A child street hawker selling potatoes from a wooden wheelbarrow. Printed by S. & J. Fuller at the Temple of Fancy, Rathbone Place, London (Authors’ collection)
The River Tyne in 1789. From Brand, J. 1789 The history and antiquities of the town and county of the town of Newcastle upon Tyne vol. 2 (London)
SECTION TWO
Performances at theatres in London advertised in The Times newspaper for 23 May 1808 (Authors’ collection)
A state lottery ticket sold in 1808 (Authors’ collection)
The latest catalogue of Lackington’s bookseller in London advertised in the St James Chronicle on 19 June 1817 (Authors’ collection)
A bookseller with two customers choosing books. From The Book of English Trades and Library of the Useful Arts 1808 (new edn) (London)
Obverse and reverse of a halfpenny token issued in 1795 by Lackington’s bookseller (Authors’ collection)
A view of Hotwells spa, near Bristol, in 1801. Artist G. Holmes. Engraved by J. Walker, 44 Paternoster Row, London, published 1 June 1801 (Authors’ collection)
Front page of the Morning Chronicle for 24 October 1807 (Authors’ collection)
A road map of January 1785 showing the route from Newbury eastwards along the Bath road from London. From A New and General view of the direct roads of England & Wales as described in Paterson’s British Itinerary 1785 (London)
William Tomlins, a crossing sweeper and beggar. The print, dated May 1816, is from Smith, J.T. 1874 (first published 1817) Vagabondiana; or, Anecdotes of Mendicant Wanderers Through the Streets of London (London)
A coachmaker constructing a post-chaise. The print, dated August 1804, is from The Book of English Trades and Library of the Useful Arts 1818 (new edn) (London)
A woman being burned at the stake, illustrating the execution of Christian Bowman in 1789. From Ashton, J. 1882 Chap-Books of the Eighteenth Century with Facsimiles, Notes, and Introduction (London), p. 452
An apothecary (or druggist) making his own medicines. From The Book of English Trades and Library of the Useful Arts 1818 (new edn) (London)
Ching’s Worm Lozenges advertised in the St James Chronicle for 19 June 1817 (Authors’ collection)
A beggar with a wooden leg and crutches. The print, dated April 1816, is from Smith, J. T. 1874 (first published 1817) Vagabondiana; or, Anecdotes of Mendicant Wanderers Through the Streets of London (London)
Newcastle’s charitable infirmary, depicted in 1789. From Brand, J. 1789 The history and antiquities of the town and county of the town of Newcastle upon Tyne vol. 2 (London)
No. 8 College Street in Winchester, Hampshire, where Jane Austen died on 18 July 1817 (Authors’ collection)
The memorial tablet to the Reverend (‘Parson’) James Woodforde inside All Saints church, Weston Longville, Norfolk (Authors’ collection)
The cathedral at Winchester in 1809. From Milner, J. 1809 The History, Civil and Ecclesiastical & survey of the antiquities of Winchester vol. 2 (Winchester)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
During our research, we have been assisted by several libraries and archives, as well as by various individuals and institutions who have kindly given permission to reproduce quotations or have helped in other ways. We are very grateful to the London Library, especially the Trustees of the London Library Trust for the Carlyle Membership. Thanks are also due to Exeter University’s Library, the Devon and Exeter Institution (notably Roger Brien, James Turner and Su Conniff) and the British Library (especially Manuscripts and the Document Supply Service).
As ever, special mention must be made of everyone at the St Thomas branch of the Devon Library Services, including Karen Lee, Judith Prescott and Lee Rawlings, who dealt brilliantly with our constant requests, despite having to operate from temporary premises. Karen’s car was written off (though thankfully she was unhurt) while in pursuit of our Jane Austen requests, which was way beyond the call of duty. We are also indebted to Lesley Wiltshire for all her work in the Devon Library Services interlibrary loans department.
We enjoyed working at the Somerset Heritage Centre, where we greatly appreciated the friendly and helpful staff. This archive holds the original copies of the extensive diaries of William Holland, which have yet to be published in their entirety. David Worthy has been incredibly generous in sharing information about the Holland diaries, and his help has been invaluable. We would also like to thank John Upton for kindly allowing us to quote from the Upton-Wilkinson archive; the Trustees of the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) for the use of their archives; Moretonhampstead History Society for giving permission to use their Treleaven’s diary archive; the Yorkshire Archaeological Society for permission to use The Diary of Charles Fothergill 1805; and the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library of the University of Toronto, which holds the original manuscript of the Fothergill Papers.
