Janeite Kelly will give a talk entitled Georgiana Darcy and the ‘Naïve Art’ of Young Ladies at the Governor’s House in Hyde Park on Friday, 30 January 2009. Our hostess, Suzanne Boden (a new JASNA -Vermont member!) invites you to join us for an entire Weekend dedicated to Austen’s Pride and Prejudice:

Friday, 30 January – 8:00 pm informal talk (see below), with coffee and dessert ($14)

Saturday, 31 January – 3:00 pm Afternoon Tea ($20)

Saturday, 31 January – 7:00 pm Book Discussion & Dinner ($35)

Sunday, 1 February – 11:30 am Brunch & Austen Quiz ($15)

All four activities ($75) and a weekend package that includes B&B accommodation at the Governor’s House (starting at $295 single) also available. Contact Suzanne at info [at] onehundredmain [dot] com or (802) 888-6888 (toll free 866-800-6888).

The starting point for Kelly’s illustrated talk is Elizabeth Bennet’s journey through Derbyshire with the Gardiners (also the subject of her article “Derbyshires Corresponding: Elizabeth Bennet and the Austen Tour of 1833,” which appears in Persuasions this spring). As Elizabeth tours Pemberley, P&P’s narrator tells readers:

 “The picture gallery, and two or three of the principal bed-rooms, were all that remained to be shown. In the former were many good paintings: but Elizabeth knew nothing of the art; and from such as had been already visible below, she had willingly turned to look at some drawings of Miss Darcy’s, in crayons, whose subjects were usually more interesting, and also more intelligble.”

Looking at the work of several young ladies, including Cassandra Austen, during a period covering the first half of the 19th century – we examine fashion, home, family and life in England during the “lifetime” of Darcy’s young sister Georgiana.

As the little drawing above done by Diana Sperling illustrates: Elizabeth Bennet had good taste!