The Jane Austen Handbook by Margaret C. Sullivan Read Free Book Online Page A

acceptable for the artist to insert them.
    Gilpin’s wildly natural aesthetic worked its way into architecture and landscape design as well as the literature of the time. A Gothic novel, such as
The Mysteries of Udolpho
, would always include a mysterious castle or abbey on the verge of ruin, as well as lengthy poetical descriptions of the rugged mountain country in which it was inevitably located.

HOW TO RAISE YOUR CHILDREN
    “You know it is very bad to have children with one that one is obligated to be checking every moment; ‘don’t do this,’ and ‘don’t do that;’ or that one can only keep in tolerable order by more cake than is good for them.”

— M RS . M USGROVE IN
P ERSUASION
    Between a patriarchal social structure and the lack of effective birth control methods, Regency women are almost certain to bear children after marriage, sometimes many children close together. Ideally, both parents would be involved in raising the children, but most of the responsibility falls to the woman. If there is anything disagreeable going on, men are always sure to get out of it!

    •  Employ your servants to best advantage . You have hired a trustworthy nurse; let her assist you. Wean the infant after three months and turn it over to her so you can attend to your other duties.
    •  Keep them in the country as much as possible . Children need room to run about and play, and in fine weather fresh air is good for a child.
    •  Employ the latest educational methods . ReadJean-Jacques Rousseau’s novel
Émile
andJohn Locke’s book
Some Thoughts on Education
for advice. Children are naturally good, and their spirits should be allowed to develop naturally and not repressed.
    •  Instill good principles . Teach them pride in their position in society, but teach them the duties that come with it: caring for those less fortunate and maintaining the family property for the next generation.
    •  Encourage their creativity . Give them books to read, paper upon which to draw, and blank books in which to write stories.
    •  Do not allow them to be idle . Keep them busy, even with play or active pursuits, for idleness leads to ignorance. Do not force a child to apply herself to a subject she does not wish to study, such as music lessons—find another activity to take its place.
    •  Give them treats . If all else fails, liberal slices of cake solve many child-rearing problems.

HOW TO BECOME KNOWN AS A VALUABLE NEIGHBOR
    “I think there are few places with such society as Highbury. I always say, we are quite blessed in our neighbours.”

—M ISS B ATES IN
E MMA
    In the country, it is important to maintain good relations with yourneighbors.
    •  Look after the poor and sick . Ensure that they have enough food and warm clothing. Give them advice and provide a good example.
    •  Assist young people with vocational matters . Use your connections to find a place for a young person in need of a position as a governess or maidservant. If the young person refuses your help, accept her decision gracefully; surely she has a good reason for it.
    •  Use your resources to spare others trouble . Offer your carriage to ladies in need of a ride on the night of a ball or dinner party. If you are passing by a neighbor’s house, stop and inquire if you can perform any service for them, especially if they are housebound. If you will be traveling and a neighbor has a friend in the area, offer to carry a letter or package to save postage costs.
    •  Do not gossip about your neighbors . When they are having family troubles, keeping silent on the matter is probably the best thing you can do for them.
    •  Remind others to look after their health . Teach the young ladies under your purview that a little daily exercise and efforts to help the poor will serve them better than putting on sickly airs and lying about on sofas.
    •  Play Cupid . Invite the young people of the neighborhood over for an evening of card games and a bit