Contents

Introduction

Part One

The Basics

Currency The Calendar Hogsheads and Drams: English Measurement England London

The Public World

Precedence: Of Bishops, Barristers, and Baronets The Titled How to Address Your Betters Esq., Gent., K.C.B., etc. Status: Gentlemen and Lesser Folk Society

Society and "The Season" Basic Etiquette How to Address the Nontitled "May I Have This Dance?" The Rules of Whist and Other Card Games Calling Cards and Calls

The Major Rituals

Presentation at Court The Dinner Party The Ball The Country House Visit

Money

Being Wealthy Entail and Protecting the Estate Bankruptcy, Debt, and Moneylending

Power and the Establishment

The Government Britannia Rules the Waves The Army The Church of England Oxford and Cambridge Schools "The Law Is a Ass" Lawyers Crime and Punishment

Transition

The Horse Please, James, the Coach The Railroad The Mail

The Country

Life on the Farm The Midlands, Wessex, and Yorkshire Who's Who in the Country Shire and Shire Alike: Local Government in Britain "The Theory and System of Fox Hunting" Vermin, Poachers, and Keepers Fairs and Markets

The Private World

"Reader, I Married Him" Sex An Englishman's Home Houses with Names Furniture Lighting How the English Kept Clean "Please, Sir, I Want Some More." Pudding! Tea Drink and the Evils Thereof Women's Clothing Men's Clothing Servants The Governess A Taxonomy of Maids Victorian Recycling

The Grim World

The Orphan Occupations Apprentices The Workhouse Disease Doctors Death and Other Grave Matters

Part Two

Glossary

Bibliography Index