Beatrix Potter was born in 1866. She experienced a stultifying. genteel London childhood that caused her to withdraw into her own world. It was a world that would later be made magical by her artistic talent and love of nature. We, and generations before us, have been the fortunate beneficiaries.
Recently I picked up a 1960s biography of the author/illustrator, written by Margaret Lane.
It was first published in 1946 and revised after Miss Potter’s secret diaries were decoded. For the first time I became aware that Beatrix Potter’s literary career was very brief….only about ten years. What she came to desire most in life was not literary fame, but to live quietly at Hilltop, the farm near Sawrey in Cumbria that her little books paid for. She also longed to be happily married, and in later life she was, despite opposition due to the innate snobbishness of her parents. Beatrix Potter’s father was a barrister. albeit non-practicing. His daughter married a ‘lowly’ country solicitor from Sawry, becoming Mrs William Heelis in 1913, at the age of 47.
Henceforth Beatrix’s personal focus was on sheep farming, and on protecting the countryside from development, To this end she accumulated property with the National Trust in mind, and would eventually bequeath them 4,000 precious acres, including Hilltop Farm.
The two photo’s taken from the biography say much about Beatrix Potter. She was not the slightest bit interested in fashion and could almost be wearing the same costume at her quiet wedding as she had done six years earlier
Here is Mrs Heelis, the elderly shepherdess, dressed in her customary tweed skirts;
BACK TO THE BEGINNING…’BECOMING’ BEATRIX POTTER
The first, and most famous of the Beatrix Potter books began with a letter to a young friend in 1893. Five year old Noel Moore had been ill for months and Miss Potter tried to cheer him up;
‘I don’t know what to write to you, so I will tell you a story about four little rabbits‘;
And thus was born the tale of the willfully adventurous Peter…. and Mr McGregor;
I remember visiting Hilltop Farm with my husband Rob in the mid 1990s. Some of the author’s most well loved characters were inspired by this property.
Source – Pinterest.
One of the books set at Hilltop Farm was Jemima Puddle-Duck.
As the Lane biography notes regarding the final illustration; ‘If you turn around on the very spot where Jemima is standing, you look straight up the farmyard to the house’. There is also an insightful point about Beatrix Potter’s understanding of animals. Note is made of, ‘Jemima Puddle-duck [shown] without her ridiculous bonnet and shawl when she has achieved the dignity of motherhood.’
In the same manner, the fox is portrayed without his coat as he stands over Jemima’s first eggs, revealing his true instinct.
What an absolute delight our visit to Hilltop Farm was. No doubt it is much busier these days.
NOTE – Down in Sawrey village there was a cottage with a little hand-painted sign reading ‘AFTERNOON TEAS‘, When Rob and I ventured inside we were welcomed by an elderly lady who ushered us into her own quaint sitting room. We were the only customers. She served us tea in delicate cups, along with the only thing on offer; oat cakes. We didn’t mind a bit, it fact it was perfect.
CONFESSION TIME
I was so overcome with nostalgia by the time I finished the biography that I walked to our village bookstore and bought Jamima Puddle Duck and Jeremy Fisher.
The most Potteresque spot in my garden;
TO WATCH A NATIONAL TRUST VIDEO ON HILLTOP FARM. CLICK HERE.
