“My idea of good company, Mr Elliot, is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.” “You are mistaken,” said he gently, “that is not good company; that is the best.” Persuasion, Chapter 16
Episodes
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Baronets, Retrenching, and How to Pronounce Somersetshire
Persuasion – Chapter 1
What’s important about the year 1814? Why is it so ironic that Sir Walter is obsessed with rank? Learn the answers to these questions and more in the inaugural episode of My Cousin Jane.
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Quit vs Let, Town vs Country, and Mrs. Clay
Persuasion – Chapter 2
What does it mean to rent vs let? Why couldn’t Sir Walter move to London? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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The Peace, the Navy, and Poaching
Persuasion – Chapter 3
What exactly was “The Trafalgar Action”? What was a deputation? What exactly does the term “gentleman” mean? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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San Domingo, Francis Austen, and Naval Prize Money
Persuasion – Chapter 4
What is the connection between Captain Wentworth and Francis Austen? How did Naval prize money work? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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Hypochondriacs, Freckles, Teeth, and Clumsy Wrists
Persuasion – Chapter 5
What exactly is a “clumsy wrist”? What’s wrong with freckles? How was Jane Austen so familiar with hypochondriacs and why are teeth so important in her novels? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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Where to Live in Bath, Servant Ranks, and Dining Precedence
Persuasion – Chapter 6
What was wrong with living in Queen Square? What’s the deal with the servants at Uppercross, and why is Mary taking Mrs. Musgrove’s place? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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Why Apothecaries Always Want You to Drink Something
Persuasion – Chapter 7
Does Anne’s conversation with Mary about little Charles prove that Jane Austen wasn’t a feminist? What exactly was an apothecary and why did they always want people to drink things? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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The Asp, the Laconia, and Women on Ships
Persuasion – Chapter 8
Were the Asp and Laconia based on real ships? Why did Captain Wentworth take the time to have a “lovely cruise” in the middle of the war? How common was it for women to be on naval ships? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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We’re Back, with Fortunes in the 1800s, Country Curates, and More!
Persuasion – Chapter 9
Just how rich was Captain Wentworth? Was being a country curate as bad as Mary says? How exactly is one “made a baronet”? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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British Footpaths, Hedgerows, and More!
Persuasion – Chapter 10
Can you really just walk across open private land in England? How exactly does one lay a hedgerow and what were they for? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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All about Lyme Regis, the Infamous Cobb, Poets, and More!
Persuasion – Chapter 11
Just how famous is Lyme Regis and the infamous Cobb where Miss Musgrove takes her tumble? What exactly were bathing machines? And what does the term “Cobb” mean anyway? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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Carriages, Chaise, and Gigs, Oh My!
Persuasion – Chapter 12
What exactly is the difference between a chaise and a coach? Why is Admiral Croft’s gig also referred to as a one-horse chaise? Why does Captain Wentworth return post from Lyme, and what does that mean anyway? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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Caring for the Poor, Treating Chilblains, and More!
Persuasion – Chapter 13
What exactly was nurse Sarah treating when she was called back into service? What was the difference between a nursery maid and a nanny? And what were the responsibilities of the gentry towards the poor? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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It’s Christmastide in Uppercross!
Persuasion – Chapter 14
How did most regency families celebrate Christmas? Just how old was the “Old Bridge” in Bath? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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A Tour of Bath with Sir Walter
Persuasion – Chapter 15
What made Camden Place such an interesting place to live? Why was it called Camden Place? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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What Sir Walter and King George III Had in Common, plus Regency Titles
Persuasion – Chapter 16
What did Sir Walter and King George III have in common? What is the proper form of address for Lady Dalrymple? Why is Miss Carteret not Miss Dalrymple? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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Rheumatic Fever and Westgate Buildings
Persuasion – Chapter 17
What exactly is rheumatic fever and how was it treated in Regency times? What’s wrong with living in Westgate buildings? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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Letters, Epistles, and Gout
Persuasion – Chapter 18
How did the mail work in Regency times? Was Jane Austen an epistolary novelist? Why is Bath the place to go for Gout? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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Milsom Street and Molland’s
Persuasion – Chapter 19
Why is Milsom Street so popular in Jane Austen’s writing? What exactly did they sell at Molland’s? And why are we going to a concert? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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All about the Upper Assembly Rooms
Persuasion – Chapter 20
We go to a concert with Anne and friends as we tour the Upper Assembly Rooms in Bath. Just how accurate are the movie adaptations of Persuasion? Who is the inimitable Miss Larolles and why does Anne compare herself to this woman? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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Mr. Elliot’s Secret Connection to the Knights Templar
Persuasion – Chapter 21
How was Mr. Elliot connected to the mysterious Knights Templar? What violation of the Laws of Honor does Anne commit in this chapter and how is it related to Austen’s sister Cassandra? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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Regency Weddings and More
Persuasion – Chapter 22
What were some of the laws that controlled Regency-era marriages? Where exactly did the Musgroves stay in Bath? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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Scheherazade, the Gravel Walk, Miniature Paintings, and More
Persuasion – Chapter 23
What do Mr. Elliot and the famed Scheherazade have in common? Why does Captain Harville have a painting of Captain Benwick? Is the Gravel Walk still around? Find out the answers to these questions and more, in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
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Landaulettes, Marriage Advice, and More
Persuasion – Chapter 24
Why was Mary jealous that Anne was mistress of a landaulette? What even is a landaulette? Was Captain Wentworth likely to fight in a future war? Find out the answers to these questions and more, in this episode of My Cousin Jane.
