| In today's post we're looking at a five volume novel, The Bristol Heiress, by Eleanor Sleath. First, some coincidences between this novel and Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey. Then, a bit about the author, and a real-life Bristol heiress. For more posts about now-obscure 18th century authors, click the category "Authoresses" to the right. |
CMP#68 Inspiration or Coincidence? Austen Antecedents, cont'd.
In my last blog post, I looked at some 18th-century novels which scholars say might have influenced Jane Austen in terms of characters, themes, or plot points. Here's an example of a book that could have served as inspiration but the resemblance must surely be coincidental--what do you think?
In volume I of The Bristol Heiress, Mr. Griffiths, a charming and handsome young clergyman, goes walking with the heroine and her friend. He points out the beauties of the landscape to them. Later, he also explains the principles of drawing and perspective to the young heroine--just like Henry Tilney. In Northanger Abbey, Catherine Moreland "confessed and lamented her want of knowledge," so Henry Tilney "talked of foregrounds, distances, and second distances—side-screens and perspectives—lights and shades." Caroline Percival, the Bristol heiress, “knew little of design, and less of colouring; and in the arts of grouping and perspective, she was strangely deficient. Mr. Griffiths "united a thorough knowledge of the science and a thorough fondness for it."
In volume I of The Bristol Heiress, Mr. Griffiths, a charming and handsome young clergyman, goes walking with the heroine and her friend. He points out the beauties of the landscape to them. Later, he also explains the principles of drawing and perspective to the young heroine--just like Henry Tilney. In Northanger Abbey, Catherine Moreland "confessed and lamented her want of knowledge," so Henry Tilney "talked of foregrounds, distances, and second distances—side-screens and perspectives—lights and shades." Caroline Percival, the Bristol heiress, “knew little of design, and less of colouring; and in the arts of grouping and perspective, she was strangely deficient. Mr. Griffiths "united a thorough knowledge of the science and a thorough fondness for it."
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