The Annotated Pride and Prejudice

by Austen, Jane

  6. What makes Mrs. Bennet unreasonable is that an entail was a standard legal device of the time, and there is nothing Mr. Bennet can do about it. The entail gives him only a life interest in the estate; he can enjoy its income as long as he is alive, but he can make little if any change in the character of the estate, and he cannot alter the rules for determining the next heir. A father's inability, to his regret, to make such changes forms the starting point for the plot of Jane Austen's previous novel, Sense and Sensibility.

  7. Kent is the county at the southeastern corner of England; Westerham is a town in northwest Kent; Hunsford is fictitious. See map, p. 745.

  8. ordination: as a clergyman.

  9. Sir Lewis was either a knight or a baronet (a baronet, unlike a knight, would pass on his title to a descendant). A passage later in the book suggests that he was a knight (see p. 647, note 35). His widow, however, does not derive her title from him; if so, she would be Lady De Bourgh. To include her first name in her title a woman had to be the daughter of a duke, marquess, or earl, the three highest ranks of the Peerage or nobility (it later turns out to be an earl). Since the number of such nobles was small, with only around 125 at this rank in England at the time, Lady Catherine has a very high pedigree, something in which Mr. Collins takes great pride. This pride can be seen in his calling her “the Right Honourable,” for this designation was obligatory only for the earl himself or his wife, and was usually omitted for an earl's daughter, though it could be used for her. Jane Austen herself was attentive to these matters: in commenting on a draft of a novel written by her niece, she criticizes the latter for using “the Honourable” in a place it would not normally be used (Aug. 10, 1814).

  10. prefened: advanced, promoted.

  11. The rectory is the position as rector, or clergyman. The right to appoint someone to a clerical position, known as an advowson, was possessed by a person or institution, and could be bought and sold like other forms of property. About half of all advowsons were in the hands of wealthy landowners like Lady Catherine; other holders included individual clergymen, Church Bishops, the Crown, and the Universities.

  Part of the reason for Mr. Collins's extreme gratitude and deference toward Lady Catherine is his good luck in receiving this appointment—on a mere chance recommendation, without the strong personal connections or financial transactions usually necessay—and in getting it so soon after his ordination (see p. 130, and p. 131, notes 9 and 10). Such appointments, thanks to an oversupply of clergy at the time, were hard to obtain: only 20% of clergy obtained one within five years of ordination, while almost half never got one and had to work all their lives as underpaid assistants to those with positions.

  12. waiting on: calling upon.

  13. se'night: seven nights, i.e., one week. This term was a common one of the time, but, unlike its companion term of fortnight for two weeks, it has not survived. In his plans, Mr. Collins is proposing to stay a total of twelve days, including one Sunday.

  14. duty of the day: the Sunday service. It was not unusual for clergy to get substitutes to perform the service. In fact, clerical absenteeism was so prevalent in this period that many clergy would not have perceived any need to explain or justify their ability to be absent.

  15. This letter introduces Mr. Collins, one of the most amusing of Jane Austen's comic creations. The formal and long-winded phrasing of the letter, along with its obsequious substance, give a good hint of his character. Mr. Collins also belongs to a profession, clergyman, that figures in all of Jane Austen's novels. Clergy were a basic part of rural society, and she would know their affairs intimately since both her father and her eldest brother were clergymen. It should not be imagined, however, that she intends to satirize the clergy by making their representative in this novel so foolish, for in other novels she creates admirable clerical characters.

  16. The exchange following this letter, in which the various members of the family all react in distinctive ways, is an excellent example of Jane Austen's artistic technique of having characters reveal themselves in everything they say or do, no matter how brief or trivial.

  17. This is spoken by Mrs. Bennet. As the mistress of the house she would normally speak after the master; in addition, the words correspond to her way of thinking. In fact, the sequence of reactions in the family follows exactly the prevailing rules of precedence and authority, with first the father speaking, then the mother, and then the children in order of seniority.

  18. thinks our due: Jane's wording indicates that many would not think one had to atone for benefiting from an entail, since it was such a normal procedure and nobody, unless they were as unreasonable as Mrs. Bennet, would think that a legal heir had done anything unjust.

  19. These were the most essential of the Church “rites and ceremonies” that Mr. Collins says he is ready to perform. In labeling this a “kind intention” Elizabeth is being sarcastic, for Mr. Collins seemed to boast of his willingness to fulfill the basic requirements of his job, which requirements were generally very light.

  20. sir: a sign of the formal nature of the society. We will see children regularly addressing parents in this way, even when a child is as close to a parent as Elizabeth is to her father.

  21. promises well: meaning that he promises to provide amusement for Mr. Bennet.

  22. Of course, the idea of the olive branch symbolizing an offering of peace is as old and hackneyed an idea as there is.

  23. There will be many other incidents in which Mrs. Bennet's mood and opinions will change quickly and completely, often with little good reason.

  24. stately: lofty, imposing.

