in the country...

Posted by P. Bingham on April 13, 1998 at 20:34:03:

In response to But how's it done in Highbury?, written by Greg on April 13, 1998 at 20:14:54

In the country is where you'll find those that would probably balk at such a thing. It was the middle classes that were more prudish, especially the gentry. Either way, however, you won't expect to find much of anyone expressing their love by kissing in public except for extenuating circumstances, long absences to name one ideal example, as these two in the picture obviously are either about to break a long absence or about to climb on board one. In such an instance it would be acceptable adn poeple would likely turn their heads away not to embarrass the couple (or embarrass themselves) In the garden, however, is definately where you might find more than a few quite passionately breaking the rules! what the public cannot see won't harm anyone.

Read Laurence Stone's book Marriage, Sex & Family in England. It does not cover kissing in particular, but it diffinately gives you the impression that people then were not nearly as prudish as we would believe.

Patricia

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] No doubt they get up to God-knows-what in Portsmouth(perhaps that was the point of the drawing) - though nothing could be as reprobate as Brighton - but what about in our dear little Highbury or Meryton or the Barton Cottage in Devon we read about? Let me be more specific: how likely is it that one would see a Mr. K in a passionate embrace with a Miss W - no matter how shady the path - or the happy couple pausing for an affectionate peck outside the chapel, or even a Mark Strong and a Kate Beckinsale(in their respective characters, of course) getting up-close and personal in the Hartfield garden? Not bloody likely, I'll guess. BTW, I was impressed by your astute observation about the sailor arriving instead of leaving. It's too bad we can't see the lady's hands: we might detect the spatulate finger-ends of a typist, eh Sherlock? ;o)

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REPLIES:

• Prudes Marie Bernadette 15:55:41 4/15/98 (0)
• If a tree falls in the forest(historically speaking)... Greg 20:58:04 4/13/98 (12)
  • The fallen tree Caroline 21:09:36 4/13/98 (11)
    • Kiss the bride Tineke 04:23:16 4/15/98 (1)
      • Not just in American movies MB 17:18:40 4/20/98 (0)
    • Kiss the bride The Mysterious H.C. 11:37:23 4/14/98 (0)
    • I suppose. But they should have at least LOOKED embarassed(NFM) Greg 21:38:03 4/13/98 (7)
      • But why? P. Bingham 23:32:00 4/13/98 (6)
        • Two answers for the price of one... Greg 22:03:06 4/14/98 (5)
          • greetings everyone. P. Bingham 03:07:57 4/16/98 (3)
            • As time goes by Greg 01:54:56 4/18/98 (2)
              • getting near another's mouth. P. Bingham 23:53:57 4/18/98 (1)
                • correction! P. Bingham 23:56:16 4/18/98 (0)
          • the kiss! P. Bingham 22:54:47 4/14/98 (0)

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