Weymouth is a real town and seaside resort in Dorset mentioned in Jane Austen's novels Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, and Emma. The resort was popular in Austen's time, patronized by King George III and his family for fifteen years until 1810, after which his health worsened.[1]
In the Novels[]
Sense and Sensibility[]
Charlotte Palmer explains that she has never met John Willoughby because she has never been at Barton Park while he was at Allenham; though her mother once did, Charlotte was with her uncle at Weymouth at the time.[2]
Mansfield Park[]
Tom Bertram visits Weymouth for six weeks, and upon his return to Mansfield Park, he tells Mary Crawford about the races, parties, and friends he met there.[3] One such friend is the Hon. John Yates, whom Tom invited to come by Mansfield whenever he wished. Yates left Weymouth to visit Ecclesford, and when the Ecclesford party broke up after the death of Lord Ravenshaw's grandmother, he decides to take Tom up on his offer.[4]
Emma[]
Colonel Campbell visits Weymouth for his health with his family and their ward, Jane Fairfax.[5] While his daughter was being courted by Mr. Dixon, Jane became better acquainted with Frank Churchill, who was visiting the resort at the same time, and over several meetings, where they danced[6] and sang together, as well as attended a water party where Jane might have died if not for Mr. Dixon,[7] their acquaintance deepens into love and a secret engagement.