Chocolate, Elixir of the Gods

The morning chocolate by Pietro Longhi; Venice, 1775–1780

Well, this is all very nice about chocolate, but, unfortunately, our presenter for this Saturday's meeting has had to cancel. So:

WE WILL BE MEETING BACK AT THE BARNES AND NOBLE AT 1 PM ON SATURDAY JANUARY 21.

Marie Sprayberry will be presenting her talk from the recent AGM, a fascinating look at the Prince Regent.

“The General, between his cocoa and his newspaper, had luckily no leisure for noticing her; but to the other two her distress was equally visible.” Northanger Abbey chapter 25

In her novels Jane Austen makes only one mention of chocolate in the form of cocoa. In the quote at the top of this article, Catherine Morland has just received a letter from her brother telling her that he has broken off his engagement with Isabella because of Frederick Tilney. Catherine is understandably upset, but must proceed into breakfast with the Tilneys with tears in her eyes and on her cheeks. The General is oblivious, calmly drinking cocoa and reading his newspaper.

With the imagery of cocoa and the newspaper Jane Austen makes clear just how detached General Tilney is from his family and guest. He is more interested in a morning beverage and the news from afar than he is in a tearful guest.

Cocoa as a beverage was well established in Regency England, although Jane Austen only mentions it this one time. For comparison she mentions tea approximately 72 times, coffee about 10 times and wine about 28 times. It is interesting that we find the General sipping cocoa rather than tea or coffee. I would be interested in hearing any ideas on why Jane Austen chose cocoa in this instance.

The history of chocolate, from its origins in the New World to our present love affair, is an intriguing subject. At our January meeting JASNA CWNY will host a talk on the history of chocolate by Peggy Roll from the Genesee Country Village and Museum. Come and learn how this somewhat bitter seed developed into such a well-loved treat (or major food group depending on one’s inclination.) Here are the details:

Event:       JASNA CWNY January Meeting
When:      Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 1 pm

Topic:       The History of Chocolate
                    A talk by Peggy Roll from the Genesee Country Village and Museum

Where:     NOTE LOCATION CHANGE
                  First Baptist Church of Rochester, 175 Allens Creek Road,
                 Classrooms 9 and 11

Cost:        $5 for JASNA National members, $7 for non-members

                  Exact change required

New Topic:     Marie Sprayberry presenting her AGM talk on the Prince Regent
New Where:   Pittsford Barnes and Noble, Community Room

Birthdays and Boots

Leather shoes 1798, British @www.metmuseum.org

"Dirty, sir! Look at my shoes. Not a speck on them." Emma chapter 1

On December 10,  JASNACWNY joyfully holds its annual Jane Austen Birthday Luncheon. Alicia Kerfoot, Professor of English at SUNY Brockport, joins us to celebrate Jane Austen’s birthday and speak about Jane Austen’s use of shoes in her writing

Along with an intriguing speaker, we will have a grand luncheon complete with delicious popovers and a birthday cake. There will be a toast to commemorate our favorite author, and plenty of good conversation with “clever well-informed people”.

From boots to bonnets, Jane Austen knew how to use clothing to establish character, set a scene or move along a plot. Ever scheming to accomplish her matrimonial plans for Harriet, Emma literally stoops to using her boots in pursuit of her plan. 

“This would not do; she immediately stopped, under pretence of having some alteration to make in the lacing of her half-boot, and stooping down in complete occupation of the footpath, begged them to have the goodness to walk on, and she would follow in half a minute.” Emma chapter 10.

Alas, it is not enough. Somehow she must contrive to get Harriet into Mr. Elton’s vicarage.

“They now walked on together quietly, till within view of the vicarage pales, when a sudden resolution, of at least getting Harriet into the house, made her again find something very much amiss about her boot, and fall behind to arrange it once more. She then broke the lace off short, and dexterously throwing it into a ditch, was presently obliged to entreat them to stop, and acknowledged her inability to put herself to rights so as to be able to walk home in tolerable comfort.” Emma chapter 10.

But it is all for nought. Mr. Elton is not yet ready to accommodate Emma’s scheme.

“The lovers were standing together at one of the windows. It had a most favourable aspect; and, for half a minute, Emma felt the glory of having schemed successfully. But it would not do; he had not come to the point. He had been most agreeable, most delightful; he had told Harriet that he had seen them go by, and had purposely followed them; other little gallantries and allusions had been dropt, but nothing serious.” Emma chapter 10

In Northanger Abbey Henry Tilney mentions shoes when he teases Catherine about what she may write in her diary.

“"Yes, I know exactly what you will say: Friday, went to the Lower Rooms; wore my sprigged muslin robe with blue trimmings -- plain black shoes -- appeared to much advantage; but was strangely harassed by a queer, half-witted man, who would make me dance with him, and distressed me by his nonsense."” Northanger Abbey chapter 3.

In Pride and Prejudice we find that ladies must have the appropriate footwear to venture far outside.

“From his garden, Mr. Collins would have led them round his two meadows, but the ladies, not having shoes to encounter the remains of a white frost, turned back; and while Sir William accompanied him, Charlotte took her sister and friend over the house, extremely well pleased, probably, to have the opportunity of shewing it without her husband's help.” Pride and Prejudice chapter 28.

Perhaps they could have gone a bit further through the white frost, but the shoes provided a good excuse for the ladies to seek their own company inside the house.

These details are important in Jane Austen’s writing, and we will learn so much more from our speaker at the Jane Austen Birthday Luncheon. Here are the details:

Event:     JASNA CWNY Jane Austen Birthday Luncheon

Topic:     Jane Austen and Shoes

                  Alicia Kerfoot, professor of English at The College at Brockport

When:    Saturday December 10, 10:30 am.

Where:   Chatterbox Club, 25 Goodman St. N, Rochester NY 14607