| This blog explores social attitudes in Jane Austen's time, discusses her novels, reviews forgotten 18th century novels, and throws some occasional shade at the modern academy. The introductory post is here. My "six simple questions for academics" post is here. Spoilers abound in my discussion of these forgotten novels, and I discuss 18th-century attitudes which I do not necessarily endorse. |
Back from England with sore feet and great memories
My husband and our youngest son joined me for a trip to the UK, touring Edinburgh, St. Andrews, York, Oxford, and London. Had to put my feet up and rest after we got home! In London, we stayed in Bloomsbury, near Brunswick Square. Janeites will know why that matters.
One reason for my visit--to walk in my graduation ceremony for my Masters degree (by research) from the University of York. The "by research" part means I wrote a dissertation for my degree and did not take classes. I did it as a distance student, under the encouraging supervision of Professors Alison O'Byrne and Jennie Batchelor. My dissertation looks at Austen's use of novel tropes in Emma (such as Harriet as the long-lost foundling heroine and Jane Fairfax being rescued from drowning).
While there, I visited some more locales that I had put into my novels but have never been to! Last year, I visited the site of the Peterloo Massacre and St. Pancras church. This time I went to St. James's Park in London, where Fanny Price is taken hostage in my second novel, A Marriage of Attachment. On this return trip, I got to visit libraries in York and Oxford to continue my research into the lives of some forgotten female authors.
One reason for my visit--to walk in my graduation ceremony for my Masters degree (by research) from the University of York. The "by research" part means I wrote a dissertation for my degree and did not take classes. I did it as a distance student, under the encouraging supervision of Professors Alison O'Byrne and Jennie Batchelor. My dissertation looks at Austen's use of novel tropes in Emma (such as Harriet as the long-lost foundling heroine and Jane Fairfax being rescued from drowning).
While there, I visited some more locales that I had put into my novels but have never been to! Last year, I visited the site of the Peterloo Massacre and St. Pancras church. This time I went to St. James's Park in London, where Fanny Price is taken hostage in my second novel, A Marriage of Attachment. On this return trip, I got to visit libraries in York and Oxford to continue my research into the lives of some forgotten female authors.
 On our narrowboat cruise in the canals of London.  Victorian splendour at the Museum of Natural History in Oxford. Beautiful building and so nice to see parents showing the displays to their children. |  St. Andrews castle at St. Andrews, home of the famous golf course. A beautiful day, as you can see from the photo.  Do you like cemeteries? I highly recommend Brompton cemetery in London. |
 The compact and colourful Chinatown in London.  Left: We have majestic, towering groves of old growth forests in British Columbia. But we don't have cathedrals with vaulted ceilings rising up halfway to heaven. |  Botanic Gardens at Oxford. Thanks to my son Joe for all the best photos.  A pot of tea and a delicious scone with clotted cream and jam (mixed together so you can't tell what went on first) aboard a narrowboat in London.  |
Right: I saw this lady, who looks like a dead ringer for 1995 Mrs. Gardiner in my opinion, during my 2024 visit to England. It is at the Merchant Guildhall in York.
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