Mrs Elton's "horror of finery" has more to do with show

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Mrs Elton's "horror of finery" has more to do with show Written by Nina RG (2/26/2011 9:26 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, criticism vs offering help..., penned by Reeba

than it has to do with Emma's style of dress, IMO.

Your quote from ch. 35 I read as Mrs Elton being "over-trimmed" and putting on many laces, pearls and whatever else she could find at home because she wanted to show off her finery and display her possessions, while the speech is meant to assure people that she is not showing off and she is really a very modest woman. She is basically saying "Oh, I must put on all these beautiful things for your sake, since I am a bride and of first consequence in Highbury, but I do not like it. Oh no. Me? Showing off? No, I put on all these jewels and laces for your pleasure - are they not beautiful? Are you not wondering how expensive my outfit is? I hope you are!"

I don't see how this has anything to do with how Emma dresses.

As for the Garden of England: Mrs Elton is not showing off her superior knowledge, but rather the opposite. Kent, not Surrey, is called the Garden of England and Emma is silent because she does not want to take the discussion. You can't convince Mrs Elton of anything anyway.

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Picturing Emma. Reeba (2/24/2011 8:41 a.m.)

Emma’s Appearance Robbin (2/24/2011 1:35 p.m.)
- I think curling hair then was like brushing teeth. ;) nfm Reeba (2/24/2011 6:24 p.m.)
  - I assume it was more common! nfm Stephanie (2/27/2011 3:39 p.m.)
On the other hand Kathleen Glancy (2/24/2011 11:53 a.m.)
- We'll have to wait ... Reeba (2/24/2011 5:27 p.m.)
  - Robbin has pointed out something that I missed Kathleen Glancy (2/25/2011 11:36 a.m.)
    - Dress Making at Hartfield Robbin (2/28/2011 4:20 p.m.)
    - Dresses Bridget D (2/26/2011 5:46 a.m.)
    - Obligatory Northanger Abbey quote Tom P2 (2/25/2011 2:41 p.m.)
      - It talks about the *newness* of a gown... Reeba (2/25/2011 6:18 p.m.)
    - Well, I don't think... Reeba (2/25/2011 2:08 p.m.)
      - I doubt if we are ever going to agree on this one Kathleen Glancy (2/28/2011 9:40 a.m.)
      - open disrespect   Nikki N (2/26/2011 2:02 a.m.)
        
        criticism vs offering help...   Reeba (2/26/2011 8:03 a.m.)
        
        Mrs Elton's "horror of finery" has more to do with show   Nina RG (2/26/2011 9:26 a.m.)
        
        That she needs to assure people...   Reeba (2/26/2011 2:27 p.m.)
        
        And the result of her finery ...   gianni (2/27/2011 1:24 p.m.)
        
        Mrs Elton is Highbury's uncrowned queen   Nina RG (2/27/2011 6:25 a.m.)
        
        mrs E and Emma   Bridget D (2/27/2011 7:39 a.m.)
        
        'Behind times' I think.   Reeba (2/27/2011 9:28 a.m.)
        
        Emma and clothes   Bridget D (2/28/2011 9:40 a.m.)
        
        I'm going by...   Reeba (2/28/2011 10:23 a.m.)
        
        Emma   Bridget D (2/28/2011 10:59 a.m.)
        
        Please stop   Laraine (2/28/2011 1:52 p.m.)
        
        I beg your pardon!   Nina RG (2/27/2011 9:52 a.m.)
        
        Mrs Elton   Bridget D (2/26/2011 12:24 p.m.)
        
        In Agreement   BarbaraB (2/26/2011 11:49 a.m.)
        
        Re Harriet: Also social pressures   Tarn (2/26/2011 3:33 a.m.)
        
        Yes, that's one of the..   Reeba (2/26/2011 8:11 a.m.)
- PS I should have said Kathleen Glancy (2/24/2011 1:04 p.m.)

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