I’m very excited
to share a little bit about my new book, Remember
the Past. Way back in the Dark Ages, when I was in college, my studies
centered around sociology, psychology and behavioral sciences. As a result, when I write, I like to explore
how things might have been for our favorite Austen characters had their
circumstances been a bit different—or a lot different. While I try to keep the
core of the characters the same as Jane Austen wrote, changes in circumstances
do change people. Some more than others. Some for the better, some, not so
much. I love exploring those changes and possibilities.
One of the changes
in this book was that Mr. Bennet was not the heir to Longbourn, but a second
son who went into the navy. His naval experiences changed him from a
lackadaisical man to a very active, powerful one, who would become Admiral
Thomas Bennet, Rear Admiral of the White.
Why would a young
Thomas Bennet have joined the navy rather than the army as Col. Fitzwilliam did?
Unlike army officers, naval officers did not purchase their commissions, they
earned them. Thus, the navy offered greater potential for social mobility than
most institutions in Regency era society. Generally only the sons of gentlemen
or perhaps wealthy middle-class parents could enter the path to becoming an
officer, but the way was not entirely closed to others.
Promotion to lieutenant was perhaps
the most difficult step for young men to make in their naval careers. In order
to become a lieutenant, a midshipmen had to serve a minimum of six years at
sea. On presenting himself as a candidate for commissioning, he would also be
asked to show his personal log books for the ships in which he sailed. Then he
would take an examination on the topics of writing, mathematics,astronomy,
navigation, seamanship and gunnery. Not all midshipmen passed the test. In
practice, some candidates were asked only token questions; others were grilled.
It could depend on the mood of the Board and the severity of individual
Commissioners.
