by Ted Bader
In the early nineteenth century, service was usually á la francaise meaning that the dishes were left on the table for the guests to serve themselves. The gentlemen present would do the carving. After dessert was served, the ladies would usually withdraw for a half hour or so before the men would rejoin them.
The so-called “season” of society in London did not usually begin until after Christmas when preparations for parliament were made. It was not, however, until after Easter, that the height of society was reached with a three-month whirlwind of parties, balls and sporting events.6 With the adjournment of parliament in August, the season ended with the retreat of everyone to their estates until after Christmas.
St. James’ Palace was the centerpoint of high society in the early nineteenth century.
Second sons of gentlemen did not inherit any part of the estate of their father--a practice which may seem strange to the modern reader. The law of primogeniture stated that the first son would inherit the entire estate and other sons or daughters would not inherit any part of the land or house. This law came from an effort to keep the large manor tracts intact rather than constantly subdividing them every generation. The intact English manor was an economic unit, vital to the survival of early nineteenth century society.7
Social rank was determined most by ancient family name and land holdings--both of which the Darcys possessed. Rank was then determined by title and wealth. Dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts and barons, in order, were on top together and were known as the “peerage”. They helped to comprise the House of Lords. Below the peerage, came baronets and knights. A marquis, earl or viscount was addressed as “lord”. A baronet or knight was addressed as “sir”. A duke was addressed as “your Grace”. However, these formalities were often bypassed.
Earls were abundantly present in Regency Derbyshire as noted by Roy Christian.8
C. S. Lewis tells us that throughout the nineteenth century, the concept and meaning of the word “gentleman” was vigorously debated.9
Northern England at the beginning of the nineteenth century was heavily influenced by Methodism and the Methodist societies created by the evangelist, John Wesley. John Wesley sought to reform the church of England, rather than start a new church; but, as the nineteenth century progressed, many of his followers left the Church of England to form the Methodist Church. As Methodism tried to inject more feeling into the often quiet Anglican church, they were often accused by their opponents of being melancholic.10
John Wesley, who lived from 1703 to 1791, has been called by many the “most influential man of the eighteenth century” in England. His 500 sermons a year (mostly to large crowds at open air meetings) and 8,000 miles per year of horseback riding, for more than thirty years, gave him an influence not matched by anyone else in the century.11
Montesquieu, an aristocrat visiting England in 1731, said, “There is no religion in England.” He moved mostly among lords and ladies of the peerage. He further added, “If religion is spoken of, every body laughs. . . .”12 John Wesley was soon to change that. He played a major role as one of the leaders of an evangelical revival that swept much of the Protestant world of his day. He was also concerned with such issues as education, prison conditions, and poverty. He played an important role in the development of early social reforms in an increasingly industrialized society.13 Because of his concern with social justice, many historians credit John Wesley’s revivals as being responsible for preventing the gruesome French revolution from repeating itself in England.14,15
For more information on the influence of Methodism and the effects that the French revolution had on reforming the English aristocracy, the reader is referred to Halevy’s A History of the English People in 1815.14
John Wesley visited Staley Hall in May 1747. Otherwise, all events and characters portrayed with Staley Hall are fictitious.
What did Jane Austen think about the evangelical movement? (as all similar efforts were lumped together). It is difficult to be certain. In 1809 she wrote, “I do not like the evangelicals.” However, five years later, a more mature Jane Austen wrote, “I am by no means convinced we ought not all to be Evangelicals, and I am at least persuaded that they who are from Reason and Feeling, must be happiest and safest.”
The term evangelical, of course, can have several meanings and scholars have struggled with understanding her position on this topic. Nonetheless, the personal piety of Jane Austen as revealed in her written prayers, letters and epitaph reveal a woman who took Christianity very seriously. Jane Austen mentioned Methodism in Mansfield Park. Any attempt to write in a Jane Austen style without taking religion into account is to be a hollow imitator.
The authors consider the best discussion of religion in Jane Austen’s life found in George Holbert Tucker’s recent biography.4
Georgiana is characterized by Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice many times as “shy”.
“Since her [Elizabeth] being at Lambton, she had heard that Miss Darcy was exceedingly proud; but the observation of a very few minutes convinced her, that she was only exceedingly shy. She found it difficult to obtain even a word from her beyond a monosyllable. . . .
Georgiana’s reception of them was very civil; but attended with all that embarrassment which, though proceeding from shyness and the fear of wrong, would easily give to those who felt themselves inferior, the belief of being proud and reserved. . .
“Miss Darcy looked as if she wished for courage enough to join [the discussion]; and sometimes did venture a short sentence, when there was least danger of it being heard.”
