Book, 'Pride and Prejudice'; Jane Austen (1775-1817); Pre 1871; XEC.2725 on NZ Museums

From

Ewelme Cottage

Name/Title

Book, 'Pride and Prejudice'

Maker

Jane Austen (1775-1817)

Maker Role

Author

About this object

This book originally belonged to Anne Lush but was handed down to her niece, Blanche Lush. On the back of the front cover Anne wrote “Anne Lush, February 1871, Northlands, Hollington, England” and on the title page is written “B.H. [Blanche Hawkins] Lush, Auckland, N.Z.”

‘Pride and Prejudice’ was written by Jane Austen and was first published in 1813. The story follows the main character of Elizabeth Bennett as she deals with the issues of manners, class, education, and marriage in the society of the landed gentry of early 19th-century England. Many of the themes of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ may have resonated with Blanche, who was a highly educated daughter of the Anglican minister, Vicesimus Lush.

Blanche, also known as Blannie, was born in England in 1843 and moved to New Zealand in 1850 with her family when her father was appointed minister in charge at All Saints Church in Howick, Auckland. Blannie received a very thorough education and was taught largely by her father, but she also attended Miss Hill's private school for girls in Auckland in 1853. (1) As part of her lessons, Blannie's father would often take her to cultural places such as the opera or theatre. One excursion to the Auckland Museum on 22 July 1856 was described in her father's journal: "...we met Blannie's friend Mary Abraham, and I took the two young friends to the Museum, at which they were delighted. There is really a very credible collection of shells, birds, reptiles, stones and curiosities..." (2) When she got older, Blannie was required to teach her younger brothers and sisters before they were old enough to attend school.

As the daughter of an Anglican minister, the Church and parish activities played a central part of Blannie’s life. In 1878, Blannie travelled to Norfolk Island to serve with the Melanesian Mission for a period of time. (3) She also assisted her father in his work and provided him with the (informal and unpaid) support of a ‘good and efficient “Deconess.”’ (4) In her later years, Blannie nursed her invalid mother devotedly and died at Ewelme Cottage on 9 December 1922.

(1) Alison Drummond (ed.), 'The Auckland Journals of Vicesimus Lush 1850-63,' 1971, p. 143.
(2) Ibid, p. 181.
(3) Thames Advertiser, “Untitled,” 4 April 1878, p. 2.
(4) Gillian Nelson, ‘”In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength”: Vicesimus Lush and his journals, 1850-1882,’ Master’s thesis Victoria University of Wellington, 2012, p. 30; Anne Drummond (ed.), 'The Thames Journals of Vicesimus Lush, 1868-82,' 1975, pp. 152-3.

For more information about the Lush family and Ewelme Cottage, which is cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, visit our website.

Medium and Materials

Paper

Measurements

17 x 11 x 2cm

Date Made

Pre 1871

Place Made

London, England

Publisher

Longmans, Green and Co. (estab. 1724)

Publication Date

Pre 1871