How Jane Austen revealed the economic basis of society

February 26, 2026

https://www.economist.com/christmas-specials/2025/12/12/how-jane-austen-revealed-the-economic-basis-of-society QT:{{” These numbers would all have meant something to Austen’s original readers, argues Mr Copeland, serving as a useful “shorthand” for rank and station. £100 a year was required to afford a single maidservant—“a stout girl of all works”. At £400, a household could employ a cook, housemaid and perhaps a boy servant.
Roughly £700-£1,000 a year was required to keep a carriage. With the help of Highbury’s hypochondriacs, this prize falls within the sights of Dr Perry in “Emma”. The higher income target of £2,000 is eventually met by Marianne in “Sense and Sensibility” when she marries Colonel Brandon. That amount will cover a “proper establishment of servants, a carriage, perhaps two”, and horses for hunting. To satisfy the greater demands of a Mary Crawford, eager for a second home in London, would take at least £4,000 a year. “}}

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