Posted by kathleen (elder) on June 17, 1997 at 09:54:36:
In reply to Re: Mr. Knightley's wealth posted by Kathy F. on June 16, 1997 at 23:48:23
] ] Here's an update from yesterday. "...for Mr. Knightley keeping no horses, having little spare money and a great deal of health, activity, and independence..."
] ] My guess is that Mr. Knightley is land rich and money poor. Although it seems as though he should have horses since he farms his land.
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] Maybe "keeping no horses" means that he doesn't use them personally, but has them for farm animals? I'm not sure what the custom was at that time, but nowadays, I don't think that rough work-horses would pull a gentleman's carriage.
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This may be like the Bennets situation in P&P. Jane has to ride to Netherfield because the horses are being used on the farm. So, there is at least one horse for riding, but not enough horses to pull a carriage.
Mr Knightley does use a carriage to go to the Coles' party (and then sends it for Miss Bates and Jane Fairfax). And, the next day he is riding a horse when Miss Bates hollers at him from her window.
He simply doesn't keep horses purely for the reason of having them for his carriage.