Village gossip, and more pillow talk

Season 2, episode 22. March 27th - 31st 1882. CW sexual discussion continues between Janie and Fred (using mild Victorian euphemisms). This time the racy village gossip and the even racier pillow talk continues, as well as starting to plan for Fred's Easter visit. 

Transcript

[Intro]
Hello and welcome back to My Love Letter Time Machine, were we are unfolding the Victorian love story contained in the letters of two ordinary people from Yorkshire — Fred Shepherd and Janie Warburton. I’m Ingrid Birchell Hughes, and I just happen to be their great great grand daughter. Each week we travel 140 years back in time to discover the latest happenings, and today the racy village gossip and the even racier pillow talk continues

[Village gossip and more pillow talk]
Before we begin I have a bit of a correction to make. As Fred and Janie plan their reunion for the Easter of 1882, they’ve mentioned planning a possible trip to Wharncliffe. I said in a couple of podcasts back that I thought this meant that they were visiting the newly opened Glen How park at Wharncliffe Side, completely forgetting that *the* significant landmark in the area was actually the Wharncliffe Crags. On reflection I think it most likely that this was probably the attraction they were planning to visit and not the Glen. I think I got a bit carried away with the idea of a family connection through the ages to be honest. 

Anyway the Wharncliffe Crags are a dramatic escarpment of gritstone situated approximately half way between Wharncliffe Side and Deepcare as you head north out of Sheffield. The rock had been quarried since Roman times to produce quern-stones for milling and there are several thousand quern stones still lying around the location. The name Wharncliffe may well have evolved from ‘quern-cliff’. The views of the Upper Don from the escarpment are stunning and unsurprisingly have attracted visitors for centuries. In Janie and Fred’s time bank holidays would see thousands of people making the trek and the local paper records 3000 visitors for Wharncliffe Crags for the Easter of 1882. 

Whether Janie and Fred were amoung them remains to be seen as they are having an interesting time trying to coral all of Fred’s friends into one Easter Monday outing so that they will still have time to see each other when Fred comes back to Sheffield, as Janie mentions in her next letter, also please be aware that discussions of sex continue through the correspondence but as usual, we have to decode the Victorian-style pillow talk.

Handsworth 
March 27th 1882. 

My own darling husband
I received you nice long letter this morning it was a treat love I hardly expected one. I am sorry you had to deny yourself of your walk but I know it would be almost as great a pleasure to write to me darling, I always feel it is a pleasure to write to you. I wish we could have had one of our usual walks.

I have begun going to school in the mornings instead of the afternoons, [Rev] Mowat asked me last Sunday if I thought I could, I think I can manage it with a little effort if they get up a little earlier so that I can make the beds, I don’t like to leave them till afternoon. J. Revilt[sp?] asked me to go down to their house on Sunday afternoon so I went + we had a stroll down our old favourite lane (Grange Lane) we were going to go round + up by our house but the wind stopped us it was so rough, I went back + had tea with them, then we came up after Church, Teresa, Lizzie + J + I had a walk down as far as the bridge then I cam home, so that is now one more Sunday is gone, only one more before I see you darling.

The fall down the cellar steps won’t be serious love. I only grazed my elbow it is about all right now. I think I shall go down to see your mother to night just after tea, to see how she is after her visit to Handsworth + to pack you the service to take back.

I wish you could have been with us as well at the Confirmation, I wore your favourite dress love, the cream coloured one.

I am glad you gave the Paris offer up my darling + I think you have done nothing to regret, you have got a good master now + you are sure to get to, + you might have got a very different one over there love + had a great deal to put up with, besides you do not know much about the firm do you love? I feel quite glad you have not gone for your mothers sake darling + a good deal more so for myself I could not spare my husband any further away from me than he is now, but I should try it I thought it was for your good love though it would be so hard to part with you.

We will keep the meat somewhere else when you come at Easter, as I should not like to injure your delicate organisation love. 

I have not heard from Betsy Frith lately, the last I got was in summer + I answered it just after Christmas so she is perhaps making me wait as long as I kept her.

