by Jane Austen
29. Girls then usually received most of their education at home, but wealthy girls would sometimes attend boarding schools for part of their adolescence.
30. Winter was the most popular time to visit Bath (see note 11).
31. Lady Russell is probably thinking, at least in part, of the much greater opportunities in Bath for Anne to find a mate. As a popular national venue for wealthy people, it would far surpass their limited country neighborhood in this regard.
32. Letting, or renting, his house would be typical for a landowner not living in it, especially if he had left due to indebtedness. It would be an additional trial not only because he would witness another resident in his home, but also because the latter’s presence would ensure that his financial troubles would become public knowledge—were the house left empty, others might assume he had simply gone on an extended vacation, something many wealthy people did. Fear of imparting this knowledge is what makes Sir Walter wish to maintain secrecy, though of course such secrecy will delay the inevitable only slightly.
33. One reason he sees this as a further degradation is that aristocratic pride included standing above commerce, which was regarded as vulgar, and having sufficient social and financial independence that one never needed to hawk one’s wares to anyone else.
34. Newspapers had become a prominent feature of English life, with a variety of dailies and weeklies in circulation, and advertisements formed a considerable portion of newspapers, with numerous notices, often on the front page, offering or promoting a wide variety of goods and services.
35. unprosperous: unsuccessful, unfortunate. This does not mean she came home after a divorce, something almost impossible at this time, but that the marriage was unhappy. Later she is identified as a widow.
36. “Miss Elliot” means Elizabeth. The eldest unmarried daughter in a family was always described or addressed as “Miss + last name.” Younger unmarried daughters had their first name put after “Miss”; thus Anne will shortly be called “Miss Anne.” For an exception to this rule, see note 58.
37. complaisance: civility, obligingness.
38. Those of different social ranks were not supposed to mix intimately. All characters in Jane Austen show some support or acceptance of this principle, and a character with Lady Russell’s value for rank would support it strongly. Mrs. Clay, as the daughter of an attorney, is considerably lower on the social scale than the Elliots (nor is there any indication that her marriage has raised her position). The critical dividing line in English society at the time was between the genteel, meaning gentlemen and their families, and the nongenteel. Gentlemen were those who possessed enough property, preferably landed property, to avoid having to work, except to supervise that property, or those who earned a living from one of the genteel professions, the principal ones being army and naval officer, clergyman, and barrister (the type of lawyer able to try cases in court). The Elliots, as substantial landowners with a title, are in the upper ranks of this class, the vast majority of whose members were either untitled landowners or members of the above professions.
Attorneys, in contrast, were not considered gentlemen at all. Their prestige was rising slightly during this time, but they, like merchants, were still regarded as being on a distinctly lower level. Though attorneys were a basic part of the rural society depicted in each of Jane Austen’s novels, these novels almost never show attorneys socializing with the genteel characters who dominate them. The one exception is in Pride and Prejudice, in which one of the heroine’s uncles is an attorney, but he and his wife are consistently depicted as vulgar, and they never associate with the highest-ranking figures in the novel. Moreover, having an uncle who is an attorney, as well as a maternal grandfather who was one, is a social mark against the heroine, one provoking sharp strictures from others.
39. situation: social position.
VOLUME I, CHAPTER III
1. It is the summer of 1814. In March of 1814 Napoleon, the Emperor of France, abdicated, ending the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars (though there would be a brief, limited revival of the war in early 1815, after which the fighting completely ceased). These wars had been going on since 1792, with only a short interlude of peace in 1802–1803. They had pitted France against various coalitions of European powers, in which Britain consistently played a leading role. Britain’s main weapon against France was its large navy, which expanded enormously during these years. The end of the war meant that large numbers of those serving would now return home.
2. noble: magnificent, splendid.
3. Sir Walter’s use of only his last name indicates his relatively low status. Were he of higher rank Sir Walter would call him “Mr.” Were he of even lower rank Sir Walter would use only his first name, as with most servants.
4. Sir Walter’s feeble witticism refers to the prize money naval officers received when they captured an enemy ship, i.e., a prize. This ship could be a rival warship or an enemy commercial vessel—intercepting such vessels to choke off the other side’s commerce was a standard part of warfare then. The navy would assess the value of the ship and its cargo, and distribute the sum, according to a set formula, among the members of the capturing ship. The captain received the greatest share (three-eighths until 1808, one-sixth thereafter), while the rest was apportioned among others on the ship, with the highest-ranking officers receiving the most per person, and ordinary crewmen the least. If the ship was sailing, as it often was, under the command of a higher-ranking officer such as an admiral, the captain had to give this superior officer one-third of his share. Because naval salaries, at all levels, were low, and the value of captured ships usually high, prize money was often the main source of remuneration for those in the navy, and it provided a strong incentive for ships to act aggressively against the enemy. Many captains and admirals made substantial fortunes through this means.
5. in the way of: as regards, with a view to.
6. liberal: generous (in a financial sense).
