Molland's Community

[robin]

I'm probably way behind the curve here, but I've just realised that "There Must be Murder" is a quote from Henry Tilney!  I should have guessed, without help from Google!
I like this animal-rich chapter a lot.  The picture of Lady Josephine on the back of Catherine's chair is absolutely brilliant!  (But.... a close reading of the text reveals that Her Ladyship was NOT on Catherine's chair? Artistic licence, or what??)  I laughed out loud at your reference to horse-sh*t.. "leavings" !! very nice.  My active mind had actually been in a similar place; was wondering who was responsible for carrying the plastic bags and pooper-scooper for MacGuffin, Henry or Catherine?

[Mags]

That's Lady Beauclerk's chair! Handsome woman, isn't she? No wonder the General's head is turned. (In the first draft he was rather mushier about her but I thought, "Um...no" and fixed it. "We have not all the same tenderness of disposition.") I laughed out loud when I saw the illustration. It is absolutely perfect. I actually feel a little sorry for Lady Josephine--imagine having that great shaggy intruder invade your sanctum sanctorum, easy as kiss your hand! And Mac just doesn't even care. The Newfs I've met have been very unexcitable.

The quote from NA with "there must be murder" is right at the beginning of Chapter 1 of the novella (isn't it?) The title event was planned to be introduced in this chapter but it made it much, much too long...it will be in the next chapter definitely.

I thought about the poop-scoop issue, but frankly I don't think they bothered in those days as long as it wasn't on the pavement.  Matthew takes Mac out for his walkies when needed and probably trained him to go in the street. I'm sure he will leave his "markings" along the way as he accompanies the ladies on their commissions...(I won't put it in the story, though!) Catherine will be glad to have him along, as you will see.

[robin]

The quote from NA with "there must be murder" is right at the beginning of Chapter 1 of the novella (isn't it?)

Yes, you're right - it is.  This fact falls in the category of "things I once knew, but subsequently forgot."  This is a more and more common category as I grow older.  As Lenin said in reply to Rosa Luxemburg, "One Step Forward, Two Steps Back" 

I was thinking about the dog question in general.  Henry and Catherine have a very modern relationship to MacGuffin, in the story.  I wonder if folks in those days would have brought a country dog to town, and taken it for recreational walks, the way we do now.  But certainly, people didn't clean up after their dogs... I remember I first saw that idea in practice in New York, in the 1970s I think.  I believe it wasn't introduced to British towns till the 80s.  I was in Paris last year, which in general is much cleaner and more fastidious than UK or America, but you had to watch your step everywhere for the dog leavings.

[Mags]

From the research I've done on Newfs, they are emotionally dependent on their "people," and Mac would be miserable if they left him and went gadding off to Bath for a month or two. Remember Henry was spending all his time at Woodston before his marriage after his argument with his father over Catherine, so the dogs would be used to having him home. The terriers would probably hate the city, and they also have a useful function in keeping a country house clear of vermin, so best to leave them behind.

My friend Karen, who wrote the article on the Cult about Henry's dogs, made a point that I found really interesting: the Newfoundland had no useful purpose in a country clergyman's life. They're not really hunting dogs, they don't catch vermin. He is very much a pet. He's like Pug, but bigger and hairier. He is proof that Henry Tilney is a dog person.

And of course I just really got a kick out of the idea of the Tilneys walking around Bath with a great big Newfoundland dog!

[Kelley B]

Oh I do love a situation that results in Henry being booted and great coated.   

Chapter Four was a delight.  I rather enjoyed Catherine's declaration that Henry was not a rattle.  I immediately pictured her imaging John Thorpe and feeling a bit revolted by the thought.  Nice.  And I can't quite get a handle on Miss Beauclerk.  I don't know if she's just very sweet and friendly or if she's out to cause mischief for Catherine.  The thought of General Tinley being lonely at Northanger Abbey now that all of his children are away does remind me that he is, after all, human.  But I'm most anxious to find out the mystery of the story.  Bring on May and Chapter 5! 

[Heather L]

Loved the pictures of Lady Josephine!  And so naughty of Henry to "forget" the Beauclerks are cat people.   