The wedding must have been ours I dreamt about I did not finish the other part last night. It will be finished when I awake on the happy wedding night + it will be very small then as you say. 

I think it would be a very good arrangement to get John Meays to go to Wharncliffe with us, how are they going to manage the eatables will you get to know love, you had better tell Ted that we will go, it will be like one of our own WhitMonday excursions.

Mother has quite made up her mind to the inevitable, she likes you now though she did hold out a long time. She did get the forks cheap, I am glad they are to your taste they make everything taste better, steel forks are very nasty, especially for fish. 

My love I expect I shall survive the shock at Easter, I don’t feel very sorry that it is not wasting away I expect you will extinguish it + do justice to me as you say, I don’t think you will be disappointed about it fitting tight, tight fit is the best. I am sorry your trousers were fitting so tight love but I couldn’t help you, being so far away. You won’t have so many buttons off now as you used to have when it got very troublesome.

It could not be better love we do suit each other so well. I am sorry you were shocked still I don’t think it is so very naughty to talk of such things between us darling. Of course we will not mention it at Easter love, only if your trousers do happen to feel very tight I should not like [your landlady] Mrs Gordon to stitch too many buttons on, it would not do to give her too much trouble, so I will see if I can’t give you more room, in fact take something down that is always poking against my legs. I hope you will not feel more shocked this time, we have promised to be faithful + we shall my darling till death us do part I love you more every day.

Who saw Johnny Mortar + Lucy Craven up Shirland Lane, it was an undignified position, you think the sensation would not be very exquisite that she would experience.

I am glad you are quite agreeable to have the clock love, I think you will be suited with it, you can bring the money at Easter for your wife love, it will do then.

I did not anticipate spending as much as £30 in furnishing love, nor do I now to only furnish front room kitchen + bedroom.

I shall have to give over it is tea time.

I love you more than ever my darling + shall always remain
your loving true + faithful
Wife
Janie

That little detail about steel cutlery spoiling the taste of food puzzled me somewhat. It resulted in me disappearing down a research hole (which happens a lot while trying to tell Fred and Janie’s story) and I was surprised to learn that the invention of stainless steel, and the cutlery made from it, didn’t actually come into being until 1913. It was developed by Sheffield metallurgist Harry Brearley working in the Brown Firth Research Laboratories. Brearley originally developed the new steel to enable the internal surfaces of gun barrels to withstand higher temperatures, but perhaps because of his being a son of Sheffield and understanding the significance of the cutlery industry, Brearly went on to search for more applications for his new ‘rustless steel’ as it was called then. Carbon-steel knives were prone to unhygienic rusting and as Janie mentioned, reacted with certain foods. Brearley tested his new steel with food acids like vinegar and lemon juice, and encouraged by the promising results, was able to find new applications for steel in the mass-production of food related products such as saucepans and cutlery.

By delightful coincidence, he ended up becoming the director of the Brown Bayley Steel Works in 1925. But obviously all this is in the future for Janie and Fred, back in 1882, the best you can hope for is your future mother-in-law getting a bargain on some silver plated forks:

21 Church Street, Middlesbrough
March 28th 1882.

Only 11 days love!

My own darling wife,
I received your nice long long letter this morning, love, I wish I could give you a kiss for writing so early, but I will save it for you until Easter + then I will kiss you with compound interest love.

I am glad to hear that you have commenced going to school in the morning love, I hope your people will not throw any obstacles in your way my darling, I feel rather sorry the I am not at home now love, for the we could have a walk every Sunday afternoon without you having to miss school for it. 

I wish I could have been with you last Sunday afternoon when you were going down Grange Lane my darling, did you think of me at all then love?

I am pleased to hear that your fall was not serious love, + that you are going down to our house my darling, I feel so glad that you do not neglect our people, love, I should think my mother quite looks upon you as her daughter, for I suppose you will be, as my wife you know. 

I should have like to have see you with my favourite dress on my darling, I expect it will be worn out before I see it again.

