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Boston 

ot  write  in  • 


JANE    AUSTEN'S 
LETTERS 


VOL.  II. 


LOXDOX  :     PRINTED      BV 

SPOTTISWOODE     AND     CO.,     KEW-STREKT     SQLARK 

AAD     PABLIA31EXT     STREET 


LETTERS 


OF 


JANE      AU  STEN 


EDITED 

WITH    AX    INTRODUCTION    AND     CRITICAL     REMARKS 
BY 

EDWARD,   LORD   BRABOURNE 


IX    TWO    VOLUMES 
VOL.  II. 


LONDON 
RICHARD  BENTLEY  &  SON,  NEW  BURLINGTON  STREET 


yablisbrrs  in  C>ri)inari)  to  IJcr  |Vlairsti)  fl)e  Cjucen 

1884 


^^ 


Y. 


All    right  a    rescrvec 


CONTENTS 


THE     SECOND     VOLUJIE 


PAGE 

LETTERS — continued  .......  1 

LETTERS     FROM     MISS     CASSANDRA     AUSTEN     TO     HER     NIECE 

MISS    KNIGHT  ........       .333 

VERSES  ENCLOSED  IN  ONE  OF  THE  LETTERS  OF  ISO"  .     .   .Ul 
APPENDICES    .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .34.5 


LETTERS 


OP 


JANE     AUSTEN. 

Y 

1808,  1809 

These  letters  were  written  at  a  time  when  the  first 
great  misfortune  fell  upon  the  Godmersham  family, 
in  the  loss  of  the  wife  and  mother  so  tenderly 
loved  by  all.  In  the  last  week  of  September  Eliza- 
beth Austen  was  confined  with  her  youngest  child, 
and  on  the  8th  of  October,  after  eating  a  hearty 
dinner,  she  was  suddenly  seized  with  sickness,  and 
expired  before  the  serious  nature  of  her  attack  had 
been  fully  realized.  The  first  two  letters  of  the 
series,  written  just  before  this  event,  are  in  Jane's 
usual  and  cheerful  spirit,  and  require  no  particular 
comment.  The  third  (JSTo.  45)  was  Jane's  first 
communication  to  her  sister  after  the  melancholy 
news  from  Godmersham,  and  this  and  the  two 
VOL.    II.  B 


2  LETTEES   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.         1808,  1809 

subsequent  letters  are  principally  upon  the  same 
subject.  The  forty-eighth  letter  alludes  to  the 
approaching  marriage  of  Edward  Bridges  ^  with 
Harriet  Foote,  the  sister  of  his  brother  Sir  Brook's 
late  wife.  There  are  also  allusions  in  this  letter  to 
some  matters  connected  with  her  own  mother's  (the 
Leigh)  family,  which  are  of  no  public  interest ;  nor 
is  there  anything  in  the  forty-ninth  to  which  I 
need  call  attention.  In  the  fiftieth  Jane  alludes  (as 
elsewhere  in  subsequent  letters)  to  Lady  Sondes' 
second  marriage.  This  lady  was  Mary  Ehzabeth, 
only  daughter  of  Eichard  Milles,  Esq.,  of  Elmham, 
Norfolk,  who  married,  in  1785,  Lewis  Thomas,  the 
second  Lord  Sondes,  who  died  in  1806,  and  she 
subsequently  married  General  Sir  Henry  Tucker 
Montresor,  K.C.B.,  of  Denne  Hill.  She  died  in 
1818,  leaving  several  children  by  her  first,  but 
none  by  her  second  husband,  who  married  twice 
again,  first  Annetta,  daucrfiter  of  the  Eev.  Edward 
Cage,  Eector  of  Eastling,  by  whom  he  left  a  family, 
and  lastly  Miss  Fairman,  who  survived  him  many 
years,  but  had  no  children. 

I  do  not  knoAV  what  '  deed  '  Sir  Brook  Bridges 

^  Edward  Bridges  had  tlie  living  of  Leiiliam,  his  visits  from  which 
to  Godmersham  are  referred  to  in  subsequent  letters.  He  afterwards 
w^ent  to  Wingham,  wliere  he  died,  in  1825,  leaving  a  large  family. 


1808,  1809         LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEN.  3 

was  supposed  to  be  '  making  up  his  mind  to ' 
during  the  tete-a-tete  to  which  aUusion  is  made  in 
the  letter,  unless  it  was  the  deed  of  taking  for  liis 
second  wife  Dorothy,  eldest  daughter  of  Sir  Henry 
Hawley,  wliich  he  actually  accomphshed  in  Decem- 
ber of  the  next  year.  Probably,  however,  Jane 
was  jokingly  alluding  to  the  probabihty  of  his 
proposing  to  Cassandra  herself.  This  is  the  last 
letter  of  the  year,  for  the  next  bears  the  date  of 
January  1809.  It  alludes  to  the  illness  of  Mrs. 
E.  Leigh,  who  would  seem  by  the  context  to  have 
been  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Cooke,  and,  as  George 
Cooke  was  '  the  Eeverend  George  Leigh  Cooke,' 
we  may  gather,  without  searching  more  closely  the 
family  pedigree,  that  these  were  Jane's  relations  on 
the  mother's  side,  of  whom  she  saw  a  good  deal 
from  time  to  time,  after  taking  '  Bookham '  in  her 
way  to  and  from  Steventon.-^ 

I  have  no  record  of  the  visit  to  Godmersham, 
to  the  prospect  of  which  allusion  is  made  in  this 
letter,  and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  there  are 
no  letters  after  January  1809,  for  more  than  two 

^  I  find  tliat  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cooke,  Rector  of  Bookliam,  was  one  of 
Jane's  god-parents — the  others  were  Mrs.  Jane  Austen  of  Seyenoaks 
and  Mrs.  Miisgrave,  born  Jane  Iluggins,  and  wife  of  Dr.  James 
Musgraye,  whose  mother  was  Catherine  Perrot. 

b2 


4:  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.         1808,  1809 

years,  tliougli,  of  course,  many  must  liave  been 
written.  These  January  letters  do  not  contain  any 
other  aUusions  which  appear  to  require  explana- 
tion, or  regarding  which  explanation  would  be  of 
any  general  interest. 


XLIII. 

Castle  Square:  Saturday  (Octo'ber  1). 

My  dear  Cassandra, 

Your  letter  this  morning  was  quite  unexpected , 
and  it  is  well  that  it  brings  such  good  news  to 
counterbalance  the  disappointment  to  me  of  losing 
my  first  sentence,  which  I  had  arranged  full  of 
proper  hopes  about  your  journey,  intending  to 
commit  them  to  paper  to-day,  and  not  looldng  for 
certainty  till  to-morrow. 

We  are  extremely  glad  to  hear  of  the  birth 
of  the  child,  and  trust  everything  will  proceed  as 
well  as  it  begins.  His  mamma  has  our  best  wishes, 
and  he  our  second  best  for  health  and  comfort — 
though  I  suppose,  unless  he  has  our  best  too,  we  do 
nothing  for  her.  We  are  glad  it  was  all  over  before 
your  arrival,  and  I  am  most  happy  to  find  who  the 
godmother  is  to  be.  My  mother  was  some  time 
guessing  the  names. 


1808  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  5 

Henry's  present  to  you  gives  me  great  pleasure, 
and  I  shall  watch  the  weather  for  Mm  at  this  time 
with  redoubled  interest. 

We  have  had  four  brace  of  birds  lately,  in 
equal  lots,  from  Shalden  and  Neatham. 

Our  party  at  Mrs.  Duer's  produced  the  novelties 
of  two  old  Mrs.  Pollens  and  Mrs.  Heywood,  with 
whom  my  mother  made  a  quadrille  table  ;  and  of 
Mrs.  Maitland  and  Caroline,  and  Mr.  Booth  without 
his  sisters,  at  commerce.  I  have  got  a  husband  for  l^ 
each  of  the  ]\Iiss  Maitlands ;  Colonel  Powlett  and 
his  brother  have  taken  Argyle's  inner  house,  and 
the  consequence  is  so  natural  that  I  have  no 
ingenuity  in  planning  it.  If  the  brotlier  should 
luckily  be  a  little  sillier  than  the  Colonel,  what  a 
treasure  for  Eliza ! 

Mr.  Lyford  called  on  Tuesday  to  say  that  he 
was  disappointed  of  his  son  and  daughter's  coming, 
and  must  go  home  himself  the  following  morning  ; 
and  as  I  was  determined  that  he  should  not  lose 
every  pleasure,  I  consulted  him  on  my  complaint. 
He  recommended  cotton,  moistened  with  oil  of 
sweet  almonds,  and  it  has  done  me  good.  I  hope, 
therefore,  to  have  nothing  more  to  do  with  Eliza's 
receipt  than  to  feel  obliged  to  her  for  giving  it,  as 
I  very  sincerely  do. 


6  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

Mrs.  Tilson's  remembrance  gratifies  me,  and  I 
will  use  her  patterns  if  I  can. 

I  have  just  finished  a  handkerchief  for  Mrs. 
James  Austen,  which  I  expect  her  husband  to  give 
me  an  opportunity  of  sending  to  her  ere  long. 
Some  fine  day  in  October  will  certainly  bring  him 
to  us  in  the  garden,  between  three  and  four  o'clock. 
She  hears  that  Miss  Bigg  is  to  be  married  in  a 
fortnight.     I  wish  it  may  be  so. 

About  an  hour  and  a-half  after  your  toils  on 
Wednesday  ended,  ours  began.  At  seven  o'clock 
Mrs.  Harrison,  her  two  daughters  and  two  visitors,, 
witlf  Mr.  Debary  and  his  eldest  sister,  walked  in. 

A  second  pool  of  commerce,  and  all  the  longer 
by  the  addition  of  the  two  girls,  who  during  the 
first  had  one  corner  of  the  table  and  spillikens  to 
themselves,  was  the  ruin  of  us  ;  it  completed  the 
prosperity  of  Mr.  Debary,  however,  for  he  won 
them  both. 

Mr.  Harrison  came  in  late,  and  sat  by  the  fire, 
for  which  I  envied  him,  as  we  had  our  usual  luck 
of  having  a  very  cold  evening.  It  rained  when 
our  company  came,  but  was  dry  again  before  they 
left  us. 

Tlie  Miss  Ballards  are  said  to  be  remarkably 
well-informed  ;  their  manners  are  unaffected   and 


1808  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  7 

pleasing,  but  tliey  do  not  talk  quite  freely  enough 
to  be  agreeable,  nor  can  I  discover  any  right  they 
had  by  taste  or  feeling  to  go  their  late  tour. 

Miss  Austen  and  her  nephew  are  returned,  but 
Mr.  Choles  is  still  absent.  '  Still  absent,'  say  you, 
'  I  did  not  know  that  he  was  gone  anywhere  ; ' 
neither  did  I  know  that  Lady  Bridges  was  at 
Godmersham  at  all,  till  I  was  told  of  her  being 
still  there,  which  I  take,  therefore,  to  be  the  most 
approved  method  of  announcing  arrivals  and  de- 
partures. 

Mr.  Choles  is  gone  to  drive  a  cow  to  Brentford, 
and  his  place  is  supphed  to  us  by  a  man  who  lives 
in  the  same  sort  of  way  by  odd  jobs,  and  among 
other  capabilities  has  that  of  working  in  a  garden, 
which  my  mother  will  not  forget  if  we  ever  have 
another  garden  here.  In  general,  however,  she 
thinks  much  more  of  Alton,  and  really  expects  to 
move  there. 

Mrs.  Ly ell's  130  guineas  rent  have  made  a 
great  impression.  To  the  purchase  of  furniture, 
whether  liere  or  there,  she  is  quite  reconciled,  and 
talks  of  the  trouble  as  the  only  evil.  I  depended 
upon  Henry's  liking  the  Alton  plan,  and  expect 
to  hear  of  something  perfectly  unexceptionable 
there,  through  him. 


8  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEN.  1808 

Our  Yarmouth  division  seem  to  liave  got  nice 
lodgings  ;  and,  with  fish  ahnost  for  nothing  and 
plenty  of  engagements  and  plenty  of  each  other, 
must  be  very  happy. 

My  mother  has  undertaken  to  cure  six  hams 
for  Frank  ;  at  first  it  was  a  distress,  but  now  it  is 
a  pleasure.  She  desires  me  to  say  that  she  does 
not  doubt  your  making  out  the  star  pattern  very 
well,  as  you  have  the  breakfast-room  rug  to  look  at. 

We  have  got  the  second  volume  of  '  Espriella's 
Letters,'  and  I  read  it  aloud  by  candlelight.  The 
man  describes  well,  but  is  horribly  anti-English. 
He  deserves  to  be  the  foreigner  he  assumes. 

Mr.  Debary  went  away  yesterday,  and  I,  being 
gone  with  some  partridges  to  St.  Maries,  lost  his 
parting  visit. 

I  have  heard  to-day  from  Miss  Sharpe,  and  find 
that  she  returns  with  Miss  B.  to  Hinckley,  and  will 
continue  there  at  least  till  about  Christmas,  when 
she  thinks  they  may  both  travel  southward.  Miss 
B.,  however,  is  probably  to  make  only  a  temporary 
absence  from  Mr.  Chessyre,  and  I  should  not 
wonder  if  Miss  Sharpe  were  to  continue  with  her  ; 
unless  anything  more  eligible  ofier  she  certainly 
will.  She  describes  Mss  B.  as  very  anxious  that 
she  should  do  so. 


1808  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  9 

Sunday. — I  had  not  expected  to  liear  from  you 
again  so  soon,  and  am  much  obhged  to  3'ou  for 
writing  as  you  did  ;  but  now,  as  you  must  have  a 
great  deal  of  the  business  upon  your  hands,  do  not 
trouble  yourself  with  me  for  the  present  ;  I  shall 
consider  silence  as  good  news,  and  not  expect 
another  letter  from  you  till  Friday  or  Saturday. 

You  must  have  had  a  great  deal  more  rain  than 
has  fallen  liere ;  cold  enough  it  has  been,  but  not 
wet,  except  for  a  few  hours  on  Wednesday  evening, 
and  I  could  have  found  nothing  more  plastic  than 
dust  to  stick  in  ;  now,  indeed,  we  are  likely  to  have 
a  wet  day,  and,  though  Sunday,  my  mother  begins 
it  without  any  ailment. 

Your  plants  were  taken  in  one  very  cold,  blus- 
tering day,  and  placed  in  the  dining-room,  and 
there  was  a  frost  the  very  same  night.  If  we  have 
warm  weather  again  they  are  to  be  put  out  of 
doors  ;  if  not,  my  mother  will  have  them  conveyed 
to  their  winter  quarters.  I  gatlier  some  currants 
every  now  and  then,  when  I  want  either  fruit  or 
employment. 

Pray  tell  my  little  goddaughter  that  I  am  de- 
hghted  to  hear  of  her  saying  her  lesson  so  well. 

You  have  used  me  ill :  you  have  been  writing 
to  Martha  without  telling  me  of  it,  and   a  letter 


10  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

which  I  sent  her  on  Wednesday  to  give  her  infor- 
mation of  you  must  have  been  good  for  nothing. 
I  do  not  know  how  to  think  that  something  will 
not  still  happen  to  prevent  her  returning  by 
the  10th  ;  and  if  it  does,  I  shall  not  much  regard 
it  on  my  own  account,  for  I  am  now  got  into 
such  a  way  of  being  alone  that  I  do  not  wish  even 
for  her. 

The  Marquis  has  put  ofi  being  cured  for 
^  another  year ;  after  waiting  some  weeks  in  vain 
for  the  return  of  the  vessel  he  had  agreed  for,  he 
is  gone  into  Cornwall  to  order  a  vessel  built  for 
himself  by  a  famous  man  in  that  country,  in  which 
he  means  to  go  abroad  a  twelvemonth  hence. 

Everybody  who  comes  to  Southampton  finds 
it  either  their  duty  or  pleasure  to  call  upon  us  ; 
yesterday  we  were  visited  by  the  eldest  Miss 
Cotterel,  just  arrived  from  Waltham.  Adieu  I 
With  love  to  all, 

Yours  affectionately,         J.  A. 

We  had  two  pheasants  last  night  from  Neatham. 
To-morrow^  eveninor  is  to  be  c^iven  to  the  Maitlands. 
We  are  just  asked  to  meet  Mrs.  Hey  wood  and  Mrs. 
Duer. 

Miss  Austen,  Edward  Austen's,  Esq. 

Godmersham  Park,  Faversliam,  Kent. 


1808  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEX.  11 

XLIV. 

Castle  Square  :  Friday  (October  7). 

Mt  dear  Cassaxdea, 

Your  letter  on  Tuesday  gave  us  great  pleasure, 
and  we  congratulate  you  all  upon  Elizabeth's 
hitherto  happy  recovery ;  to-morrow,  or  Sunday, 
I  hope  to  hear  of  its  advancing  in  the  same  style. 
We  are  also  very  glad  to  know  that  you  are  so 
well  yourself,  and  pray  you  to  continue  so. 

I  was  rather  surprised  on  Monday  by  the  arri- 
val of  a  letter  for  you,  from  your  Winchester  cor- 
respondent, who  seemed  perfectly  unsuspicious  of 
your  being  hkely  to  be  at  Godmersham.  I  took 
complete  possession  of  the  letter  by  reading,  pay- 
ing for,  and  answering  it ;  and  he  will  have  the 
biscuits  to-day — a  very  proper  day  for  the  pur- 
pose, though  I  did  not  think  of  it  at  the  time. 

I  wish  my  brother  joy  of  completing  his  thirtieth 
year,  and  hope  the  day  will  be  remembered  better 
than  it  was  six  years  ago. 

The  masons  are  now  repairing  the  chimney, 
which  they  found  in  such  a  state  as  to  make  it 
wonderful  that  it  should  have  stood  so  long,  and 
next  to  impossible  that  another  violent  wind  should 
not  blow  it  down.     We  may,  therefore,  thank  you 


12  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

perhaps  for  saving  us  from  being  thumped  with 
old  bricks.  You  are  also  to  be  thanked  by  Eliza's 
desire  for  your  present  to  lier  of  dyed  satin,  which 
is  made  into  a  bonnet,  and  I  fancy  surprises  her  by 
its  good  appearance. 

My  mother  is  preparing  mourning  for  Mrs. 
E.  K.  ;  she  has  picked  her  old  silk  pelisse  to  pieces, 
V  and  means  to  have  it  dyed  black  for  a  gown — a 
very  interesting  scheme,  though  just  now  a  little 
injured  by  finding  that  it  must  be  placed  in  Mr. 
Wren's  hands,  for  Mr.  Chambers  is  gone.  As  for 
Mr.  Floor,  he  is  at  present  rather  low  in  our  esti- 
^  mation.  How  is  your  blue  gown  ?  Mine  is  all  to 
pieces.  I  think  there  must  have  been  something 
wrong  in  the  dye,  for  in  places  it  divided  with  a 
touch.  There  was  four  shillings  thrown  away,  to 
be  added  to  my  subjects  of  never-failing  regret. 

We  found  ourselves  tricked  into  a  thorough 
party  at  Mrs.  Maitland's,  a  quadrille  and  a  com- 
\merce  table,  and  music  in  the  other  room.  There 
were  two  pools  at  commerce,  but  I  would  not  play 
more  than  one,  for  the  stake  was  three  shillings, 
and  I  cannot  afford  to  lose  that  twice  in  an  even- 
ing. The  Miss  M.'s  were  as  civil  and  as  silly  as 
^  usual. 

.  You, know  of  course  that  Martha  comes  to-day, 


1808  LETTERS   OF   JA^^E   AUSTEX.  13 

yesterday  brought  us  notice  of  it,  and  the  spruce  ; 
beer  is  brewed  in  consequence. 

On  Wednesday  I  had  a  letter  from  Yarmouth, 
to  desire  me  to  send  Mary's  flannels  and  furs,  &c.  ;     ^^^ 
and,  as  there  was  a  packing  case  at  hand,  I  could 
do  it  without  any  trouble. 

On  Tuesday  evening  Southampton  was  in  a 
good  deal  of  alarm  for  about  an  hour  :  a  fire  broke  ,'_ 
out  soon  after  nine  at  Webb's,  the  pastrycook,  and 
burnt  for  some  time  with  great  fury.  I  cannot 
learn  exactly  how  it  originated  ;  at  the  time  it  was 
said  to  be  their  bakehouse,  but  now  I  hear  it  was 
in  the  back  of  their  dwelling-house,  and  that  one 
room  was  consumed. 

The  flames  were  considerable  :  they  seemed 
about  as  near  to  us  as  those  at  Lyme,  and  to  reach 
higher.  One  could  not  but  feel  uncomfortable, 
and  I  began  to  think  of  what  I  should  do  if  it 
came  to  the  worst ;  happily,  however,  the  night 
was  perfectly  still,  the  engines  were  immediately 
in  use,  and  before  ten  the  fire  was  nearly  extin- 
guished, though  it  was  twelve  before  everything 
was  considered  safe,  and  a  guard  was  kept  the 
whole  night.  Our  friends  the  Duers  were  alarmed, 
but  not  out  of  their  good  sense  or  benevolence. 

I  am  afraid  the  Webbes  have  lost  a  great  deal, 


14  LETTERS   OF  JANE  AUSTEX.  1808 

more  perliaps  from  ignorance  or  plunder  than  the 
fire  ;  they  liad  a  large  stock  of  valuable  china,  and, 
in  order  to  save  it,  it  was  taken  from  the  house  and 
thrown  down  anywhere. 

The  adjoining  house,  a  toyshop,  was  almost 
equally  injured,  and  Hibbs,  whose  house  comes 
next,  was  so  scared  from  his  senses  that  he  was 
giving  away  all  his  goods,  valuable  laces,  &c.,  to 
anybody  who  would  take  them. 

The  crowd  in  the  High  Street,  I  understand, 
was  immense  ;  Mrs.  Harrison,  who  was  drinkiufr  tea 
with  a  lady  at  Millar's,  could  not  leave  at  twelve 
o'clock.  Such  are  the  prominent  features  of  our 
fire.     Thank  God  they  were  not  worse  ! 

Saturday. — Thank  you  for  your  letter,  which 
found  me  at  the  breakfast  table  with  my  two  com- 
p  anions  c  • 

I  am  greatly  pleased  with  your  account  of 
Fanny  ;  I  found  her  in  the  summer  just  what  you 
describe,  almost  another  sister  ;  and  could  not  have 
supposed  that  a  niece  would  ever  have  been  so  much 
to  me.  She  is  quite  after  one's  own  heart ;  give 
her  my  best  love,  and  tell  her  that  I  always  think 
of  her  with  pleasure. 

I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  inquiring  about 
my  ear,  and  am  happy  to  say  that  Mr.  Lyford's 


1808  LETTERS   OF  J.IXE   AUSTEN.  15 

prescription  lias  entirely  cured  me.  I  feel  it  a 
fi^reat  blessinor  to  hear  ao^ain. 

Your  gown  shall  be  unpicked,  but  I  do  not  re- 
member its  being  settled  so  before. 

Martha  was  here  by  half-past  six,  attended  by 
Lyddy ;  they  had  some  rain  at  last,  but  a  very 
good  journey  on  the  whole  ;  and  if  looks  and  words 
may  be  trusted  Martha  is  very  happy  to  be 
returned.  We  receive  her  with  Castle  Square 
weather ;  it  has  blown  a  gale  from  the  N.W.  ever 
since  she  came,  and  we  feel  ourselves  in  luck  that 
the  chimney  was  mended  yesterday. 

She  brings  several  good  things  for  the  larder, 
which  is  now  very  rich  :  we  had  a  pheasant  and 
hare  the  other  day  from  the  Mr.  Grays  of  Alton. 
Is  this  to  entice  us  to  Alton,  or  to  keep  us  away  ? 
Henry  had  probably  some  share  in  the  two  last 
baskets  from  that  neighbourhood,  but  we  have  not 
seen  so  much  of  his  hand-writing,  even  as  a  direc- 
tion to  either. 

Martha  was  an  hour  and  a-half  in  Winchester, 
walking  about  with  the  three  boys  and  at  the 
pastrycook's.  She  thought  Edward  grown,  and 
speaks  with,  the  same  admiration  as  before  of  his 
manners  ;  she  saw  in  George  a  little  Hkeness  to  his 
uncle  Henry. 


V 


16  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEX.  1808 

I  am  glad  you  are  to  see  Harriot  ;  give  my  love 
to  lier.  I  wish  you  may  be  able  to  accept  Lady 
Bridges'  invitation,  though  /  could  not  her  son 
Edward's  ;  she  is  a  nice  woman  and  honours  me 
by  her  remembrance. 

Do  you  recollect  whether  the  Manydown  family 
sent  about  their  weddino-  cake  ?  Mrs.  Dundas  has 
set  her  heart  upon  having  a  piece  from  her  friend 
Catherine,  and  Martha,  who  knows  what  import- 
ance she  attaches  to  this  sort  of  thing,  is  anxious 
for  the  sake  of  both  that  there  should  not  be  a 
disappointment. 

Our  weather,  I  fancy,  has  been  just  like  yours  ; 
we  have  had  some  very  delightful  days,  our  5th  and 
6th  were  what  the  5th  and  6th  of  October  should 
always  be,  but  we  have  always  wanted  a  fire  within 
doors,  at  least  except  for  just  the  middle  of  the  day. 

Martha  does  not  find  the  key  which  you  left  in 
my  charge  for  her  suit  the  keyhole,  and  wants  to 
know  whether  you  think  you  can  have  mistaken 
it.  It  should  open  the  interior  of  her  liigli  drawers, 
but  she  is  in  no  hurry  about  it. 

Sunday. — It  is  cold  enough  now  for  us  to 
prefer  dining  upstairs  to  dining  below  without  a 
fire,  and  being  only  three  we  manage  it  very 
well,  and  to-day  with  two  more  we  shall  do  just 


1808  LETTERS   OF  JA^E   AUSTEX.  17 

.as  well,  I  dare  say.    Miss  Foote  and  Miss  Wetliered 
are  coming. 

My  mother  is  much  pleased  with  Elizabeth's 
admiration  of  the  rug  ;  and  pray  tell  Elizabeth  that 
the  new  mourning  gown  is  to  be  made  double  only 
in  the  body  and  sleeves. 

Martha  thanks  you  for  your  message,  and  de- 
sires you  may  be  told,  with  her  best  love,  that  your 
wishes  are  answered,  and  that  she  is  full  of  peace 
and  comfort  here.  I  do  not  think,  however,  that 
here  she  will  remain  a  great  wliile  ;  she  does  not 
herself  expect  that  Mrs.  Dundas  will  be  able  to 
•do  with  her  long.  She  icishes  to  stay  with  us  till 
Christmas,  if  possible.  Lyddy  goes  home  to- 
morrow :  she  seems  well,  but  does  not  mean  to  go 
to  service  at  present. 

The  Wallops  are  returned.  Mr.  John  Harrison 
has  paid  his  visit  of  duty  and  is  gone.  We  have 
got  a  new  physician,  a  Dr.  Percival,  the  son  of 
a  famous  Dr.  Percival,  of  Manchester,  who  wrote 
moral  tales  for  Edward  to  give  to  me. 

When  you  write  again  to  Catherine,  thank  her 
on  my  part  for  her  very  kind  and  welcome  mark  of 
friendship ;  I  shall  value  such  a  brooch  very  much. 

Good-bye,  my  dearest  Cassandra. 

Yours  very  affectionately,  J.  A. 

VOL.    11.  *  C 


18  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808^ 

Have  you  written  to  Mrs.  E.  Leigh  ?  Martha 
will  be  glad  to  find  Anne  in  work  at  present,  and 
I  am  as  glad  to  have  her  so  found.  We  must  turn 
our  black  pelisses  into  new,  for  velvet  is  to  be  very 
much  worn  this  winter. 

Miss  Austen,  Edward  Austen's,  Esq. 
Godmersham  Park,  Faversham,  Kent. 


XLV.' 

Castle  Square  (Octoljer  13). 

My  deakest  Cassandra, 

1  have  received  your  letter,  and  with  most 
melancholy  anxiety  was  it  expected,  for  the  sad 
news  reached  us  last  night,  but  without  any  par- 
ticulars. It  came  in  a  short  letter  to  Martha  from 
her  sister,  begun  at  Steventon  and  finished  in 
Winchester. 

We  have  felt — we  do  feel — for  you  all,  as  you 
will  not  need  to  be  told  :  for  you,  for  Fanny,  for 
Henry,  for  Lady  Bridges,  and  for  dearest  Edward, 
whose  loss  and  whose  sufierings  seem  to  make  those 
of  every  other  person  nothing.  God  be  praised 
that  you  can  say  what  you  do  of  him  :  that  lie  has 
a  religious  mind  to  bear  him  up,  and  a  disposition 
that  will  gradually  lead  him  to  comfort. 


1808  LETTERS   OF  J  AXE   AUSTEN.  19 

My  dear,  dear  Fanny,  I  am  so  thankful  tliat 
she  has  you  with  her  !  You  will  be  everything  to 
her ;  you  will  oive  her  all  the  consolation  that 
human  aid  can  give.  May  the  Almighty  sustain 
you  all,  and  keep  you,  my  dearest  Cassandra, 
well ;  but  for  the  present  I  dare  say  you  are  equal 
to  everything. 

You  will  know  that  the  poor  boys  are  at 
Steventon.  Perhaps  it  is  best  for  them,  as  they 
will  have  more  means  of  exercise  and  amusement 
there  than  they  could  have  with  us,  but  I  own 
myself  disappointed  by  the  arrangement.  I  should 
have  loved  to  have  them  with  me  at  such  a  time. 
I  shall  write  to  Edward  by  this  post. 

We  shall,  of  course,  hear  from  you  again  very 
soon,  and  as  often  as  you  can  write.  We  will  ^\T:'ite 
as  you  desire,  and  I  shall  add  Bookham.  Hamstall, 
I  suppose,  you  write  to  yourselves,  as  you  do  not 
mention  it. 

What  a  comfort  that  Mrs.  Deedes  is  saved  from 
present  misery  and  alarm !  But  it  will  fall  heavy 
upon  poor  Harriot ;  and  as  for  Lady  B.,  but  that 
her  fortitude  does  seem  truly  great,  I  should  fear 
the  effect  of  such  a  blow,  and  so  unlooked  for. 
I  long  to  hear  more  of  you  all.  Of  Henry's  anguish 

c2 


20  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

1  think  with  grief  and  sohcitude  ;  but  he  will  exert 
himself  to  be  of  use  and  comfort. 

With  what  true  sympathy  our  feelings  are 
shared  by  Martha  you  need  not  be  told  ;  she  is  the 
friend  and  sister  under  every  circumstance. 

We  need  not  enter  into  a  panegyric  on  the 
departed,  but  it  is  sweet  to  think  of  her  great 
worth,  of  her  solid  principles,  of  her  true  devo- 
tion, her  excellence  in  every  relation  of  life.  It  is 
also  consolatory  to  reflect  on  the  shortness  of  the 
sufferings  which  led  her  from  this  world  to  a 
better. 

Farewell  for  the  present,  my  dearest  sister. 
Tell  Edward  that  we  feel  for  liim  and  pray  for 
him. 

Yours  affectionately,  J.  Austen. 

I  will  write  to  Catherine. 

Perhaps  you  can  give  me  some  directions  about 
mourning. 

Miss  Austen,  Edward  Austen's,  Esq. 

Godmersliam  Park,  Faversham,  Kent. 


1808  LETTEES   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  21 

XLYI. 

Castle  Square :  Saturday  niglit  (October  15). 

My  dear  Cassaxdea, 

Your  accounts  make  us  as  comfortable  as  we 
can  expect  to  be  at  such  a  time.  Edward's  loss  is 
terrible,  and  must  be  felt  as  such,  and  these  are 
too  early  days  indeed  to  think  of  moderation  in 
o'rief,  either  in  him  or  his  afflicted  daus^hter,  but 
soon  we  may  hope  that  our  dear  Fanny's  sense  of 
duty  to  that  beloved  father  will  rouse  her  to  exer- 
tion. For  his  sake,  and  as  the  most  acceptable 
proof  of  love  to  the  spirit  of  her  departed  mother, 
she  will  try  to  be  tranquil  and  resigned.  Does  she 
feel  you  to  be  a  comfort  to  her,  or  is  she  too  much 
overpowered  for  anything  but  solitude  ? 

Your  account  of  Lizzy  is  very  interesting.  Poor 
child  !  One  must  hope  the  impression  will  be 
strong,  and  yet  one's  heart  aches  for  a  dejected 
mind  of  eight  years  old. 

I  suppose  you  see  the  corpse  ?  How  does  it 
apj)ear  ?  We  are  anxious  to  be  assured  that 
Edward  will  not  attend  the  funeral,  but  when  it 
comes  to  the  point  I  think  he  must  feel  it  im- 
possible. 

Your  parcel  shall  set  off  on  Monday,  and  I  hope 


22  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

the  shoes  will  fit ;  Martha  and  I  both  tried  them 
on.  I  shall  send  you  such  of  your  mourning  as  I 
think  most  likely  to  be  useful,  reserving  for  myself 
your  stockings  and  half  the  velvet,  in  which  selfish 
arrangement  I  know  I  am  doing  what  you  wish. 

/  am  to  be  in  bombazeen  and  crape,  according 
to  what  we  are  told  is  universal  here,  and  which 
agrees  with  Martha's  previous  observation.  My 
mourning,  however,  will  not  impoverish  me,  for  by 
having  my  velvet  pelisse  fresh  lined  and  made  up, 
I  am  sure  I  shall  have  no  occasion  this  winter  for 
anything  new  of  that  sort.  I  take  my  cloak  for 
the  lining,  and  shall  send  yours  on  the  chance  of 
its  doing  something  of  the  same  for  you,  though 
I  believe  your  pelisse  is  in  better  repair  than  mine. 
One  Miss  Baker  makes  my  gown  and  the  other  my 
bonnet,  which  is  to  be  silk  covered  Avith  crape. 

I  have  written  to  Edward  Cooper,  and  hope  he 
will  not  send  one  of  his  letters  of  cruel  comfort  to 
my  poor  brother  ;  and  yesterday  I  wrote  to  Alethea 
Bigg,  in  reply  to  a  letter  from  her.  She  tells  us  in 
confidence  that  Catherine  is  to  be  married  on 
Tuesday  se'nnight.  Mr.  Hill  is  expected  at  Many- 
down  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  week. 

We  are  desired  by  Mrs.  Harrison  and  Miss 
Austen  to  say  everything  proper  for  them  to  your- 


1808  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEX.  23 

self  and  Edward  on  this  sad  occasion,  especially 
that  nothing  but  a  wish  of  not  giving  additional 
trouble  wdiere  so  much  is  inevitable  prevents  their 
writing  themselves  to  express  their  concern.  Tliey 
seem  truly  to  feel  concern. 

I  am  glad  you  can  say  what  you  do  of  Mrs. 
Knight  and  of  Goodnestone  in  general ;  it  is 
a  great  relief  to  me  to  know  that  the  shock  did 
not  make  any  of  them  ill.  But  what  a  task  was 
yours  to  announce  it !  Now  I  hope  you  are 
not  overpowered  with  letter-writing,  as  Henry 
^nd  John  can  ease  you  of  many  of  your  corre- 
spondents. 

Was  Mr.  Scudamore  in  the  house  at  the  time, 
was  any  application  attempted,  and  is  the  seizure 
at  all  accounted  for  ? 

Sunday. — As  Edward's  letter  to  his  son  is  not 
-come  here,  we  know  that  you  must  have  been 
informed  as  early  as  Friday  of  tlie  l)oys  being  at 
Steventon,  wliich  I  am  glad  of. 

Upon  your  letter  to  Dr.  Goddard's  being  for- 
warded to  them,  Mary  wrote  to  ask  whether  my 
mother  wished  to  have  lier  grandsons  sent  to  her. 
We  decided  on  their  remaining  where  they  were, 
which  I  hope  my  brother  will  approve  of.  I  am 
sure  lie  will  do  us  tlie  justice  of  believing  that  in 


24  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

such  a  decision  we  sacrificed  inclination  to  wliat 
we  tliouglit  best. 
V  I  shall  write  by  the  coach  to-morrow  to  Mrs.. 
J.  A.,  and  to  Edward,  about  their  mourningv 
though  this  day's  post  will  probably  bring  direc- 
tions to  them  on  that  subject  from  yourselves. 
I  shall  certainly  make  use  of  the  opportunity  of 
addressing  our  nephew  on  the  most  serious  of  all 
concerns,  as  I  naturally  did  in  my  letter  to  him 
before.  The  poor  boys  are,  perhaps,  more  com- 
fortable at  Steventon  than  they  could  be  here,  but 
you  will  i\iideTst2ind  my  feelings  with  respect  to  it. 

To-morrow  will  be  a  dreadful  day  for  you  alL 
Mr.  Whitfield's  will  be  a  severe  duty.^  Glad  shall 
I  be  to  hear  that  it  is  over. 

That  you  are  for  ever  in  our  thoughts  you  will 
not  doubt.  I  see  your  mournful  party  in  my 
mind's  eye  under  every  varying  circumstance  of 
the  day;  and  in  the  evening  especially  figure  to 
myself  its  sad  gloom :  the  efforts  to  talk,  the 
frequent  summons  to  melancholy  orders  and  cares,, 
and  poor  Edward,  restless  in  misery,  going  from 
one  room  to  another,  and  perhaps  not  seldom  up- 
stairs,   to    see  all  that  remains  of  his  Elizabeth.. 

^  Mr.  Whitfield  was  the  Rector  of  Godmersham  at  this  time^ 
having  come  there  in  1778. 


1808  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  25 

Dearest  Fanny  must  now  look  upon  herself  as  liis 
prime  source  of  comfort,  his  dearest  friend  ;  as  the 
being  who  is  gradually  to  supply  to  him,  to  tlie 
extent  that  is  possible,  Avhat  he  has  lost.  This  con- 
sideration will  elevate  and  cheer  her. 

Adieu.  You  cannot  write  too  often,  as  I  said 
before.  We  are  heartily  rejoiced  that  the  poor 
baby  gives  you  no  particular  anxiety.  Kiss  dear 
Lizzy  for  us.  Tell  Fanny  that  I  sliall  write  in  a 
day  or  two  to  Miss  Sharpe. 

My  mother  is  not  ill. 

Yours  most  truly,  J.  Austen. 

Tell  Henry  that  a  hamper  of  apples  is  gone  to/ . 
liim  from  Kintbury,  and  that  Mr.  Fowle  intended 
writing  on  Friday  (supposing  him  in  London)  to 
beg  that  the  charts,  &c.,  may  be  consigned  to  the 
care  of  the  Palmers.  Mrs.  Fowle  has  also  Avritten 
to  Miss  Palmer  to  beg  she  will  send  for  them. 

Miss  Austeu,  Edward  Austen's,  Esq. 

Godmersham  Park,  Faversham,  Kent. 

XL  VII. 

Castle  Square :  Monday  (October  24). 

My  dear  Cassandra, 

Edward  and  George  came  to  us  soon  after  seven 
on  Saturday,  very  well,  but  very  cold,  having  by 


26  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

choice  travelled  on  the  outside,  and  Avitli  no  great 
coat  but  what  Mr.  Wise,  the  coachman,  good- 
naturedly  spared  them  of  his,  as  they  sat  by  his 
side.  They  were  so  much  chilled  when  they  ar- 
rived, that  I  was  afraid  they  must  have  taken  cold ; 
but  it  does  not  seem  at  all  the  case  ;  I  never  saw 
them  looking  better. 

They  heliave  extremely  well  in  every  respect, 
showing  quite  as  much  feehng  as  one  wishes  to 
see,  and  on  every  occasion  speaking  of  their  father 
with  the  liveliest  affection.  His  letter  was  read 
over  by  each  of  them  yesterday,  and  with  many 
tears  ^  George  sobbed  aloud,  Edward's  tears  do  not 
flow  so  easily ;  but  as  far  as  I  can  judge  they  are 
both  very  properly  impressed  by  what  has  hap- 
pened. Miss  Lloyd,  who  is  a  more  impartial  judge 
than  I  can  be,  is  exceedingly  pleased  with  them. 

George  is  almost  a  new  acquaintance  to  me, 
and  I  find  him  in  a  different  way  as  engaging  as 
Edward. 

We  do  not  want  amusement :  bilbocatch,  at 
which  George  is  indefatigable,  spillikins,  paper 
ships,  riddles,  conundrums,  and  cards,  with  watcli- 
ing  tlie  flow  and  ebb  of  the  river,  and  now  and 
then  a  stroll  out,  keep  us  well  employed ;  and 
we    mean  to  avail  ourselves    of  our    kind  papa's 


1808  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEX.  27 

consideration,  by  not  returning  to  Winchester  till 
quite  the  evening  of  Wednesday. 

Mrs.  J.  A.  had  not  time  to  get  them  more  than 
one  suit  of  clothes ;  their  others  are  making  here, 
and  though  I  do  not  beheve  Southampton  is  famous 
for  tailoring,  I  hope  it  will  prove  itself  better  than 
Basingstoke.  Edward  has  an  old  black  coat,  which 
will  save  Ms  having  a  second  new  one  ;  but  I  find 
that  black  pantaloons  are  considered  by  them  as 
necessary,  and  of  course  one  would  not  have  them 
made  uncomfortable  by  the  want  of  what  is  usual 
on  such  occasions. 

Fanny's  letter  was  received  with  great  pleasure 
yesterday,  and  her  brother  sends  his  thanks  and 
will  answer  it  soon.  We  all  saw  what  she  wrote, 
and  were  very  much  pleased  with  it. 

To-morrow  I  hope  to  hear  from  you,  and  to- 
morrow we  must  think  of  poor  Catherine.  To-day 
Lady  Bridges  is  the  heroine  of  our  thoughts,  and 
glad  shall  we  be  when  we  can  fancy  the  meeting 
over.  There  will  then  be  nothing  so  very  bad  for 
Edward  to  undergo. 

The  '  St.  Albans,'  I  find,  sailed  on  the  very  day 
of  my  letters  reaching  Yarmouth,  so  that  we  must 
not  expect  an  answer  at  present ;  we  scarcely  feel, 
however,  to  be  in  suspense,  or  only  enough  to  keep 


28  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

our  plans  to  ourselves.  We  liave  been  obliged  to 
explain  them  to  our  young  visitors,  in  consequence 
of  Fanny's  letter,  but  we  have  not  yet  mentioned 
them  to  Steventon.  We  are  all  quite  familiarised 
to  the  idea  ourselves  ;  my  mother  only  wants  Mrs. 
Seward  to  go  out  at  Midsummer. 

What  sort  of  a  kitchen  garden  is  there  ?  Mrs. 
J.  A.  expresses  her  fear  of  our  settling  in  Kent, 
and,  till  this  proposal  was  made,  we  began  to  look 
forward  to  it  here  ;  my  mother  Avas  actually  talking 
of  a  house  at  Wye.  It  will  be  best,  however,  as 
it  is. 

Anne  has  just  given  her  mistress  warning  ;  she 
is  going  to  be  married ;  I  wish  she  would  stay  her 
year. 

On  the  subject  of  matrimony,  I  must  notice  a 
wedding  in  the  Salisbury  paper,  which  has  amused 
me  very  much,  Dr.  Phillot  to  Lady  Frances  St. 
Lawrence.  She  wanted  to  have  a  husband  I  sup- 
pose, once  in  her  hfe,  and  lie  a  Lady  Frances. 

I  hope  your  sorrowing  party  were  at  church 
yesterday,  and  have  no  longer  tliat  to  dread. 
Martha  was  kept  at  home  by  a  cold^  but  I  icent 
with  my  two  nepliews^  and  I  saw  Edward  icas  nmcJi 
affected  by  the  sermon^  which,  indeed,  I  coidd  have 
supposed  puiposely  addressed  to  the  afflicted,  if  the 


1808  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEX.  29 

text  had  not  naturally  come  in  tlie  course  of  Dr. 
Mant's  observations  on  the  Litany :  '  All  that  are 
in  danger,  necessity,  or  tribulation,'  was  the  subject 
of  it.  The  weather  did  not  allow  us  afterwards  to 
get  farther  than  the  quay,  w^here  George  was  very 
happy  as  long  as  we  could  stay,  flpng  about  from 
one  side  to  the  other,  and  skipping  on  board  a 
collier  immediately. 

In  the  evening  we  had  the  Psalms  and  Lessons, 
and  a  sermon  at  home,  to  which  they  were  very 
attentive  ;  but  you  will  not  expect  to  hear  that 
they  did  not  return  to  conundrums  the  moment  it 
teas  over.  Their  aunt  has  written  pleasantly  of 
them,  which  was  more  than  I  hoped. 

While  I  write  now,  George  is  most  industriously 
making  and  naming  paper  ships,  at  which  he  after- 
wards shoots  with  horse-chestnuts,  brought  from 
Steventon  on  purpose ;  and  Edward  equally  intent 
over  tlie  '  Lake  of  Killarney,'  twisting  himself 
about  in  one  of  our  great  chairs. 

Tuesday. — Your  close-written  letter  makes  me 
quite  ashamed  of  my  wide  lines ;  you  have  sent 
me  a  great  deal  of  matter,  most  of  it  very  welcome. 
As  to  your  lengthened  stay,  it  is  no  more  than  I 
expected,  and  wliat  must  be,  but  you  cannot  sup- 
pose I  like  it. 


30  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

All  that  you  say  of  Edward  is  truly  com- 
fortable ;  I  began  to  fear  that  when  the  bustle  of 
the  first  week  was  over,  his  spirits  might  for  a  time 
be  more  depressed;  and  perhaps  one  must  still 
expect  something  of  the  kind.  If  yuu  escape  a 
bilious  attack,  I  shall  wonder  almost  as  much  as 
rejoice.  I  am  glad  you  mentioned  where  Catherine 
goes  to-day  ;  it  is  a  good  plan,  but  sensible  people 
may  generally  be  trusted  to  form  such. 

The  day  began  cheerfully,  but  it  is  not  likely 
to  continue  wdiat  it  should,  for  them  or  for  us. 
We  had  a  little  water  imrty  yesterday ;  I  and  my 
two -nephews  went  from  the  Itchen  Ferry  up  to 
Northam,  where  we  landed,  looked  into  the  74, 
and  walked  home,  and  it  was  so  much  enjoyed 
that  I  had  intended  to  take  them  to  Netley  to-day  ; 
the  tide  is  just  right  for  our  going  immediately 
after  moonshine,  but  I  am  afraid  there  will  be  rain ; 
if  we  cannot  get  so  far,  however,  we  may  perhaps 
go  round  from  the  ferry  to  the  quay. 

I  had  not  proposed  doing  more  than  cross  the 
Itchen  yesterday,  but  it  proved  so  pleasant,  and  so 
much  to  the  satisfaction  of  all,  tliat  wlien  we 
reached  the  middle  of  tlie  stream  wx^  agreed  to 
be  rowed  up  the  river ;  both  the  boys  rowed  great 
part  of  the  way,  and  their  questions  and  remarks. 


1808  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEX.  31 

as  well  as  their  enjoyment,  were  very  amusing  ; 
George's  enquiries  were  endless,  and  his  eagerness 
in  everything  reminds  me  often  of  his  Uncle  Henry, 

Our  evening  was  equally  agreeable  in  its  way  : 
I  introduced  speculation^  and  it  was  so  much  ap- 
proved that  we  hardly  knew  how  to  leave  off. 

Your  idea  of  an  early  dinner  to-morrow  is 
exactly  what  we  propose,  for,  after  writing  the 
first  part  of  this  letter,  it  came  into  my  head  that 
at  this  time  of  year  we  have  not  summer  evenings. 
We  shall  watch  the  light  to-day,  that  we  may  not 
give  them  a  dark  drive  to-morrow. 

They  send  their  best  love  to  papa  and  every- 
body, with  George's  thanks  for  the  letter  brought 
by  this  post.  Martha  begs  my  brother  may  be 
assured  of  her  interest  in  everything  relating  to 
him  and  his  family,  and  of  her  sincerely  partaking 
our  pleasure  in  the  receipt  of  eveiy  good  account 
from  'Godmersham. 

Of  Chawton  I  think  I  can  have  nothing  more 
to  say,  but  that  everything  you  say  about  it  in  the 
letter  now  before  me  will,  I  am  sure,  as  soon  as  I 
am  able  to  read  it  to  her,  make  my  mother  consider 
the  plan  with  more  and  more  pleasure.  We  had 
formed  the  same  views  on  H.  Dig  weed's  farm. 

A  very  kind  and  feeUng  letter  is  arrived  to-day 


32  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

from  Kintbury.  Mrs.  Fowle's  sympatliy  and  solici- 
tude on  such  an  occasion  you  will  be  able  to  do 
justice  to,  and  to  express  it  as  she  wishes  to  my 
brother.  Concerning  you^  she  says :  '  Cassandra 
will,  I  know,  excuse  my  writing  to  her ;  it  is  not 
to  save  myself  but  her  that  I  omit  so  doing.  Give 
my  best,  my  kindest  love  to  her,  and  tell  her  I  feel 
for  her  as  I  know  she  would  for  me  on  the  same 
occasion,  and  that  I  most  sincerely  hope  her  health 
will  not  suffer.' 

We  have  just  had  two  hampers  of  apples  from 
Kintbury,  and  the  floor  of  our  little  garret  is 
almost  covered.     Love  to  all. 

Yours  very  affectionately,         J.  A. 

Miss  Austen,  Edward  Austen,  Esq. 

Godmersliam  Park,  Faversham,  Kent. 


XLVIII. 

Castle  Square :  Sunday  (November  21). 

Your  letter,  my  dear  Cassandra,  obliges  me  to 
write  immediately,  that  you  may  have  the  earliest 
notice  of  Frank's  intending,  if  possible,  to  go  to 
Godmersliam  exactly  at  the  time  now  iixed  for 
your  visit  to  Goodnestone. 

He  resolved,  almost  directly  on  the  receipt  of 


1808  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEN.  33 

your  former  letter,  to  try  for  an  extension  of  his 
leave  of  absence,  that  he  might  be  able  to  go  clown 
to  you  for  two  clays,  but  charged  me  not  to  give  you 
any  notice  of  it,  on  account  of  the  uncertainty  of 
success.  Now,  however,  I  must  give  it,  and  now 
perhaps  he  may  be  giving  it  himself;  for  I  am  just 
in  the  hateful  predicament  of  being  oblio-ed  to 
write  what  I  know  will  somehow  or  other  be  of  no 
use. 

He  meant  to  ask  for  five  days  more,  and 
if  they  were  granted,  to  go  down  by  Thurs- 
day night's  mail,  and  spend  Friday  and  Saturday 
with  you ;  and  he  considered  his  chance  of  suc- 
ceeding by  no  means  bad.  I  hope  it  will  take 
place  as  he  planned,  and  that  your  arrano-ements 
with  Goodnestone  may  admit  of  suitable  altera- 
tion. 

