Jane's Dinner Parties

Often when at boring dinner parties, Jane Austen would estimate
the cost of the lace on different ladies gowns. She even mentioned
this idea when Mrs. Bennet is discussing the Netherfield ball,
"I daresay the lace on Mrs. Hurst's gown cost...."

Jane Austen's Gowns

Jane Austen was very particular about her dresses. If the dressmaker
did one thing different than what Jane had in mind, Jane wanted the
dress done over again. This caused problems between the dressmakers
and Jane. That is why ready-made dresses, a new fashion, were so
wonderful for her. The concept of ready-made dresses was new, and
the large department stores that had them were always very busy.
One time, Jane described going to a shop "before breakfast"
(gentry breakfasted at 10:00) to avoid crowds.

Lydia's Infamous Elopement

When Lydia ran away with Mr. Wickham from Brighton, she mentioned
that she was going to Gretna Green. This is because, whatever Wickham
persuaded her to do afterwards, she thought they were going to be married
directly. Because Scottish law was different than English Law, under Scottish
law anyone can be married if they say vows to one another, even without
witnesses or a minister. Gretna Green was the first town in Scotland along
the main road. Therefore, if they had gone to Gretna Green, all they needed
to do was say vows to each other and they would be married.

Regency Shopping

Early in 1800, an English shopkeeper thought of the idea of shop windows
to view wares. Before that, shops had a sign out in front to tell what they sold,
but now, large windows display the items for sale. By the time of Pride &
Prejudice, shop windows had just become universal and were sitll a novel idea.
People came from all over Europe to visit English shopping towns, and this is
why Bonaparte described the English as "shopkeepers".

Contact Webmistress With Any Questions:
ladyelwing@coruscant.net