With respect to the Paris business love, I should not have had any master there, I should have been in charge. The firm is a good one, I might say, very good, + is I should think as wealthy as any in the country, whereas this one you know is only just commencing, + will have I expect its ups + downs as most firms have at first; but I could not go father away from you love, I am sadly too far away as it is my darling,  I wish I was nearer + then I could come to see you oftener; thought I felt sure my little wife, that you would have been wishing to go even there with me, would you darling?

I am glad to hear that you will keep the meat out of the Clubroom love, if I sleep there. I was dreaming about it last night. I dreamed that I went to bed in the clubroom, + that you came to bed to me, + of course we participated in connubial felicity + then went to sleep, when your mother looked in  + saw us, but before she had time to say anything I awoke + for a moment I felt sure you were with me, but it was not so, unfortunately.

I have not written to John Meays yet about Easter-monday but I will do so, + also to Ted + get to know for you about the eatables love, we must not forget that dear, it is most necessary.

I am glad to hear that your mother likes me at last my darling, I hope I shall never do anything to forfeit her good opinion; tho I know that sons-in-law are proverbially brutes to the dear daughters. 

I am pleased to hear that you expect to survive the shock of seeming + feeling what I have got, + that you agree with me that a tight fit is best, it is bound to be tight my darling, for it will never have been opened since I left has it love? I have never had one button set on the front of my trousers since I have been here. I am never that way except when in bed (+ then I wish that you were there too) + when I am writing to you about it (I am feeling so now love.)

I am glad to hear that you think it isn’t so very naughty to mention such things between us you know darling, we are husband + wife, + of course a wife should know all about her husband, + a husband all about his wife.

If my trousers do happen to feel tight (which I have no doubt will be the case) I shall be most happy to accept your kind offer my darling, that you will (to save Mr Gordon trouble) take something down (something in I suppose you mean love) that is always, you say, poking against your legs. You don’t dislike it about your legs do you wifie,? you would not like me to be without it love would you, for you know it is a very useful thing about a house, + I don’t suppose you would care to marry one if I had not got one would you?

I am not a bit shocked my darling wife, I was only jesting, we will always my darling wife, be faithful, + love each other more + more every day.

Ted did not say who saw Johnny Mortar + Lucy Craven at their devotions, I should think they would never disturb a pious couple on their knees. I don’t suppose she would experience anything like the sensation that you do love, because you know there is a great difference between one three inches + a half long + one 8 inches long + 2’2 inches thick.

My darling little wife you ought to be quite proud  of your husband who places all he has at your service (+ so much too), but if I go on I shall shock you really + perhaps offend you, + that is what I never intend to do love, because we must be always loving my darling + never offend one another, isn’t that your idea of our married life, my darling.?

How much do you really think you could furnish the rooms you mention for love? I saw a very pretty bedroom suite the other day, it was very light corall[sp?] (I don’t know whether you like that colour) + the dressing table had drawers down the front + a looking glass fastened to the back, it looked very nice, + the man told me that he could furnish the bedroom throughout (including carpet + bedstead) for £6. but I shall be able to talk to you all about that at Easter, love, if they’ll only let us be together for a little while.

I don’t see how we shall manage about the furniture, love, we cannot buy all we want at Sheffield, + I shouldn’t like to choose the things myself, + still I should not like to bring you here without a home ready for you my darling, but we shall perhaps be able to settle that question also when we have talked it over.

I intended writing today so that you would get it tomorrow morning, but we were so busy that I could not spare the time, + besides, I do not like to write letters at the works, because then I could not very well stop the others from doing the same, + if letter writing is allowed to be done it soon runs away with the time.

I expect I shall be even busier now as I commence tomorrow morning going down to the works with the letters + that will take an hour away. I don’t half like the job, but I mustn’t complain of trifles. I shall push Alvey into the correspondence job as soon as I can, + then it will give me more time for the other work.

