Victorian customs & manners

[Nadzieja]

Hi, I'm still reading Lizzie's inquest. I try to not think like it is today but what it was like back in 1892. I went back & reread toward the beginning of the inquest about Mr. Morse. I just find it strange (and I thought rude for a time period that was so concerened about appearences and manners) that Lizzie even though she was not feeling well, did not poke her head into the room and say hello. She heard his voice, knew he was there, but "did not care to go down". I get the impression she really didn't like him because he hadn't been there in a very long time and it seems she really could have cared less. And on the other hand if he was a concerned uncle, why didn't he just run upstairs for a moment to say that he was sorry she was ill, but just wanted to say hello and check on her. I just found that somewhat odd. Did people just not do that back then?

[Angel]

I always read two things about Lizzie- that she was a charming conversationalist and was kind on occasion, and that she could be surly, unpleasant, abrupt and haughty on others. I think her social graces came more into play as she got older- probably after the trial.

[Allen]

Hi, I'm still reading Lizzie's inquest. I try to not think like it is today but what it was like back in 1892. I went back & reread toward the beginning of the inquest about Mr. Morse. I just find it strange (and I thought rude for a time period that was so concerened about appearences and manners) that Lizzie even though she was not feeling well, did not poke her head into the room and say hello. She heard his voice, knew he was there, but "did not care to go down". I get the impression she really didn't like him because he hadn't been there in a very long time and it seems she really could have cared less. And on the other hand if he was a concerned uncle, why didn't he just run upstairs for a moment to say that he was sorry she was ill, but just wanted to say hello and check on her. I just found that somewhat odd. Did people just not do that back then?

I have always had the feeling that there was no love lost between Lizzie and John Morse. He admits to having kept in touch with Andrew, and with Emma who wrote to him while he was out west, but he says he and Lizzie never corresponded. He speaks of seeing Emma on previous visits, such as when he took her for a buggy ride, but not of seeing Lizzie. This gives me the idea it was her usual custom to make herself scarce when Morse was around. It also does seem like she went out of her way to avoid him when he came to visit just before the murders. Then there is of course the fact that he left nothing to them in will.