Nineteenth Century Europe:
Angela Georgina, Baroness Burdett-CouttsMary, I know you are new at being a lady's maid, but do not tighten the corset so tight. Ah. Better, thank you.
Mary, I am amazed at the society in which I live. So few of my peers care for anything more than which clothes they should wear, whom they should see or whether the latest perodicals came out. Although in truth, I can not condemn them for enjoying the periodicals. Many of the authors in these periodicals are personal friends of mine, such as Sir Arthur Doyle, Mr. Dickens, and Mr. Thackery. Though I can condemn them for ignoring the needs of the poor.
I sit here preparing to enjoy an evening of leisure that my station in life offers me, in fact demands of me, but what of those who are unable to enjoy life. I am plagued with the thoughts of those who are not as well situated as I. If I were to follow the rationale of the haute ton, all I would be worrying over is who my husband will be and what dress to wear this evening. A lady of my standing should not be excessively concerned with the lower classes. She may help here or there or place money in the collection box on Sunday, but certainly nothing more than a few minuets of thought. But I am not like the simpering young debutantes of my age.
I do not intend to sound so self righteous. I admit that I to enjoy many of the pastimes that my fellow peers engage in. I am told that my social balls are the height of the season. Concurrently though, I am very aware of my duties to those less fortunate than I.
Through Gods' good grace, I have been very fortunate. It is rumored that I am the richest woman in England, next to Queen Victoria. To be frank, there is a great deal of truth in this rumor. My Step-Grandmama left me, the youngest of 12 grandchildren, my grandfathers' entire fortune. My grandpapa was an excellent banker, Thomas Coutts of Coutts Bank. Because God chose me to receive such an honor, it is my responsibility to use this money to better the lives of as many people around me, both rich and poor alike.
My wealth has enable me to make the acquaintance of many great people. PM Disrealie, Florence Nightingale, Baron Rothschild, and Princess Mary Adelaide, are all numbered among my friends. But the greatest friendship I have had was with the late Duke of Wellington. May God protect his soul. He is referred to as the Iron Duke, because of his hard victories over Napoleon during the wars, but he could be as soft as a kitten. We were in constant company, so much so that rumors were ever forming. We would write to each other at least once a day, sometimes more. I loved Arthur, and although he was over 45 years my senior I would have been happy to become his wife. It was rumoured that I even proposed marriage to him, but he declined fearing I was throwing my life away on an old man. How much I miss him. He was a pillar of support and love. As much as he has supported me, though, he did not always support my causes with the poor.
(Angela moves to look out the window)
Here I stand in my beautiful home in the most coveted area in London, Piccadilly; yet if you look out this window, just below, you can see all the degradation's of society. Poor, homeless, thieves, and even the "fallen ladies", who sell themselves into a form of slavery. They are all within view and are ignored as if they are wraith forms not worthy to acknowledge. Here the high society of the west end of London comes face to face with the lowest in the east end. I work hard, and make what changes I am able. Mr. Dickens helps me with my works more than any other person. He serves as a conductor for all of my philanthropic endeavors and has done so for over ten years. He is a staunch administrator, a reliable advisor, and a good friend.
One such endeavor is a learning asylum for "fallen ladies". These women, many of who are just young girls, younger than you Mary, turn to a life so degrading it sickens me to see. To try and help these ladies become respectable members of society we have opened a home where these women may come to live and be educated. They learn how to read and write, to run a household and to be dutiful Christian wives. When they are ready to leave our boarding school, we provide the means for them to go to any colony they desire. They go in the hopes of finding a good husband and settling into respectable lives. It is my hope that they never return to their old lives on the streets. We have been very successful.
The housing for the poor in London are dens of decease and hardship. Many people are forced to live in hovels, little more than that which wild animals reside in. These tenants often sublet to many other families just to afford the rent of such places. As many as 15 people live in a small flat.
Ah, Mary, Mr. Dickens has sent over the drawings of the apartment buildings, see. I had 4 built large buildings to give the poor decent places to live. The supenntendents are conscientious of what I wish to accomplish. They make sure the apartment halls are kept clean, all the tenants housing problems are solved with expedience, and the rent is exceptionally low. They also make sure that there is only one family per apartment. I have added as many amenities to these buildings as I was able. They have running water and gas lighting, which to some is considered an unnecessary expenditure on the poor. Mr. Dickens has found a new device called a dryer. It can dry clothes using a heating element. I have placed these laundries on the top floors. I also had the architects place beautiful architecture on the outsides. I feel that to place these amenities in my buildings will encourage the residents to take greater care of themselves and their homes. Many of my contemporaries criticize me. They feel it is too great an expense to waste on the poor! Just because they are poor does not mean that they should not enjoy their homes and lives.
As your are aware, Mary O'Neil, Ireland has experienced an extreme famine. Many have lost their crops and their lives. Queen Victoria has refused to help the famine stricken in Ireland. I have sent funds that will ease their troubles a bit, but it is still not enough to make up for all the potato crops lost. I can not understand letting people starve when you have the power to help them. The Queen is not pleased with the Irish because Ireland has fought against England to be independent. This is a prideful reason to let thousands of people starve to death. I do not agree with this policy and I intend to continue to support Ireland.
These are just small relief's in the ongoing struggle of the poverty stricken. I have seen first hand how these fellow humans must live. Mr. Dickens and I have often traversed the streets of lower London to have a better understanding of how we may help. Yet, with all my wealth and social standing, there is very little I can do. The true changes must come from within the government. Being a lady, no matter what standing and funds I may have, I am limited to a more subdued approach, with little governmental influence.
Even though Queen Victoria and I have not always agreed, she has placed upon me one of the greatest honors a woman could have. In 1880 she bestowed upon me a peerage. I am the first woman to receive such an honor. What this means, Mary, is, that she has made me a baroness in my own right and has given me certain freedoms not offered to other women, without marriage or birthright. Since my father was a baronet, a landed gentry, the only way for me to enter the aristocracy would be to marry an aristocrat. Queen Victoria felt that my work with the poor was enough to place me above my own father, without the need for marriage. It is a day I will not forget, yet another day stands 'out even more.
It was just a few days ago, before you arrived here. There was a parade in which many people were participating in or watching, especially the lower classes. As I stepped out onto my balcony to watch, the crowd below fell silent. Their attentions turned toward me. Then I heard a low chant that eventually grew louder and louder. As it reached my balcony I could hear "God save Baroness Burdett-Coutts! God save the Queen of the Poor." The tribute given to me was full of so much emotion, that I had to control the tears that weld in my eyes. I am no sovereign, just a friend, but if my efforts have truly made a difference in there lives then it is worth all the fortunes in the world.
 |
 |
to enter this page since April 20, 1998
Home,
Historical Term Papers,
Historical Costumes,
About My Family and Me, My Best Friend,
My Pregnancy Page,
The Baby's Ultrasound,
Family Pictures, Our Wedding Pictures,
The Wolf Page
,
Get your own Free Home Page