Your  news  of  Edward  Bridges  was  quite  news, 
for  I  have  had  no  letter  from  Wrotham.  I  wish 
him  happy  with  all  my  heart,  and  hope  his  choice 
may  turn  out  according  to  his  own  expectations, 
and  beyond  those  of  his  family ;  and  I  dare  say  it 
will.  Marriage  is  a  great  improver,  and  m  a 
similar  situation  Harriet  may  be  as  amiable  as 
Eleanor.  As  to  money,  that  will  come,  you  may 
be  sure,  because  they  cannot  do  without  it.    When 

VOL.    II.  D 


34  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

you  see  him  again,  pray  give  liim  our  congratu- 
lations and  best  wishes.  This  match  will  certainly 
set  John  and  Lucy  going. 

There  are  six  bedchambers  at  Chawton ;  Henry 
wrote  to  my  mother  the  other  day,  and  luckily 
mentioned  the  number,  which  is  just  what  we 
wanted  to  be  assured  of.  He  speaks  also  of 
garrets  for  store  places,  one  of  which  she  imme- 
diately planned  fitting  up  for  Edward's  man  ser- 
vant ;  and  now  perhaps  it  must  be  for  our  own  ; 
for  she  is  already  quite  reconciled  to  our  keeping 
one.  The  difficulty  of  doing  without  one  had 
been  thought  of  before.  His  name  shall  be  Eobert, 
if  you  please. 

Before  I  can  tell  you  of  it,  you  will  have  heard 
that  Miss  Sawbridge  is  married.  It  took  place,  I 
beheve,  on  Thursday.  Mrs.  Fowle  has  for  some 
time  been  in  the  secret,  but  the  neighbourhood  in 
general  were  quite  unsuspicious.  Mr.  Maxwell 
was  tutor  to  the  young  Grregorys — consequently, 
they  must  be  one  of  the  happiest  couples  in  the 
world,  and  either  of  them  worthy  of  envy,  for  .^he 
must  be  excessively  in  love,  and  he  mounts  from 
nothing  to  a  comfortable  home.  Martha  has  heard 
him  very  highly  spoken  of.  They  continue  for  the 
present  at  Speen  Hill. 


1808  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  35 

I  have  a  Southampton  match  to  return  for  your 
Kentish  one,  Captam  G.  Heathcote  and  Miss  A. 
LyelL  I  have  it  from  Aletliea,  and  hke  it,  because 
I  had  made  it  before. 

Yes,  the  Stoneleigh  business  is  concluded,  but 
it  was  not  till  yesterday  that  my  mother  was  regu- 
larly informed  of  it,  though  the  news  had  reached 
us  on  Monday  evening  by  way  of  Steventon.  My 
aunt  says  as  little  as  may  be  on  the  subject  b}^  way 
of  information,  and  nothing  at  all  by  way  of  satisfac- 
tion. She  reflects  on  Mr.  T.  Leigh's  dilatoriness,  and 
looks  about  with  great  diligence  and  success  for  in- 
•convenience  and  evil,  among  which  she  ingeniously 
places  the  danger  of  her  new  housemaids  catchino- 
cold  on  the  outside  of  the  coach,  wlien  slie  o-oes 
down  to  Bath,  for  a  carriage  makes  her  sick. 

John  Binns  has  been  offered  tlieir  place,  but 
declines  it  ;  as  she  supposes,  because  he  will  not 
wear  a  livery.  Whatever  be  the  cause,  I  like  the 
effect. 

In  spite  of  all  my  mother's  long  and  intimate 
knowledge  of  the  writer,  she  was  not  up  to  the  ex- 
pectation of  such  a  letter  as  this  ;  the  discontented- 
ness  of  it  shocked  and  surprised  ]ier — but  /  see- 
nothing  in  it  out  of  nature,  though  a  sad  nature. 

She  does  not  forget  to  wish  for  Chambers,  you 

d2 


36  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

may  be  sure.  No  particulars  are  given,  not  a  word 
of  arrears  mentioned,  though  in  her  letter  to  James 
they  were  in  a  general  way  spoken  of.  The  amount 
of  them  is  a  matter  of  conjecture,  and  to  my 
mother  a  most  interesting  one  ;  she  cannot  fix  any 
time  for  their  beginning  with  any  satisfaction  to 
herself  but  Mrs.  Leigh's  death,  and  Henry's  two 
thousand  pounds  neither  agrees  with  that  period 
nor  any  other.  I  did  not  like  to  own  our  previous 
information  of  what  was  intended  last  July,  and 
have  therefore  only  said  that  if  we  could  see  Henry 
we  might  hear  many  particulars,  as  I  had  under- 
stood that  some  confidential  conversation  had 
passed  between  him  and  Mr.  T.  L.  at  Stoneleigh. 

We  have  been  as  quiet  as  usual  since  Frank  and 
Mary  left  us  ;  Mr.  Criswick  called  on  Martha  that 
very  morning  on  his  way  home  again  from  Ports- 
mouth, and  we  have  had  no  visitor  since. 

We  called  on  the  Miss  Lyells  one  day,  and 
heard  a  good  account  of  Mr.  Heathcote's  canvass,, 
the  success  of  which,  of  course,  exceeds  his  expec- 
tations. Alethea  in  her  letter  hopes  for  my  interest, 
which  I  conclude  means  Edward's,  and  I  take  this 
opportunity,  therefore,  of  requesting  that  he  will 
bring  in  Mr.  Heathcote.  Mr.  Lane  told  us  yester 
day  that  Mr.   H.  had  behaved  very  handsomely. 


1808  LETTERS  OF  JAXE   AUSTEN.     '  37 

and  waited  on  Mr.  Thistlethwaite,  to  say  that  if  he 
(Mr.  T.)  would  stand,  he  (Mr.  H.)  would  not  oppose 
liim  ;  but  Mr.  T.  declined  it,  acknowledging  him- 
self still  smarting  under  the  payment  of  late  elec- 
tioneering costs. 

The  Mrs.  Hulberts,  we  learn  from  Kintbury, 
come  to  Steventon  this  week,  and  bring  Mary  Jane 
Fowle  with  them  on  her  way  to  Mrs.  Xunes ;  she 
returns  at  Christmas  with  her  brother. 

Our  brother  we  may  perhaps  see  in  the  course 
of  a  few  days,  and  we  mean  to  take  the  oppor- 
tunity of  his  help  to  go  one  niglit  to  the  play. 
Martha  ought  to  see  the  inside  of  the  theatre  once 
while  she  hves  in  Soutliampton,  and  I  think  she 
will  hardly  wisli  to  take  a  second  view. 

The  furniture  of  Bellevue  is  to  be  sold  to- 
morrow, and  we  shall  take  it  in  our  usual  Avalk,  if 
the  weather  be  favourable. 

How  could  you  have  a  wet  day  on  Thursday  ? 
With  us  it  Avas  a  prince  of  days,  the  most  delight- 
ful w^e  have  had  for  weeks ;  soft,  bright,  with  a 
brisk  wind  from  the  south-west ;  everybody  was 
out  and  talking  of  spring,  and  Martha  and  I  did 
not  know  how  to  turn  back.  On  Friday  evening 
we  had  some  very  blowing  weather — from  6  to  9, 
I  think  we  never  heard  it  worse,  even  here.     And 


38  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808- 

one  night  we  had  so  much  rain  that  it  forced  its 
way  again  into  the  store  closet,  and  though  the 
evil  was  comparatively  slight  and  the  mischief 
nothing,  I  had  some  employment  the  next  day  in 
drying  parcels,  &c.  I  have  now  moved  still  more 
out  of  the  way. 

Martha  sends  her  best  love,  and  thanks  you  for 
admitting  her  to  the  knowledge  of  the  pros  and 
cons  about  Harriet  Foote  ;  she  has  an  interest  in 
all  such  matters.  I  am  also  to  say  that  she  wants 
to  see  you.  Mary  Jane  missed  her  papa  and 
mama  a  good  deal  at  first,  but  now  does  very  well 
without  them.  I  am  glad  to  hear  of  Httle  John's 
being  better ;  and  hope  your  accounts  of  Mrs. 
Knight  will  also  improve.  Adieu !  remember  me 
affectionately  to  everybody,  and  believe  me, 

Ever  yours,         J.  A. 

Miss  Austen,  Edward  Austen's,  Esq. 
Godmersliam  Park,  Faversham,  Kent. 


XLIX. 

('astle  Square  :  Friday  (December  0). 

Many  thanks,  my  dear  Cassandra,  to  you  and 
Mr.  Deedes  for  your  joint  and  agreeable  com- 
position, which  took  me  by  surprise  this  morning. 


1808  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  39 

He  has  certainly  great  merit  as  a  writer  ;  he  does 
ample  justice  to  his  subject,  and,  without  being 
diffuse,  is  clear  and  correct ;  and  though  I  do  not 
mean  to  compare  his  epistolary  powers  with  yours, 
or  to  give  him  the  same  portion  of  my  gratitude, 
he  certainly  has  a  very  pleasing  way  of  winding  up 
a  whole,  and  speeding  truth  into  the  world. 

'  But  all  this,'  as  my  dear  Mrs.  Piozzi  says,  '  is 
flight  and  fancy,  and  nonsense,  for  my  master  has 
his  great  casks  to  mind  and  I  have  my  little  chil- 
dren.' It  is  you^  however,  in  this  instance,  that 
have  the  httle  children,  and  /  that  have  the  great 
cask,  for  we  are  brewing  spruce  beer  again  ;  but 
my  meaning  really  is,  that  I  am  extremely  foolish 
in  writing  all  this  unnecessary  stuff  when  I  have  so 
many  matters  to  write  about  that  my  paper  will 
hardly  hold  it  all.  Little  matters  they  are,  to  be 
sure,  but  highly  important. 

In  the  first  place.  Miss  Curling  is  actually  at 
Portsmouth,  which  I  was  always  in  hopes  would 
not  happen.  I  wish  her  no  worse,  however,  than 
a  long  and  happy  abode  there.  Here  she  would 
probably  be  dull,  and  I  am  sure  she  would  be 
troublesome. 

The  bracelets  are  in  my  possession,  and  every- 
thing I  could  wish  them  to  be.     They  came  with 


40  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

Martha's  pelisse,  which  likewise  gives  great  satis- 
faction.  ♦ 

Soon  after  I  had  closed  my  last  letter  to  you 
we  were  visited  by  Mrs.  Dickens  and  her  sister-in- 
law,  Mrs.  Bertie,  the  wife  of  a  lately-made  Admiral. 
Mrs.  F.  A.,^  I  believe,  was  their  first  object,  but 
they  put  up  with  us  very  kindly,  and  Mrs.  D., 
finding  in  Miss  Lloyd  a  friend  of  Mrs.  Dundas,  had 
another  motive  for  the  acquaintance.  She  seems 
a  really  agreeable  woman — that  is,  her  manners 
are  gentle,  and  she  knows  a  great  many  of  our 
connections  in  West  Kent.  Mrs.  Bertie  hves  in  the 
Polygon,  and  was  out  when  we  returned  her  visit, 
which  are  her  two  virtues. 

A  larger  circle  of  acquaintance,  and  an  increase 
of  amusement,  is  quite  in  character  Avith  our  ap- 
proaching removal.  Yes,  I  mean  to  go  to  as  many 
balls  as  possible,  that  I  may  have  a  good  bargain. 
Everybody  is  very  much  concerned  at  our  going 
away,  and  everybody  is  acquainted  witli  Chawton, 
and  speaks  of  it  as  a  remarkably  pretty  village, 
and  everybody  knows  tlie  house  we  describe,  but 
nobody  fixes  on  the  right. 

I  am  very  much  obhged  to  Mrs.  Knight  for 
such  a  proof  of  the  interest  she  takes  in  me,  and 

^  Frank  Austen. 


1808        LETTEES  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.         41 

she  may  depend  iij:)©!!  it  that  I  icill  marry  Mr. 
Papillon,  whatever  may  be  his  reluctance  or  my 
own.  I  owe  her  much  more  than  such  a  trifling 
sacrifice. 

Our  ball  was  rather  more  amusing  than  I 
expected.  Martha  liked  it  very  much,  and  I  did 
not  gape  till  the  last  quarter  of  an  hour.  It  was 
past  nine  before  we  were  sent  for,  and  not  twelve 
when  we  returned.  The  room  was  tolerably  full, 
and  there  were,  perhaps,  thirty  couple  of  dancers. 
The  melancholy  part  was,  to  see  so  many  dozen 
young  women  standing  by  without  partners,  and 
each  of  them  with  two  ugly  naked  shoulders. 

It  was  the  same  room  in  which  we  danced 
fifteen  years  ago.  I  thought  it  all  over,  and  in 
spite  of  the  shame  of  being  so  much  older,  felt 
with  thankfulness  that  I  was  quite  as  happy  now 
as  then.  We  paid  an  additional  shilling  for  our 
tea,  which  we  took  as  we  chose  in  an  adjoining 
and  very  comfortable  room. 

There  were  only  four  dances,  and  it  went  to  my 
heart  that  the  Miss  Lances  (one  of  them,  too,  named 
Emma)  should  have  partners  only  for  two.  You 
will  not  expect  to  liear  that  /  was  asked  to  dance, 
but  I  was — by  the  gentleman  whom  we  met  tliat 
Sunday  with  Captain  D'Auvergne.  We  liave  always 


42  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

kept  up  a  bowing  acquaintance  since,  and,  being 
pleased  with  his  black  eyes,  I  spoke  to  him  at  the 
ball,  which  brought  on  me  this  civility  ;  but  I  do  not 
know  his  name,  and  he  seems  so  little  at  home  in 
the  English  language,  that  I  believe  his  black  eyes 
may  be  the  best  of  him.  Captain  D'Auvergne  has 
got  a  ship. 

Martha  and  I  made  use  of  the  very  favourable 
state  of  yesterday  for  walking,  to  pay  our  duty  at 
Chiswell.  We  found  Mrs.  Lance  at  home  and  alone, 
and  sat  out  three  other  ladies  who  soon  came  in. 
We  went  by  the  ferry,  and  returned  by  the  bridge, 
and  were  scarcely  at  all  fatigued. 

Edward  must  have  enjoyed  the  last  two  days. 
You,  I  presume,  had  a  cool  drive  to  Canterbury. 
Kitty  Foote  came  on  Wednesday,  and  her  evening 
visit  began  early  enough  for  the  last  part,  the  apple 
pie,  of  our  dinner,  for  we  never  dine  now  till  five. 

Yesterday  I — or,  rather,  you — had  a  letter  from 
Nanny  Hilliard,  the  object  of  which  is,  that  she 
would  be  very  much  obliged  to  us  if  we  would  get 
Hannah  a  place.  I  am  sorry  that  I  cannot  assist 
her  ;  if  you  can,  let  me  know,  as  I  sliall  not 
answer  the  letter  immediately.  Mr.  Sloper  is 
married  again,  not  much  to  Nanny's,  or  anybody's 
satisfaction.      The    lady    was    governess    to    Sir 


1808  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEN.  43 

Eobert's  natural  children,  and  seems  to  have 
nothing  to  recommend  her.  I  do  not  lind,  how- 
ever, that  Nanny  is  Hkely  to  lose  her  place  in 
consequence.  She  says  not  a  word  of  what  service 
she  wishes  for  Hannah,  or  what  Hannah  can  do, 
but  a  nursery,  I  suppose,  or  something  of  that 
kind,  must  be  the  thing. 

Having  now  cleared  away  my  smaller  articles 
of  news,  I  come  to  a  communication  of  some 
weight  ;  no  less  than  that  my  uncle  and  aunt  ^  are 
going  to  allow  James  100/.  a  year.  "We  hear  of  it 
through  Steventon.  Mary  sent  us  the  other  day 
an  extract  from  m)^  aunt's  letter  on  the  subject,  in 
which  tlie  donation  is  made  with  the  greatest 
kindness,  and  intended  as  a  compensation  for  his 
loss  in  the  conscientious  refusal  of  Hampstead 
living ;  100/.  a  year  being  all  that  he  had  at  the 
time  called  its  worth,  as  I  find  it  was  always  in- 
tended at  Steventon  to  divide  the  real  income  with 
Kintbury. 

Nothing  can  be  more  affectionate  than  my 
aunt's  language  in  making  the  present,  and  like- 
Avise  in  expressing  her  hope  of  their  being  much 
more  toc^ether  in  future  than,  to  her  sfreat  resfret, 
they  have  of  late  years  been.     My  expectations  for 

^  Mr.  aad  Mrs.  Leigh  Perrot. 


44  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  UrOS 

my  mother  do  not  rise  with  this  event.  We  will 
allow  a  little  more  time,  however,  before  we  fly 
out. 

If  not  prevented  by  parish  business,  James 
comes  to  us  on  Monday.  Tlie  Mrs.  Hulberts  and 
Miss  Murden  are  their  guests  at  present,  and  likely 
to  continue  such  till  Christmas.  Anna  comes  home 
on  the  19th.  The  hundred  a  year  begins  next 
Lady-day. 

I  am  glad  you  are  to  have  Henry  with  you 
again ;  with  him  and  the  boys  you  cannot  but 
have  a  cheerful,  and  at  times  even  a  merry,  Christ- 
mas. '  Martha  is  so  (MSS.  torn) 

We  want  to  be  settled  at  Chawton  in  time  for 
Henry  to  come  to  us  for  some  shooting  in  October,  at 
least,  or  a  little  earlier,  and  Edward  may  visit  us 
after  takiiig  his  boys  back  to  Winchester.  Suppose 
we  name  the  4t]i  of  September.    Will  not  that  do  ? 

I  have  but  one  tiling  more  to  tell  you.  Mrs. 
Hill  called  on  my  motlier  yesterday  wlnle  we  were 
gone  to  Chiswell,  and  in  the  course  of  the  visit 
asked  her  whether  she  knew  any  tiling  of  a  clergy- 
man's family  of  the  name  of  Alford,  who  had 
resided  in  our  part  of  Hampshire.  Mrs.  Hill  had 
been  applied  to  as  likely  to  give  some  information 


1808  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  45 

of  them  on  account  of  tlieir  probable  vicinity  to 
Dr.  Hill's  living,  by  a  lady,  or  for  a  lady,  who  had 
known  Mrs.  and  the  two  Miss  Alfords  in  Bath, 
whither  they  had  removed,  it  seems,  from  Hamp- 
shire, and  who  now  wishes  to  convey  to  the  Miss 
Alfords  some  work  or  trimming  which  she  has 
been  doincr  for  them ;  but  the  mother  and 
daughters  have  left  Bath,  and  the  lady  cannot 
learn  where  they  are  gone  to.  While  my  mother 
gave  us  the  account,  the  probability  of  its  being 
ourselves   occurred  to   us,  and  it   had   previously 

struck  herself  .... 

what  makes  it  more 
likely,  and  even  indispensably  to  be  us,  is  that  she 
mentioned  Mr.  Hammond  as  now  having  the  living 
or  curacy  which  tlie  father  had  had.  I  cannot 
think  who  our  kind  lady  can  be,  but  I  dare  say 
we  shall  not  like  the  work. 

Distribute  the  affectionate  love  of  a  heart  not 
so  tired  as  the  right  hand  belonging  to  it. 

Yours  ever  sincerely,  J.  A. 

Miss  Austen,  Edward  Austen's,  Esq. 

Godmersham  Park,  Faversliam,  Kent. 


46  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

L. 

Castle  Square  :  Tuesday  (December  27). 

My  dear  Cassandra, 

I  can  now  write  at  leisure  and  make  the  most 
of  my  subjects,  which  is  lucky,  as  they  are  not 
numerous  this  week. 

Our  house  was  cleared  by  half-past  eleven  on 
Saturday,  and  we  had  the  satisfaction  of  hearing 
yesterday  that  tlie  party  reached  home  in  safety 
soon  after  five. 

I  was  very  glad  of  your  letter  this  morning,  for, 
my  mother  taking  medicine,  Eliza  keeping  her  bed 
with  a  cold,  and  Choles  not  coming,  made  us  rather 
dull  and  dependent  on  the  post.  You  tell  me 
much  that  gives  me  pleasure,  but  I  think  not  much 
to  answer.  I  wish  I  could  help  you  in  your  needle- 
work. I  have  two  liands  and  a  new  thimble  that 
lead  a  very  easy  life. 

Lady  Sondes'  match  surprises,  but  does  not 
oiBTend  me ;  had  her  first  marriage  been  of  affec- 
tion, or  had  there  been  a  grown-up  single  daughter, 
I  sliould  not  have  forgiven  her ;  but  I  consider 
everybody  as  liaving  a  right  to  marry  once  in  their 
lives  for  love,  if  they  can,  and  provided  she  will 
now  leave  off*  having    bad   headaches   and  being 


1808        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEX.         47 

pathetic,  I  can  allow  her,  I  can  vjish  her,  to  be 
happy. 

Do  not  imagine  that  your  picture  of  your 
tete-a-tete  with  Sir  B.  makes  any  cliange  in'' our 
■expectations  here  ;  he  could  not  be  really  reaclino-, 
though  he  held  the  newspaper  in  his  hand  ;  he 
was  making  up  his  mind  to  the  deed,  and  the 
manner  of  it.  I  think  you  will  have  a  letter  from 
him  soon. 

I  heard  from  Portsmouth  yesterday,  and  as  I 
am  to  send  them  more  clothes,  they  cannot  be 
expecting  a  very  early  return  to  us.  Mary's  face 
is  pretty  well,  but  she  must  have  suffered  a  great 
deal  with  it ;  an  abscess  was  formed  and  opened. 

Our  evening  party  on  Thursday  produced 
nothing  more  remarkable  than  Miss  Murden's 
coming  too,  though  she  had  declined  it  absolutely 
in  the  morning,  and  sitting  very  ungracious  and 
very  silent  witli  us  from  seven  o'clock  till  half  after 
eleven,  for  so  late  was  it,  owing  to  the  chairmen, 
before  we  got  rid  of  tliem. 

The  last  hour,  spent  in  yawning  and  shiverincr 
in  a  wide  circle  round  the  fire,  was  du]l  enouixh, 
but  the  tray  had  admirable  success.  Tlie  widgeon 
and  the  preserved  ginger  were  as  delicious  as  one 
could  wish.     But  as  to  our   black   butter,  do  not 


4S  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

decoy  anybody  to  Southampton  by  such  a  hire,  for 
it  is  all  gone.  The  first  pot  was  opened  when 
Frank  and  Mary  were  here,  and  proved  not  at  all 
what  it  ought  to  be  ;  it  was  neither  solid  nor 
entirely  sweet,  and  on  seeing  it  Eliza  remembered 
that  Miss  Austen  had  said  she  did  not  think  it  had 
been  boiled  enough.  It  was  made,  you  know,  when 
we  were  absent.  Such  being  the  ev^ent  of  the  first 
pot,  I  would  not  save  the  second,  and  we  therefore 
ate  it  in  unpretending  privacy ;  and  though  not 
what  it  ought  to  be,  part  of  it  was  very  good. 

James  means  to  keep  three  horses  on  this 
increase  of  income ;  at  present  he  has  but  one. 
Mary  wishes  tlie  other  two  to  be  fit  to  carry 
women,  and  in  the  purchase  of  one  Edward  will 
probably  be  called  upon  to  fulfil  his  promise  to 
his  godson.  We  have  now  pretty  well  ascertained 
James's  income  to  be  eleven  lumdred  pounds, 
curate  paid,  which  makes  us  very  happy — the 
ascertainment  as  well  as  the  income. 

Mary  does  not  talk  of  the  garden  ;  it  may  well 
be  a  disagreeable  subject  to  her,  but  her  husband 
is  persuaded  that  nothing  is  wanting  to  make  the 
first  new  one  good  but  trenching,  which  is  to 
be  done  by  his  own  servants  and  John  Bond,  by 


1808  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEX.  49 

degrees,  not  at  the  expense  which   trenchmg   the 
other  amonnted  to. 

I  was  happy  to  hear,  chiefly  for  Anna's  sake, 
that  a  ball  at  Manydown  was  once  more  in  agi- 
tation ;  it  is  called  a  child's  ball,  and  given  by 
Mrs.  Heathcote  to  Wm.  Such  was  its  beginning 
at  least,  but  it  will  probably  swell  into  something 
more.  Edward  was  invited  during  his  stay  at 
Manydown,  and  it  is  to  take  place  between  this 
and  Twelfth-day.  Mrs.  Hulbert  has  taken  Anna  a 
pair  of  white  shoes  on  the  occasion. 

I  forgot  in  my  last  to  tell  you  tliat  we  hear,  by 
way  of  Kintbury  and  the  Palmers,  that  they  were 
all  well  at  Bermuda  in  the  beginning  of  Nov. 

Wednesday. — Yesterday  must  have  been  a  day 
of  sad  remembrance  at  Gm.  I  am  glad  it  is  over. 
We  spent  Friday  evening  with  our  friends  at  the 
boarding-house,  and  our  curiosity  was  gratified  by 
the  sight  of  their  fellow-inmates,  Mrs.  Drew  and 
Miss  Hook,  Mr.  Wynne  and  Mr.  Fitzhugh  ;  the 
latter  is  brother  to  Mrs.  Lance,  and  very  much  the 
gentleman.  He  has  lived  in  that  house  more  than 
twenty  years,  and,  poor  man !  is  so  totally  deaf  that 
they  say  he  could  not  hear  a  cannon,  were  it  fired 
close  to  him  ;  having  no  cannon  at  hand  to  make 
the  experiment,  I  took  it  for  granted,  and  talked 

VOL.    II.  E 


50  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  180S 

to  him  a  little  with  my  fingers,  which  was  funny 
enough.     I  recommended  him  to  read  Corinna. 

Miss  Hook  is  a  well-behaved,  genteelish  woman ; 
Mrs.  Drew  well  behaved,  without  being  at  all 
genteel.  Mr.  Wynne  seems  a  chatty  and  rather 
famihar  young  man.  Miss  Murden  was  quite  a 
different  creature  this  last  evening  from  what  she 
had  been  before,  owing  to  her  having  with  Martha's 
help  found  a  situation  in  the  morning,  which  bids 
very  fair  for  comfort.  When  she  leaves  Steventon, 
she  comes  to  board  and  lodge  mth  Mrs.  Hookey, 
the  chemist — for  there  is  no  Mr.  Hookey.  I  cannot 
saythat  I  am  in  any  hurry  for  the  conclusion  of 
her  present  visit,  but  I  was  truly  glad  to  see 
her  comfortable  in  mind  and  spirits  ;  at  her  age, 
perhaps,  one  may  be  as  friendless  oneself,  and  in 
similar  circumstances  quite  as  captious. 

My  mother  has  been  lately  adding  to  her 
possessions  in  plate — a  wliole  tablespoon  and  a 
whole  dessert-spoon,  and  six  whole  teaspoons — 
which  makes  our  sideboard  border  on  tlie  mag- 
nificent. They  were  mostly  the  produce  of  old 
or  useless  silver.  I  have  turned  the  ll.^.  in  the 
list  into  12.S'.,  and  the  card  looks  all  the  better  ;  a 
silver  tea-ladle  is  also  added,  whicli  will  at  least 


1808  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN,  51 

answer  the  purpose  of  making  us  sometimes  think 
of  John  Warren. 

I  have  laid  Lady  Sondes'  case  before  Martha, 
who  does  not  make  the  least  objection  to  it,  and  is 
particularly  pleased  with  the  name  of  Montresor. 
I  do  not  agree  with  her  there,  but  I  like  his  rank 
very  much,  and  always  affix  the  ideas  of  strong- 
sense  and  highly  elegant  manners  to  a  general. 

I  must  write  to  Charles  next  week.  You  may 
guess  in  what  extravagant  terms  of  praise  Earle 
Harwood  speaks  of  him.  He  is  looked  up  to  by 
everybody  in  all  America. 

I  shall  not  tell  you  anything  more  of  Wm. 
Dig  weed's  china,  as  your  silence  on  the  subject 
makes  you  unworthy  of  it.  Mrs.  H.  Dii^weed 
looks  forward  with  crpeat  satisfaction  to  our  beino- 
her  neighbours.  I  would  have  her  enjoy  the  idea 
to  the  utmost,  as  I  suspect  there  will  not  be  much  in 
the  reality.  With  equal  pleasure  we  anticipate  an 
intimacy  with  her  husband's  bailiff  and  his  "wife, 
who  live  close  by  us,  and  are  said  to  be  remarkably 
good  sort  of  people. 

Yes,  yes,  we  vnll  have  a  pianoforte,  as  good  a 
one  as  can  be  got  for  thirty  guineas,  and  I  will 
practise  country  dances,  that  we  may  have  some 

e2 


62  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1808 

amusement  for  our  nepliews  and  nieces,  when  we 
have  the  pleasure  of  their  company. 

Martha  sends  her  love  to  Henry,  and  tells  him 
that  he  will  soon  have  a  bill  of  Miss  Chaplin's, 
about  14/.,  to  pay  on  her  account;  but  the  bill 
shall  not  be  sent  in  till  his  return  to  town.  I  hope 
he  comes  to  you  in  good  health,  and  in  spirits  as 
good  as  a  first  return  to  Godmersham  can  allow. 
With  his  nephews  he  will  force  himself  to  be 
cheerful,  till  he  really  is  so.  Send  me  some  intel- 
ligence of  Eliza ;  it  is  a  long  while  since  I  have 
heard  of  her. 

We  have  had  snow  on  the  ground  here  almost 
a  week  ;  it  is  now  going,  but  Southampton  must 
boast  no  longer.  We  all  send  our  love  to  Edward 
junior  and  his  brotliers,  and  I  hope  Speculation  is 
generally  liked. 

Fare  you  well. 

Yours  affectionately,         J.  Austen. 

My  mother  has  not  been  out  of  doors  this 
week,  but  she  keeps  pretty  well.  We  have  received 
through  Bookham  an  indifferent  account  of  your 
godmother. 

Miss  Austen,  Edward  Austen's,  Esq. 
Godmersham  Park,  Faversham,  Kent. 


1809  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  5 


LI. 

Castle  Square :  Tuesday  (January  10). 

I  am  not  surprised,  my  clear  Cassandra,  that 
you  did  not  find  my  last  letter  very  full  of  matter, 
and  I  wish  this  may  not  have  the  same  deficiency ; 
but  we  are  doing  nothing  ourselves  to  write 
about,  and  I  am  therefore  quite  dependent  upon 
the  communications  of  our  friends,  or  my  own  wits. 
This  post  brought  me  two  interesting  letters, 
yours  and  one  from  Bookham,  in  answer  to  an 
enquiry  of  mine  about  your  good  godmother,  of 
whom  we  had  lately  received  a  very  alarming 
account  from  Paragon.  Mss  Arnold  was  the  in- 
formant then,  and  she  spoke  of  Mrs.  E.  L.  having 
been  very  dangerously  ill,  and  attended  by  a 
physician  from  Oxford. 

Your  letter  to  Adlestrop  may  perhaps  bring 
you  information  from  the  spot,  but  in  case  it 
should  not,  I  must  tell  you  that  she  is  better  ; 
though  Dr.  Bourne  cannot  yet  call  her  out  of 
danger  ;  such  was  the  case  last  Wednesday,  and 
Mrs.  Cooke's  having  had  no  later  account  is  a 
favourable  sign.  I  am  to  hear  again  from  the 
latter  next  week,  but  not  this^  if  everything  goes  on 
well. 


54  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEX.  1809 

Her  disorder  is  an  inflammation  on  the  lungs, 
arising  from  a  severe  chill,  taken  in  church  last 
Sunday  three  weeks ;  her  mind  all  pious  com- 
posure, as  may  be  supposed.  George  Cooke  was 
there  when  her  illness  began  ;  his  brother  has  now 
taken  his  place.  Her  age  and  feebleness  consi- 
dered, one's  fears  cannot  but  preponderate,  though 
her  amendment  has  already  surpassed  the  expec- 
tation of  the  physician  at  the  beginning.  I  am 
sorry  to  add  that  Becky  is  laid  up  with  a  complaint 
of  the  same  kind. 

I  am  very  glad  to  have  the  time  of  your  return 
at  all  fixed  ;  we  all  rejoice  in  it,  and  it  will  not  be 
later  than  I  had  expected.  I  dare  not  hope  that 
Mary  and  Miss  Curhng  may  be  detained  at  Ports- 
mouth so  long  or  half  so  long ;  but  it  would  be 
worth  twopence  to  have  it  so. 

The  '  St.  Albans '  perhaps  may  soon  be  off  to 
help  bring  home  what  may  remain  by  this  time 
of  our  poor  army,  whose  state  seems  dreadfully 
critical.  The  '  Eegency '  seems  to  have  been  heard 
of  only  here  ;  my  most  pohtical  correspondents 
make  no  mention  of  it.  Unlucky  that  I  should 
have  wasted  so  much  reflection  on  the  subject. 

I  can  now  answer  your  question  to  my  mother 
more  at  large,  and  likewise  more  at  small — with 


1800  LETTEES   OF   JAXE   AUSTEN.  55 

equal  perspicuity  and  minuteness  ;  for  the  very  day 
of  our  leaving  Southampton  is  fixed  ;  and  if  the 
knowledge  is  of  no  use  to  Edward,  I  am  sure  it 
will  give  him  pleasure.  Easter  Monday,  April  3, 
is  the  day ;  we  are  to  sleep  that  night  at  Alton, 
and  be  with  our  friends  at  Bookham  the  next,  if 
they  are  then  at  home  ;  there  w^e  remain  till  the 
following  Monday,  and  on  Tuesday,  April  11,  hope 
to  be  at  Godmersham.  If  the  Cookes  are  absent, 
we  shall  finisli  our  journey  on  the  oth.  These 
plans  depend  of  course  upon  the  weather,  but  I 
hope  there  will  be  no  settled  cold  to  delay  us 
materially. 

To  make  you  amends  for  being  at  Bookham,  it 
is  in  contemplation  to  spend  a  few  days  at  Baiton 
Lodge  in  our  way  out  of  Kent.  The  hint  of  such  a 
visit  is  most  affectionately  welcomed  by  Mrs.  Birch, 
in  one  of  her  odd  pleasant  letters  lately,  in  which 
she  speaks  of  us  with  the  usual  distinguished  kind- 
ness, declaring  that  she  shall  not  be  at  all  satisfied 
unless  a  very  handsome  present  is  made  us  imme- 
diately from  one  quarter. 

Fanny's  not  coming  with  you  is  no  more  than 
we  expected,  and  as  we  have  not  the  hope  of  a 
bed  for  her,  and  shall  see  her  so  soon  afterwards 
at  Godmersham,  we  cannot  wish  it  otherwise. 


56  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1809 

William  will  be  quite  recovered,  I  trust,  by  the 
time  you  receive  this.  What  a  comfort  liis  cross- 
stitch  nmst  have  been  !  Pray  tell  him  that  I  should 
like  to  see  his  work  very  much.  I  liope  our 
answers  tliis  morning  have  given  satisfaction  ;  we 
had  great  pleasure  in  Uncle  Deedes'  packet ;  and 
pray  let  Marianne  know,  in  private,  that  I  think 
she  is  quite  right  to  work  a  rug  for  Uncle  John's 
coffee  urn,  and  that  I  am  sure  it  must  give  great 
pleasure  to  herself  now,  and  to  him  when  he 
receives  it. 

The  preference  of  Brag  over  Speculation  does 
not  greatly  surprise  me,  I  believe,  because  I  feel 
the  same  myself;  but  it  mortifies  me  deeply,  be- 
cause Speculation  was  under  my  patronage  ;  and, 
after  all,  what  is  there  so  delightful  in  a  pair  royal 
of  Braggers  ?  It  is  but  three  nines  or  three  knaves, 
or  a  mixture  of  them.  Wlieu  one  comes  to  reason 
upon  it,  it  cannot  stand  its  ground  against  Specu- 
lation— of  which  I  hope  Edward  is  now  convinced. 
Give  my  love  to  him  if  he  is. 

The  letter  from  Paragon  before  mentioned  was 
much  like  those  which  had  preceded  it,  as  to  the 
felicity  of  its  writer.  They  found  their  house  so 
dirty  and  so  damp  that  they  were  obliged  to  be  a 
week  at  an  inn.     John  Binns  had  behaved  most 


1809  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  57 

unliandsomely  and  engaged  himself  elsewliere. 
They  have  a  man,  however,  on  the  same  footing, 
which  my  aunt  does  not  hke,  and  she  finds  both 
him  and  the  new  maidservant  very,  very  inferior 
to  Eobert  and  Martha.  Whether  they  mean  to 
have  any  other  domestics  does  not  appear,  nor 
whether  they  are  to  have  a  carriage  wdiile  they  are 
in  Bath. 

The  Holders  are  as  usual,  though  I  believe  it 
is  not  very  usual  for  them  to  be  happy,  which  they 
now  are  at  a  great  rate,  in  Hooper's  marriage. 
The  Irvines  are  not  mentioned.  The  American 
lady  improved  as  we  went  on  ;  but  still  the  same 
faults  in  part  recurred. 

We  are  now  in  Margiana,  and  hke  it  very  well 
indeed.  We  are  just  going  to  set  off  for  North- 
umberland to  be  shut  up  in  Widdrington  Tower, 
where  there  must  be  two  or  three  sets  of  victims 
already  immured  under  a  very  fine  villain. 

Wednesday, — Your  report  of  Eliza's  health 
gives  me  great  pleasure,  and  the  progress  of  the 
bank  is  a  constant  source  of  satisfaction.  With 
such  increasing  profits,  tell  Henry  that  I  hope  he 
will  not  work  poor  High-diddle  so  hard  as  he  used 
to  do.^ 

Has  your  newspaper  given    a  sad  story  of  a 


58  LETTERS   OF  JANE  AUSTEN.  1809 

Mrs.  Middleton,  wife  of  a  farmer  in  Yorkshire,  her 
sister,  and  servant,  being  ahnost  frozen  to  death  in 
the  late  weather,  her  httle  child  qnite  so  ?  I  hope 
the  sister  is  not  onr  friend  Miss  Woodd,  and  I 
rather  think  her  brother-in-law  had  moved  into 
Lincolnshire,  but  their  name  and  station  accord 
too  well.  Mrs.  M.  and  the  maid  are  said  to  be 
tolerably  recovered,  but  the  sister  is  hkely  to  lose 
the  use  of  her  limbs. 

Charles's  rug  will  be  finished  to-day,  and  sent 
to-morrow  to  Frank,  to  be  consigned  by  him  to  Mr, 
Turner's  care  ;  and  I  am  going  to  send  Marmion 
out  with  it — very  generous  in  me,  I  think. 

As  we  have  no  letter  from  Adlestrop,  we  may 
suppose  the  good  woman  was  alive  on  Monday, 
but  I  cannot  help  expecting  bad  news  from  thence 
or  Bookham  in  a  few  days.  Do  you  continue  quite 
well? 

Have  you  nothing  to  say  of  your  little  name- 
sake ?     We  join  in  love  and  many  happy  returns. 
Yours  affectionately,         J.  Austen. 

The  ManydoAvn  ball  was  a  smaller  thing  than  I 
expected,  but  it  seems  to  have  made  Anna  very 
happy.     At  her  age  it  would  not  have  done  for  }iie. 

Miss  Austen,  Edward  Austen's,  Esq. 
Godmersliam  Park,  Faversham,  Kent. 


1809  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEX.  59 

LII. 

Castle  Square:  Tuesday  (January  17). 

My  dear  Cassandra, 

I  am  happy  to  say  that  we  had  no  second  letter 
from  Bookham  last  week.  Yours  has  brought  its 
usual  measure  of  satisfaction  and  amusement,  and 
I  beg  your  acceptance  of  all  the  thanks  due  on  the 
occasion.  Your  offer  of  cravats  is  very  kind,  and 
happens  to  be  particularly  adapted  to  my  wants, 
but  it  was  an  odd  thing  to  occur  to  you. 

Yes,  we  have  got  another  fall  of  snow,  and  are 
very  dreadful ;  everything  seems  to  turn  to  snow 
this  winter. 

I  hope  you  have  had  no  more  illness  among 
you,  and  that  William  will  be  soon  as  well  as  ever. 
His  working  a  footstool  for  Chawton  is  a  most 
agreeable  surprise  to  me,  and  I  am  sure  his  grand- 
mamma will  value  it  very  much  as  a  proof  of  liis 
affection  and  industry,  but  we  shall  never  have  the 
heart  to  put  our  feet  upon  it.  I  beheve  I  must 
work  a  muslin  cover  in  satin  stitch  to  keep  it  from 
the  dirt.  I  long  to  know  what  his  colours  are.  I 
guess  greens  and  purples. 

Edward  and  Henry  have  started  a  difficulty 
respecting  our  journey,  which,  I  must  own  with 


60  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEX.  1809 

some  confusion,  had  never  been  thought  of  by  us  ; 
but  if  the  former  expected  by  it  to  prevent  our 
travelhng  into  Kent  entirely  he  will  be  disap- 
pointed, for  we  have  already  determined  to  go  the 
Croydon  road  on  leaving  Bookham  and  sleep  at 
Dartford.  Will  not  that  do?  There  certainly 
does  seem  no  convenient  resting-place  on  the 
other  road. 

Anna  went  to  Clanville  last  Friday,  and  I  have 
hopes  of  her  new  aunt's  being  really  worth  her 
knowing.  Perhaps  you  may  never  have  heard  that 
James  and  Mary  paid  a  morning  visit  there  in  form 
some  weeks  ago,  and  Mary,  though  by  no  means 
disposed  to  like  her,  was  very  much  pleased 
with  her  indeed.  Her  praise,  to  be  sure,  proves 
nothing  more  than  Mrs.  M.'s  being  civil  and  at- 
tentive to  them,  but  her  being  so  is  in  favour  of 
her  having  good  sense.  Mary  writes  of  Anna  as 
improved  in  person,  but  gives  her  no  other  com- 
mendation. I  am  afraid  her  absence  now  may 
deprive  her  of  one  pleasure,  for  that  silly  Mr. 
Hammond  is  actually  to  give  his  ball  on  Friday. 

We  had  some  reason  to  expect  a  visit  from  Earle 
Harwood  and  James  this  week,  but  they  do  not 
come.  Miss  Murden  arrived  last  night  at  Mrs. 
Hookey's,  as  a  message  and  a  basket  announced  to 


1809  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  61 

US.  You  will  therefore  return  to  an  enlarged  and, 
of  course,  improved  society  here,  especially  as  the 
Miss  WilHamses  are  come  back. 

We  were  agreeably  surprised  the  other  day 
by  a  visit  from  your  beauty  and  mine,  each  in  a 
new  cloth  mantle  and  bonnet ;  and  I  daresay  you 
will  value  yourself  much  on  the  modest  propriety 
of  Miss  W.'s  taste,  hers  being  purple  and  Miss 
Grace's  scarlet. 

I  can  easily  suppose  that  your  six  weeks  hero 
will  be  fully  occupied,  were  it  only  in  lengthening 
the  waists  of  your  gowns.  I  have  pretty  well 
arranged  my  spring  and  summer  plans  of  that 
kind,  and  mean  to  wear  out  my  spotted  muslin 
iDefore  I  go.  You  will  exclaim  at  this,  but  mine 
really  has  signs  of  feebleness,  which,  with  a  little 
care,  may  come  to  something. 

Martha  and  Dr.  Mant  are  as  bad  as  ever  ;  he 
runs  after  her  in  the  street  to  apologise  for  having 
spoken  to  a  gentleman  while  she  was  near  him 
the  day  before.  Poor  Mrs.  Mant  can  stand  it 
no  longer  ;  she  is  retired  to  one  of  her  married 
daus^hters'. 

When  William  returns  to  Winchester  Mary 
Jane  is  to  go  to  Mrs.  Nune's  for  a  month,  and  then 
to  Steventon  for  a  fortnight,  and  it   seems  likely 


62  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1800 

that  edie  and  her  Aunt   Martha    may   travel  into 
Berkshire  together. 

We  shall  not  have  a  month  of  Martha  after 
your  return,  and  that  month  will  be  a  very  inter- 
rupted  and  broken  one,  but  we  shall  enjoy  our- 
selves the  more  when  we  can  get  a  quiet  half-hour 
together. 

To  set  against  your  new  novel,  of  which  nobody 
ever  heard  before,  and  perhaps  never  may  again^ 
we  have  got  Tela  of  Athens^  by  Miss  Owenson, 
which  must  be  very  clever,  because  it  was  written, 
as  the  authoress  says,  in  three  months.  We  have 
only  read  the  preface  yet,  but  her  Irish  girl  does 
not  make  me  expect  much.  If  the  warmth  of  her 
language  could  affect  the  body  it  might  be  worth 
reading  in  this  weather. 

Adieu  !  I  must  leave  off  to  stir  the  fire  and  call 
on  Miss  Murden 

Evening. — I  have  done  them  both,  the  first 
very  often.  We  found  our  friend  as  comfortable 
as  she  can  ever  allow  herself  to  be  in  cold  weather. 
There  is  a  very  neat  parlour  behind  the  shop  for 
her  to  sit  in,  not  very  light  indeed,  being  d  la 
Southampton,  the  middle  of  three  deep,  but  very 
lively  from  the  frequent  sound  of  the  pestle  and 
mortar. 


1809  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEX.  68 

We  afterwards  called  on  the  Miss  Williamses, 
who  lodge  at  Diirantoy's.  ]\Iiss  Mary  only  was  at 
home,  and  she  is  in  very  indifferent  health.  Dr. 
Hacket  came  in  while  we  were  there,  and  said  that 
he  never  remembered  such  a  severe  winter  as  this 
in  Southampton  before.  It  is  bad,  but  we  do 
not  suffer  as  we  did  last  year,  because  the  wind 
has  been  more  N.E.  than  X.W. 

For  a  day  or  two  last  week  my  mother  was 
very  poorly  with  a  return  of  one  of  her  old  com- 
plaints, but  it  did  not  last  long,  and  seems  to  have 
left  nothing  bad  behind  it.  She  began  to  talk  of 
a  serious  illness,  her  two  last  having  been  preceded 
by  the  same  symptoms,  but,  thank  heaven !  she  is 
now  quite  as  well  as  one  can  expect  her  to  be  in 
weather  which  deprives  her  of  exercise. 

Miss  M.  conveys  to  us  a  third  volume  of  ser- 
mons, from  Hamstall,  just  published,  and  which 
we  are  to  like  better  than  the  two  others  ;  they 
are  professedly  j/?'ac^2Va/,  and  for  the  use  of  country 
congregations.  I  have  just  received  some  verses 
in  an  unknown  hand,  and  am  desired  to  forward 
them  to  my  nephew  Edward  at  Godmersham. 

Alas  !  poor  Brag,  thou  boastful  game  ! 
AYliat  now  avails  thine  empty  name  1 
"Where  now  thy  more  distinguished  fame  % 
My  day  is  o'er,  and  thine  the  same, 


64  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1809 

Foi'  thou,  like  me,  art  thrown  aside 
At  Godmersham,  this  Christmas  tide  ; 
And  now  across  the  table  wide 
Each  game  save  brag  or  spec,  is  tried. 
Such  is  the  mild  ejaculation 
Of  tender-hearted  speculation. 

Wednesday. — I  expected  to  have  a  letter  from 
somebody  to-day,  but  I  have  not.  Twice  every 
day  I  thmk  of  a  letter  from  Portsmouth. 

Miss  Murden  has  been  sitting  with  us  this  morn- 
ing. As  yet  she  seems  very  well  pleased  with  her 
situation.  The  worst  part  of  her  being  in  South- 
ampton will  be  the  necessity  of  one  walking  with 
her  now  and  then,  for  she  talks  so  loud  that  one  is 
quite  ashamed  ;  but  our  dining  hours  are  luckily 
very  different,  which  we  shall  take  all  reasonable 
advantage  of. 

The  Queen's  birthday  moves  the  Assembly  to 
this  night  instead  of  last,  and,  as  it  is  always  fully 
attended,  Martha  and  I  expect  an  amusing  show. 
We  were  in  hopes  of  being  independent  of  other 
companions  by  having  the  attendance  of  Mr. 
Austen  and  Captain  Harwood  ;  but,  as  they  fail  us, 
we  are  obliged  to  look  out  for  other  help,  and  have 
fixed  on  the  Wallops  as  least  likely  to  be  trouble- 
some. I  have  called  on  them  this  morning  and 
found  them  very  willing,  and  I  am  sorry  tliat  you 


1809        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.         65 

must  wait  a  whole  week  for  the  particulars  of  the 
evening.  I  propose  being  asked  to  dance  by  our 
acquaintance  Mr.  Smith,  now  Captain  Smith,  who 
has  lately  re-appeared  in  Southampton,  but  I  shall 
dechne  it.     He  saw  Charles  last  August. 

What  an  alai^ming  bride  Mrs.  . 
must  have  been  ;  such  a  parade  is  one  of  the 
most  immodest  pieces  of  modesty  that  one  can 
imagine.  To  attract  notice  could  have  been  her 
only  wish.  It  augurs  ill  for  her  family  ;  it  an- 
nounces not  great  sense,  and  therefore  ensures 
boundless  influence. 

I  hope  Fanny's  visit  is  now  taking  place.  You 
have  said  scarcely  anything  of  her  lately,  but  I  trust 
you  are  as  good  friends  as  ever. 

Martha  sends  her  love,  and  hopes  to  have  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  you  when  you  return  to  South- 
ampton. You  are  to  understand  this  message  as 
being  merely  for  the  sake  of  a  message  to  oblige 

me. 

Yours  affectionately,  J".  Austen. 

Henry  never  sent  his  love  to  me  in  your  last, 
but  I  send  him  mine. 

Miss  Austeu,  Edward  Aiisten's,  Esq. 
Godmersham  Park,  Faversliam,  Kent. 

VOL.    II.  F 


66  LETTERS   OF  JANE  AUSTEN.  ISOlJ* 

LEII. 

Castle  Square:  Tuesday  (January  24). 

My  dear  Cassandra, 

I  will  give  you  the  indulgence  of  a  letter  on 
Thursday  this  week,  instead  of  Friday,  but  I  do 
not  require  you  to  write  again  before  Sunday,  pro- 
vided I  may  believe  you  and  your  finger  going  on 
quite  well.  Take  care  of  your  precious  self ;  do 
not  work  too  hard.  Eemember  that  Aunt  Cas- 
sandras  are  quite  as  scarce  as  Miss  Beverleys.^ 

I  had  the  happiness  yesterday  of  a  letter  from 
Charles,  but  I  shall  say  as  little  about  it  as  possible^ 
because  I  know  that  excruciating  Henry  will  have 
had  a  letter  hkewise,  to  make  all  my  intelligence 
valueless.  It  was  written  at  Bermuda  on  the  7th 
and  10th  of  December.  All  well,  and  Fanny  still 
only  in  expectation  of  being  otherwise.  He  had 
taken  a  small  prize  in  his  late  cruise — a  French 
schooner,  laden  with  sugar  ;  but  bad  weather  parted 
them,  and  she  had  not  yet  been  heard  of.  His 
cruise  ended  December  1st.  My  September  letter 
was  the  latest  he  had  received. 

This  day  three  weeks  you  are  to  be  in  London, 
and  I  wish  you  better  weather ;  not  but  that  you 

^  *  Cecilia  '  Beverley,  tlio  heroine  of  ^liss  Buruey's  novel. 


1809  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEX.  6T 

may  have  worse,  for  Ave  have  now  nothing  bnt 
ceaseless  snow  or  rain  and  insufferable  dirt  to 
complain  of;  no  tempestuous  winds  nor  severity^ 
of  cold.  Since  I  wrote  last  we  have  had  some- 
thing of  each,  but  it  is  not  genteel  to  rip  up  old 
ixrievances. 

