Because this post got me thinking about it again...
Unclear how readable my screenshotted spreadsheet is, but by virtue of pulling numbers out my ass and shoving them into the Bank of England's Interest Calculator I've managed to net the Bennet Girls a dowry of around £2000 each, the £1000 inheritance from their mother excluded.
DISCLAIMER: I HAVE DONE ZERO RESEARCH ON THE REGENCY GOVERNMENT BONDS THAT RETURNED AROUND 5%. I have no idea if you needed a certain amount to buy in (modern day British Government bonds, for example, require a minimum of £500). This is not intended as serious literary or historical analysis, except insofar as it underscores the point that a little economizing on Mr and Mrs Bennet's parts could have, at the very least, doubled the girls' eventual fortunes.
