Persuasion in English with translation

Phrase notes

1. ¹for his own enjoyment;

   Literallyfor his own pleasure

   WhyAusten wrote "for his own amusement" — amusement in its older sense of pastime, not only of laughter.

2. ²who never picked up

   Literallywho never took a book in hand

   WhyThe original reads "never took up any book but the Baronetage": but in the sense of except, a usage now mostly literary.

3. ³except the Baronetage

   Literallyexcept the book of baronet families

   WhyThe Baronetage is a reference book listing the baronets of England — the only reading Sir Walter enjoys.

4. ⁴he found something to do

   Literallyhe found an occupation

   WhyAusten's phrase is "there he found occupation for an idle hour, and consolation in a distressed one"; one stands for hour.

5. ⁵his mind was filled

   Literallyhis thoughts were stirred

   WhyThe original has "his faculties were roused into admiration and respect" — faculties, the powers of the mind.

6. ⁶of the oldest titles;

   Literallyof the most ancient titles

   WhyAusten speaks of "the limited remnant of the earliest patents": letters patent are the documents that create a title.

7. ⁷about his family business

   Literallyabout household matters

   WhyThe original is "unwelcome sensations, arising from domestic affairs" — business here means home matters, not a company.

8. ⁸into pity and dislike

   Literallyinto pity and scorn

   WhyAusten's word is contempt: his feelings turn to "pity and contempt" for the newly made baronets.

9. ⁹the many new titles

   Literallythe many newly created titles

   WhyIn the original "the almost endless creations of the last century": a creation is a newly created title.

10. ¹⁰even if every other page

    Literallyeven if every other page failed him

    WhyAusten wrote "if every other leaf were powerless" — leaf for a page, and were as the old subjunctive.

11. ¹¹where his favourite book

    Literallywhere his favourite volume

    WhyThe original says "the favourite volume"; favourite keeps its British spelling.