Marking Her stockings

 Roughly 200 years ago Jane Austen and her sister Casandra partook of a regular correspondence. Many of Jane's letters have survived. They prove that reading historical items and understanding them are two different things.  

 

Is this the image you saw?

I had a reasonable certainty that the above image wasn't what Jane was referring too. Though for the life of me I couldn't think of anything else. Naturally, I called upon Copilot my faithful research assistant.

  "Ah, the delightful world of Jane Austen! 📖 Let’s unravel this intriguing phrase, shall we?

When Jane Austen mentions “marking my silk stockings,” she’s actually alluding to a historical context related to fashion and social gatherings. Allow me to whisk you back to the 18th century, where witty conversations and elegant soirées were the order of the day.

Blue Stockings—a term that might sound like it refers to a drawer full of hosiery—was actually used to describe a group of intellectual women (and some men) who gathered together to discuss literary matters. These gatherings were a refreshing departure from the usual card parties and social events. Picture it: Elizabeth Montague, Hannah More, Fanny Burney, and other bright minds engaging in stimulating discourse.

Now, here’s the twist: The term “Blue Stockings” originated from a gentleman named Benjamin Stillingfleet. He was a bit of an eccentric fellow who attended these gatherings wearing unconventional blue worsted stockings instead of the customary formal black silk ones. Imagine him strolling into a room filled with ladies in brocade and gentlemen in satin, all bedecked in their finest attire. Stillingfleet, however, stuck to his blue stockings.

One day, Mrs. Vesey—an Irishwoman hosting one of these gatherings—invited Stillingfleet to her “conversation.” He hesitated, claiming he lacked suitable evening clothes. But Mrs. Vesey, with a mischievous glint in her eye, said, “Don’t mind dress. Come in your blue stockings.” And so he did! Stillingfleet’s conversation was so captivating that he became a sought-after guest. People started saying, “We can do nothing without the blue stockings,” and gradually, the title stuck.

Here’s the irony: The term, originally applied to a man, eventually shifted to the women attending these gatherings. So, while bluestockings were esteemed for their intellect, the epithet “blue” carried a hint of playful malice. Perhaps because some of these learned ladies occasionally displayed more learning than was strictly necessary or graceful—what their “queen” candidly referred to as “the female frailty.”

In summary, when Jane Austen playfully mentions “marking my silk stockings,” she’s invoking this historical context—a nod to those lively gatherings where wit, wisdom, and unconventional attire mingled. It’s a delightful glimpse into the past, where blue stockings were both a fashion choice and a badge of intellectual curiosity! 🧦💙

Now, if you’d like to explore more Regency-era tidbits or discuss anything else—from sourdough bread to the latest tech trends—just say the word! 😊🎩🌸"(Copilot)

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If any of M'Lady's students handed in such a long quote it would be an instant rewrite. But I'm not her student nor am I feeling the need to maintain academic standards in a Prole's blog.  

Nevertheless, I am hoping that you readily see the problem. Not being fluent in the 18th century culture of the middle and upper classes I miss out on a lot if I don't do a bit of checking and research as I read Miss Austen. 

Which is one of the reasons when a fanatic of any ilk tells me that they know exactly what a 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 year old sacred scripture from any faith means, I usually walk away. 

Brian