Friends of the Library of Sewanee: The University of the South and the Department of English invite you to attend an event featuring Dr. Robin R. Bates, Professor Emeritus of English from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Dr. Bates will discuss the importance of card playing in Jane Austen’s novels and will instruct attendees in how to play Speculation, one of the card games played in Mansfield Park. This event will be held in Convocation Hall on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
Dr. Bates has a PhD in 18th century British literature from Emory University and spent his career teaching British literature at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. In 2018 he retired to Sewanee, where he grew up and where he has served as an occasional Visiting Professor of English.
Although the protagonist of Mansfield Park is no card player, Austen informs us that “it was impossible for Fanny not to feel herself mistress of the rules of the game in three minutes.” In other words, it is a very simple game, with Austen reporting in a letter, “I introduced Speculation, and it was so much approved that we hardly knew how to leave off.” Attendees who would rather watch than play, however, can do so. An English high tea will be served during the card game and Jane Austen-themed prizes will be awarded to the winners. We request that you RSVP via email to pcowan@sewanee.edu for the event by Friday, January 30 to determine the number of card tables needed.
More information about the Friends of the Library can be found at their website: https://library.sewanee.edu/FOL. If you have questions about the talk or joining the Friends of the Library, please contact Penny Cowan at 931-598-1573 or pcowan@sewanee.edu.
