Canary Wharf is one of the biggest financial centres in Europe.
Steventon rectory, as depicted in A Memoir of Jane Austen
JASNA Central and Western New York will hold a Michaelmas meeting for Syracuse area members on Saturday, September 26 at 2 pm in the Sargent Room of the Liverpool Public Library 310 Tulip St. Liverpool NY, 13088.
In line with the theme of the JASNA AGM in Louisville, which is "Living in Jane Austen's World", this meeting will be about "Living in Jane Austen's World: Pros and Cons". As Marie Sprayberry asks, "What aspects of life in 1815 England would you prefer, and what would you rather stay in 2015 America for?
The meeting will also feature a book swap. If you can, please bring at least one book by/about JA or of possible interest to Janeites, and come prepared to take at least one book.
Let's get the discussion started. What do you like about Jane Austen's England?
Elegant estates?
A panoramic view of Chatsworth House and Park, early 18th century (Pieter Tillemans)
Beautiful balls?
Meryton Assembly Dancers (Lisa Brown)
Or maybe just the bonnets and cravats.
Pierre Seriziat in riding dress, 1795.
Barb's Bonnets on display at Country Dance Rochester's Netherfield Ball (Lisa Brown)
And what might you prefer from 2015?
Running water?
running water
Matthew Bowden www.digitallyrefreshing.com
Antibiotics?
Chemical Formula for Penicillin
Or beautiful balls?
Country Dance Rochester Turning of the Year Ball (Lisa Brown)
So, take your pick and please join us for a lively discussion of Then vs. Now.
Note from Marie: This year, September 26 will be the first day of the Liverpool Library’s “Down Under” book sale, to be held in the Library’s small underground garage. On the one hand, this may provide another incentive for book-loving Janeites to attend our meeting—but on the other hand, do allow some extra time to find on-street parking, since the garage will not be available and since the sale is likely to attract some extra traffic to the library.
Thanks for the post, Chris--and I love the illustrations!
ReplyDeleteI'll throw in the first set of pros (and, by implication, cons):
Pros for 1815: The general elegance of homes and fashions (as long as you happened to be royalty, nobility, or gentry), and the general tone of public discourse (hey, even the insults were classier then).
Pros for 2015: Running water and other public utilities; modern medicine, even with all its flaws; the status of women; and the chances for people below the gentry class to better themselves. (I admit that things are tough now, particularly for the young and for people of color. But the circumstances of your birth counted for even more then than they do now.)
I really enjoy not dying in childbirth like Jane Austen's sister-in-laws.
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