I am afraid I shall not have saved the £20 I mentioned love, for I had not thought that I should have to get a new suit, but excepting that I should have done so, I hope you will not be vexed + grumble at me, for you must be always loving to your
loving true + faithful husband
Fred. (who adores you).

[Ad lib naration reflecting on sharing intimate details for 1:30]

Cemetery Road 
Sheffield 
March 29th 1882.

My own darling husband
[I am at our Williams today]
I received your nice long letter this morning. I shall be quite willing to receive the kisses with compound interest at Easter love.

I am glad you think I have down well in commencing to go to school in the mornings, we would have our Sunday afternoons + walk if you were here darling but never mind we will have some at Middlesbro won’t we love? I did think of you when down Grange Lane last Sunday I am always thinking about you love. I went down to your house last Monday, I met your mother going up to doctor Prichards for some medicine, she has not been very well, Louisa was out she had gone to see your sister Lucy, I went down there we stopped until about eight we did not get the things packed, I think your mother does look upon me as her daughter , of course I shall be when I am your wife love.

I came up with Polly Corbett from Darnel. I don’t think your favourite dress will be worn out before you see it again love it is good wearing material. 

Paris would have been too far away darling but I would have gone there with you or anywhere with my husband.

I feel quite confident that you will never do anything to forfeit anybody's good opinion though sons-in-law are proverbial brutes to the dear daughters. I should have written yesterday darling but mother went to Darnall and I had to be barmaid and watch [Emma] like a cat watching a mouse so could not squeeze one in any way. I intended writing when [mother] came home but Annie Laverack had asked me to go and sit with her so I did not leave her until nearly 11 and thought it was too late then, and she wishes to be remembered very kindly to you, she had the impudence to tell me she thought you were one of the nicest fellows she had ever spoken to, which of course I felt very much enraged at. I do love you my darling it is not long to our meeting now husband is it? I will give you another for Saturday and Sunday [….]

I remain your loving true and faithful wife Janie.

21 Church Street, Middlesbrough
March 30th 1882.

My own darling wife,

I thought I would commence your letter for Saturday tonight because I expect tomorrow will be a busy day and I should not be able to write much and I know you like a nice long letter darling, for Saturday and I do not like to disappoint you.

I am afraid that this will not be a very lively one, because I feel rather sad tonight. I think it must be on account of the weather. It was a beautiful morning, the sun being quite hot, after dinner we had a very heavy hailstorm which turned to rain and it has been raining ever since. I have not the same comfort I had last night, then I read all your dear letters love, through all that I have received from you.  I like to read them darling, they do me good.

I have written to John Meays today, asking him if he could manage to go with us to Wharncliffe, and if not, whether he could come to Darnall on Easter Sunday, and if not that whether I should go over there on the Tuesday afternoon. Do you think you could manage to go with me? If you do not, I think I should stay all night and get on to the mainline […] - to catch the Sheffield train to Middlesbrough. I wish I could be with you every minute, even then the time would be too short wifey.

Oh my darling I am longing to see your dear sweet face again, and to kiss you, which I think would be bliss indeed. But I must not complain, for the time is getting short now. It only wants nine days darling (but that contains a Sunday).

I wish we were married love and then I should be happy, but I never feel low or downhearted long, when you are with me, my little comforter and consoler. You are everything to me my dear little wife, I feel that I love you more and more every day. But I must not get despondent or else I shall be making you so, and I know you have sufficient to bear with your own real troubles, without bearing my imaginary ones darling, so I will not reprise but look forward to our meeting at Easter, and to our happy wedded life, my darling wife.

We play the final tie for the Cup on Saturday, and I think I shall play as I am all right now love, I wish you were here to watch the match darling, there are lots of ladies come to see the matches here every Saturday.

I think this place will look very nice in summer, the houses are much cleaner looking than those in Sheffield, and in a good many of the streets are planted trees which are just coming into leaf. What a dear old time we had darling, in the Spring. I wish it had to or come over again. I think courting days are the happiest in anyone's life, and I am sure that ours darling, were much happier than most, don't you think so, little wife.