The Parson Woodforde Society very generously gave us permission to use their wonderful editions of the complete Woodforde diaries. We are also grateful to Jenny Alderson from the society for her help, while Martin Brayne kindly provided much valuable information, as did Peter Jameson. Since Parson Woodforde is usually regarded as a Norfolk man, we were pleased to find that he had deep roots in Ansford and nearby Castle Cary in Somerset. We visit Castle Cary at least twice a year, and everyone at Max Foote Associates there deserves a special mention.
Stephen Lysch (of Palgrave, Ontario, Canada) freely shared information on the Cureton family, which was much appreciated. Many thanks as well to Jane Wickenden, Historic Collections Librarian at the Institute of Naval Medicine for her generous help, as well as to Robin Agnew, Andrew Butcher, Dr Tony Corley, Dr Ian Mortimer, Deirdre Le Faye, Keith Gregson, Dr David Higgins of the Society for Clay Pipe Research, David Warner, Chris Mortimer of Blacksnow Web Design for his constant expertise and support, the Dorset History Centre, Matthew Sheldon of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Richard Walker of the British Library, Simon Foote of Exeter University library, Professor David Watkin, Liz Egan and Lauren Ryall-Stockton of the Thackray Museum in Leeds and Joan Livesey of Wigan Archives Service. As ever, we have neglected friends and family while writing this book, and we are grateful for their understanding.
Finally, we owe a big vote of thanks to Richard Beswick at Little, Brown (UK) and to Rick Kot at Viking Penguin (US) for taking on this book, and to all those involved in the various publishing processes including Zoe Gullen (indomitable desk editor), Victoria Pepe, Anniina Vuori, Nathalie Morse, John Gilkes (for his maps), Sue Phillpott (copy-editing), Alison Tulett (proofreading) and Sarah Ereira (indexing).
INDEX
The page numbers in this index refer to the printed version of this book. To find the corresponding locations in the text of this digital version, please use the “search” function on your e-reader. Note that not all terms may be searchable.
abortion 44
accents 51–4; see also dialects
Acland, Hugh 388
Acland, John 326
afterlife 324, 325
agriculture 39, 40, 193–8; child workers 70, 73; dairy 105–6; improvements/changes xix, 194, 203, 208; servants/workers 67, 92, 95, 140, 176, 189, 193–4; see also cattle, enclosures, harvests, manure, milk, ploughmen, wheat
Aikin, John 312–13, 386
alcohol 31, 111–12, 207, 210, 226, 300, 312; see also beer, gin, wine
alighting stones 241
Allen, Mrs (Northanger Abbey) 130
almanacs 168–9
almshouses 202, 317
Althens, Henry 68
America: beaver imports 129; language 52; see also Silliman, Simond, slaves, transportation, wars
American Revolutionary War (War of Independence) xvii, 281, 282
amputation 304, 309, 312–13
amulets 166
anaesthetics 25, 26, 311–12
anatomists/anatomy schools 11, 25, 296, 297, 309, 318, 319–21, 328; see also dissection
Andrews, Harry 153
Andrews, Michael 135
Andrews, Richard 112
animals see birds, cats, cattle dogs, farriers, horses
Ansford, Somerset xxv, 92, 211
apothecaries (druggists) 12, 293, 295–6, 297, 304, 305, 308
apples 43, 59, 109, 152
apprentices xxii, 5, 7, 39, 68, 69–73, 76, 77, 78, 206, 215, 296, 299
Aranson, Pascoe 306–7
archaeology 115, 228
architecture xix, 81–2, 83, 172
Arkwright, Richard 120, 190
Armitage, Joseph 193
army: agents 69, 373; boots 128; career 175; casualties 5, 309; hats 129; JA’s brother’s career 69; in JA’s work xvii–xviii; medical men 297; recruitment 200, 305, 380; see also militias, wars
ashes 101, 143, 145; potash 138
Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancs 8
Assizes 265-6, 274, 275, 277, 285, 287
Astick, Robert 1–2
Atkins, Thomas 281
Austen, Anna (niece of JA) xx–xxii, 35, 239, 353
Austen, Cassandra (mother of JA) 20, 27, 32, 36, 353, 382