7. In addition to any possible liberality, naval officers would be less experienced in these matters, having spent much of their adult lives in the confined world of their ships, and thus probably less able to drive hard bargains.
8. abroad: outside the family, in general circulation.
9. consequence has its tax: social importance has its burden.
10. Mr. Shepherd refers to his low social status as an attorney; see note 38.
11. Mrs. Clay wishes to assist her father in persuading Sir Walter to accept a sailor as a tenant; she also has her own reasons for trying to please Sir Walter. Her speech shows a consistent resemblance to her father’s in its careful tact, frequent professions of humility, and assiduous flattery.
12. The confined quarters of a ship forced those living on it to be neat and well organized. The constant threat of illness, due to intense crowding and the frequent absence of fresh food, also made the navy put a premium on cleanliness. Thus ships were normally given a thorough washing every day.
13. Most wealthy families had pictures in their homes. They would normally have portraits of family members of each generation, and they would frequently possess other paintings as well, bought from genuine appreciation of art or from a desire to display their taste and affluence.
14. Gardens of various types and shrubberies were standard features of country houses at this time; Jane Austen’s family had both, though they had a less grand home than Kellynch Hall. Shrubberies were usually planted in elaborate patterns that would be both interesting visually and suitable for taking strolls; they could also contain places to sit down and relax.
15. Flower gardens were one of the most popular types of gardens. They often included exotic flowers and shrubs. Such plants could require special care, whether from adjoining greenhouses, special beds, sheltering walls, or artificial sources of heat, and this is why Mrs. Clay makes a point of assuring Elizabeth that the flower garden will not be neglected.
16. “Park” and “pleasure-grounds” were the stan
dard terms then for the two principal parts of a landscape garden. The pleasure grounds, which were usually near the house, consisted of those areas with ornamental plantings. Thus it generally included the shrubbery and the flower garden, which is why Sir Walter, in the next sentence, includes them in his discussion of possible restrictions. The park referred to the lawns and woodlands that were farther afield. While in general carefully landscaped, with planted trees and often bodies of water that were created or enlarged, these parks had been made to appear as natural as possible. They could be very extensive, which is why Sir Walter boasts of the range of his.
17. The pause suggests Sir Walter’s unreasonableness—though of course Mr. Shepherd offers no direct contradiction. The pleasure garden’s proximity to the house would make keeping it off-limits particularly ridiculous.
18. There were a number of books then that set down the laws governing the relationship between a landlord and tenant, in various circumstances, and that sometimes gave advice on the best type of arrangement.
19. The navy played an absolutely critical role in Britain’s war with Napoleon. It shielded Britain from invasion at a time when he dominated all of Europe, ensuring that Britain was the one major European country never attacked by his armies. It also protected Britain’s commerce with the rest of the world, despite Napoleon’s attempts to cut off Britain’s European trade, foiled French attempts to extend the war outside Europe, and allowed Britain to land armies in various places in Europe to exploit French weaknesses. Thus Anne’s gratitude, at a juncture when Britain had just emerged victorious, represents a standard attitude, though, as will be seen, she has particular reasons of her own for holding the navy in high esteem.
20. Miss Anne: this is what Anne, as a younger sister, is called.
21. The navy offered greater possibilities of social mobility than most institutions in this society. Generally only the sons of gentlemen (see note 38), or perhaps of wealthy middle-class parents, could begin the path that led to becoming an officer. But once there a man could rise through his own merit to a high position, even above those who had more distinguished origins. The importance of the navy to Britain’s defense led to an unwillingness to promote less qualified people just because of their social background, though a good background and social or political connections could still help. Moreover, while the hierarchical nature of this society created opposition in general to social climbing, the high prestige of the navy meant that most people, unlike Sir Walter, would not object to someone whose distinguished service there had raised him higher than his origins.
22. A curate was a low-ranking and poorly paid clergyman; see note 48. Since his father, however poor, was still classed as a gentleman, Lord St. Ives would have had the opportunity to begin as a midshipman.
23. give place: yield precedence; for more on precedence, see note 35. Lord St. Ives is a nobleman; thus he outranks Sir Walter and would precede him in formal settings. Naval officers could be ennobled for meritorious action, an example of the social climbing Sir Walter deplores.
24. Naval officers would frequently have tanned and rough skin, for their jobs involved being on top of an exposed ship deck. Britain’s worldwide naval interests also required many of its ships to go to climates in which the sun would beat down far more fiercely than in Britain itself. At this time, tanned skin, even on a smooth face, was regarded as unattractive.
25. Hair powder had been a standard feature of male grooming during the eighteenth century, but it had declined starting in the 1790s, spurred by a general change toward a more natural look for both men and women as well as by a tax on hair powder. By this point it was mostly used by older men who continued the fashions of their youth. Thus Admiral Baldwin’s use of powder marks him out both as behind the current fashions and as desperate to hide his baldness.
