Madeline Hunter

Nineteenth Century Advertisements 1833 Classified Ads: Getting a Job 1833 Classified Ads: Caring for the Mentally Ill 1833 Classified Ads: Getting an Education 1833 Newspaper Ads: Finding a Home 1833 Classified Ads: Other Sales and Notices

Templars and Hospitallers: The Inspiration for Nesta's "Songs" in Stealing Heaven

Historical Background to The Protector: The Breton Civil War

Warrior Women

Historical Characters in The Protector

Historical Romances and Romantic Historicals

Historical Background to By Possession: Historical Characters in By Possession

The Medieval Cost of Living

Medieval Crime and Punishment

Medieval Marriage: "Say the words with me."

Historical Background to By Arrangement: Historical Characters in By Arrangement

Fudging on Historical Accuracy

A newspaper’s classified ads give an interesting perspective on the society of the time. They are full of details, attitudes, and exceptions to the rules. They provide a snapshot of daily life.

Here are a selection of employment ads from The London Times of Oct. 1, 1833. The contacts at the end of each one, omitted here, were often intermediaries. The notices usually specified "post paid" because normally the recipient of letters paid the postage.

1833 Classified Ads: Getting a Job

To BISCUIT BAKERS, etc.---- A young woman, 25 years of age, is about to leave one of the first shops in the city in the above line of business, where she has been confidentially employed upwards of 8 years, and is desirous of a similar engagement. Address, post paid, to xxxxx.

A young person of respectability wishes for a situation as FIRST HAND DRESSMAKER, she is capable of taking the management of a business, having lived these last ten years is several of the first houses of the west end. No objections to the city. Address, post paid, to xxxxx. (She is saying she will step down from the west end and take work in the old part of London called the City. One wonders why. There is also no mention of references even though she has been working for families.)

As COOK and HOUSEKEEPER to a single gentleman, a steady person who has been accustomed to that situation, can bear confinement, and be well recommended. No objection to where no other is kept, can go into the country, or engage with a respectable female in a genteel way of business. Wages not so much an object as a comfortable situation. Direct, post paid, to xxxxx.

Brewery---America----A gentleman, 44 years of age, who filled the department of brewer in one of the first porter breweries in London, in which he was afterwards a partner, is desirous of undertaking the management of a brewery in America. Address, post paid, to xxxx.

CLERK AND TRAVELLER about town---WANTED, a steady man who is acquainted with the lead, xxx, and window glass business. Security will be required. Apply W.W., Waterloo Place, Limehouse.

THE NIECE OF A NAVAL OFFICER, in whose family she has for some time been in residence, is desirous of obtaining a SITUATION as COMPANION to a lady, and who would have no objection to educate two or three children. The advertiser, having resided two years in France during the period of her education, may be of advantage to any lady wishing to travel who is unacquainted with the French language. A small remuneration only would be required, and the most excellent references given. Address, post paid, to C. C. post office, Southend, Essex. (Note: I think there is an interesting story behind this one!)

WANTED, UPPER NURSE, COACHMAN and HOUSEMAID. The upper nurse, a middle-aged person who thoroughly understands the management of children, and has been accustomed to an infant from the first month. Apply to Mr. Wright, opposite the church, Newtington-butts. (This appears to have been a large household with lots of turn over. Then again, maybe the coachman ran off with either the maid or nurse---or both.)

WANTED, to go to the South of Ireland, a GOVERNESS, middle-aged, and a native of France, competent to instruct a young lady, 10 years of age, in French, music, geography, arithmetic and writing. Apply at the Golden Cross Hotel for Mr. Wall, on the first and second of October, between 12 and 2 o'clock. (This one sounds as if it deserves the "I knew I forgot to do something before I bought the tickets" award.)

WANTED, as CLERK, a young man who writes a very good expeditious hand, and who perfectly understands accounts. Respectable references will be required. Letters post paid, stating terms, which must be moderate, to be addressed to xxxxx. (Translation: dull work, low pay.)

