| This blog explores social attitudes in Jane Austen's time, discusses her novels, reviews forgotten 18th century novels, and throws some occasional shade at the modern academy. The introductory post is here. My "six simple questions for academics" post is here. |
CMP#212 Waltzing Matilda: Moral Perils in The Barbadoes Girl (1816) by Barbara Hofland
Matilda sees snow for the first time Disclaimer: When I quote opinions from this two hundred-year-old book, I am not endorsing them.
In an early post on this blog, I referenced Matilda, or, the Barbadoes Girl (1816) by the prolific author Barbara Hofland as an example of a book which openly discussed enslavement, plantations, and the slave trade. I was countering the argument that Jane Austen had to pull her punches when discussing slavery. Hofland's pro-abolition opinions, stated openly by the "good" characters in the book, were not controversial at the time, even in a book written for children.
The abolitionist message of this book reflects the reality that evangelical Christians were the driving force behind the anti-slavery crusade in England. That said, the moral issue of slavery and the welfare of enslaved persons is subordinate to the personal reformation of the main character, a spoiled daughter of a planter who repents of her bad temper and selfish behavior after she is taken into a loving Christian household. In addition, the topic of slavery is left behind in favour of a different moral danger in the last chapters of the book.
Matilda, or, The Barbadoes Girl was reprinted for over fifty years, which is pretty good innings for an author. In most editions, the title is simply The Barbadoes Girl. I have not found any contemporary reviews. One American journal praised Mrs. Hofland’s “interesting little stories which are not less marked with tenderness than with morality” but the reviewer admitted he had not had time to read The Barbadoes Girl. Here is a synopsis...
In an early post on this blog, I referenced Matilda, or, the Barbadoes Girl (1816) by the prolific author Barbara Hofland as an example of a book which openly discussed enslavement, plantations, and the slave trade. I was countering the argument that Jane Austen had to pull her punches when discussing slavery. Hofland's pro-abolition opinions, stated openly by the "good" characters in the book, were not controversial at the time, even in a book written for children.
The abolitionist message of this book reflects the reality that evangelical Christians were the driving force behind the anti-slavery crusade in England. That said, the moral issue of slavery and the welfare of enslaved persons is subordinate to the personal reformation of the main character, a spoiled daughter of a planter who repents of her bad temper and selfish behavior after she is taken into a loving Christian household. In addition, the topic of slavery is left behind in favour of a different moral danger in the last chapters of the book.
Matilda, or, The Barbadoes Girl was reprinted for over fifty years, which is pretty good innings for an author. In most editions, the title is simply The Barbadoes Girl. I have not found any contemporary reviews. One American journal praised Mrs. Hofland’s “interesting little stories which are not less marked with tenderness than with morality” but the reviewer admitted he had not had time to read The Barbadoes Girl. Here is a synopsis...
London 1866 edition A spoiled little brat
The Harewoods, an “amiable and happy family” with two boys (Edmund and Charles) and one girl (Ellen) take in the "daughter of a deceased friend" from Barbadoes; i.e. she is the daughter of a plantation-owner. Little Matilda Hanson is an heiress, but her widowed mother must stay behind in the West Indies for a time to wrap up her husband's affairs. Meanwhile the Harewoods give Matilda and her maidservant a home in England.
Zebby the maid is presented in a manner typical of the era--she is as an affectionate, simple-minded, loyal, pidgin-speaking family retainer: “Me makee de bed, sweepy de stair, do all sort ting.” Matilda quickly proves to be spoiled, arrogant and indolent. A special word about that indolence. In this book, as in others, it is a given that “bodily indolence” is “natural to her as a West-Indian,” and her lack of physical vigor is put down to growing up in that hot climate. If we had ever met the "chilly and tender" MIss Lambe of Austen's unfinished novel Sanditon, would she too, have been naturally indolent?
At any rate, Matilda has been petted and spoiled by the house servants in her native Barbados. The Harewoods are dismayed by the way “she now conducted herself constantly toward the menials” in their household. The crisis comes when she flings a glass of beer in Zebby's face at the dinner table. Mrs. Harewood removes Zebby from Matilda’s control by hiring her as a housemaid.
In time, and thanks to the good influence of the Harewood children and their parents, Matilda begins to understand the error of her ways.
