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Letters from a young man to his father reveal the unexpected reality of life in 18th Century London

From 65 surviving letters written by a man in his late 20s, we get a lot of first hand information on what society was like in the 18th century London.

BY RIMA BISWAS

PUBLISHED JUL 2, 2024

Cover Image Source: National Trust | James Beck

From period dramas to pictures and books, London has been a setting for some of the most mysterious characters and romantic tales that portrayed life centuries ago. Even though one may imagine life as being simpler back then, young people didn't have it any better than the millennials and Gen Z of the 21st century. Among those who immigrated from the countryside to London in search of a better livelihood, was a young man named Ben Browne.

Image Source: View of the City of London across the River Thames from the south with a key to the buildings, 1710. (Photo by Guildhall Library & Art Gallery/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

According to National Trust, Browne maintained regular correspondence with his father through letters, detailing the life and struggles of a young man in the city. These surviving letters were compiled in the 19th century by a descendant of the family and later bound together by book conservator Ann-Marie Miller to preserve the first-hand account of the young man in London. Browne's letter reveals how he grew up in Westmorland and moved to London in search of work before receiving training as a law clerk.

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He was 27 years old when he arrived in the city from his hometown of Troutbeck in 1719, after a 300-mile journey on horseback. He would live in the city for 16 years after that during which time he continued to request additional funds to survive in the city, according to the letters. To blend in with the lavish lifestyle of 18th-century London, one required adequate rent, wigs, and clothing, which made Browne anxious as he tried to keep up with the trends in the society that he was struggling to be a part of.

Image Source: National Trust | Letters From London

In the surviving 65 letters from Browne, he also describes witnessing historic events such as the 1719 silk weavers' riot and social unrest. Despite having financial issues, the man admitted that he went out drinking and eating with friends around Fleet Street. He compared the leisurely times he spent with artist William Hogarth's satirical prints. He also shared his woes of working long hours at the office. Browne was tasked with copying legal documents by hand and worked from 8 am to 8 pm. He begrudgingly added that he had "lost the prime of his youth" doing the clerical job.

Image Source: 'An election entertainment', 1755. An election treat given by the Whigs while the Tories parade outside. The two Whig candidates sit on the left of the scene, whilst others eat and drink. Illustration from Story of the British Nation, Volume III, Walter Hutchinson, (London, c1920s). (Photo by The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images) — Image Source: 'An election entertainment', 1755. Artist - William Hogarth (Photo by The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images)

Browne had also married a woman named Mary Branch who was his employer's maid. Initially, Browne expected a harsh response from his father but his father appears to have accepted his marriage to Branch. Browne wrote in a follow-up letter that he “shall ever acknowledge the many and endearing kindnesses and affectionate advice from so indulgent and affectionate father and mother.” George, a descendant of the family found these letters from Browne and bound them in leather, and recently book conservator Miller repaired the fragile letters before they were put up on display.

"It has been a pleasure to tread the same steps as George Browne, as I have charted, and then reconstructed, his work as a bookbinder. He took a great deal of care to preserve the correspondence between father and son and I have tried to honour his intentions. I feel as if I have also got to know young Ben, with his solicitous turn of phrase and the flourish of his handwriting," Miller told National Trust. “These letters are so relatable, and they show nothing has really changed,” says Emma Wright, the collections manager at Townend, in another statement. "Like the emails or text messages they may receive today, many parents with a child going off into the world will appreciate how Ben Senior must have felt getting news of them and requests for help."