“We would do better in the area. There is an excellent archway down yonder in case a too zealous policeman should intrude.”

• A sunken enclosure giving access to the basement of a building often used as a servants’ entrance in Victorian houses.
• These pictures of Bath, U.K. show the rails of the 'area' which in this instance was at the front of the house.

See also:

• Bath

• This photograph of the Jane Austen centre clearly shows the railings round the 'area', the basement windows and the superior front door which the family and their guests would have used.

See also:

• Jane Austen

Tags: BRUC, SIXN