Cranford

a story by Mrs. Elizabeth Gaskell, published in 1853. This little book is a charming picture of quiet life in an English village. The people, particularly the ladies of this village, are described by Mary Smith, an observing young person from a nearby town. The ladies of Cranford scorn the "vulgarity of wealth," and practice "elegant economy." The story is full of a quaint and almost pathetic humor. Its popularity seems to increase, and it is already counted as a classic. In recent years two American women have produced books which may be compared with Cranford and not suffer by the comparison: Old Chester Tales by Mrs. Deland, and Friendship Village by Zona Gale. The following is from Cranford:

For keeping the trim gardens full of choice flowers without a weed to speck them; for frightening away little boys who look wistfully at the said flowers through the railings; for rushing out at the geese that occasionally venture into the gardens if the gates are left open; for deciding all questions of literature and politics without troubling themselves with unnecessary reasons or arguments; for obtaining clear and correct knowledge of everybody's affairs in the parish; for keeping their neat maid-servants in admirable order; for kindness (somewhat dictatorial) to the poor, and real tender good offices to each other whenever they are in distress,--the ladies of Cranford are quite sufficient.

"A man," as one of them observed to me once, "is so in the way in the house!"

See Gaskell; Mrs. Elizabeth