  25. gallantry: his praise of women. This was a common practice of the time, and could take absurdly effusive forms. In a letter Jane Austen tells her sister that a man, speaking of two trees in their yard that were recently felled in a storm, attributed the trees' falling to their grief at the sister's absence. Jane Austen comments, with evident sarcasm, “Was not it a gallant idea?—It never occurred to me before, but I dare say it was so” (Nov. 20, 1800). In a youthful writing (“A Collection of Letters”) she offers a comical version of such gallantry when she has a man say to a woman, “You are more than Mortal. You are an angel. You are Venus herself. In short Madam you are the prettiest Girl I ever saw in my Life.” One can presume that in this case it is the most intelligent daughters, Elizabeth and Jane, who find Mr. Collins's gallantry least to their taste.

  26. In fact, entails were in general carefully drawn up to leave little to chance, so it would not be difficult to know what resulted from them. Part of the point of the entail was to secure the family property and prevent the occurrence of anything untoward or unpredictable, such as a particular heir selling or giving it to someone outside the family.

  27. This shows the Bennets' earlier dinner hours, compared to those at Netherfield. Mr. Collins has arrived at four, and there has been only a short conversation before dinner. In her own letters Jane Austen most often mentions eating dinner around five; on one occasion when she eats at six she goes on to explain the reason why it was so late (Aug. 27, 1805).

  28. furniture: furnishings; the term then could mean anything with which the room was furnished, including items on the wall or on tables and shelves.

  29. As the heir to the estate Mr. Collins will also receive the house and much of its contents.

  30. Mrs. Bennet has already shown the pride she takes in her daughters not having to do anything in the kitchen. It is possible that Mr. Collins asked the question because he, thinking of a prospective wife among the Bennet girls, wishes to find out about their culinary skills. Since almost no clergyman would enjoy the two thousand a year income of Mr. Bennet, and thus be able to afford as many servants as the Bennets, it is likely that a mistress of his house would need to play some role in the kitchen. Mr. Collins's question may also reflect his own less affluent background (revealed shortly), for this would make him less accustomed to living arrangements that allowed the women of the family to avoid ho
usehold tasks.

  His desire to have someone to manage his household may be a central reason why, as he indicates soon, he is so eager to marry. At this time, it was difficult for a man to run his own household. This spurred men either to get a female relative to perform this function, as Bingley does, or to marry someone who would. The one exception to this could be men, like Darcy, who were wealthy enough to afford a highly professional housekeeper, but Mr. Collins is certainly not in this category.

  Chapter Fourteen

  During dinner, Mr. Bennet scarcely spoke at all; but when the servants were withdrawn, he thought it time to have some conversation with his guest, and therefore started a subject in which he expected him to shine,1 by observing that he seemed very fortunate in his patroness. Lady Catherine de Bourgh's attention to his wishes, and consideration for his comfort, appeared very remarkable. Mr. Bennet could not have chosen better. Mr. Collins was eloquent in her praise. The subject elevated him to more than usual solemnity of manner, and with a most important2 aspect3 he protested that he had never in his life witnessed such behaviour in a person of rank4—such affability5 and condescension,6 as he had himself experienced from Lady Catherine. She had been graciously pleased to approve of both the discourses,7 which he had already had the honour of preaching before her. She had also asked him twice to dine at Rosings, and had sent for him only the Saturday before, to make up her pool of quadrille8 in the evening. Lady Catherine was reckoned proud by many people he knew, but he had never seen any thing but affability in her. She had always spoken to him as she would to any other gentleman; she made not the smallest objection to his joining in the society of the neighbourhood,9 nor to his leaving his parish occasionally for a week or two, to visit his relations. She had even condescended to advise him to marry as soon as he could, provided he chose with discretion; and had once paid him a visit in his humble parsonage; where she had perfectly approved all the alterations he had been making, and had even vouchsafed10 to suggest some herself,—some shelves in the closets11 up stairs.

  “That is all very proper and civil, I am sure,” said Mrs. Bennet, “and I dare say she is a very agreeable woman. It is a pity that great ladies12 in general are not more like her. Does she live near you, sir?”

  “The garden in which stands my humble abode,13 is separated only by a lane from Rosings Park, her ladyship's residence.”

  “I think you said she was a widow, sir? has she any family?”

  “She has one only daughter, the heiress of Rosings, and of very extensive property.”

  “Ah!” cried Mrs. Bennet, shaking her head, “then she is better off than many girls. And what sort of young lady is she? is she handsome?”

  “She is a most charming young lady indeed. Lady Catherine herself says that in point of true beauty, Miss De Bourgh is far superior to the handsomest of her sex; because there is that in her features which marks the young woman of distinguished birth. She is unfortunately of a sickly constitution, which has prevented her making that progress in many accomplishments, which she could not otherwise have failed of; as I am informed by the lady who superintended her education, and who still resides with them. But she is perfectly amiable,14 and often condescends to drive by my humble abode in her little phaeton15 and ponies.”

