The Mysteries of Montreal
Memoirs of a Midwife by Charlotte Fuhrer
Description
Originally published in 1881, The Mysteries of Montreal is
fully reprinted with an introduction by Peter Ward. Ward illuminates
the life of Fuhrer and of midwives in Victorian Canada. He traces the
role of the midwife through the ages and, placing Mrs. Fuhrer in the
context of her times, discusses birth practices in a Canadian setting.
As well, he examines the memoirs as a form of Canadian literature,
assessing their reflections on 19th century society. As a result the
book operates on more than one level. It is not only a midwife's
recollections, but also an assemblage of gossip, moral tales, stories
of courtship and birth practices, and even mild pornography.