You  used  me  scandalouslv  bv  not  mentionino- 
Edward  Cooper's  sermons.  I  tell  you  everything,, 
and  it  is  unknown  the  mysteries  you  conceal  from 
me ;  and,  to  add  to  tlie  rest,  you  persevere  in 
giving  a  final  e  to  invalid,  thereby  putting  it  out 
of  one's  power  to  suppose  Mrs.  E.  Leigh,  even  for 
a  moment,  a  veteran  soldier.  She,  good  woman, 
is,  I  hope,  destined  for  some  further  placid  enjoy- 
ment of  her  own  excellence  in  this  world,  for  her 
recovery  advances  exceedingly  well. 

I  had  this  pleasant  news  in  a  letter  from 
Bookham  last  Thursday,  but,  as  the  letter  was  from 
Mary  instead  of  her  mother,  you  will  guess  her 
account  was  not  equally  good  from  home.  Mrs. 
Cooke  had  been  confined  to  her  bed  some  day» 
by  illness,  but  was  then  better,  and  Mary  wrote 
in  confidence  of  her  continuing  to  mend.  I  have 
desired  to  hear  again  soon. 

You  rejoice  me  by  what  you  say  of  Fanny.  I 
hope  she  will  not  turn  good-for-notliing  this  ever 

F  2 


68  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1809 

SO  long.  We  thought  of  and  talked  of  her  yester- 
day with  smeere  affection,  and  wished  lier  a  long 
enjoyment  of  all  the  happiness  to  which  she  seems 
born.  While  she  gives  happiness  to  those  about 
her  she  is  pretty  sure  of  her  own  share. 

I  am  gratified  by  her  having  pleasure  in  what 
I  write,  but  I  wish  the  knowledge  of  my  being 
exposed  to  her  discerning  criticism  may  not  hurt 
my  style,  by  inducing  too  great  a  solicitude.  I 
begin  already  to  weigh  my  words  and  sentences 
more  than  I  did,  and  am  looking  about  for  a 
■sentiment,  an  illustration,  or  a  metaphor  in  every 
corner  of  the  room.  Could  my  ideas  flow  as  fast 
as  the  rain  in  the  store-closet  it  would  be 
•charming.    . 

We  have  been  in  two  or  three  dreadful  states 
within  the  last  week,  from  the  melting  of  the  snow, 
•&c.,  and  the  contest  between  us  and  the  closet  has 
now  ended  in  our  defeat.  I  have  been  obliged  to 
move  almost  everything  out  of  it,  and  leave  it  to 
splash  itself  as  it  likes. 

You  have  by  no  means  raised  my  curiosity 
after  Caleb.  My  disinclination  for  it  before  was 
affected,  but  now  it  is  real.  I  do  not  like  the 
evangelicals.  Of  course  I  shall  be  delighted  when  I 
read  it,  like  other  people,  but  till  I  do  I  dislike  it. 


I 


1809  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEN.  69 

I  am  sorry  my  verses  did  not  bring  any  return 
from  Edward.  I  was  in  hopes  they  might,  but 
I  suppose  he  does  not  rate  them  high  enough.  It 
might  be  partiaUty,  but  they  seemed  to  me  purely 
classical — ^just  like  Homer  and  Virgil,  Ovid  and 
Propria  que  Maribus. 

I  had  a  nice  brotherly  letter  from  Frank  the 
other  day,  which,  after  an  interval  of  nearly  three 
weeks,  was  very  welcome.  No  orders  were  come 
on  Friday,  and  none  were  come  yesterday,  or  we 
should  have  heard  to-day.  I  had  supposed  Miss 
C.  would  share  her  cousin's  room  here,  but  a 
message  in  this  letter  proves  the  contrary.  I  will 
make  the  garret  as  comfortable  as  I  can,  but  the 
possibilities  of  that  apartment  are  not  great. 

My  mother  has  been  talking  to  Eliza  about  our 
future  home,  and  she^  making  no  difficulty  at  all  of 
the  sweetheart,  is  perfectly  disposed  to  continue 
with  us,  but  till  she  has  written  home  for  mother  s 
approbation  cannot  quite  decide.  Mother  does  not 
like  to  have  her  so  far  off.  At  Chawton  she  will 
be  nine  or  ten  miles  nearer,  whicli  I  hope  will  have 
its  due  influence. 

As  for  Sally,  she  means  to  play  John  Binns 
with  us,  in  her  anxiety  to  belong  to  our  household 
again.    Hitherto  she  appears  a  very  good  servant. 


70  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEX.  1800 

You  depend  upon  finding  all  your  plants  dead, 
I  liope.     They  look  very  ill,  I  understand. 

Your  silence  on  the  subject  of  our  ball  makes 
me  suppose  your  curiosity  too  great  for  words. 
We  were  very  well  entertained,  and  could  have 
stayed  longer  but  for  the  arrival  of  my  list  shoes 
to  convey  me  home,  and  I  did  not  like  to  keep 
them  waiting  in  the  cold.  The  room  was  tolerably 
full,  and  the  ball  opened  by  Miss  Glyn.  The 
Miss  Lances  had  partners.  Captain  Dauvergne's 
friend  appeared  in  regimentals,  Caroline  Maitland 
had  an  officer  to  flirt  with,  and  Mr.  John  Harrison 
was  -deputed  by  Captain  Smith,  being  himself 
absent,  to  ask  me  to  dance.  Everything  went 
well,  you  see,  especially  after  we  had  tucked  Mrs. 
Lance's  neckerchief  in  behind  and  fastened  it  with 
a  pin. 

We  had  a  very  full  and  agreeable  account  of 
Mr.  Hammond's  ball  from  Anna  last  night ;  the 
same  fluent  pen  has  sent  similar  information,  I 
know,  into  Kent.  She  seems  to  liave  been  as 
happy  as  one  could  wish  lier,  and  the  com])lacency 
of  her  mamma  in  doing  the  honours  of  the  evening 
must  have  made  her  pleasure  almost  as  great. 
The  grandeur  of  the  meeting  was  beyond  my 
hopes.     I  sliould  like  to  have  seen  Anna's  looks 


1809  LETTERS   OF  J.VXE   AUSTEN.  71 

^nd  performance,  but  that  sad  cropped  head  must 
have  mjured  the  former. 

]\Iartha  pleases  herself  with  beheving  that  if 
I  had  kept  her  counsel  you  would  never  have  heard 
of  Dr.  ]yl.'s  late  behaviour,  as  if  the  very  slight 
manner  in  which  I  mentioned  it  could  have  been 
all  on  which  you  found  your  judgment.  I  do  not 
endeavour  to  undeceive  her,  because  I  wish  her 
happy,  at  all  events,  and  know  how  highly  she 
prizes  happiness  of  any  kind.  She  is,  moreover, 
so  full  of  kindness  for  us  both,  and  sends  you  in 
particular  so  many  good  wishes  about  your  finger, 
that  I  am  wilhng  to  overlook  a  venial  fault,  and  as 
Dr.  ^L  is  a  clergyman,  their  attachment,  however 
immoral,  has  a  decorous  air.  Adieu,  sweet  You. 
This  is  grievous  news  from  Spain.  It  is  well  that 
Dr.  Moore  was  spared  the  knowledge  of  such  a 
son's  death. 

Yours  affectionately,         J.  Austex. 

Anna's  hand  gets  better  and  better  ;  it  begins 
to  be  too  good  for  any  consequence. 

We  send  best  love  to  dear  little  Lizzy  and 
Marianne  in  particular. 

The  Portsmoutli  paper  gave  a  melancholy 
history  of  a  poor  mad  woman,  escaped  from  con- 


72         LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        180^^ 

iinement,  who  said  lier  husband  and  daughter, 
of  the  name  of  Payne,  hved  at  Ashford,  in  Kent. 
Do  you  own  them  ? 

Miss  Austen,  Edward  Austen's,  Esq. 
Godmersham  Park,  Faversliam,  Kent. 


LIV. 

Castle  Square  :  Monday  (.January  30). 

My  dear  Cassaxdra, 

I  Avas  not  much  surprised  yesterday  by  the 
agreeable  surprise  of  your  letter,  and  extremely 
glad  to  receive  the  assurance  of  your  finger  being- 
well  again. 

Here  is  such  a  wet  day  as  never  was  seen.  I 
wish  the  poor  little  girls  had  better  weather  for 
their  journey ;  they  must  amuse  themselves  witli 
watching  the  raindrops  down  the  windows. 
Sackree,  I  suppose,  feels  quite  broken-hearted. 
I  cannot  have  done  with  the  weather  without 
observing  how  delightfully  mild  it  is  ;  I  am  sure 
Fanny  must  enjoy  it  with  us.  Yesterday  was  a 
very  blowing  day  ;  we  got  to  church,  however, 
which  Ave  had  not  been  able  to  do  for  two  Sundays- 
before. 

I  am  not  at  all  ashamed  about  the  name  of  the 


1809  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  75 

novel,  liaving  been  guilty  of  no  insnlt  towards 
your  hanchvriting  ;  the  diphthong  I  always  saw, 
but  knowino'  how  fond  you  Avere  of  adding'  a 
vowel  wherever  you  could,  I  attributed  it  to  that 
alone,  and  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  does  the 
book  no  service  ;  the  only  merit  it  could  have 
was  in  the  name  of  Caleb,  Avhich  has  an  honest, 
unpretending  sound,  but  in  Ccelebs  there  is 
pedantry  and  affectation.  Is  it  written  only  to 
classical  scholars  ? 

I  shall  now  try  to  say  only  what  is  necessary, 
I  am  weary  of  meandering  ;  so  expect  a  vast  deal 
of  small  matter,  concisely  told,  in  the  next  two 
pages. 

Mrs.  Cooke  has  been  very  dangerously  ill,  but 
is  now,  I  hope,  safe.  I  had  a  letter  last  week  from 
George,  Mary  being  too  busy  to  write,  and  at 
that  time  the  disorder  was  called  of  the  typhus 
kind,  and  their  alarm  considerable,  but  yesterday 
brought  me  a  much  better  account  from  Mary, 
the  origin  of  the  complaint  being  now  ascertained 
to  be  bilious,  and  the  strong  medicines  requisite 
promising  to  be  effectual.  Mrs.  E.  L.  is  so  much 
recovered  as  to  get  into  the  dressing-room  ever}^ 
day. 

A  letter  from  Ham  stall  gives  us  the  history  of 


74  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEX.  1800 

Sir  Tho.  Williams's  return.  Tlie  Admiral,  avIio- 
ever  he  might  be,  took  a  fancy  to  the  '  Xeptune,' 
and  having  only  a  worn-out  74  to  offer  in  lieu  of 
it.  Sir  Tho.  declined  such  a  command,  and  is  come 
home  passenger.  Lucky  man !  to  have  so  fair  an 
opportunity  of  escape.  I  hope  his  wife  allows 
herself  to  be  happy  on  the  occasion,  and  does  not 
<xive  all  her  thoughts  to  being  nervous. 

A  great  event  happens  this  week  at  Hamstall 
in  young  Edward's  removal  to  school.  He  is  going 
to  Eugby,  and  is  very  happy  in  the  idea  of  it ;  I 
wish  his  happiness  may  last,  but  it  will  be  a  great 
change  to  become  a  raw  school-boy  from  being  a 
pompous  sermon-writer  and  a  domineering  brother. 
It  will  do  him  good,  I  dare  say. 

Caroline  has  had  a  great  escape  from  being 
burnt  to  death  lately.  As  her  husband  gives  the 
account,  we  must  believe  it  true.  Miss  Murden 
is  gone — called  away  by  the  critical  state  of  Mrs. 
Pottinger,  who  has  had  another  severe  stroke,  and 
is  without  sense  or  speech.  Miss  Murden  wishes 
to  return  to  Southampton  if  circumstances  suit, 
but  it  must  be  very  doubtful. 

We  have  been  obliged  to  turn  away  Cholles, 
he  grew  so  very  drunken  and  negligent,  and  we 
have  a  num  in  liis  place  called  Thomas. 


1809        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.         75 

Martha  desires  me  to  communicate  something 
•concerning  herself  which  she  knows  will  give  you 
pleasure,  as  affording  her  very  particular  satisfac- 
tion— it  is,  that  she  is  to  be  in  town  this  spring 
^vith  Mrs.  Dundas.  I  need  not  dilate  on  the 
subject.  You  understand  enough  of  the  whys 
and  wherefores  to  enter  into  her  feelings,  and  to 
be  conscious  that  of  all  possible  arrangements  it 
is  the  one  most  acceptable  to  her.  She  goes  to 
Barton  on  leaving  us,  and  the  family  remove  to 
town  in  April. 

What  you  tell  me  of  Miss  Sharpe  is  quite  new, 
and  surprises  me  a  little ;  I  feel,  however,  as  you 
do.  She  is  born,  poor  thing  !  to  struggle  with 
•evil,  and  her  continuing  with  Miss  B.  is,  I  hope,  a 
proof  that  matters  are  not  always  so  very  bad 
between  tliem  as  her  letters  sometimes  represent. 

Jenny's  marriage  I  had  heard  of,  and  supposed 
3^ou  Avould  do  so  too  from  Steventon,  as  I  knew  you 
were  corresponding  with  Mary  at  the  time.  I  hope 
she  will  not  sully  the  respectable  name  she  now 
bears. 

Your  plan  for  Miss  Curling  is  uncommonly 
considerate,  and  friendly,  and  such  as  she  must 
surely  jump  at.  Edward's  going  round  by 
Steventon,  as    I   understand   he    promises    to    do, 


76  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1809 

can  be  no  reasonable  objection  ;  Mrs.  J.  Austen's 
hospitality  is  just  of  the  kind  to  enjoy  such  a 
visitor. 

We  were  very  glad  to  know  Aunt  Fanny  was 
in  the  country  when  we  read  of  the  fire.  Pray 
give  my  best  compliments  to  the  Mrs.  Finches,  if 
they  are  at  Gm.  I  am  sorry  to  find  that  Sir  J. 
Moore  has  a  mother  hvino^,  but  thouodi  a  verv 
heroic  son  lie  might  not  be  a  very  necessary 
one  to  her  happiness.  Deacon  Morrell  may  be 
more  to  Mrs.  Morrell. 

I  wish  Sir  John  had  united  something  of  the 
Christian  with  the  hero  in  his  death.  Thank 
heaven !  we  have  had  no  one  to  care  for  particu- 
larly among  the  troops — no  one,  in  fact,  nearer  to 
us  than  Sir  John  himself.  Col.  Maitland  is  safe 
and  well  ;  his  mother  and  sisters  were  of  course 
anxious  about  him,  but  there  is  no  entering  much 
into  the  solicitudes  of  tliat  family. 

My  mother  is  well,  and  gets  out  when  she  can 
witli  the  same  enjoyment,  and  apparently  the  same 
strength,  as  hitherto.  She  hopes  you  will  not  omit 
begging  Mrs.  Seward  to  get  the  garden  cropped 
for  us,  supposing  slie  leaves  the  house  too  early 
to  make  the  garden  any  object  to  herself.  We 
are  very  desirous  of  receiving  your  account  of  tlie 


1809  LETTERS   OE   JAXE   AUSTEX.  i  i 

liouse,  for  your  observations  will  have  a  motive 
whicli  can  leave  nothing  to  conjecture  and  suffer 
nothing  from  want  of  memory.  For  one's  own 
dear  self,  one  ascertains  and  remembers  everything. 

Lady  Sondes  is  an  impudent  woman  to  come 
back  into  her  old  neighbourhood  again  ;  I  suppose 
she  pretends  never  to  have  married  before,  and 
wonders  how  her  father  and  mother  came  to  have 
her  christened  Lady  Sondes. 

The  store  closet,  I  hope,  will  never  do  so  again, 
for  much  of  the  evil  is  proved  to  have  proceeded 
from  the  gutter  being  choked  up,  and  we  have 
had  it  cleared.  We  had  reason  to  rejoice  in  the 
child's  absence  at  the  time  of  the  thaw,  for  the 
nursery  was  not  habitable.  We  hear  of  similar 
disasters  from  almost  everybody. 

No  news  from  Portsmouth.  We  are  very 
patient,  ^hs.  Charles  Fowle  desires  to  be  kindly 
remembered  to  you.  She  is  warmly  interested  in 
my  brother  and  his  family. 

Yours  very  affectionately,         J.  Austex. 

Miss  Austen,  Edward  Austen's,  Esq. 
Godmersliam  Park,  Faversliam,  Kent. 


78  LETTERS   OE   JANE   AUSTEN.  1811 

181I 

The  first  three  of  these  are  from   Sloane  Street, 
where  Jane  Avas  at  this  time  visiting  her  brother 
Henry  and  his  wife  Ehza,  to  whom  frequent  refer- 
ence is  made.     They  are  hvely  letters,    and   she 
seems  to  have  enjoyed  herself  thoroughly,  and  to 
have  had   plenty  of  amusement  of  one  sort   and 
another.      '  The  D'Entraigues  and  Comte  Julien  ' 
w^ere  doubtless  friends  of  '  Ehza,'  whose  first  hus- 
band   had    been   a   Frenchman  ;   the  Cookes    and 
Tilsons  I   have    already   mentioned,    and    nobody 
else  in  the  fifty-fifth  letter  seems  to  require  special 
attention.     The  fifty-sixth  contains  some  interest- 
ino-  allusions  to  '  S.  and  S.'  ('  Sense  and  Sensibility  '), 
from  which  I  gather  that  some  of  her  home  critics 
had    thought  that  she    put    the    incomes    of   her 
heroes  and  heroines  either  too  Ioav  or  too  high. 
It  may  be  remarked  that,  as  she  told  us  in  another 
letter  tliat  Ehzabeth  was  her  favourite  character 
in  'Pride  and  Prejudice,'  so,  with  regard  to  the 
novel  now  under  discussion,  she  has  most  reliance 
on   a  favourable  reception  for  its  lieroine  Ehnor. 
Then  comes  an  amusing  description  of  her  sister- 
in-law's   musical  party,  wliere   the  drawing-room 


1811  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEX.  79 

becoming  too  hot  (an  example  constantly  followed 
with    fidelity    by    modern    drawing-rooms    under 
similar  circumstances),  Jane  stood  in  the   passage 
surrounded  by  gentlemen  (just  as  other  Janes  have 
frequently  done),  and  no  doubt  contributed  greatly 
to  the  pleasure  of  the  evening.     I  cannot  pretend 
to  interpret  the  message  sent  to  '  Fanny '  respect- 
ing the  '  first  glee,'  which  is  written  in  a  '  gibberish  ' 
probably  only  understood  by  the  sender  and  re- 
ceiver of  the  same.     We  must  therefore  be  satis- 
fied with  knowing  that  '  the  music  was  extremely 
good,'  that  the  professionals,  who  were  paid  for  it, 
sang  very  well,  and  the  amateurs,  wdio  were  not 
paid  for  it,  would  not  sing  at  all.     The  Play  was  a 
favourite  amusement  of  Jane's  ;  she  seems  to  have 
gone  to  one  or  more  every  time  she  was  in  London. 
One  is  sorry  to  gather  from  this  letter  that  Ehza 
caught  cold  from  getting  out  of  her  carriage  into 
the  night  air  when   the   horses  '  actually  gibbed,' 
and    one    wonders  what  '  that  quarter  '  was  from 
which    Aunt   Jane    supposed    that    *  the    alloy    of 
Fanny's  happiness'  would   come  ;  but,  having  no 
clue   to    the   mystery,  one  can  do  no  more  than 
wonder.     From  the  fifty-seventh  letter  we  gather 
that  Mr.  W.  K.   (Wyndham  Knatchbull)  thought 


80  LETTERS   OF  JAXE  AUSTEN.  1811 

Jane  '  a  pleasant-looking  young  woman,'  and  we 
have  another  '  gibberish  '  message  to  Fanny,  and 
in  a  .  reference  to  a  lady  who  is  '  most  happily 
married  '  to  a  gentleman  who  '  is  very  rehgious 
and  has  got  black  whiskers,'  one  detects  a  touch 
of  that  peculiar  humour  wliich  so  often  amuses  us 
in  the  novels. 

The  fifty-eighth  letter  imparts  the  interesting 
intelligence  of  a  cousin's  marriage,  which  I  find 
duly  authenticated  by  '  Burke's  Landed  Gentry,' 
which  chronicles  the  fact  that  General  Orde's  first 
wife  was  Margaret  Maria  Elizabetli,  eldest  daugh- 
ter of  Wm.  Beckford,  Esq.,  of  Fonthill,  WiUs,  and 
that  they  were  married  in  1811,  her  sister  '  Susan 
Euphemia '  having  married  the  tenth  Duke  of 
Hamilton  (tlien  Marquis  of  Douglas)  in  1810  ;  but 
how  these  ladies  were  cousins  to  Jane  Austen  I 
€annot  make  out,  and  am  not  disposed  to  stop  and 
inquire.  '  Poor  John  Bridges  ! '  probably  refers  to 
his  state  of  health.  He  married  Charlotte  Hawley 
in  1810,  and  died  in  1812  ;  and  having  lived  much 
at  Godmersham,  it  was  natural  that  '  our  own  dear 
brother  '  (Mr.  Knight)  should  be  affected  by  his 
illness  and  early  deatli.  Mrs.  Harding,  who  came, 
from   Dummer    (a   little   village   five   miles    from 


1811  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEX.  81 

Basingstoke)  to  Chawton  with  the  Terrys,  Avas 
Dionysia,  daughter  of  Sir  Boiichier  Wrey,  wife  of 
Eichard  Harding,  Esq.,  of  Upcott.  and  sister  to 
Mrs.  Nicholas  Toke,  of  Godinton,  wliom  she  had 
therefore  a  perfect  right  to  resemble  if  she  pleased, 
but  it  seems  that  she  did  not.  We  learn  from  this 
letter  that  Jane  had  '  uncomfortable  feelings ' 
in  thunderstorms,  that  several  clerical  changes 
in  the  neighbourhood  were  impending,  and  that 
Mr.  Prowting  ^  had  opened  a  gravel-pit,  but  there 
is  nothing  in  these  circumstances  which  seems 
to  call  for  remark.  The  fifty-ninth  letter  opens 
with  a  project  for  a  visit  from  Miss  Sharpe,  and 
the  rest  of  it  is  filled  with  various  details  which 
may  be  left  to  speak  for  themselves.  The  sixtieth 
refers  to  difficulties  relating  to  the  proposed 
Sharpe  visit,  but  tells  of  a  '  very  pleasant '  one 
made  to  Chawton  by  Henry  Austen  and  Mr.  Til- 
son,  and  informs  us,  writing  on  Thursday,  June  6, 
that  they  '  began  peas  on  Sunday  '  exactly  two 
days  before  the  orthodox  time,  which  from  Kino- 
George  the  Third's  accession  until  his  death  was 
always   held   to  be  '  the  good  King's  Birthday ' — 

^  The  Prowtings  were  a  family  who  had  lived  oii  their  own  pro- 
perty in  Chawton  for  some  200  years,  and  a  descendant  still  hves 
there. 

VOL.    II.  G 


82  LETTERS  OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1811 

namely,  June  4 — so  that  the  loyal  inmates  of  Chaw- 
ton  Cottage  should  have  restramed  their  appetites 
until  the  Tuesday.  There  is  not  much  more  in  this 
letter,  and  then  we  have  unfortunately  another  gap 
of  nearly  two  letterless  years,  there  being  none  in 
my  collection  from  June  6,  1811,  until  May  24^ 
1813. 


LV. 

Sloane  St. :  Thursday  (April  18). 

My  dear  Cassandea, 

1  have  so  many  little  matters  to  tell  you  of, 
that  I  cannot  wait  any  longer  before  I  begin  to 
put  them  down.  I  spent  Tuesday  in  Eentinck 
Street.  The  Cookes  called  here  and  took  me  back, 
and  it  was  quite  a  Cooke  day,  for  the  Miss  Eolles 
paid  a  visit  while  I  was  there,  and  Sam  Arnold 
dropped  in  to  tea. 

The  badness  of  the  weather  disconcerted  an 
excellent  plan  of  mine — that  of  calling  on  Miss 
Beckford  again  ;  but  from  the  middle  of  the  day  it 
rained  incessantly.  Mary  and  I,  after  disposing  of 
her  father  and  mother,  went  to  the  Liverpool 
Museum  and  the  Britisli  Gallery,  and  I  had  some 
amusement  at  each,  though  my  preference  for  men 


1811  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEN.  83 

and  women  always  inclines  me  to  attend  more  to 
the  company  than  the  sight. 

Mrs.  Cooke  regrets  very  much  that  she  did  not 
see  you  when  you  called ;  it  was  owing  to  a 
blunder  among  the  servants,  for  she  did  not  know 
of  our  visit  till  we  were  gone.  She  seems  tolerably 
well,  but  the  nervous  part  of  her  complaint,  I  fear, 
increases,  and  makes  her  more  and  more  unwillino* 
to  part  with  Mary. 

I  have  proposed  to  the  latter  that  she  should  go 
to  Chawton  with  me,  on  the  supposition  of  my 
travelling  the  Guildford  road,  and  she,  I  do  believe, 
would  be  glad  to  do  it,  but  perhaps  it  may  be 
impossible  ;  unless  a  brother  can  be  at  home  at 
that  time,  it  certainly  must.  George  comes  to 
them  to-day. 

I  did  not  see  Theo.  till  late  on  Tuesday;  he 
was  gone  to  Ilford,  but  he  came  back  in  time  to 
show  his  usual  nothing-meaning,  harmless,  heart- 
less civihty.  Henry,  who  had  been  confined  the 
whole  day  to  the  bank,  took  me  in  his  way  home, 
and,  after  putting  life  and  wit  into  the  party  for 
a  quarter  of  an  hour,  put  himself  and  his  sister 
into  a  hackney  coach. 

I  bless  my  stars  that  I  have  done  with  Tuesday. 
But,  alas !  Wednesday  was  likewise  a  day  of  great 

G  2 


84  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1811 

doings,  for  Manon  and  I  took  our  walk  to  Grafton 
House,  and  I  have  a  good  deal  to  say  on  that 
subject. 

I  am  sorry  to  tell  you  tliat  I  am  getting  very 
extravagant,  and  spending  all  my  money,  and, 
what  is  worse  for  you^  I  have  been  spending  yours 
too ;  for  in  a  linendraper's  shop  to  which  I  went 
for  checked  muslin,  and  for  which  I  was  obliged 
to  give  seven  shillings  a  yard,  I  was  tempted  by  a 
pretty-coloured  muslin,  and  bought  ten  yards  of  it 
on  the  chance  of  your  liking  it ;  but,  at  the  same 
time,  if  it  should  not  suit  you,  you  must  not  think 
yourself  at  all  obliged  to  take  it ;  it  is  only  os.  ^d. 
per  yard,  and  I  should  not  in  the  least  mind 
keeping  the  whole.  In  texture  it  is  just  what  we 
prefer,  but  its  resemblance  to  green  creivels,  I  must 
own,  is  not  great,  for  the  pattern  is  a  small  red 
spot.  And  now  I  believe  I  have  done  all  my 
commissions  except  Wedgwood. 

I  liked  my  walk  very  much  ;  it  was  shorter 
than  I  had  expected,  and  the  weather  was  dehghtful. 
We  set  off  immediately  after  breakfast,  and  must 
have  reached  Grafton  House  by  half-past  11  ;  but 
when  we  entered  the  shop  tlie  whole  counter  was 
thronged,  and  we  waited  full  half  an  hour  before 
ve  could  be  attended  to.     Wlien  we  were  served, 


1811  LETTEES   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  85 

however,  I  was  very  well  satisfied  with  my  pur- 
chases— my  bugle  trimming  at  26'.  4:d.  and  three 
pair  silk  stockings  for  a  httle  less  than  12s.  a 
pair. 

In  my  way  back  who  should  I  meet  but  Mr. 
Moore,  just  come  from  Beckenham.  I  believe  he 
would  have  passed  me  if  I  had  not  made  him  stop, 
but  we  were  delighted  to  meet.  I  soon  found, 
however,  that  he  had  nothing  new  to  tell  me,  and 
then  I  let  him  o'o. 

^liss  Burton  has  made  me  a  very  pretty  Httle 
bonnet,  and  now  nothing  can  satisfy  me  but  I 
must  have  a  straw  hat,  of  the  riding-hat  shape, 
like  Mrs.  Tilson's ;  and  a  young  woman  in  this 
neighbourhood  is  actually  making  me  one.  I  am 
really  very  shocking,  but  it  will  not  be  dear  at  a 
guinea.  Our  pelisses  are  176?.  each  ;  she  charges 
only  8.y.  for  the  making,  but  the  buttons  seem  ex- 
pensive— are  expensive,  I  might  have  said,  for  the 
fact  is  plain  enough. 

We  drank  tea  again  yesterday  with  the  Tilsons, 
and  met  the  Smiths.  I  find  all  these  httle  parties 
very  pleasant.  I  like  Mrs.  S.  ;  Miss  Beaty  is  good- 
humour  itself,  and  does  not  seem  much  besides. 
We  spend  to-morrow  evening  with  them,  and  are 
to  meet  the  Coin,  and  ^Irs.  Cantelo  Smith  you  have 


86  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1811 

been  used  to  hear  of,  and,  if  slie  is  in  good  Immour, 
are  likely  to  have  excellent  singing. 

To-niglit  I  might  have  been  at  the  play ; 
Henry  had  kindly  planned  our  going  together  to 
the  Lyceum,  but  I  have  a  cold  which  I  should  not 
like  to  make  worse  before  Saturday,  so  I  stay 
within  all  this  day. 

Ehza  is  walking  out  by  herself.  She  has  plenty 
of  business  on  her  hands  just  now,  for  the  day  of  the 
party  is  settled,  and  drawing  near.  Above  80  people 
are  invited  for  next  Tuesday  evening,  and  there  is  to 
be  some  very  good  music — five  professionals,  three 
of  tliem  glee  singers,  besides  amateurs.  Fanny  will 
listen  to  this.  One  of  the  hirehngs  is  a  Capital  on 
the  harp,  from  which  I  expect  great  pleasure.  The 
foundation  of  the  party  was  a  dinner  to  Henry 
Egerton  and  Henry  Walter,  but  the  latter  leaves 
town  the  day  before.  I  am  sorry,  as  I  wished  her 
prejudice  to  be  done  away,  but  should  have  been 
more  sorry  if  there  had  been  no  invitation. 

I  am  a  wretch,  to  be  so  occupied  with  all  these 
things  as  to  seem  to  have  no  thoughts  to  give  to 
people  and  circumstances  which  really  supply  a  far 
more  lasting  interest — the  society  in  which  you 
are ;  but  I  do  think  of  you  all,  I  assure  you,  and 
want  to  know  all  about   everybody,  and  especially 


1811  LETTERS   OE  JAXE   AUSTEN.  bi 

about  your  visit  to  the  W.  Friars  ;  '  mais  le  moyen  ' 
not  to  be  occupied  by  one's  own  concerns  ? 

Saturday. — Frank  is  superseded  in  the  'Cale- 
donia.' Henry  brought  us  this  news  yesterday 
from  Mr.  Daysh,  and  he  heard  at  the  same  time 
that  Charles  may  be  in  England  in  the  course  of  a 
month.  Sir  Edward  Pollen  succeeds  Lord  Gambler 
in  his  command,  and  some  captain  of  his  succeeds 
Frank ;  and  I  believe  the  order  is  already  gone 
out.  Henry  means  to  enquire  farther  to-day.  He 
wrote  to  Mary  on  the  occasion.  This  is  something 
to  think  of  Henry  is  convinced  that  he  will  have 
the  offer  of  something  else,  but  does  not  think  it 
will  be  at  all  incumbent  on  him  to  accept  it  ;  and 
then  follows,  Avhat  will  he  do  ?  and  where  will  he 
live  ? 

I  hope  to  hear  from  you  to-day.  How  are  you 
as  to  health,  strength,  looks,  &c.  ?  I  had  a  very 
comfortable  account  from  Chawton  yesterday. 

If  the  weather  permits,  Eliza  and  I  walk  into 
London  this  morning.  She  is  in  want  of  chimney 
lights  for  Tuesday,  and  I  of  an  ounce  of  darning 
cotton.  She  has  resolved  not  to  venture  to  the 
play  to-night.  The  D'Entraigues  and  Conite  Julien 
cannot  come  to  the  party,  which  was  at  first  a 
grief,  but  she  has  since  supphed  herself  so  well 


88  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1811 

with  yjerformers  that  it  is  of  no  consequence  ;  tlieir 
not  coming  lias  produced  our  going  to  them  to- 
morrow evening,  which  I  hke  the  idea  of.  It  will 
be  amusing  to  see  the  ways  of  a  French  circle. 

I  wrote  to  Mrs.  Hill  a  few  days  ago,  and  have 
received  a  most  kind  and  satisfactory  answer.  Any 
time  the  first  week  in  May  exactly  suits  her,  and 
therefore  I  consider  my  going  as  tolerably  fixed.  I 
shall  leave  Sloane  Street  on  the  1st  or  2nd,  and  be 
ready  for  James  on  the  9th,  and,  if  his  plan  alters,  I 
can  take  care  of  myself.  I  have  explained  my  views 
here,  and  everything  is  smooth  and  pleasant  ;  and 
Eliza  talks  kindly  of  conveying  me  to  Streatham. 

We  met  the  Tilsons  yesterday  evening,  but  the 
singing  Smiths  sent  an  excuse,  which  put  our  Mrs. 
Smith  out  of  humour. 

We  are  come  back,  after  a  good  dose  of 
walking  and  coaching,  and  I  have  the  pleasure  of 
your  letter.  I  wish  I  had  James's  verses,  but  they 
were  left  at  Cliawton.  When  I  return  thither,  if 
Mrs.  K.  will  give  me  leave,  I  will  send  them  to 
her. 

Our  first  object  to-day  was  Henrietta  St.,  to 
consult  with  Henry  in  consequence  of  a  very 
unlucky  change  of  the  play  for  this  very  niglit — 
'  Hamlet '  instead  of  '  Kim?  John  ' — and  we  are  to 


1811  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  89 

go  on  ^louday  to  '  Macbeth  '  instead  ;  but  it  is  a 
disappointment  to  us  both. 

Love  to  all. 

Yours  afiectionately,         Jane. 

Miss  Austen,  Edward  Austen's,  Esq. 

Godmersham  Park,  Faversham,  Kent. 

LYI. 

Sloane  St. :  Thursday  (April  25), 

My  deare?<t  Cassandra, 

I  can  return  the  compliment  by  thanking  you 
for  the  unexpected  pleasure  of  your  letter  yester- 
day, and  as  I  like  unexpected  pleasure,  it  made  me 
very  happ}'  ;  and,  indeed,  you  need  not  apologise 
for  your  letter  in  any  respect,  for  it  is  all  very  fine, 
but  not  too  fine,  I  hope,  to  be  Y^itten  again,  or 
something  like  it. 

I  think  Edward  will  not  suffer  much  longer 
from  heat  ;  by  the  look  of  things  this  morning  I 
suspect  the  weather  is  rising  into  the  balsamic 
north-east.  It  has  been  hot  here,  as  you  may  sup- 
pose, since  it  was  so  hot  Y^ith  you,  but  I  have  not 
suffered  from  it  at  all,  nor  felt  it  in  such  a  degree 
as  to  make  me  imag^ine  it  woukl  be  anYthing;  in  the 
country.  Everybody  has  talked  of  the  heat,  but  I 
set  it  all  down  to  London. 


90  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1811 

I  give  you  joy  of  our  new  nephew,  and  hope  if 
he  ever  comes  to  be  hanged  it  will  not  be  till  we 
are  too  old  to  care  about  it.  It  is  a  great  comfort 
to. have  it  so  safely  and  speedily  over.  The  Miss 
Curlings  must  be  hard  worked  in  writing  so  many 
letters,  but  the  novelty  of  it  may  recommend  it  to 
them ;  mine  was  from  Miss  Eliza,  and  she  says  that 
my  brother  may  arrive  to-day. 

No,  indeed,  I  am  never  too  busy  to  think  of 
S.  and  S.  I  can  no  more  forget  it  than  a  mother 
can  forget  her  sucking  child ;  and  I  am  much 
obliged  to  you  for  your  enquiries.  I  have  had 
two  sjieets  to  correct,  but  the  last  only  brings  us 
to  Willoughby's  first  appearance.  Mrs.  K.  regrets 
in  the  most  flattering  manner  that  she  must  wait  till 
May,  but  I  have  scarcely  a  hope  of  its  being  out  in 
June.  Henry  does  not  neglect  it  ;  he  has  hurried 
the  printer,  and  says  he  will  see  him  again  to-day. 
It  will  not  stand  still  during  his  absence,  it  will  be 
sent  to  Eliza. 

The  Incomes  remain  as  they  were,  but  I  will 
get  them  altered  if  I  can.  I  am  very  much  gra- 
tified by  Mrs.  K.'s  interest  in  it ;  and  whatever  may 
be  the  event  of  it  as  to  my  credit  with  her,  sincerely 
wish  her  curioisty  could  be  satisfied  sooner  tluxn 


1811  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  91 

is  now  probable.     I  think  she  will  like  my  Elinor, 
but  cannot  build  on  anything  else. 

Our  party  went  off  extremely  well.  There  were 
many  solicitudes,  alarms,  and  vexations,  before- 
hand, of  course,  but  at  last  everything  was  quite 
right.  The  rooms  were  dressed  up  with  Howers, 
&c.,  and  looked  very  pretty.  A  glass  for  the 
mantlepiece  was  lent  by  the  man  wdio  is  making 
their  own.  ^h\  Egerton  and  ^Ir.  Walter  came  at 
half-past  five,  and  the  festivities  began  with  a  pah' 
of  very  fine  soals. 

Yes,  ]\Ii\  Walter — for  he  postponed  his  leaving 
London  on  purpose — which  did  not  give  much 
pleasure  at  the  time,  any  more  than  the  circum- 
stance from  which  it  rose — his  calling  on  Sunday 
and  being  asked  by  Henry  to  take  the  family  dinner 
on  that  day,  Avhich  he  did  ;  but  it  is  all  smoothed 
over  now,  and  she  likes  him  very  well. 

At  half-past  seven  arrived  the  musicians  in  two 
hackney  coaches,  and  by  eight  the  lordly  company 
began  to  appear.  Among  the  earliest  were  George 
and  Mary  Cooke,  and  I  spent  the  greatest  part  of 
the  evening  very  pleasantly  with  them.  The  draw- 
ing-room being  soon  hotter  than  we  liked,  we 
placed  ourselves  in  the  connecting  passage,  which 
was  comparatively  cool,  and  gave  us   all  the  ad- 


92         LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1.^11 

vantage  of  tlie  music  at  a  pleasant  distance,  as  well 
as  that  of  the  first  view  of  every  new  comer. 

I  was  quite  surrounded  by  acquaintance,  espe- 
cially gentlemen  ;  and  what  with  Mr.  Hampson, 
Mr.  Seymour,  Mr.  W.  Knatchbull,  Mr.  Guillemarde, 
Mr.  Cure,  a  Captain  Simpson,  brother  to  the  Captain 
Simpson,  besides  Mr.  Walter  and  Mr.  Egerton,  in 
addition  to  the  Cookes,  and  Miss  Beckford,  and 
Miss  Middleton,  I  had  quite  as  much  upon  my 
hands  as  I  could  do. 

\  Poor  Miss  B.  lias  been  suffering  again  from  her 
old  complaint,  and  looks  thinner  than  ever.  She 
certainly  goes  to  Cheltenham  the  beginning  of 
June.  We  were  all  delight  and  cordiality  of  course. 
Miss  M.  seems  very  happy,  but  has  not  beauty 
enough  to  figure  in  London. 

Including  everybody  we  were  sixty-six — which 
was  considerably  more  than  Eliza  had  expected, 
and  quite  enough  to  fill  the  back  drawing-room 
and  leave  a  few  to  be  scattered  about  in  the  otlier 
and  in  the  passage. 

The  music  was  extremely  good.  It  opened  (tell 
Fanny)  with  '  Poike  de  Parp  pirs  praise  pof  Pra- 
pela ; '  and  of  the  other  glees  I  remember,  *  In 
peace  love  tunes,'  '  Rosabelle,'  '  The  Red  Cross 
Knight,'  and  'Poor  Insect.'     Between    the  songs 


1811  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEN.  93 

were  lessons  on  the  harp,  or  harp  and  pianoforte 
together  ;  and  the  harp-player  was  Wiepart,  whose 
name  seems  famous,  though  new  to  me.  There 
was  one  female  smger,  a  short  Miss  Davis,  all  in 
blue,  bringing  up  for  the  public  line,  Avhose  voice 
was  said  to  be  very  fine  indeed  ;  and  all  the  per- 
formers gave  great  satisfaction  by  doing  what  they 
were  paid  for,  and  giving  themselves  no  airs.  No 
amateur  could  be  persuaded  to  do  anything. 

The  house  was  not  clear  till  after  twelve.  If 
you  wish  to  hear  more  of  it,  you  must  put  your 
questions,  but  I  seem  rather  to  have  exhausted 
than  spared  the  subject. 

This  said  Captain  Simpson  told  us,  on  the  au- 
thority of  some  other  Captain  just  arrived  from 
Hahfax,  that  Charles  was  bringing  the  '  Cleopatra ' 
home,  and  that  she  was  probably  by  this  time  in  tlie 
Channel ;  but,  as  Captain  S.  was  certainly  in  liquor, 
we  must  not  quite  depend  on  it.  It  must  give  one 
a  sort  of  expectation,  however,  and  will  prevent 
my  writing  to  him  any  more.  I  would  rather  he 
should  not  reach  England  till  I  am  at  home,  and 
the  Steventon  party  gone. 

My  mother  and  Martha  both  write  with  great 
satisfaction  of  Anna's  behaviour.  She  is  quite  an 
Anna  with  variations,  but  she  cannot  have  reached 


94  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEX.  1811 

her  last,  for  that  is  always  the  most  flourishing  and 
showy  ;  she  is  at  about  her  third  or  fourtli,  wliicli 
are  generally  simple  and  pretty. 

Your  lilacs  are  in  leaf,  ours  are  in  bloom.  The 
horse-chestnuts  are  quite  out,  and  the  elms  almost. 
I  had  a  pleasant  walk  in  Kensington  Gardens  on 
Sunday  with  Henry,  Mr.  Smith,  and  Mr.  Tilson  ; 
everything  was  fresh  and  beautiful. 

We  did  go  to  the  play  after  all  on  Saturday. 
We  went  to  the  Lyceum,  and  saw  the  '  Hypocrite,' 
an  old  play  taken  from  Moliere's  '  Tartuffe,'  and 
were  well  entertained.  Dowton  and  Mathews  were 
the  good  actors  ;  Mrs.  Edwin  was  the  heroine,  and 
her  performance  is  just  what  it  used  to  be.  I  have 
no  chance  of  seeing  Mrs.  Siddons  ;  she  did  act 
on  Monday,  but,  as  Henry  was  told  by  the  box- 
keeper  that  he  did  not  think  she  would,  the  plans, 
and  all  tliought  of  it,  were  given  up.  I  should 
particularly  liave  liked  seeing  Jier  in  '  Constance,' 
and  could  swear  at  her  with  little  effort  for  dis- 
appointing me. 

Henry  has  been  to  the  Water-Colour  Exhibition, 
which  opened  on  Monday,  and  is  to  meet  us  there 
ao-ain  some  morning.  If  Ehza  cannot  go  (and  she 
has  a  cold  at  present)  Miss  Beaty  will  be  invited 
to  be  my  companion.  Henry  leaves  town  on  Sunday 


1811  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEX.  95 

afternoon,  but  lie  means  to  write  soon  himself  to 
Edward,  and  will  tell  his  own  plans. 

The  tea  is  this  moment  setting  out. 

Do  not  have  your  coloured  muslin  unless  you 
really  want  it,  because  I  am  afraid  I  could  not 
send  it  to  the  coach  without  giving  trouble  here. 

Ehza  caught  her  cold  on  Sunday  in  our  way  to 
the  D'Entraigues.  The  horses  actually  gibbed  on 
this  side  of  Hyde  Park  Gate  :  a  load  of  fresh  gravel 
made  it  a  formidable  hill  to  them,  and  they  refused 
the  collar  ;  T  beheve  there  was  a  sore  shoulder  to 
irritate.  Eliza  was  frightened  and  we  got  out,  and 
were  detained  in  the  evening  air  several  minutes. 
The  cold  is  in  her  chest,  but  she  takes  care  of  her- 
self, and  I  hope  it  may  not  last  long. 

This  engagement  prevented  Mr.  Walter's  stay- 
ing late — he  had  his  coffee  and  went  away.  Eliza 
enjoyed  her  evening  very  much,  and  means  to  cul- 
tivate the  acquaintance ;  and  I  see  nothing  to  dis- 
like in  them  but  their  taking  quantities  of  snufF. 
Monsieur,  the  old  Count,  is  a  very  fine-looldng 
man,  vnih  quiet  manners,  good  enough  for  an 
Englishman,  and,  I  believe,  is  a  man  of  great  in- 
formation and  taste.  He  has  some  fine  paintings, 
which  delighted  Henry  as  much  as  the  son's  music 
gratified  Eliza ;  and  among   them  a  miniature  of 


9G  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1811 

Philip  Y.  of  Spain,  Louis  XIV. 's  grandson,  which 
exactly  suited  my  capacity.  Count  Julien's  per- 
formance is  very  wonderful. 

We  met  only  Mrs.  Latouche  and  Miss  East,  and 
we  are  just  now  engaged  to  spend  next  Sunday 
evening  at  Mrs.  L.'s,  and  to  meet  the  D'Entraigues, 
but  M.  le  Comte  must  do  witliout  Henry.  If  he 
would  but  speak  Enghsh,  /would  take  to  him. 

Have  you  ever  mentioned  the  leaving  off  tea  to 
Mrs.  K.  ?  Eliza  has  just  spoken  of  it  again.  The 
benefit  she  has  found  from  it  in  sleeping  has  been 
very  great. 

I  shall  write  soon  to  Catherine  to  hx  my  day, 
which  will  be  Thursday.  We  have  no  engagement 
but  for  Sunday.  Ehza's  cold  makes  quiet  advis- 
able. Her  party  is  mentioned  in  this  morning's 
paper.  I  am  sorry  to  hear  of  poor  Fanny's  state. 
From  that  quarter,  I  suppose,  is  to  be  the  alloy  of 
lier  happiness.     I  will  have  no  more  to  say. 

Yours  affectionately,  J.  A. 

Give  my  love  particularly  to  my  goddaugliter. 

Miss  Austen,  Edward  Austen's,  Esq. 
Godmersliam  Park,  Faversliam. 


1811  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  97 

LVII. 

Sloane  St. :  Tuesday. 

My  dear  Cassaxdra, 

I  had  sent  off  my  letter  yesterday  before  yours 
came,  which  I  was  sorry  for ;  but  as  Eliza  has  been 
so  good  as  to  get  me  a  frank,  your  questions  shall 
be  answered  without  much  further  expense  to 
you. 

The  best  direction  to  Henry  at  Oxford  will  be 
The  Blue  Boar,  Cornmarket. 

I  do  nut  mean  to  provide  another  trimming  for 
my  pelisse,  for  I  am  determined  to  spend  no  more 
money ;  so  I  shall  wear  it  as  it  is,  longer  than  I 
ought,  and  then — I  do  not  know. 

My  head-dress  was  a  bugle-band  like  the  border 
to  my  gown,  and  a  flower  of  Mrs.  Tilson's.  I  de- 
pended upon  hearing  something  of  the  evening 
from  Mr.  W.  K.,  and  am  very  well  satisfied  with 
his  notice  of  me — '  A  pleasing-looking  young 
woman  ' — that  must  do  ;  one  cannot  pretend  to  any- 
thing better  now ;  thankful  to  have  it  continued  a 
few  years  longer ! 

It  gives  me  sincere  pleasure  to  hear  of  Mrs. 
Knight's  having  had  a  tolerable  night  at  last,  but 
upon  this  occasion  I  wish  she  had  another  name, 
for  the  two  nights  jm^e  very  much. 

VOL.    II.  H 


98  LETTEPtS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1811 

We  have  tried  to  get '  Self-control,'  but  in  vain. 
I  should  like  to  know  vvliat  her  estimate  is,  but  am 
always  half  afraid  of  finding  a  clever  novel  too 
clevei\  and  of  finding  my  own  story  and  my  own 
people  all  forestalled. 

Eliza  has  just  received  a  few  lines  from  Henry 
to  assure  her  of  the  good  conduct  of  his  mare. 
He  slept  at  Uxbridge  on  Sunday,  and  wrote  from 
Wheatfield. 

We  were  not  claimed  by  Hans  Place  yesterday, 
but  are  to  dine  there  to-day.  ]\ir.  Tilson  called  in 
the  evening,  but  otherwise  we  were  quite  alone 
all' day  ;  and,  after  having  been  out  a  good  deal, 
the  change  was  very  pleasant. 

I  like  your  opinion  of  Miss  Atten  much  better 
than  I  expected,  and  have  now  hopes  of  her  stay- 
ing a  whole  twelvemonth.  By  this  time  I  suppose 
she  is  hard  at  it,  governing  away.  Poor  creature  ! 
I  pity  her,  though  they  are  my  nieces. 

Oh !  yes,  I  remember  Miss  Emma  Plumbtree's 
local  consequence  perfectly. 

I  am  in  a  dilemma,  for  want  of  an  Emma, 
Escaped  from  the  iips  of  Henry  Gipps. 

But,  really,  I  was  never  much  more  put  to  it 
than  in  continuing  an  answer  to  Fanny's  former 
message.     What  is  there  to  be  said  on  the  subject  ? 


1811  LETTEES   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  99 

Pery  pell,  or  pare  pey  ?  or  po  ;  or  at  tlie  most,  Pi, 
pope,  pey,  pike,  pit. 

I  congratulate  Edward  on  the  Weald  of  Kent 
Canal  Bill  being  put  off  till  another  Session,  as  I 
have  just  had  the  pleasure  of  reading.  There  is 
always  something  to  be  hoped  from  delay. 

Between  Session  and  Session 
The  first  Prepossession 
May  rouse  up  the  Nation, 
And  the  villainous  Bill 
May  be  forced  to  lie  still 
Against  wicked  men's  will. 

There  is  poetry  for  Edward  and  his  daughter. 
I  am  afraid  I  shall  not  have  any  for  you. 

I  forgot  to  tell  you  in  my  last  that  our  cousin, 
Miss  Payne,  called  in  on  Saturday,  and  was  per- 
suaded to  stay  dinner.  She  told  us  a  great  deal 
about  her  friend  Lady  Cath.  Brecknell,  who  is 
most  happily  married,  and  Mr.  Brecknell  is  very 
rehgious,  and  has  got  black  whiskers. 

I  am  glad  to  think  that  Edward  has  a  tolerable 
day  for  his  drive  to  Goodnestone,  and  very  glad  to 
hear  of  his  kind  promise  of  bringing  you  to  town. 
I  hope  everything  will  arrange  itself  favourably. 
The  16th  is  now  to  be  Mrs.  Dundas's  day. 

