Is it just me or is it odd that the hamleys would socialize with Molly and her family. They are working class. It seems like landed gentry back then only considered marriages with lower classes when those lower class people happened to be rich. For example, I am watching downtown abbey and that was a major point that the heir to the estate was a working man even though he was a lawyer.
shareAlthough Mr. Gibson works, he belongs to one of the learned professions (the church, medicine, and the law), so held in a higher regard than would be a shopkeeper. Here is a short discussion about tradesmen and the learned professions from another Elizabeth Gaskell novel, North and South
'Gormans,' said Margaret. 'Are those the Gormans who made their fortunes in trade at Southampton? Oh! I'm glad we don't visit them. I don't like shoppy people. I think we are far better off, knowing only cottagers and labourers, and people without pretence.'
'You must not be so fastidious, Margaret, dear!' said her mother, secretly thinking of a young and handsome Mr. Gorman whom she had once met at Mr. Hume's.
'No! I call mine a very comprehensive taste; I like all people whose occupations have to do with land; I like soldiers and sailors, and the three learned professions, as they call them. I'm sure you don't want me to admire butchers and bakers, and candlestick-makers, do you, mamma?'
'But the Gormans were neither butchers nor bakers, but very respectable coach-builders.'
'Very well. Coach-building is a trade all the same, and I think a much more useless one than that of butchers or bakers. Oh! how tired I used to be of the drives every day in Aunt Shaw's carriage, and how I longed to walk!' (ch. 2).
he continued, with a glance of sudden suspicion at Mr. Gibson, "he's not after one of your girls? I don't mean any offence, you know; but he'll have the estate, and it won't be free, and he must marry money. I don't think I could allow it in Roger; but Osborne's the eldest son, you know."
Mr. Gibson reddened; he was offended for a moment. Then the partial truth of what the Squire said was presented to his mind, and he remembered their old friendship, so he spoke quietly, if shortly.
"I don't believe there's anything of the kind going on. I'm not much at home, you know; but I've never heard or seen anything that should make me suppose that there is. When I do, I'll let you know."
"Now, Gibson, don't go and be offended. I'm glad for the boys to have a pleasant house to go to, and I thank you and Mrs. Gibson for making it pleasant. Only keep off love; it can come to no good. That's all. I don't believe Osborne will ever earn a farthing to keep a wife during my life, and if I were to die to-morrow, she would have to bring some money to clear the estate. And if I do speak as I shouldn't have done formerly—a little sharp or so—why, it's because I've been worried by many a care no one knows anything of" (ch. 33).
It is interesting the Squire warns the Gibsons off because the Hamleys themselves do not have enough money. Osborne in particular would inherit the 'estate', some land which hasn't fully been drained and hasn't been used as arable, as well as some shares, probably, or some jewels or something like that passed through the family. Traditional squires would happily mix with the local community, but needed wives who could bring more money and connections to protect the land aspect of their inheritance as this old way of doing things was fast ending to give way to the more cosmopolitan Cumnors. Preston calls them the 'last of the old Saxon stock' for a reason. Roger, without this inheritance, has more freedom but probably couldn't marry until his 30s normally unless his biology studies go very well. The Gibsons do have some money - Gibson gives Molly a large clothing allowance, remember - but not enough to act as a capital sum, nor do they have wide connections or at least wealthier relations, it would seem. If you notice, though, only the Squire seems to care about that sort of thing.
shareTraditional squires would happily mix with the local community, but needed wives who could bring more money and connections to protect the land aspect of their inheritance as this old way of doing things was fast ending to give way to the more cosmopolitan Cumnors. Preston calls them the 'last of the old Saxon stock' for a reason.
These aspects are part of the story's Darwinian structure. (Incidentally, Charles Darwin was Gaskell's cousin on her mother's side; Gaskell's daughter Meta had holidayed with Darwin's sister.) The Squire wanted to "hoist the old family up again"; that probably wasn't going to happen financially, but the family would be hoisted up by Roger's scientific achievements (and his choice of life partner). Molly breathed new life into the family in a non-financial way.
Interesting link to Darwin there! I was wondering where the author might have acquired sufficient knowledge about science to be able to write about Roger's activities (assuming this aspect was as important to the book, which I have not read, as it was to the series).
I've recently discovered that my greatx6 grandfather was a squire whose daughter secretly married a farm labourer. He disowned her, but relented a few years later when he found out about the poverty in which she, her husband and child were living. So of course I was glad when Mr Hamley accepted Aimee and the baby, even though his reasons for doing so were not entirely altruistic, probably.
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