Henrietta is an 18th-century novel by Scottish author Charlotte Lennox. The first edition was published in 1758, and the second edition, revised by Lennox was published in 1761.
It was adapted by Lennox into a 1769 play The Sister, performed at Covent Garden Theatre.
Overview Charlotte Lennox's novel Henrietta depicts the difficulties and dangers faced by young, unprotected women in the eighteenth century. Throughout the story, Lennox uses Henrietta, the protagonist, to describe problems women faced having to do with men, money and social value in the 18th century. Henrietta struggles to figure out her role in society, and, through a series of events, she finds herself overwhelmed with what society has to offer her. Lennox creates tension and elements of suspense throughout the story.
The novel fundamentally uses an idea of romance and relationships, along with independence, to build characters and the plot. In the beginning, Lennox tells us Henrietta leaves the comfort of her aunts because they want her to have an arranged marriage and she wants to marry for love. Her pitfalls and successes give Henrietta likability and show how her character is relatable to others. Henrietta is the heroine and the reader wants her to succeed and find true love.
Henrietta can be categorized under the German genre known as Bildungsroman. The book focuses on its heroine's steadfast moral beliefs, while also showing her growth as she develops a new sense of self through her many experiences. Henrietta is also known as a comedy of manners because the satirical depiction of other characters throughout the novel teach Henrietta eighteenth-century social norms.
Author Charlotte Ramsay Lennox was born in 1729 in Gibraltar. She initially set out to become an actress, but began to write literature after that proved unsuccessful. In 1747 she married Alexander Lennox, an employee of the printer William Strahan, but their marriage ended within about ten years. Charlotte and Alexander had two children, a boy born in 1771 and a girl born in 1765.
Lennox published a poem in 1747, called "Several Occasions". She is also known for composing the first comparative critical study of William Shakespeare's source material, Shakespear Illustrated between 1753 and 1754. Some other popular novels Lennox wrote are The Life of Harriot Stuart (1751), and The Female Quixote (1752).
Charlotte Lennox - "As my readers depend on it, I will always be as witty as I can, as humorous as I can, as moral as I can, and upon the whole entertaining as I can." - The Lady's Museum
Lennox is also known for a controversial poem that was published in Gentlemen's Magazine, titled "The Art of Coquetry", in which she directed young to "Employ feminine wiles in order to subdue men to their 'empire'", promising that such women will "control the world by love."
Plot summary VOLUME I
Pretty and genteelly dressed, the main character, Henrietta Courteney, acquires a seat in the already full stage-coach to London. Henrietta keeps to herself at first but towards the end of the ride comes in contact with Miss Woodby. In tradition of romance heroines, Ms. Woodby gives Henrietta and herself nicknames, Celia and Celinda, and declared a “violent friendship” (Lennox, 9). Arriving at Ms. Woodby's stop, Henrietta asks for help to find an appropriate lodging, so that her friend gives Henrietta a letter of recommendation for Mrs. Egret, a milliner friend. Unfortunately, Henrietta does not have the address and thus misguides to another milliner's house of Mrs. Eccles. Mrs. Eccles takes Henrietta in once realizing that she seems lost. Henrietta sends Ms. Woodby a letter because she realizes she does not want to spend any more time at this place. During the time that Henrietta is in Mrs. Eccles's home, a gentleman becomes interested in Henrietta and Mrs. Eccles seems to encourage the potential relationship. Henrietta is pleased but doesn’t look into it much. Miss Woodby comes over for tea. Then, they begin to talk about the misfortune of ending up at Mrs. Eccles’ home and Henrietta starts to tell her backstory: about her deceased unmarried parents, her brother being away for school, and her life at her aunt's.
Henrietta leaves Mrs. Eccles’ house, and finds accommodation at Lady Manning's. Henrietta trusts her, but Lady Manning is only housing Henrietta to set her up with Mr. Jones. We then begin reading about Henrietta being flirted with once again. With this we learn the man's name is Mr. Damer, who is a known merchant in the city, but also a liar. We learn he is a liar when he introduces Henrietta under the false name of Benson, rather than her real name of Courtney. This man gives Henrietta money and tries to persuade her into a relationship with him, which she is not fond of. Mrs. Damer finds out and she questions her husband who blames Henrietta. As a result, Henrietta receives the name of an adulteress, which shames her and leaves her without money. Also, she receives a letter from her aunt telling her that she is ashamed of Henrietta and thus can no longer consider Henrietta a niece, and that she can no longer live with her. Henrietta then approaches Mrs. Willis for advice about her letter back to Lady Meadows. Along with this, she asks Mrs. Willis for help to find her a job as well as new place to stay. Thus, Henrietta works and lives with Mrs. Cordwain. However, this is short lived as Mr. Cordwain believes that she had stolen his daughter's diamond bracelet.
VOLUME II
As a result of her conflicts with Woodby and young Mr. Damer, Henrietta feels betrayed and angry towards those who have tried to take advantage of her. Henrietta tries to return to her aunt, Lady Meadows, however she sends Henrietta a letter stating that her fortune will not be restored to her unless she goes to a convent or marries a Catholic. Henrietta then writes a letter back to her aunt, stating that only time will reveal the truth about what had happened. She then goes to Mrs. Willis for guidance and to help her find a job in service. Mrs. Willis helps her become employed by Miss Cordwain, a young lady who is spoiled and struggling to find a suitable husband. She was intended to marry a noble man but her father was short on her dowry and thus the engagement was broken off and she is still searching for a husband.
