"For this brief moment, the two sisters could be 'together in heart
and affection', and through such letters bridge the distance of
empire." We often learn about the commerce, diplomacy, and military
campaigns of the British empire without reference to the intimate
side of life in these times-the development of self, the position
of women, and the importance of family. In this book, the story of
empire, so often told from a man's perspective, is given a unique
vantage point through Eliza Hillier's letters to her younger
sister, Martha. Written largely from Hong Kong, Shanghai, England,
and Siam, the letters allow us to become a member of her family and
follow the daily tribulations associated with the life of a young
British woman in the port cities of Asia. We are thus able to share
Eliza's experiences as she leaves home to embark on married life,
starts and raises a family, grieves at the abrupt and tragic loss
of her husband, Charles Batten Hillier, and then sets about
re-building her life. At once a reflection on the daily components
of empire, an entertaining narrative of familial relationships, and
the story of one woman's inner feelings, My Dearest Martha guides
us through the vagaries of life for a family who were very much a
part of imperial careering and missionary circles in East and
Southeast Asia. The letters are complemented by images and
commentary from the author, a descendant of Eliza, providing
context and depth, which together give us a fuller picture of
British colonial life in the mid-1800s from a perspective that will
resonate with readers around the world.
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