Story: Manners and social behaviour

The class basis of 19th-century manners is well illustrated in this cartoon from an 1879 issue of New Zealand Punch. Clara and Amelia, pausing for a rest while out for a walk in the New Zealand countryside, debate whether they should talk to Miss Smith, who is approaching. They decide against it because she is wearing a plain 'stuff' (woollen) dress and therefore cannot be a 'lady'.