The Trials of Courtship in 1862
Well, since we all are enjoying these cartoons from the past, I will share some more. These are from Punch magazine, published in London from 1841 to 1992. These are from the 1862 volume I found at an estate sale.
“No followers allowed.”
Has the girl gone through the drain pipe to get to see her gentleman caller? Isn’t that awfully forward of her? What is that giant basket he is sitting on? And will the old woman in the background tell on them?
Harry Bullfincher, who is ever so much better across country than when he mixes in the Merry Dance (especially after supper) has come to grief over a stool during a polka, and is shouting for someone to “catch his horse!”
That is one way to get out of dancing.
Diminutive Young Swell (on the best of terms with himself). “Oh – a – I’ve suddenly we-collected I was to have the happiness of – a – taking you down to suppaw!”
Tall Young Lady. “Oh, certainly! Let me see, shall I take your arm? Or will you – a – take mine?”
Diminutive Young Swell wishes himself back at Trinity College Cambridge.
It could be worse. She could have to have dinner with the man with the messy whiskers.
Secretly-Adored One’s Papa. “Well, my dear Young Friend, I suppose you won’t come in and eat your Sunday Dinner with us, hay? So I’ll wish you good bye… and many thanks for coming so far…”
I hope that is the mother in the doorway and not the parlor maid, and she will tell the papa not to be ridiculous, and will invite the young man in at the last minute.
Clothing details I love in these cartoons — the muslin cap on the old woman, the ribbons and roses on the ball gowns, the hoop skirt hiked up to get through the wet streets and the big plaid shawl on the young lady.
Just love these posts!
I can only imagine how embarrassed the young lady must have been in the last cartoon, as her Dad bid her friend ado. Back then times were so different and courting had prim and proper rules!
She will probably meet him at church next Sunday. She doesn’t look like the type to give up easily. 🙂
Good heavens, even more really awful facial hair. The woman in the window seems disappointed that her attempts to guard the young lady have come to naught. Then there’s the woman listening in on the other side of the door in the last cartoon. I can almost see the wheels turning in her head. Who knows if the young man being dismissed is an importunate suitor.
I think the young man in the last cartoon is a catch — no bad whiskers! And he looks chastened. If he was a Heartless Cad or a Young Swell, he would not look so crestfallen.
These cartoons are affecting my vocabulary.
Oh OH, Your vocabulary is definitely on a shift……….
My vocabulary has been languishing in my mental attic and has been longing for a chance to come out and be useful… 🙂
That first cartoon is so . . . odd! And really kind of creepy–she just pops her head out of the ground? I wonder how our current cartoons and ads, etc., will appear to people in 150 years!
I know! At first I thought her head was on a platter or something.
I am going to do a post with some of the ones I just don’t get, and hope someone can explain them to me.
The plaid shawl is what I like best! Jane
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