I  mean,  if  I  can,  to  wait  for  your  return  be- 
fore I  have  my  new  gown  made  up,  from  a  notion 

h2 


100  LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.  1811 

of  their  making  up  to  more  advantage  together  ; 
and,  as  I  find  the  mushn  is  not  so  wide  as  it  used  ta 
be,  some  contrivance  may  be  necessary.  I  expect 
the  skirt  to  require  one-half  breadth  cut  in  gores, 
besides  two  whole  breadths. 

Eliza  has  not  yet   quite    resolved   on   inviting 
vlV  Anna,  but  I  tliink  she  will. 

Yours  very  afiectionately,         Jane. 


LVIII. 

Chawton:  Wednesday  (May  29). 

It  was  a  mistake  of  mine,  my  dear  Cassandra, 
to  talk  of  a  tenth  child  at  Hamstall.  I  had  forgot 
there  were  but  eight  already. 

Your  enquiry  after  my  uncle  and  aunt  were  most 
happily  timed,  for  the  very  same  post  brought  an 
account  of  them.  They  are  again  at  Gloucester 
House  enjoying  fresh  air,  which  they  seem  to  have 
felt  the  want  of  in  Bath,  and  are  tolerably  well, 
but  not  more  than  tolerable.  My  aunt  does  not 
enter  into  ])articulars,  but  she  does  not  write  in 
spirits,  and  we  imagine  that  she  has  never  entirely 
got  the  better  of  her  disorder  in  the  winter.  Mrs. 
Welby  takes  her  out  airing  in  lier  barouche,  which 
gives  her  a  headache — a  comfortable  proof,  I  sup- 


1811  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  101 

pose,  of  tlie  iiselessness  of  the  new  carriage  when 
they  have  got  it. 

You  certainly  must  have  heard  before  I  can 
tell  you  that  Col.  Orcle  has  married  our  cousin, 
Margt.  Beckford,  the  Marchess,  of  Douglas's  sister. 
The  papers  say  that  her  father  disinherits  her, 
but  I  think  too  well  of  an  Orde  to  suppose  that  she 
has  not  a  handsome  independence  of  her  own. 

The  chicken  are  all  alive  and  fit  for  the  table,    / 1 
but  we  save  them  for  something  grand.     Some   of 
the  flower  seeds  are  coming  up  very  well,  but  your 
mignonette  makes  a  wretched   appearance.     Miss 
Benn  has  been  equally  unlucky  as  to  hers.     She 
had  seed  from  four  different  people,  and  none  of 
it   comes    up.     Our  young    piony  at   the   foot  of  U^ 
the  fir-tree  lias  just  blown  and  looks  very  hand- 
some, and  the  whole  of  the  shrubbery  border  will 
soon    be    very  gay  with  pinks  and  sweet-wilHams, 
in  addition  to  the    columbines  already  in  bloom. 
The  syringas,  too,  are  coming  out.     We  are  Hkely 
to  have  a  great  crop  of  Orleans  plumbs,  but  not 
many  greengages — on  the  standard  scarcely  any, 
three  or  four  dozen,  perhaps,  against  the  wall.     I 
beheve  I    told  you  differently  when   I  first  came 
home,  but  I  can  now  judge  better  than  I  could 
then. 


102  LFTTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEN.  1811 

I  liave  had  a  medley  and  satisfactory  letter  this 
morning  from  the  husband  and  wife  at  Cowes  ;  and, 
in  consequence  of  what  is  related  of  their  plans, 
we  have  been  talking  over  the  possibility  of  inviting 
them  here  in  their  way  from  Steventon,  which  is 
what  one  should  wish  to  do,  and  is,  I  daresay, 
what  they  expect ;  but,  supposing  Martha  to  be  at 
home,  it  does  not  seem  a  very  easy  thing  to  accom- 
modate so  large  a  party.  My  mother  offers  to  give 
up  her  room  to  Frank  and  Mary,  but  tliere  will 
then  be  only  the  best  for  two  maids  and  three 
children. 

They  go  to  Steventon  about  the  22nd,  and  I 
guess — for  it  is  quite  a  guess — will  stay  there  from 
a  fortnight  to  three  weeks. 

I  must  not  venture  to  press  ]\Iiss  Sharpe's  coming 
at  present ;  we  may  hardly  be  at  Hberty  before 
August. 

Poor  John  Bridges  !  we  are  very  sorry  for 
his  situation  and  for  the  distress  of  the  familj^ 
Lady  B.  is  in  one  way  severely  tried.  And  our 
own  dear  brother  suffers  a  great  deal,  I  dare  say,  on 
the  occasion. 

I  liave  not  much  to  say  of  ourselves.  Anna  is 
nursing  a  cold  caught  in  the  arbour  at  Faringdon, 
that  slie  may  be  able  to  keep  her  engagement  to 


1811  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  103 

Maria   M.   this   evening,  Avlien  I  suppose   she  will 
make  it  worse. 

She  did  not  return  from  Faringdon  till  Sunday, 
when  H.  B.  walked  home  with  her,  and  drank  tea 
here.  She  was  with  the  Prowtings  almost  all 
Monday.  She  went  to  learn  to  make  feather  trim- 
mings of  ]\Iiss  Anna,  and  they  kept  her  to  dinner, 
which  was  rather  lucky,  as  we  were  called  upon  to 
meet  Mrs.  and  ]\iiss  Terry  the  same  evening  at  the 
Digweeds  ;  and,  though  Anna  was  of  course  invited 
too,  I  think  it  always  safest  to  keep  her  away  from 
the  family  lest  she  should  be  doing  too  httle  or  too 
much. 

Mrs.  Terry,  Mary,  and  Eobert,  with  my  aunt 
Harding  and  her  daughter,  came  from  Dummer  for 
a  day  and  a  night — all  very  agreeable  and  very 
much  delighted  with  the  new  house  and  mth 
Chawton  in  general. 

We  sat  upstairs  and  had  thunder  and  lightning 
as  usual.  I  never  kncAv  such  a  spring  for  thunder- 
storms as  it  has  been.  Thank  God !  we  have  had 
no  bad  ones  here.  I  thought  myself  in  luck  to 
have  my  uncomfortable  feehngs  shared  by  the 
mistress  of  the  house,  as  that  procured  blinds  and 
candles.  It  had  been  excessively  hot  the  whole 
day.     Mrs.  Harding  is  a  good-looking  woman,  Imt 


104  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1811 

not  mucli  like  Mrs.  Toke,  inasmuch  as  she  is  very- 
brown  and  has  scarcely  any  teeth  ;  she  seems  to 
have  some  of  Mrs.  Toke's  civility.  Miss  H.  is  an 
elegant,  pleasing,  pretty-looking  girl,  about  nine- 
teen, I  suppose,  or  nineteen  and  a  half,  or  nineteen 
and  a  quarter,  with  flowers  in  her  head  and  music 
at  her  finger  ends.  She  plays  very  well  indeed. 
I  have  seldom  heard  anybody  with  more  pleasure. 
They  were  at  Godington  four  or  five  years  ago. 
My  cousin,  Flora  Long,  was  there  last  year. 

My  name  is  Diana.  How  does  Fanny  like  it  ? 
What  a  change  in  the  weather  !  We  have  a  fire 
again  now. 

Harriet  Benn  sleeps  at  the  Great  House  to- 
night and  spends  to-morrow  with  us  ;  and  the  plan 
is  that  we  should  all  walk  with  her  to  drink  tea  at 
Faringdon,  for  her  mother  is  now^  recovered,  but 
the  state  of  the  weather  is  not  very  promising  at 
present. 

Miss  Benn  has  been  returned  to  her  cottage 
since  the  beginning  of  last  week,  and  has  now  just 
got  another  girl ;  she  comes  from  Alton.  For 
many  days  Miss  B.  had  nobody  with  her  but  her 
niece  Elizabeth,  who  was  delighted  to  be  her  visitor 
and  her  maid.  They  both  dined  here  on  Saturday 
while  Anna  was  at  Farinordon  ;  and  last  night  an 


1811  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  105 

accidental  meeting  and  a  sudden  impulse  produced 
Miss  Benn  and  Maria  Middleton  at  our  tea-table. 

If  you  liave  not  heard  it  is  very  fit  you  should, 
that  Mr,  Harrison  has  had  the  living  of  Fareham 
given  him  by  the  Bishop,  and  is  going  to  reside 
there  ;  and  now  it  is  said  that  Mr.  Peach  (beautifu 
wiseacre)  wants  to  have  the  curacy  of  Overton,  and, 
if  he  does  leave  Wootton,  James  Digweed  wishes  to 
go  there.     Fare  you  well. 

Yours  affectionately,         Jane  Austen. 

The  chimneys  at  the  Great  House  are  done. 
Mr.  Prowting  has  opened  a  gravel  pit,  very  con- 
veniently for  my  mother,  just  at  the  mouth  of  the 
approach  to  his  house ;  but  it  looks  a  little  as 
if  he  meant  to  catch  all  his  company.  Tolerable 
gravel. 

Miss  Austen,  Godmersliam  Park, 
Faversliam,  Kent. 

LIX. 

Oliawton :  Friday  (May  31) 

My  dear  Cassandra, 

I  have  a  magnificent  project.  The  Cookes  have 
put  off  their  visit  to  us ;  they  are  not  well  enough 
to  leave  home  at  present,  and  we  have  no  chance 


106  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1811 

of  seeing  tliem  till  I  do  not  know  when — probably 
never,  in  this  house. 

This  circumstance  has  made  me  think  the  pre- 
sent time  would  be  favourable  for  Miss  Sharpe's 
coming  to  us  ;  it  seems  a  more  disengaged  period 
with  us  than  we  are  likely  to  have  later  in  the 
summer.  If  Frank  and  Mary  do  come,  it  can 
hardly  be  before  the  middle  of  July,  which  will 
be  allowing  a  reasonable  length  of  visit  for  Miss 
Sharpe,  supposing  she  begins  it  when  you  return ; 
and  if  you  and  Martha  do  not  dislike  the  plan,  and 
she  can  avail  herself  of  it,  the  opportunity  of  her 
being' conveyed  hither  will  be  excellent. 

I  shall  waite  to  Martha  by  this  post,  and  if 
neither  you  nor  she  make  any  objection  to  my  pro- 
posal, I  shall  make  the  invitation  directly,  and  as 
there  is  no  time  to  lose,  5^ou  must  write  by  return 
of  post  if  you  have  any  reason  for  not  wishing  it 
done.  It  was  her  intention,  I  believe,  to  go  first 
to  Mrs.  Lloyd,  but  such  a  means  of  getting  here 
may  influence  her  otherwise. 

We  have  had  a  thunder-storm  again  this  morn- 
ing.    Your  letter  came  to  comfort  me  for  it. 

I  have  taken  your  hint,  slight  as  it  was,  and 
have  written  to  Mrs.  Knight,  and  most  sincerely  do 
I  hope  it  will  not  be  in  vain.     I  cannot  endure  the 


1811  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  107 

idea  of  her  giving  away  lier  own  wheel,  and  have 
told  her  no  more  than  the  truth,  in  saying  that  I 
could  never  use  it  with  comfort.  I  had  a  great 
mind  to  add  that,  if  she  persisted  in  giving  it,  I 
would  spin  nothing  with  it  but  a  rope  to  hang 
myself,  but  I  was  afraid  of  making  it  appear  a  less 
serious  matter  of  feeling  than  it  really  is. 

I  am  glad  you  are  so  well  yourself,  and  wish 
everybody  else  were  equally  so.  I  will  not  say  that 
your  mulberry-trees  are  dead,  but  I  am  afraid  they 
are  not  alive.  We  shall  have  pease  soon.  I  mean 
to  have  them  with  a  couple  of  ducks  from  Wood 
Barn,  and  Maria  ffiddleton,  towards  the  end  of  next 
week. 

From  Monday  to  Wednesda}^  Anna  is  to  be 
engaged  at  Faringdon,  in  order  that  she  may  come 
in  for  the  gaieties  of  Tuesday  (the  4th),  on  Sel- 
bourne  Common,  where  there  are  to  be  volunteers 
and  felicities  of  all  kinds.  Harriet  B.  is  invited  to 
spend  the  day  with  the  John  Whites,  and  her  father 
and  mother  have  very  kindly  undertaken  to  get 
Anna  invited  also. 

Harriot  and  Eliza  dined  here  yesterday,  and  we 
walked  back  with  them  to  tea.  Not  my  mother — 
she  has  a  cold  which  affects  her  in  the  usual  way, 
and  was  not  equal  to  the  walk.     She  is  better  this 


108  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1811 

morning,  and  I  hope  will  soon  physick  away  the 
worst  j)art  of  it.  It  has  not  confined  her  ;  she  has 
got  out  every  day  that  the  weather  has  allowed 
her. 

Poor  Anna  is  also  suffering  from  her  cold,  which 
aIs  worse  to-day,  but  as  she  has  no  sore  throat  I 
\J  hope  it  may  S23end  itself  by  Tuesday.  She  had  a 
delightful  evening  with  the  Miss  Middletons — syl- 
labub, tea,  coffee,  singing,  dancing,  a  hot  supper, 
eleven  o'clock,  everything  that  can  be  imagined 
agreeable.  She  desires  her  best  love  to  Fanny,  and 
will  answer  her  letter  before  she  leaves  Chawton, 
and  engages  to  send  her  a  particular  account  of 
the  Selbourne  day. 

We  cannot  agree  as  to  which  is  the  eldest  of 
the  two  Miss  Plumb  trees  ;  send  us  word.  Have 
you  remembered  to  collect  pieces  for  the  patch- 
work? We  are  now  at  a  stand-still.  I  got  up 
here  to  look  for  the  old  map,  and  can  now  tell  you 
that  it  shall  be  sent  to-morrow  ;  it  was  among  the 
great  parcel  in  the  dining-room.  As  to  my  debt 
of  3,§.  6<:/.  to  Edward,  I  must  trouble  you  to  pay  it 
when  you  settle  with  him  for  your  boots. 

We  began  our  China  tea  three  days  ago,  and  I 
find  it  very  good.  My  companions  know  nothing 
of  the  matter.     As  to  Fanny  and  her  twelve  pounds 


1811  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  109 

in  a  twelvemonth,  she  may  talk  till  she  is  as  black 
in  the  face  as  her  own  tea,  but  I  cannot  believe 
her — more  likely  twelve  pounds  to  a  quarter. 

I  have  a  message  to  you  from  Mrs.  Cooke.  The 
substance  of  it  is  that  she  hopes  you  will  take 
Bookham  in  your  way  home  and  stay  there  as  long 
as  you  can,  and  that  when  you  must  leave  them 
they  will  convey  you  to  Guildford.  You  may  be 
sure  that  it  is  very  kindly  worded,  and  that  there 
is  no  want  of  attendant  compliments  to  my  brother 
and  his  family. 

I  am  very  sorry  for  Mary,  but  I  have  some 
comfort  in  there  beino-  two  curates  now  lodorino-  in 

O  DO 

Bookham,  besides  their  own  Mr.  Waineford  from 
Dorking,  so  that  I  think  she  must  fall  in  love  ^^^tli 
one  or  the  other. 

How  horrible  it  is  to  have  so  many  people 
killed !  And  what  a  blessing  that  one  cares  for 
none  of  them ! 

I  return  to  my  letter-writing  from  calling  on 
Miss  Harriot  Webb,  who  is  short  and  not  quite 
straight,  and  cannot  pronounce  an  K  any  better 
than  her  sisters  ;  but  she  has  dark  hair,  a  com- 
plexion to  suit,  and,  I  think,  has  the  pleasantest 
countenance  and  manner  of  the  three — the  most 
natural.     She  appears  very  well  pleased  with  her 


110  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEX.  1811 

new  home,  and  tliey  are  all  reading  with  delight 
Mrs.  H.  More*s  recent  publication. 

You  cannot  imagine — it  is  not  in  human  nature 
to  imagine — what  a  nice  walk  we  have  round  the 
orchard.  The  row  of  beech  look  very  well  indeed, 
and  so  does  the  young  quickset  hedge  in  the 
garden.  I  hear  to-day  that  an  apricot  has  been 
detected  on  one  of  the  trees.  My  mother  is  per- 
fectly convinced  now  that  she  shall  not  be  over- 
powered by  her  cleftwood,  and  I  believe  would 
rather  have  more  than  less. 

Strange  to  tell,  Mr.  Prowting  was  not  at  Miss 
Lee'&  wedding,  but  his  daughters  had  some  cake, 
and  Anna  had  her  share  of  it. 

I  continue  to  like  our  old  cook  quite  as  well 
as  ever,  and,  but  that  I  am  afraid  to  write  in 
her  j^raise,  I  could  say  that  she  seems  just  the 
servant  for  us.  Her  cookery  is  at  least  tolerable  ; 
her  pastry  is  the  only  deficiency. 

God  bless  you,  and  I  hope  June  will  find  you 
well,  and  bring  us  together. 

Yours  ever,         Jane. 

I  hope  you  understand  that  I  do  not  expect  you 
to  write  on  Sunday  if  you  like  my  plan.  I  shall 
consider  silence  as  consent. 

Miss  Austen,  Ed^var(l  Austen's,  Esq. 
Godmersbam  Park,  Faversliam. 


1811  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEN.  Ill 

LX. 

Cliawton:  Thursday  (June  6). 

By  this  time,  my  dearest  Cassandra,  you  know 
Martha's  plans.  I  was  rather  disappointed,  I 
confess,  to  find  that  she  could  not  leave  town  till 
after  ye  24th,  as  I  had  hoped  to  see  you  here  the 
week  before.  The  delay,  however,  is  not  great, 
and  everything  seems  generally  arranging  itself  for 
your  return  very  comfortably. 

I  found  Henry  perfectly  pre-disposed  to  bring 
you  to  London  if  agreeable  to  yourself;  he  has 
not  fixed  his  day  for  going  into  Kent,  but  he  must 
be  back  again  before  ye  20th.  You  may,  there- 
fore, think  with  something  like  certainty  of  the 
close  of  your  Godmersham  visit,  and  will  liave,  I 
suppose,  about  a  week  for  Sloane  Street.  He 
travels  in  his  gig,  and  should  the  weather  be 
tolerable  I  think  you  must  have  a  delightful 
journey. 

I  have  given  up  all  idea  of  ]\£ss  Sharpens 
travelling  with  you  and  Martha,  for  though  you 
are  both  all  compliance  with  my  scheme,  yet  as 
you  knock  off  a  week  from  the  end  of  her  visit,  and 
Martha  T2ii\\eY  more  from  the  beginning,  the  thing 
is  out  of  the  question. 


112  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEX.  1811 

I  have  written  to  her  to  say  that  after  the 
middle  of  July  we  shall  be  happy  to  receive  her, 
and  I  have  added  a  welcome  if  she  could  make 
her  way  hither  directly^  but  I  do  not  expect 
that  she  will.  I  have  also  sent  our  invitation  to 
Cowes. 

We  are  very  sorry  for  the  disappointment  you 
have  all  had  in  Lady  B.'s  illness ;  but  a  division  of 
the  proposed  party  is  with  you  by  this  time,  and 
I  hope  may  have  brought  you  a  better  account  of 
the  rest. 

Give  my  love  and  thanks  to  Harriot,  who  has 
written  me  charming  things  of  your  looks,  and 
diverted  me  very  much  by  poor  Mrs.  C.  Milles's 
continued  perplexity. 

I  had  a  few  lines  from  Henry  on  Tuesday  to 
prepare  us  for  himself  and  his  friend,  and  by  the 
time  that  I  had  made  the  sumptuous  provision  of 
a  neck  of  nmtton  on  the  occasion,  they  drove  into 
the  court ;  but  lest  you  should  not  immediately 
recollect  in  liow  many  hours  a  neck  of  mutton 
may  be  certainly  procured,  I  add  that  they  came 
a  little  after  twelve — both  tall  and  well,  and  in 
their  different  degrees  agreeable. 

It  was  a  visit  of  only  twenty-four  hours,  but 
very  pleasant  while  it  lasted.     Mr.  Tilson  took  a 


1811  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEX.  113 

sketch  of  the  Great  House  before  dinner,  and 
after  dinner  we  all  three  walked  to  Chawton  Park/ 
meaning  to  go  into  it,  but  it  was  too  dirty,  and  we 
were  obliged  to  keep  on  the  outside.  Mr.  Tilson 
admired  the  trees  very  much,  but  grieved  that 
they  should  not  be  turned  into  money. 

My  mother's  cold  is  better,  and  I  believe  she 
only  wants  dry  weather  to  be  very  well.  It  was  a 
great  distress  to  her  that  Anna  should  be  absent 
during  her  uncle's  visit,  a  distress  which  I  could 
not  share.  She  does  not  return  from  Faringdon 
till  this  evening,  and  I  doubt  not  has  had  jDlenty 
of  the  miscellaneous,  unsettled-sort  of  happiness 
which  seems  to  suit  her  l^est.  We  hear  from  ]\Iiss 
Benn,  who  was  on  the  Common  with  the 
Prowtings,  that  she  was  very  much  admired  by 
the  gentlemen  in  general. 

I  like  your  new  bonnets  exceedingly  ;  yours  is 
a  shape  which  always  looks  well,  and  I  think 
Fanny's  particularly  becoming  to  her. 

On  Monday  I  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving, 
unpacking,  and  approving  our  Wedgwood  ware. 
It  all  came  very  safely,  and  upon  the  whole  is  a 

^  A  large  beech  wood  extending-  for  a  long  distance  upon  a  liill 
about  a  mile  from  Cliawtou :  the  trees  are  maguiticent. 

VOL.    II.  I 


114        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1811 

good  match,  though  I  think  tliey  might  have 
allowed  us  rather  larger  leaves,  especially  in  such 
a  year  of  fine  foliage  as  this.  One  is  apt  to  suppose 
that  the  woods  about  Birmingham  must  be  blighted. 
There  was  no  bill  with  the  goods,  but  that  shall 
not  screen  them  from  being  paid.  I  mean  to  ask 
Martha  to  settle  the  account.  It  will  be  quite  in 
her  way,  for  she  is  just  now  sending  my  mother  a 
breakfast  set  from  the  same  place. 

I  hope  it  Avill  come  by  the  waggon  to-morrow  ; 
it  is  certainly  what  we  Avant,  and  I  long  to 
know  what  it  is  like,  and  as  I  am  sure  Martha  has 
great  pleasure  in  making  the  present,  I  will  not 
have  any  regret.  We  have  considerable  dealings 
with  the  w^aggons  at  present  :  a  hamper  of  port 
and  brandy  from  Southampton  is  now  in  tlie 
kitchen. 

Your  answer  about  the  Miss  Plumbtrees  proves 
you  as  fine  a  Daniel  as  ever  Portia  was  ;  for  I 
maintained  Emma  to  be  the  eldest. 

We  began  pease  on  Sunday,  but  our  gatlierings 
are  very  small,  not  at  all  like  the  gathering  in  the 
'  Lady  of  the  Lake.'  Yesterday  I  had  the  agreeable 
surprise  of  finding  several  scarlet  strawberries 
quite  ripe  ;  had  you  been  at  liome,  this  would 
have    been    a   pleasure    lost.      There    are    more 


1811  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEX.  115 

gooseberries  and    fewer  currants    than  I  tlioucrlit 
at  first.     We  must  buy  currants  for  our  wine. 

Tlie  Digweecls  are  gone  clown  to  see  the  Stephen 
Terrys  at  Southampton,  and  catch  the  King's 
birthday  at  Portsmouth.  Miss  Papillon  called  on 
us  yesterday,  looking  handsomer  than  ever.  Maria 
Middleton  and  Miss  Benn  dine  here  to-morrow. 

We  are  not  to  enclose  any  more  letters  to 
Abingdon  Street,  as  perhaps  Martha  has  told 
you. 

I  had  just  left  off  writing  and  put  on  my  things 
for  walking  to  Alton,  when  Anna  and  her  friend 
Harriot  called  in  their  way  thither,  so  we  went 
together.  Their  business  was  to  provide  mourning 
against  the  King's  death,  and  my  mother  has  had 
a  bombasin  bought  for  her.  I  am  not  sorry  to 
be  back  again,  for  the  young  ladies  liad  a  great 
deal  to  do,  and  without  much  metliod  in  doing  it. 

Anna   does    not    come    home    till    to-morrow 
morning.     She  has  written  I  find   to  Fanny,  but  _ 
there  does  not  seem  to  be  a  great  deal  to  relate 
of  Tuesday.     I  had  hoped  there  might  be  dancing. 

Mrs.  Budd  died  on  Sunday  evening.  I  saw 
her  two  days  before  her  death,  and  thought  it 
must  happen  soon.  She  suffered  much  from 
weakness    and    restlessness    almost    to    tlie    last. 


116  LETTERS   OF  JANE    AUSTEN  1811 

Poor  little  Harriot  seems  truly  grieved.     You  have 
never  mentioned  Harry  ;  how  is  he  ? 
With  love  to  you  all, 

Yours  affectionately,         J.  A. 

Miss  Austen,  Edward  Austen's,  Esq. 
Godmersham  Park,  Faversliam. 


1813 

The  eleventh  division  of  the  letters  includes  those 
written  durincr  that  which  I  believe  to  have  been 
Jane  Austen's  last  visit  to  Godmersham^  With 
regard  to  most  of  these  later  letters,  I  have  de- 
Tived  much  assistance  from  my  mother's  old 
pocket-books,  in  which  she  regularly  kept  her 
•diary  from  the  time  she  was  eleven  years  old  until 
she  was  unable  to  write.  During  the  earlier  years 
there  are  only  casual  entries  relating  to  Annt  Jane. 
As,  for  instance:  'June  18,  1807. — Papa  brought 
me  a  packet  from  Southampton  containing  a  letter 
from  Aunt  Cassandra,  and  a  note  and  long  strip  of 
beautiful  work  as  a  present  from  Aunt  Jane.'  Then 
in  September  of  the  same  year  the  visit  of  '  grand- 
mamma and  Aunts  Cassandra  and  Jane  Austen '  to 
€hawton  House  is  duly  chronicled,  and  in  1808 


18LS  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  117 

'  Aunt  Jane's '  stay  at  Godmersham  for  a  week, 
accompanied  by  her  brother  James  and  his  wife. 
Tliere  is  also  an  interesting  entry  of  the  date  of 
September  28,  1811  :  '  Letter  from  At.  Cass,  to 
beo-  we  would  not  mention  that  Aunt  Jane  wrote 
Sense  and  Sensibility.'  But,  although  many  pas- 
sages both  in  our  letters  and  the  pocket-books 
evince  the  affection  which  from  a  very  early  period 
existed  between  the  aunt  and  the  niece,  the  time 
when  that  affection  seems  to  have  ripened  into 
more  intimate  friendship  was  in  1812,  during  a. 
visit  which  my  mother,  in  company  with  .her 
father  and  cousin,  '  Fanny  Cage  '  (afterwards  Lady 
Bridges),  paid  to  Chawton  Great  House  in  that 
year.  They  arrived  there  on  April  14,  and 
stayed  until  Ma}^  7,  when  they  returned  to 
Kent,  paying  Oxford  a  visit  on  their  way.  My 
mother  had  at  this  time  just  completed  her  nine- 
teenth year,  and  she  and  her  aunt  seem  to  have 
been  much  together  during  this  visit.  Unfortu- 
nately I  have  no  letters  bearing  the  date  of  this 
particular  year  ;  probably  because  the  sisters  were 
more  than  usually  together  at  Chawton  Cottage  ;  but 
during  the  next  three  years  I  am  able,  by  a  com- 
parison of  the  letters    and  the  pocket-books,  to 


118        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1813 

trace  Jane's  movements  with  greater  ease,  and  in 
somewhat  more  of  cletaiL 

And  liere  there  comes  to  me  a  great  source  of 
grief — namely,  that  although  I  have  five  letters 
addressed  by  '  Aunt  Jane  '  to  my  mother  during 
the  years  1814-16,  the  pocket-books  show  the  re- 
ceipt in  those  same  years  of  upwards  of  tliirty 
letters  from  the  same  aunt,  which  would  be  in- 
valuable for  our  present  purpose,  but  which  I 
fear  must  liave  been  destroyed,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  those  which  I  have  already  found,  and 
now  publish. 

Miss  Knight,  the  '  Marianne '  of  our  letters, 
known  to  and  loved  by  all  my  generation  of  the 
family  as  '  Aunt  May,'  who  succeeded  my  mother 
in  the  management  of  the  Godmersham  household, 
and  reigned  there,  to  her  own  happiness  and  that 
of  everybody  about  her,  until  my  grandfather's 
death,  thus  writes  of  the  intimacy  between  her 
sister  and  aunt : — 

'  Your  dear  mother,  being  so  many  years  older 
than  the  rest  of  us,  was  a  friend  and  companion  of 
the  two  aunts,  Cassandra  and  Jane,  particularly  oi 
the  latter,  and  they  had  all  sorts  of  secrets  toge- 
ther, whilst  we  were  only  children.'    That  this  was 


1813  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  119 

the  case  is  abundantly  shown  by  the  five  letters 
above  mentioned,  from  which  we  shall  see  that  the 
aunt  and  niece  opened  their  hearts  to  each  other, 
and  wrote  in  the  most  unreserved  manner.  The 
pocket-books  of  1812  chronicle  many  '  walks  with 
Aunt  Jane'  during  that  month  at  Chawton,  but 
none  of  the  '  secrets '  are  told,  nor  is  there  any- 
thing which  illustrates  tlie  life  of  our  heroine,  if 
I  may  apply  such  a  term  to  one  who  would  have 
been  amused  beyond  measure  at  the  idea  of  its 
application  to  herself. 

The  ten  letters  of  1813  were  written — the  first 
from  Sloane  Street,  in  May,  the  next  two  from 
Henrietta  Street  (to  which  locality  her  brother 
Henry  had  moved  from  Sloane  Street),  in  Septem- 
ber, and  the  seven  following  from  Kent,  and  are  all 
addressed  to  her  sister  at  Chawton.  In  that  year 
Godmersham  required  painting,  and  the  family 
moved  off  to  Chawton  in  April,  and  stayed  there 
for  six  months,  during  which  time  the  friendship 
between  the  aunt  and  niece  grew  and  increased,  as 
the  entries  in  the  pocket-books  prove  to  demon- 
stration. 

June  6th. — '  Aunt  Jane  and  I  had  a  very  inte- 
resting conversation.' 


120  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1813 

June  22nd. — '  Aunt  Jane  and  I  had  a  delicious 
morning  together.' 

June  23rd. — '  Aunt  Jane  and  I  walked  to  Alton 
together.' 

July  — . — '  Had  leeches  on  for  headache.  Aunt 
Jane  came  and  sat  with  me.' 

August  1st. — '  Spent  the  evening  with  Aunt 
Jane.' 

But,  in  fact,  the  whole  diary  is  a  continuous 
record  of  meetings  between  the  relations ;  every 
day  it  is  either  '  the  Cottage  dined  here '  or  '  we 
dined  at  the  Cottage,'  '  Aunt  Jane  drank  tea  witli 
us,'  &c.  &c.  The  first  letter  of  this  series  was 
written  whilst  Jane  was  on  a  visit  to  her  brother 
Henry,  with  whom  she  returned  to  Chawton  on 
June  1.  It  contains  some  interesting  allusions 
to  *  Pride  and  Prejudice,'  from  which  we  may 
gather  that  the  authoress  had  an  ideal  '  Jane ' 
(Mrs.  Bingley)  and  '  EHzabeth '  (Mrs.  Darcy),  and 
that  she  succeeded  in  finding  a  satisfactory  likeness 
of  the  first,  but  not  of  the  second,  in  the  picture 
galleries  which  she  visited.  I  am  not  much  sur- 
prised at  this  circumstance,  for  witli  all  her  beauty 
and  sweetness,  Jane  Bingley  is  a  less  uncommon 
character  than  her  sister  EHzabeth,  upon  whom 


1813        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        121 

the  authoress  had  exerted  all  her  power,  and  was 
proportionately  attached  to  this  most  successful 
creation  of  her  brain.  The  special  message  to 
'  Fanny '  upon  this  point  reminds  me  of  anotlier 
entry  in  this  year's  diary  : '  We  finished  "  Pride  and 
Prejudice."  '  I  have  often  heard  my  mother  speak 
of  '  Aunt  Jane's '  reading  some  of  her  own  works 
aloud  to  her  ;  perhaps  this  refers  to  one  of  the 
occasions  on  which  she  did  so.  How  delightful  it 
must  have  been  to  hear  those  life-like  characters 
described  by  the  lips  of  the  very  person  who  had 
called  them  into  existence  ! 

It  will  be  seen  from  another  paragraph  in  this 
letter  that  my  mother  had  written  her  aunt  a 
letter  in  the  character  of  '  Miss  Darcy,'  v\diich  made 
her  '  laugh  heartily.'  It  was  their  habit  to  talk 
over  the  characters  of  Aunt  Jane's  books  together, 
and  if  I  only  had  it  in  my  power  to  add  some  of 
their  conversations  to  these  letters  I  have  no  doubt 
that  they  would  prove  highly  interesting  to  my 
readers.  Jane  returned  with  the  Godmersham 
family  to  Kent  early  in  September,  and  her  letters 
from  Henrietta  Street  were  written  during  the 
short  stay  Avhich  the  party  made  with  Henry 
Austen  on  their  homeward  journey.     I  am  able  to 


122        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.      '  1813 

fix  the  dates  by  the  pocket-books.  On  Tuesday, 
September  14,  my  mother  writes  :  '  Papa  and 
Aunt  Jane,  Lizzie,  Marianne,  and  I  left  Chawton 
at  nine,  and  got  to  Uncle  Henry  Austen's  house  in 
Henrietta  Street  in  good  time.'  The  letters  of  the 
14th  and  IGth  tell  the  story  of  their  dohigs,  which 
the  diary  summarises  pretty  accurately  :  '  We 
shopped  all  day ;  a  complete  bustle'  on  the  15th  ; 
and  on  the  16th :  '  We  called  on  Mrs.  Tilson,  and 
were  all  Sjjenced,'  Spence  being  the  individual  who 
was  apparently  entrusted  with  the  superintendence 
of  the  teeth  of  the  Godmersham  family.  The 
allusions  in  the  letter  to  the  visit  to  Covent  Garden 
are  also  corroborated  by  entries  in  the  pocket- 
book,  which  prove  the  amusement  Avhich  was  de- 
rived by  the  younger  members  of  the  party  as  well 
as  by  their  aunt.  The  Mr.  Tilson  mentioned  in 
the  London  letters  was  one  of  Henry  Austen's 
partners  in  the  bank. 

'  Miss  Clewes,'  after  whom  Jane  inquires,  was 
governess  at  Godmersham,  whom  my  mother  had 
engaged  for  her  younger  sisters,  and  whom  slie 
describes  in  her  diary  as  '  a  treasure.'  She  luxd 
been  preceded  by  Miss  Sliarpe,  who  was  my 
mother's  own  ooverness,  and  is  often  mentioned  in 


1813        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEN.        123 

these  letters.  Miss  Clewes  lived  nearly  eigiit 
years  at  Godmersham.  The  diary  continues,  under 
date  of  Friday,  the  17th  :  '  We  left  town  at  eight, 
and  reached  dear  Godmersham  before  six.' 

During  the  next  two  months  Jane  remained  in 
Kent,  and  here  again  the  comparison  witli  the 
pocket-books  enables  me  to  make  out  the  allusions 
in  the  letters  'Her  sister  in  Lucina,  Mrs.  H. 
Gipps '  (Letter  61),  was,  before  her  marriage, 
'  Emma  Plumptre,'  whose  sister,  '  Mary  P.,'  was  a 
great  friend  of  my  mother's  ;  her  other  two  chief 
friends  being  '  Mary  Oxenden,'  daughter  of  Sir 
Henry  Oxenden,  of  Broome,  afterwards  Mrs.  Ham- 
mond, and  '  Fanny  Cage,'  of  all  three  of  whom  we 
find  frequent  mention  in  the  letters.  The  '  Mr. 
K.s '  who  '  came  a  little  before  dinner  on  Monday  ' 
were  Messrs.  \Yyndham  and  Charles  Knatchbull, 
the  first  and  second  sons  of  my  grandfather.  Sir 
Edward  Knatchbull,  by  his  second  wife,  Frances 
Graham,  and  '  their  lovely  Wadham '  was  their 
cousin,  son  of  Wyndham  Knatchbull,  of  London, 
and  afterwards  the  owner  (on  his  brother  William's 
death)  of  Babington,  in  Somersetshire.  Wyndham 
Knatchbull  was  twenty-seven  in  1813,  as  he  was 
born  in  178G.     He  was  afterwards   the  Eev.  Dr. 


124        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1813 

Knatchl^all,  Eector  of  Smeetli-cum-Aldington,  and 
died  in  1868,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two. 

'  We  hear  a  great  deal  about  George  Hatton's 
wretchedness.'  I  remember  hearing  from  my 
mother  that  the  gentleman  here  referred  to  had 
'  a  great  disappointment '  in  early  life,  but  who  the 
lady  was  or  whether  this  was  the  '  wretchedness ' 
I  cannot  say.  Perhaps  it  had  nothing  to  do  with 
love,  and  was  only  caused  by  the  death  of  his  great- 
aunt,  Lady  Charlotte  Finch  (  7iee  Fermor),  who 
died  in  June  1813.  But  I  am  bound  to  say  that  I 
have  a  letter  before  me  which  says,  '  all  the  young 
ladies  were  in  love  with  George  Hatton — he  was 
very  handsome  and  agreeable,  danced  very  well, 
and  flirted  famously.'  At  any  rate.  Aunt  Jane 
rightly  surmised  that  his  '  quick  feelings  '  would  not 
kill  him,  for  he  lived  to  be  Earl  of  Winchilsea, 
and  to  marry  three  times,  his  last  wife  being  Fanny 
Margaretta,  eldest  daughter  of  Mr.  Eice,  of  Dane 
Court,  and  the  '  Lizzie  '  of  our  letters.  He  died  in 
1858,  and  those  who  in  later  life  knew  the  warm- 
hearted generosity  of  his  nature,  the  sterling  worth 
of  his  character  and  excellence  of  his  disposition, 
will  not  be  surprised  to  hear  of  that  general  popu- 
larity in  youth  which  he  undoubtedly  enjoyed.     I 


1813  LETTERS   OF  JATs^E   AUSTEN.  125 

may  mention  with  regard  to  the  letter  now  before 
us,  that  he  got  over  his  '  wretchedness '  in  due 
time,  for  early  in  the  following  June  my  mother's 
diary  records  :  '  The  intended  marriage  of  George 
Hatton  and  Lady  Charlotte  Graham  announced,' 
which  duly  took  place  on  July  26,  and  on  the 
30th  the  entry  occurs  '  saw  the  bride  and  bride- 
groom pass  to  Eastwell  in  proper  state  ! '  I  ought 
perhaps  to  add  the  entry  of  August  7,  which  is  to 
this  effect :  '  George  Hatton  and  bride  called  ;  Lady 
Charlotte  is  a  sweet  little  perfection.' 

'  The  Sherers  '  w^ere  the  Eector  of  Godmersham 
and  his  wife.  Mr.  Sherer  is  often  mentioned  in  my 
mother's  diary,  and  seems  to  have  been  much  liked. 
He  died  in  1825. 

Evington,  where  '  the  gentlemen  '  all  dined  one 
night,  was  and  is  the  seat  of  the  Hony wood  family, 
in  the  parish  of  Elmsted,  some  miles  the  other 
side  of  Wye  from  Godmersham.  The  Lady  Hony- 
wood  mentioned  in  these  letters  was  tlie  wife  of 
Sir  John  Courtenay  Hony  wood,  and  daughter  of 
the  Eev.  Sir  William  Henry  Cooper,  Bart.  The 
commendations  which  Jane  bestows  upon  her  in  a 
later  letter  (No.  70)  were  well  deserved,  for  even 
within  my  memory  she  was  a  graceful  and  cliarm- 


126        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1813 

ing  woman,  and  must  have  been  beautiful  in  her 
youth.  I  have  always  heard  her  spoken  of  as  one 
of  the  most  delightful  people,  and  beheve  that  she 
fully  deserved  the  description. 

I  cannot  unravel  the  '  Adlestrop  Living  busi- 
ness '  at  this  distance  of  time,  but  it  was  a  Leigh 
Living.  The  Eev.  Thos.  Leigli,  younger  son  of 
William  Leigh,  of  Adlestrop  (who  was  eldest  bro- 
ther of  Thomas  Leigh,  Eector  of  Harpsden,  Hen- 
ley-on-Thames, Mrs.  George  Austen's  father),  held 
this  living  in  1806,  and  in  that  year  succeeded  to 
Stoneleigh  under  a  peculiar  limitation  in  the  will 
of  Edward,  fifth  Lord  Leigh,  on  the  death  of  the 
latter's  sister  Mary.  Mr.  Leigh  Perrot,  his  first 
cousin,  claimed  to  be  next  in  remainder,  but  sold 
his  claim,  and  James  Henry,  son  of  James,  eldest 
brother  of  the  Eev.  Thomas  of  Adlestrop,  and 
grandfather  of  the  present  Lord  Leigh,  succeeded. 
I  have  no  other  clue  to  the  matter,  which  is  not 
of  much  importance,  and  has  little  to  do  with  Jane 
Austen. 

The  '  Sackree '  of  whom  such  frequent  mention 
is  made  in  tlie  letters  from  Godmersliam  was.  the 
old  nurse  of  my  grandfather's  children,  an  excel- 
lent woman    and  a  G^reat  fixvourite.     I  remember 


1813        LETTEES  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        127 

some  of  her  stories  to  this  clay,  especially  one  of  a 
country  girl  who,  on  being  engaged  by  the  house- 
keeper of  a  certain  family,  inquired  if  she  might 
'  sleep  round.'  '  Sleep  round  ?  '  was  the  reply. 
'  Yes,  of  course ;  you  may  sleep  round  or  square, 
whichever  you  please,  for  what  I  care  !  '  How- 
ever, after  the  lapse  of  a  few  days,  the  girl  having 
been  kept  up  for  some  work  or  other  till  ten 
o'clock,  did  not  appear  in  the  morning.  After 
some  delay,  the  housekeeper,  fancying  she  must 
be  ill,  went  up  to  her  room  about  nine  o'clock, 
and  finding  her  fast  asleep  and  snoring  soundly, 
promptly  woke  her  up,  and  began  to  scold  her  for 
an  idle  baggage.  On  this,  the  girl  with  an  injured 
air,  began  to  remonstrate,  '  Why  ma'am,  you  told 
me  yourself  I  might  sleep  round,  and  as  I  wasn't 
in  bed  till  ten  o'clock  last  night,  I  a'nt  a  coming 
down  till  ten  this  mornincj.'  Mrs.  Sackree  went  by 
the  familiar  name  of  '  Caky,'  the  origin  of  which 
I  have  been  unable  to  trace,  but  which  was  per- 
haps given  to  her  in  the  Godmersham  nursery  by 
the  little  ones,  who  were  doing  their  best  to  pro- 
nounce her  real  name.  She  lived  on  at  God- 
mersham, saw  and  played  with  many  of  the  chil- 
dren of  her  nurslings,  and  died  in  March  1851  in 


128  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1813 

her  ninetieth  year.  Mrs.  Sayce  was  her  niece,  and 
my  mother's  lady's-maid,  of  wliom  I  know  no 
more  than  that  she  occupied  that  honourable 
position  for  twelve  years,  married  a  German 
in  1822,  and  died  at  Stuttgard  in  1844.  Sackree 
succeeded  her  as  housekeeper  when  she  left  God- 
mersham. 

I  have  no  further  record  of  Jane's  proceedings 
in  September,  save  an  entry  of  my  mother's  that 
'  Aunt  Jane  and  I  paid  poor  visits  together,'  and 
another  that  they  '  called  on  the  Eeynolds'  at 
Bilting,'  which  was  a  house  belonging  to  the 
Godmersham  property,  about  a  mile  from  God- 
mersham,  of  which  I  suppose  a  family  of  that  name 
were  the  tenants  in  1813.  I  do  not  know  who  the 
Dr.  Isham  was  who  Avas  so  good  as  to  say  that  he 
was  '  sure  that  he  should  not  like  Madame  D'Arblay's 
new  novel  half  so  well '  as  '  Pride  and  Prejudice,'  but 
1  imagine  that  the  vast  majority  of  the  readers  of 
both  books  would  have  agreed  witli  liim  ;  for  the 
new  novel  referred  to  was  '  Tlie  Wanderer,'  of 
w^hich  I  have  already  hinted  my  opinion  that  the 
falling  off  from  tlie  previous  works  of  tlie  fair 
authoress  is  so  very  manifest  tliat  it  is  difficult  to 
suppose  tliat  it  was  written  by  tlie  same  liaud  to 


1813        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        129 

wliich  we  are  indebted  for  '  Evelina,' '  Cecilia  '  and 
'  Camilla.' 

^Mr.  J.  P.  is  ]\Ir.  John  Pemberton  Plnmptre, 
grandson  of  the  John  Plnmptre  who  married 
Margaretta  Bridges  in  1750.  His  father  married 
a  Pemberton,  whence  his  second  Christian  name, 
and  he  himself  married  in  1818  Catherine  Matilda 
Methnen,  daughter  of  Paul  Cobb  Methnen,  of 
Corsham  House,  Wilts ;  but,  liaving  only  three 
daughters,  Fredville  came,  on  his  decease  in  1864, 
to  Charles  John,  the  son  of  his  brother  Charles. 
Mr.  Plnmptre  represented  East  Kent  for  twenty 
years,  from  1832  to  1852,  having  been  returned  as 
'  an  unflinching  Pieformer,'  but  afterwards  seeing 
reason  to  ally  himself  with  the  Conservative  party. 
This  caused  much  anger  among  his  former  political 
friends,  and  was  the  occasion  of  some  amusinf^ 
election  squibs,  one  of  which  1  remember.  It  was 
written  in  1837,  when  ]\ii\  Pdder,  wliose  property 
was  in  AVest  Kent,  contested  Mr.  Plumptre's  seat 
in  the  Liberal  interest.  Tlie  squib  was  a  parody 
on  the  song,  '  Oh  wliere,  and  oh  wliere,  is  your 
Highland  Laddie  gone  ?'  tlie  words  '  Jockey  Eider  ' 
being  substituted  tliroughout  for  '  Hio-]iland 
Laddie ' ;    and    the    verse,    '  In   what    clotlies,    in 

VOL.    IL  K 


130  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEX.  1813 

what  clotlies,  is  your  Highland  Laddie  clad  ?'  was 
thus  transformed — blue,  it  should  be  observed, 
being  the  Liberal  colour  in  East  Kent : — 

In  what  clothes,  in  what  clothes,  is  your  Jockey  Rider  clad  1 

He's  clad  all  o'er  in  Blue— but  that  Blue  is  verij  had ; 
For  it's  all  second-hand,  being  lohat  J.  P.  Plumptre  had  ! 

'  Norton  Court '  was  the  residence  of  the  Mr. 
Lushington  who  came  to  Godmersliam  during  this 
visit  of  Jane's,  and  who  was  afterwards,  as  the  Eight 
Hon.  Stephen  Eumbold  Lushington,  for  some  years 
Patronage  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  sat  in  several 
Pailiaments  for  Canterbury,  afterwards  served  as 
Governor  of  Madras,  married  the  daughter  of 
Lord  Harris,  and  died  at  Norton  Court  in  1868, 
in  liis  ninety-fourth  year.  He  was  a  pleasant  and 
agreeable  man  of  the  world,  and  I  am  not  sur- 
prised to  find  tliat  he  made  a  favourable  impression 
upon  Jane.  The  most  amusing  thing  I  remember 
to  tell  about  him  is  in  connection  with  the  cele- 
brated East  Kent  election  in  1852,  when  Sir  E. 
Dering  and  Sir  B.  Bridges  did  battle  for  the  seat 
vacated  by  Mr.  Plumptre,  and  tlie  latter  won. 
Soon  after  tlie  contest  I  had  a  long  talk  with  Mr. 
Lushington,  who  had  very  warmly  espoused  Sir  E. 


1813  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEX.  131 

Dering's  cause,  and  who  loudly  declared  that  his 
defeat  had  been  in  a  oTeat  measure  owino-  to  illeo^al 
expenditure  on  the  part   of  Sir  Brook,  which   he 
vehemently  denounced,  and  expressed  himself  very 
strongly  in  favour  of  purity  of  election  and  as  a 
hater  of  bribery  of  any  sort.     Presently,  however, 
our   conversation   drifted  into    a   talk   about   old 
times,  and  the  days  when  he  was  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  before  the  Eeform  Bill  of  1832.      We 
talked  of  the  Dering  family,  of  their  Borough   of 
New  Eomney,  which  used  to  return  two  members, 
and    of  the   present   Sir   Edward  Dering's  uncle, 
who    managed   the    Surrenden   estates  durino-   his 
long  minority.     Upon   this    subject   our  lover    of 
purity  of  election  waxed  wroth.     '  A  confounded 
old  screw  he  was  !'  he  exclaimed.     '  I  was  ahvays 
ready,  on  the  part  of  the  Government,  to  give  him 
a  thousand  for  the  seats,  but  the  old  fellow  always 
insisted  upon  two  thousand  guineas,  and  I  had  to 
give  him  his  price ! '     Whatever  his  views,  how- 
ever,   upon    such    matters,    he    was    certainl}'    a 
favourite  with  the  ladies,  his  musical  talents  being 
one  of  his  recommendations,  for  I  find   an  entry 
in  my  mother's    pocket-book  of  one  3'ear  :    '  Mr. 
Lushington    sang.      He  has   a   lovely    voice,   and 

e:2 


132        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1813 

is  quite  deliglitfuL'  I  gather  from  a  similar 
source  that  he  was  generous  with  his  '  franks,' 
anotlier  way  to  ladies'  hearts  of  which  unfortunate 
]\r.P.'s  have  been  deprived  by  the  progress  of 
modern  improvements.  My  stole,  to  which  allusion 
is  made  in  the  sixty-fifth  and  sixty-sixth  letters, 
was,  and  is,  the  seat  of  the  old  Kentisli  family  of 
Fagge.  At  the  present  moment  it  is  let  to  Colonel 
Laurie,  lately  M.P.  for  Canterbury,  but  at  the  date 
of  our  letters  it  was  occupied  by  the  Eev.  Sir 
John  Fagge,  rector  of  Chartham  (in  which  parish 
Mystole  is  situate),  who  had,  as  the  letters  show,  a 
wife  (Miss  Newman,  of  Canterbury,  who  survived 
]ier  husband  thirty-five  years,  and  died  in  1857), 
four  sons  and  five  daughters,  all  of  the  latter  of 
whom  Jane  seems  to  have  been  lucky  enough  to 
find  at  home  upon  the  occasion  of  her  visit. 