The Harewoods, an “amiable and happy family” with two boys (Edmund and Charles) and one girl (Ellen) take in the "daughter of a deceased friend" from Barbadoes; i.e. she is the daughter of a plantation-owner. Little Matilda Hanson is an heiress, but her widowed mother must stay behind in the West Indies for a time to wrap up her husband's affairs. Meanwhile the Harewoods give Matilda and her maidservant a home in England.
Zebby the maid is presented in a manner typical of the era--she is as an affectionate, simple-minded, loyal, pidgin-speaking family retainer: “Me makee de bed, sweepy de stair, do all sort ting.” Matilda quickly proves to be spoiled, arrogant and indolent. A special word about that indolence. In this book, as in others, it is a given that “bodily indolence” is “natural to her as a West-Indian,” and her lack of physical vigor is put down to growing up in that hot climate. If we had ever met the "chilly and tender" MIss Lambe of Austen's unfinished novel Sanditon, would she too, have been naturally indolent?
At any rate, Matilda has been petted and spoiled by the house servants in her native Barbados. The Harewoods are dismayed by the way “she now conducted herself constantly toward the menials” in their household. The crisis comes when she flings a glass of beer in Zebby's face at the dinner table. Mrs. Harewood removes Zebby from Matilda’s control by hiring her as a housemaid.
In time, and thanks to the good influence of the Harewood children and their parents, Matilda begins to understand the error of her ways.
Discussion of emancipation and its consequences for planters
Zebby also plays a part in Matilda's self-reform. The Harewoods charitably purchase a mangle (a device for squeezing water out of wet laundry) for a local woman to help her set up as a laundress. Zebby offers to help with the laundry. Zebby tells Matilda that the reason she is happy to help others is because they are kind and friendly to her, whereas Matilda is cruel and insulting. (This passage includes an eyebrow-raising assertion: “It is well known that the negroes are naturally extremely averse to all bodily labour, and that, although their faithfulness and affection are such as to render them capable of enduring extreme hardship and many painful privations, yet they are rarely voluntarily industrious.”)
This novel was published in 1816, after the slave-trade was abolished but some years before enslavement was abolished in Britain and her colonies in 1833. It’s clear, however, that the Harewoods confidently expect emancipation to occur and speak of it as something that the government will do. Mr. Harewood hopes “the blacks will… become diligent servants and happy householders, no longer the slaves of tyrants, but the servants of upright masters.” Edmund is concerned for the consequences to the planters: “People say this will come upon them as a retribution for past sins.” Unlike his brother Charles, who thinks “they all deserve to be ruined," Edmund regrets that people who inherited plantations, that is, who never chose the source of their wealth, should be penalized. Mr. Harewood thinks that the dissolution of slavery, even if conducted gradually, will lead to much dislocation and suffering. (As it happened, the British government paid compensation to slave holders for the loss of their property.).
Matilda vows she would rather become a governess to support her mother than see the institution of slavery continue. “I only want to see my dear mamma, and to comfort her, and to tell her that I would not be the mistress of bought slaves for all the world; for I now know that in the sight of God they are my equals, and if good, my superiors. I know that Jesus Christ died to save them as well as me.”
Mrs. Harewood comforts her by making a distinction which, I’ve learned, was significant to people at the time but which I think the vast majority today would dismiss as irrelevant, namely, the ethical difference between being a slave-trader and a slave-owner: “be it your comfort to know, that although your father was a proprietor of West India estates, yet his fortune was not accumulated by the infamous traffic to which we allude." Furthermore, she explains that he was not brutal to his slaves because "he had an estate in this country, which enabled him to support an expensive establishment, without recurring to those practices too common among planters in your country.” We learn that Matilda's mother has sold the family property and invested the proceeds.
The Harewoods and the narrator don't judge Matilda or her mother for the past, but the subject is soon thrown in her face.
Zebby also plays a part in Matilda's self-reform. The Harewoods charitably purchase a mangle (a device for squeezing water out of wet laundry) for a local woman to help her set up as a laundress. Zebby offers to help with the laundry. Zebby tells Matilda that the reason she is happy to help others is because they are kind and friendly to her, whereas Matilda is cruel and insulting. (This passage includes an eyebrow-raising assertion: “It is well known that the negroes are naturally extremely averse to all bodily labour, and that, although their faithfulness and affection are such as to render them capable of enduring extreme hardship and many painful privations, yet they are rarely voluntarily industrious.”)
