Hortense, Maria Manning, and Dickens' Women in Black
The Progress of Crime, or, The Authentic Memoirs of Maria Manning by Robert Huish (1777-1850) The figure of the Woman in Black is one of the most famous recognisable figures in the Dark Victorian landscape . Forty years ago the novel of this name, written by Susan Hill appeared in print. There was a 1989 television play with a script by Nigel Kneale, a very successful stage play, then of course the film version starring Daniel Radcliffe in 2012. The latter with its famous 18 minute sequence without music or dialogue, featuring the young solicitor facing various sounds as he wanders around a haunted house. One quite neglected Dickens short story is 'The Black Veil' from 1836. A young doctor await his first patient in the early 1800's. A lady in a black shawl and black veil appears who seems to be in a fever. She tells about him about a man who is about to die, and will pass into her care tomorrow. The young doctor seeks her out in the following morning as r...