The  Mr.  Wigram  who  is  introduced  as  the 
friend  of  Edward  Bridges  would  have  been  men- 
tioned more  favourably  by  Jane  if  she  had  known 
him  longer  and  better.  I  only  knew  liim  as  a 
man  somewhat  advanced  in  years,  wlio  lived  in 
Grosvenor  Square,  wliere  I  have  liad  the  honour 
of  dining  with  him  more  than  once.  But,  un- 
doubtedly, he  was  a  most  kind-liearted  and  good 


1813  LETTERS   OF   JA^'E   AUSTEX.  133 

man,  a  vrann  friend,  of  a  generous  and  benevolent 
disposition,  and  quite  agreeable  enough  to  justify 
his  parents  in  having  called  him  Henry  (see  Letter 
66). 

'  The  good  old  original  Brett  and  Toke  '  (Letter 
66)  refers  to  the  heads  of  t^vo  very  old  Kent- 
ish families.  '  Spring  Grove  '  is  about  half-a-mile 
from  '  Wye,'  and  was  bidlt  in  1674,  although 
Bretts  had  been  buried  in  Wye  some  150  years 
before.  Mr.  Toke  was  the  owner  of  Godinton, 
near  Ashford,  which  was  and  is  a  beautiful  and 
interesting  old  house,  standing  in  a  pleasant  and 
well-timbered  park,  wliich  lies  between  the  town 
of  Ashford  and  the  adjoining  property  of  Hothfield 
Park,  tlie  seat  of  the  Tuft  on  family,  the  head  of 
which  is  now  Lord  Hothfield.  Hasted  gives  a 
somewdiat  lengthy  description  of  tlie  house  at 
Godinton,  and  tells  us  that  '  in  the  hall  there  is  a 
series  of  fine  family  portraits,  several  of  which  are 
by  Cornelius  Johnson.  The  staircase  is  of  very 
ancient  carved-w^ork,  in  the  windows  of  which  are 
collected  all  the  arms,  quarterings,  and  matches 
— in  painted  glass — of  tlie  family.  The  drawing- 
room  upstairs  is  curiously  wainscotted  with  oak 
and  carved  ;   particularly  along  the  upper  part  of 


134        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1813 

it,  all  round  the  room,  is  a  representation  of  the 
exercise  and  manoeuvres  of  the  ancient  militia, 
with  the  men  habited  and  accoutred  Avith  their 
arms,  in  every  attitude  of  marching,  exercise,  &c., 
which  makes  a  very  droll  exhibition  of  them. 
There  are  several  handsome  chimney-pieces  through 
the  house,  of  Bethersden  marble,  well  carved  and 
ornamented  with  the  arms  of  the  family.'  This 
was  the  house  in  which  '  the  Charles  Cages  '  were 
staying,  which  brings  me  to  an  account  of  the 
two  brothers  of  that  name,  who  were  both  very 
cheery  and  popular  visitors  at  many  other  houses 
besides  hospitable  Godinton. 

Edward  and  Charles  Cage  were  tlie  younger 
brothers  of  LcAvis,  the  husband  of  Fanny  Bridges. 
They  were  both  clergymen  and  both  great  sports- 
men. Edward  married  a  Welsh  lady,  who  was 
very  worthy  but  extremely  small.  My  satirical 
relatives  at  Godmersham  nicknamed  lier  '  Penny 
Piece,'  though  I  do  not  exactly  know  why,  and  all 
I  can  remember  of  her  is  that  she  liated  butter- 
flies and  was  terribly  afraid  of  guns.  Her  husband 
was  Rector  of  Eastling  and  kept  harriers.  I  have 
been  told  that  lie  had  the  names  of  his  hounds 
upon  his  spoons  and  forks,  and  once  observed  to  a 


1813  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEN.  135 

visitor,  '  If  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbur}-  were  to 
come  here  he  would  think  it  ratlier  odd  to  see  the 
names  of  my  hounds  upon  my  spoons  and  forks,' 
which  was  probably  true,  though  in  those  days 
bishops  might   have    sometimes    seen   even    more 
extraordinary  things  in  the  houses  of  their  clergy. 
Mr.  E.  Cage  died  in  1835,  and  his  widow  in  1848. 
Charles    Cage    had    the    livings    of    Bensted    and 
Bredgar,  and  hved  at  Chrismili,  near  Milgate,  but 
afterwards   removed   to  Leybourne.      He  married 
Miss  Graliam,  sister  of  Lady  Knatchbull  and  Lady 
Oxenden,  and  of  Charles  Graham,  rector  of  Barham, 
also  referred  to  in  our  letters.    She  was  much  liked 
by  the   Godmersham  family.     She  died  in   1847, 
and  lie  survived  her  httle  more  than  a  year.    There 
are  many  anecdotes  of  the  two  Cages,  but  I  only 
recollect  one  of  Charles — namely,  that  Avhen  one  of 
his  nieces  was  reading  to  him  the  2nd  Chapter  of 
the  Acts,  he  stopped  her  witli  a  sigh  at  the  men- 
tion of  the  '  Elamites,'  and  on  being  asked  wliy, 
replied,  '  It  does  so  put  me  in  mind  of  Brockman 
and  liis  hounds    in  Elham    Park  !'    (a   noted    fox 
covert  in  East  Kent).    I  remember  that  he  came  to 
grief  in  a  disagreeable  manner  during  a  visit  to 
Hatcli,  which  occurred  in  my  boyish  days.     In  one 


136  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1813 

of  the  passages  tliere  are  two  doors  precisely- 
alike,  one  of  which  opens  into  a  room  and  the 
other  on  to  a  back  staircase.  The  worthy  old 
gentleman,  going  along  this  passage,  opened  the 
latter  under  the  impression  that  it  was  the  former, 
marched  boldly  forward  as  if  on  level  ground,  and 
naturally  enougli  tumbled  downstairs.  How  he 
escaped  serious  injury  I  cannot  imagine,  but  I 
believe  he  suffered  no  material  inconvenience 
from  the  shock,  unpleasant  though  it  must  have 
been. 

The  sixty- seventh  letter  possesses  now  a  more 
melancholy  interest  to  some  who  will  read  these 
pages  than  when  I  first  discovered  it  among  the 
rest.  It  will  be  seen  to  be  a  joint  composition,  the 
first  part  being  written  by  Jane's  niece,  '  Lizzy,' 
afterwards  Mrs.  Eice,  of  Dane  Court,  wdio  only 
died  as  these  pages  were  being  prepared  for 
publication.  Few  women  ever  lived  who  possessed 
greater  power  of  attracting  the  love  of  others, 
and  few  liave  ever  been  more  fondly  loved  by 
those  wlio  had  tlie  good  fortune  to  know  lier. 

Millgate,  mentioned  in  the  sixty-ninth  letter, 
w^as  bought  by  Mr.  U.  Cage,  a  barrister,  in  1024, 
and  lias  been  in   tlie  Cage   family  ever  since ;  its 


1813        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEX.        137 

present   possessor  being  General   (Lewis)   Knight, 
only  son  of  Henry  Kuiglit  and  Sophia  Cage. 

The  Mrs.  Harrison  mentioned  in  the  sixty-ninth 
and  seventieth  letters  must  have  been  Mrs.  Lefroy's 
sister,  nee  Charlotte  Brydges,  who  had  first  married 
Mr.  BranfiU,  and,  after  his  death  in  1792  (leaving 
her  with  a  son  and  daughter),  ^Ir.  John  Harrison, 
of  Denne  Hill,  who  died  in  1818  without  issue 
The  madness  is,  of  course,  a  pleasantry  of  the 
writer,  since  neither  family  was  afflicted  with  more 
than  tlie  ordinary  insanity  which  mankind  enjoy, 
although  both  had  plenty  of  that  ability  which 
sometimes  appears  like  madness  to  those  who  do 
not  happen  to  possess  it. 

The  seventieth  letter  is  the  last  from  God- 
mersham,  and  begins  by  describing  a  dinner  party 
at  Chilham  Castle.  '  The  Bretons '  were  Dr. 
Breton  and  his  wife.  He  was  a  gentleman  little  in 
stature,  somewhat  odd  in  appearance,  and  eccentric 
in  character.  He  married  Mrs.  Billington,  and  had 
the  rectory  of  Kennington,  between  Godmersham 
and  Ashford,  Avliere  he  lived  and  died.  My  mother 
chi'onicles  this  gathering  as  '  a  better  party  than 
usual,'  and  by  '  bits  and  scraps  '  of  it  Jane  herself 
was    '  very   well    entertained.'      Then    comes    an 


138  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1813 

amusing  account  of  a  concert  at  Canterbury,  to 
which  she  went,  with  my  motlier  and  Miss  Clewes, 
and  where  tlie  races  of  Bridges  and  Plumptre  seem 
to  have  come  in  force  from  Goodnestone  and 
Fredville,  and  to  liave  had  a  pleasant  time  of  it. 
My  mother  says  of  this  concert  that  slie  had  '  an 
enjoyable  cose  with  sweet  Mary  Plumptre,'  which 
corresponds  with  the  account  in  the  letter.  The 
next  letter — for  I  do  not  doubt  there  was  a  '  next ' 
from  Godmersham — would  probably  have  given 
us  an  account  of  the  Canterbury  ball,  which  was 
to  take  place  on  the  following  Thursday,  but 
unfortunately  it  is  not  forthcoming.  All  the  same, 
however,  the  ball  did  take  place,  for  the  pocket- 
book  informs  me :  '  We  went  to  the  Canty. 
Ball ;  good  company,  but  no  dancing  ;  officers  idle 
and  scarcity  of  county  Beaux.  Sophia  (Deedes) 
and  I  onlj"  danced  the  2nd,  and  her  partner  was 
an  officer,  mine  Wm.  Hammond  ;  white  sarsnet 
and  silver,  silver  in  my  hair.' 

On  Saturday,  November  13,  Jane  left  God- 
mersham, accompanying  my  grandfather  and 
mother  to  Wrotham  Eectory,  on  a  visit  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Moore,  and  on  tlie  loth  slie  went  on  to 
lier  brother  Henry's  liouse  in  Henrietta  Street. 


1813  LETTEES   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  139 

LXI. 

Sloane  St. :  Monday  (May  24). 

My  deakest  Cassandra, 

I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you  for  writing  to 
me.  You  must  have  hated  it  after  a  worrying 
morning.  Your  letter  came  just  in  time  to  save 
my  going  to  Eemnant's,  and  fit  me  for  Cliristian's, 
Avhere  I  bought  Fanny's  dimity. 

I  went  the  day  before  (Friday)  to  Lay  ton's,  as 
I  proposed,  and  got  my  mother's  gown — seven 
yards  at  Qs.  Qd.  I  then  walked  into  No.  10,  which 
is  all  dirt  and  confusion,  but  in  a  very  promising 
way,  and  after  being  present  at  the  opening  of 
'  a  new  account,  to  my  great  amusement,  Henry 
and  I  went  to  the  exhibition  in  Spring  Gardens. 
It  is  not  thought  a  good  collection,  but  I  was  very 
well  pleased,  particularly  (pray  tell  Fanny)  with  a 
smaU  portrait  of  Mrs.  Bingley,  excessively  like  her. 

I  went  in  hopes  of  seeing  one  of  her  sister,  but 
there  was  no  Mrs.  Darcy.  Perhaps,  however,  I 
may  find  her  in  the  great  exhibition,  which  we  shall 
go  to  if  Ave  have  time.  I  have  no  chance  of  her 
in  the  collection  of  Sir  Joshua  Eeynolds's  paintings, 
which  is  now  showing  in  Pall  Mall,  and  whicli  we 
are  also  to  visit. 


140  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1813 

Mrs.  Bingley's  is  exactly  herself — size,  shaped 
face,  features,  and  sweetness ;  there  never  was  a 
greater  hkeness.  She  is  dressed  in  a  white  gown, 
with  green  ornaments,  Avhich  convinces  me  of  what 
I  had  always  supposed,  tluit  green  was  a  favourite 
colour  witli  her.  I  dare  say  Mrs.  D.  will  be  in 
yellow. 

Friday  was  our  worst  day  as  to  weather.  We 
were  out  in  a  very  long  and  very  heavy  storm  of 
hail,  and  tliere  had  been  others  before,  but  I  heard 
no  thunder.  Saturday  was  a  good  deal  better  ; 
dry  and  cold. 

I  gave  2.y.  Qd.  for  the  dimity.  I  do  not  boast 
of  any  bargains,  but  think  both  the  sarsenet  and 
dimity  good  of  their  sort. 

I  have  bought  your  locket,  but  was  obliged  to 
give  18-S'.  for  it,  which  must  be  rather  more  than 
you  intended.     It  is  neat  and  plain,  set  in  gold. 

We  were  to  have  gone  to  the  Somerset  House 
Exhibition  on  Saturday,  but  ^vhcn  I  reached  Hen- 
rietta Street  Mr.  Hampson  was  wanted  there,  and 
Mr.  Tilson  and  I  were  obhged  to  drive  about  town 
after  him,  and  by  the  time  we  had  done  it  was  too 
late  for  anything  but  home.  We  never  found  him 
after  all. 

I  Jiave  been  interrupted  by  Mrs.  Tilson.     Poor 


1813        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEN.        141 

woman !  Slie  is  in  danger  of  not  being  able  to 
attend  Lady  Drummond  Smith's  party  to-niglit. 
^iiss  Bnrdett  was  to  have  taken  her,  and  now  Miss 
Burdett  has  a  cough  and  will  not  go.  My  cousin 
Caroline  is  her  sole  dependence. 

The  events  of  yesterday  were,  our  going  to 
Belgrave  Chapel  in  tlie  morning,  our  being  pre- 
vented by  the  rain  from  going  to  evening  service 
at  St.  James,  Mr.  Hampson's  calling,  Messrs.  Barlow 
and  Phillips  dining  here,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tilson's 
coming  in  the  evening  a  Vordinaire.  She  drank 
tea  with  us  both  Thursday  and  Saturday  ;  he  dined 
out  each  day,  and  on  Friday  we  were  with  them, 
and  they  wish  us  to  go  to  them  to  morrow  evening, 
to  meet  ]\liss  Burdett,  but  I  do  not  know  how  it 
will  end.  Henry  talks  of  a  drive  to  Hampstead, 
which  may  interfere  with  it. 

I  sliould  like  to  see  ]\liss  Burdett  very  well,  but 
that  I  am  ratlier  frightened  by  hearing  that  she 
wishes  to  be  introduced  to  me.  If  I  am  a  wild 
beast  I  cannot  help  it.     It  is  not  my  own  fault. 

There  is  no  cliange  in  our  plan  of  leaving 
London,  but  we  shall  not  be  with  you  before 
Tuesda3\  Henry  thinks  Monday  would  appear 
too  early  a  day.  There  is  no  danger  of  our  being 
induced  to  stay  longer. 


142        LETTEES  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1813 

I  have  not  quite  determined  how  I  sliall  manage 
about  m}'  clothes  ;  perhaps  there  may  be  only  my 
trunk  to  send  by  the  coach,  or  there  may  be  a 
band-box  with  it.  I  have  taken  your  gentle  hint, 
and  written  to  Mrs.  Hill. 

The  Hoblyns  want  us  to  dine  with  them,  Init 
we  have  refused.  When  Henry  returns  he  will  be 
dining  out  a  great  deal,  I  dare  say ;  as  he  will  then 
be  alone,  it  will  be  more  desirable  ;  he  will  l^e 
more  welcome  at  every  table,  and  every  invitation 
more  welcome  to  him.  He  will  not  want  either  of 
us  again  till  he  is  settled  in  Henrietta  Street.  This 
is  my  present  persuasion.  And  he  will  not  be 
settled  there — really  settled — till  late  in  the 
autumn  ;  'he  will  not  be  come  to  bide '  till  after 
September. 

There  is  a  gentleman  in  treaty  for  this  house. 
Gentleman  liimself  is  in  the  country,  but  gentle- 
man's friend  came  to  see  it  tlie  other  day,  and 
seemed  pleased  on  the  whole.  Gentleman  would 
rather  prefer  an  increased  rent  to  parting  witli  live 
hundred  guineas  at  once,  and  if  tluat  is  the  only 
difficulty  it  will  not  be  minded.  Henry  is  in- 
different as  to  the  Avhich. 

Get  us  the  best  weather  you  can  for  Wednes- 
day, Thursday,    and    Friday.     We    are    to    go   to 


1813  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   A.USTEX.  143 

Windsor  in  our  way  to  Henley,  which  will  be  a 
great  deliirht.  We  shall  be  leaving^  Sloane  Street 
about  12,  two  or  three  hours  after  Charles's 
party  have  begun  their  journey.  You  will  miss 
them,  but  the  comfort  of  getting  back  into  your 
own  room  will  be  great.  And  then  the  tea  and 
sugar ! 

I  fear  Miss  Clewes  is  not  better,  or  you  would 
have  mentioned  it.     I  shall  not  write  a^ain  unless 

o 

I  have  any  unexpected  communication  or  oppor- 
tunity to  tempt  me.  I  enclose  Mr.  Herington's 
bill  and  receipt. 

I  am  very  much  obliged  to  Fanny  for  her 
letter  ;  it  made  me  laugh  heartily,  but  I  cannot 
pretend  to  answer  it.  Even  had  I  more  time, 
I  should  not  feel  at  all  sure  of  the  sort  of  letter 
that  Miss  D}  would  write.  I  hope  Miss  Benn  is 
got  well  again,  and  will  have  a  comfortable  dinner 
with  you  to-day. 

Monday  Evening. — We  have  been  both  to 
the  exhibition  and  Sir  J.  Eeynolds's,  and  I  am 
disappointed,  for  there  was  nothing  like  Mrs.  D. 
at  either.  I  can  only  imagine  that  Mr.  D.  prizes 
any  picture  of  her  too  much  to  like  it  should  be 
exposed    to    the    public    eye.     I    can   imagine    lie 

*  Miss  Darcy. 


144  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1813 

would  have  that  sort  of  feehng — that  mixture  of 
love,  pride,  and  delicacy. 

Setting  aside  this  disappointment,  I  had  great 
amusement  among  the  pictures;  and  the  driving 
about,  the  carriage  being  open,  was  very  pleasant. 
I  liked  my  solitary  elegance  very  mucli,  and  was 
ready  to  laugh  all  the  time  at  my  being  where 
I  was.  I  could  not  but  feel  that  I  liad  naturally 
small  right  to  be  parading  about  London  in  a 
barouche. 

Henry  desires  Edward  may  know  that  he  lias 
just  bought  three  dozen  of  claret  for  him  (cheap), 
and  ordered  it  to  be  sent  down  to  Chawton. 

I  should  not  wonder  if  w^e  got  no  farther  than 
Reading  on  Thursday  evening,  and  so  reach 
Steventon  only  to  a  reasonable  dinner  hour  the 
next  day  ;  but  wliatever  I  may  write  or  you  may 
imagine  we  know  it  will  be  sometliing  different. 
I  sliall  l)c  quiet  to-morrow  morning  ;  all  my  busi- 
ness is  done,  and  I  shall  only  call  again  upon  Mrs. 
Hoblyn,  Sec. 

Love  to  your  much     .     .     .     party. 

Yours  affectionately,  J.  Austen. 

May  2,  1813.     From  Sloane  St. 
Miss  7Vusten,  Chawton. 

By  favour  of  Messrs.  Gray  v^  Vincent. 


1813  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  145 

LXII. 

Henrietta  St. :  Wednesday  (Sept.  15,  ^  past  8). 

Here  I  am,  my  dearest  Cassandra,  seated  in  the 
breakfast,  dining,  sitting-room,  beginning  with  all 
my  might.  Fanny  will  join  me  as  soon  as  she  is 
dressed  and  begin  her  letter. 

We  had  a  very  good  journey,  weather 
and  roads  excellent ;  the  three  first  stages  for 
l-s*.  6^/.,  and  our  only  misadventure  the  beino- 
delayed  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour  at  Kino-ston 
for  horses,  and  behig  obliged  to  put  up  with  a  pair 
belonging  to  a  hackney  coach  and  their  coachman, 
which  left  no  room  on  the  barouche  box  for  Lizzy, 
who  was  to  have  gone  her  last  stage  there  as  she 
did  the  first ;  consequently  we  were  all  four  within 
which  was  a  little  crowded. 

We  arrived  at  a  quarter-past  four,  and  were 
kindly  welcomed  by  the  coachman,  and  then  by 
his  master,  and  then  by  William,  and  then  by  Mrs. 
Pengird,  who  all  met  us  before  we  reached  the 
foot  of  the  stairs.  Mde.  Bigion  was  below  dressing 
us  a  most  comfortable  dinner  of  soup,  fish,  bouillee, 
partridges,  and  an  apple  tart,  which  we  sat  down 
to  soon  after  five,  after  cleaning  and  dressino-  our- 
selves and  feeling  that  we  were  most  commodiously 

VOL.    II.  L 


146        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        1^^13 

disposed  of.  The  little  adjoining  dressing-room  to 
our  apartment  makes  Fanny  and  myself  very  well 
off  indeed,  and  as  we  have  poor  Eliza's^  bed  our 
space  is  ample  every  way. 

Sace  arrived  safely  about  half-past  six.  At 
seven  we  set  off  in  a  coach  for  the  Lyceum  ;  were 
at  home  again  in  about  four  hours  and  a  half; 
had  soup  and  wine  and  water,  and  then  went  to 
our  holes. 

Edward  finds  his  quarters  very  snug  and  quiet. 
I  must  get  a  softer  pen.  This  is  harder.  I  am  in 
agonies.  I  have  not  yet  seen  Mr.  Crabbe.  Martha's 
letter  is  gone  to  tlie  post. 

I  am  going  to  write  nothing  but  short  sen- 
tences. There  shall  be  two  full  stops  in  every  line. 
Layton  and  Shear's  is  Bedford  House.  We  mean 
to  get  there  before  breakfast  if  it's  possible  ;  for  we 
feel  more  and  more  how  much  we  have  to  do  and 
liow^  little  time.  This  house  looks  very  nice.  It 
seems  hke  Sloane  Street  moved  liere.  I  believe 
Henry  is  just  rid  of  Sloane  Street.  Fanny  does 
not  come,  but  I  liave  Edward  seated  by  me  begin- 
ning a  letter,  which  looks  natural. 

Henry  has  been  suffering  from  the  pain  in  tlie 

'  Eliza,  Henry  Austen's  first  wife,  who  had  died  in  the  earlier  part 
of  this  year. 


1813  LETTEES   OF  JAXE   AUSTEX.  147 

face  which  he  has  been  subject  to  before.  He 
caught  cold  at  Matlock,  and  since  his  return  has 
been  paying  a  little  for  past  pleasure.  It  is  nearly 
removed  now,  but  he  looks  thin  in  the  face,  either 
from  the  pain  or  the  fatigues  of  his  tour,  which 
must  have  been  great. 

Lady  Eobert  is  delighted  with  P.  and  P.,^  and 
really  was  so,  as  I  understand,  before  she  knew  who 
wa'ote  it,  for,  of  course,  she  knows  now.  He  told 
her  with  as  much  satisfaction  as  if  it  were  my 
w4sh.  He  did  not  tell  me  this,  but  he  told  Fanny. 
And  Mr.  Hastings !  I  am  quite  dehghted  with 
wdiat  such  a  man  writes  about  it.  Henry  sent  him 
the  books  after  his  return  fro qi  Daylesford,  but  you 
will  hear  the  letter  too. 

Let  me  be  rational,  and  return  to  my  tAvo  full 
stops. 

I  talked  to  Henry  at  the  play  last  night.  We 
were  in  a  private  box — Mr.  Spencer's — which  made 
it  much  more  pleasant.  The  box  is  directly  on 
the  stage.  One  is  infinitely  less  fatigued  than 
in  the  common  way.  But  Henry's  plans  are  not 
what  one  could  wish.  He  does  not  mean  to  be  at 
Chawton  till  tlie  29th.  He  must  be  in  town 
again  by  Oct.  5.     His  plan  is  to  get  a  couj^le  of 

^  '  Pride  and  Prejudice.' 

L  2 


148  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEX.  181{J 

days  of  pheasant  shooting  and  then  return  directly. 
His  wish  was  to  bring  you  back  with  him.  I  have 
told  him  your  scruples.  He  wishes  you  to  suit 
yourself  as  to  time,  and  if  you  cannot  come  till 
later,  will  send  for  you  at  any  time  as  far  as  Bag- 
shot.  He  presumed  you  would  not  find  difiiculty 
in  getting  so  far.  I  could  not  say  3^011  would.  He 
proposed  your  going  with  him  into  Oxfordshire, 
[t  was  his  own  thought  at  first.  I  could  not  but 
catch  at  it  for  you. 

We  have  talked  of  it  again  this  morning  (for 
now  we  have  breakfasted),  and  I  am  convinced 
thatrif  you  can  make  it  suit  in  other  respects  you 
need  not  scruple  on  his  account.  If  you  cannot 
come  back  with  him  on  the  3rd  or  4th,  therefore, 
I  do  hope  you  will  contrive  to  go  to  Adlestrop. 
By  not  beginning  your  absence  till  about  the 
middle  of  this  montli  I  think  you  may  manage  it 
very  well.  But  you  will  think  all  tliis  over.  One 
could  wis! I  lie  had  intended  to  come  to  you  earlier, 
but  it  cannot  be  helped. 

I  said  nothing  to  him  of  Mrs.  H.  and  Miss  B., 
that  lie  might  not  suppose  difficulties.  Shall  not 
you  put  them  into  our  own  room  P  This  seems  to 
me  the  best  plan,  and  the  maid  will  be  most  con- 
veniently near. 


1813  LETTEPuS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  149 

Oh,  dear  me !  when  I  shall  ever  have  clone. 
We  did  go  to  Layton  and  Shear's  before  break- 
fast. Very  pretty  English  poplms  at  is.  M. ;  Irish, 
ditto  at  6-5?. ;  more  pretty,  certainly — beautiful. 

Fanny  and  the  two  little  girls  are  gone  to  take 
places  for  to-night  at  Covent  Garden  ;  '  Clandestine 
Marriage  '  and  '  Midas.'  The  latter  will  be  a  fine 
show  for  L.  and  M.^  They  revelled  last  night  in 
^  Don  Juan,'  whom  we  left  in  hell  at  half-past 
eleven.  We  had  scaramouch  and  a  ghost,  and 
were  delighted.  I  speak  of  them;  my  delight  was 
very  tranquil,  and  the  rest  of  us  were  sober- 
minded.  '  Don  Juan '  was  the  last  of  three  musical 
things.  '  Five  hours  at  Brighton,'  in  three  acts — 
of  which  one  was  over  before  we  arrived,  none  the 
worse — and  the  '  Beehive,'  rather  less  flat  and 
trumpery. 

I  have  this  moment  received  5/.  from  kind, 
beautiful  Edward.  Fanny  has  a  similar  gift.  I 
shall  save  what  I  can  of  it  for  your  better  leisure 
in  this  place.  My  letter  was  from  Miss  Sharpe 
— nothing  particular.  A  letter  from  Fanny  Cage 
this  morning. 

Four  o'clocJc. — We  are  just  come  back  from 
doing   Mrs.  Tickars,  Miss  Hare,  and  Mr.  Spence. 

^  l^izzie  and  Marianne. 


150  lettp:rs  of  jaxe  austex.  ihv^ 

Mr.  Hall  is  here,  and,  while  Fanny  is  under  his 
hands,  I  will  try  to  write  a  little  more. 

Miss  Hare  had  some  pretty  caps,  and  is  to 
make  me  one  like  one  of  tliem,  only  white  satin 
instead  of  blue.  It  will  be  white  satin  and  lace, 
and  a  little  white  flower  perking  out  of  the 
left  ear,  like  Harriot  Byron's  feather.  I  have 
allowed  her  to  go  as  far  as  1/.  16<s'.  My  gown  is  to 
be  trimmed  everywhere  with  white  ribbon  plaited 
on  somehow  or  other.  She  says  it  will  look  welL 
I  am  not  sanguine.  They  trim  with  wliite  very 
much. 

r  learnt  from  Mrs.  Tickars's  young  lady,  to  my 
high  amusement,  that  the  stays  now  are  not  made 
to  force  the  bosom  up  at  all ;  that  was  a  very  un- 
becoming, unnatural  fasliion.  I  was  really  glad  to 
hear  that  they  are  not  to  be  so  much  off  the 
shoulders  as  they  were. 

Going  to  Mr.  Spence's  was  a  sad  business  and 
cost  us  many  tears ;  unluckily  we  were  obliged  to 
go  a  second  time  before  lie  could  do  more  than 
just  look.  We  went  lirst  at  half-past  twelve  and 
afterwards  at  three ;  papa  with  us  each  time  ; 
and,  alas !  we  are  to  go  again  to-morrow.  Lizzy 
is  not  finished  yet.  Tliere  have  ])een  no  teeth 
taken  out,  however,  nor  will  be,  I  believe,  but  he 


1813  LETTERS   OF   J.l^'E   AUSTEX.  151 

finds  Iters  in  a  very  bad  state,  and  seems  to  think 
particularly  ill  of  tlieir  durableness.  They  have 
been  all  cleaned,  hers  filed,  and  are  to  be  filed 
again.  There  is  a  very  sad  hole  between  two  of 
her  front  teeth. 

Thursday  Morning,  half-j^ast  Seven. — Up  and 
dressed  and  downstairs  in  order  to  finish  my  letter 
in  time  for  the  parcel.  At  eight  I  have  an  appoint- 
ment with  Madame  B.,  who  wants  to  show  me 
something  downstairs.  At  nine  we  are  to  set  off 
for  Grafton  House,  and  get  that  over  before  break- 
fast. Edward  is  so  kind  as  to  walk  there  with  us. 
We  are  to  be  at  Mr.  Spence's  again  at  11 -o  ;  from 
that  time  shall  be  driving  about  I  suppose  till  four 
o'clock  at  least.  We  are,  if  possible,  to  caU  on 
Mrs.  Tilson. 

Mr.  Hall  w^as  very  punctual  yesterday,  and 
curled  me  out  at  a  great  rate.  I  thouglit  it  looked 
hideous,  and  longed  for  a  snug  cap  instead,  but  my 
companions  silenced  me  by  their  admiration.  I 
had  only  a  bit  of  velvet  round  my  head.  I  did  not 
catch  cold  however.  The  weather  is  all  in  my 
favour.  1  have  had  no  pain  in  my  face  since  I 
left  you. 

We  liad  very  good  places  in  the  box  next  the 
stage-box,  front  and  second  row  ;  the  three  old  ones 


152  LETTERS   OF  JANE  AUSTEN.  1813 

behind  of  course.  I  was  particularly  disappointed 
at  seeing  nothing  of  Mr.  Crabbe.  I  felt  sure  of  him 
w]ien  I  saw  that  the  boxes  were  fitted  up  with 
crimson  velvet.  Tlie  new  Mr.  Terry  was  Lord 
Ogleby,  and  Henry  thinks  he  may  do  ;  but  there 
was  no  acting  more  than  moderate,  and  I  was  as 
much  amused  by  the  remembrances  connected  with 
'  Midas  '  as  with  any  part  of  it.  The  girls  were  very 
much  delighted,  but  still  prefer  '  Don  Juan  ; '  and 
I  must  say  that  I  have  seen  nobody  on  the  stage 
who  lias  been  a  more  interesting  character  than 
that  compound  of  cruelty  and  lust. 

It  was  not  possible  for  me  to  get  the  worsteds 
yesterday.  I  heard  Edward  last  night  pressing 
Henry  to  come  to  you,  and  I  think  Henry  engaged 
to  go  there  after  his  November  collection.  Nothing 
has  been  done  as  to  S.  and  S.^  The  books  came  to 
hand  too  late  for  him  to  have  time  for  it  before  he 
went.  Mr.  Hastinofs  never  hinted  at  Eliza  in  the 
smallest  degree.  Henry  kncAv  nothing  of  Mr.  Trim- 
mer's death.  I  tell  you  tliese  things  that  you  may 
not  have  to  ask  them  over  again. 

There  is  a  new  clerk  sent  down  to  Alton,  a  Mr. 
Edmund  Williams,  a  young  man  whom  Henry 
thinks  most  highly   of,  and  he  turns  out  to  be  a 

^  *  Sense  and  Sensibilitv.' 


1813        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        153 

son  of  the  luckless  Williarases  of  Grosvenor 
Place. 

I  long  to  liave  you  hear  Mr.  H.'s  opinion  of 
P.  and  P.  His  admiring  my  Elizabeth  so  much  is 
particularly  welcome  to  me. 

Instead  of  saving  my  superfluous  wealth  for  you 
to  spend,  I  am  going  to  treat  myself  with  spending 
it  myself.  I  hope,  at  least,  that  I  shall  find  some 
poplin  at  Layton  and  Shear's  that  will  tempt  me  to 
buy  it.  If  I  do,  it  shall  be  sent  to  Chawton,  as  half 
will  be  for  you  ;  for  I  depend  upon  your  being  so 
kind  as  to  accept  it,  being  the  main  point.  It  will 
be  a  great  pleasure  to  me.  Don't  say  a  word.  I 
only  wish  you  could  choose  too.  I  shall  send  twenty 
yards. 

Now  for  Bath.  Poor  F.  Cage  has  suffered  a 
good  deal  from  her  accident.  The  noise  of  the 
White  Hart  was  terrible  to  her.  They  will  keep 
her  quiet,  I  dare  say.  She  is  not  so  much  delighted 
with  the  place  as  the  rest  of  tlie  party ;  probably, 
as  she  says  herself,  from  having  been  less  well,  but 
she  thinks  she  should  like  it  better  in  the  season. 
The  streets  are  very  empty  now,  and  the  shops  not 
so  gay  as  she  expected.  They  are  at  No.  1  Hen- 
rietta Street,  the  corner  of  Laura  Place,  and  have 
no  acquaintance  at  jDresent  but  the  Bramstons. 


154        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        181^ 

Lady  Bridges  drinks  at  the  Cross  Bath,  her  son 
at  tlie  Hot,  and  Louisa  is  going  to  bathe.  Dr.  Parry 
seems  to  be  half  starving  Mr.  Bridges,  for  he  is  re- 
stricted to  much  such  a  diet  as  James's  bread,  water 
and  meat,  and  is  never  to  eat  so  much  of  that  as 
he  wishes,  and  he  is  to  walk  a  great  deal — walk  till 
he  drops,  I  believe — gout  or  no  gout.  It  really  is 
to  that  purpose.     I  have  not  exaggerated. 

Charming  weather  for  you  and  us,  and  the  tra- 
vellers, and  everybody.  You  will  take  your  walk 
til  is  afternoon,  and  .   .   . 

Henrietta  St.,  the  autumn  of  1818. 
Miss  Austeu,  Cliawton. 

By  favour  of  Mr.  Gray. 

LXIII. 

Henrietta  St. :  Thursday  (Sept.  16,  after  dinner). 

Thank  you,  my  dearest  Cassandra,  for  tlie  nice 
long  letter  I  sent  off  this  morning.  1  hope  you 
have  liad  it  by  this  time,  and  that  it  has  found  you 
all  well,  and  my  mother  no  more  in  need  of 
leeches.  Whether  this  will  be  delivered  to  you  by 
Henry  on  Saturday  evening,  or  by  the  postman 
on  Sunday  morning,  I  know  not,  as  he  lias  lately 
recollected  something  of  an  engagement  for  Satur- 


1813  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  155 

day,  wliicli  perhaps  may  delay  his  visit.    'He  seems 
determined  to  come  to  you  soon  however. 

I  hope  you  will  receive  the  gown  to-morrow, 
and  may  be  able  with  tolerable  honesty  to  say  that 
you  like  the  colour.  It  was  bought  at  Grafton 
House,  where,  by  going  very  early,  we  got  imme- 
diate attendance  and  went  on  very  comfortably. 
I  only  forgot  the  one  particular  thing  which  I  had 
always  resolved  to  buy  there — a  white  silk  hand- 
kerchief— and  was  therefore  obho^ed  to  oive  six 
shillings  for  one  at  Crook  and  Besford's  ;  whicli 
reminds  me  to  say  that  the  worsteds  ought  also  to 
be  at  Chawton  to-morrow,  and  that  I  shall  be  very 
happy  to  hear  they  are  approved.  I  had  not  much 
time  for  deliberation. 

We  are  now  all  four  of  us  young  ladies  sitting 
round  the  circular  table  in  the  inner  room  writing? 
our  letters,  while  the  two  brothers  are  havincf  a 
comfortable  coze  m  the  room  adjoining.  It  is  to 
be  a  quiet  evening,  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  four 
of  the  six.  My  eyes  are  quite  tired  of  dust  and 
lamps 

The  letter  you  forwarded  from  Edward,  junr., 
has  been  duly  received.  He  has  been  shooting 
most  prosperously  at  home,  and  dining  at  Chilham 
Castle  and  with  Mr.  Scudamore. 


156  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN  181.5 

My  c?ip  is  come  home,  and  I  like  it  very  much. 
Fanny  has  one  also  ;  hers  is  white  sarsenet  and  lace, 
of  a  different  shape  from  mine,  more  lit  for  morn- 
imx  carriao'e  wear,  which  is  what  it  is  intended 
for,  and  is  in  shape  exceedingly  like  our  own 
satin  and  lace  of  last  winter ;  shaped  round  tlie 
face  exactly  like  it,  with  pipes  and  more  fulness, 
and  a  round  crown  inserted  behind.  My  cap  has 
a  peak  in  front.  Large  full  bows  of  very  narrow 
ribbon  (old  twopenny)  are  the  thing.  One  over 
the  right  temple,  perhaps,  and  another  at  the  left 
ear. 

Henry  is  not  quite  well.  His  stomach  is  rather 
deranged.  You  must  keep  him  in  rhubarb,  and 
give  him  plenty  of  port  and  water.  He  caught  his 
cold  farther  back  than  I  told  you ;  before  he  got 
to  Matlock,  somewdiere  in  his  journey  from  the 
North,  but  the  ill  effects  of  tluit  I  hope  are  nearly 
gone. 

We  returned  from  Grafton  House  only  just  in 
time  for  breakfast,  and  had  scarcely  finished  break- 
fast when  the  carriage  came  to  the  door.  From 
11  to  half-past  3  we  were  hard  at  it ;  we  did  con- 
trive to  get  to  Hans  Place  for  ten  minutes.  Mrs.  T. 
was  as  affectionate  and  pleasing  as  ever. 

After  oui'  return  Mr.  Tilson  w^alked  up  from 


1813        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        157 

the  Compting  House  and  called  upon  us,  and  these 
liave  been  all  our  visitino-s. 

I  have  rejoiced  more  than  once  that  I  bought 
my  writing-paper  in  the  country  ;  ^ve  have  not  had 
a  quarter  of  an  hour  to  spare. 

I  enclose  the  eighteen-pence  due  to  my  mother. 
The  rose  colour  was  6.S'.  and  the  other  4-9.  per  3'ard. 
There  was  but  two  yards  and  a  quarter  of  the 
dark  slate  in  the  sliop,  but  the  man  promised  to 
match  it  and  send  it  off  correctly. 

Fanny  bought  her  Irish  at  Newton's  in  Leicester 
Square,  and  I  took  the  opportunity  of  thinking 
about  your  Irish,  and  seeing  one  piece  of  the  yard 
wide  at  4<s-.,  and  it  seemed  to  me  very  ofood  ;  oood 
enough  for  your  purpose.  It  might  at  least  be 
wortli  your  while  to  go  there,  if  you  have  no  other 
engagements.  Fanny  is  veiy  much  pleased  mth 
the  stockings  she  has  bought  of  Eemmington,  silk 
at  12^'.,  cotton  at  4^.  3</.  She  thinks  them  great 
bargains,  but  I  liave  not  seen  them  yet,  as  my  hair 
was  dressincr  when  the  man  and  the  stockino-s 
came. 

The  poor  girls  and  their  teeth  !  I  have  not 
mentioned  them  yet,  but  we  were  a  whole  hour  at 
Spence's,  and  Lizzy's  were  filed  and  lamented  over 
again,  and  poor  Marianne  had  two  taken  out  after 


158        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEN.        1H13 

all,  tlie  two  just  beyond  the  eye  teeth,  to  make 
room  for  those  in  front.  When  lier  doom  was  fixed, 
Fanny,  Lizzy,  and  I  walked  into  the  next  room, 
where  we  heard  each  of  the  two  sharp  and  hasty 
screams. 

The  little  girls'  teeth  I  can  suppose  in  a  critical 
state,  but  T  think  he  must  be  a  lover  of  teeth  and 
money  and  mischief,  to  parade  about  Fanny's.  I 
would  not  have  had  him  look  at  mine  for  a  shilling 
a  tooth  and  double  it.  It  was  a  disagreeable 
hour. 

We  then  went  to  Wedgwood's,  wdiere  my 
brother  and  Fanny  chose  a  dinner  set.  I  believe 
the  pattern  is  a  small  lozenge  in  purple,  between 
lines  of  narrow  gold,  and  it  is  to  have  the  crest. 

We  must  have  been  three-quarters  of  an  hour 
at  Grafton  House,  Edward  sitting  by  all  the  time 
with  wonderful  patience.  There  Fanny  bought 
the  net  for  Anna's  gown,  and  a  beautiful  square 
veil  for  herself.  Tlie  edging  there  is  very  cheap.  I 
was  tempted  by  some,  and  I  bought  some  very  nice 
plaiting  lace  at  o.v.  4^/. 

Fanny  desires  me  to  tell  Martha,  with  her  kind 
love,  that  Bircliall  assured  her  there  w^as  no  second 
set  of  Hook's  Lessons  for  Beginners,  and  tliat,  by 
my  advice,  she  has  therefore  chosen  lier  a  set  by 


1813  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEN.  159 

another    composer.     I  thought  she   would  rather 
have  something  than  not.     It  costs  six  shiUings. 

With  love  to  you  all,  including  Triggs,  I 
remain, 

Yours  very  affectionately,         J.  Austex. 

Henrietta  St.,  autumn  of  1813. 
Miss  Austen,  Chawton. 
By  favour  of 

LXIV. 

Godniersham  Park:  Thursday  (Sept.  23). 

]\Iy  dearest  Cassaxdra, 

Thank  you  five  liundred  and  forty  times  for 
the  exquisite  piece  of  workmanship  which  was 
brought  into  the  room  this  morning,  while  we  were 
at  breakfast,  with  some  very  inferior  works  of  art 
in  the  same  way,  and  which  I  read  witli  high  glee, 
much  delighted  with  everything  it  told,  whether 
good  or  bad.  It  is  so  rich  in  striking  intelligence 
that  I  hardly  know  what  to  reply  to  first.  I 
believe  finery  must  have  it. 

I  am  extremely  glad  that  you  like  the  poplin. 
I  thought  it  would  have  my  mother's  approbation, 
but  was  not  so  confident  of  yours.  Eemember 
that  it  is  a  present.  Do  not  refuse  me.  I  am 
Tery  rich. 


160  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1813 

Mrs.  Clement  is  very  welcome  to  her  little  boy, 
and  to  my  congratulations  into  the  bargain,  if  ever 
you  think  of  giving  them.  I  hope  she  will  do  well. 
Her  sister  in  Lucina,  Mrs.  H.  Gipps,  does  too  well, 
we  think.  Mary  P.  wrote  on  Sunday  that  she  had 
been  three  days  on  the  sofa.  Sackree  does  not 
approve  it. 

Well,  there  is  some  comfort  in  the  Mrs.  Hulbart's 
not  coming  to  you,  and  I  am  happy  to  hear  of  the 
honey.  I  was  thinking  of  it  the  other  day.  Let 
me  know  when  you  begin  the  new  tea,  and  the 
new  wdiite  wine.  My  present  elegancies  have  not 
yet  made  me  indifferent  to  such  matters.  I  am 
still  a  cat  if  I  see  a  mouse. 

I  am  glad  you  like  our  caps,  but  Fanny  is  out 
of  conceit  with  hers  already ;  she  finds  that  she 
has  been  buying  a  new  cap  without  having  a  new 
pattern,  which  is  true  enough.  She  is  rather  out 
of  luck  to  like  neither  her  gown  nor  her  cap,  but 
I  do  not  much  mind  it,  because  besides  that  I  like 
them  both  myself,  I  consider  it  as  a  thing  of  course 
at  her  time  of  life — one  of  the  sweet  taxes  of  j^outh 
to  choose  in  a  hurry  ana  make  bad  bargains. 

I  wrote  to  Charles  yesterday,  and  Fanny  luis 
had  a  letter  from  him  to-day,  j)rin('ipally  to  make 
inquiries    about   tlie   time   of  tlieir  visit  liere,   to 


1813        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEN.        161 

which  mine  was  an  answer  beforehand  ;  so  he  will 
probably  write  again  soon  to  fix  his  week.  I  am 
best  pleased  that  Cassy  does  not  go  to  you. 

Now,  what  have  we  been  doing  since  I  wrote 
last  ?  The  Mr.  K.'s  ^  came  a  httle  before  dinner  on 
Monday,  and  Edward  went  to  the  church  with  the 
two  seniors,  but  there  is  no  inscription  yet  drawn 
up.  They  are  very  good-natured  you  know,  and 
civil,  and  all  that,  but  are  not  particularly  super- 
fine ;  however,  they  ate  their  dinner  and  drank 
their  tea,  and  went  away,  leaving  their  lovely 
Wadham  in  our  arms,  and  I  wish  you  had  seen 
Fanny  and  me  running  backwards  and  forwards 
with  his  breeches  from  the  little  chintz  to  the 
white  room  before  we  went  to  bed,  in  the  greatest 
of  frights  lest  he  should  come  upon  us  before  we 
had  done  it  all.  There  had  been  a  mistake  in  the 
housemaids'  preparation,  and  thei/  were  gone  to 
bed. 

He  seems  a  very  harmless  sort  of  young 
man,  nothing  to  like  or  dislike  in  him — goes  out 
shooting  or  hunting  with  the  two  others  all  the 
morning,  and  plays  at  whist  and  makes  queer  faces 
in  the  evening. 

On   Tuesday   the   carriage   was   taken  to  the 

^  KnatcLbulls. 
VOL.    II.  M 


162        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1813 

painter's  ;  at  one  time  Fanny  and  I  were  to  have 
gone  in  it,  c]iie%  to  call  on  Mrs.  C. — Milles  and 
Moy  ^ — but  we  found  tliat  they  were  going  for  a 
few  days  to  Sandhng,  and  would  not  be  at  home ; 
therefore  my  brother  and  Fanny  went  to  Eastwell 
in  the  chair  instead.  While  they  were  gone  the 
Nackington  Milles's  called  and  left  their  cards. 
Nobody  at  home  at  Eastwell. 

We  hear  a  great  deal  of  Geo.  H.'s  wretched- 
ness. I  suppose  he  has  quick  feelings,  but  I  dare 
say  they  will  not  kill  him.  He  is  so  much  out  of 
spirits,  however,  that  his  friend  John  Plumptre  is 
gone  over  to  comfort  him,  at  Mr.  Hatton's  desire. 
He  called  here  this  morning  in  his  way.  A  hand- 
some young  man  certainly,  with  quiet,  gentleman- 
like manners.  I  set  him  down  as  sensible  rather 
than  brilliant.  There  is  nobody  brilhant  nowa- 
days. He  talks  of  staying  a  week  at  Eastwell,  and 
then  comes  to  Chilham  Castle  for  a  day  or  two,  and 
my  brother  invited  him  to  come  here  afterwards, 
which  he  seemed  very  agreeable  to. 

'  'Tis   night,   and    the   landscape  is   lovely   no 

1  Mrs.  C.  Milles  was  tlie  mother  of  Mr.  R.  Milles  of  Nacldngton 
and  Elmliara,  Norfolk.  '  Moy  '  means  '  Molly  '  Milles— probably  an 
imitation  of  ber  mother's  way  of  pronouncing  her  name.  She  was 
sister  to  Mr.  R.  Milles,  and  '  the  Nackington  ]Milles' '  refers  to  his 
widow  who  lived  there  after  his  death. 


1813        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        163 

more,'  but  to  make  amends  for  that,  our  visit  to 
the  Tyldens  is  over.  ]\Iy  brother,  Fanny,  Edwd., 
and  I  went  ;  Geo.  stayed  at  home  with  W.  K. 
There  was  nothing  entertaining,  or  out  of  the 
common  way.  We  met  only  Tyldens  and  double 
Tyldens.  A  whist-table  for  the  gentlemen,  a  grown- 
up musical  young  lady  to  play  backgammon  with 
Fanny,  and  engravings  of  the  Colleges  at  Cambridge 
for  me.  In  the  morning  we  returned  Mrs.  Sherer's 
visit.     I  like  Mr.  S.  very  much. 

Well,  I  have  not  half  done  yet,  I  am  not 
come  up  with  myself.  My  brother  drove  Fanny 
to  Xackington  and  Canty,  yesterday,  and  while 
they  were  gone  the  Faggs  paid  their  dut}'.  Mary 
Oxenden  is  staying  at  Canty,  with  the  Blairs,  and 
Fanny's  object  was  to  see  her. 

The  Deedes  want  us  to  come  to  Sandling  for  a 
few  days,  or  at  least  a  day  and  night.  At  present 
Edwd.  does  not  seem  well  affected — he  would 
rather  not  be  asked  to  go  anywhere — but  I  rather 
expect  he  will  be  persuaded  to  go  for  the  one  day 
and  night. 

I  read  him  the  chief  of  3'our  letter ;  he  was 
mterested  and  pleased,  as  he  ought,  and  will  be 
happy  to  hear  fi-om  you  himself  Your  finding 
so  much  comfort  from  his  cows  gave  him  evident 

M  2 


164  LETTERS   OF  J.VXE   AUSTEN.  Isin 

pleasure.  I  wonder  Henry  did  not  go  down  on 
Saturday  :  lie  does  not  in  general  fall  icitliiii  a 
doubtful  intention. 

My  face  is  very  much  as  it  was  before  I  came 
away ;  for  the  first  two  or  three  days  it  was  rather 
worse.  I  caught  a  small  cold  in  my  way  down, 
and  had  some  pain  every  evening,  not  to  last  long, 
but  rather  severer  than  it  had  been  lately.  This 
has  worn  off,  however,  and  I  have  scarcely  felt 
anytliing  for  the  last  two  days. 

Sackree  is  pretty  well  again,  only  weak.  Mucli 
obliged  to  you  for  your  message,  &c.  ;  it  was  very 
true  -that  slie  blessed  herself  the  whole  time  that 
the  pain  was  not  in  her  stomach.  I  read  all  the 
scraps  I  could  of  your  letter  to  her.  Slie  seemed 
to  like  it,  and  says  she  shall  always  like  to  hear 
anything  of  Chawton  now,  and  I  am  to  make  you 
Miss  Clewes's  assurance  to  the  same  effect,  witli 
thanks  and  best  respects,  &c. 

The  girls  are  much  disturbed  at  Mary  Stacey's 
not  admitting  Dame  L.  Miss  C.  and  I  are  sorry, 
btrt  not  angry  ;  we  acknowledge  Mary  Stacey's 
right,  and  can  suppose  her  to  have  reason. 

Oh  !  the  churcli  must  have  looked  very  forlorn. 
We  all  thought  of  the  empty  pew.  How  Bentigli 
is  grown !  and  the  Canty.  Hill  Plantation !     And 


181;^.        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        165 

tlie  improvements  icithin  are  very  great.  I  admire 
the  chintz  room  very  much.  We  live  in  the 
hbrary  except  at  meals,  and  have  a  fire  every 
evening.  The  weather  is  set  about  changing  ;  we 
shall  have  a  settled  wet  season  soon.  I  must  go 
to  bed. 

