Dove Cottage

I had the privilege of visiting Dove Cottage in March of 2011, in the Lake District. And I have to point out that I was both impressed and humbled by the way Poet Laureate, William Wordsworth lived during his most prolific years. He and his sister, Dorothy, lived in this dark and tiny cottage between the years of 1799-1808. During his time spent at Dove Cottage, Wordsworth composed some of his most memorable writings, such as "Ode to Duty", "My Heart Leaps Up" and "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud". His great friend, Samuel Coleridge, also spent much of his time with Wordsworth and his sister in this very cottage. I was especially surprised how frugally this literary great lived. I have seen the homes of many timeless British authors, but Wordsworth's was the most modest by far.

Regency Vocabulary

Ever wonder what it would be like to have a discussion with a Regency lady or gentleman? So much of the English language of the Regency Era has been lost in translation and although Jane Austen is a reigning favorite of England and my bookshelf, much of the dialogue in her beloved novels fall on confused and ignorant ears. With a deeper understanding of the innuendo and subtlety that goes with any time in history, comes a deeper appreciation for, and enjoyment of any (already) timeless author. With no prior understanding of what a libertine is, it is difficult to discern what Colonel Brandon truly believes of the character of Mr. Willoughby. Sure, we get the gist that Willoughby is a nasty and egotistial young man, but what is that indefinable characteristic that wraps him up in a nutshell?

"I have described Mr. Willoughby as the worst of libertines." - Colonel Brandon

In order to better follow the in depth analysis of Jane Austen's characters, I am providing the following link for a Regency Lexicon...

http://www.thenonesuch.com/lexicon.html