26. The professions in Mrs. Clay’s list are the ones whose practitioners could be considered gentlemen, and thus the only ones worthy of notice and comparison for Sir Walter: naval and army officer, clergyman, lawyer (and among lawyers, only barristers were considered gentlemen), and physician.
27. The physician was one of the three main types of medical practitioners, the other two being surgeon and apothecary. Physicians were the only ones who received formal education at a university (the others simply underwent an apprenticeship with an existing practitioner), and the only ones considered genteel. They were relatively few in number, were concentrated especially in cities and large towns, and were often consulted in serious cases that seemed beyond the ability of other practitioners.
Consulting and treating patients at home was standard medical practice; one reason was that most medical tools or equipment were simple and easily transportable. For doctors attending patients in rural areas this could mean long and difficult journeys. Even physicians might have to do this, for some were based in the provinces, and they frequently attended affluent patients in a position to insist that their doctor come to them.
28. Visiting the sick was a basic part of the duty of the clergy.
29. Contemporary medical thinking attributed the onset of many diseases to the effects of unhealthy atmospheres. People understood that certain illnesses were infectious—hence Mrs. Clay’s comment about “infected rooms”—but, knowing nothing of microorganisms, did not understand why and looked frequently to environmental factors such as stale air, dampness, or dirt.
30. Mrs. Clay’s argument is a parody of a basic justification for the prestige and power of the landowning elite, which was that their freedom from normal monetary striving allowed them to cultivate a concern for the public good as well as various moral virtues. Few making that argument would have regarded the cultivation of one’s appearance as a sufficient justification for privilege.
31. The quarter sessions were meetings of local magistrates, usually covering an entire county, that occurred every three months; Taunton is the county town (or seat) of Somerset (see map). The quarter sessions settled many legal cases, while also deciding on the principal matters of government for the county. They were major events, which attracted many people, and which lawyers like Mr. Shepherd would be especially likely to attend.
32. It was standard for a provincial attorney to have a contact in London, for much of the legal business in England then took place in the capital. Most likely Mr. Shepherd sent word to this London correspondent, and perhaps to others, to be discreetly on the watch for a potential renter of Kellynch Hall. Thus when Admiral Croft made his inquiries, either by going to London himself or by approaching someone with his own London contacts, the information eventually made its way to Mr. Shepherd’s correspondent, and some kind of meeting at Taunton was arranged.
33. country: county.
34. eligible: suitable.
35. Rear admiral is the lowest of the three admiral ranks. The highest is full admiral, then vice admiral. Each rank had three levels, the red, the white, and the blue (in descending order), creating nine total levels. Admirals, who were promoted on the basis of seniority, started at the lowest level, rear admiral of the blue, and gradually worked their way up. Hence Admiral Croft has reached the second level of ascent.
36. Trafalgar, fought in 1805 off the coast of Spain, was Britain’s most important naval victory of the war. In it the British fleet, commanded by Lord Nelson, destroyed much of the French and Spanish fleets, ensuring that Napoleon would be unable to invade Britain. Trafalgar Square, dominated by a column with a statue of Nelson, is one of the leading landmarks in London.
37. East Indies: India and the islands of Southeast Asia. India was Britain’s most important colony, and the British navy was needed to protect trade with it. Britain also had important commercial interests in Southeast Asia.
38. This is the second time in the novel that Anne has spoken. In both cases she speaks about the navy, and in this case with a great deal of knowledge. The reason for her strong interest will soon appear.
39. A livery was a special uniform worn by male servants. Ea
ch family had its own distinctive livery, and most of its male servants would wear it. Designed to display the family’s importance, the liveries were often very gaudy and elaborate. This is indicated in this case by the use of a bright color like orange (at a time when men normally wore dark, sober colors), and what would seem to be the contrast in color between the cuffs and capes and the rest of the coat—capes in this context refer not to a separate garment, but to one or more smaller pieces that were attached to the coat at the neck and covered the tops of the shoulders.
40. Mr. Shepherd is speaking about hunting, or shooting, rights, which is why he refers to taking out a gun. By law this right was essentially restricted to landed gentlemen (the principal qualification was owning an estate worth at least a hundred pounds a year). At the same time, any lord of a manor—a category embracing most substantial landowners of the time, a manor being land with tenants on it—had the right to authorize another person to kill game on his land by conferring on him the deputation of gamekeeper. Many landowners granted this right to those renting their house; a character in Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Bingley, enjoys it as a renter. Shooting game was extremely popular among upper-class men.
41. Mrs. Croft could be asking about several taxes. There were two national taxes that varied according to the house: the window tax, assessed on the number of windows, and the tax on inhabited houses, assessed on the estimated fair rental value of the house; both these taxes were imposed on the occupier, not the owner. There were also various local taxes, including the poor rate, for relief of the local poor, and the county rate, for a variety of government expenses. These could differ greatly from place to place, as could the methods of determining them, and whether they were imposed on the owner or the occupier of a property.
42. Governor could be used for someone holding high authority in a variety of institutions, public or private. But it was always a designation of distinction, and not one enjoyed by many people.
