As readers of my blogs will have guessed, I consider Jane Austen the greatest English novelist. So, as we approach December 16th, the anniversary of her birth, or Jane Austen Day as celebrated by all Janeites, I thought I would introduce you to five things that you might not know about Jane Austen. Over the next five days my blogs will be about.
1 – Jane the apt Nomenclator.
How are Jane Austen’s neologisms particularly apt to her tales.
2 – When is a candle Snuffed but not Extinguished? Or how to blow a candle in!
In Northanger Abbey Catherine Morland goes to snuff a candle, but accidentally extinguishes it. What is going on?
3 – Who practices magic in Austen?
And I mean real magic, you can take a class in the topic at Hogwarts.
4 – Elizabeth Bennet the unusual tourist, or a stop on the way to Pemberley.
On her way to Pemberley Elizabeth visits a series of places all, bar one, are tourist destinations today. Which is the odd one out? And why was it a tourist destination 200 years ago?
5 – Jane’s other language.
Like most educated women of her time Jane Austen knew some French and Italian. But she knew another language, a far more unusual one. What was it?
The Curious Archaeologist 
Reblogged this on TanGental and commented:
Ok, if you are a Janeite, then this is a Christmas treat for you; I’ll admit to disagreeing with the Archaeologist on Ms Austen’s importance but I imagine I’m wrong so that’s all right then…
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Not an obsessive Austen fan but like the TV adaptions (Prol that I am!) However must admit intrigued about the forthcoming posts. Really looking forward to them. Long live Trivia I say
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Spanish or Latin? This is fascinating. Thank you!
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Neither, though she would have known some Spanish words from press reports about the Peninsular war, and some Latin from her father who taught boys preparing to enter University.
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Hmmmm… 🤓 I’ll have to do some research.
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I’m prepared to be fascinated.
Hugs
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