Phaeton

Miss de Bourge drove by in her phaeton, which he never failed coming to inform them of, though it happened almost every day."(Chapt. 29, page 123).

According to Greek mythology Phaeton is the son of the sun god Helios. One day Phaeton rode his father's sun-chariot across the sky and crashed it into earth, almost burning it. The phaeton referred to in Pride and Prejudice is a wide open, light weight carriage that is very costly. The fact that Mr. Collins so highly considers the phaeton means that he worships Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourge for nothing more than their high stature and wealth. Austin regards Mr. Collins as doltish and accentuates his infatuation with Lady Catherine. Considering that his obsession is based on wealth, exposes that Austin deems the weight put on the importance of class absurd.

~"Phaeton." Encyclopedia Mythica: mythology, folklore, and religion. 02 Apr. 2009 .