During the regency era, men and women spent the day separately, pursuing their own interests and schedules. It was perfectly permissable to spend a morning alone writing letters, reading to oneself, or riding, but after dinner families and friends were obligated to entertain each other with conversation, musical performances, parlor games and cards, or reading aloud. For most families, candles were considered a luxury, and, except for the richest families, most families could only afford to burn a few at a time. After dinner a family would assemble in one candlelit room to spend an evening together. In her letter to her friend Martha Lloyd, Jane Austen writes a letter full of humor about the topics she has been researching to contribute to her share in the conversation during her next visit:
Regency family in the evening
My Dear Martha,
I did not receiver your note yesterday till after Charlotte had left Deane, or I would have sent my answer by her, instead of being the means, as I now must be, of lessening the elegance of your new dress for the Hurstbourne Ball by the value of 3d. You are very good in wishing to see me in Ibthorp so soon, and I am equally good in wishing to come see you … You distress me cruelly by your request about books; I cannot think of any to bring with me, nor have I any idea of our wanting them. I come to you to be talked to, not to read or hear reading. I can do that at home; and indeed I am now laying in a stock of intelligence to pour out on you as my share of conversation. I am reading Henry’s History of England, which I will repeat to you in any manner you may prefer, either in a loose, desultory, unconnected strain, or dividing my recital as the historian divides it himself, into seven parts, The Civil and Military: Religion: Constitution: Learning and Learned Men: Arts and Sciences: Commerce Coins and Shipping: and Manners; so that for every evening of the week there will be a different subject; the Friday’s lot – Commerce, Coin and Shipping – you will find the least entertaining; but the next evening’s portion will make amends. – Steventon, Wednesday Evening, November 12, 1800, A Memoir of Jane Austen by James Edward Austen Leigh
Jane Austen's World 
[…] perfectly permissable to spend a morning alone writing letters, reading to oneself, or riding, but after dinner families and friends were obligated to entertain each other with conversation, musical performances, parlor games and cards, or reading aloud. For most families, candles were […]