  “Has she been presented? I do not remember her name among the ladies at court.”16

  “Her indifferent17 state of health unhappily prevents her being in town;18 and by that means, as I told Lady Catherine myself one day, has deprived the British court of its brightest ornament. Her ladyship seemed pleased with the idea, and you may imagine that I am happy on every occasion to offer those little delicate compliments which are always acceptable to ladies. I have more than once observed to Lady Catherine, that her charming daughter seemed born to be a duchess, and that the most elevated rank, instead of giving her consequence,19 would be adorned by her.20—These are the kind of little things which please her ladyship, and it is a sort of attention which I conceive myself peculiarly21 bound to pay.”

  “You judge very properly,” said Mr. Bennet, “and it is happy for you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are the result of previous study?”22

  “They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, and though I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant compliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as possible.”

  Mr. Bennet's expectations were fully answered. His cousin was as absurd as he had hoped, and he listened to him with the keenest enjoyment, maintaining at the same time the most resolute composure of countenance, and except in an occasional glance at Elizabeth, requiring no partner in his pleasure.

  By tea-time23 however the dose24 had been enough, and Mr. Bennet was glad to take his guest into the drawing-room again, and when tea was over, glad to invite him to read aloud to the ladies.25 Mr. Collins readily assented, and a book was produced; but on beholding it, (for every thing announced it to be from a circulating library,)26 he started back, and begging pardon, protested that he never read novels.27—Kitty stared at him, and Lydia exclaimed.—Other books were produced, and after some deliberation he chose Fordyce's Sermons.28 Lydia gaped as he opened the volume, and before he had, with very monotonous solemnity, read three pages, she interrupted him with,

  “Do you know, mama, that my uncle Philips talks of turning away Richard,29 and if he does, Colonel Forster will hire him. My aunt told me so herself on Saturday. I shall walk to Meryton tomorrow to hear more about it, and to ask when Mr. Denny comes back from town.”

  Lydia was bid by her two eldest sisters to hold her tongue; but Mr. Collins, much offended, laid aside his book, and said,

  “I have often observed how little young ladies are interested by books of a serious stamp, though written solely for their benefit. It amazes me, I confess; —for certainly, there can be nothing so advantageous to them as instruction. But I will no longer importune my young cousin.”30

  Then turning to Mr. Bennet, he offered himself as his antagonist at backgammon. Mr. Bennet accepted the challenge, observing that he acted very wisely in leaving the girls to their own trifling amusements. Mrs. Bennet and her daughters apologised most civilly for Lydia's interruption, and promised that it should not occur again, if he would resume his book; but Mr. Collins, after assuring them that he bore his young cousin no ill will, and should never resent her behaviour as any affront, seated himself at another table with Mr. Bennet, and prepared for backgammon.

  1. shine: in this case, speak foolishly or absurdly and thus be amusing to Mr. Bennet.

  2. important: pompous, having an air of importance.

  3. aspect: look or expression.

  4. of rank: of high rank.

  5. affability: courtesy, mildness—especially of a superior toward an inferior.

  6. condescension: this word, along with the words “condescend” and “condescending,” are favorites of Mr. Collins, especially in relation to Lady Catherine. He means them as words of praise, which the words could be at this time. Originally they meant voluntary descent from superiority or even humble submission; by this time the words also denoted friendliness and attention toward those of lesser position, often combined with a continued air of superiority. In this hierarchical society, such a sense of superiority was often considered natural and right for a person of high position, so even patronizing concern for others could be admired. At the same time, even by the standards of the day condescension could be taken too far, as turns out to be the case with Lady Catherine. Mr. Collins's failure to appreciate this and his use of “condescension” purely as commendation thus signal the extent of his foolish sycophancy.

  7. discourses: sermons.

  8. quadrille: a card game with affinities to bridge; see p. 305, note 41.

  9. That is, socializing with his neighbors. He does not mean joining in rich or fashiona
ble society; this meaning of the word “society” was only then coming into vogue.

  10. vouchsafed: deigned, condescended.

  11. closets: this probably refers to small rooms, the standard meaning of closet then. In a letter Jane Austen speaks of “a Closet full of shelves, so full indeed that there is nothing else in it, & should therefore be called a Cupboard rather than a Closet I suppose” (May 17,1799). Her words indicate that the current meaning of closet was beginning to come into use, but was still not truly accepted.

  Normally a person of Lady Catherine's high social position would not bother to dispense advice on such a mundane subject.

  12. great ladies: ladies of high rank.

  13. humble abode: a favorite phrase of Mr. Collins for his home. His language abounds in cliches, a practice Jane Austen always scorns, either in her letters or her novels, and presents as a sign of foolishness. Mr. Collins also tends to repeat certain pet phrases, another sign of his mental vacuity.

  14. amiable: a common term of praise. It had a broader meaning then, signifying general kindness and friendliness.

  15. phaeton: a type of open carriage; see p. 293, note 27, and illustration on p. 291.

  16. Being presented at court was a standard aristocratic procedure; for young women of that rank it usually happened around seventeen or eighteen and marked their entry into fashionable adult society. The presentation itself was a formal, strictly regulated ceremony that culminated in a bow or curtsy before the monarch. The names of those presented were on a Court List, which would be published and thus be accessible to curious members of the public like Mrs. Bennet.

  17. indifferent: mediocre.

  18. town: London. London was the location of the court, and the center of aristocratic social life.