‘Robust, Unattractive Women’: A Frenchman’s View of the English (Snippet: 1)

Florence Georgiana Spooner Carr (later Gray) formal portrait in Egret-feathered Hat ca 1878. Photographers C&R Lavis, Eastbourne, Via Wikimedia Commons.

In a series of visits to Britain between 1862 and 1870, outspoken Frenchman Hippolyte Taine wrote lengthily about his impressions, and his comments-at-a-distance give us a clear and fascinating view of our ancestors in a way that no other source quite achieves.   

Taine’ s prime observation about English women was that they were far more physically active than their French counterparts and spent more time out of doors, ‘on horseback especially in full gallop, they are veritable Amazons not only by reason of their skill and firm seats in the saddle, but by reason of their figures and their healthiness..’ (44). There was something altogether unattractive to Taine about most British females, ‘ in two thirds of cases, their feet shod in heavy boots are excessively manly; and, as for their long, out-jutting teeth, one cannot get used to them. are they a cause or an effect of their carnivorous diet? (46).  

And the natural masculinity of British women was not helped by their appalling attire, ‘their over-ornamented and ill-contrived dress completes the effect of clashing incongruities. One sees purple or poppy-red silks, grass-green dresses decorated with flowers, azure blue scarves, gold and other jewellery, all of it strapped like a harness on to gigantic harridans reminiscent of superannuated heavy cavalry horses… (46)’ What attractiveness some British women had in their youth all too soon declined according to Taine, ‘the fair complexion is quickly and easily spoiled; the noses of many young women easily turn red ; and they bear too any children, which deforms them. You marry a blonde Angel, slender and confiding: ten years later you may find your companion for a lifetime a housekeeper, a wet-nurse, a broody hen.’ (45) 

Quotations are from: Notes on England by Hippolyte Taine, translated and with an introduction by Edward Hyams, London, Thames and Hudson, 1957 [Translated from the French Notes Sur L’Angleterre 1860-1870]