Persuasion
Sir Walter Elliott (Anne’s father) chose to live in Camden Place, whose topographical location is figurative as well (Ch.XV). It was in Milsom Street that Anne Elliott caught sight of Captain Wentworth from a window on a rainy day, when she was offered to be driven back home in a barouche, but preferred to walk; the distance (spatial as well as moral) between the two places is apparent in this episode (Ch.XIX).
Persuasion, Chapter XV
- View from Bath towards Camden Crescent
- A view from Bath, with Camden Crescent in the distance, in a “lofty” position.
Photo LGB
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- View from Camden Crescent towards Bath
- Photo MMM
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Sir Walter had taken a very good house in Camden Place - a lofty, dignified situation, such as becomes a man of consequence.
Persuasion, Chapter XV
A view from Camden Crescent towards Bath and the countryside: Camden Place is topographically “lofty”, being built on a hill overlooking Bath, and this position corresponds to the character’s sense of social superiority. The readers acquainted with Bath would have understood the irony by which literal height suggests moral snobbery.
Persuasion, Chapter XIX
« They were in Milson Street. It began to rain, not much, but enough to make shelter desirable for women, and quite enough to make it very desirable for Miss Elliott to have the advantage of being conveyed home in Lady Dalrymple’s carriage.… Anne, as she sat near the window, descried, most decidedly and distinctly, Captain Wentworth walking down the street….
She now felt a great inclination to go to the outer door; she wanted to see it it rained. Why was she to suspect herself of another motive?...
Lady Dalrymple’s carriage, for which Miss Elliott was growing very impatient, now drew up…. Captain Wentworth, watching them, turned again to Anne, and by manner, rather than words, was ofering his services to her.
‘I am much obliged to you,’ was her answer, ‘but I am not going with them. The carriage would not accommodate so many. I walk: I prefer walking.’ »
Persuasion, Chapter XIX
