Published in 1858, 'Ask Mamma; Or, The Richest Commoner in England' by Robert Smith Surtees is a Victorian novel that humorously explores social class and ambition through the life of Billy Pringle. Born into a humble trading family, Billy aspires to be a gentleman, navigating the complexities of country society and romance, particularly with the seamstress Miss Emma Willing. The narrative is rich with satire and colorful characters, offering a vivid portrayal of 19th-century English social life, particularly in the context of fox hunting and the aspirations of the newly affluent.
