Category: Location

EP82: The Thing About Astley's

1/11/2024

Come one, come all! Step right up and witness amazing feats on horseback! This episode we're headed to Astley's Amphitheatre where Harriet Smith and Robert Martin are getting nice and cozy. If you have ever found romance at the circus, this is the episode for you.

Selected Sources:

“9 (Vol. 1) | Reconstructing Early Circus.” Accessed December 14, 2023. https://dhil.lib.sfu.ca/circus/clipping/287.
Austen, Jane. Selected Letters. Edited by Vivien Jones. Oxford World’s Classics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.
Booth, Michael R. “Astley’s Amphitheatre.” In The Companion to Theatre and Performance. Oxford University Press, 2010. https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780199574193.001.0001/acref-9780199574193-e-218.
Burke, Helen. “Jacobin Revolutionary Theatre and the Early Circus: Astley’s Dublin Amphitheatre in the 1790s.” Theatre Research International 31, no. 1 (March 2006): 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0307883305001847.
Byrne, Paula Jayne. “Jane Austen and the Theatre.” Doctoral Dissertation, University of Liverpool, 2000. https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/3175545/1/DX215839.pdf.
Frost, Thomas. Circus Life and Circus Celebrities. Tinsley Bros., 1875.
Hall, Monica. A Visitor’s Guide to Georgian England. Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Pen and Sword, 2017.
HathiTrust. “Astley’s System of Equestrian Education: Exhibiting the Beauties and Defects of the Horse, with Serious and Important Observations on His General Excellence, ...” Accessed December 7, 2023. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mmet.ark:/13960/t16m3rz2w?urlappend=%3Bseq=9.
Kwint, Marius. “Astley, Philip (1742–1814), Equestrian Performer and Circus Proprietor.” In Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2004. https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/821.
Lybeck, Eleanor. All on Show: The Circus in Irish Literature and Culture. Cork, Ireland: Cork university press, 2019.
Mattfeld, Monica. Becoming Centaur: Eighteenth-Century Masculinity and English Horsemanship. The Pennsylvania State University Press, 2017.
Victoria and Albert Museum. “The Story of Circus · V&A.” Accessed December 14, 2023. https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-story-of-circus.
Ward, Steve. Father of the Modern Circus “Billy Buttons”: The Life & Times of Philip Astley. Great Britain: Pen & Sword History, 2018.

EP80: The Thing About the Pump-Room

11/30/2023

There's nothing like a refreshing drink of mineral water under the watchful gaze of Beau Nash to get your day off to the right start. This episode we're headed to the pump-room in Bath to partake of the finest water on offer. And we promise that we actually do wash our glasses. Please exit on the left, and don't forget to tip your pumper.

Also, we have merch! Check out www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop to see the current offerings.

Selected Source

Eighteenth-Century Political Participation & Electoral Culture. “Bath: Constituency (Borough).” ECPPEC. Accessed November 18, 2023. ecppec.ncl.ac.uk/case-study-constituencies/bath/.
Haddon, John. Bath. London: Batsford, 1973.
Historic England. “Grand Pump Room, Non Civil Parish - 1394019.” Accessed November 18, 2023. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1394019.
Lane, Maggie. A Charming Place: Bath in the Life and Times of Jane Austen. Bath: Millstream Books, 1988.
———. Jane Austen’s England. London: Hale, 1996.
Lynch, Deidre. “Notes.” In Persuasion, by Jane Austen, edited by James Kinsley. Oxford World’s Classics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.
Murray, Venetia. An Elegant Madness: High Society in Regency England. New York: Penguin, 2000.
Nicolson, Nigel. The World of Jane Austen. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1991.
Savage, J. The Original Bath Guide, Considerably Enlarged and Improved, Comprehending Every Species of Information That Can Be Required by the Visitor and Inhabitant, Etc. J. Savage; Meyler & Son, 1811.
The Historic & Local New Bath Guide: Forming a Complete Pocket History of Bath (with a Map). J. Browne, 1802.
The Improved Bath Guide; Or, Picture of Bath and Its Environs. Wood & Cunningham, 1809.
Thicknesse, Philip. The Valetudinarians Bath Guide: Or, the Means of Obtaining Long Life and Health. 2nd ed. London: Dodsley, Brown, Pratt, and Clinch, 1780.

