Category: Persuasion (novel)

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.

Ep55: The Thing About Mrs. Croft at Sea with guest Maria Petrillo

11/21/2022

It's the Napoleonic Wars, and you're married to an admiral of the Royal Navy. This episode we're joined by guest Maria Petrillo of the Mystic Seaport Museum to discuss the intrepid Mrs. Croft and what it was like to be a woman living on board a naval ship in Austen's time.

Thank you so much to Maria for joining us for this episode! You can find her on Instagram @maria_anne18. You can learn more about the Mystic Seaport Museum by visiting www.MysticSeaport.org, and you can follow them on Instagram @mysticseaportmuseum.

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.

Ep49: The Thing About the Bath Paper with guest Barbara Heller

9/24/2022

We are joined this week by guest Barbara Heller to discuss the Bath paper aka the Bath Chronicle. We cover Sir Walter's favorite “Arrived Here” column, as well as diving into other details of the paper of choice for Regency Bath society.

Barbara also chats with us about her new edition of Persuasion and her process for curating the various letters and ephemera included with the novel. Thank you so much to Barbara for joining us for this episode! You can find her website at www.barbaraheller.org and follow her on Instagram @barbarahellerletters.

Episode content warning: Brief passages from the Bath Chronicle are read where accidental death is mentioned, including that of a child (starting around minute 5:45).

Ep44: The Thing About Gowland with guest Dr. June Oh

7/28/2022

Sir Walter is offering free beauty consultations, but we have some serious questions about this Gowland product that he won't stop recommending. Thankfully, guest Dr. June Oh is here to help us sort substance from scam. If you have ever regretted a cosmetic purchase, this episode is for you.

Thank you so much to June for joining us for this episode! You can find her on Twitter @JuneOh_.

Note: While Sir Walter refers to the product in question as Gowland, it was frequently marketed and advertised as Gowland's or Gowland's Lotion. We have stuck with Austen's spelling for our title but use the names interchangeably in the episode.

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.

Ep35: The Thing About Tattersall's

4/14/2022

Sir Walter is peeved, and we're here to explain exactly why our favorite snob is in such a snit. Obviously, no one explained to Mr. Elliot that Tattersall's is not to be trifled with.

If you have ever wanted a pony, this episode is for you.

Episode content warning: discussion of gambling and debt.

Selected Sources

Ackermann, Rudolph. The Microcosm of London or London In Miniature. Vol. 3. London: Bensley, 1815. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Volume_III/1X9DnQZuBfMC?hl=en&gbpv=0.
The General Evening Post. “Advertisement: Richard Tattersall’s Well-Bred Running Horse.” March 12, 1761, No. 4278 edition.
Tattersalls. “History of Tattersalls.” Accessed April 7, 2022. https://www.tattersalls.com/about.
Lynch, Diedre Shauna. “Introduction and Notes.” In Persuasion, by Jane Austen, edited by James Kinsley. Oxford World’s Classics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.
Morrison, Robert. The Regency Years: During Which Jane Austen Writes, Napoleon Fights, Byron Makes Love, and Britain Becomes Modern. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2019.
Vamplew, Wray, and Joyce Kay. Encyclopedia of British Horseracing. London: Routledge, 2005.

Ep29: The Thing About Benwick's Miniature with Emma Rutherford

2/25/2022

This episode we're taking a look at portrait miniatures and Captain Benwick's love of regifting with the help of art historian and portrait miniatures specialist, Emma Rutherford. Plus, Emma provides some fascinating backstory behind the possible inspiration for Lydia Bennet. Thank you so much to Emma for joining us for this episode! You can find her at www.emmarutherford.com and @_emma_rutherford on Instagram.

EP25: The Thing About Anne's Newspapers with guest Katherine Cowley

1/28/2022

How did one keep tabs on a crush or former romance in a time before social media? In the case of Anne Elliot, you turn to newspapers and navy lists for the word on Wentworth. This week we're all about the role of naval news in Persuasion, with the help of our guest Katherine Cowley. If you have ever pined for a lost love through scrapbooking, this episode is for you.

Thank you so much to Katherine for joining us for this episode! You can find her online at www.KatherineCowley.com.

EP13: The Thing About the Cobb

10/3/2021

Captain Wentworth is headed to Lyme Regis, so obviously we must tag along. Pack a pair of sturdy shoes and tie your bonnet strings on extra tight because this episode, we're out walking on the Cobb. If you have ever wished you had a wind machine to follow you around in real life, this episode is for you.

Selected episode sources

Bull, Richard. “Sea Defences - The Cobb Breakwater.” Lyme Regis Museum, March 11, 2015. https://www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk/sea-defences-cobb-breakwater/.
Lyme Regis Museum. “Enslaving People.” Accessed January 28, 2022. https://www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk/related-article/enslaving-people/.
The Independent. “Storm on the Cobb: Historic Harbour Defence Starts to Crack in Lyme Regis.” The Independent (London, England). February 13, 2014.

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