[13] Written in 1796-97.
[14] Besides Jane and Elizabeth Bennet, we have Ellinor and Marianne
Dashwood, Anne and Lucy Steele, Henrietta and Louisa Musgrove,
among the sisters who have most things in common; and as couples of
unsympathetic and rival sisters there are Elizabeth and Anne Elliot,
and Maria and Julia Bertram.
[15] When such gifts were strictly localised, the possession of them
was better defined and more insisted upon. The “beauties” as well as
the “fortunes” of a district were carefully classified and registered
for the public good.
[16] Elopements were not uncommon among the highly-coloured events of
those days, but the consequences were apt to be even more disastrous
than they are to foolish young people of this generation.
[17] Would anything less than two courses be now reckoned “a good
table” for a country gentleman’s family? Can we say the growing
reckless luxury of these expensive times is well for ourselves and well
for our fellow-citizens?
[Illustration]