Friday. — I  am  sorry  to  find  that  one  of  the 
nightcaps  here  belongs  to  you — sorry,  because  it 
must  be  in  constant  Avear. 

Great  doings  again  to-day.  Fanny,  Lizzy,  and 
Mar""^  are  going  to  Goodnestone  for  the  fair,  which 
is  to-morrow,  and  sta}^  till  Monday,  and  the 
gentlemen  are  all  to  dine  at  Evington.  Edwd. 
has  been  repenting  ever  since  he  promised  to  go, 
and  was  hoping  last  night  for  a  wet  day,  but  the 
morning  is  fair.  I  shall  dine  with  Miss  Clewes, 
and  I  dare  say  find  her  ver}^  agreeable.  The 
invitation  to  the  fair  was  general.  Edwd.  posi- 
tively declined  his  share  of  that,  and  I  was  very 
glad  to  do  the  same.  It  is  likely  to  be  a  baddish 
fair — not  much  upon  the  stall,  and  neither  Mary  0.^ 
nor  Mary  P.'^^ 

It  is  hoped  that  the  portfolio  may  be  in  Canty, 
this  morning.  Sackree's  sister  found  it  at  Croj^lon 
and  took  it  to  town  with   lier,  but   unluckily  did 

^  Mary  Oxenden.  -  Mary  Plumptre. 


166  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  181.^> 

not  send  it  down  till  slie  had  directions.     Fanny 

C's.    screens  can  be  done  notliinir  with,  but  there 

are  parts  of  w^orkbags  in  the  parcel,  very  important 

in  their  way.     Three  of  the  Deedes  girls    are    to 

be  at  Goodnestone. 

We  shall  not  be  much  settled  till  this  visit  is 

over,  settled  as    to  employment  I  mean.      Fami)' 

and  I  are  to  go  on  with  Modern  Europe  together, 

but  hitherto  have  advanced  only  twenty-five  pages. 

Something  or  other  has  always  happened  to  delay 

or  curtail  tlie  reading;  hour. 
<_ 

I  ought  to  have  told  you  before  of  a  purchase 
of  Edward's  in  town  ;  he  desired  you  might  hear 
of  it — a  thing  for  measuring  timber  with,  so  that 
you  need  not  have  the  trouble  of  finding  him  in 
tapes  any  longer.  He  treated  himself  with  this 
seven-shilling  purchase,  and  bought  a  new  watch 
and  new  gun  for  George.  The  new  gun  shoots 
very  well. 

Apples  are  scarce  in  this  country — 1/.  os.  a 
sack.  Miss  Hinton  shoidd  take  Hannah  Knio'ht. 
Mrs.  Driver  has  not  yet  appeared.  J.  Littleworth 
and  the  grey  pony  reached  Bath  safely. 

A  letter  from  Mrs,  Cooke  :  they  have  been  at 
Brighton  a  fortnight ;  stay  at  least  another,  and 
Mary  is  already  much  better. 


1813  LETTEES   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  167 

Poor  Dr.  Isliam  is  obliged  to  admire  P.  and  P./ 
and  to  send  me  word  that  he  is  sure  he  shall  not 
like  Madame  D'Arblay's  new  novel  half  so  well. 
Mrs.  C.  invented  it  all,  of  course.  He  deskes  his 
compliments  to  you  and  my  mother. 

Of  the  Adlestrop  living  business,  LIrs.  C.  says : 
'  It  can  be  now  no  secret,  as  the  papers  for  the 
necessary  dispensations  are  going  up  to  the  Arch- 
bishop's Secretary.  However,  be  it  known  that 
we  all  wish  to  have  it  understood  that  George 
takes  this  trust  entirely  to  obhge  Mr.  Leigh,  and 
never  will  be  a  shilling  benefited  by  it.  Had  my 
consent  been  necessary,  believe  me  I  should  have 
withheld  it,  for  I  do  think  it  on  the  part  of  the 
patron  a  very  shabby  piece  of  business.  All  these 
and  other  Scrapings  from  dear  Mrs.  E.  L.  are  to 
accumulate  no  doubt  to  help  Mr.  Twisleton  to  a 
secure  admission  again  into  England.'  I  would 
wish  you,  therefore,  to  make  it  known  to  my 
mother  as  if  this  were  the  first  time  of  Mrs.  Cooke's 
mentionino^  it  to  me. 

I  told  Mrs.  C.  of  my  mother's  late  oppressions 
in  her  head.  She  says  on  that  subject :  '  Dear  Mrs. 
Austen's  is,  I  believe,  an  attack  frequent  at  her 
age    and  mine.      Last  year  I  had  for  some  time 

^  *  Pride  and  Prejudice.' 


168        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1813 

the  sensation  of  a  peck  loaf  resting  on  my  liead, 
and  they  talked  of  cuppmg  me,  but  I  came  off 
with  a  dose  or  two  of  calomel,  and  liave  never 
heard  of  it  since.' 

The  three  Miss  Knights  and  Mrs.  Sayce  are 
just  off;  the  weather  has  got  worse  since  the  early 
morning,  and  whether  Mrs.  Clewes  and  I  are  to  be 
tete-a-tete,  or  to  have  four  gentlemen  to  admire  us, 
is  uncertain. 

I  am  now  alone  in  the  library,  mistress  of  all 
I  survey ;  at  least  I  may  say  so,  and  repeat  the 
whole  poem  if  I  like  it,  without  offence  to  anybody. 

Martha  will  have  wet  races  and  catch  a  bad 
cold ;  in  other  respects  I  hope  she  will  have 
much  pleasure  at  them,  and  that  she  is  free  from 
ear-ache  now.  I  am  glad  she  likes  my  cap  so  well. 
I  assure  you  my  old  one  looked  so  smart  yesterday 
that  I  was  asked  two  or  three  times  before  I  set 
off  whether  it  was  not  my  new  one. 

I  liave  tins  moment  seen  Mrs.  Driver  driven  up 
to  tlie  kitchen  door.  I  cannot  close  witli  a  grander 
circumstance  or  greater  wit. 

Yours  affectionately,         J.  A. 

I  am  going  to  write  to  Steven  ton,  so  you  need 
not  send  any  news  of  nie  tliere. 


1S13        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEN.        169 

Louisa's  best  love  and  a  liimdred  tliousand 
million  kisses. 

Miss  Austen,  Chawton,  Alton,  Hants. 

LXV. 

Godmersham  Park:  Monday  (Oct.  11). 

[My  deakest  Auxt  Cass., 

I  have  just  asked  Aunt  Jane  to  let  me  write  a 
little  in  her  letter,  but  she  does  not  like  it,  so  I 
won't.     Good-bye !] 

You  will  have  Edward's  letter  to-morrow.  He 
tells  me  that  he  did  not  send  you  any  news  to 
interfere  with  mine,  but  I  do  not  think  there  is 
much  for  anybody  to  send  at  present. 

We  had  our  dinner  party  on  Wednesday,  with 
the  addition  of  Mrs.  and  Miss  Milles,  who  were 
under  a  promise  of  dining  here  in  their  return  from 
Eastwell,  whenever  they  paid  their  visit  of  duty 
there,  and  it  happened  to  be  paid  on  that  day.  Both 
mother  and  daughter  are  much  as  I  have  always 
found  them.  I  hke  the  mother — first,  because  she 
reminds  me  of  ]\Ii's.  Bii'ch ;  and,  secondly,  because 
she  is  cheerful  and  grateful  for  what  she  is  at  the 
age  of  ninety  and  upwards.  Tlie  day  was  pleasant 
enough.     I  sat   by  Mr.  Chisholme,  and  ^ye  talked 


170  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEX.  1813 

away  at  a  great  rate  about  nothing  worth  hear- 
ing. 

It  was  a  mistake  as  to  the  clay  of  the  Sherers 
going  being  fixed ;  they  are  ready,  but  are  waiting 
for  Mr.  Paget's  answer. 

I  inquired  of  Mrs.  Milles  after  Jemima  Brydges, 
and  was  quite  grieved  to  hear  that  she  was  obhged 
to  leave  Canterbury  some  months  ago  on  account 
of  her  debts,  and  is  nobody  knows  where.  What 
an  unprosperous  family ! 

On  Saturday,  soon  after  breakfast,  Mr.  J.  P.  left 
us  for  Norton  Court.  I  like  him  very  much.  He 
gives- me  the  idea  of  a  very  amiable  young  man, 
only  too  diffident  to  be  so  agreeable  as  he  might 
be.  He  was  out  the  chief  of  each  morning  with 
the  other  two,  shooting  and  getting  wet  through. 
To-morrow  we  are  to  know  whether  he  and  a 
hundred  young  ladies  will  come  here  for  the  ball. 
I  do  not  much  expect  any. 

The  Deedes  cannot  meet  us  ;  they  have  engage- 
ments at  home.  I  will  finish  the  Deedes  by  saying 
that  they  are  not  likely  to  come  here  till  quite  late 
in  my  stay — the  very  last  week  perhaps  ;  and  I  do 
not  expect  to  see  the  Moores  at  all.  They  are  not 
solicited  till  after  Edward's  return  from  Hamp- 
shire. 


1813  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEX.  171 

Monday,  Xovember  15,  is  the  day  now  fixed  for 
onr  setting  out. 

Poor  Basingstoke  races  !  There  seem  to  have 
been  two  particularly  wretched  days  on  purpose 
for  them  ;  and  Weyliill  week  does  not  begin  much 
happier. 

We  were  quite  surprised  by  a  letter  from  Anna 
at  ToUard  Eoyal,  last  Saturday ;  but  perfectly  ap- 
prove her  going,  and  only  regret  they  should  all 
go  so  far  to  stay  so  few  days. 

We  had  thunder  and  lightning  here  on  Thurs- 
day morning,  between  five  and  seven  ;  no  very  bad 
thunder,  but  a  great  deal  of  hghtning.  It  lias  given 
the  commencement  of  a  season  of  wind  and  rain, 
and  perhaps  for  the  next  six  Aveeks  we  shall  not 
have  two  dry  days  together. 

Lizzy  is  very  much  obliged  to  5^011  for  your 
letter  and  will  answer  it  soon,  but  has  so  many 
uhings  to  do  that  it  may  be  four  or  five  days  before 
she  can.  This  is  quite  her  own  message,  spoken 
in  rather  a  desponding  tone.  Your  letter  gave 
pleasure  to  all  of  us ;  we  had  all  the  reading  of  it 
of  course,  I  three  times,  as  I  undertook,  to  the  great 
rehef  of  Lizzy,  to  read  it  to  Sackree,  and  afterwards 
CO  Louisa. 

Sackree  does   not  at  all  approve  of  Mary  Doe 


172  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEN.  ISV?, 

and  lier  nuts — on  the  score  of  propriety  rather 
til  an  liealth.  She  saw  some  signs  of  going  after  her 
in  George  and  Henry,  and  thinks  if  you  could  give 
tlie  girl  a  check,  by  ratlier  reproving  her  for  taking 
anything  seriously  about  nuts  which  they  said  to 
her,  it  might  be  of  use.  This,  of  course,  is  between 
our  three  discreet  selves,  a  scene  of  triennial  bliss. 

Mrs.  Breton  called  liere  on  Saturday.  I  never 
saw  her  before.  She  is  a  large,  ungenteel  woman, 
with  self-satisfied  and  would-be  elegant  manners. 

We  are  certain  of  some  visitors  to-morrow. 
Edward  Bridges  comes  for  two  nights  in  his  way 
from  Lenham  to  Eamsgate,  and  brings  a  friend- 
name  unknown — but  supposed  to  be  a  Mr.  Harpur, 
a  neighbouring  clergyman ;  and  Mr.  E.  Mascall  is 
to  shoot  with  the  young  men,  which  it  is  to  be 
supposed  will  end  in  his  staying  dinner. 

On  Thursday,  Mr.  Lushington,  M.P.  for  Canter- 
bury, and  manager  of  the  Lodge  Hounds,  dines 
liere,  and  stays  the  night.  He  is  chiefly  young 
Edward's  acquaintance.  If  I  can  I  will  get  a  frank 
from  him,  and  write  to  you  all  the  sooner.  I  sup- 
pose the  Ashford  ball  will  furnish  something. 

As  I  wrote  of  my  nephcAvs  witli  a  little  bitter- 
ness in  my  last,  I  think  it  particidarly  incumbent 
on  me  to  do  tliem  justice  now,  and  I  have  great 


181:]  LETTERS   OF  JA^'E   AUSTEX.  173 

pleasure  in  saying  that  they  were  both  at  the 
Sacrament  yesterday.  After  having  much  praised 
or  much  blamed  anybody,  one  is  generally  sensible 
of  something  just  the  reverse  soon  afterwards.  Now 
these  two  boys  who  are  out  with  the  foxhounds 
will  come  home  and  disgust  me  again  by  some 
habit  of  luxury  or  some  proof  of  sporting  mania, 
unless  I  keep  it  off  by  this  prediction.  They  amuse 
themselves  very  comfortably  in  the  evening  by 
netting  ;  they  are  each  about  a  rabbit  net,  and  sit  as 
deedily  to  it,  side  by  side,  as  any  two  Uncle  Franks 
could  do. 

I  am  looking  over  '  Self  Control '  again,  and  my 
opinion  is  confirmed  of  its  being  an  excellently- 
meant,  elegantly- written  work,  witliout  anything 
of  nature  or  probability  in  it.  I  declare  I  do  not 
know  whether  Laura's  passage  down  the  American 
river  is  not  the  most  natural,  possible,  everyday 
thing  she  ever  does. 

Tuesday  — Dear  me  !  what  is  to  become  of  me  ? 
Such  a  long  letter  !  Two-and-forty  lines  in  the 
second  page.  Like  Harriot  Byron,  I  ask,  what  am 
I  to  do  with  my  gratitude  ?  I  can  do  nothing  but 
thank  you  and  go  on.  A  few  of  your  inquiries,  I 
think,  are  replied  to  en  avance. 

Tlie  name  of  F.  Cao-e's  drawing;-master  is  O'Xeil. 


174        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        lsi8 

We  are  exceedingly  amused  witli  your  Slialden 
news,  and  your  self  reproach  on  the  subject  of  Mrs. 
Stockwell  made  me  laugh  heartily.  I  rather  won- 
dered that  Johncock,^  the  only  person  in  the  room, 
could  help  laughing  too.  I  ]iad  not  lieard  before 
of  her  having  the  measles.  Mrs.  H.  and  Alethea's 
staying  till  Friday  was  quite  new  to  me  ;  a  good 
plan  liowever.  I  coidd  not  have  settled  it  better 
myself,  and  am  glad  they  found  so  mucli  in  the 
house  to  approve,  and  I  hope  tliey  will  ask  Martha 
to  visit  them.  I  admire  the  sagacity  and  taste  of 
Charlotte  Williams.  Those  large  dark  eyes  always 
judge  well.  I  will  compliment  her  by  naming  a 
heroine  after  her. 

Edward  has  had  all  the  particulars  of  the  build- 
ing, &c.,  read  to  him  twice  over,  and  seems  very 
well  satisfied.  A  narrow  door  to  the  pantry  is  the 
only  subject  of  solicitude ;  it  is  certainly  just  the 
door  which  should  not  be  narrow,  on  account  of 
the  trays  ;  but,  if  a  case  of  necessit}^  it  must  be 
borne. 

I  knew  there  was  sugar  in  tlic  tin,  but  liad  no 
idea  of  there  being  enougli  to  last  tlirough  3'our 
company.  All  the  better.  You  ought  not  to  think 
this  ncAv  loaf  better  than  tlic   otlier,  because  that 

'  The  butler  at  Godmersliam. 


1813  LETTERS   OF  JASE  AUSTEX.  175 

was  the  first  of  five  which  all  came  together. 
Something  of  fancy,  perhaps,  and  something  of 
imagination. 

Dear  Mrs.  Digweed !  I  cannot  bear  that  she 
should  not  be  foolishly  happy  after  a  ball.  I  hope 
]\iiss  Yates  and  her  companions  were  all  well  the 
day  after  their  arrival.  I  am  thoroughly  rejoiced 
that  ]\Iiss  Benn  has  placed  herself  in  lodgings, 
though  I  hope  they  may  not  be  long  necessary. 

No  letter  from  Charles  yet. 

Southey's  '  Life  of  Nelson  :'  I  am  tired  of  '  Lives 
of  Nelson,'  being  that  I  never  read  any.  I  will 
read  this,  however,  if  Frank  is  mentioned  in  it. 

Here  am  I  in  Kent,  with  one  brother  in  the 
same  county  and  another  brother's  ^vife,  and  see 
nothing  of  them,  which  seems  unnatural.  It  will 
not  last  so  for  ever,  I  trust.  I  should  like  to  have 
Mrs.  F.  A.  and  her  children  here  for  a  week,  but 
not  a  syllable  of  that  nature  is  ever  breathed.  I 
wish  her  last  visit  had  not  been  so  long  a  one. 

I  wonder  whether  Mrs.  Tilson  has  ever  lain-in. 
Mention  it  if  it  ever  comes  to  your  knowledge,  and 
we  shall  hear  of  it  by  the  same  post  from  Henry, 

Mr.  Eob.  Mascall  breakfasted  here  ;  he  eats  a 
great  deal  of  butter.  I  dined  upon  goose  yester- 
day, which,  I  hope,  will  secure  a  good  sale  of  my 


17G  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEX.  1813 

second  edition.     Have  you  any  toniatas  ?     Fanny 
and  I  regale  on  them  every  day. 

Disastroii-s  letters  from  the  Plumptres  and  Ox- 
endens.  Eefusals  everywhere — a  blank  partoiit — 
and  it  is  not  quite  certain  whether  we  go  or  not  ; 
something  may  depend  upon  the  disposition  of 
Uncle  Edward  when  he  comes,  and  upon  what  Ave 
hear  at  Chilham  Castle  this  morning,  for  we  are 
going  to  pay  visits.  We  are  going  to  each  house 
at  Chilham  and  to  Mystole.  1  shall  like  seeing  the 
Faggs.  I  shall  like  it  all,  except  that  w^e  are  to  set 
out  so  early  that  I  have  not  time  to  write  as  I 
would  wish. 

Edwd.  Bridges's  friend  is  a  Mr.  Hawker,  I  find, 
not  Harpur.  I  would  not  have  you  sleep  in  such 
an  error  for  the  world. 

My  brother  desires  his  best  love  and  thanks  for 
all  your  information.  He  hopes  the  roots  of  the 
old  beech  have  l)een  dug  away  enough  to  allow  a 
proper  covering  of  mould  and  turf.  He  is  sorry 
for  the  necessity  of  building  tlie  ncAv  coin,  but 
hopes  they  will  contrive  that  the  doorway  should 
be  of  the  usual  widtli — if  it  must  be  contracted  on 
one  side,  by  widening  it  on  the  other.  The  ap- 
pearance need  not  signify.  And  lie  desires  me  to 
say  that  your  being  at  Chawton  when  he  is  will 


1813  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AL^STEX.  177 

be  quite  necessary.  You  cannot  think  it  more  in- 
dispensable than  he  does.  He  is  very  much  obliged 
to  you  for  your  attention  to  everything.  Have  you 
any  idea  of  returning  with  him  to  Henrietta  Street 
and  finishing  your  visit  then  ?  Tell  me  your  sweet 
little  innocent  ideas. 

Everything  of  love   and   kindness,  proper  and 
imjjroper,  must  now  suffice. 

Yours  very  affectionately,         J.  Austen. 

Miss  Austen^  Chawton,  Alton,  Hants. 


LXYI. 

Godmersliam  Park :  Thursday  (Oct.  14). 

My  DEAREST  Cassandra, 

l!^ow  I  will  prepare  for  Mr.  Lushington,  and  as 
it  will  be  wisest  also  to  prej^are  for  his  not  coming, 
or  my  not  getting  a  frank,  I  shall  write  very  close 
from  the  first,  and  even  leave  room  for  the  seal 
in  the  jDroper  place.  When  I  have  followed  up  my 
last  with  this  I  shall  feel  somewhat  less  unworthy 
of  you  than  the  state  of  our  correspondence  now 
requires. 

I  left  off  in  a  great  hurry  to  prepare  for  our 
morning  visits.     Of  course  was  ready  a  good  deal 

VOL.    11.  N 


178        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        1813 

tlie  first,  and  need  not  liave  hurried  so  much. 
Fanny  wore  lier  new  gown  and  cap.  I  was  sur- 
prised to  find  Mystole  so  pretty. 

The  ladies  were  at  home.  I  was  in  luck,  and 
saw  Lady  Fagg  and  all  her  five  daughters,  Avith  an 
old  Mrs.  Hamilton,  from  Canterbury,  and  Mrs.  and 
Miss  Chapman,  from  Margate,  into  the  bargain. 
I  never  saw  so  plain  a  family — five  sisters  so  very 
plain  !  They  are  as  plain  as  the  Foresters,  or  the 
Franfraddops,  or  the  Seagraves,  or  the  Rivers, 
excluding  Sophy.  Miss  Sally  Fagg  has  a  pretty 
figure,  and  that  comprises  all  the  good  looks  of 
the  family. 

It  was  stupidish ;  Fanny  did  lier  part  very 
well,  but  there  was  a  lack  of  talk  altogether,  and 
the  three  friends  in  the  house  only  sat  by  and  looked 
at  us.  However,  Miss  Chapman's  name  is  Laura, 
and  she  had  a  double  flounce  to  lier  gown.  You 
really  must  get  some  flounces.  Are  not  some  of 
your  large  stock  of  white  morning  gowns  just  in  a 
haj^py  state  for  a  flounce — too  short  ?  Xobody  at 
home  at  either  house  in  Chilham. 

Edward  Bridges  and  his  friend  did  not  forget 
to  arrive.  Tlie  friend  is  a  Mr.  Wigram,  one  of  the 
three-and-twenty  children  of  a  great  rich  mercan- 
tile, Sir  liobert  Wigram,  an  old  acquaintance  of 


1813        LETTEES  OF  JAXE  AUSTEX.        179 

the  Footes,  but  very  recently  known  to  Edward  B. 
The  history  of  his  coming  here  is,  that,  intending 
to  go  from  Eamsgate  to  Brighton,  Edw.  B.  per- 
suaded him  to  take  Lenham  on  his  way,  which 
gave  him  the  convenience  of  ]\Ii\  W.'s  o'isf,  and  the 
comfort  of  not  being  alone  there  ;  but,  probably 
thinking  a  few  days  of  Gm.  would  be  the  cheapest 
and  pleasantest  way  of  entertaining  his  friend  and 
himself,  offered  a  visit  here,  and  here  they  stay 
till  to-morrow. 

Mr.  W.  is  about  five  or  six-and-twenty,  not 
ill-looking,  and  not  agreeable.  He  is  certainly  no 
addition.  A  sort  of  cool,  gentlemanlike  manner, 
but  very  silent.  They  say  his  name  is  Henry,  a 
proof  how  unequally  the  gifts  of  fortune  are 
bestowed.  I  have  seen  many  a  John  and  Tliomas 
much  more  agreeable. 

We  have  got  rid  of  Mr.  E.  Mascall,  liowever. 
I  did  not  like  him  either.  He  talks  too  much,  and 
is  conceited,  besides  having  a  vulgarly  shaped 
mouth.  He  slept  here  on  Tuesday,  so  that  yester- 
day Fanny  and  I  sat  down  to  breakfast  with  six 
gentlemen  to  admire  us. 

We  did  not  go  to  the  ball.  It  was  left  to  her 
to  decide,  and  at  last  she  determined  against  it. 
She  knew  that  it  would  be  a  sacrifice  on  the  part 

n2 


180        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1813 

of  lier  father  and  brothers  if  tliey  went,  and  I  hope 
it  will  prove  that  she  has  not  sacrificed  much.  It 
is  not  likely  that  there  should  have  been  anybody 
there  whom  she  would  care  for.  /  was  very  glad 
to  be  spared  the  trouble  of  dressing  and  going,  and 
being  weary  before  it  was  half  over,  so  my  gown 
and  my  cap  are  still  unworn.  It  will  appear  at 
last,  perhaps,  that  I  might  have  done  without 
either.  I  produced  my  brown  bombazine  yester- 
day, and  it  was  very  much  admired  indeed,  and 
I  like  it  better  than  ever. 

You  have  given  many  particulars  of  the  state 
of  Chawton  House,  but  still  we  want  more. 
Edward  wants  to  be  expressly  told  tliat  all  the 
round  tower,  &c.,  is  entirely  down,  and  the  door 
from  the  best  room  stopped  up  ;  he  does  not  know 
enough  of  the  appearance  of  things  in  that 
quarter. 

He  heard  from  Bath  yesterday.  Lady  B.  con- 
tinues very  well,  and  Dr.  Parry's  opinion  is,  that 
while  the  water  agrees  with  her  she  ought  to 
remain  there,  which  throws  their  coming  away  at 
a  greater  uncertainty  than  we  had  supposed.  It 
will  end,  perhaps,  in  a  fit  of  the  gout,  which  may 
prevent  her  coming  away.  Louisa  thinks  her 
mother's   being   so   well  may  be   quite   as   much 


1813  LETTERS   OF   JA^E   AUSTEN.  181 

owing  to  her  being  so  mncli  out  of  doors  as  to  the 
water.  Lady  B.  is  going  to  try  the  liot  j)ump,  tlie 
Cross  bath  being  about  to  be  painted.  Louisa  is 
particularly  well  herself,  and  thinks  the  water  has 
been  of  use  to  her.  She  mentioned  our  enquiries, 
&c.,  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alex.  Evelyn,  and  had  their 
best  compliments  and  thanks  to  give  in  return.  Dr. 
Parry  does  not  expect  Mi\  E.  to  last  much  longer. 

Only  think  of  Mrs,  Holder's  being  dead  !  Poor 
woman,  she  has  done  the  only  thing  in  the  world 
she  could  possibly  do  to  make  one  cease  to  abuse 
her.  Now,  if  you  please.  Hooper  must  have  it  in 
his  power  to  do  more  by  his  uncle.  Lucky  for  the 
little  girl.  An  Anne  Ekins  can  hardly  be  so  unfit 
for  the  care  of  a  child  as  a  Mrs.  Holder. 

A  letter  from  Wrotham  yesterday  offering  an 
early  visit  here,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore  and  one 
child  are  to  come  on  Monday  for  ten  days.  I  hope 
Charles  and  Fanny  may  not  fix  the  same  time,  but 
if  they  come  at  all  in  October  they  must.  What  is 
the  use  of  hoping?  The  two  parties  of  children 
is  the  cliief  evil. 

To  be  sure,  here  we  are ;  the  very  thing  has 
happened,  or  rather  worse — a  letter  from  Charles 
this  very  morning,  which  gives  us  reason  to 
suppose  they  may  come  here  to-day.     It  depends 


182  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEX.  181.'^ 

upon  the  weather,  and  the  weather  now  is  very 
fine.  No  difficulties  are  made,  however,  and, 
indeed,  there  will  .be  no  want  of  room  ;  but  I  wish 
there  were  no  Wigrams  and  Lushingtons  in  the  way 
to  fill  up  the  table  and  make  us  such  a  motley  set. 
I  cannot  spare  Mr.  Lushington  either,  because  of 
his  frank,  but  Mr.  Wigram  does  no  good  to  any- 
body. I  cannot  imagine  how  a  man  can  have  the 
impudence  to  come  into  a  family  party  for  three 
days,  where  he  is  quite  a  stranger,  unless  he 
knows  himself  to  be  agreeable  on  undoubted 
authority.  He  and  Edw.  B.  are  going  to  ride  to 
EastWell,  and  as  the  boys  are  hunting,  and  my 
brother  is  gone  to  Canty.,  Fanny  and  I  have  a 
quiet  morning  before  us. 

Edward  has  driven  ofi*  poor  Mrs.  Salkeld.  It 
was  thought  a  good  opportunity  of  doing  some- 
thing towards  clearing  the  house.  By  lier  own 
desire  Mrs.  Fanny  ^  is  to  be  put  in  the  room  next 
tlie  nursery,  her  baby  in  a  little  bed  by  her  ;  and 
as  Oassy  is  to  have  tlie  closet  within,  and  Betsey 
William's  little  hole,  they  will  be  all  very  snug 
together.  I  shall  be  most  happy  to  see  dear 
Charles,  and  he  will  be  as  happy  as  he  can  with 
a  cross  child,  or  some  such  care,  pressing  on  him 

^  Mrs.  Charles  Austen,  nee  Fannj'  Palmer. 


1813        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUStEX.        183 

at  the  time.  I  should  be  very  happy  in  the  idea 
of  seeing  httle  Cassy  again,  too,  did  not  I  fear  she 
would  disappoint  me  by  some  immediate  disagree- 
ableness. 

We  had  tlie  good  old  original  Brett  and  Toke 
caUing  here  yesterday,  separately.  ]\Ir.  Toke  I  am 
always  very  fond  of  He  inquired  after  you  and 
my  motlier,' which  adds  esteem  to  passion.  The 
Charles  Cages  are  staying  at  Godington.  I  knew 
they  must  be  staying  somewhere  soon.  Ed. 
Hussey  is  warned  out  of  Pett,  and  talks  of  fixing 
at  Eamsgate.  Bad  taste  !  He  is  very  fond  of  the 
sea,  however.  Some  taste  in  that,  and  some 
judgment,  too,  in  fixing  on  Eamsgate,  as  being  by 
the  sea. 

The  comfort  of  the  billiard-table  here  is  very 
great  ;  it  draws  all  the  gentlemen  to  it  whenever 
they  are  within,  especially  after  dinner,  so  that  my 
brother,  Fanny,  and  I  have  the  library  to  ourselves 
in  delightful  quiet.  Tliere  is  no  truth  in  the  report 
of  G.  Hatton  being  to  marry  Miss  Wemyss.  He 
desires  it  may  be  contradicted. 

Have  you  done  anything  about  our  present  to 
Lliss  Benn  ?  I  suppose  she  must  have  a  bed  at  my 
mother's  whenever  she  dines  there.  How  will  they 
manage  as  to   inviting  her  when  you   are  gone? 


184  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1813 

and    if   they   invite,    liow    will    tliey    continue    to 
entertain  her  ? 

Let  me  know  as  many  of  your  parting  arrange- 
ments as  you  can,  as  to  wine,  &c.  I  wonder 
whether  the  ink-bottle  has  been  filled.  Does 
butcher's  meat  keep  up  at  the  same  price,  and  is 
not  bread  lower  than  2^.  6rZ.  ?  Mary's  blue  gown ! 
My  mother  must  be  in  agonies.  I  have  a  great 
mind  to  have  my  blue  gown  dyed  some  time  or 
other.  I  proposed  it  once  to  you,  and  you  made 
some  objection,  I  forget  what.  It  is  the  fashion  of 
flounces  that  gives  it  particular  expediency. 

Md^s.  and  Miss  Wildman  have  just  been  here. 
Miss  is  very  plain.  I  wish  Lady  B.  may  be  re- 
turned before  we  leave  Gm.,  that  Fanny  may 
spend  the  time  of  her  father's  absence  at  Good- 
nestone,  which  is  what  she  would  prefer. 

Friday. — They  came  last  night  at  about  seven. 
We  had  given  them  up,  but  /  still  expected  them 
to  come.  Dessert  was  nearly  over  ;  a  better  time 
for  arriving  tlian  an  hour  and  a-half  earlier.  They 
were  late  because  tliey  did  not  set  out  earlier, 
and  did  not  allow  time  enough.  Charles  did  not 
aim  at  more  than  reaching  Sittingbourne  by  three, 
wliich  could  not  have  brought  them  here  by  dinner 
time.     They  had  a  very^  rough  passage  ;  lie  would 


1813        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEN.        185 

not  have  ventured  if  lie  had  known  how  bad  it 
would  be. 

However,  here  they  are,  safe  and  well,  just 
like  their  own  nice  selves,  Fanny  looking  as  neat 
and  white  this  morning  as  possible,  and  dear 
Charles  all  affectionate,  placid,  quiet,  cheerful, 
good  humour.  They  are  both  looking  very  well, 
but  poor  little  Cassy  is  grown  extremely  thin,  and 
looks  poorly.  I  hope  a  week's  country  air  and 
exercise  may  do  her  good.  I  am  sorry  to  say  it 
can  be  but  a  week.  The  baby  does  not  appear  so 
large  in  proportion  as  she  was,  nor  quite  so  pretty, 
but  I  have  seen  very  little  of  her.  Cassy  was  too 
tired  and  bewildered  just  at  first  to  seem  to  know 
anybody.  We  met  them  in  the  hall — the  women 
and  girl  part  of  us — but  before  we  reached  the 
library  she  kissed  me  very  affectionately,  and  has 
since  seemed  to  recollect  me  in  the  same  way. 

It  was  quite  an  evening  of  confusion,  as  you 
may  suppose.  At  first  we  were  all  walking  about 
from  one  part  of  the  house  to  the  other ;  then 
came  a  fresh  dinner  in  the  breakfast-room  for 
Charles  and  his  wife,  which  Fanny  and  I  attended  ; 
then  we  moved  into  the  library,  were  joined  by 
the  dining-room  people,  were  introduced,  and  so 
forth  ;  and  tlien  we  had  tea  and  coffee,  which  was 


186  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1813 

not  over  till  past  10.  Billiards  again  drew  all 
the  odd  ones  away,  and  Edward,  Charles,  the  two 
Fannies,  and  I  sat  snugly  talking.  I  shall  be  glad 
to  have  our  numbers  a  little  reduced,  and  by  the 
time  you  receive  this  we  shall  be  only  a  family, 
though  a  large  family,  party.  Mr.  Lushington  goes 
to-morrow. 

Now  I  must  speak  of  him^  and  I  like  him  very 
much.  I  am  sure  he  is  clever,  and  a  man  of  taste. 
He  got  a  volume  of  Milton  last  night,  and  spoke 
of  it  with  warmth.  He  is  quite  an  M.P.,  very 
smiling,  with  an  exceeding  good  address  and 
readiness  of  language.  I  am  rather  in  love  with 
him.  I  dare  say  he  is  ambitious  and  insincere. 
He  puts  me  in  mind  of  Mr.  Dundas.  He  has  a 
wide  smiling  mouth,  and  very  good  teeth,  and 
something  the  same  complexion  and  nose.  He  is 
a  much  shorter  man,  with  Martha's  leave.  Does 
Martha  never  hear  from  Mrs.  Craven  ?  Is  Mrs. 
Craven  never  at  home  ? 

We  breakfasted  in  the  dining-room  to-day,  and 
are  now  all  pretty  well  dispersed  and  quiet.  Charles 
and  George  are  gone  out  shooting  together,  to 
Winnigates  and  Seaton  Wood.  I  asked  on  purpose 
to  tell  Henry.  Mr.  Lushington  and  Edwd.  are 
gone  some    other  way.     I  wish  Charles  may  kill 


1813  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  187 

something,  but  this  high  wind  is  against  their 
sj)ort. 

Lady  WiUiams  is  hving  at  the  Rose  at  Sitting- 
bourne  ;  they  called  upon  her  yesterday  ;  she 
cannot  live  at  Sheerness,  and  as  soon  as  she  gets 
to  Sittingbourne  is  quite  well.  In  return  for  all 
your  matches,  I  announce  that  her  brother  William 
is  going  marry  a  Miss  Austen,  of  a  Wiltshire 
family,  who  say  they  are  related  to  us. 

I  talk  to  Gassy  about  Chawton ;  she  remembers 
much,  but  does  not  volunteer  on  the  subject. 
Poor  little  love  !  I  wish  she  were  not  so  very 
Palmery,  but  it  seems  stronger  than  ever.  I  never 
knew  a  wife's  family  features  have  such  undue 
influence. 

Papa  and  mamma  have  not  yet  made  up  their 
mind  as  to  parting  with  her  or  not  ;  the  chief, 
indeed  the  only,  difliculty  with  mamma  is  a  very 
reasonable  one,  the  cliild's  being  very  unwilling 
to  leave  tliem.  When  it  was  mentioned  to  her  she 
did  not  like  the  idea  of  it  at  all.  At  the  same 
time,  she  has  been  suffering  so  much  lately  from 
sea-sickness  that  her  mamma  cannot  bear  to  have 
her  much  on  board  this  winter.  Charles  is  less 
inclined  to  part  with  her.  I  do  not  know  how  it 
will  end,  or  what  is  to  determine  it.     He  desires 


188  LETTEKS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1813 

]iis  best  love  to  you,  and  has  not  written  because 
he  lias  not  been  able  to  decide.  They  are  both 
very  sensible  of  your  kindness  on  the  occasion. 

I  have  made  Charles  furnish  me  with  some- 
thing to  say  about  young  Kendall.  He  is  going 
on  very  well.  When  he  first  joined  the  '  Namur ' 
my  brother  did  not  find  him  forward  enough  to  be 
what  they  call  put  in  tlie  office,  and  therefore 
placed  him  under  the  schoolmaster,  but  he  is  very 
much  improved,  and  goes  into  the  office  now  every 
afternoon,  still  attending  school  in  the  morning. 

This  cold  weather  comes  very  fortunately  for 
Edward's  nerves,  with  such  a  house  full ;  it  suits 
him  exactly  ;  he  is  all  alive  and  cheerful.  Poor 
James,  on  the  contrary,  must  be  running  his  toes 
into  the  fire.  I  find  that  Mary  Jane  Fowle  was 
very  near  returning  with  her  brother  and  paying 
them  a  visit  on  board.  I  forget  exactly  what 
hindered  her  ;  I  believe  the  Cheltenham  scheme. 
I  am  glad  something  did.  They  are  to  go  to 
Cheltenham  on  Monday  se'nnight.  I  don't  voucli 
for  their  going,  you  know ;  it  only  comes  from  one 
of  the  family. 

Now  I  tliink  I  liave  written  you  a  good-sized 
letter,  and  may  deserve  whatever  I  can  get  in 
reply.     Infinities  of  love.     I  must  distinguisli  that 


1813  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEX.  189 

of  Fanii}^,  senior,  who   particularly  desires  to  be 
remembered  to  you  all. 

Yours  very  affectionately,         J.  xiusiEX. 

Faversham,  Oct.  15,  1813. 

31iss  Aiisten,  Cbawton,  Alton,  Hants. 
Per  S.  R.  Litsbington. 

LXVII. 

Godmersham  Park  (Oct.  18). 

My  DEAR  AuxT  Cassaxdra, 

I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  long 
letter  and  for  the  nice  account  of  Chawton.  We 
are  all  very  glad  to  hear  that  the  Adams  are  gone, 
and  hope  Dame  Libscombe  will  be  more  happy 
now  with  her  deaffy  child,  as  she  calls  it,  but  I  am 
afraid  there  is  not  much  chance  of  her  remainino- 
long  sole  mistress  of  her  house. 

I  am  sorry  you  had  not  any  better  news  to 
send  us  of  our  hare,  p.oor  httle  thing  !  I  thought 
it  would  not  hve  long  in  that  Pondy  House  ;  I  don't 
wonder  that  Mary  Doe  is  very  sorry  it  is  dead, 
because  we  promised  her  that  if  it  was  alive  when 
we  came  back  to  Chawton,  we  would  reward  Iier 
for  her  trouble. 

Papa  is  much  obliged  to  you  for  ordering  the 
scrubby  firs  to  be  cut  down  ;  I  think  he  was  rather 


190        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        1813 

frightened  at  first  about  the  great  oak.  Fanny  quite 
beheved  it,  for  she  exclaimed  '  Dear  me,  what  a 
pity,  how  could  they  be  so  stupid ! '  I  hope  by 
this  time  they  have  put  up  some  hurdles  for  the 
sheep,  or  turned  out  the  cart-horses  from  the 
lawn. 

Pray  tell  grandmamma  that  we  have  begun 
getting  seeds  for  her  ;  I  hope  we  shall  be  able  to 
get  her  a  nice  collection,  but  I  am  afraid  this  wet 
weather  is  very  much  against  them.  How  glad 
I  am  to  hear  she  has  had  such  good  success  with 
her  chickens,  but  I  wish  there  had  been  more 
bantams  amongst  them.  I  am  very  sorry  to  hear 
of  poor  Lizzie's  fate. 

I  must  now  tell  you  something  about  our  poor 
people.  I  believe  you  know  old  Mary  Croucher, 
she  gets  niaderer  and  maderer  every  day.  Aunt 
Jane  has  been  to  see  her,  but  it  was  on  one  of 
her  rational  days.  Poor  -Will  Amos  hopes  your 
skewers  are  doing  well  ;  he  has  left  his  house  in 
the  poor  Plow,  and  lives  in  a  barn  at  Builting.  We 
asked  him  why  he  went  away,  and  he  said  the  fleas 
were  so  starved  when  lie  came  back  from  Chawton 
that  they  all  flew  upon  him  and  eenermost  eat 
him  up. 

How  unlucky  it  is  tliat  the  weather  is  so  wet ! 


1813  LETTEES   OF  JAXE   AUSTEX.  191 

Poor  uncle  Charles  has  come  home  half  drowned 
every  day. 

I  don't  think  little  Fanny  is  quite  so  pretty  as 
she  was ;  one  reason  is  because  she  wears  short 
petticoats,  T  believe.  I  hope  Cook  is  better  ;  she 
was  very  unwell  the  day  we  went  away.  Papa 
has  given  me  half-a-dozen  new  pencils,  which  are 
very  good  ones  indeed  ;  I  draw  every  other  daj'. 
I  hope  you  go  and  whip  Lucy  Chalcraft  every 
night. 

JVIiss  Clewes  begs  me  to  give  her  very  best 
respects  to  you  ;  she  is  very  much  obliged  to  you 
for  your  kind  enquiries  after  her.  Pray  give  my 
duty  to  grandmamma  and  love  to  Miss  Floyd.  I 
remain,  my  dear  Aunt  Cassandra,  your  very  affec- 
tionate niece,  Elizth.  Kxight. 

Thursday. — I  think  Lizzy's  letter  will  entertain 
you.  Thank  you  for  yours  just  received.  To- 
morrow shall  be  fine  if  possible.  You  will  be  at 
Guildford  before  our  party  set  off.  They  only 
go  to  Key  Street,  as  Mr.  Street  the  Purser  lives 
there,  and  they  have  promised  to  dine  and  sleep 
with  him. 

Cassy's  looks  are  much  mended.  Slie  agrees 
pretty  well  with  her  cousins,  but  is  not  quite 
happy  among  them ;  they  are   too   many  and  too 


192  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1813 

boisterous  for  lier.  I  have  given  her  your  mes- 
sage, but  she  said  nothing,  and  did  not  look  as  if 
the  idea  of  going  to  Chawton  again  was  a  pleasant 
one.     They  have  Edward's  carriage  to  Ospringe. 

I  think  I  have  just  done  a  good  deed — ex- 
tracted Charles  from  his  wife  and  children  upstairs, 
and  made  him  get  ready  to  go  out  shooting,  and 
not  keep  Mr.  Moore  waiting  any  longer. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sherer  and  Joseph  dined  here 
yesterday  very  prettily.  Edw.  and  Geo.  were 
absent — gone  for  a  night  to  Eastling.  The  two 
Fannies  went  to  Canty,  in  the  morning,  and  took 
Lou.  and  Cass,  to  try  on  new  stays.  Harriot 
and  I  had  a  comfortable  walk  together.  She  de- 
sires her  best  love  to  you  and  kind  remembrance 
to  Henry.  Fanny's  best  love  also.  I  fancy  there 
is  to  be  another  party  to  Canty,  to-morrow — Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Moore  and  me. 

Edward  thanks  Henr}^  for  his  letter.  We  are 
most  happy  to  hear  he  is  so  much  better.  I 
depend  upon  you  for  letting  me  know  what  he 
wishes  as  to  my  staying  with  him  or  not ;  you  will 
be  able  to  find  out,  I  dare  say.  I  had  intended  to 
beg  you  would  bring  one  of  my  nightcaps  with 
you,  in  case  of  my  staying,  but  forgot  it  when  I 
wrote  on   Tuesday.      EdAvard  is  much  concerned 


1813  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEX.  193 

about  his  pond  :  he  cannot  now  doubt  the  fact  of 
its  running  out,  which  he  was  resolved  to  do  as 
long  as  possible. 

I  suppose  my  motlier  will  like  to  have  me  write 
to  her.     I  shall  try  at  least. 

No  ;  I  have  never  seen  the  death  of  Mrs  Crabbe. 
I  have  only  just  been  making  out  from  one  of  his 
prefaces  that  he  probably  was  married.  It  is 
almost  ridiculous.  Poor  woman !  I  will  comfort 
liim  as  well  as  I  can,  but  I  do  not  undertake  to  be 
good  to  her  children.  She  had  better  not  leave 
any. 

Edw.  and  Geo.  set  off  this  day  week  for  Ox- 
ford. Our  party  will  then  be  very  small,  as  the 
Moores  will  be  going  about  the  same  time.  To 
enliven  us,  Fanny  proposes  spending  a  few  days 
soon  afterwards  at  Fredville.  It  will  really  be  a 
good  opportunity,  as  her  father  will  have  a  com- 
panion. We  shall  all  three  go  to  Wroth  am,  but 
Edwd.  and  I  stay  only  a  night  perhaps.  Love  to 
Mr  Tilson. 

Yours  very  affectionately,         J.  A. 

Miss  Austen,  10  Henrietta  St., 
Co  vent  Garden,  London. 


VOL.    IL  O 


194  LETTERS   OF   JAXE    AUSTEX.  1813 

LXVIII. 

Godmersliam  Park:  Tuesday  (Oct.  26). 

My  dearest  Cassaxdra, 

You  will  have  had  such  late  accounts  from  this 
place  as  (I  hope)  to  prevent  your  expecting  a  letter 
from  me  immediately,  as  I  really  do  not  tliink  I 
have  wherewithal  to  fabricate  one  to-da3\  I  sus- 
pect this  will  be  brought  to  you  by  our  nephews  , 
tell  me  if  it  is.  It  is  a  great  pleasure  to  me  to  think 
of  you  with  Henry.  I  am  sure  your  time  must 
pass  most  comfortably,  and  I  trust  you  are  seeing 
improvement  in  him  every  day.  I  sliall  be  most 
happy  to  hear  from  you  again.  Your  Saturday's 
letter,  however,  was  quite  as  long  and  as  particular 
as  I  could  expect.  I  am  not  at  all  in  a  humour 
for  writing  ;  I  must  write  on  till  I  am. 

I  congratulate  Mr.  Tilson,  and  liope  everything 
is  going  on  Avell.  Fanny  and  I  depend  upon  know- 
incf  what  tlie  child's  name  is  to  be ;  as  soon  as  you 
can  tell  us.     I  guess  Caroline. 

Our  gentlemen  are  all  gone  to  their  Sittingbourne 
meeting.  East  and  West  Kent,  in  one  barouche 
together — rather,  West  Kent  driving  East  Kent. 
I  believe  that  is  not  the  usual  way  of  the  countj^ 
We  breakfasted  before  nine,  and  do  not  dine  till 


1813  LETTEES    OF   JAXE   AUSTEX.  195 

half-past  six  on   the  occasion,  so   I  hope  we  tliree 
shall  have  a  long  morning  enough. 

]Mi\  Deedes  and  Sir  Brook — I  do  not  care  for 
Sir  Brook's  being  a  baronet ;  I  will  put  ]\Ir.  Deedes 
first  because  I  like  him  a  great  deal  tlie  best.  They 
arrived  together  yesterday,  for  the  Bridges'  are 
staying  at  Sandling,  just  before  dinner ;  both 
gentlemen  much  as  they  used  to  be,  only  growing 
a  little  older.     They  leave  us  to-morrow. 

You  were  clear  of  Guildford  by  half-an-hour, 
and  w^ere  winding  along  the  pleasant  road  to 
Eipley  when  the  Charleses  set  off  on  Friday.  I 
hope  we  shall  have  a  visit  from  tliem  at  Chawton 
in  the  spring  or  early  part  of  the  summer.  They 
seem  well  inclined.  Cassy  had  recovered  her  looks 
almost  entirely,  and  I  find  they  do  not  consider  tlie 
'  Xamur  '  as  disagreeing  with  her  in  general,  only 
when  the  Aveather  is  so  rough  as  to  make  lier 
sick. 

Our  Canterbury  scheme  took  place  as  pro- 
posed, and  very  pleasant  it  was — Harriot  and  I 
and  little  George  within,  my  brother  on  tJie  l)ox 
with  the  master  coachman.  I  was  most  happy  to 
find  my  brother  included  in  the  party.  It  was  a 
great  improvement,  and  he  and  Harriot  and  I 
walked    about    together    very   happily,  while  Mr. 

0  2 


196        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        1813 

Moore  took  liis  little  boy  with  him  to  tailor's  and 
hair-cutter's. 

Our  chief  business  was  to  (^all  on  Mrs.  Milles, 
and  we  had,  indeed,  so  little  else  to  do  that  we 
were  obliged  to  saunter  about  anywhere  and  go 
backwards  and  forwards  as  much  as  possilile  to 
make  out  the  time  and  keep  ourselves  from  having 
two  hours  to  sit  with  the  good  lady — a  most  extra- 
ordinary circumstance  in  a  Canterbury  morning. 

Old  Toke  came  in  while  we  were  paying  our 
visit.  I  thought  of  Louisa.  Miss  Milles  was  queer 
as  usual,  and  provided  us  with  plenty  to  laugh  at. 
She  undertook  in  three  ivords  to  give  us  the  history 
of  Mrs.  Scudamore's  reconciliation,  and  then  talked 
on  about  it  for  half-an-hour,  using  such  odd  ex- 
pressions, and  so  foolishly  minute,  that  I  could 
hardly  keep  my  countenance.  The  death  of 
Wyndham  Knatchbull's  son  will  ratlier  supersede 
the  Scudamores.  I  told  her  that  he  was  to  be 
l)uried  at  Hatch.  Slie  had  heard,  with  military 
lionours,  at  Portsmouth.  We  may  guess  liow  that 
point  will  be  discussed  evening  after  evening. 

Owing  to  a  difference  of  clocks  the  coachman 
did  not  bring  the  carriage  so  soon  as  he  ought  by 
half-an-hour ;  anytliing  like  a  breacli  of  punc- 
tuality was    a   great  offence,  and  Mr.  Moore  was 


1813        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEN.        197 

very  angry,  wliicli  I  was  ratlier  glad  of.  I  wanted 
to  see  liim  angry ;  and,  tliougli  he  spoke  to  liis 
servant  in  a  very  loud  voice  and  with  a  good  deal 
of  heat,  I  was  happy  to  perceive  that  he  did  not 
scold  Harriot  at  all.  Indeed,  there  is  nothing  to 
object  to  in  his  manners  to  her,  and  I  do  believe 
that  he  makes  her — or  she  makes  lierself — very 
happy.     They  do  not  spoil  their  boy. 

It  seems  now  quite  settled  that  we  go  to  Wrot- 
hani  on  Saturday,  the  loth,  spend  Sunday  there, 
and  proceed  to  London  on  Monday,  as  before 
intended.  I  like  the  plan.  I  shall  be  glad  to  see 
Wrotham.  Harriot  is  quite  as  pleasant  as  ever. 
We  are  very  comfortable  together,  and  talk  over 
our  nephews  and  nieces  occasionally,  as  may  be 
supposed,  and  with  much  unanimity  ;  and  I  really 
like  Mr.  M.  better  than  I  expected — see  less  in  him 
to  dislike. 

