Final answer:
Mr. Gardiner's explicit advice to Mr. Bennet about Lydia's wedding is not shown in Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Gardiner is instrumental in allowing the marriage between Lydia and Wickham to occur. Based on societal expectations of the time, Mr. Bennet would likely be encouraged to attend the wedding to support his daughter.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Chapter 49 of Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Gardiner does not explicitly give advice to Mr. Bennet about attending Lydia's wedding, as this specific counsel is not depicted in the novel. However, Mr. Gardiner plays a crucial role in the negotiations with Wickham regarding Lydia's situation. It is through his efforts that Lydia's marriage to Wickham becomes possible, setting a context in which Mr. Bennet could make a decision on whether or not to attend the wedding. In the society of Jane Austen's time, family support at a wedding would have been essential for appearances, despite any impropriety leading up to the event. Therefore, one could infer that Mr. Bennet would ultimately be encouraged to attend in order to support Lydia and preserve the family's social standing.
The overarching themes of marriage, social propriety, and women's security in Austen's era, as encapsulated in the character of Mrs. Bennet, align with the dilemma Mr. Bennet faces regarding Lydia's wedding. The novel spotlights the importance of marriage as a means of social and financial security for women during the Regency period.