Austen, Cassandra (sister of JA): as a baby 32, 36; birth 32; death of sister-in-law 336; destroyed JA’s letters 235; education 65; executrix of JA’s will 337–8; at Gomersham 195; at JA’s death 324; niece of Mrs Leigh-Perrot 274; walking 238; in Weymouth 110, 219
Austen, Charles (brother of JA) 69
Austen, Edward (brother of JA) see Knight
Austen, Edward (nephew of JA) 54
Austen, Francis (Frank, brother of JA) 69
Austen, George (nephew of JA) 54
Austen, George (brother of JA) 69
Austen, George (father of JA) 62, 147, 148, 195, 301
Austen, Henry (brother of JA): banker 69, 175, 373; career 69, 175, 373; childhood 32; homes 78, 145, 380; illness 293; JA’s memorial 342; in JA’s will 337; Oxford university 69
Austen, James (brother of JA) 20–1, 69, 90, 147
Austen, Jane: accent 53; aunt charged with theft 274, 275; on ball at Deane 219; birth 27; on brother’s health 293; on brother’s house 78, 145–6; clothes 122, 123, 129–30, 133–4; on cousin’s career 148; on curate for Deane 147; death 324; on deaths 20, 88, 302, 328; on dentistry 306; on donkey Austen, Jane – carriages 243; education 65–6; on farming activities 195; on father’s illness 301–2; on field sports 212; foster-mother 32; on furniture 89; hair 133–4; on ice shortage 110; on laundry 137; letters 235, 236–7; on library at Dawlish 233–4; life xvii; on marriage 19; memorial stone 342–3; on mourning dress 336, 337; on names 35; needlework 124; on novels xx–xxii; on numbers of children 44; publisher 232–3, 236–7; reading xix–xx; reading aloud 234; on remarriage 19; on seaside 219; on servants 90–1; on shopping in London 125; single life 15, 21; on single women 16; on smells 140, 146; on stillbirth 24; tea supplies 180; walking 238–9; on weather 94; on wedding cake 11–12; will 337–8
Austen, Mary (sister-in-law of JA) 20–1, 90, 129
Austen-Leigh, James (nephew of JA) 32
Ayton, Richard 73–4, 330–1
babies 1–2, 20–39, 44, 50–1, 56, 57, 58, 144, 327, 332, 372; see also baptisms, childbirth, children, midwives; wet-nurses
bag-man 181
baiting (animals) 211–12
ballads 224–5, 269; sellers/singers 224, 225
balloon flights 261–2
balls (dances) 5, 42, 122, 129, 219–21; see also dancing
balls (games) 54; see also cricket, football
Bank of England 177–9, 373
Bankes, Mr and Mrs 21, 28, 355
banking/bankers 67, 69, 163, 175–6, 227
banknotes 176, 177, 178–9, 267
banks 69, 103, 175–6, 177, 178, 179
Banks, Lady 220, 377
banns of marriage 5, 6–7, 10
baptisms 24, 26, 29, 33–4, 35, 39, 148, 155, 251, 331–2, 334
Baptists 161, 328
barbers see hairdressers
barber-surgeons 296, 384
Barker, Henry 229
Barlow, James 26
Barwick, George 305, 385
Basingstoke, Hants 147, 241, 374, 389; Canal 374
Bastardy Act (1733) 2
Bateman, Mary 167–8
Bath: architecture 83; Austen family 147, 275, 301, 353; chairs 309–10; coal death of child 326; deliveries 187, 242; entertainment 214, 275; expansion 83; Holland family 10, 135, 179, 274; medical treatment 17, 175, 179, 300, 301; in novels xxi, xxii, 128, 130; pointless lives 175; prostitutes 46–7; retired clergymen 147, 160, 353; Richard Warner 72, 187; spa/resort 219, 300; streets 142, 219; thefts 274–5; travel to/from xxii, 81, 255, 326
baths/bathing 140, 190, 219, 300
Bathurst, Henry 175, 373
beating the boundaries (bounds) 170–2
Beddoes, Thomas 311
bedrooms/bedchambers 13, 27, 86, 87, 93, 140, 365
beds/bedding 12, 22, 26, 27, 28, 36, 48, 60, 72, 74, 85, 93–4, 98, 112, 117, 137–8, 167, 189, 221, 254, 255, 271, 277, 279, 293, 294, 295, 296, 300, 301, 313, 322, 323, 324
beef 38, 99, 107, 108, 152, 156, 195, 213, 220, 260, 307; see also cattle
beehives 111
beer 111, 112, 156, 166, 210, 225, 241, 323
bees see honey, wax
beggars 85, 156, 181, 203, 208, 239, 249, 273
Belinda (Edgeworth) xx, 3
Bell, Andrew 66
bells/bell ringing (church) 9, 11, 12, 41, 154, 155, 160, 210, 211, 285, 330–2, 354
bells: factory 189; houses 249, 268
Bennet, Elizabeth (Pride and Prejudice) 81