Ep77: The Thing About the Longbourn Entail

10/19/2023

www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780199245437.001.0001/acref-9780199245437-e-223Was it Mr. Bennet in the library with the entail? Or was it Mr. Collins in the dining room with the strict settlement? Mrs. Bennet is on the case, but regardless of her findings, she is not happy. Grab your Clue notepad and join us as we delve into 18th-century property and inheritance law and get into the specifics of the Longbourn entail.

Selected Sources

Appel, Peter A. ““A Funhouse Mirror of Law: The Entailment in Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’.” Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law 41, no. 3 (2013): 612–36.
Buck, Andrew R. “Entail.” In An Oxford Companion to the Romantic Age. Oxford University Press, 1999. www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780199245437.001.0001/acref-9780199245437-e-223.
———. “Primogeniture.” In An Oxford Companion to the Romantic Age. Oxford University Press, 1999. www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780199245437.001.0001/acref-9780199245437-e-564.
Collins, Maureen B. “The Law of Jane: Legal Issues in Austen’s Life and Novels.” Persuasions On-Line 38, no. 1 (2017). www.jasna.org/publications-2/persuasions-online/vol38no1/collins/.
Grover, Christine. “Pride, Prejudice, and the Threat to Edward Knight’s Inheritance.” Persuasions On-Line 35, no. 1 (2014) .www.jasna.org/persuasions/on-line/vol35no1/grover.html?
Le Faye, Deirdre. Jane Austen: The World of Her Novels. London: Frances Lincoln, 2003.
Macpherson, Sandra. “Rent to Own; or, What’s Entailed in Pride and Prejudice.” Representations 82, no. 1 (2003): 1–23. doi.org/10.1525/rep.2003.82.1.1.
Mahony, Stephen. Wealth or Poverty: Jane Austen’s Novels Explored. London: Robert Hale, 2015.
Treitel, G.H. “Jane Austen and the Law.” Law Quarterly Review 100, no. 4 (October 1984): 549–86.

Ep72: The Thing About St. James's Palace

7/27/2023

Sir William Lucas has been to St. James's Palace, and he wants to make sure that everyone knows about it. This episode we get into the particulars of Sir William's knighthood and stop by his favorite spot for a ball. If you have ever danced the minuet under the watchful gaze of a monarch, this episode is for you.

Selected Sources

Greig, Hannah. The Beau Monde: Fashionable Society in Georgian London. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013.
Kielmansegge, Friedrich graf von. Diary of a Journey to England in the Years 1761-1762. Translated by Countess of Kielmansegge. London: Longmans, Green and Company, 1902. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Diary_of_a_Journey_to_England_in_the_Yea/NKgMAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0.
Lamb, Charles. A Book Explaining the Ranks and Dignities of British Society Intended Chiefly for the Instruction of Young Persons. London: Tabart and Co., 1809. https://www.google.com/books/edition/a_book_explaining_the_ranks_and_dignitle/9sETAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0.
“Royal Residences: St James’s Palace.” Accessed July 11, 2023. https://www.royal.uk/royal-residences-st-jamess-palace.
Stafford, Fiona J. “Introduction and Notes.” In Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, edited by James Kinsley. Oxford World’s Classics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.
Thompson, Allison. “Dancing at St. James’s.” Persuasions On-Line 33, no. 1 (Winter 2012). https://jasna.org/persuasions/on-line/vol33no1/thompson.html?
Walford, Edward. Old and New London: A Narrative of Its History, Its People, and Its Places. Vol. 4. London: Cassell, Petter, & Galpin, 1873. http://archive.org/details/oldnewlondonnarr04thor.

Ep70: The Thing About the Irish Car Party

7/5/2023

There's nothing like a summer day at Box Hill. Nothing more awkward, that is. This episode we're jaunting forth with our friends from Highbury for an expedition sure to be uncomfortable for all involved. Along the way, we'll learn about the Irish car party mentioned by Miss Bates.

