What were the ‘circulating libraries’ of Austen’s day and what was their role in society? “I have received a very civil note from Mrs. Martin, requesting my name as a Subscriber to her Library which opens January 14, & my name, or rather Yours, is accordingly given. My mother finds the Money. . . . As an inducement to subscribe, Mrs. Martin tells me that her Collection is not to consist only of Novels, but of every kind of literature, &c. … Continue reading →
“British Newspaper History”. Accessed September 6, 2018 https://www.999inks.co.uk/british-newspaper-history.html Book Shops” Georgian Index. 2003 Accessed August 29, 2018. http://www.georgianindex.net/books/Hatchard.html Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: Tor, 1988. Austen, Jane, Terry Castle, and John Davie. Northanger Abbey ; Lady Susan ; The Watsons ; Sanditon. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1990. Austen, Jane, Marilyn Butler, and James Kinsley. Mansfield Park. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1990. Austen, Jane, Claude Julien. Rawson, and John Davie. Persuasion. Oxford: Oxford University … Continue reading →
A Lady of Distinction – Regency Etiquette, the Mirror of Graces (1811). R.L. Shep Publications (1997) A Master-Key to the Rich Ladies Treasury or The Widower and Batchelor’s Directory by a Younger Brother, published in 1742. Allen, Louise. Banns or Licence? Ways To Marry in Georgian England May 7, 2014 https://janeaustenslondon.com/2014/05/07/banns-or-licence-ways-to-marry-in-georgian-england/http://www.regencyresearcher.com/pages/marriage.html Accessed 7/24/2016 Austen -Leigh, Mary Augusta. Personal Aspects Of Jane Austen. London John Murray, Albemarle Street. 1920. Austen, Jane (1813) Pride and Prejudice Banche, LInda. Eloping in Regency England … Continue reading →
I was delighted to be invited to offer Random Bits of Fascination part of my talk on Travel in Jane Austen’s time. My research came about through my own curiosity of the modes of transport Jane Austen gave her characters in the novels. Transport in Jane Austen’s time mostly revolved around one’s own two legs or the four legs of a horse or donkey. Sedan chairs were still in use but were much less popular although … Continue reading →
Out, out damned spot! Ashes, tallow and turpentine to the rescue for all your cleaning needs! Keeping clothes clean has always been a challenge. Today, we can simply go to the store and buy a specialized product according stain that needs cleaning, but this wasn’t the case in Jane Austen’s day. In centuries past, the mistress of the house needed to be well versed on what home preparations could be used to keep her household … Continue reading →