![\"Image](\"https:\/\/janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com\/2020\/08\/steventonrectory.jpg\")
<\/a>Send Your Servants Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>In terms of logistics, members of the genteel class usually sent servants ahead of them when they went from one house to another, as we see when Mr. Bingley goes to Netherfield:<\/p>
Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.<\/p>Pride and Prejudice<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com\/2022\/08\/servants-carrying.jpeg?w=349\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>Similarly, Elinor and Marianne, when arriving in London with Mrs. Jennings after three days of travel, are greeted by \u201call the luxury of a good fire.\u201d The house is \u201chandsome, and handsomely fitted up.\u201d Elinor writes to her mother before a dinner that will not \u201cbe ready in less than two hours from their arrival.\u201d It\u2019s clear that Mrs. Jennings employs servants who clean, cook, shop, and prepare the house for her visits.<\/p>
Hire Good People<\/strong><\/h2>When preparing to move to Bath, Jane Austen\u2019s mother wanted to keep two maids: \u201cMy mother looks forward with as much certainty as you can do to our keeping two maids; my father is the only one not in the secret.\u201d<\/p>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com\/2022\/08\/mrs.-ferrars.webp?w=361\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>With her typical flair for humor, Austen hoped to engage other servants as well: \u201cWe plan having a steady cook and a young, giddy housemaid, with a sedate, middle-aged man, who is to undertake the double office of husband to the former and sweetheart to the latter. No children, of course, to be allowed on either side.\u201d<\/p>
Do Your Research<\/strong><\/h2>In Austen\u2019s letter, she talks about several areas of Bath where they hoped to find a house: Westgate Buildings, Charles Street, and \u201csome of the short streets leading from Laura Place or Pulteney Street.\u201d<\/p>
About Westgate Buildings, Austen wrote: \u201cthough quite in the lower part of the town, are not badly situated themselves. The street is broad, and has rather a good appearance.\u201d Regarding Charles Street, she thought it \u201cpreferable\u201d: \u201cThe buildings are new, and its nearness to Kingsmead Fields would be a pleasant circumstance.\u201d And concerning the third area: \u201cThe houses in the streets near Laura Place I should expect to be above our price. Gay Street would be too high, except only the lower house on the left-hand side as you ascend.\u201d<\/p>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com\/2022\/08\/4-syndey-place.png?w=764\")
<\/a>4 Syndey Place, Bath<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>Mrs. Austen seemed to have a preference: \u201cher wishes are at present fixed on the corner house in Chapel Row, which opens into Prince\u2019s Street. Her knowledge of it, however, is confined only to the outside, and therefore she is equally uncertain of its being really desirable as of its being to be had.\u201d<\/p>
None of the Austens were in favor of Oxford Buildings: \u201cwe all unite in particular dislike of that part of the town, and therefore hope to escape.\u201d<\/p>
Bring Your Art<\/strong><\/h2>We know from Austen\u2019s letter that they planned to take the following pictures and paintings from Steventon to Bath: \u201c[T]he battle-piece, Mr. Nibbs, Sir William East, and all the old heterogeneous miscellany, manuscript, Scriptural pieces dispersed over the house, are to be given to James.\u201d<\/p>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com\/2011\/02\/emmas-painting-of-harriet-smith.jpg\")
<\/a>Good artwork is hard to find.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>Of special note, Jane tells Cassandra, \u201cYour own drawings will not cease to be your own, and the two paintings on tin will be at your disposal.\u201d<\/p>
Good Furniture is Worth Moving<\/strong><\/h2>Apparently, Rev. and Mrs. Austen had a very good bed that was irreplaceable: \u201cMy father and mother, wisely aware of the difficulty of finding in all Bath such a bed as their own, have resolved on taking it with them\u2026\u201d Austen wrote this about the rest of the household beds: \u201call the beds, indeed, that we shall want are to be removed \u2014 viz., besides theirs, our own two, the best for a spare one, and two for servants; and these necessary articles will probably be the only material ones that it would answer to send down.\u201d<\/p>