Selected Sources

Bilton, William. The Angler in Ireland: Or An Englishman’s Ramble Through Connaught and Munster, During the Summer of 1833. Vol. 1. 2 vols. London: R. Bentley, 1834. https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Angler_in_Ireland/J_EPAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0.
Collins, Peter. “Bianconi System.” In The Oxford Companion to Irish History, edited by S. J. Connolly. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780199234837.013.0144.
Cooper of Beccles, Edwin W. A Gentleman Driving Tandem to a Jaunting Car. c 1820. Oil on canvas, 20 1/8 × 25 7/8 inches. https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/tms:41292.
Edgeworth, Maria. Castle Rackrent. London: Macmillan and Co., 1895. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1424/1424-h/1424-h.htm.
Hall, Anna Maria, and Samuel Carter Hall. Hall’s Ireland: Mr & Mrs Hall’s Tour of 1840 (1984 Edn.). Edited by Michael Scott. Vol. 2, 1841. http://www.ricorso.net/rx/library/authors/writers/Hall_AM.htm.
“The Jaunting Car.” The Dublin Penny Journal 1, no. 3 (July 14, 1832): 20–21.
Walker’s Hibernian Magazine, Or, Compendium of Entertaining Knowledge. “Domestic Intelligence.” July 1789.
Willich, Anthony Florian Madinger. The Domestic Encyclopaedia. Vol. 2. Philadelphia: William Young Birch and Abraham Small, 1803. https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Domestic_Encyclopaedia_CAR_FIR/lug-AAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0.
Wordsworth, Dorothy. Recollections of a Tour Made in Scotland A.D. 1803. Project Gutenberg. Accessed June 14, 2023. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28880/28880-h/28880-h.htm.

Ep59: The Thing about the Bath Assembly Rooms

1/21/2023

Catherine Morland has arrived in Bath, and she is ready to be introduced to a man with a keen knowledge of muslin. This episode we explore both the Upper and Lower Assembly Rooms, including breaking down the role of the Master of Ceremonies, aka Bath's best matchmaker.

Selected Sources

Berg, Maxine. Luxury and Pleasure in Eighteenth-Century Britain. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007.
Byrne, Paula. “‘The Unmeaning Luxuries of Bath’: Urban Pleasures in Jane Austen’s World.” Persuasions 26 (2004): 13–26.
Chambers, Ephraim. Cyclopedia: Or, an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences. Vol. 1. London, 1728.
Kingsbury, Pamela D. “Assembly Rooms.” In Oxford Art Online, by Pamela D. Kingsbury. Oxford University Press, 2003. https://doi.org/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.T004633.
Lane, Maggie. A Charming Place: Bath in the Life and Times of Jane Austen. Bath: Millstream Books, 1988.
New Bath Guide or Useful Pocket Companion for All Persons Residing at or Resorting to This Ancient City. Bath: R. Cruttwell, 1791. https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_New_Bath_Guide_Or_Useful_Pocket_Comp/y65ayAEACAAJ?hl=en.
Stabler, Jane. “Cities.” In Jane Austen in Context, edited by Janet Todd, 204–14. Cambridge University Press, 2005. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316036525.020.
Thompson, Allison. “The Rules of the Assembly: Dancing at Bath and Other Spas in the Eighteenth Century.” Persuasions On-Line 31, no. 1 (2010). https://www.jasna.org/persuasions/on-line/vol31no1/thompson.html.

Ep58: The Thing About Sir John's Club

1/18/2023

Boodle's and Brooks's and White's, oh my! Gentlemen's clubs were a large part of the elite social landscape in Austen's time, and we're here to give you a look inside these exclusive gatherings.
If you have ever wanted to be in the room where it happens, this episode is for you.

Select Sources

Capdeville, Valérie. “The Ambivalent Identity of Eighteenth-Century London Clubs as a Prelude to Victorian Clublife.” Cahiers Victoriens et Édouardiens, no. 81 Printemps (September 6, 2015). https://doi.org/10.4000/cve.1976.
Heath, Sidney. Exeter. London: Blackie and Son Limited, 1912. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/24635/24635-h/24635-h.htm.
Marsh, Charles. The Clubs of London; With Anecdotes of Their Members, Sketches of Character, and Conversations. Vol. 1. London: Henry Colburn, 1828.
Milne-Smith, Amy. “Coffeehouses to Clubhouses: Understanding the Gentlemen’s Clubs of London.” In London Clubland, by Amy Milne-Smith, 17–34. New York: Palgrave Macmillan US, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137002082_2 .
Morrison, Robert. The Regency Years: During Which Jane Austen Writes, Napoleon Fights, Bryon Makes Love, and Britain Becomes Modern. New York: Norton, 2019.
Murray, Venetia. An Elegant Madness: High Society in Regency England. New York: Viking, 1999.
Rendell, Jane. The Pursuit of Pleasure: Gender, Space & Architecture in Regency London. London: Athlone Press, 2002.
Tomalin, Claire. Jane Austen: A Life. London: Viking, 1997.