I  begin  to  perceive  that  you  will  have  this 
letter  lo-morrow.  It  is  throwing  a  letter  away  to 
send  it  by  a  visitor  ;  there  is  never  convenient  time 
for  reading  it,  and  visitor  can  tell  most  things  as 
well.  I  liad  thought  with  dehght  of  saving  you 
the  postage,  but  money  is  dirt.  If  you  do  not 
regret  the  loss  of  Oxfordshire  and  Gloucestershire 
/  will  not,  though  I  certainly  had  wished  for  your 


198  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEX.  1813 

going  very  much.  '  Whatever  is,  is  best.'  There 
has  been  one  infaUible  Pope  in  the  Avoiid. 

George  Hatton  called  yesterday,  and  I  saw  him, 
saw  him  for  ten  minutes  ;  sat  in  the  same  room 
with  him,  heard  him  talk,  saw  him  bow,  and  was 
not  in  raptures.  I  discerned  nothing  extraordinary. 
I  should  speak  of  liim  as  a  gentlemanlike  young 
man — eh !  Men  tout  est  dit.  We  are  expecting  the 
ladies  of  the  family  this  morning. 

How  do  you  like  your  flounce  ?  We  have  seen 
only  plain  flounces.  I  hope  you  liave  not  cut  off 
the  train  of  your  bombazin.  I  cannot  reconcile 
myself  to  giving  them  up  as  morning  gowns  ;  they 
are  so  very  sweet  by  candlelight.  I  would  rather 
sacrifice  my  blue  one  for  that  purpose  ;  in  short, 
I  do  not  know  and  I  do  not  care. 

Thursday  or  Friday  is  now  mentioned  from 
Bath  as  the  day  of  setting  off.  The  Oxford  scheme 
is  given  up.  They  will  go  directly  to  Harefield. 
Fanny  does  not  go  to  Fredville,  not  yet  at  least. 

She  lias  liad  a  letter  of  excuse  from  Mary 
Plumptre  to-day.  The  death  of  Mr.  Pipley,  their 
uncle  by  marriage,  and  Mr.  P.'s  very  old  friend,  pre- 
vents tlieir  receiving  lier.  Poor  blind  Mrs.  Eipley 
must  be  felt  for,  if  there  is  any  feeling  to  be  had 
for  love  or  monev. 


1813  LETTERS   OF   JA^'E   AUSTEX.  199 

We  have  liacl  another  of  Edward  Bridges' 
Sunday  visits.  I  think  the  pleasantest  part  of  his 
married  hfe  must  be  the  dinners,  and  breakfasts, 
and  hmclieons,  and  biUiards  that  he  gets  in  this 
way  at  Gm.  Poor  wretch  !  he  is  quite  the  dregs 
of  the  family  as  to  luck. 

I  long  to  know  whether  you  are  buying  stock- 
ings or  what  you  are  doing.  Eemember  me  most 
kindly  to  Mde.  B.  and  Mrs.  Perigord.  You  will 
get  acquainted  with  my  friend,  Mr.  Philips,  and 
hear  him  talk  from  books,  and  be  sure  to  have 
something  odd  haj^pen  to  you,  see  somebody  that 
you  do  not  expect,  meet  with  some  surprise  or 
other,  find  some  old  friend  sitting  Avitli  Henry  when 
you  come  into  the  room.  Do  something  clever  in 
that  way.  Edward  and  I  settled  that  you  went  to 
St.  Paul's,  Covent  Garden,  on  Sunday.  Mrs.  Hill 
will  come  and  see  you,  or  else  she  won't  come  and 
see  you  and  will  write  instead. 

I  have  liad  a  late  account  from  Steventon,  and 
a  baddisli  one,  as  far  as  Ben  is  concerned.  He 
has  declined  a  curacy  (apparently  highly  eligible),, 
which  he  might  have  secured  against  his  taking 
orders  ;  and,  upon  its  being  made  rather  a  serious 
question,  says  he  has  not  made  up  his  mind  as  to 
taking  orders  so  early,  and  that,  if  her  father  makes 


200        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEX.        1813 

a  point  of  it,  he  must  give  Anna  np  rather  tlian 
do  what  he  does  not  approve.  They  are  going 
on  again  at  present  as  before,  but  it  cannot  last. 
Mary  says  that  Anna  is  very  unwiUing  to  go  to 
Chawton  and  will  get  home  again  as  soon  as  she  can. 
Good-bye.  Accept  this  indifferent  letter  and 
think  it  long  and  good,  ffiss  Clewes  is  better  for 
some  prescription  of  Mr.  Scudamore's,  and,  indeed, 
seems  tolerably  stout  now.  I  find  time  in  the 
midst  of  port  and  Madeira  to  think  of  the  fourteen 
bottles  of  mead  very  often. 

Yours  very  affectionately,         J.  A. 

Lady  Elizabeth,  her  second  daughter,  and  the 
two  ]\Irs.  Finches  have  just  left  us ;  the  two  latter 
friendly,  and  talking,  and  pleasant  as  usual. 

Harriot  and  Fanny's  best  love. 

Miss  Austen,  10  Ileuiietta  St., 
Covent  Garden,  London. 

LXIX. 

Godmersliam  Park :  Wednesday  (Nov.  3). 

My  dearest  Cassandra, 

I  will  keep  this  celebrated  birthday  by  writing 
to  you,  and  as  my  pen  seems  inclined  to  write 
large,  I  will  ])ut  my  lines  very  close  together.     I 


1813  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEX.  201 

liacl  but  just  time  to  enjoy  your  letter  yesterday 
before  Edward  and  I  set  off  in  the  chair  for  Canty., 
and  I  allowed  him  to  hear  the  cliief  of  it  as  we 
went  along. 

We  rejoice  sincerely  in  Henry's  gaining  ground 
as  he  does,  and  hope  there  will  be  weather  for  him 
to  get  out  every  day  this  week,  as  the  likehest  way 
of  making  him  equal  to  what  he  plans  for  the 
next.  If  he  is  tolerably  well,  the  going  into 
Oxfordshire  will  make  him  better,  by  making  him 
happier. 

Can  it  be,  that  I  have  not  given  you  the 
minutiae  of  Edward's  plans  ?  See,  here  they  are : 
To  go  to  Wrotham  on  Saturday  the  loth,  sj)end 
Sunday  there,  and  be  in  town  on  Monday  to  dinner, 
and,  if  agreeable  to  Henry,  spend  one  whole  day 
with  him,  which  day  is  likely  to  be  Tuesday,  and 
so  go  down  to  Chawton  on  Wednesday. 

But  now  I  cannot  be  quite  easy  without  staying 
a  httle  while  with  Henry,  unless  he  wishes  it 
otherwise  ;  his  illness  and  the  dull  time  of  year 
to<zether  make  me  feel  that  it  would  be  horrible  of 
me  not  to  offer  to  remain  with  liim,  and  therefore 
unless  you  know  of  any  objection,  I  wish  you  would 
tell  him  witli  my  best  love  that  I  sliall  be  most 
happy  to  spend  teu  days  or  a  fortniglit  in  Henrietta 


202        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEX.        181^ 

St.,  if  lie  will  accept  me.  I  do  not  offer  more  than 
a  fortnight,  because  I  shall  tlien  liave  been  some 
time  from  home  ;  but  it  ^vill  be  a  great  pleasure  to 
be  with  him,  as  it  ahva^'s  is.  I  have  the  less 
regret  and  scru])le  on  your  account,  because  I  shall 
see  you  for  a  day  and  a-half,  and  because  you  will 
have  Edward  for  at  least  a  week.  My  scheme  is 
to  take  Bookham  in  my  way  home  for  a  few  days, 
and  my  hope  that  Henry  will  be  so  good  as  to 
send  me  some  part  of  tlie  way  thitlier.  I  have  a 
most  kind  repetition  of  Mrs.  Cooke's  two  or  three 
dozen  invitations,  with  the  offer  of  meeting  me 
anywiiere  in  one  of  her  airings. 

Fanny's  cold  is  much  better.  By  dosing  and 
keeping  her  room  on  Sunday,  she  got  rid  of  the 
worst  of  it,  but  I  am  rather  afraid  of  what  this  day 
may  do  for  her  ;  she  is  gone  to  Canty,  with  Miss 
Clewes,  Liz.,  and  Ma""'^,  and  it  is  but  roughish 
weather  for  any  one  in  a  tender  state.  ]\Iiss 
Clewes  has  been  going  to  Canty,  ever  since  her 
return,  and  it  is  now  just  accom2:)lisliing. 

Edward  and  I  had  a  delightful  morning  for 
our  drive  tltere^  I  enjoyed  it  tlioroughly ;  but  the 
day  turned  off  before  we  were  ready,  and  we  came 
home  in  some  rain  and  the  apprehension  of  a  great 
deal.      It    has    not   done    us   any    harm,  however.. 


1813  LETTEES    OF   JA^'E    AUSTEX.  203 

He  went  to  inspect  the  gaol,  as  a  visiting  magis- 
trate, and  took  me  with  him.  I  was  gratified,  and 
went  through  all  the  feelings  which  people  mnst 
go  through,  I  think,  in  visiting  such  a  building. 
We  paid  no  other  visits,  only  walked  about  snugly 
together  arid  shopped.  I  bought  a  concert  ticket 
and  a  sprig  of  flowers  for  my  old  age. 

To  vary  the  subject  from  gay  to  grave  with 
inimitable  address,  I  shall  now  tell  3^011  something 
of  the  Bath  party — and  still  a  Bath  party  they 
are,  for  a  fit  of  the  gout  came  on  last  week.  The 
accounts  of  Lady  B.  are  as  good  as  can  be  under 
such  a  circumstance ;  Dr.  P.  says  it  appears  a  good 
sort  of  gout,  and  her  spirits  are  better  than  usual, 
but  as  to  her  coming  away,  it  is  of  course  all  un- 
certainty. I  have  very  little  doubt  of  Edward's 
going  down  to  Bath,  if  they  have  not  left  it  when 
he  is  in  Hampshire  ;  if  he  does,  he  will  go  on 
from  Steventon,  and  then  return  direct  to  London, 
without  coming  back  to  Chawton.  This  detention 
does  not  suit  his  feelings.  It  may  be  rather  a 
good  thing,  how^ever,  that  Dr.  P.  should  see  Lady 
B.  with  the  gout  on  her.  Harriot  was  quite  wishing 
for  it. 

The  day  seems  to  improve.  I  wish  my  pen 
w^ould,  too. 


204  LETTERS    OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  181;i 

Sweet  Mr.  Ogle.  I  dare  say  he  sees  all  the 
panoramas  for  nothhig,  has  free  admittance  every- 
where ;  he  is  so  delightful !  Xow,  you  need  not 
see  anybody  else. 

I  am  glad  to  hear  of  our  being  likely  to  luive 
a  peep  at  Charles  and  Fanny  at  Christmas,  but  do 
not  force  poor  Cass,  to  stay  if  she  hates  it.  You 
have  done  very  right  as  to  Mrs.  F.  A.  Your 
tidings  of  S.  and  S.  give  me  pleasure.  I  have 
never  seen  it  advertised. 

Harriot,  in  a  letter  to  Fanny  to-day,  enquires 
whether  they  sell  cloths  for  pehsses  at  Bedford 
House,  and,  if  they  do,  will  be  very  much 
obliged  to  you  to  desire  them  to  send  her  down 
patterns,  with  the  width  and  prices ;  tliey  may  go 
from  Charing  Cross  almost  any  day  in  the  week, 
but  if  it  is  a  ready  money  house  it  will  not  do,  for 
the  bra  of  feu'^  the  Archbishop  says  she  cannot 
pay  for  it  immediately.  Fanny  and  I  suspect  they 
do  not  deal  in  the  article. 

Tlie  Sberei's,  I  believe,  are  now  really  going  to 
go  ;  Joseph  has  had  a  bed  here  the  two  last  nights, 
and   I  do  not  know  whether  this  is  not  the  day 

^  This  expression  completely  .puzzles  me.  ft  is  clearly  written 
*  Brii  of  feu'  or  'face,'  and  may  have  been  some  joke  in  connection 
with  tlie  fact  that  'Harriot'  was  t.lie  daughter-in-law  of  Archbishop 
^loore,  but,  if  so,  the  joke  is  lost. 


1813        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        205 

of  moving.     Mrs.  Slierer  called  yesterday  to  take 
leave.     The  weather  looks  worse  again. 

We  dine  at  Chilham  Castle  to-morrow,  and  I 
expect  to  find  some  amnsement,  but  more  from  the 
concert  the  next  day,  as  I  am  sure  of  seeing 
several  that  I  want  to  see.  We  are  to  meet  a 
party  from  Goodnestone,  Lady  B.,  Miss  Hawley, 
and  Lucy  Foote,  and  I  am  to  meet  Mrs.  Harrison, 
and  we  are  to  talk  about  Ben  and  Anna.  '  My 
dear  Mrs.  Harrison,'  I  shall  say,  '  I  am  afraid  the 
young  man  has  some  of  your  family  madness,  and 
though  there  often  appears  to  be  something  of 
madness  in  Anna  too,  I  think  she  inherits  more  of 
it  from  her  mother's  family  than  from  ours.'  That 
is  what  I  shall  say,  and  I  think  she  will  find  it 
difficult  to  answer  me. 

I  took  up  your  letter  again  to  refresh  me,  being 
somewhat  tired,  and  was  struck  with  the  prettiness 
of  the  hand  :  it  is  i^eally  a  very  pretty  hand  now  and 
then — so  small  and  so  neat !  I  wish  I  could  get  as 
much  into  a  sheet  of  paper. ^  Another  time  I  will 
take  two  days  to  make  a  letter  in  :  it  is  fatiguing 
to  write  a  whole   long  one  at   once.      I  hope  to 

^  I  cannot  pass  this  paragraph  over  without  remarkiuof  that  it  is 
hardly  possible  to  imagine  anything  neater  or  prettier  than  Jane's  own 
hand.  Most  of  her  letters  are  beautifully  wiitten,  and  the  MS.  of  her 
'  Ladv  Susan  '  remarkably  so. 


206       LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        1813 

hear  from  yoii  again  on  Smiday  and  again  on 
Friday,  tlie  day  before  we  move.  On  Monday,  I 
suppose,  yon  will  be  going  to  Streatham,  to  see 
quiet  Mr.  Hill  and  eat  very  bad  baker's  bread. 

A  fall  in  bread  by-tlie-bye.  I  hope  my 
mother's  bill  next  week  will  show  it.  I  have  had  a 
very  comfortable  letter  from  her,  one  of  her  fools- 
cap sheets  quite  full  of  little  home  news.  Anna 
was  there  the  first  of  the  two  days.  An  Anna 
sent,  away  and  an  Anna  fetclied  are  different  things. 
This  will  be  an  excellent  time  for  Ben  to  pay  his 
visit,  now  that  we,  the  formidables,  are  absent. 

I  did  not  mean  to  eat,  but  Mr.  Jolmcock  has 
brought  in  the  tray,  so  I  must.  I  am  all  alone. 
Edward  is  gone  mto  his  woods.  At  this  present 
time  I  have  five  tables,  eight-and-twenty  chairs, 
and  two  fires  all  to  myself. 

Miss  Clewes  is  to  be  invited  to  go  to  the  concert 
witli  us ;  tliere  will  be  my  brother's  ])lace  and 
ticket  for  her,  as  he  cannot  go.  He  and  tlie  otlier 
connections  of  tlie  Cages  are  to  meet  at  Milgate 
tliat  very  day,  to  consult  about  a  proposed  altera- 
tion of  the  Maidstone  road,  in  whicli  tlie  Cages  are 
very  much  interested.  Sir  Brook  cc^mes  here  in 
the  morning,  and  they  are  to  be  joined  by  Mr. 
Deedes  at  Ashford.     The  loss  of  the  c^oncert  Avill 


1813  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEN.  207 

be  no  great  evil  to  the  Squire.  We  shall  be  a 
pcirty  of  three  ladies  therefore,  and  to  meet  three 
ladies. 

What  a  convenient  (3arriage  Henry's  is,  to  his 
friends  in  general  I  Who  has  it  next  ?  I  am  glad 
WiUiam's  going  is  vohmtary,  and  on  no  worse 
grounds.  An  inclination  for  the  country  is  a 
venial  fault.  He  has  more  of  Cowper  than  of 
Johnson  in  him — fonder  of  tame  hares  and  blank 
verse  than  of  the  full  tide  of  human  existence  at 
Charinc^  Cross. 

Oh !  I  have  more  of  such  sweet  flattery  from 
]\Iiss  Sharp.  She  is  an  excellent  kind  friend.  I 
am  read  and  admired  in  Ireland,  too.  There  is  a 
Mrs.  Fletcher,  the  wife  of  a  judge,  an  old  lady,  and 
very  good  and  very  clever,  who  isjall  curiosity  to 
know  about  me — what  I  am  like,  and  so  forth. 
I  am  not  known  to  lier  by  nawe,  however.  This 
comes  through  Mrs.  Carrick,  not  through  Mrs. 
Gore.     You  are  quite  out  there. 

I  do  not  despair  of  having  my  picture  in  the 
Exhibition  at  last — all  white  and  red,  with  my 
head  on  one  side  ;  or  perhaps  I  may  marry  young 
Mr.  D'Arblay.  I  suppose  in  the  meantime  I  shall 
owe  dear  Henry  a  great  deal  of  money  for  jirint- 
infy,  &c. 


208       LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        181.'^ 

I  hope  Mrs.  Fletcher  will  indulge  herself  with 
S.  and  S.  If  I  am  to  stay  in  H.  S.,  and  if  you 
should  be  writing  home  soon,  I  wish  you  would  be 
so  good  as  to  give  a  hint  of  it,  for  I  am  not  likely 
to  write  tliere  again  these  ten  days,  having  written 
yesterda3^ 

Fanny  has  set  her  heart  upon  its  being  a  Mr. 
Brett  who  is  going  to  marry  a  Miss  Dora  Best,  of 
this  country.  I  dare  say  Henry  has  no  objection. 
Pray,  where  did  the  boys  sleep  ? 

The  Deedes  come  here  on  Monday  to  stay  till 
Friday,  so  that  we  shall  end  with  a  flourish  the 
last  canto.  They  bring  Isabella  and  one  of  the 
arown-ups,  and  will  come  in  for  a  Canty,  ball  on 
Thursday.  I  shall  be  glad  to  see  them.  Mrs. 
Deedes  and  I  must  talk  rationally  together,  I 
suppose. 

Edward  does  not  write  to  Henry,  because  of 
my  writing  so  often.  God  bless  you.  I  shall  be 
so  glad  to  see  you  again,  and  I  wish  you  many 
happy  returns  of  this  day.  Poor  Lord  Howard  ! 
How  he  does  cry  about  it ! 

Yours  very  truly,         J.  A. 


Miss  Austen,  10  Henrietta  St., 
Covent  Garden,  Lon<lon. 


1813        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEN.        209 

LXX. 

Godmersliam  Park  :  Saturday  (Xov.  6). 

My  deakest  Cassaxdea, 

Having  lialf-an-liour  before  breakfast  (very 
snug,  in  my  own  room,  lovely  morning,  excellent 
fire — fancy  me  I)  I  will  give  you  some  account  of 
the  last  two  days.  And  yet,  what  is  there  to  be 
told  ?  I  shall  get  foolishly  minute  unless  I  cut  the 
matter  short. 

We  met  only  the  Bretons  at  Chilham  Castle, 
besides  a  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Osborne  and  a  ffiss  Lee  stay- 
ing in  the  house,  and  were  only  fourteen  altogether. 
My  brother  and  Fanny  thought  it  the  pleasantest 
]jarty  they  had  ever  known  there,  and  I  was  very 
well  entertained  by  bits  and  scraps.  I  had  long 
wanted  to  see  Dr.  Breton,  and  his  wife  amuses  me 
very  much  with  her  affected  refinement  and  ele- 
gance. Miss  Lee  I  found  very  conversable  ;  she 
admires  Crabbe  as  she  ought.  She  is  at  an  age  of 
reason,  ten  years  older  than  myself  at  least.  Slie 
was  at  the  famous  ball  at  Chilham  Castle,  so  of 
course  you  remember  her. 

By-the-bye,  as  I  must  leave  off  being  young,  I 
find  many  douceurs  in  being  a  sort  of  chajieron., 
for  I  am   put  on   the   sofa  near  the  fire,  and   can 

VOL.    IL  P 


210  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1813 

drink  as  much  wine  as  I  like.  We  had  music  in 
the  evening  :  Fanny  and  Miss  Wildman  played,  and 
Mr.  James  Wildman  sat  close  by  and  listened,  or 
pretended  to  listen. 

Yesterday  was  a  day  of  dissipation  all  through  : 
first  came  Sir  Brook  to  dissipate  us  before  break- 
fast ;  then  there  was  a  call  from  Mr.  Sherer,  then 
a  regular  morning  visit  from  Lady  Honeywood  in 
her  way  home  from  Eastwell  ;  then  Sir  Brook  and 
Edward  set  off;  thcD  we  dined  (five  in  number)  at 
half-past  four  ;  then  we  had  coffee  ;  and  at  six  Miss 
Clewes,  Fanny,  and  I  drove  away.  We  had  a  beau- 
tiful night  for  our  frisks.  We  were  earlier  than 
we  need  have  been,  but  after  a  time  Lady  B.  and 
her  two  companions  appeared — we  had  kept  places 
for  them ;  and  there  we  sat,  all  six  in  a  row, 
under  a  side  wall,  I  between  Lucy  Foote  and  Mss 
Clewes. 

Lady  B.  was  mucli  what  I  expected  ;  I  could 
not  determine  whether  she  was  rather  handsome 
or  very  plain.  I  liked  lier  for  being  in  a  liurry 
to  have  the  concert  over  and  get  away,  and  for 
getting  away  at  last  with  a  great  deal  of  decision 
and  promptness,  not  waiting  to  compliment  and 
dawdle  and  fuss  about  seeing  dear  Fanny,  wlio  was 
lialf  the  evening  in  another  part  of  the  room  witli 


1813        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEX.        211 

her  friends  the  Pkimptres.  I  am  growmg  too 
minute,  so  I  will  go  to  breakfast. 

When  the  concert  was  over,  Mrs.  Harrison  and 
I  found  each  other  out,  and  had  a  very  comfort- 
able little  complimentary  friendly  chat.  She  is 
a  sweet  w^oman — still  quite  a  sweet  woman  in 
herself,  and  so  like  her  sister  !  I  could  almost 
have  thought  I  was  speaking  to  Mrs.  Lefroy.  She 
introduced  me  to  her  daughter,  whom  I  think 
pretty,  but  most  dutifully  inferior  to  la  Mere 
Beaute.  The  Faggs  and  the  Hammonds  were  there 
— ^Wm.  Hammond  the  only  young  man  of  renown. 
Miss  looked  very  handsome,  but  I  ]3refer  her  little 
smiling  flirting  sister  Julia. 

I  w^as  just  introduced  at  last  to  Mary  Plumptre, 
but  should  hardly  know  her  again.  She  was  de- 
lighted with  me^  however,  good  enthusiastic  soul ! 
And  Lady  B.  found  me  handsomer  than  she  ex- 
pected, so  you  see  I  am  not  so  very  bad  as  you 
might  think  for. 

It  was  12  before  we  reached  home.  We  were 
all  dog-tired,  but  pretty  well  to-day  :  Miss  Clewes 
says  she  has  not  caught  cold,  and  Fanny's  does  not 
seem  worse.  I  was  so  tired  that  I  began  to  wonder 
how  I  should  get  through  the  ball  next  Thursday  ; 
but  there  will  be  so  much  more  variety  then  in 

p2 


212  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEX.  18ia 

walking  about,  and  probably  so  miicli  less  heat, 
that  perhaps  I  may  not  feel  it  more.  My  China 
crape  is  still  kept  for  the  ball.  Enough  of  the 
concert. 

I  had  a  letter  from  Mary  yesterday.  They 
travelled  down  to  Cheltenham  last  Monday  very 
safely,  and  are  certainly  to  be  there  a  month.  Bath 
is  still  Bath.  The  H.  Bridges'  must  quit  them 
early  next  week,  and  Louisa  seems  not  quite  to 
despair  of  their  all  moving  together,  but  to  those 
who  see  at  a  distance  there  appears  no  chance  of 
it.  Dr.  Parry  does  not  want  to  keep  Lady  B.  at 
Bath  when  she  can  once  move.  That  is  lucky. 
You  will  see  poor  Mr.  Evelyn's  death. 

Since  I  wrote  last,  my  2nd  edit,  has  stared  me 
in  the  face.  Mary  tells  me  that  Eliza  means  to 
buy  it.  I  wish  she  may.  It  can  hardly  depend 
upon  any  more  Fyfield  Estates.  I  cannot  help 
hoping  that  many  mil  feel  themselves  obhged  to 
buy  it.  I  shall  not  mind  imagining  it  a  disagree- 
able duty  to  them,  so  as  they  do  it.  Mary  heard 
before  she  left  home  that  it  was  very  much  ad- 
mired at  Cheltenham,  and  that  it  was  given  to  Miss 
Hamilton.  It  is  pleasant  to  have  such  a  respect- 
able writer  named.  I  cannot  tire  yoii^  I  am  sure, 
on  this  subject,  or  I  would  apologise. 


1813        LETTEES  OF  JAXE  AUSTEN.        213 

What  weather,  and  what  news!  We  have 
enough  to  do  to  admire  them  both.  I  hope  you 
derive  your  full  share  of  enjoyment  from  each. 

I  have  extended  my  hglits  and  increased  my 
acquaintance  a  good  deal  within  these  two  days. 
Lady  Honeywood  you  know ;  I  did  not  sit  near 
enough  to  be  a  perfect  judge,  but  I  thought  her 
extremely  pretty,  and  her  manners  have  all  the 
recommendations  of  ease  and  good  humour  and 
unaifectedness ;  and,  going  about  with  four  horses 
and  nicely  dressed  herself,  she  is  altogether  a 
perfect  sort  of  woman. 

Oh,  and  I  saw  Mr.  Gipps  last  night — the  useful 
Mr.  Gipps,  whose  attentions  came  in  as  acceptably 
to  us  in  handino^  us  to  the  carriage,  for  want  of  a 
better  man,  as  they  did  to  Emma  Plumptre.  I 
thought  him  rather  a  good-looking  httle  man. 

I  long  for  your  letter  to-morrow,  particularly 
that  I  may  know  my  fate  as  to  London.  My  first 
wish  is  that  Henry  should  really  choose  what  he 
likes  best ;  I  shall  certainly  not  be  sorry  if  he  does 
not  want  me.  Morning  church  to-morrow  ;  I  shall 
come  back  with  impatient  feelings. 

The  Sherers  are  gone,  but  the  Pagets  are  not 
come  ;  we  shall  therefore  have  Mr.  S.  again.  Mr. 
Paget    acts   like    an    unsteady   man.       Dr.    Mant, 


214  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  18ia 

however,  gives  him  a  very  good  character  ;  what  is 
wrong  is  to  be  imputed  to  the  lady.  I  dare  say  the 
house  hkes  female  government. 

I  have  a  nice  long  black  and  'red  letter  from 
Charles,  but  not  communicating  much  that  I  did 
not  know. 

There  is  some  chance  of  a  good  ball  next  week, 
as  far  as  females  go.  Lady  Bridges  may  perhaps 
be  there  with  some  KnatchbuUs.  Mrs.  Harrison, 
perhaps,  with  Miss  Oxenden  and  the  Miss  Papillons  ; 
and  if  Mrs.  Harrison,  then  Lady  Fagg  will  come. 

The  shades  of  evening  are  descending,  and  I 
resume  my  interesting  narrative.  Sir  Brook  and 
my  brother  came  back  about  four,  and  Sir  Brook 
almost  immediately  set  forward  again  to  Good- 
nestone.  We  are  to  have  Edwd.  B.  to-morrow,  to 
pay  us  another  Sunday's  visit — the  last,  for  more 
reasons  than  one  ;  they  all  come  liome  on  the  same 
day  tliat  we  go.  The  Deedes  do  not  come  till 
Tuesday  ;  Sophia  is  to  be  the  comer.  She  is  a 
disputable  beauty  that  I  want  mucli  to  see.  Lady 
Eliz.  Hatton  and  Annamaria  called  here  this  morn- 
ing. Yes,  they  called  ;  but  I  do  not  think  I  can 
say  anything  more  about  them.  They  came,  and 
they  sat,  and  tliey  went. 

Sunday. — Dearest  Henry  !    What  a  turn  he  has 


1813        LETTEES  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        215 

for  beino'  iU  and  what  a  tliino-  bile  is  !  This  attack 
has  probably  been  brought  on  in  part  by  his  pre- 
vious confinement  and  anxiety ;  but,  however  it 
came,  I  hope  it  is  going  fast,  and  that  you  will 
be  able  to  send  a  very  good  account  of  him  on 
Tuesday.  As  I  hear  on  Wednesday,  of  course 
I  shall  not  expect  to  hear  again  on  Friday. 
Perhaps  a  letter  to  Wrotham  would  not  have  an 
ill  effect. 

We  are  to  be  off  on  Saturday  before  the  post 
comes  in,  as  Edward  takes  his  own  horses  all  the 
way.  He  talks  of  9  o'clock.  We  shall  bait  at 
Lenham. 

Excellent  sweetness  of  you  to  send  me  such  a 
nice  long  letter  ;  it  made  its  appearance,  with  one 
from  my  mother,  soon  after  I  and  my  impatient 
feehngs  walked  in.  How  glad  I  am  that  I  did 
what  I  did  !  I  was  only  afraid  that  you  might 
think  the  offer  superfluous,  but  you  have  set  my 
heart  at  ease.  Tell  Henry  that  I  will  stay  with 
him,  let  it  be  ever  so  disagreeable  to  him. 

Oh,  dear  me !  I  have  not  time  on  paper  for 
half  that  I  want  to  say.  There  have  been  two 
letters  from  Oxford — one  from  George  yesterday. 
They  got  there  very  safely — Edwd.  two  hours 
behind  the  coach,  having  lost  his  way  in  leaving 


216  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  181:3 

London.  George  writes  cheerfully  and  quietly ; 
hopes  to  have  Utterson's  rooms  soon ;  went  to 
lecture  on  Wednesday,  states  some  of  his  expenses, 
and  concludes  with  saying,  '  I  am  afraid  I  shall  be 
poor.'  I  am  glad  he  thinks  about  it  so  soon.  I 
beheve  there  is  no  private  tutor  yet  chosen,  but 
my  brother  is  to  hear  from  Edwd.  on  the  subject 
shortly. 

You,  and  Mrs.  H.,  and  Catherine,  and  Alethea 
going  about  together  in  Henry's  carriage  seeing 
sights — I  am  not  used  to  the  idea  of  it  yet.  All 
that  you  are  to  see  of  Streatham,  seen  already  ! 
Your  Streatham  and  my  Bookham  may  go  hang. 
The  prospect  of  being  taken  down  to  Chawton  by 
Henry  perfects  the  plan  to  me.  I  was  in  hopes  of 
your  seeing  some  illuminations,  and  you  have  seen 
them.  *■  I  thought  you  would  come,  and  you  did 
come.'  I  am  sorry  he  is  not  to  come  from  the  Baltic 
sooner.     Poor  Mary ! 

My  brother  has  a  letter  from  Louisa  to-day  of 
an  unw^elcome  nature  ;  they  are  to  spend  the  winter 
at  Bath.  It  was  just  decided  on.  Dr.  Parry 
wished  it,  not  from  thinking  the  water  necessary 
to  Lady  B.,  but  that  he  might  be  better  able  to 
judge  how  far  his  treatment  of  her,  which  is  totally 
different   from  anything  she  had  been  used  to,  is 


1813  LETTERS   OF   J.l^'E   AUSTEN.  217 

right ;  and  I  suppose  he  will  not  mind  having  a 
few  more  of  her  Ladyship's  guineas.  His  system 
is  a  lowering  one.  He  took  twelve  ounces  of  blood 
from  her  wdien  the  gout  appeared,  and  forbids 
wine,  &c.  Hitherto,  the  plan  agrees  ^yith.  her. 
She  is  very  well  satisfied  to  stay,  but  it  is  a  sore 
disappointment  to  Louisa  and  Fanny. 

The  H.  Bridges  leave  them  on  Tuesday,  and 
they  mean  to  move  into  a  smaller  house ;  you  may 
guess  how  Edward  feels.  There  can  be  no  doubt 
of  his  going  to  Bath  now  ;  I  should  not  wonder  if 
he  brought  Fanny  Cage  back  with  him. 

You  shall  hear  from  me  once  more,  some  day 
or  other. 

Yours  very  affectionately,         J.  A. 
We  do  not  like  ]\L\  Hampson's  scheme. 

Miss  Austen,  10  Hem-ietta  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London. 


1814 

I  IMAGINE  that  the  sisters  were  but  seldom  sepa- 
rated in  1814,  since  I  have  but  five  letters  belong- 
ing to  that  year.  The  first  two  are  from  Henrietta 
Street,  Henry  Austen's  house,  and  were  written  in 


218  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1814 

March.  My  mother  had  accompanied  my  grand- 
father to  Chawton  and  Bath  in  February,  where 
her  grandmother,  Lady  Bridges,  was  staying  for 
the  benefit  of  the  waters,  and  on  their  return  home 
they  paid  Henry  Austen  a  visit,  arriving  on  Satur- 
day, the  5th,  and  staying  till  Wednesday,  the  9th 
of  March.  It  was  very  cold  weather,  for  in  the 
winter  and  spring  1813-14  there  were  seventeen 
weeks  of  frost  consecutively,  and  it  was  recorded 
as  the  hardest  winter  which  had  been  known  for 
twenty  years.  The  weather,  hoAvever,  did  not 
prevent  the  party  in  Henrietta  Street  from  amusing 
themselves  to  the  best  of  their  ability.  The  visitors 
from  Bath  arrived  shortly  before  five,  and  after 
dinner  '  Aunt  Jane  '  and  her  niece  were  escorted  by 
Henry  Austen  to  Drury  Lane,  to  see  Mr.  Kean  in 
'  Shylock.'  Of  this  evening  Aunt  Jane  says  (Letter 
71),  '  We  Avere  quite  satisfied  with  Kean,'  whilst 
her  younger  companion  notes  in  her  diary,  'We 
were  delighted.'  In  this  same  letter  is  the  remark, 
'  Young  Wyndham  accepts  the  invitation.  He  is 
such  a  nice,  gentleman-like,  unaffected  sort  of 
young  man  that  I  think  he  may  do  for  Fanny.' 
I  think  this  must  mean  my  uncle  Dr.  Knatchbull ; 
the  description  does  not  agree  with   that  which 


18U  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEX.  219 

Mrs.  Kmght  (Catherine  Knatchbull)  gives  of  her 
'  nephew  Wyndham '  in  her  letter  to  my  father 
(see  Appendix),  and  moreover,  this  son  of  '  old ' 
Wyndham  Knatchbull  wonld  seem  to  liave  died  in 
1813  (see  Letter  68),  unless  there  were  two  sons 
besides  those  two  given  in  the  Baronetage  who 
survived  their  father's  death  in  1833. 

This  letter,  continued  on  the  two  following 
days,  tells  us  that  on  Sunday  '  Fanny  and  I '  drove 
in  the  park.  I  am  happy  to  be  able  to  narrate 
the  fact,  gathered  from  the  pocket-books,  that  they 
previously  went  to  church  at  St.  Paul's,  Covent 
Garden.  They  '  could  not  stir  in  the  carriage  '  on 
account  of  the  snow,  but  somehow  or  other 
managed  to  get  to  Covent  Garden  Theatre  on 
Monday  night,  of  which  the  letter  duly  informs 
us,  corroborated  by  the  pocket-book,  which 
says  in  addition  that  '  Miss  Stephens'  voice  was 
dehditful.' 

In  this  letter  is  an  allusion  to  a  law-suit  in 
which  my  grandfather,  Edw^ard  Austen,  was  in- 
volved, in  consequence  of  a  claim  made  upon  his 
Chawton  estates  by  a  person  of  the  name  of  Baver- 
stoke.  I  do  not  know  the  exact  circumstances, 
but  believe  the  claim  was  founded  upon  the  alleged 


220  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1814 

insufficient  barring  of  an  entail.    There  is  a  curious 
story  connected  with  this  law-suit,  to  the  effect  that 
an  old,  long   since  deceased  Mr.  Knight  appeared 
twice  or  thrice  in  a  dream  to  the  claimant,  and 
informed  him  that  he  was   the  rightful  owner  of 
Chawton.     Whether  this  was  the  cause  of  the  law- 
suit or  not,  I  cannot  say,  or  whether  the  deceased 
gentleman  took  any  further  steps  after  the  matter 
had  been  settled,  but  in  any  case  it  harassed  Mr. 
Austen  from  1814  (in  the  October  of  which  year 
he  was  formally  served  with  a  writ  of  ejectment) 
to  1817,  and  he  then  compromised  it  by  the  pay- 
ment  of  a    certain   sum    of  money,    so    that    the 
'  opponent '   could  hardly  have  '  knocked  under  ' 
in   1814,  as    '  Jane '  supposed.     On  Tuesday  was 
another  night  of  theatrical  dissipation,  into  which 
the  party  appear  to   have  been  led  by  Mr.  John 
Pemberton   Plumptre,  who  seems    to   have   been 
much  with  them,  and  between  whom  and  his  niece 
Panny  Henry  Austen  thought  he  had  discovered 
a  '  decided  attachment.'     On  Wednesday  Edward 
Austen  and  his    daughter   betook   themselves   to 
Oodmersham,  Und  the  next  news  I  have  of  Jane  is 
in  my  mother's  diary  for  April,  in  which  it  appears 
that  slie   went    with   her    father    and  two    eldest 


1814  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEX.  221 

brothers,  accompanied  by  Miss  Clewes  and  her 
pupils,  Louisa  and  Marianne,  to  Chawton  Great 
House,  on  the  22nd,  and  that  '  Aunt  Cass,  and 
Jane  walked  up  in  the  evening.'  '  The  Cottage  ' 
and  the  'Great  House 'hved  on  their  usual  inti- 
mate terms  until  June  20,  when  the  Godmers- 
ham  party  went  home.  Every  day  the  diary  duly 
informs  us  that  '  the  Cottage  dined  here,'  or  '  papa 
and  I  dined  at  the  Cottage,'  '  Aunt  Jane  drank  tea 
here,'  '  Aunt  Jane  and  I  spent  a  bustling  hour  or 
two  shopping  in  Alton  ;  but  I  can  collect  no  more 
than  that,  as  usual,  the  aunt  and  niece  were  mucli 
together ;  that  the  Bridges  party,  from  Bath,  came 
to  spend  a  few  days ;  that  the  illuminations  for  the 
peace  took  place  at  that  time,  and  that  '  Aunt 
Jane '  seems  to  have  taken  part  in  all  the  proceed- 
ings of  her  relations.  Her  next  letter  (seventy- 
three)  to  her  sister  Cassandra  was  written  during 
this  visit  of  Godmersham  to  Chawton,  under 
date  June  13,  Cassandra  being  with  her  brother 
Henry  in  Henrietta  Street.  There  is  nothing 
to  require  notice  in  this  or  the  next  letter, 
on  June  20,  and  the  last  of  1814  is  written  on 
August  14,  from  Hans  Place,  when  Jane  had 
exchanged  places  with  her  sister.     '  Tilson's  Bank  ' 


222        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        1814 

was  in  Henrietta  Street,  which  accounts  for  visits 
thereto  on  the  part  of  Henry  Austen  being  men- 
tioned wliilst  lie  had  a  house  elsewhere.  But  there 
must  have  been  a  dweUing-house  attached  to  the 
bank,  and  it  would  seem  as  if  he  occupied  this 
between  his  living  in  Sloane  Street  and  moving  to 
Hans  Place. 


LXXI. 

Henrietta  Street :  Saturday  (March  5). 

My  dear  Cassandra, 

Do  not  be  angry  with  me  for  beginning  another 
letter  to  you.  I  have  read  the  '  Corsair,'  mended 
my  petticoat,  and  have  nothing  else  to  do.  Getting 
out  is  impossible  It  is  a  nasty  day  for  everybody. 
Edward's  spirits  will  be  wanting  sunshine,  and  here 
is  nothing  but  thickness  and  sleet  ;  and  though 
these  two  rooms  are  delightfully  warm,  I  fancy  it 
is  very  cold  abroad. 

Young  Wyndham  accepts  the  invitation.  He  is 
such  a  nice,  gentlemanlike,  unaffected  sort  of  young 
man,  that  I  think  he  may  do  for  Fanny  ;  lias  a 
sensible,  quiet  look,  which  one  likes.  Our  fate 
with  Mrs.  L.  and  Miss  E.  is  fixed  for  this  day 
se'nnight.  A  civil  note  is  come  from  j\Iiss  H.  Moore, 


1814        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        Tlo 

to  apologise  for  not  returDing  my  visit  to-day,  and 
ask  us  to  join  a  small  party  this  evening.  Thank 
ye,  but  we  shall  be  better  engaged. 

I  was  speaking  to  Mde.  B.  this  morning  about 
a  boiled  loaf,  when  it  appeared  that  her  master 
lias  no  raspberry  jam;  she  has  some,  which  of 
course  she  is  determined  lie  shall  have  ;  but  cannot 
you  bring  him  a  pot  when  you  come  ? 

Sunday. — I  find  a  little  time  before  breakfast 
for  writing.  It  was  considerably  past  four  when 
they  arrived  yesterday,  the  roads  were  so  very 
bad  !  As  it  was,  they  had  four  horses  from  Cran- 
ford  Bridge.  Fanny  was  miserably  cold  at  first, 
but  they  both  seem  well. 

No  possibihty  of  Edwd.'s  writing.  His  opinion, 
however,  inclines  against  a  second  prosecution ; 
he  thinks  it  would  be  a  vindictive  measure.  He 
might  think  differently,  perhaps,  on  the  spot. 
But  things  must  take  their  chance.^ 

We  were  quite  satisfied  with  Kean.  I  cannot 
imagine  better  acting,  but  the  part  was  too  short ; 
and,  excepting  him  and  Miss  Smith,  and  she  did  not 
quite  answer  my  expectation,  the  parts  were  ill 
filled  and  the  play  heavy.  We  were  too  much  tired 
to  stay  for  the  whole  of  '  Illusion  '  ('  Nour-jahad  '), 

^  There  is  no  clue  to  the  matter  to  wliich  this  refers. 


224        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1814 

Avhich  has  three  acts  ;  there  is  a  great  deal  of 
finery  and  dancmg  in  it,  but  I  tliink  httle  merit. 
Elhston  was  '  Noiir-jahad,'  but  it  is  a  solemn  sort  of 
part,  not  at  all  calculated  for  his  powers.  There 
was  nothing  of  the  best  Elhston  about  him.  I 
might  not  have  known  him  but  for  his  voice. 

A  grand  thought  has  struck  me  as  to  our 
gowns.  This  six  weeks'  mourning  makes  so  great 
a  difference  that  I  shall  not  go  to  Miss  Hare  till 
you  can  come  and  help  choose  yourself,  unless  you 
particularly  wish  the  contrary.  It  may  be  hardly 
worth  while  perhaps  to  have  the  gowns  so  expen- 
sively made  up.  We  may  buy  a  cap  or  a  veil 
instead  ;  but  we  can  talk  more  of  this  together. 

Henry  is  just  come  down  ;  he  seems  well,  his 
cold  does  not  increase.  I  expected  to  have  found 
Edward  seated  at  a  table  writing  to  Louisa,  but  I 
was  first.  Fanny  I  left  fast  asleep.  She  was  doing 
about  last  night  when  /  went  to  sleep,  a  little  after 
one.  I  am  most  happy  to  find  there  were  but  jive 
shirts.  She  thanks  you  for  your  note,  and  re- 
proaches herself  for  not  having  written  to  you,  but 
I  assure  her  there  was  no  occasion. 

The  accounts  are  not  capital  of  Lady  B.  Upon 
the  wliole,  I  believe,  Fanny  liked  Bath  ver}^  well. 
They  were  only  out  three  evenings,  to  one  play 


1814        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEX.        225 

and  each  of  tlie  rooms.  Walked  about  a  o-ood 
deal,  and  saw  a  good  deal  of  tlie  Harrisons  and 
Wildmans.  .A.11  the  Bridgeses  are  likel}'  to  come 
away  together,  and  Louisa  will  probabl}'  turn  off 
at  Dartford  to  go  to  Harriot.  Edward  is  quite 
(MS.  torn). 

Now  we  are  come  from  church,  and  all  going 
to  write.  Almost  everybody  was  in  mourning  last 
night,  but  my  brown  gown  did  veiy  well.  Genl. 
Chowne  was  introduced  to  me ;  he  has  not  much 
remains  of  Frederick.  This  young  Wyndham  does 
not  come  after  all ;  a  very  long  and  very  civil  note 
of  excuse  is  arrived.  It  makes  one  moralise  upon 
the  ups  and  downs  of  this  life. 

1  have  determined  to  trim  my  lilac  sarsenet 
with  black  satin  ribbon  just  as  my  China  crape  is, 
%d.  width  at  the  bottom,  3J.  or  -id.  at  top.  Eibbon 
trimmings  are  all  the  fashion  at  Batli,  and  I  dare 
say  the  fashions  of  the  two  places  are  alike  enough 
in  that  point  to  content  rue.  With  this  addition 
it  Avill  be  a  ver}^  useful  gown,  happy  to  go  any- 
where. 

Henry  has  tliis  moment  said  that  he  likes  my 
M.  P.^  better  and  better  ;  lie  is  in  the  tliird  volume. 
I   believe    nov'   lie    Jias  changed    his  mind    as    to 

'  ^  Mansfield  Park.' 
VOL.    II.  Q 


226        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1814 

foreseeing  the  end  ;  he  said  yesterday,  at  least, 
that  he  defied  anybody  to  say  whether  H.  C.^ 
would  be  reformed,  or  would  forget  Fanny  in  a 
fortnig^ht. 

I  shall  like  to  see  Kean  again  excessively,  and 
to  see  him  with  you  too.  It  appeared  to  me  as  if 
there  were  no  fault  in  him  anywhere  ;  and  in  his 
scene  with  '  Tubal '  there  Avas  exquisite  acting. 

EdAvard  has  had  a  correspondence  Avith  Mr. 
Wickham  on  the  Baigent  business,  and  has  been 
shoAving  me  some  letters  enclosed  b)^  Mr.  W.  from 
a  friend  of  his,  a  laAvyer,  Avhom  he  had  consulted 
about  it,  and  Avhose  opinion  is  for  the  prosecution 
for  assault,  supposing  the  boy  is  acquitted  on  the 
first,  Avhich  he  rather  expects.  Excellent  letters ; 
and  I  am  sure  he  must  be  an  excellent  man.  They 
are  such  thinking,  clear,  considerate  letters  as 
Frank  might  haA^e  Avritten.  I  long  to  knoAV  AAdio 
he  is,  but  the  name  is  ahvays  torn  off.  He  Avas 
consulted  only  as  a  friend.  When  Echvd.  gaA^e 
me  his  opinions  against  the  second  prosecution  he 
liad  not  read  this  letter,  Avhich  Avas  Avaiting  for 
him  here.  Mr.  W.  is  to  be  on  the  grand  jury. 
This  business  must  hasten  an  intimacy  betAveen  liis 
family  and  my  brothers. 

^  Hem'v  Crawford. 


1814  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEX.  227 

Fanny  cannot  answer  your  question  about 
button-holes  till  slie  gets  home. 

I  have  never  told  you,  but  soon  after  Henry 
and  I  began  our  journey  he  said,  talking  of  yours, 
that  he  should  desire  you  to  come  post  at  his 
expense,  and  added  something  of  the  carriage 
meeting  you  at  Kingston.  He  has  said  nothing 
about  it  since. 

Now  I  have  just  read  ^Ir.  Wickham's  letter, 
by  which  it  appears  that  the  letters  of  his  friend 
were  sent  to  my  brother  quite  confidentially,  there- 
fore don't  tell.  By  his  expression,  this  friend  must 
be  one  of  the  judges. 

A  cold  day,  but  bright  and  clear.  I  am  afraid 
your  planting  can  hardly  have  begun.  I  am  sorry 
to  hear  that  there  has  been  a  rise  in  tea.  I  do  not 
mean  to  pay  Twining  till  later  in  the  day.  when  we 
may  order  a  fresh  supply.  I  long  to  know  some- 
thing of  the  mead,  and  how  you  are  off  for  a  cook. 

Monday. — Here's  a  day  !  The  ground  covered 
mth  snow  I  What  is  to  become  of  us  ?  We  were 
to  have  walked  out  early  to  near  shops,  and  had 
the  carriage  for  the  more  distant.  ]\ii\  Eichard 
Snow  is  dreadfully  fond  of  us.  I  dare  say  he  has 
stretched  himself  out  at  Chawton  too. 

Fanny  and  I  went  into  the  park  yesterday  and 

q2 


228  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTP:X.  1814 

drove  about,  and  were  very  miicli  entertained  ;  and 
our  dinner  and  evening  went  off  very  well.  Messrs. 
J.  Plumptre  and  J.  Wildman  called  wliile  we  were 
out,  and  we  had  a  glimpse  of  them  both,  and  of 
G.  Hatton  too,  in  the  park.  /  could  not  produce  a 
single  acquaintance. 

By  a  little  convenient  listening,  I  now  know  that 
Henry  Welshes  to  go  to  Gm.  for  a  few  days  before 
Easter,  and  has  indeed  promised  to  do  it.  This 
being  the  case,  there  can  be  no  time  for  your 
remaining  in  London  after  your  return  from 
Adlestrop.  You  must  not  put  off  your  coming 
therefore  ;  and  it  occurs  to  me  that,  instead  of  my 
coming  here  again  from  Streatham,  it  will  be  better 
for  you  to  join  me  there.  It  is  a  great  comfort  to 
have  got  at  the  truth.  Henry  finds  he  cannot  set 
off  for  Oxfordshire  before  the  Wednesday,  vvhich 
will  be  the  23rd  ;  but  we  shall  not  have  too  many 
days  together  here  previously.  I  shall  write  to 
Catherine  very  soon. 

Well,  we  have  been  out  as  far  as  Coventry  St.  ; 
Edwd.  escorted  us  tliere  and  back  to  Newton's, 
where  he  left  us,  and  I  brought  Fanny  safe 
home.  It  was  snowing  the  whole  time.  We 
have  given  up  all  idea  of  the  carriage.  Edward 
and  Fanny  stay  anotlier  day,  and  both  seem  very 


1814        LETTERS  OE  JANE  AUSTEX.        229 

well  pleased  to  do  so.     Our  visit  to  the  Spencers 
is,  of  course,  put  off. 

