ABSTRACT
A casual acquaintance with the shelves of any major library reveals a set of perennial themes within social scientific enquiry. One such theme is that of the 'rise of capitalism', the 'origins of capitalism', the 'theory of modernity', the 'end of feudalism' or 'the origins of modern life'; the variation in language used betokening difference in approach and theoretical stance rather than variance in the substantive issues being tackled. Feminists have been quick to point out that the structure of capitalism is structurally and functionally dependent also on changes in family form and gender roles. Earlier eighteenth century was one of 'hall-and-parlour' houses, a type related to English antecedents and contemporaries and discussed in terms of traditional, open patterns of family and community.
