Life is conspiring against me again. I spent yesterday flat on my back dealing with the vicissitudes of Lyme disease — ugh.
Today’s quote is Mr. John Knightley being rather difficult on Christmas Eve as he and Emma head to the Westons (but who doesn’t want to spend Christmas Eve at home with his family? At least if he is difficult, I can sympathize.):
“A man,” said he, “must have a very good opinion of himself when he
asks people to leave their own fireside, and encounter such a day as
this, for the sake of coming to see him. He must think himself a most
agreeable fellow; I could not do such a thing. It is the greatest
absurdity—Actually snowing at this moment!—The folly of not allowing
people to be comfortable at home—and the folly of people’s not staying
comfortably at home when they can! If we were obliged to go out such an
evening as this, by any call of duty or business, what a hardship we
should deem it;—and here are we, probably with rather thinner clothing
than usual, setting forward voluntarily, without excuse, in defiance of
the voice of nature, which tells man, in every thing given to his view
or his feelings, to stay at home himself, and keep all under shelter
that he can;—here are we setting forward to spend five dull hours in
another man’s house, with nothing to say or to hear that was not said
and heard yesterday, and may not be said and heard again to-morrow.
Going in dismal weather, to return probably in worse;—four horses and
four servants taken out for nothing but to convey five idle, shivering
creatures into colder rooms and worse company than they might have had
at home.”
Emma, volume 1, chapter 13
The Jane Austen Guide to Life: Thoughtful Lessons for the Modern Woman (May, 2012)
A Walk with Jane Austen: A Journey into Adventure, Love, and Faith
Oh, thank you for this. I’ve been sick to my stomach with dread all week for the ten hour drive we are about to take with four children under four. All told, we’ll spend twenty hours in the car for 36 hours of visiting. I could just weep. But this, this just might get me through.
I think this is a perfect quote for most men out there. I know in this season my father goes kicking and screaming to most parties and social events, even to the ones my mother hosts at home. They can never really be happy i do believe!
Best wishes on your trip, Lora Lynn — it sounds painful! I have great memories of road trips as a child though, especially at the holidays. All that ‘dashing through the snow.’ 😉
I am so sorry to hear you were feeling poorly again, and hope you were able to recover in time to enjoy your Christmas. This is such an exhausting time of year even for someone who is in perfect health.
I must admit that my attitude towards today, after three straight days of visiting and eating, was exactly as this quote illustrates. As guilty as I feel about that, it is reassuring to know that it is a common sentiment that has endured over time. I think next year EVERYONE should spend Christmas at home! In the long run, we’d all be happier (guilt-trips from extended family notwithstanding).
Here I thought I was the only churlish party goer in the world, and Jane has beaten me to the punch with this observation by over 200 years! Happy New Year, and I hope you get better soon.
Here I thought I was the only churlish party goer in the world, and Jane has beaten me to the punch with this observation by over 200 years! Happy New Year, and I hope you get better soon.