We, in contrast to others, have emphasized Jane Austen’s own descriptions of Georgiana in this work and “shyness” is the major feature of her character.
Chapter Five
Our characterization of Kitty matches Jane Austen’s: “in this danger Kitty is also comprehended. She will follow wherever Lydia leads. Vain, ignorant, idle, and absolutely uncontrolled!”
Kitty’s habit of coughing is mentioned twice in Pride and Prejudice along with her running from the house when visiting clergymen arrive.
Chapter Six
All medical concepts in this novel have been verified in referral to the 1,020 pages of The London Medical Dictionary by Bartholomew Parr, M.D. 1819.16 (Courtesy of the museum of the Denver Medical Library).
“Flooding” was the term used for bleeding during pregnancy; regency physicians clearly understood its dire consequences if it did not cease.
The author, TFB, delivered seventy-five babies (including twins) during his internship and is well acquainted with birthing.
Morphine was often administered during obstetrical difficulties then and continues to be used today.
Medical science could hardly be labeled a “science” in the early 19th century, since very little empiricism existed. Dr. Parr’s book is merely a compilation of what other physicians previously said. However, the medical author is impressed with the acute and detailed observations of disease contained in 19th century medical writing.
The psychology of Mr. Darcy’s response is unchanged for patients today when untreatable illnesses are encountered. Disease is no respecter of social rank.
The seasonal flora included in the text has been verified by consulting standard botanical texts of Great Britain (not referenced).
Chapter Seven
It is not unusual for the diagnosis of pregnancy to be delayed until the fourth or fifth month. On the other hand, some unfortunate women have symptoms of pregnancy from the very beginning.
Chapter Eight
Jane Austen was fond of telling her family what happened to her characters after her novels ended. She told them that Kitty would marry the clergyman of Pemberley.17 We have created this ending for the reader. Jane Austen’s predicted outcome for Mary is portrayed in chapter 34.
Chapter Nine
The move
of the Bingleys near Pemberley is foretold in Pride and Prejudice:
“Mr. Bingley and Jane remained at Netherfield only a twelvemonth. So near a vicinity to her mother and Meryton relations was not desirable even to his easy temper, or her affectionate heart. The darling wish of his sisters was then gratified; he bought an estate in a neighboring county to Derbyshire, and Jane and Elizabeth, in addition to every other source of happiness, were within thirty miles of each other.”
Chapter Ten
Employment of a tutor was a common method of teaching children among aristocratic families in the 18th and 19th centuries. The tutor (male by definition) or governess (female by definition) were often gentry who had no wealth. Their position in the hierarchy of the hosuehold placed them above the servants but less than the family. As such, the tutor or governess were often resented by the servants.10
George MacDonald, another 19th century author, often used tutors as characters in his novels.
Chapter Eleven
While national medals were not issued for bravery following the Waterloo victory, regiments often awarded their own medals for outstanding action.18
After Napoleon’s historic defeat at Waterloo, the French forces retreated to surround the city of Paris. Intense peace negotiations took place over several weeks as the French wished to avoid what would have been a devastating destruction of their remaining army and capitol.
Napoleon finally capitulated and was exiled to a distant isle. A peaceful surrender ensued and the battle for Paris avoided.19
Supper hour was often at 5 o’clock (cf General Tierney - Northanger Abbey). The most common misconception about the Regency period is that readers assume a late afternoon tea and then dinner at 8 o’clock. The 4 p.m. “high tea” did not become fashionable until the 1840’s.10
Chapter Twelve
As Sharon Laudermilk phrases it, “Spinsterhood was considered an unnatural state, and a woman on the shelf was ridiculed.”20
The age of twenty-seven had great significance to Jane Austen. Charlotte Lucas, in Pride and Prejudice, is twenty-seven and fears being an old maid. In Persuasion, Anne is nearly twenty-seven and is in despair of marring. In her own life, Jane Austen turned down her last suitor, for unknown reasons, at age twenty-seven.
Chapter Fourteen
Dr. Linda Washington, of the National Army Museum in London, was kind enough to confirm many of the points about the British Army during the Waterloo time period. In regards to horses, she writes:
“Most officers bought and retained their own horses, but the regiment also purchased remounts on the open market, mainly at horse fairs. Stallions, mares and geldings were used as cavalry mounts.”
Chapter Fifteen
The story about the woman enslaved to her firsthusband and liberated by her second husband appears to be a very old story, recounted most recently in Harold J. Brokke’s, Saved by His Life: An Expostion of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans by Bethany House Publishers, Minneapolis, MN C1964. Permission is granted.
