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Persuasion - notes on the text
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Notes
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Persuasion Learn what those weird words and phrases mean here! I've tried to explain anything I thought wasn't clear for a modern audience, but if you think I've missed anything, please let me know. For use with the text version of Persuasion found on this site. These notes are copyright © Austen for Beginners 2008 and may not be reproduced without permission. Baronetage A reference book containing details of all the baronets in the country. There were several versions of these - the one referenced here might well be 'A Baronetage of England' published in 1808. It describes the history of each title, from when it was first granted down to the date of publication. A baronet is the lowest form of the peerage; a duke is the highest and the order goes down through marquesses, earls and viscounts to baronets. A baronet had the title of Sir, the same as a knight, but a baronetcy can be inherited by the next male in line, which a knighthood cannot. A baronet is entitled to make it clear that his 'Sir' is the superior version by using the written abbreviation 'Bt' or 'Bart' after his name. So Sir Walter might write his name as 'Sir Walter Elliot, Bt.' In company he would be addressed as 'Sir Walter' - NEVER as 'Sir Elliot' which is incorrect and never used. His wife would always have been known as Lady Elliot - not Lady Elizabeth, which would only have been used if she had been born a Lady i.e. the daughter of a higher peer such as a duke or an earl. A peerage was granted by the reigning monarch in the form of letters patent which describe the title to be assumed and any other rights and privileges bestowed on the holder of the title. Dugdale Sir William Dugdale, eminent historian of the 17th century who wrote a number of historical books including The Baronage published in 1676. high sheriff Post held by appointment from the monarch, one for each county. Nowadays mostly an honorary title but in earlier times would have acted as the king's representative and been responsible for maintaining law and order including raising an army if necessary. Lots more information on the High Sheriff's website here: The Association of High Sheriffs Charles II Charles I was executed by the Parliamentarians in 1649. England was then a republic until 1660 when Charles II, son of Charles I, was restored to the throne. He rewarded those who had been loyal to him with lands and titles - Sir Walter's ancestor among them. duodecimo Size of book approximately the size of today's average paperback. To achieve the correct size, a sheet of paper was folded twelve times to make 24 leaves or 48 pages. heir presumptive Presumed to be the heir, because Sir Walter had no son. An 'heir apparent' would be a peer's eldest son. chaise and four Carriage drawn by four horses, only owned by the wealthy. Tattersall's Famous horse dealers in London, much patronised by the wealthy. wearing black ribbons A sign of mourning - as Mr Elliot's wife was only a distant relative, full mourning (black dress etc) was not required. agent An employee of Sir Walter who took care of all his business and financial dealings. retrench Cut back, economise. peace The Peace of 1814 was a treaty between England and France, resolving the first phase of the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon himself was exiled and the French monarchy restored. In the same year, peace was also declared between America and England with the Treaty of Gent. It is not clear which of these peace declarations is meant by Mr Shepherd here; most likely he is referring to the general peaceful situation in England which after years of war was much welcomed by everyone. quarter sessions Court sessions held in the county town of Somerset (Taunton) every quarter (i.e. every three months). Both criminal and civil cases would be heard by magistrates on these occasions. Local landowners might well have an interest in whatever was going on - either they or their agents (Mr Shepherd in this case) could be regular attenders either as participants or spectators. white At this time there were three squadrons of the Navy - Red, White and Blue. These were later renamed as the Merchant Service (today's Merchant Navy), the Royal Navy and the Royal Naval Reserve. In modern times the Merchant Navy is a civil (i.e. non-military) service, a generic term applied to ships and crews of civilian ships such as freighters and passenger liners. The Royal Navy remains as the seagoing part of the military service (along with the Army and the Royal Air Force) and the Royal Naval Reserve is exactly what it says - the reserve naval service, formed principally of ex-Royal Navy personnel. Trafalgar Famous naval battle against Napoleon's forces, fought in 1805 off Cape Trafalgar near Cadiz in Spain. This indenture sheweth Legal phrase meaning 'this agreement shows'. Michaelmas Michaelmas is in September, and was one of the 'quarter days' during the year when rents were commonly paid and other agreements were started or ended. Pronounced 'Micklemuss' Queen Squares Address in Bath that was not quite as grand as some of the others. It was one of the first streets built in Bath's expansion in the eighteenth century and by this time was considered a bit old hat in comparison to some of the more recent developments. apothecary Qualified doctors (physicians) were very expensive and the apothecary (similar to today's pharmacist) was a cheaper alternative. in orders In Holy Orders - i.e. he was ordained as a priest. new creation A newly created title was held in less esteem than one which had been established for many generations. Lyme Now known as Lyme Regis, a small seaside resort on the south coast of England near the border between Devon and Dorset. Cobb Pronounced as in 'robe' (rather than 'rob') - the harbour breakwater which juts out nto the sea, the most famous landmark in Lyme. Thought to date from the 13th century when it would originally have been made of wood, it is at the time of the novel (and still) made of stone.  Charmouth Small seaside village near Lyme. Up Lyme Now more commonly spelt Uplyme all in one word, a small village inland (and up the hill) from Lyme. Pinny Now spelt Pinhay, a village west of Lyme and slightly inland. The chasms and cliffs referred to are on the coast at Pinhay Bay. prize-money Money additional to regular pay, earned as the result of a ship's success in action or in capturing pirates or other rich prizes. Usually split mainly among the officers, with some small amounts going to the crew. This was a practice accepted by the Navy as a normal way for young officers in particular to supplement their usual pay which was not very good. Marmion The Lady of the Lake Poems by Mr (later Sir) Walter Scott. Giaour The Bride of Abydos Poems by Lord Byron. arms The family coat of arms was commonly painted on the side panels of a carriage, so that it was clear to whom the carriage belonged. Of course, it was entirely possible that Mr Elliot did not have the arms painted on his carriage at all, but Mary knows that her father does so. livery Uniform of a servant - a family might adopt a particular design or colour to distinguish their servants from those of another family. Mourning livery would be plain black and therefore indistinguishable. Again, to have ones servants clad in family livery is something that Sir Walter certainly does, but that Mr Elliot may not. run up to the yard-arm When capital punishment was carried out at sea, as occasionally might happen in case of mutiny, the unfortunate victim was strung up and hung on the yard-arm, or cross-mast. down the steps The Cobb has two levels - the very top, like the top of a wall, and the lower level, a path along the base. cards Visiting cards, left when either a family was not at home to visitors, or when the visitor was unknown or only slightly acquainted. If the family visited wished to pursue the acquaintance, they would return the call, also leaving their card. Gowland Gowland's Lotion, a common preparation used for spots and freckles. Sunday travelling A regular churchgoer would not have dreamed of travelling on a Sunday; this clearly suggests that Mr Elliot has not always been in the habit of attending church regularly, which does him no favours in Anne's eyes. three-shilling piece About one and a half inches across. Mollands Well-known pastry-cook's shop in Bath. Octagon Room The Assembly Rooms in Bath (also known as the Upper Rooms to distinguish them from the earlier Lower Rooms further down the hill) were opened in 1771. The Octagon Room is the room that links to the other three (the Ball Room, the Tea Room and the Concert Room). It was a good spot therefore for the Elliots to await the arrival of Lady Dalrymple. living The post of parish priest. Such posts were usually at the discretion of the local landowner or other important person - the living was usually described as being 'in the gift of' whoever it was. This 'gift' might sometimes be bestowed on someone who was not yet qualified to hold it, as they had not yet been ordained as a priest - in that case, someone else might be asked to caretake it until such time as the holder could take it up. ©
Austen
for Beginners 2008
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