When it came to their dressers, they decided it was time for an upgrade: \u201cI do not think it will be worth while to remove any of our chests of drawers; we shall be able to get some of a much more commodious sort, made of deal, and painted to look very neat\u2026\u201d<\/p>
Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.<\/p>Pride and Prejudice<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote> Similarly, Elinor and Marianne, when arriving in London with Mrs. Jennings after three days of travel, are greeted by \u201call the luxury of a good fire.\u201d The house is \u201chandsome, and handsomely fitted up.\u201d Elinor writes to her mother before a dinner that will not \u201cbe ready in less than two hours from their arrival.\u201d It\u2019s clear that Mrs. Jennings employs servants who clean, cook, shop, and prepare the house for her visits.<\/p> When preparing to move to Bath, Jane Austen\u2019s mother wanted to keep two maids: \u201cMy mother looks forward with as much certainty as you can do to our keeping two maids; my father is the only one not in the secret.\u201d<\/p> With her typical flair for humor, Austen hoped to engage other servants as well: \u201cWe plan having a steady cook and a young, giddy housemaid, with a sedate, middle-aged man, who is to undertake the double office of husband to the former and sweetheart to the latter. No children, of course, to be allowed on either side.\u201d<\/p> In Austen\u2019s letter, she talks about several areas of Bath where they hoped to find a house: Westgate Buildings, Charles Street, and \u201csome of the short streets leading from Laura Place or Pulteney Street.\u201d<\/p> About Westgate Buildings, Austen wrote: \u201cthough quite in the lower part of the town, are not badly situated themselves. The street is broad, and has rather a good appearance.\u201d Regarding Charles Street, she thought it \u201cpreferable\u201d: \u201cThe buildings are new, and its nearness to Kingsmead Fields would be a pleasant circumstance.\u201d And concerning the third area: \u201cThe houses in the streets near Laura Place I should expect to be above our price. Gay Street would be too high, except only the lower house on the left-hand side as you ascend.\u201d<\/p> Mrs. Austen seemed to have a preference: \u201cher wishes are at present fixed on the corner house in Chapel Row, which opens into Prince\u2019s Street. Her knowledge of it, however, is confined only to the outside, and therefore she is equally uncertain of its being really desirable as of its being to be had.\u201d<\/p> None of the Austens were in favor of Oxford Buildings: \u201cwe all unite in particular dislike of that part of the town, and therefore hope to escape.\u201d<\/p> We know from Austen\u2019s letter that they planned to take the following pictures and paintings from Steventon to Bath: \u201c[T]he battle-piece, Mr. Nibbs, Sir William East, and all the old heterogeneous miscellany, manuscript, Scriptural pieces dispersed over the house, are to be given to James.\u201d<\/p> Of special note, Jane tells Cassandra, \u201cYour own drawings will not cease to be your own, and the two paintings on tin will be at your disposal.\u201d<\/p> Apparently, Rev. and Mrs. Austen had a very good bed that was irreplaceable: \u201cMy father and mother, wisely aware of the difficulty of finding in all Bath such a bed as their own, have resolved on taking it with them\u2026\u201d Austen wrote this about the rest of the household beds: \u201call the beds, indeed, that we shall want are to be removed \u2014 viz., besides theirs, our own two, the best for a spare one, and two for servants; and these necessary articles will probably be the only material ones that it would answer to send down.\u201d<\/p> When it came to their dressers, they decided it was time for an upgrade: \u201cI do not think it will be worth while to remove any of our chests of drawers; we shall be able to get some of a much more commodious sort, made of deal, and painted to look very neat\u2026\u201d<\/p><\/a><\/figure><\/div>Hire Good People<\/strong><\/h2>
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>Do Your Research<\/strong><\/h2>
<\/a>Bring Your Art<\/strong><\/h2>
<\/a>Good Furniture is Worth Moving<\/strong><\/h2>