Ep52: The Thing About Bath's Baths

10/13/2022

Grab your floating potpourri and come along for this dip into the history of Bath and its waters, as this episode we are diving into the baths in Bath. If you have ever wished that towel service was included, this episode is for you.

And, as promised, here is a snippet from the 1987 Northanger Abbey when Catherine attends the baths.

Selected Sources:

Historic UK. “Bath.” Accessed September 27, 2022. https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/Bath/.
Bradely, Ian. “Why Is 18th-Century Bath Considered the Model for Modern Day Spas?” Literary Hub (blog), January 22, 2021. https://lithub.com/why-is-18th-century-bath-considered-the-model-for-modern-day-spas/.
Lane, Maggie. A Charming Place: Bath in the Life and Times of Jane Austen. Bath: Millstream Books, 1988.
———. Jane Austen’s England. London: Hale, 1996.
Le Faye, Deirdre. Jane Austen: The World of Her Novels. London: Frances Lincoln, 2003.
Stabler, Jane. “Cities.” In Jane Austen in Context, edited by Janet Todd, 204–14. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316036525.020.
The Original Bath Guide, Considerably Enlarged And Improved ; Forming An Indispensible Pocket Companion For The Visitor And Inhabitant. Meyler, 1818.
“The Roman Baths in Bath- A Deep Dive into Britain’s Ancient History - World History Encyclopedia.” Accessed September 27, 2022. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1427/the-roman-baths-in-bath--a-deep-dive-into-britains/.
Tillyard, S. K. Aristocrats: Caroline, Emily, Louisa, and Sarah Lennox, 1740-1832. London: Chatto & Windus, 1994.

Ep45: The Thing About Weymouth

8/5/2022

This week we're headed to Weymouth to check out the scene of Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill's courtship. Join us as we first peruse the daily schedule of resort lifestyle activities and then examine the ways in which Austen uses Weymouth as a breadcrumb trail clue.

Selected Sources:

Brodie, Allan, Colin Ellis, and Gary Winter. Weymouth’s Seaside Heritage. Swindon: English Heritage, 2008.
Burney, Fanny. The Diary of Fanny Burney. Edited by Lewis Gibbs. London: Dent, 1972.
Crane, John. Cursory Observations on Sea-Bathing; the Use of Sea-Water Internally, and the Advantages of a Maritime Situation, as Conducing to Health and Longevity To Which Is Added, a Concise History of Weymouth. S. Margrie, 1795. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Cursory_Observations_on_Sea_bathing_the/3OS4-hCxKUQC?hl=en&gbpv=1.
Lyme Regis Museum. “Enslaving People.” Accessed January 28, 2022. https://www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk/related-article/enslaving-people/.
Love, John. A New Improved Weymouth Guide: Containing a Description of Weymouth, Portland, Lulworth Castle, and Every Place in the Neighbour Hood Worthy of the Observation of Strangers. Weymouth: Virtue, 1800. https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_New_Improved_Weymouth_Guide_Containing/VbGnWsr7znAC?hl=en&gbpv=0.

Ep38: The Thing About Louisa's Fall with guest Dr. Matthew Reznicek

5/12/2022

This week we're joined by guest Dr. Matthew Reznicek as we discuss one of the most pivotal scenes in Persuasion. In addition to Louisa's injury and the treatment she receives, we also examine the role of Anne as caregiver and the various ways that health and illness come up in the novel.

Episode content warning: Discussion of traumatic brain injury and depression.

Thank you so much to Matthew for joining us for this episode! You can find him on Twitter @drreznicek.

Selected Sources

Klass, Perri. “‘A Sick Child Is Always the Mother’s Property’: The Jane Austen Pediatric Trauma Management Protocol.” The Journal of Medical Humanities 42, no. 1 (March 2021): 121–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10912-020-09664-0.
Richardson, Alan. “Of Heartache and Head Injury: Reading Minds in Persuasion.” Poetics Today 23, no. 1 (2002): 141–60.

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