This novel was published in 1816, after the slave-trade was abolished but some years before enslavement was abolished in Britain and her colonies in 1833. It’s clear, however, that the Harewoods confidently expect emancipation to occur and speak of it as something that the government will do. Mr. Harewood hopes “the blacks will… become diligent servants and happy householders, no longer the slaves of tyrants, but the servants of upright masters.” Edmund is concerned for the consequences to the planters: “People say this will come upon them as a retribution for past sins.” Unlike his brother Charles, who thinks “they all deserve to be ruined," Edmund regrets that people who inherited plantations, that is, who never chose the source of their wealth, should be penalized. Mr. Harewood thinks that the dissolution of slavery, even if conducted gradually, will lead to much dislocation and suffering. (As it happened, the British government paid compensation to slave holders for the loss of their property.).
Matilda vows she would rather become a governess to support her mother than see the institution of slavery continue. “I only want to see my dear mamma, and to comfort her, and to tell her that I would not be the mistress of bought slaves for all the world; for I now know that in the sight of God they are my equals, and if good, my superiors. I know that Jesus Christ died to save them as well as me.”
Mrs. Harewood comforts her by making a distinction which, I’ve learned, was significant to people at the time but which I think the vast majority today would dismiss as irrelevant, namely, the ethical difference between being a slave-trader and a slave-owner: “be it your comfort to know, that although your father was a proprietor of West India estates, yet his fortune was not accumulated by the infamous traffic to which we allude." Furthermore, she explains that he was not brutal to his slaves because "he had an estate in this country, which enabled him to support an expensive establishment, without recurring to those practices too common among planters in your country.” We learn that Matilda's mother has sold the family property and invested the proceeds.
The Harewoods and the narrator don't judge Matilda or her mother for the past, but the subject is soon thrown in her face.
Slave-shaming?
The topic of slavery arises again when the Harewoods throw a ball for the young people of their acquaintance (the main characters here are in their early teens or younger) and three snobbish house guests decide to attack Matilda for coming from a slave-holding family. These teenagers are not presented as abolitionists, but as bullies maliciously exploiting an embarrassing subject so they can assert their own class superiority. They use startingly brutal language which underlines my contention that authors were not forced to use oblique language around slavery. “Now, I don’t doubt, Miss Hanson being so wise in other matters, can tell you exactly how much pain is necessary to kill a slave, how many stripes a child can endure, and how long hunger, beating and torturing, may be applied without producing death, and prove that in case they do destroy a few blackies, that don’t signify, if they can afford to buy more.”
Little Ellen protests, calling on her father to correct the bullies. She expects him to assert that “people in the West Indies do not torture their poor slaves for nothing but their own wicked pleasure.”
Harewood demurs: “as I have never been in the West Indies, I have no right to contradict such evidence as has been brought forward by respectable witnesses.” And certainly, he goes on, Englishmen in England are capable of cruelty when unchecked by reason and religion. He adds--in a long convoluted sentence that I doubt many adolescents could understand today--that the children flinging ugly words at Matilda would be just as inclined to inflict sadistic physical pain on her if they could, and therefore they have more in common with evil slave-drivers than with the "self-condemned, but self-correcting" Matilda.
The topic of slavery arises again when the Harewoods throw a ball for the young people of their acquaintance (the main characters here are in their early teens or younger) and three snobbish house guests decide to attack Matilda for coming from a slave-holding family. These teenagers are not presented as abolitionists, but as bullies maliciously exploiting an embarrassing subject so they can assert their own class superiority. They use startingly brutal language which underlines my contention that authors were not forced to use oblique language around slavery. “Now, I don’t doubt, Miss Hanson being so wise in other matters, can tell you exactly how much pain is necessary to kill a slave, how many stripes a child can endure, and how long hunger, beating and torturing, may be applied without producing death, and prove that in case they do destroy a few blackies, that don’t signify, if they can afford to buy more.”
