His Day

What was the typical day of a late-Victorian man? For the suburban man a long journey to work on the new railways was often needed.

For Sidney, the day begins at about 7, as he awakens to the sound of Florence starting her chores. She brings in some hot water and he washes and shaves.

On this March Friday he will be at work as usual. It is a bit chilly and so he chooses his woollen drawers and vest. Today he will wear a wing collar and a dark crimson cravat with his morning coat.

As he winds his pocket watch, he realises he needs to hurry. He pops his head round the kitchen door and Florence brings him his breakfast. Soon he is on his way to the railway station.

After a morning ensuring his clerks keep working he has lunch in a café near to the office with James Hinchliffe, another manager at his company. He lives a mile or so from the Bushs' home and they mix socially on a regular basis.

At the end of the afternoon, Sidney boards the train for the journey home. He has remembered that the Brownes are coming to dinner. He will have to hurry on his return.

Having greeted Julia, Florence brings him hot water to his bedroom and he washes and changes into his tailcoat for the evening guests. He has a few moments to be presented with his children to hear about their day.

After a very pleasant evening, well catered for by Florence, he undresses, washes once more and retires for the night. He will be commuting again tomorrow, but hopes that he will only need to work for the morning.