodelled, and with a few exceptions. entirely on luxuries, such as alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee, and sugar, all duties were removed. The Navigation Laws were repealed —a very- doubtful step. Machinery could be exported without duty. Prisons were reformed. The. stamp duty on newspapers, and the paper duty and advertisement duty, which all impeded newspaper enterprise, were taken off. Railways were spread all over the country, giving good wages and constant employment to hundreds of thousands, and promoting business in every way. Ocean steamers were built to navigate the Atlantic and other oceans. The electric telegraph was invented, and innumerable discoveries. made in science of great utility to mankind, but far too numerous even for mention here. All religious disabilities were removed, except the payment of church rates by Dissenters, and this was effected in 1808. But Dissenting ministers were no longer obliged to take out a license for preaching from a Justice of the Peace. Freedom of thought on religious questions may be said to have commenced near the end of the early Victorian period, b.v the publication in 1860 of essays, and reviews, and the decision of the Privy Council that there was nothing in them contrary to the doctrines of the Church of England. Even the Roman Catholics had the benefit, of this expansion of thought, for although the Oxford movement created great bitterness, and the establishment of the new hierarchy in 1851 roused,the whole nation into temporary' fury, nothing came.of it except an abortive Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, which was never enforced, and'Was repealed a few years afterwards with siL ent contempt. The Great Exhibition of 1851 was an immense event in the industrial history" of the world. It brought together for the first time the natural productions, and the manufactures of every country, except Japan, in the world. It was the forerunner of many others, more splendid and larger, perhaps, but not so useful. It wiS in the “early Victorian” period that Great Britain put forth her military strength, and fought the battles of the' Crimea and of the Indian Mutiny. To her army’ belongs the glory of Inker - mann, Balaklava, arid the conquest of the mutineers in India. I eould go on for columns enumerating all the beneficial changes and discoveries and reforms that were made from 1837 to 1861; but I fear to weary my young readers. One thing I must concede, and that was that art was in a very low state at that time. We English never

were an artistic people, and we never shall be. But anything more hideous and contemptible than tiie English art of the Georgian period has never been seen anywhere since the Renaissance. The new Houses of Parliament, and the great Gothic revival brought about by Pugin certainly showed an improvement on the Georgian Art. The Prince Consort did his best, and had some artistic taste; but the dear old Queen had riot a vestige. The way she used to dress! Great Scott! Of course, people sneer at our furniture—at the horsehair covered chairs and sofas at the centre table in the drawing room, covered with the knick-knacks and the chairs and couch as a suite all arranged very, formally. But they sneer at the antimacassars. This is from sheer ignorance. Antimacassars were knitted cloths ■ spread over the cushions of couches, or the backs of armchairs, to protect them from the grease contained in the hair of the head.. For we (even men) w ore long liair in those days, reaching down over the back of the neck, and this was copiously anointed with pomatum. which made it shine and lie smooth when brushed. Now, what are you young men laughing at? If you wear your hair long, you must have grease on it, or it will be flying about everywhere, and if you have grease on it, you want antimacassars. Q.E.D. 1 stop here because I don't like being laughed at. Onehunga, September 6, 1908.