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Originally Posted by MaggieScratch
@Zelda--how would such things be known? Gossip, of course. Darcy's income was spread all around the Meryton assembly within a few moments after he entered. I suspect the "good-natured, gossiping Lucases" of being involved. Likely Sir William Lucas knew the agent that rented Netherfield to Bingley who likely heard it from Bingley's agent (who would be in a position to know at least Bingley's income--and possibly gossiped himself with Darcy's agent) and then told all. :-) Though Jane Austen didn't talk much about servants and employees, I think they were probably a really good conduit of information. And I think it was pretty much widely known or easy to determine what a certain estate was worth. Darcy owned Pemberley, it was worth ten thousand a year, so everyone knew his income.
Speaking of rich men--Jane's brother Edward, who was adopted by rich, childless cousins as their heir, was richer than Darcy.
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how silly of me, of course ; gossip, servants, the value of the estate... of course people would know. i think i was mostly shocked that it would be so acceptable and natural to discuss other people's finances (strangers, especially), as easily as you might discuss the weather or fashion or any other subject. thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by badgoodDeb
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thanks, i'll keep that handy in case i ever need to check something... actually i'm not that interested in the details of the english peerage as such, but some details in the context of reading a book are interesting, to understand the story better. i was just using that as a synechdoche for the footnotes in general.