visiting
Posted by Caroline on October 12, 1997 at 10:21:43:
In response to Visiting Pemberley, written by Carrie on October 11, 1997 at 03:51:01
This is off the top of my head, really.
In the book, and in P&P2, Mr Gardiner mentions visiting Blenheim and Chatsworth,(two very grand houses) as well.This suggests that it was actually quite common.
One of the "movements" that drove people's thinking at the time was the Romantic Movement. The idea of cultural heritage as art, rather than staus, the concept of "natural" beauty in your own homeland - such as the Lakes of the Lake District- rather than the grandiose constructions of man,and the enhancement of nature by landscape gardening had taken hold on the imagination of the nation.The whole concept of touring holidays, made possible by road improvements , was taking off in a big way. Lizzy and the Gardiners were part of a trend. Blame it on Wordsworth and Sir Walter Scott, if you wish, and also on other travellers who started publishing guidebooks about 1800 and whose names, I cannot remember, of course!)
There was a tradition of Stately Homes being open to the public a few days a year. (I'm not sure if this is accurate for our period though.)
As I said, this is off the top of my head.I think it says a lot for Georgian society that people would be so accessible and open with each other.
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