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Before she arrives at Thornfield Hall, Jane stays at the George Inn, where the interior designer clearly wanted to honor generals and kings:

“A new chapter in a novel is something like a new scene in a play; and when I draw up the curtain this time, reader, you must fancy you see a room in the George Inn at Millcote, with such large figured papering on the walls as inn rooms have; such a carpet, such furniture, such ornaments on the mantelpiece, such prints, including a portrait of George the Third, and another of the Prince of Wales, and a representation of the death of Wolfe.”

Very high aspirations, yes? On the art, I do wonder where the print of King George originated.  Did it come from Benjamin Smith’s own hand?

Or did somebody reproduce a Thomas Gainsborough?

Or one of Mather Brown’s pieces?

 I will discuss the other references in future entries.