WANTED in a small family, a good PLAIN cook, where no man-servant is kept. She must not object to a little house work, and must make herself useful. No one above the age of 30 need apply, nor will any from an office be taken. A good character will be required. No followers allowed. Apply this day to xxxxx (Note: followers would be children, spouses. This family also did not want to pay the commission to an agency that placed household employees.)

A CLERGYMAN’S son, in the 29th year of his age, who possesses a competent knowledge of the classics and mathematics, is desirous of a LITERARY EMPLOYMENT. He would have no objection to travel, act as amanuensis or undertake the instruction of one of a small number of pupils in a family. For further particulars, apply xxxxx. (The "I flunked out of college but I'm a gentleman, darn it, and I want a job where I won't sweat" award.)

PARTIAL EMPLOYMENT WANTED--A gentleman, of good address, experienced in accounts, well acquainted with the French language, and who fills an appointment of great responsibility, but who has nevertheless a portion of his time unoccupied, respectfully OFFERS HIS SERVICES to any lady or gentleman as AMANUENSIS of ACCOUNTS, or as Secretary to a public or private institution. Highly respectable references can be given. Address, post paid, to A.Z. at Mr. Roberts’, 68, Chancery Lane. (The "I am a gentleman of some importance and should not soil my status by working for pay but my creditors are hounding me" award.)

Regarding those agencies, here is an ad for one that placed governesses. Note the last line and the implication that one could buy one’s daughter the introduction to the best circles:

GOVERNESSES SUPPLIED TO FAMILIES---Mrs. SMITH (successor to Mrs. Burns, established 30 years) begs to notify that she SUPPLIES ENGLISH and FOREIGN LADIES, of various acquirements, from nursery to commencing governess to those capable of finishing the studies of their pupils without the aid of masters. Also ladies who, by birth and education, are equal to the introduction of protegees into high society. All scholastic business transacted. Letters must be post free.---30 Alfred place, Bedford Square.

1833 Classified Ads: Caring for the Mentally Ill

The ads of the London Times contain a noticeable number of requests or offers of care for the mentally ill or mentally challenged. They reveal the kinds of private arrangements that could be made, and indicate that institutionalization was not the only choice:

INSANITY---WANTED, as a NURSE, a young woman accustomed to attend on lunatics, and who will undertake household work. She must possess an unexceptionable character. (This reveals a common solution which was keeping the patient at home, probably confined and out of sight.)

INSANITY or NERVOUS DISABILITY--A respectable middle-aged man, of 15 years experience under the most eminent medical gentleman, wishes for the CARE OF A GENTLEMAN, either in lodgings, or at the gentleman’s own house, or to travel, or would provide a cottage and accommodate with board, etc, at a certain sum per annum. References will prove unexceptionable.

WEAKNESS OF INTELLECT or SLIGHT INSANITY--A medical gentleman, in private practice, is desirous of RECEIVING A CASE of the above description under his care. The advertiser has had a gentleman residing with him 33 years, to the friends of whom he would give references, as well as to others of respectability. The terms: 60 pounds per annum. The partial use of a cabriolet may be enjoyed.

LUNACY, "Idiotcy", or Nervous Excitement---A physician of age, and eminently successful in the treatment of the above class of disorders, residing in a large airy house with a walled garden a short distance from London, has now a VACANCY for an inmate of either sex, who will be treated with more than the ordinary care in such cases, one only being received. References of the highest character given and required. (The quotation marks around Idiotcy indicate this physician is up to date on how conditions were viewed in medicine, and considered this term antiquated..)

(all ads are transcribed from the October 1, 1833 London Times.)

