Evelina

I just finished listening to the audiobook for Evelina, or, The History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World by Fanny Burney. Delightful!

I've read The Mysteries of Udolpho and several of "the horrids" mentioned in Northanger Abbey and they are, well, just not very good. I used to wonder what Jane Austen read that helped her become a great writer. Apparently, Evelina is one example.

I think I might start saying, "foppery and nonsense." Or, at least, fop. Words are fun!

Also, she says pair of stairs instead of flight of stairs. As in, "three pair of stairs." I guess that was common 250 years ago, but it is unheard now.

At the end, they go to Bath. I've had the pleasure of visiting Bath, so I know exactly what she means by places like the Crescent, the Circus, and the Pump Room. I think it's neat that someone can write about these places and 250 years later I can identify with it.

Update: I just noticed that Charles Dickens uses "pair of stairs" some 75 years later.

…made some hasty but determined arrangements to throw her out of a two pair of stairs' window. – David Copperfield