Little Ellen protests, calling on her father to correct the bullies. She expects him to assert that “people in the West Indies do not torture their poor slaves for nothing but their own wicked pleasure.”
Harewood demurs: “as I have never been in the West Indies, I have no right to contradict such evidence as has been brought forward by respectable witnesses.” And certainly, he goes on, Englishmen in England are capable of cruelty when unchecked by reason and religion. He adds--in a long convoluted sentence that I doubt many adolescents could understand today--that the children flinging ugly words at Matilda would be just as inclined to inflict sadistic physical pain on her if they could, and therefore they have more in common with evil slave-drivers than with the "self-condemned, but self-correcting" Matilda.
Matilda's remorse, or is she just trying to avoid looking at those sideburns? Wait 'til they hear about twerking
Now we come to the final chapters of the book in which the subject of slavery is superseded by a new danger to the morals of society--waltzing! The young people are all grown up. Edmund has become a lawyer, and Charles hopes to join the diplomatic service. Matilda lives with her mother and she and Ellen are young beauties going into society. Matilda’s new moral struggle has to do with overcoming her personal vanity and abstaining from waltzing in public. She argues with her mother: “Indeed, mamma, I see nothing against it—I think it very graceful.” Her mother responds that she regards girls who waltz “with disgust and sorrow: and though I sincerely despise all affectation of more exalted purity than others, I yet will never hesitate to give my voice against a folly so unworthy of my sex, and which can only be tolerated by women whose vanity has destroyed that delicacy which is our best recommendation.”
When Ellen’s mother and Matilda’s mother allow their daughters to go to a ball chaperoned by a society lady, Matilda is tempted to join in a waltz with a young baronet with a risqué reputation.
“As the arm of Sir Theodore encircled her waist, deep confusion overwhelmed her, she blushed to a degree that was absolutely painful” and she exits the dance floor in shame. To her great chagrin, her behaviour was witnessed by Charles and Edmund and their friend Mr. Belmont, all down from university. Matilda manages to exchange a few quick words with Charles to convince him as to her regret and remorse. The following morning, he speaks up on her behalf when the Harewood family gravely discusses her misdemeanor.
Now we come to the final chapters of the book in which the subject of slavery is superseded by a new danger to the morals of society--waltzing! The young people are all grown up. Edmund has become a lawyer, and Charles hopes to join the diplomatic service. Matilda lives with her mother and she and Ellen are young beauties going into society. Matilda’s new moral struggle has to do with overcoming her personal vanity and abstaining from waltzing in public. She argues with her mother: “Indeed, mamma, I see nothing against it—I think it very graceful.” Her mother responds that she regards girls who waltz “with disgust and sorrow: and though I sincerely despise all affectation of more exalted purity than others, I yet will never hesitate to give my voice against a folly so unworthy of my sex, and which can only be tolerated by women whose vanity has destroyed that delicacy which is our best recommendation.”
When Ellen’s mother and Matilda’s mother allow their daughters to go to a ball chaperoned by a society lady, Matilda is tempted to join in a waltz with a young baronet with a risqué reputation.
“As the arm of Sir Theodore encircled her waist, deep confusion overwhelmed her, she blushed to a degree that was absolutely painful” and she exits the dance floor in shame. To her great chagrin, her behaviour was witnessed by Charles and Edmund and their friend Mr. Belmont, all down from university. Matilda manages to exchange a few quick words with Charles to convince him as to her regret and remorse. The following morning, he speaks up on her behalf when the Harewood family gravely discusses her misdemeanor.
Taking your vows seriously
There follows some titillation and misunderstanding on all sides as to whether it is Charles or Edmund that Matilda loves. Yes, this kind of misunderstanding is a trite cliche, but I rather enjoyed it.
We discover that Matilda loves Edmund and he loves her. Edmund was naturally diffident about declaring himself since he would hardly be able to marry for years on his income as a barrister, while Matilda is an heiress. Fortunately, Matilda’s mother approves heartily of the match, and so does Zebby: “All right—all happy—Missy have goodee friend, goodee husband—him alway mild and kind; Missy very goodee too—some time little warm, but never, never when she lookee at massa; him melt her heart, guide her steps, both go hand in hand to heaven.”
