] Please accept my apologies if this is has already been discussed (as I'm sure it has). Could you direct me to the answer?

This thread is an interesting one on the difference between the fortunes of men and women.

] I'm re-reading S&S and have a question about money (this comes up in historical novels, too). Col. Brandon has 2,000 pounds; Miss Morton has 30,000 pounds. What, exactly, does that mean? Do the Colonel's investments, land, etc., yield an income of 2,000? Or is he living off the interest on those pounds? If the latter, how much might that be?

Brandon owns property and a little cash that yields £2000 per annum. Miss Morton has a dowry of £30000 in cash, which invested in bonds (~@5% pa) would yield about £1500 per annum in rents.