Cranford

It was very interesting to see in the BBC's delightful adoption of Elizabeth Gaskell's: Cranford, that there was a local etiquette to be adopted when "calling" on friends and acquaintances in the village:

Miss Deborah Jenkins gave the following guidance when Mary Smith came to live with the Misses Deborah and Matilda (Matty) Jenkins:

- shortly after Mary Smith's arrival she would not receive calls but people would send their compliments

- calls to be made during a set time nominated on specified days when a person was: "at home" (12 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the Jenkins would put on their best lace caps!)

- calls should be no more than 15 minutes

- it was impolite to look at the clock to see if the call should be ended!

- calls should be returned within 3 days

Colin Bower
30 November 2007