Donwell Abbey

In a way, he represents tradition.

Donwell Abbey is described in a, in a beautiful passage through Emma's point of view as the epitome of Englishness.

Um, it's calm.

It's, uh, it's sort of lit by this beautiful soft sun and so on.

Mr. and Mrs. John Knightley, from having been longer than usual absent from Surrey, were exciting, of course, rather more than the usual interest.

Till this year, every long vacation since their marriage had been divided between Hartfield and Donwell Abbey.

But all the holidays of this autumn had been given to sea bathing for the children, and it was therefore many months since they had been seen in a regular way by their Surrey connections, or seen at all by Mr. Woodhouse, who could not be induced to get so far as London, even for poor Isabella's sake, and who consequently was now most nervously and apprehensively happy in anticipating this too short visit.

He thought much of the evils of the journey for her, and not a little of the fatigues of his own horses and coachmen, who were to bring some of the party the last half of the way.

The brothers talked of their own concerns and pursuits, but principally of those of the elder, whose temper was by much the most communicative, and who was always the greater talker.

As a magistrate, he had generally some point of law to consult John about, or at least some curious anecdote to give.

And as a farmer, as keeping in hand the home farm at Donwell Abbey, he had to tell what every field was to bear next year, and to give all such local information as could not fail of being interesting to a brother whose home it had equally been the longest part of his life, and whose attachments were strong.

The plan of a drain, the change of a fence, the felling of a tree, and the destination of every acre for wheat, turnips, or spring corn, was entered into with as much equality of interest by John as his cooler manners rendered possible.

His horror of late hours and large dinner parties made him unfit for any acquaintance but such as would visit him on his own terms.

Fortunately for him, Highbury, including Randalls in the same parish, and Donwell Abbey in the parish adjoining, the seat of Mr. Knightley, comprehended many such.

Not infrequently through Emma's persuasion, he had some of the chosen and the best to dine with him.

But evening parties were what he preferred, and unless he fancied himself at any time unequal to company, there was scarcely an evening in the week in which Emma could not make up a card table for him.

You cannot do better, sir.

I would ask for the pleasure of your company, Mr. Knightley, but I am a very slow walker, and my pace would be tedious to you.

And besides, you have another long walk before you to Donwell Abbey.

Thank you, sir, thank you.

His horror of late hours and large dinner parties made him unfit for any acquaintance but such as would visit him on his own terms.

Fortunately for him, Highbury, including Randalls in the same parish and Donwell Abbey in the parish adjoining, the seat of Mr. Knightley, comprehended many such.

Not unfrequently, through Emma's persuasion, he had some of the chosen and the best to dine with him, but evening parties were what he preferred, and unless he fancied himself at any time unequal to company, there was scarcely an evening in the week in which Emma could not make up a card table for him.

Real long-standing regard brought the Westons and Mr. Knightley, and by Mr. Elton, a young man living alone without liking it, the privilege of exchanging any vacant evening of his own blank solitude for the elegancies and society of Mr. Woodhouse's drawing-room and the smiles of his lovely daughter, was in no danger of being thrown away.

Emma will be happy to entertain you, and therefore I think I will beg your excuse and take my three turns, my winter walk.

You cannot do better, sir.

I would ask for the pleasure of your company, Mr. Knightley, but I am a very slow walker, and my pace would be tedious to you, and besides you have another long walk before you to Donwell Abbey.

Thank you, sir, thank you.

I would ask for the pleasure of your company, Mr. Knightley, but I am a very slow walker, and my pace would be tedious to you.

And besides, you have another long walk before you to Donwell Abbey.

Thank you, sir, thank you.

I am going this moment myself, and I think the sooner you go, the better.

He had not much intercourse with any families beyond that circle; his horror of late hours, and large dinner-parties, made him unfit for any acquaintance but such as would visit him on his own terms.

Fortunately for him, Highbury, including Randalls in the same parish, and Donwell Abbey in the parish adjoining, the seat of Mr. Knightley, comprehended many such.

Not unfrequently, through Emma's persuasion, he had some of the chosen and the best to dine with him: but evening parties were what he preferred; and, unless he fancied himself at any time unequal to company, there was scarcely an evening in the week in which Emma could not make up a card-table for him.

Real, long-standing regard brought the Westons and Mr. Knightley; and by Mr. Elton, a young man living alone without liking it, the privilege of exchanging any vacant evening of his own blank solitude for the elegancies and society of Mr. Woodhouse's drawing-room, and the smiles of his lovely daughter, was in no danger of being thrown away.

You cannot do better, sir.

I would ask for the pleasure of your company, Mr. Knightley, but I am a very slow walker, and my pace would be tedious to you.

And besides, you have another long walk before you to Donwell Abbey.

Thank you, sir.