1833 Classified Ads: Getting an Education

In early 19th-century Britain, most education was private. Our notion of government supported schools had not yet been instituted. The classified ads in the newspapers indicate the wide variety of options a family had. Notice the first ad, which indicates that a governess could find her salary being offset by giving her more work, and also that some governesses did not live with the family:

DAILY GOVERNESS--A family, in the vicinity of Bow church, Cheapside, employing a daily governess to instruct their only daughter, are anxious to have two or three young ladies, from the age of 7 to 11 years, to meet at their house to form a class and create a spirit of emulation for their studies. Any family wishing for such an opportunity may learn particulars by addressing a line, post paid to xxxxx (Elizabeth Bennett’s wealthy merchant uncle in Pride and Prejudice lived in Cheapside)

A LADY, residing in a healthy situation, near Cambridge, who has had three little girls committed to her care, is desirous of meeting with three more, who, in addition to the mental advantages to be derived form herself and an accomplished governess, will be treated with every maternal care and solicitude, and allowed in every proper respect all the comforts of home. The first references to be given. (This sounds almost like a modern home-based day care center.)

LADIES SCHOOL--The Misses WILSON of Clapham-common respectfully inform their friends and the public that they have still a few vacancies for pupils in their establishment. Prospectuses may be obtained at their residence, 3 South-buildings, or of Messrs. Xxxxxx.

A MARRIED and BENEFICED CLERGYMAN, of long experience in the education of a few private pupils, six, has at present a vacancy. His residence is 12 miles from London, and his references to noblemen and gentlemen unexceptionable. Letters to be directed to xxxx. (A letter drop at a bookseller was used by this and some other advertisers. Sometimes the letters went to letter drops at publishing houses or other businesses, to lawyers or friends, and sometimes directly to the individual.)

The Rev. C. JEFFREYS, M.A., late assistant tutor of St. John’s College, Cambridge, receives pupils for daily instruction in classics, mathematics, and the usual branches of education, at his residence, 1 Alfred Place, Bedford Square, where further particulars may be obtained on application. (The most likely reason for a man to leave his post as a tutor at Cambridge was if he married.)

AN ARTICLED PUPIL IS WANTED in a select and highly respectable school, for 3 or 4 years. Terms, 100 guineas, which may be paid by half-yearly installments. She will be instructed in Italian, the harp, the piano, and French, and have great advantages in a general course of education. References can be given to highly respectable individuals in London, Yorkshire, Glocestershire, and Kent. (A lot of money! It no doubt it includes board. Still, she’d better be fit for a duke when she is "finished".)

EDUCATION, a few miles from the metropolis---the terms of the BRADMORE HOUSE SCHOOL, Chiswick, are 35 guineas per annum for each pupil in the senior class, and 30 guineas in the junior classes. As every expense is included, no accounts are sent in. (This one is less expensive, and for boys.)

WEST LONDON CENTRAL DAY SCHOOL offers all the advantages of the University and King’s College schools at half the cost. Vacations one week only. Two principals and 10 assistant masters give oral instruction to each pupil during the whole of the school hours. Terms of the English department 4 or 6 guineas per annum; of the classical, French or mathematical, 8 guineas. A few boarders are received. Apply at the school-house, 10 Poland-street, Oxford-street. (No board here, so much less expensive.)

Of course, sometimes running a private school didn't work out:

TO be DISPOSED OF, A LADIES DAY SCHOOL, with two boarders. Premium and fixtures, 30 pounds.

Now, an ad for a teacher at a girl’s school. Would you want to work here? It was probably better than being a governess, but there is an attitude in the ad that suggests not much:

TO GOVERNESSES---WANTED, a lady as an assistant, in an establishment of respectability, fully qualified to undertake the instruction of the pianoforte, geography, the English language grammatically in all its departments, and the rudiments of the French language; if drawing, the more agreeable. Any person wishing for a comfortable situation who is willing to devote her sole attention to the interests of the establishment, and is acquainted with the general routine of a school, doubtless will find this a favorable opportunity for promoting her views. It will be unnecessary for any person to apply who cannot bear the strictest scrutiny for ability, attention, and every requirement necessary for such a situation. For cards of address, apply at Pearson’s Library, 11 Grafton-street, Soho.

(all ads transcribed from the October 1, 1833 London Times.)

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Nineteenth Century Advertisements

1833 Classified Ads: Getting a Job

1833 Classified Ads: Caring for the Mentally Ill

1833 Classified Ads: Getting an Education