Great post, I loved this comic moment, too. Anne imagines this represents the "general guidance of their affairs" so does this mean she has the power in the union? If Mrs Croft avoids the carriage being upturned by her taking the reins, does this mean she is the solid one in the union, in keeping her husband steady?? Not sure.

And in CH. 8 she says she cannot be without her husband, she must be by his side. She says she was terrified and ill only in the absence of her husband during the winter at Deal. Also, does this mean she was aboard ship in this place, perhaps on a ship they were on together, but he had to leave it to go to the North Seas? She is talking largely about life on board a ship, so I just assumed that was her meaning.