I shall receive a letter from you tomorrow I think love, so will write a few more lines then. I am beginning to feel so impatient and could almost come over on Saturday, I feel as though I could not wait until Easter.

You will receive your first Communion next Sunday darling, I do wish I could receive it with you, I am so glad you were confirmed darling, because it makes me surer that you will be a real helpmeet for me, and help me do my duty as a true wife should. Oh I do love you so much darling, I wish I could give you just one kiss and then to bed. So good night little wife (x) that is a husbandly kiss.

continued
Friday Mch 31st 1882.

I received your welcome letter this morning darling, for which I thank you. I thought I should get one this morning, love; for you never keep me waiting long wifie. We will have walks love, when I get you here.

I am glad to hear that you went to our house, love, I wish I could have taken you home.

Remember me very kindly to Annie Laverack. I am rather surprised that she considered me nice, I am sure I have never tried particularly to be nice to her, of course I have perhaps been polite but that is only gentlemanly. Please don't get enraged darling, I don't mind what people think about me so that you still love me, and have faith in me wifey. I then I can do my duty[sic].

Only 8 days to our meeting love.
I remain
Your loving, true and faithful husband Fred

Handsworth 
March 31st 1882. 

My own darling husband
I have now great pleasure in tormenting you with a little more today, I got home from Sheffield by the 915 train last night, Polly and I went to tea with an old friend of hers Polly’s, then we went up to see Jinny Reckless at the Institution, Mr Blessman still takes her home on Saturday evenings, they are not going to give them even a days holiday this Easter isn't it a shame? Excuse the blots I am writing and waiting it is rather difficult. My darling I will not be vexed or grumble at you a bit even though you have not saved the £20 you thought of doing, you were obliged to get the new suit and I know you would have done it if it had been possible I will be always loving to you love, my husband, only nine days now, I do wish it was over I do want to see you.

I have been putting new covers on the chairs in the room to make them look fresh for you at Easter love. We must not bear two heavy weights on any more of our chairs we have damaged one severely in fact I don't think it will get over it - Father is going to try and mend it. Father has not been so well this last week, and Maurice has been very poorly he has had a sore throat and bad cough and cold.

Mother told me to scarcely notice Mr Walker today she blames him all up now, I don't though, so I am afraid I did not show any difference towards him shook hands as I generally do if I see him so displeased them, do you think I ought not to have done, I don't see that he has offended me in any way, it is the biggest blessing for him that he he is not going to have her, he would have been miserable for life. I don't think I answered your question about that Friday I will tell you at Easter if I think on, about him wanting to do something. 

Oh love I shall be so pleased to see you I love you more than ever, and shall always be your loving true and faithful 
wife Janie

That last little bit of family politics is very revealing. Sometimes I find myself straining through Janie’s letters in an effort to make out the hazy characters of her parents, Maria and James - who of course are my 3 times great grandparents. Maria has clearly taken against Mr Walker for rejecting Emma. I’m starting to see Maria as someone who expects to be able to interfere where ever she likes. Of course she’s going to be loyal to her eldest daughter, but to issue and edict downgrading social contact to the rest of the family adds to the portrait of her I am painting in my mind. 

Actually that leads me on nicely to say that after the success of the last question and answer episode, I’m hoping to do another Q&A in the next couple of weeks and I’d be really interested to hear what your theories about the whole Emma and Mr Walker situation might be. So please let me know and you can ask me any other questions on my instagram - that’s my love letter time machine all one word on instagram or you can email them to mylovelettertimemachine at gmail dot com.

We’ll leave it there for now.

[outro]
Thank you for listening to My Love Letter Time Machine. 

Next time the letters come thick and fast in the run up to Janie & Fred’s Easter reunion and we find out how Fred did in the Cleveland challenge cup rematch 

In the meantime perhaps you could show the podcast some support by clicking on the ratings, leaving a review or sharing it with someone who you think might enjoy it, and if you’d like to write to me, you can at my love letter time machine at gmail dot com.

Until next time, take care.
© Ingrid Birchell Hughes 2022