Book, 'Lettice'; Mary Louise Stewart Molesworth; 1884; XHH.3216.8
Book, 'Lettice'
MakerMary Louise Stewart Molesworth
Maker RoleAuthor
Maker Maker RoleIllustrator
About this object
This book was awarded to fourteen-year-old Florence Buckland as a Sunday school lesson prize from St Marks Church in Remuera, Auckland, in 1886. Mary Louisa Molesworth was an English writer of children’s stories. The British biographer and children’s writer, Roger Lancelyn Green, stated that “Mary Louisa Molesworth typified late Victorian writing for girls. Aimed at girls too old for fairies and princesses but too young for [Jane] Austen and [the] Bronte [sisters], books by Molesworth had their share of amusement, but they also had a good deal of moral instruction. The girls reading Molesworth would grow up to be mothers; thus, the books emphasised Victorian notions of duty and self-sacrifice.” (1) This would have been considered appropriate subject matter for a young girl like Florence to read. Florence was the daughter of Alfred Buckland, one of Auckland’s largest landowners and most successful agricultural businessmen. As a young girl during the late 19th century, Florence would have been expected to marry, have children, and dedicate her life to her family. In 1896, Florence married Alfred Seccombe, and had two children, Florence and Alfred.
(1) Roger Lancelyn Green, ‘Mrs Molesworth,’ 1961.
For more information about the Buckland family and Highwic, which is cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, visit our website.
Paper
Measurements19.1 x 12 x 2.1cm
Date Made1884
Place Made PublisherSociety for Promoting Christian Knowledge (estab. 1698)
Publication Date1884
Publication PlaceLondon, England
Subject and Association Keywords Credit LineCollection of Highwic, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga
Object Type Object numberXHH.3216.8
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