If I were asked to what the singular prosperity and growing strength of Americans ought to be attributed, I should reply: 'To the superiority of their women.'
- Alexis de Toqueville during his
visit to America in the early 1830s
Servant Publications published three McMath novels under the series title: Theodosia and Annabelle in 1995 and Marilla in 1996. The series focused on the strength of its American heroines and the connecting links between secondary characters woven into all three novels, mirroring the way in which one person's actions unknowingly affect another's.
Cover art by David Hile Illlustration & Design
Cover design by Diane Bareis
In the summer of 1852, accident-prone and deeply curious Theodosia Rose Brown of Virginia is sent to her Aunt Selda's home in England to learn proper manners. At first, the stiff social strictures intimidate her. But when she gains her footing and comes to compare her beloved America to England, she decides there is nothing better in the world than being American. However, that doesn't stop her heart from falling in love with an Englishman.
Their budding romance is short-lived, however, when Theodosia's curiosity causes him to discover his true roots: he's an adopted child, a commoner, a "peasant." The knowledge devestates him, a reaction which mystifies the democratically-minded Theodosia. The young lovers proceed through a tangled web of an Aunt's dark schemes, a murderous friend, and a will that wreaks havoc on the family. Where Theodosia fails to make Austin realize his worth as a man, a case of amnesia is destined to suceed. As Austin slowly regains his memory, he's able to define himself on his own terms - and hers. All comes right, and the two venture to America.
Theodosia Brown is flawed in a lovingly identifiable way: she's cursed with youthful curiosity and an accute sense of justice. The combination brings her deep trouble in the stratisfied atmosphere of England's upper crust. Yet her American strength of will wins out over every adversity.
McMath based the book's concept on her 1987 summer study abroad program at Cambridge University provided through The College of William and Mary. There her eyes were opened to the sad state of women's rights (which at that time stood light years behind America's) and the crippling uselessness of the English hierarchy. But, like Theodosia, she became indelibly impressed by the boldness of a young Cambridge student who walked through her dormitory window to introduce himself. If he hadn't, this novel would never have been written.
Theodosia is currently out of print but available through used book stores.
Page 52
A "civilised" discussion between young Theodosia Brown and an arrogant young Englishman...
"I understand, but please don't romanticize America," said Theodosia. "We have streets and air as dirty as London's. I'm sure you have problems as difficult."
"Ah, but you have land for the asking."
"Land for the taking,"
"Hm. True. But that's half the fun, isn't it? I've often thought I'd do well there - fighting Indians and bears and such, creating a plantation off the land I took up with my bare hands."
With surprise, Theodosia saw that Allan half-believed himself. "You are a romantic, then."
"It can't be helped," he said, dashing a stray crumb from the lapel of his silk vest.
"Well, perhaps I will see you pass through Alexandria County, Virginia, someday, with a wagon of supplies behind you - a Kentucky rifle in one hand and the tether to your cow in the other."
"Do I note a touch of mockery in your voice, Miss Brown?"
Her eyes rolled heavenward. "I am trying to imagine you heading into the woods, Mr. Brooks, but for the life of me I cannot."
"And why ever not?"
"Well, my brother might have something to do with it. He is a trapper."
"Really? A real trapper, eh? And what, pray tell, does he trap?" he asked, fully amused at the turn in the conversation.
Her seat was suddenly uncomfortable; she adjusted herself before replying. "Mostly beaver."
"Mostly beaver?" He sat upright, held his top hat out before him and suddenly applied himself to the close examination of the shallow fur along its sides and brim. "Do you mean to tell me I might actually be holding before me the product of your brother's skill?"
She let the air from her lungs in a long, exasperated breath. "I suppose so."
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Page 200
He is a man and she, a woman: therein lies the trouble. Austin - brother of the arrogrant Englishman confronts Theodosia with the truth -or something very near to it...
