All Time Top Ten Random Bits
So, I thought it would be interesting to start the year off with a bit of a retrospective. Which posts here have been the most popular of all time?
May I offer for your reading pleasure…
All Time Top Ten Random Bits of Fascination
Gentlemen in the Regency Era
Rectors and Vicars and Curates…Oh My!
Gentlemen, Gentry and Regency Era Social Class
Know your phaeton from your curricle
Defining beauty in the Regency era
To be an Accomplished Lady
Courtship and Marriage in Jane Austen’s World
Vicars, Curates and Church Livings
A Touch of Quill and Ink: Regency Letter Writing
‘Coming Out’ in Jane Austen’s World
What do you think? Do you have a favorite not listed among these? Let me know in the comments.
This was a fascinating post.
1. Was Mr. Musgrove considered a Squire?
2. Rector-Vicar-Curate: Rector and Vicar have always confused me. Curate, I understood. In Persuasion, Henrietta’s cousin Charles Hayter was a clergyman and they were concerned about his becoming someone’s curate.
3. Landowners: I don’t think I realized the right to vote did not extend to tradesmen. Poor Uncle Gardiner having to depend on the whims of landowners and their concerns and an indifferent Parliament in making decisions that would have an impact on his trade, by deciding on taxes and tariffs on imports and exports.
4. “Falling asleep” I never knew the origins of that phrase. That was hilarious… unless you were the one on top who fell asleep. John Thorpe and his gig always reminded me of some young man talking up his car. He was so trying to impress Miss Morland and she could care less about his gig. Half of what he was talking about she didn’t even understand. I don’t think they even had a conveyance.
5. Defining beauty… LA! Thank goodness that pendulum is swinging in the other direction. Some of those pictures looked horrid.
6. An Accomplished Lady: Caroline Bingley… say no more. LOL!!
7. Courtship & Marriage: I have often thought of Mrs. Price [Fanny’s mother] and her misalliance. Her sister, Mrs. Norris, married a clergyman who was considered a gentleman. Lady Bertram… well, that was certainly a good match. Lady Anne Fitzwilliam married a non-peer, however, Mr. Darcy was wealthy and perhaps had connections. Lady Catherine married Sir Louis who was a knight. She wasn’t elevated and was able to keep her own title as the daughter of an Earl.
8. Vicars, Curates & church livings: This was especially interesting due to Wickham’s claims he wanted the living. Really? Ask him to name one step in the process of taking orders that he accomplished. Yeah, I thought so. I love it when I read where someone nails him with those very questions. I think it is hilarious. Colonel Brandon offered Edward the living in his gift but cautioned that it was a poor one.
9. Quill & ink: I cannot imagine making my own ink, using a quill and trimming it myself. However, I do have several nib pins and I love sealing wax and a fancy stamp.
10. Coming out: I think someone forgot to tell Mrs. Bennet the rules. Mr. Bennet just couldn’t sir himself to care. Poor Kitty didn’t even get to enjoy her come out as Lydia joined her and Bennet got bang for his buck with a two-for-one ‘Come Out’ assembly/party.
This was a lot of research and I certainly enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your research with us. I know I will learn something new when I read your posts.