017 - Lecture 16 Baby is to be christened Mrs Caudle canvasses the merits of probable godfathers

Douglas William Jerrold (1803-1857) was the son of an actor manager who carved out a unique space for himself as a playwright and journalist, notably a contemporary and friend of Charles Dickens. His renowned work, Mrs. Caudles Curtain Lectures, originally serialized in Punch magazine, offers a humorous glimpse into Victorian life. The narrative revolves around Job Caudle, a shopkeeper whose wife finds her voice only in the confines of their bedroom, delivering her lectures without interruption. Following her death, Caudle struggles with insomnia, haunted by these memories, and takes it upon himself to document her lectures, hoping to preserve her wisdom for others. Jerrolds wit and insight illuminate the quirks of Victorian middle-class culture, making this work both entertaining and thought-provoking. (Summary by Martin Clifton)