After Henrietta is employed, she accompanies Miss Cordwain to the home of Lord B—. Lord B— and Henrietta have met previously at Mrs. Eccles. He immediately takes an interest in Henrietta, trying to talk to her and expressing his feelings. Henrietta knowing that any interaction with Lord B— would be inappropriate as she is a servant, and the fact that Lord B— is a possible suitor for Miss Cordwain. He questions why a well-born girl such as Henrietta is now a servant girl. Miss Cordwain sees them talking and she becomes jealous. Miss Cordwain hides one of her diamond bracelets in order to place the blame on Henrietta. Henrietta then becomes friends with Lord B—’s mother the countess. She confides in the countess and tells her that the immediately terminated her employment knowing that Lord B— is a suitor for Miss Cordwain. She then leaves the employment of Miss Cordwain and leaves for London. Lord B— is conflicted with his feelings for Henrietta as he confesses that he is in love with her but she lacks the fortune that Miss Cordwain can offer.
After leaving the employment of Miss Cordwain, she returns to Miss Willis looking for another place of employment. She then goes to the Countess's sister Lady D--, who recommends Henrietta to work for a woman named to Mrs. Autumn. Mrs. Autumn is a woman in her 40s and 50s who is very immature for her age. It is soon discovered Mrs. Autumn has a lover named Languish, who she uses in hopes to make her husband, Mr. Autumn, Jealous. However the existence of Languish is neither confirmed or denied. Mrs. Autumn wants to employ young girl like Henrietta to entertain her girlish fantasies. However, Henrietta finds that she cannot flatter Mrs. Autumn's schemes as she finds her actions ridiculous and childish. Mrs. Autumn asks Henrietta to copy a letter to Languish to test his loyalty, since the letter will be written in another woman's hand. However, Henrietta refuses this task due to the fact that Mrs. Autumn is married and does not want to be a part of her adulterous schemes. Due to this, she leaves the employment of Mrs. Autumn.
After leaving the employment of Mrs. Autumn, Henrietta then returns to Mrs. Willis. She is also visited by Lord B—, who again professes his love for her. Lord B--’s father the Earl also comes to Henrietta to discusses her potential of marrying Lord B— given that she has a fortune. In order to marry his son, he wants Henrietta to pretend she is Catholic, so she can become Lady Meadows heir again. As a result, Lord B— will marry her and she will have her fortune and his title. He suggests that she remain Protestant at heart but in public proclaim she is Catholic. She refuses his offer, as she will not compromise her religion for a man she will never love. Lord B— suggests to her that she only pretend until she receive her fortune. Lord B-- being a man concerned about appearance, wants Henrietta to appear as a martyr.
She then meets a woman named Miss Belmore, who is the daughter of Lady D—. She then becomes Miss Belmore's servant. It is discovered that Miss Belmore is having an affair with a man named Mr. Morely. Mr. Morely is a married man, however Miss Belmore is convinced that he is in a loveless marriage, so she is his lover. Henrietta does not approve of her choices, but she is paid to be her companion and advisor. Belmore wants to set up a meeting with Morely and announces her intentions to leave for Paris. Belmore wants to write to him, but Henrietta suggest she first leaves for Paris and write Morely then.
On their way to Paris, we are introduced to two new characters, Freeman and Marquis Melvil. Melvil is the son of a Duke and Freeman is his companion. The pair is returning to London from Paris until Melvil sees Henrietta and immediately falls for her. Melvil then convinces Freeman to divert their journey, so they can escort Belmore and Henrietta to Paris. Freeman reluctantly agrees but seeing Melvil's interest in Henrietta, allows for the extension to their journey.
Knowing that Henrietta and Miss Belmore are traveling with no chaperone, that Miss Belmore is a woman of loose morals, therefore Freeman sees the potential of Henrietta becoming a mistress to his master. Freeman then goes to Henrietta to suggest that she becomes a mistress to Melvil. Freeman suggest this type of relationship since Melvil has feelings for her and he cannot marry her due to status.
However, as Freeman is about to speak to Henrietta, Henrietta receives a letter from Mr. Damer. Although Henrietta has been going by the alias of Miss Benson the letter is addressed to Miss Courtney. In this moment, we discover that Freeman is Charles Courtney, Henrietta's brother. He is then happily reunited with his sister, and immediately asks Henrietta to leave the employment of Miss Belmore. Freeman also asks for Henrietta to stay at a convent until he makes arrangement for them to return home. Henrietta agrees to this, and is taken to a convent while Freeman returns to Melvil. Freeman reveals to Melvil that Henrietta is sister. Melvil is overjoyed in knowing that his friend is the brother of the woman he loves. However, Freeman does not give Melvil his blessing to marry Henrietta until Melvil has the Duke's blessing. Freeman's concern is that the Duke will not approve of the match as Henrietta is of a lower status than Mevil. Freeman does not want Melvil to be disinherited by the Duke therefore repeating the mistakes and struggles of their parents. To resolve this issue, they return to Lady Meadows. Henrietta acquires a 10,000 pound dowry.