I know it can be viewed as a bit of a comedy of errors, but I've always found these chapters to be very unsettling and rather sad. No one, save Fanny and perhaps Mr. Rushworth, behaves completely properly; they're all being quite selfish. I think the Crawfords are conniving, and take the Bertrams, willingly or unwillingly, along with them. I suppose if I could exert a bit more effort and view the scene more dispassionately, I might find it more amusing, but the whole affair leaves me feeling the way I do after the Box Hill picnic in Emma - disappointed and rather embarrassed at having to witness such behaviour.