Bennet, Lydia (Pride and Prejudice) 13, 226
Bennet, Mr (Pride and Prejudice) 338
Bennet, Mrs (Pride and Prejudice) 3, 338
Benson, John 88
Benwell, Penelope (née Loveday, later Hind) 63, 64, 275, 296, 384
Berry, Mary 216–17, 220, 229
Bertram, Maria (Mansfield Park) 9
Bessborough, Lady 256–7, 380
bestiality 48–9
Bethlem (’Bedlam’) Hospitals 315, 316–17
Bills of Mortality 39
birds 80, 106–7, 166, 213; see also geese, swan
Birmingham 259; canal 185, 186, 261; expansion xxiii, 83; Jews 163; lunatics 316; riots 161, 29; toy trade 358; wedding 8–9; workhouse tokens 177
Blackner, John 177–8, 192–3, 203, 215, 265, 315, 373
black people 40–1, 198–9
blacksmiths 14, 109, 241, 281, 290, 305, 340–1
Blincoe, Robert 71
bloodletting 301, 302, 303, 384
blood sports 211–13
Bloody Code 263–4, 275
bodysnatchers 309, 318–21, 338–9
bonesetters 297, 304
book clubs 234
booksellers/bookshops 161, 232, 233, 235, 342, 371
boots 56, 116, 127, 128, 266
boot scrapers 249–50
Bow Street Runners 264, 266, 270, 273
Bowman, Hugh and Christian 288
boxing 213–14
Bramah, Joseph 144
Branch, John 275
Brand, John 10–11, 18, 22
Brandon, Colonel (Sense and Sensibility) 117–18
Brandon, Suffolk xix
Branthwaite, Miles 127
bread xix, xx, 31, 103–5, 109, 110, 113, 125, 196, 197, 204, 283–4, 289, 329
breakfast 23, 34, 60, 91, 123, 137, 140, 158, 213, 224, 249, 254, 323; event at Bath 275; time of day 113; type of food and drink 12–13, 125; wedding 11; of working class 73, 112–13, 194
breastfeeding 30–2, 44
breeches 25, 115–16
bridewells 279–80; see also prisons
Bridges, Lady 22
Bridgewater, Duke of 260
Bristol 13, 68, 89, 163, 238, 273, 300, 311, 314, 318, 328, 333
Broadhurst, Thomas 275
broadside ballads see ballads
Brookes, Joshua 320
Brothers, James 38
Broxbourne, Herts 19, 152, 202
Brummell, George ‘Bea
u’ 53, 116, 366
Buck, John 290–1
Buckingham, Lady 220
Buckle, Hannah 39
Buckle, Matthew 38–9
bugs/bedbugs 102, 139, 254
Bunbury, Charles 216
burglary 271–2, 275, 283
burials/funerals: churchyards 328; cost 329; criminals 328–9; delaying 327–8; funeral etiquette 326, 331–3; graves 329, 333–5, 338–43; local funeral customs 330–1; pauper funerals 329–30; place 326, 328, 333–5; records 335; speed 325–6; see also bodysnatchers, coffins, gravestones, maiden garlands, shrouds
Burke, Edmund 198
Burney, Fanny xix, xx, 3, 234
Burroughs, Betty 123
Bushell, Dame 137
Bushell, Dinah 35
Byng, John: on almshouses 317; on bag-man 181; on barbers 132; on church attendance 160–1; on church music 154–5; on churches 156–7, 172; on churching 33; on clergy 149, 163; on cotton mills 190; on crime rates 266; on dogs 304; on education 66; on enclosures 198; family background 81, 84, 323; finances 82, 323; on gravestones 340; on health 296; on horse 241; on hospitals 312; on inns 93–4, 254–5; on justice system 264; on life expectancy 323–4; on lower classes 84–5; on maps 253; on poor rates 201–2; on post-chaises 247; on regatta 218–19; on regional speech 51; on riots 161; on roads 250–1, 252; on sedan chairs 248; on smugglers 111, 291; on tokens 177; on traditions 209; travels 82; on tunnel construction 187; on wheatears 106
cakes 9, 10, 11–12, 22, 59, 166, 331; see also bread, puddings
Cambridge, Cambs 52, 62, 148, 161, 254–5, 297, 380
Camilla (Burney) xx, 234
canals xxiii, 95, 110, 185–8, 228, 253, 259–61, 340, 374, 381
cancer 76, 229, 312
candles 55, 98–100, 101, 117, 165–6, 183, 187, 222, 225, 234, 364
Canning, George xxiii
caps (headgear) 21, 36, 129–30, 133
carpets 50, 51, 118, 126, 139
card games 54, 70, 225, 226, 316, 377
carriages 9, 83, 217, 218, 238, 241, 243–4, 247, 248, 250, 252, 256, 259, 310; see also post-chaises, stagecoaches
carriers 242
Carter, Thomas 68, 104, 206
carts 26, 90, 92, 108, 110, 124, 145, 168, 185, 187, 195, 241, 242–3, 249, 250, 259, 283, 284, 285, 291, 330, 356; see also waggons
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