I'm enjoying all the characters -- our familiar friends from the novel are just as they should be, and the new acquaintances are very intriguing, especially Miss Beauclerk.  Henry and Miss Beauclerk seem to have a curious relationship, too.  No wonder Catherine is a little jealous.

"The military man has his resources."  Hee.  I'm glad the General isn't too mushy.

[Mandy N]

 I had to smile at my surprise at Lady Josephine; cute ribbon on her head   
Didn't realize  Georgians really kept cats as pets-  maybe a new fashion.
I'd never see General Tilney as a mush; so I wonder what advantage he sees
to the Lady Beauclerk connection-  he can't get his paws on her fortune.
Nice to have NA back in Bath with names like Laura Place. 
Well, on the edge of my chair !

[robin]

Here is a pretty nice picture of a pet cat from 1790 (American, not British.)  But that cat definitely looks like a pampered pet, not a mouser!!
http://www.chinafineart.com/htmlimg/image-37383.htm

Robin

[Mags]

I'm sure Lady J. works for a living, catching mice etc. but she and Lady B., uh, get along. If you follow me. I love that painting, Robin. The kitty is looking right at us!

I'm having fun putting in all the places from the "real" Bath. The houses in Laura-place really are bigger and wider than the houses in the surrounding area. They have an extra story and are much bigger and grander. I remember thinking, no wonder Jane placed Lady Dalrymple here. In general her choices for where everyone lived are really interesting, especially in Persuasion, and even more especially since she had not been in Bath for ten years when she was writing it. As has been pointed out by several scholars, Camden-place was built on such shifting land that only part of the planned building could be completed, making an off-center crescent, which is amusing in itself. What nobody mentioned and I didn't realize until I saw it is that the "lofty, dignified situation" of Camden-place meant that all of Bath was literally at Sir Walter's feet. It's all spread out below the houses. Sir Walter and Miss would have felt like the king and queen of Bath from up there.

The bus driver who dropped us off there saw our cameras and said, "Going to take pictures, luvs? You would do better at Lansdowne Crescent; for my money, it's the prettiest crescent in Bath." Sir Walter would not have been happy!

[Mandy N]

 I like the 1790s' cat pic too... alert looking kitty; how the well dressed child  holds it indicates a pet- mouser. Thanks Robin.
( I thought the Victorians invented the cat as a pet. Huh ?)
Never realized that building stuff on Camden Place- oh, but with such a great view of Bath,
no wonder Sir Walter could see 'all those ugly women and the men much worse'. 
I bought Mowbray Green's book on Georgian Bath Architecture (pub. 1906),
which has wonderful photos and details on Bath but it's as chunky as a  door stop and threatens to fall to bits !
For me the Bath details are a bonus in the story and add JA flavour.

[Reeba]

'Nice' description of Miss Beauclerk, which made one feel;
"...even one in a new gown of the most delicate muslin, feel like a plodding beast." LOL!!

Bless the little boy who wanted to pet 'the pony' 

Not just Henry Tilyney, but the General's romantic inclinations have left even me tongue tied. It's not the money he says
  (for the General)

I am wondering if there is a mystery about Sir Philip.
Why did that drunkard at the ball thought it was OK to misbehave with Catherine because 'she has been dancing with Sir Philip'?
I am all for a mystery, and can't wait for the next chapters.

I enjoyed the Ball at the assembly. So different from the first time Catherine visits Bath. There were partners to dance with. They found seats and someone was there to pour tea.
But-  no Mrs. Allen,repeating 'I wish we had a large aquaintance' and Catherine finally responding with 'I wish we had any.'

[Anglophile Mama]

Another delightful chapter!

For my part, I am leaning towards Miss Beauclerk being a rather decent person, and becoming Catherine's good friend and ally against other potentially evil characters.

But then I do have "Pollyanna" leanings.

[Mags]

Hmm. Well.

Don't want to give anything away, you see...some things may become clearer after the next chapter, I think.

[robin]

Hmm. Well. Grin

Such a tease...
I think the animals are a clue. Dogs, horses, cats... next chapter, werewolves?