Commissions
Posted by Jessamyn on April 02, 1998 at 13:14:31:
In response to Wickham's move north, written by Woodhouse on April 02, 1998 at 08:12:50
I don't have the book in front of me either, but I used Henry's lovely search feature to find the relevant bits!
Presumably since one had to purchase one's commissions, one could give them up pretty easily; someone else would be eager to have it.
Here is a description of Wickham's situation in London:
He meant to resign his commission immediately; and as to his future situation, he could conjecture very little about it. He must go somewhere, but he did not know where, and he knew he should have nothing to live on.
And then the resolution; apparently the place in the north was a new commission that had to be purchased independently of the one he left:
But, Lizzy, this must go no farther than yourself, or Jane at most. You know pretty well, I suppose, what has been done for the young people. His debts are to be paid, amounting, I believe, to considerably more than a thousand pounds, another thousand in addition to her own settled upon her, and his commission purchased.
So as Mr. Bennet encapsulates the outcome:
And so, Darcy did every thing: made up the match, gave the money, paid the fellow's debts, and got him his commission! So much the better. It will save me a world of trouble and economy.
I think you're right about the exhile idea. I believe but am not sure that somewhere or other Lizzie or somebody comments that Wickham is less likely to get into trouble up there. I can't remember why they think so, though!
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