"Master Austin Brooks, where shall I begin?" She smiled sweetly, as she looked him up and down. "Oh, I know. Let us begin with forthrightness... and honesty - those things your brother, Allan, continually refers to as American traits. Everything... every word... every statement I made to those children was accurate, correct, and--"
"I'm sure they were meant to be, but mightn't you have allowed the children to pretend just a bit?" He pulled a hand to one lapel and hung it there. "Good Heavens, Henry has been made to think... well..." He laughed at the preposterous thought. "He's telling me some ridiculousness about America being a free society. All one and equal and that sort of thing. Thinks he'll be treated like everyone else even though he'd be nothing more than a farmer there, and..."
"You know nothing of America. It is exactly as Henry said... as I said."
"This cannot be true," he replied harshly. "There is no society on the face of the earth which has successfully rid itself of a ruling class."
"A ruling class we may have, but one may become a member of that class with hard work and... no, or an education. We feel it our democratic right to learn parlor manners if we so choose, and our society is open to anyone who cares to learn them. The privilege is not accorded by blood."
"It is always blood."
"Not in America! And if you stand ready to accuse me of lying, I'll discuss this no further!"
Austin took a deep breath and lowered his head. "I meant no insult. We happened on a subject that means a great deal to me, that's all, and I've let... I'm sorry." His eyes settled on the far wall. "I shouldn't expect a young lady to see her homeland as anything but perfect and grand." He placed his hat back on his head and headed for the door.
"Insult me, apologize and leave? What do you expect me to make of you, Master Brooks?"
He paused at the door. "Make nothing of me, and I'm certain you'll be pleased with the result, Miss Brown."
"But you want Henry Taylor to go to University, and that's a good thing. Then, the way you speak of it, it's as if..." She shook her head. "But answer me this... is it your wish for Henry or your family's?"
His face turned toward hers ever so slightly. "You know my answer."
"I do not. I'm asking for an honest answer from you, and again you dodge the question."
"Dodge the question?" He cocked his head as he turned back to her. "I'm not the artful dodger in this room, Miss Brown."
"What do you mean by that?" She pulled her hand to her neck.
He drew his hat off and swept it into the air. "You speak of America - land of equality. Praise it to the Heavens! But where are you? Where are you, Miss Brown?" He pointed his hat toward her. "You've come over here to the island of social hierarchy to fit yourself out with a rich, titled husband. Has England become your land of opportunity? Is this the American way of taking one's self up in the world? Equality all right for some, but not for you? Is that it?"
"You go too far."
"Ha!" He shoved his hat back on his head and stood his ground. "Ha!" he said again, but he wasn't at all sure what he meant by it or quite how she'd take his meaning. He was flustered, irritated and confused by her, deeply in love with her, in fact, but hadn't a clue as to what to do about it.
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Page 262
On the hazards of Theodosia's all too curious nature...
"When I was Peaches' age, I used to follow my poor brother, Parker, all around our grounds. One day instead of telling me to go away, he said, "Oh, go catch a bee!" Well, I wondered what he could mean by it - weren't bumblees dangerous? But then I told myself my big brother knows everything there is to know about nature, so it must be all right. I went straightway to my favorite clover patch to find myself a bee. I watched the furry yellow backs of those warm-looking bumblebees for a minute and wondered why I'd never thought to catch one before now. And wasn't it excellent of my brother to recommend me to bees? Then I stooped down and caught one up in my hands, and... you'll easily guess the rest of the story."
Fiona laughed and shook her head. "Yer brother's a wicked man, to be sure. I hope yer father tanned his hide."
"Oh, father wanted to at first," Theodosia laughed. "He wanted to, but Parker talked his way out of it. Told him he thought I had better sense than to catch a bee." Theodosia choked back a laugh. "It was the beginning, I'm afraid, of my papa's believing I had no sense at all."
"And the beginning of your curiosity nigh on to killing ye..."
Theodosia furrowed her brow. "That is certainly another way to look at it."
Favorite Bibliographic Resources:
The Afternoon Tea Book, Michael Smith, Athaneum Press, 1987
The English, A Social History 1066-1945, Christopher Hibbert, W.W. Norton & Co., 1987
What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew, Daniel Pool, Simon & Schuster 1993
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