Young Ellen's hand is sought by their university chum Mr. Belmont. Here we see another example of the curtailed and understated wedding proposal and marriage scene: “Ellen gave one glance towards her mother—it answered all her wishes; she turned, deeply blushing, to Mr. Belmont, and timidly, yet with an air of perfect confidence, tendered him her hand; she would have spoken, but the variety of emotion so suddenly called forth… overpowered her, and he received thus a silent, but a full consent to his wishes.”
Our heroines are well aware that their marriage vows mean placing themselves under the authority of their husbands: “the lovers of Matilda and Ellen were each urgent for their respective marriages; but the awfulness of that sacred engagement into which they were about to enter, the consciousness the entertained of the goodness of their parents, and the happiness of the state they were quitting, held the young ladies for some time in a state of apparent suspense and almost incertitude... and when at length the solemn ceremony took place, it was to each party rather a day of serious thoughtfulness and fearful anxiety, than one of exultation and exhibition.”
Resigned to subordinating herself to her virtuous husband, "Matilda looked to Edmund as the guardian of her conduct." Both of the happy couples are benevolent, "happy in themselves, and a blessing to the circle around them."
There follows some titillation and misunderstanding on all sides as to whether it is Charles or Edmund that Matilda loves. Yes, this kind of misunderstanding is a trite cliche, but I rather enjoyed it.
We discover that Matilda loves Edmund and he loves her. Edmund was naturally diffident about declaring himself since he would hardly be able to marry for years on his income as a barrister, while Matilda is an heiress. Fortunately, Matilda’s mother approves heartily of the match, and so does Zebby: “All right—all happy—Missy have goodee friend, goodee husband—him alway mild and kind; Missy very goodee too—some time little warm, but never, never when she lookee at massa; him melt her heart, guide her steps, both go hand in hand to heaven.”
Young Ellen's hand is sought by their university chum Mr. Belmont. Here we see another example of the curtailed and understated wedding proposal and marriage scene: “Ellen gave one glance towards her mother—it answered all her wishes; she turned, deeply blushing, to Mr. Belmont, and timidly, yet with an air of perfect confidence, tendered him her hand; she would have spoken, but the variety of emotion so suddenly called forth… overpowered her, and he received thus a silent, but a full consent to his wishes.”
Our heroines are well aware that their marriage vows mean placing themselves under the authority of their husbands: “the lovers of Matilda and Ellen were each urgent for their respective marriages; but the awfulness of that sacred engagement into which they were about to enter, the consciousness the entertained of the goodness of their parents, and the happiness of the state they were quitting, held the young ladies for some time in a state of apparent suspense and almost incertitude... and when at length the solemn ceremony took place, it was to each party rather a day of serious thoughtfulness and fearful anxiety, than one of exultation and exhibition.”
Resigned to subordinating herself to her virtuous husband, "Matilda looked to Edmund as the guardian of her conduct." Both of the happy couples are benevolent, "happy in themselves, and a blessing to the circle around them."
'National Galleries of Scotland' About the author:
Barbara Hofland (1770--1844) stated she wrote Matilda’s story “to instruct rather than to amuse.” She was a prolific and successful authoress who used fiction to spread her evangelical Christian message. She was born into the merchant class and her first marriage lasted only two years, ending with her husband’s death. Some of her books feature widows who have to carry on raising and providing for their children when they are left destitute, and most are set amongst the middle-classes. She married for a second time to a landscape artist but she was the chief breadwinner. She also wrote poetry, textbooks, and newspaper columns. Like Austen, in her lifetime she advertised her books anonymously but by listing her best-selling titles such as "The Clergyman's Widow," etc.
Barbara Hofland (1770--1844) stated she wrote Matilda’s story “to instruct rather than to amuse.” She was a prolific and successful authoress who used fiction to spread her evangelical Christian message. She was born into the merchant class and her first marriage lasted only two years, ending with her husband’s death. Some of her books feature widows who have to carry on raising and providing for their children when they are left destitute, and most are set amongst the middle-classes. She married for a second time to a landscape artist but she was the chief breadwinner. She also wrote poetry, textbooks, and newspaper columns. Like Austen, in her lifetime she advertised her books anonymously but by listing her best-selling titles such as "The Clergyman's Widow," etc.
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