Chapter Sixteen
The poem Thomas Staley writes about Georgiana, in the style of Cowper, was contributed by a published poet, Joe Johnston, or Denver Medical Books.
Chapter Eighteen
“Londonize” (i.e., to dress in the fashion of London) was apparently first coined by Fanny Burney in Evelina (1779).21
Chapter Nineteen
The description of St. James’ court is taken from The Regency Companion.21 According to Debrett’s Correct Form22, when the phrase “the Duke” is used, the title is capitalized. While in an official sense, a duke should not be addressed as “Lord”, it was unofficially permitted.
The anecdote of flirting the fan was reported in the October 5, 1823 issue of Lancet (a London medical journal).
Chapter Twenty-One
Hyde Park was clearly the display ground of riding and carriages in nineteenth century London.
Frank Huggett notes:
“Masters who might relapse into gloomy and prolonged silence when any general topic was being discussed over port or claret, or when their wives were pestering them with some fine detail of household business, could become loud-mouthed martinets in their own mews and stables.”23
Dr. James Parkinson wrote the first treatise on a common neurologic affliction and thus has his name attached to it. He had an active practice in Shoreditch at this time and was well known.24 “Concussion” was a bonafide medical diagnosis at the time.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Sexual intrigue between the family and servants, while not common, was also not rare. The accusation against Thomas would have been quite plausible. One author notes:
“[Gentlemen] sons presented just as big a threat to servant girls, especially those who were so keen to marry above their station that they could convince themselves that the wedding banns had actually been put up in some conveniently removed parish. . . many household sons found far more cooperation than they might have expected in their first fumbling experiment with the household maids.”25
Whether voluntarily or involuntarily involved, such servants, when discovered, would be dismissed. The Darcys are more compassionate since they wish to keep it quiet and because they are uncertain of the allegation.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The regency period in England, considered to be from about 1800 to 1830, is so named because King George III was incapacitated and his son, known as the Prince Regent, functioned as the head of state during his father’s illness. The Prince Regent ultimately was crowned as King George IV.
The regency period is considered distinct from the Victorian period which followed. Queen Victoria was crowned in 1834 and reigned until her death in 1901. The regency era was a time of transition from the looser morals of the 18th century to the stricter ones of the Victorian Era.26
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Blockhead” was an old English word [1549] used by Jane Austen. Today it means precisely what it meant in 1815.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Mary’s marriage to a clerk working under her Uncle Phillips was an unwritten outcome of Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen told her family about.17
The caretaker of a parish, if the rector chose not to be present, was known as a curate. Curates were often paid very poorly because they were not entitled to the mandatory tithes received by the parish for the rector or vicar.14
Epilogue
Jane Austen always has an unofficial epilogue at the end of her books. It is one reason why writing a sequel is such a temptation to those who read her books!
References
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3.(A guide to) Chatsworth: House of the Duke and Duchess of
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5.Cuddy, Beverly. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. TFH Publica-
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England. Simon and Schuster, New York: 1993.
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9.Lewis, CS. Studies in Words. University Press,Cambridge, 1960.
10.Marshall,
Dorothy. English People in the Eighteenth Century.
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12.Durant, Will and Ariel. The Age of Voltaire. Simon and Schuster, New York, 1965.
13.Heitzenrater, RP. The Elusive Mr. Wesley: John Wesley His Own Biographer. Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1984.
14.Halevy, Elie. A History of the English People in 1815. Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd., London: 1987.
15.Brown, Julia Prewitt. A Reader’s Guide to the Nineteenth-Century English Novel. Macmillian, New York: 1985.
16.Parr, Bartholomew. The London Medical Dictionary; including every branch of medicine, viz., anatomy, physiology, and pathology, the practice of physic and surgery, therapeutics, and materia medica; with whatever relates to medicine in natural philosophy, chemistry and natural history. Mitchell, Ames and White, Philadelphia: 1819.
17.Laski, Margharita. Jane Austen and her world. Charles
Scribners, New York: 1975.
18.Johnson, Stanley C. The Medal Collector: a guide to novel, military, air-force and civil medals and ribbons. Dodd, Mead and Co., New York: 1921.
19.Schom, Alan. One Hundred Days: Napoleon’s Road to
Waterloo. Atheneum, New York: 1992.
20.Laudermilk, Sharon. Hamlin, Teresa.The Regency Companion. Garland, London: 1989.
21.Bloom, Edward A. Explanatory notes to Evelina. Oxford
University Press reprint of the 1779 classic by Fanny Burney. London: 1992.
