] I read such different accounts of James as puzzle me exceedingly :-). [snip] Is anyone else puzzled by these apparent contradictions? Or does everyone but me understand him perfectly?

I have often wondered that. This is the first time I have taken notes while reading a book (while not reading for a class!), and one of my notes reads thus:

I wonder that James and Catherine come from the same family. Catherine, though hardly as discerning as one might like, still worries about the propriety of accepting a ride from JT, and his manners "did not please" her [in Ch. 7 at least]. Her natural reactions would, I believe, guide her correctly for the most part, but she is too modest to give them credit and, like Jane Bennet, too confident in the virtue of others to follow them. James, however, with the same conservative, country upbringing and further assistance of an increased education might rather be expected to see through Isabella and John. To call her "unaffected?" Really!

As you have said, it is obvious he tries to speak reason to John and Isabella at times. How can he not realize that it is not a passing folly with them but a vice?

Far be it from me to criticize Jane in anything, but I don't believe I will ever understand James' character.

] One more thought, and I shall have done: given James' concern about Catherine meeting Captain Tilney -- "I wish your visit at Northanger may be over before Captain Tilney makes his engagement known, or you will be uncomfortably circumstanced" -- I wonder what James thought of Catherine's marrying into the Tilney family. Would he be the least bit shocked that his beloved sister is joining the family that had played such a role in his own disappointment?

That would be interesting. I would tend to think (hope?) that James, in wisening-up with regards to Isabella, will soon cease to care for her. But it would be hard for the families to get together... to be supping with the man who had been the means of removing the affections of your fiancee from you?? :) Good thing the novel ended where it did!