Edwd.  heard  from  Louisa  this  morning.  Her 
mother  does  not  get  better,  and  Dr.  Parr}^  talks  of 
her  beginning  the  waters  again  ;  this  will  be  keeping 
them  longer  in  Bath,  and  of  course  is  not  palatable 

You  cannot  think  how  much  my  ermine  tippet 
is  admired  both  by  father  and  daughter.  It  was  a 
noble  gift. 

Perhaps  you  have  not  heard  that  Edward  has 
a  good  chance  of  escaping  his  lawsuit.  His  op- 
ponent '  knocks  under.'  The  terms  of  agreement 
are  not  quite  settled. 

AVe  are  to  see  '  The  Devil  to  Pay'  to-night.  1 
expect  to  be  very  much  amused.  Excepting  Miss 
Stephens,  I  daresay  '  Artaxerxes'  will  be  very  tire- 
some. 

A  great  many  pretty  caps  in  the  windows  of 
Cranbourn  Alley.  I  hope  when  you  come  we  shall 
both  be  tempted.  I  have  been  ruining  myself  in 
black  satin  riljbon  with  a  proper  pearl  edge,  and 
now  I  am  trying  to  draw  it  up  into  kind  of  roses 
instead  of  putting  it  in  plain  double  plaits. 

Tuesday. — My  dearest  Cassandra, — In  ever  so 
many  hurries  I  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
letter  last  night,  just  before  we  set  off  for  Covent 


230  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1814 

Garden.  I  liave  no  mourning  come,  but  it  does 
not  signify.  This  very  moment  has  Eichd.  put  it 
on  the  table.  I  have  torn  it  open  and  read  your 
note.     Thank  you,  thank  you,  thank  you. 

Edwd.  is  amazed  at  the  sixty-four  trees.  He 
desires  his  love,  and  gives  you  notice  of  the  arrival 
of  a  study  table  for  himself.  It  ought  to  be  at 
Chawton  this  week.  He  begs  you  to  be  so  good 
as  to  have  it  enquired  for  and  fetched  b}^  the  cart, 
but  wishes  it  not  to  be  unpacked  till  he  is  on  the 
spot  himself.     It  may  be  put  in  the  hall. 

Well,  Mr.  Hampson  dined  here,  and  all  that.  I 
was-  very  tired  of  '  Artaxerxes,'  highly  amused 
with  the  farce,  and,  in  an  inferior  way,  with  the 
pantomime  that  followed.  Mr.  J.  Plumptre  joined 
in  the  latter  part  of  the  evening,  walked  home 
with  us,  ate  some  soup,  and  is  very  earnest  for  our 
going  to  Covent  Garden  again  to-night  to  see  Miss 
Stephens  in  the  '  Farmer's  Wife.'  He  is  to  try  for 
a  box.  I  do  not  particularly  wish  him  to  succeed. 
I  have  had  enough  for  the  present.  Henry  dines 
to-day  with  Mr.  Spencer. 

Yours  very  affectionately,         J.  Austex. 

3Iiss  Austen,  Chawton. 
By  favour  of  Mr.  Gray. 


1814  LETTEIiS   OF    JA^E    AUSTEX.  231 

LXXTI. 

Henrietta  St. :  AVedEesday  (Marcli  9). 

Well,  we  went  to  the  play  again  last  night,  and 
as  we  were  out  a  great  part  of  the  morning  too, 
sliopping,  and  seeing  the  Indian  jngglers,  I  am  very 
glad  to  be  quiet  now  till  dressing  time.  We  are  to 
dine  at  the  Tilsons',  and  to-morrow  at  Mr.  Spencer's. 

We  had  not  done  breakfost  yesterday  when  Mr. 
J.  Plumptre  appeared  to  say  that  he  had  secured  a 
box.  Henry  asked  him  to  dine  here,  which  I  fancy 
he  was  very  happy  to  do,  and  so  at  fLve  o'clock 
we  four  sat  down  to  table  together  while  the 
master  of  the  house  was  preparing  for  going  out 
himself.  The  '  Farmer's  Wife  '  is  a  musical  thing 
in  three  acts,  and,  as  Edward  was  steady  in  not 
staying  for  anything  more,  we  were  at  home  before 
ten. 

Fanny  and  Mr.  J.  P.  are  dehghtedwith  Miss  S., 
and  her  merit  in  singing  is,  I  dare  say,  very 
great ;  that  she  gave  me  no  pleasure  is  no  reflection 
upon  her,  nor,  I  hope,  upon  myself,  being  what 
Nature  made  me  on  that  article.  All  that  I  am 
sensible  of  in  ^iiss  S.  is  a  pleasing  person  and  no 
skill  in  acting.  We  had  Mathews,  Liston,  and 
Emery  ;  of  course,  some  amusement. 

Our  friends  were  ofl'  before  half-2)ast  eight  this 


2o2        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1814 

morning,  and  had  the  prospect  of  a  heavy  cold 
journey  before  them.  I  think  they  both  liked  their 
visit  very  mucli.  I  am  sure  Fanny  did.  Henry 
sees  decided  attachment  between  her  and  his  new 
acquaintance. 

I  have  a  cold,  too,  as  well  as  my  mother  and 
Martha.  Let  it  be  a  generous  emulation  between 
us  which  can  get  rid  of  it  first. 

I  wear  my  gauze  gown  to-day,  long  sleeves  and 
all.  I  shall  see  how  they  succeed,  but  as  yet  I  have 
no  reason  to  s  appose  long  sleeves  are  allowable.  I 
have  lowered  the  bosom,  especially  at  the  corners, 
and  plaited  black  satin  ribbon  round  the  top.  Such 
will  be  my  costume  of  vine-leaves  and  paste. 

Prepare  for  a  play  the  very  first  evening,  I 
rather  think  Covent  Garden,  to  see  Young  in 
'Eichard.'  I  have  answered  for  your  little  com- 
panion's being  conveyed  to  Keppel  St.  immedi- 
atelv.  I  have  never  yet  been  able  to  o-et  there 
myself,  but  liope  I  shall  soon. 

What  cruel  weather  this  is  !  and  here  is  Lord 
Portsmouth  married,  too,  to  Miss  Hanson.^ 

Henry  has  finislied  '  Mansfield  Park,'  and  his 
approbation  has  not  lessened.  He  found  the  last 
half  of  the  last  volume  e.vtreinely  interestiiuf. 

'  His  second  wife.  lie  died  in  1853,  and  wa:?  succeeded  by  his 
brother,  the  father  of  the  present  earl. 


1814  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  233 

I  suppose  my  mother  recollects  that  she  gave 
]ne  no  money  for  paying  Brecknell  and  Twinmg, 
and  my  funds  will  not  supply  enough. 

We  are  home  in  such  good  time  that  I  can 
finish  my  letter  to-night,  which  yn\\  be  better  than 
getting  up  to  do  it  to-morrow,  especially  as,  on 
account  of  my  cold,  which  has  been  very  heavy  in 
my  head  this  evening,  I  rather  think  of  lying  in 
bed  later  tlian  usual.  I  would  not  but  be  well 
enough  to  go  to  Hertford  St.  on  any  account. 

We  met  only  Genl.  Chowne  to-day,  who  has 
not  much  to  say  for  himself  I  was  ready  to  laugh 
at  the  remembrance  of  Frederick,  and  such  a 
different  Frederick  as  we  chose  to  fancy  him  to 
the  real  Christopher  ! 

]\L's.  Tilson  had  long  sleeves,  too,  and  she  as- 
sured me  that  they  are  worn  in  the  evenmg  by 
many.  I  was  glad  to  hear  this.  She  dines  here, 
I  beheve,  next  Tuesday. 

On  Friday  we  are  to  be  snug  with  only  Mr.  Bar- 
lowe  and  an  evening  of  business.  I  am  so  pleased 
that  the  mead  is  brewed.  Love  to  all.  I  have 
written  to  Mrs.  Hill,  and  care  for  nobody. 

Yours  affectionately,  J.  Austex. 


Miss  Austen,  Cliawton. 
By  favour  of  Mr.  Grav. 


234  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1814 

LXXIII. 

^Cliawton  :  Tuesday  (June  13). 

My  dearest  Cassaxdra, 

Fanny  takes  my  mother  to  Alton  this  niornmg, 
which  gives  me  an  opportunity  of  sending  you  a 
few  hnes  without  any  other  trouble  than  tliat  of 
writing  them. 

This  is  a  delightful  day  in  the  country,  and  I 
hope  not  much  too  hot  for  town.  Well,  you  had 
a  good  journey,  I  trust,  and  all  that,  and  not  rain 
enough  to  spoil  your  bonnet.  It  appeared  so  likely 
to  be  a  wet  evening  that  I  went  up  to  the  Gt. 
House  between  three  and  four,  and  dawdled  away 
an  hour  very  comfortably,  though  Edwd.  was  not 
very  brisk.  The  air  was  clearer  in  the  evening  and 
he  was  better.  We  all  five  walked  together  into 
tlie  kitchen  garden  and  along  the  Gosport  road, 
and  tliey  drank  tea  with  us. 

You  will  be  glad  to  hear  that  G.  Turner  has 
another  situation,  something  in  tlie  cow  line,  near 
Eumsey,  and  lie  wishes  to  move  immediately, 
which  is  not  likely  to  be  inconvenient  to  anybody. 

The  new  nurseryman  at  Alton  comes  tliis  morn- 
ing to  value  the  crops  in  the  garden. 

The  only  letter  to-day  is  from  Mrs.  Cooke  to  me. 


1814  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEN.  235 

They  dc  not  leave  liome  till  July,  and  want  me  to 
come  to  them,  according  to  my  promise.  And,  after 
considering  everything,  I  have  resolved  on  going. 
My  companions  promote  it.  I  will  not  go,  how- 
ever, till  after  Edward  is  gone,  that  he  may  feel  he 
has  a  somebody  to  give  memorandums  to,  to  the 
last.  I  must  give  up  all  help  from  his  carriage,  of 
course.  And,  at  any  rate,  it  must  be  such  an 
excess  of  expense  that  I  have  quite  made  up  my 
mind  to  it  and  do  not  mean  to  care. 

I  have  been  thinking  of  Triggs  and  the  chair, 
you  may  be  sure,  but  I  knoAv  it  will  end  in  post- 
ing.    They  will  meet  me  at  Guildford. 

In  addition  to  their  standing  claims  on  me  they 
admire  '  Mansfield  Park '  exceedingly.  Mr.  Cooke 
says  '  it  is  the  most  sensible  novel  he  ever  read,' 
and  the  manner  in  which  I  treat  the  clergy  delights 
them  very  much.  Altogether,  I  must  go,  and  I 
want  you  to  join  me  there  when  your  visit  in  Hen- 
rietta St.  is  over.    Put  this  into  your  capacious  head. 

Take  care  of  yourself,  and  do  not  be  trampled 
to  death  in  running  after  the  Emperor.  The  report 
in  Alton  yesterday  was  that  they  would  certainly 
travel  this  road  either  to  or  from  Portsmouth.  I 
long  to  know  what  this  bow  of  the  Prince's  will 
produce. 


236        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1814 

I  saw  Mrs.  AnclrcAvs  yesterday.  Mrs.  Browning 
had  seen  her  before.  She  is  ver}^  glad  to  send  an 
Ehzabeth. 

Miss  Benn  continnes  the  same.  Mr.  Curtis, 
however,  saw  her  yesterday  and  said  her  hand  was 
going  on  as  well  as  possible.  Accept  our  best  love. 
Yours  very  affectionately,         J.  Austen. 

Miss  Austen,  10  Henrietta  Street. 
By  favour  of  Mr.  Gray. 

LXXIV. 

Thursday  (June  23). 

Deakest  Cassandea, 

L  received  your  pretty  letter  while  the  children 
were  drinking  tea  with  us,  as  Mr.  Louch  was  so 
oblimio-  as  to  walk  over  with  it.  Your  o-ood 
account  of  everybody  made  us  very  happy. 

I  heard  yesterday  from  Frank.  When  he  began 
his  letter  he  hoped  to  be  here  on  Monday,  but 
before  it  was  ended  he  had  been  told  that  the  naval 
review  would  not  take  place  till  Friday,  which 
would  probably  occasion  him  some  delay,  as  he 
cannot  get  some  necessary  business  of  his  own 
attended  to  while  Portsmouth  is  in  such  a  bustle.  I 
hope  Fanny  has  seen  the  Em])eror,  and  then  I  may 
fairly  wisli  them  all  away.  I  go  to-morrow,  and 
hope  for  some  delays  and  adventures. 


1814        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        2o/ 

My  mother's  wood  is  brought  in,  but,  by  some 
mistake,  no  bavins.     She  must  therefore  buy  some. 

Henry  at  White's  !  Oh,  Avhat  a  Henry  !  I  do 
not  know  what  to  wish  as  to  Miss  B.,  so  I  will  hold 
my  tongue  and  my  wishes. 

Sackree  and  the  children  set  off  yesterday,  and 
have  not  been  returned  back  upon  us.  They  were 
all  very  well  the  evening  before.  We  had  handsome 
presents  from  the  Gt.  House  yesterday — a  ham 
and  the  four  leeches.  Sackree  has  left  some  shirts 
of  her  master's  at  the  school,  which,  finished  or 
unfinished,  she  begs  to  have  sent  by  Henry  and 
Wm.  Mr.  Hinton  is  expected  home  soon,  which  is 
a  o'ood  thinor  for  the  shirts. 

We  have  called  upon  Miss  Dusantoy  and  Miss 
Papillon,  and  been  very  pretty.  Miss  D.  has  a  great 
idea  of  being  Fanny  Price — she  and  her  youngest 
sister  together,  who  is  named  Fanny. 

]^iiss  Benn  has  drank  tea  Avith  the  Prowtings, 
and,  I  believe,  comes  to  us  this  evening.  She  has 
still  a  swelling  about  the  fore-finger  and  a  little 
discharge,  and  does  not  seem  to  be  on  the  point  of 
a  perfect  cure,  but  her  spirits  are  good,  and  she 
will  be  most  happy,  I  believe,  to  accept  any  invita- 
tion. The  Clements  are  gone  to  Petersfield  to 
look. 


238  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEX.  18U 

Oiil}^  think  of  the  Marquis  of  Granby  being  dead. 
I  liope,  if  it  please  Heaven  there  should  be  anotlier 
son,  they  will  have  better  sponsors  and  less  parade. 
I  certainly  do  not  ivisli  tluit  Henry  should  tliink 
ao'ain  of  o-ettin^  me  to  town.  I  would  rather  return 
straight  from  Bookham  ;  but,  if  he  really  does  pro- 
pose it,  I  cannot  say  Xo  to  what  will  be  so  kindly 
intended.  It  could  be  but  for  a  few  days,  however, 
as  my  mother  would  be  quite  disappointed  by 
my  exceeding  the  fortnight  which  I  now  talk  of  as 
the  outside — at  least,  we  could  not  both  remain 
longer  away  comfortably. 

The  middle  of  Jul}^  is  Martha's  time,  as  far  as 
she  has  any  time.  Slie  has  left  it  to  Mrs.  Craven 
to  fix  the  day.  I  wish  she  could  get  her  money 
paid,  for  I  fear  her  going  at  all  depends  upon  that. 

Instead  of  Bath  the  Deans  Dundases  have  taken 
a  liouse  at  Clifton — Eiclimond  Terrace — and  slie  is 
as  glad  of  the  change  as  even  you  and  I  should  be, 
or  almost.  She  will  now  be  able  to  go  on  from 
Berks  and  visit  them  without  any  fears  from  heat. 

Tliis  post  has  brought  me  a  letter  from  Miss 
Sharpe.  Poor  tiling  !  she  as  been  suffering  indeed, 
but  is  now  in  a  comparative  state  of  comfort.  She 
is  at  Sir  W.  P.'s,  in  Yorkshire,  with  the  children, 
and  there  is  no  appearance  of  her  quitting  tliem. 


1814  LETTERS   OF   J  AXE   AUSTEX.  239 

Of  course  we  lose  tlie  pleasure  of  seeing  lier  here. 
She  writes  highly  of  Sir  Wm.  I  do  so  want  him 
to  marry  her.  There  is  a  Dow.  Lady  P.  pre- 
siding there  to  make  it  all  right.  The  Man  is  the 
same  ;  but  she  does  not  mention  what  he  is  by  pro- 
fession or  trade.  She  does  not  think  Lady  P.  was 
privy  to  his  scheme  on  her,  but,  on  being  in  liis 
power,  yielded.  Oh,  Sir  Wm. !  Sir  Wm.  !  how  I 
will  love  you  if  you  will  love  Miss  Sharp  ! 

Mrs.  Driver,  &c.,  are  off  by  Colher,  but  so  near 
being  too  late  that  she  had  not  time  to  call  and 
leave  the  keys  herself  I  have  them,  however.  I 
suppose  one  is  the  key  of  the  linen-press,  but  I  do 
not  know  what  to  guess  the  other. 

The  coach  was  stopped  at  the  blacksmith's,  and 
they  came  running  down  with  Triggs  and  Browning, 
and  trunks,  and  birdcages.     Quite  amusing. 

My  mother  desires  her  love,  and  liopes  to  hear 
from  you. 

Yours  very  affectionately,         J.  Austex. 

Frank  and  Mary  are  to  have  Mary  Goodchild 
to  help  as  Under  till  they  can  get  a  cook.  She  is 
delio'hted  to  a'o. 

Best  love  at  Streatliam. 

Miss  Austen,  Henrietta  St. 
By  favour  of  Mr.  Gray. 


240  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1814 

LXXV. 

23  Hans  Place  :  Tuesday  morning  (August,  1814). 

My  dear  Cassandra, 

I  had  a  very  good  journey,  not  crowded,  two 
of  the  three  taken  up  at  Bentley  bemg  children, 
the  others  of  a  reasonable  size  ;  and  they  were  all 
very  quiet  and  civil.  We  were  late  in  London, 
from  being  a  great  load,  and  from  changing  coaches 
at  Farnham ;  it  was  nearly  four,  I  believe,  when 
we  reached  Sloane  Street.  Henry  himself  met  me, 
and  as  soon  as  my  trunk  and  basket  could  be 
routed  out  from  all  the  other  trunks  and  baskets 
in  the  world,  we  were  on  our  way  to  Hans  Place 
in  the  luxury  of  a  nice,  large,  cool,  dirty  hackney 
coach. 

Til  ere  were  four  in  the  kitchen  part  of  Yalden, 
and  I  was  told  fifteen  at  top,  among  tliem  Percy 
Bemi.  We  met  in  the  same  room  at  Egliam,  but 
poor  Percy  was  not  in  his  usual  spirits.  He  would 
be  more  chatty,  I  dare  say,  in  his  weij  from  Wool- 
wicli.  We  took  up  a  young  Gibson  at  Holybourn, 
and,  in  short,  everybody  either  did  come  up  by 
Yalden  yesterday,  or  wanted  to  come  up.  It  put 
me  in  mind  of  my  own  coach  between  Edinburgh 
and  Stirling. 


1814        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        241 

Henry  is  very  well,  and  lias  given  me  an  account 
of  the  Canterbury  races,  which  seem  to  have  been 
as  j)leasant  as  one  could  wish.  Everything  went 
well.  Fanny  had  good  partners,  Mr.  — —  Avas  lier 
second  on  Thursday,  but  he  did  not  dance  with  her 
any  more. 

This  will  content  you  for  the  present.  I  must 
just  add,  however,  that  there  were  no  Lad}^  Char- 
lottes, they  were  gone  off  to  Kirby,  and  that  Mary 
Oxenden,  instead  of  dying,  is  going  to  marr}^  Wm. 
Hammond. 

Xo  James  and  Edward  yet.  Our  evening  yes- 
terday was  perfectly  quiet ;  we  only  talked  a  little 
to  Mr.  Tilson  across  the  intermediate  gardens  ;  she 
was  gone  out  airing  with  Miss  Burdett.  It  is  a 
dehghtful  place — more  than  answers  my  expecta- 
tion. Having  got  rid  of  my  unreasonable  ideas,  I 
find  more  space  and  comfort  in  the  rooms  than 
I  had  supposed,  and  the  garden  is  quite  a  love.  I 
am  in  the  front  attic,  which  is  the  bedchamber  to 
be  preferred. 

Henry  wants  you  to  see  it  all,  and  asked 
whether  you  would  return  with  him  from  Hamp- 
shire ;  I  encouraged  him  to  think  you  would.  He 
breakfasts  here  early,  and  then  rides  to  Henrietta 
St.      If  it  continues  fine   John    is    to    drive    me 

VOL.  II.  R 


242  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1814 

there  by-and-bye,  and  we  shall  take  an  airing  to- 
o^ether ;  and  I  do  not  mean  to  take  any  other  exer- 
cise, for  I  feel  a  little  tired  after  my  long  jumble. 
I  live  in  his  room  downstairs  ;  it  is  particularly 
pleasant  from  opening  upon  the  garden.  I  go  and 
refresh  myself  every  now  and  then,  and  then  come 
back  to  solitary  coolness.  There  is  one  maidservant 
only,  a  very  creditable,  clean-looking  young  woman. 
Kichard  remains  for  the  present. 

Wednesday  morning. — My  brother  and  Edwd. 
arrived  last  night.  They  could  not  get  places  the 
day  before.  Their  business  is  about  teeth  and 
wigs,  and  they  are  going  after  breakfast  to  Scar- 
man's  and  Tavistock  St.,  and  they  are  to  return 
to  go  with  me  afterwards  in  the  barouche.  I  hope 
to  do  some  of  my  errands  to-day. 

I  got  tlie  willow  yesterday,  as  Henry  was  not 
quite  ready  when  I  reached  Hena.  St.  I  saw 
Mr.  Hampson  there  for  a  moment.  He  dines 
here  to-morrow  and  proposed  bringing  his  son  ;  so- 
I  must  submit  to  seeing  George  Hampson,  though 
I  had  hoped  to  go  through  life  without  it.  It 
was  one  of  my  vanities,  like  your  not  reading 
'  Patronage.' 

After  leaving  H.  St.  we  drove  to  Mrs.  La- 
touche's  ;   they  are  always  at  home,  and   they  are 


1814  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEX.  24 B 

to  dine  here  on  Friday.     We  could  do  no  more,  as 
it  began  to  rain. 

We  dine  at  lialf-past  four  to-day,  that  our 
visitors  may  go  to  the  play,  and  Henry  and  I  are 
to  spend  the  evening  with  the  Tilsons,  to  meet  Miss 
Burdett,  who  leaves  town  to-morrow.  Mrs.  T. 
called  on  me  yesterday. 

Is  not  this  all  that  can  have  happened  or  been 
arranged  ?  Xot  quite.  Henry  wants  me  to  see 
more  of  his  Hanwell  favourite,  and  has  written  to 
invite  her  to  spend  a  day  or  two  here  with  me. 
His  scheme  is  to  fetch  her  on  Saturday.  I  am 
more  and  more  convinced  that  he  will  marry  ao-ain 
soon,  and  hke  the  idea  of  her  better  than  of  any- 
body else,  at  hand. 

Now,  I  have  breakfasted  and  have  the  room  to 
myself  again.  It  is  likely  to  be  a  fine  day.  How 
do  you  all  do  ? 

Henry  talks  of  being  at  Chawton  about  the 
1st.  of  Sept.  He  has  once  mentioned  a  scheme, 
which  I  should  rather  like — calhng  on  the  Birches 
and  the  Crutchleys  in  our  way.  It  may  never  come 
to  anything,  but  I  must  provide  for  the  possibility 
by  troubhng  you  to  send  up  my  silk  pelisse  by 
Collier  on  Saturday.  I  feel  it  would  be  necessary 
on  such  an  occasion ;  and  be  so  good  as  to  put  up 

K  2 


244        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        181 

a  clean  dressing-gown  whicli  will  come  from  the 
wash  on  Friday.  You  need  not  direct  it  to  be  left 
anywhere.     It  may  take  its  chance. 

We  are  to  call  for  Henry  between  three  and 
four,  and  I  must  finish  tliis  and  carry  it  with  me, 
as  he  is  not  always  there  in  the  morning  before  the 
parcel  is  made  up.  And,  before  I  set  off,  I  must 
return  Mrs.  Tilson's  visit.  I  hear  nothing  of  the 
Hoblyns,  and  abstain  from  all  enquiry. 

I  hope  Mary  Jane  and  Frank's  gardens  go  on 
well.  Give  my  love  to  them  all — Nunna  Hat's 
love  to  George.  A  great  many  people  wanted  to 
ruur  up  in  the  Poach  as  well  as  me.  The  wheat 
looked  very  well  all  the  way,  and  James  says  tlie 
same  of  his  road. 

The  same  good  account  of  Mrs.  C.'s  health  con- 
tinues, and  her  circumstances  mend.  She  izets 
farther  and  farther  from  poverty.  What  a  com- 
fort !     Good-bye  to  you. 

Yours  very  truly  and  affectionately,        J.\ne. 

All  well  at  Steven  ton.  I  hear  nothing  particular 
of  Ben,  except  tliat  Edward  is  to  get  liim  some 
pencils. 

Miss  Austen,  Chawton. 
Bv  favour  of  Mr.  Grav. 


1815  LETTEES   OF   JA:N'E   AUSTEN.  245 


I815 

I  GLEAX  no  information  concerning  '  Aunt  Jane  ' 
from  my  mother's  pocket-books  of  the  first  nine 
months  of  the  year  1815,  save  the  record  of 
various  letters  Avritten  to  and  received  from  her. 
In  October  Henry  Austen  was  seized  with  a  severe 
iUness,  in  which  Jane  came  to  nurse  him  at  his 
house  in  London,  23  Hans  Place,  and  I  find  that 
on  the  23rd  of  that  month  my  mother  writes  :  '  An 
express  arrived  from  Aunt  Jane  Austen  with  a  sad 
account  of  poor  Uncle  Henry.  Papa  set  off  for 
town  directly.'  Then  follows  a  daily  bulletin,  and 
in  about  a  week  is  chronicled  the  fact  that  the 
Godmersham  household  '  sent  a  basket  of  provi- 
sions to  them,  and  wrote  to  Aunt  Jane.'  God- 
mersham provisions,  aided  possibly  by  London 
doctors,  had  their  due  effect.  The  patient  rallied, 
gradually  improved,  was  well  enough  for  his  bro- 
ther to  return  home  again  in  a  week's  time,  and 
got  so  much  better  as  time  went  on  that  on 
November  15  occurs  the  entry,  'Papa  and  I  set 
off  early,  and  reached  Hans  Place  to  dinner. 
Aunts  Cass  and  Jane  are  here.'     On  the  20tli  Mr. 


246        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1815 

Knight  and  Cassandra  Austen  went  to  Chawton, 
and  on  the  24th  was  written  our  first  letter  of  this 
year  (No.  76).  Mr.  Haden,  I  suppose,  was  one  of 
Henry  Austen's  medical  attendants,  apparently  an 
apothecary,  by  the  playful  manner  in  which  Jane 
vehemently  protests  that  he  is  no  such  thing. 
Whether  apothecary  or  physician,  however,  the 
worthy  man  seems  to  have  made  a  favourable  im- 
pression upon  both  aunt  and  niece,  for  my  motlier 
records  (November  20)  that  '  Mr.  Haden,  a  de- 
lightful, clever,  musical  Haden,  comes  every  even- 
ing, and  is  agreeable,'  and  Jane,  with  the  exception 
of  a  doubt  as  to  the  orthodoxy  of  the  gentleman's 
opinion  of  tlie  infallible  wickedness  of  non-musical 
people,  evidently  shared  this  view  of  his  character. 
During  their  stay  in  town  my  mother  writes  that 
'  Aunt  Jane  and  I  walk  every  day  in  the  garden, 
but  get  no  further.'  '  Aunt  Jane  and  I  drove 
about  shopping,'  and  similar  entries,  varied  one 
evening  as  follows,  '  Aunt  Jane  and  I  very  snug,' 
which  shows  how  tlioroughly  the  two  enjoyed  and 
appreciated  each  other's  society.  Like  all  pleasant 
things,  this  visit  came  to  an  end,  and  the  God- 
mersham  party  returned  into  Kent  on  December  8. 
Several  letters  are  entered  in  the  pocket-books  as 


1815  LETTERS    OF   JANE   AUSTEX.  247 

having  been  written  and  received  before  the  end 
of  the  year,  bnt  none  of  these  are  to  hand,  and 
this  is  the  more  to  be  regretted  because  my  mother 
was  in  the  habit  of  keeping  the  letters  of  so  many 
of  her  correspondents  through  hfe,  that  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  imagine  how  these  came  to  be  destroyed. 
The  visit  to  Keppel  Street  (Letter  77)  must  have 
been  to  her  brother  Charles,  whose  first  wife,  Fanny 
Palmer,  had  just  died,  which  accounts  for  '  Fanny ' 
being  '  very  much  affected  by  the  sight  of  the 
children.'  The  celebrated  Mr.  Haden  appears  to 
have  preferred  '  Mansfield  Park '  to  '  Pride  and 
Prejudice,'  but  perhaps  he  changed  his  opinion 
when  he  had  read  them  both  over  again.  The 
^  p.  E.'  mentioned  in  these  1815  letters  must  not  be 
mistaken  for  the  '  Prize  Eing,'  for  which  it  some- 
times stands,  but  with  which  our  Jane  had  cer- 
tainly nothing  to  do.  The  '  Prince  Eegent '  is  sig- 
nified, Avho  had  been  graciously  pleased  to  express 
his  approval  of '  Mansfield  Park,'  and  directed  his 
librarian,  Mr.  Clarke,  to  invite  Jane  to  Carlton 
House,  where  she  was  informed  that  she  mic^ht 
dedicate  her  forthcoming  novel  to  His  Eoyal  High- 
ness. Mr.  Austen  Leigh  gives  us  a  short  corre- 
spondence between  Jane  and  Mr.  Clarke,  Avliich  is 


248        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1815 

SO  cliaracteristic  of  lier,  that  I  venture  to  insert  it 
in  my  Appendix.  The  Countess  of  Morley  had 
also  written  a  letter,  which  perhaps  ought  to 
appear  in  the  same  place,  as  Jane  alludes  to  its 
receipt  in  the  concluding  paragraph  of  the  seventy- 
seventh  letter.  The  letter  of  1816  is  the  latest  I 
have.  It  was  written  on  September  8t]i,  just  ten 
months  before  her  death,  when  Cassandra  was  stay- 
ing at  Cheltenham.  It  will  be  observed  that  she 
refers  to  '  the  pain  in  my  back,'  speaks  of '  nursing 
myself  into  as  beautiful  a  state  as  I  can,'  and  shows 
som^  disinchnation  to  '  company  '  in  the  house ;  but 
the  letter  is  otherwise  written  in  her  usual  cheerful 
style,  and  there  are  several  amusing  passages.  I 
imagine  that  after  Cassandra's  return  from  Chelten- 
ham  the  sisters  were  hardly  separated  again,  so 
that  this  is  in  all  probability  one  of  the  very  last 
letters  which  passed  between  them. 

One,  and  only  one,  more  meeting  took  place 
between  the  aunt  and  niece  who  loved  each  other  so 
well.  I  find  from  the  pocket-books  that  on  May  2, 
1816,  my  motlier  accompanied  her  father  to 
Chawton  and  remained  until  the  21st,  when  tliey 
returned  to  Kent.  The  usual  meetings  occurred 
between  the  '  Great  House  '  and  the  '  Cottage,'  but 


1815        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEX.        249 

no  special  event  is  related,  and  one  can  only  fancy 
how  in  after  days  my  mother  must  have  recalled 
this  last  time  of  confidential  and  loving  intercourse 
with  one  who  had  become  so  very  dear  to  her, 
and  Avith  whom  she  shared  every  secret  of  her 
heart.  Jane  was  at  this  time  in  declining  health, 
though  no  one  anticipated  that  she  was  to  be 
spared  to  her  family  only  for  one  more  short  year. 
She  wrote  frequently  to  my  mother  after  this  visit, 
entered  thoroughly  into  all  her  views  and  feelings, 
and  in  fact  only  ceased  the  correspondence  when 
health  and  strength  began  rapidly  to  fail. 


LXXVI. 

Hans  Place  :  Friday  (Nov.  24). 

My  dearest  Cassandra, 

I  have  the  pleasure  of  sending  you  a  much 
better  account  of  my  afairs^  which  I  know  will  be 
a  great  delight  to  you. 

I  Avrote  to  Mr.  Murray  yesterday  myself,  and 
Henry  wrote  at  the  same  time  to  EoAvorth.  Before 
the  notes  were  out  of  the  house,  I  received  tliree 
sheets  and  an  apology  from  E.  We  sent  the  notes, 
however,  and  I  had  a  most  civil  one  in  reply  from 


250        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEN.        1815 

Mr.  M.  He  is  so  very  polite,  indeed,  that  it  is  quite 
overcoming.  The  j)rinters  have  been  waiting  for 
paj)er — the  blame  is  thrown  upon  the  stationer  ; 
but  he  gives  his  word  that  I  shall  have  no  farther 
cause  for  dissatisfaction.  He  has  lent  us  Misf< 
Williams  and  Scott^  and  says  that  any  book  of  liis 
will  always  be  at  my  service.  In  short,  I  am  soothed 
and  complimented  into  tolerable  comfort. 

We  had  a  visit  yesterday  from  Edwd.  Knight, 
and  Mr.  Mascall  joined  him  here  ;  and  this  morning 
has  brought  Mr.  Mascall's  comphments  and  two 
pheasants.  We  have  some  hope  of  Edward's  coming 
to  dinner  to-day  ;  he  will,  if  he  can,  I  believe.  He 
is  looking  extremely  well. 

To-morrow  Mr.  Haden  is  to  dine  with  us. 
There  is  happiness  !  We  really  grow  so  fond  of 
Mr.  Haden  that  I  do  not  know  what  to  expect. 
He,  and  Mr.  Tilson,  and  Mr.  Phihps  made  up  our 
circle  of  wits  last  night ;  Fanny  played,  and  he 
sat  and  listened  and  suggested  improvements,  till 
Eichard  came  in  to  tell  him  that  '  the  doctor  was 
waiting  for  him  at  Captn.  Blake's  ;'  and  tlien  he 
was  off  with  a  speed  that  you  can  imagine.  He 
never  does  appear  in  the  least  above  his  profession, 
or  out  of  humour  witli  it,  or  I  should  think  poor 
Captn.  Blake,  whoever  lie  is,  in  a  very  bad  way. 


1815        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEX.        251 

I  must  liave  misunderstood  Henry  when  I  told 
you  that  you  were  to  hear  from  hhn  to-day.  He 
read  me  what  he  wrote  to  Edward :  part  of  it  must 
have  amused  him,  I  am  sure  one  part,  alas  !  cannot 
be  very  amusing  to  anybody.  I  wonder  that  with 
such  business  to  worry  him  he  can  be  getting 
better,  but  he  certainly  does  gain  strength,  and 
if  you  and  Edwd.  were  to  see  him  now  I  feel 
sure  that  you  would  think  him  improved  since 
Monday. 

He  was  out  yesterday  ;  it  was  a  fine  sunshiny 
day  here  (in  the  country  perhaps  you  might  have 
clouds  and  fogs.  Dare  I  say  so  ?  I  shall  not  de- 
ceive you^  if  I  do,  as  to  my  estimation  of  the  climate 
of  London),  and  he  ventured  first  on  the  balcony 
and  then  as  far  as  the  greenhouse.  He  caught  no 
cold,  and  therefore  has  done  more  to-day,  with 
great  dehght  and  self-persuasion  of  improvement. 

He  has  been  to  see  Mrs.  Tilson  and  the  Malings. 
By-the-bye,  you  may  talk  to  Mr.  T.  of  his  wife's 
being  better  ;  I  saw  her  yesterday,  and  was  sen- 
sible of  her  having  gained  ground  in  the  last  two 
days. 

Evening. — We  have  had  no  Edward.  Our  circle 
is  formed — only  Mr.  Tilson  and  Mr.  Haden.  We 
are  not   so   happy  as  we  were.     A  message  came 


252       LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1815 

this  afternoon  frorii  Mrs.  Latouche  and  Miss  East, 
ofiering  themselves  to  drink  tea  with  us  to-morrow, 
and,  as  it  was  accepted,  here  is  an  end  of  our  ex- 
treme fehcity  in  our  dinner  guest.  I  am  heartily 
sorry  they  are  coming  ;  it  will  be  an  evening  spoilt 
to  Fanny  and  me. 

Another  little  disappointment :  Mr.  H.  advises 
Henry's  not  venturing  with  us  in  the  carriage  to- 
morrow ;  if  it  were  spring,  he  says,  it  would  be  a 
different  thing.  One  would  rather  this  had  not 
been.  He  seems  to  think  his  going  out  to-day 
rather  imprudent,  though  acknowledging  at  the 
same  time  that  he  is  better  than  he  was  in  the 
mornino;. 

Fanny  has  had  a  letter  full  of  commissions  from 
Goodnestone ;  we  shall  be  busy  about  them  and 
her  own  matters,  I  dare  say,  from  12  to  4. 
Nothing  I  trust  will  keep  us  from  Keppel  Street. 

This  day  has  brought  a  most  friendly  letter 
from  Mr.  Fowle,  with  a  brace  of  pheasants.  I  did 
not  know  before  that  Henry  had  written  to  liim  a 
few  days  ago  to  ask  for  them.  We  shall  live  upon 
pheasants — no  bad  life  ! 

I  send  you  five  one-pound  notes,  for  fear  j^ou 
should  be  distressed  for  little  m.oney.  Lizzy's  work 
is   charmingly  done ;    shall   you    put   it    to  your 


1815  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEN.  253 

climtz  ?  A  sheet  came  in  this  moment ;  1st  and 
3rd  vols,  are  now  at  144  ;  2nd  at  48.  I  am  snre 
you  will  like  particulars.  We  are  not  to  have  the 
trouble  of  returning  the  sheets  to  Mr.  Murray  any 
longer,  the  printer's  boys  bring  and  carry. 

I  hope  Mary  continues  to  get  well  fast,  and 
I  send  my  love  to  little  Herbert.  You  will  tell  me 
Tiiore  of  Martha's  plans,  of  course,  when  you  write 
again.  Eemember  me  most  kindly  to  everybody, 
and  Miss  Benn  besides. 

Yours  very  affectionately,         J.  Austen. 

I  have  been  listening  to  dreadful  insanity.  It 
is  Mr.  Haden's  firm  belief  that  a  person  not  musical 
is  fit  for  every  sort  of  wickedness.  I  ventured  to 
assert  a  httle  on  the  other  side,  but  wished  the 
cause  in  abler  hands. 


LXXVII. 

Hans  Place  :  Sunday  (Nov,  26). 
My   DEAREST, 

The  parcel  arrived  safely,  and  I  am  much 
obliged  to  you  for  your  trouble.  It  cost  2^.  IM., 
but,  as  there  is  a  certain  saving  of  2s.  ^\d.  on  tlie 
other   side,  I  am  sure  it  is  well  worth  doing.     I 


254        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1815 

send  four  pair  of  silk  stockings,  but  I  do  not  want 
them  washed  at  present.  In  the  three  neckhand- 
kerchiefs  I  inekide  the  one  sent  down  before. 
These  things,  perliaps,  Edwd.  may  be  able  to  brings 
but  even  if  he  is  not,  I  am  extremely  pleased  with 
his  returning  to  you  from  Steventon.  It  is  much 
better  ;  far  preferable. 

I  did  mention  the  P.  E.  in  my  note  to  Mr. 
Murray ;  it  brought  me  a  fine  compliment  in 
return.  Whether  it  has  done  any  other  good  I  do 
not  know,  but  Henry  thought  it  worth  trying. 

The  printers  continue  to  supply  me  very  well. 
I  am  advanced  in  Vol.  III.  to  my  arra-root,  upon 
which  peculiar  st5de  of  spelling  there  is  a  modest 
query  in  the  margin.  I  will  not  forget  Anna's 
arrowroot.  I  hope  you  have  told  Martha  of  my 
first  resolution  of  letting  nobody  know  that  I  might 
dedicate,  &c.,  for  fear  of  being  obliged  to  do  it, 
and  that  she  is  thoroughly  convinced  of  my  being 
influenced  now  by  nothing  but  the  most  mercenary 
motives.  I  have  paid  nine  shilhngs  on  her  account 
to  Miss  Palmer  ;  there  was  no  more  owing. 

Well,  we  were  very  busy  all  yesterday  ;  from 
half-past  11  till  4  in  the  streets,  working  almost 
entirely  for  othei-  people,  driving  from  place  to 
place  after  a  parcel  for  Sandling,  which  we  could 


1815  LETTERS    OF   JAXE   AUSTEX.  255 

never  find,  and  encountering  the  miseries  of  Grafton 
House  to  get  a  purple  fi'ock  for  Eleanor  Bridges. 
We  got  to  Keppel  St.,  however,  whicli  was  all 
I  cared  for,  and  though  we  could  stay  only  a 
quarter-of-an-hour,  Fanny's  calling  gave  great 
pleasure,  and  her  sensibihty  still  greater,  for  she 
was  very  much  affected  at  the  sight  of  the  cliildren. 
Poor  little  F.  looked  lieavy.  We  saw  the  whole 
party. 

Aunt  Harriet  hopes  Cassy  ^Yl[\  not  forget  to 
make  a  pincushion  for  Mrs.  Kelly,  as  she  has  spoken 
of  its  being  promised  her  several  times.  I  hope 
we  shall  see  Aunt  H.  and  the  dear  little  girls  here 
on  Thursday. 

So  much  for  the  morning.  Then  came  the 
dinner  and  Mr.  Haden,  wdio  brought  good  man- 
ners and  clever  conversation.  From  7  to  8  the 
harp ;  at  8  Mrs.  L.  and  ^liss  E.  arrived,  and 
for  the  rest  of  the  evening  the  drawing-room  was 
thus  arranged  :  on  the  sofa  side  the  two  ladies. 
Henry,  and  myself,  making  the  best  of  it ;  on  tlie 
opposite  side  Fanny  and  ]\Ir.  Haden,  in  two  chairs 
(I  believe,  at  least,  they  had  two  chairs),  talking- 
together  uninterruptedly.  Fancy  the  scene  !  And 
what  is  to  be  fancied  next  ?  Why,  that  Mr.  H. 
dines  here   again   to-morrow.     To-day  we  are   to 


256        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        1815 

have  Mr.  Barlow.  Mr.  H.  is  reading  'Mansfield 
Park  '  for  the  first  time,  and  prefers  it  to  P.  and  P. 

A  hare  and  four  rabbits  from  Gm.  yesterday, 
so  that  we  are  stocked  for  nearly  a  week.  Poor 
Farmer  Andrews !  I  am  very  sorry  for  him,  and 
sincerely  wish  his  recovery. 

A  better  account  of  the  sugar  than  I  could 
have  expected.  I  should  like  to  help  you  break 
some  more.  I  am  glad  you  cannot  Avake  early  ; 
I  am  sure  you  must  have  been  under  great  arrears 
of  rest. 

Fanny  and  I  have  been  to  B.  Chapel,  and 
w^alked  back  with  Maria  Cuthbert.  We  have  been 
very  little  plagued  with  visitors  this  last  week. 
I  remember  only  Miss  Herries,  the  aunt,  but  I  am 
in  terror  for  to-day,  a  fine  bright  Sunday  ;  plenty 
of  mortar,  and  nothing  to  do. 

Henry  gets  out  in  his  garden  every  da}',  but  at 
present  his  inclination  for  doing  more  seems  over, 
nor  has  he  now  any  plan  for  leaving  London 
before  Dec.  18,  when  lie  tliinks  of  going  to 
Oxford  for  a  few  days  ;  to-day,  indeed,  his  feelings 
are  for  continuing  where  he  is  through  the  next 
two  months. 

One  knows  tlie  uncertainty  of  all  tliis,  but, 
should  it  be  so,  we  must  tliink  tlie  best,  and  hope 


1815  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEX.  2d  i 

the  best,  and  do  the  best  ;  and  my  idea  in  that 
case  is,  that  when  he  goes  to  Oxford  /  should  go 
home,  and  have  nearly  a  week  of  you  before  you 
take  my  place.  This  is  only  a  silent  project,  you 
know,  to  be  gladly  given  up  if  better  things  occur. 
Henry  calls  himself  stronger  every  day,  and  Mr.  H. 
keeps  on  approving  his  pulse,  which  seems  gene- 
rally better  than  ever,  but  still  they  will  not  let 
him  be  well.  Perhaps  when  Fanny  is  gone  he  will 
be  allowed  to  recover  faster. 

I  am  not  disappointed  :  I  never  thought  the 
little  girl  at  Wyards  very  pretty,  but  she  will  have 
a  fine  complexion  and  curly  hair,  and  j)ass  for  a 
beauty.  We  are  glad  the  mamma's  cold  has  not 
been  worse,  and  send  her  our  love  and  good 
wishes  by  every  convenient  opportunity.  Sweet, 
amiable  Frank  !  why  does  he  have  a  cold  too  ? 
Like  Captain  Mirvan  to  Mr.  Duval,^  '  I  wish  it  well 
over  with  him.' 

Fanny  has  heard  all  that  I  have  said  to  you 
about  herself  and  Mr.  H.  Thank  you  very  much  for 
the  sight  of  dearest  Charles's  letter  to  yourself.  How 
pleasantly  and  how  naturally  he  writes  !  and  how 
perfect  a  picture  of  his  disposition  and  feelings  his 
style  conveys  !    Poor  dear  fellow  !     Not  a  present  I 

^  Characters  in  Miss  Burney's  '  Evelina.' 
VOL.    II.  S 


258       LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        I8I0 

I  have  a  great  mind  to  send  him  all  the  twelve 
copies  which  w^ere  to  have  been  dispersed  among 
my  near  connections,  beginning  with  the  P.  E.  and 
ending  with  Countess  Morley.     Adieu. 

Yours  affectionately,         J.  Austex. 

Give  my  love  to  Gassy  and  Mary  Jane.  Caroline 
will  be  gone  when  this  reaches  you. 

Miss  Austen. 

LXXVIII. 

Hans  Place  :  Saturday  (Dec.  2). 

My  dear  Cassaxt)ra, 

'  Henry  came  back  yesterday,  and  might  have 
returned  the  day  before  if  he  had  known  as  much 
in  time.  I  had  the  pleasure  of  liearing  from 
Mr.  T.  on  Wednesday  night  that  Mr.  Seymour 
thought  there  was  not  the  least  occasion  for  liis 
absenting  himself  any  longer. 

I  had  also  the  comfort  of  a  few  lines  on 
Wednesday  morning  from  Henry  himself,  just  after 
your  letter  was  gone,  giving  so  good  an  account  of 
his  feelings  as  made  me  perfectly  eas3\  He  met 
Avitli  the  utmost  care  and  attention  at  Hanwell, 
spent  his  two  days  there  very  quietly  and  pleasantly, 
and,  being  certainly  in  no  respect  the  worse  for 
going,  we  may  believe  that  he  must  be  better,  as  he 


1815        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEX.        259 

is  quite  sure  of  beiug  himself.  To  make  his  returu 
a  complete  gala  Mr.  Haden  was  secured  for  dinuer. 
I  need  not  say  that  our  evening  was  agreeable. 

But  you  seem  to  be  under  a  mistake  as  to  Mr.  H. 
You  call  him  an  apothecary.  He  is  no  apotliecary  ; 
he  has  never  been  an  apothecary ;  there  is  not  an 
apothecary  in  this  neighbourhood — the  only  incon- 
venience of  the  situation  perhaps — but  so  it  is  ;  we 
have  not  a  medical  man  within  reach.  He  is  a 
Haden,  nothing  but  a  Haden,  a  sort  of  wonderful 
nondescript  creature  on  two  legs,  something  between 
a  man  and  an  angel,  but  without  the  least  spice  of 
an  apothecary.  He  is,  perhaps,  the  only  person 
not  an  apothecary  hereabouts.  He  has  never  sung 
to  us.  He  will  not  sing  without  a  pianoforte 
accompaniment. 

Mr.  Meyers  gives  his  three  lessons  a  week, 
altering  his  days  and  his  hours,  however,  just  as 
he  chooses,  never  very  punctual,  and  never  giving 
good  measure.  I  have  not  Fanny's  fondness  for 
masters,  and  Mr.  Meyers  does  not  give  me  any 
longing  after  them.  The  truth  is,  I  think,  that  they 
are  all,  at  least  music-masters,  made  of  too  much 
consequence  and  allowed  to  take  too  many  liberties 
with  their  scholars'  time. 

We    shall   be    delighted    to     see    EdAvard    on 

s2 


260  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  181.S 

Monday,  only  sorry  tliat  you  must  be  losing  liim. 
A  turkey  will  be  equally  welcome  with  himself. 
He  must  prepare  for  his  own  proper  bedchamber 
here,  as  Henry  moved  down  to  the  one  below  last 
week ;  lie  found  the  other  cold. 

I  am  sorry  my  mother  has  been  suffering,  and 
am  afraid  this  exquisite  weather  is  too  good  to 
agree  with  her.  /enjoy  it  all  over  me,  from  top 
to  toe,  from  right  to  left,  longitudinally,  perpen- 
dicularly, diagonally  ;  and  I  cannot  but  selfishly 
hope  we  are  to  have  it  last  till  Christmas — nice,  un- 
wholesome, unseasonable,  relaxing,  close,  muggy 
weather. 

Oil,  thank  you  very  much  for  your  long  letter  ; 
it  did  me  a  great  deal  of  good.  Henry  accepts 
your  offer  of  making  his  nine  gallon  of  mead 
thankfully.  The  mistake  of  the  dogs  rather  vexed 
him  for  a  moment,  but  he  has  not  thought  of  it 
since.  To-day  he  makes  a  third  attempt  at  his 
strengthening  plaister,  and,  as  I  am  sure  he  will 
now  be  getting  out  a  great  deal,  it  is  to  be  wished 
that  he  may  be  able  to  keep  it  on.  He  sets  off 
this  morning  by  the  Chelsea  coach  to  sign  bonds 
and  visit  Henrietta  St.,  and  I  have  no  doubt  will 
be  going  every  day  to  Henrietta  St. 

Fanny  and  I  were   very  snug  by  ourselves  as 


1815        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEN.        261 

soon  as  we  were  satisfied  about  our  invalid's  being 
safe  at  Han  well.  By  manoeuvring  and  good  luck 
we  foiled  all  the  Malings'  attempts  upon  us.  Hap- 
pily I  caught  a  little  cold  on  Wednesday,  the 
morning  we  were  in  town,  wdiich  we  made  very 
useful,  and  we  saw  nobody  but  our  precious  ^  and 
Ml-.  Tilson. 

This  evenincr  the  Malino-s  are  allowed  to  drink 
tea  with  us.  We  are  in  hopes — that  is,  we  icwh — 
Mss  Palmer  and  the  little  girls  may  come  this 
morning.  You  know,  of  course,  tliat  she  could 
not  come  on  Thursday,  and  she  will  not  attempt 
to  name  any  other  day. 

God  bless  you.  Excuse  the  shortness  of  this, 
but  I  must  finisli  it  now  that  I  may  save  you  2d. 
Best  love. 

Yours  affectionately,         J.  A. 

It  strikes  me  that  I  have  no  business  to  give 
the  P.  E.  a  binding,  but  we  will  take  counsel  upon 
the  question. 

I  am  glad  you  have  put  the  flounce  on  3'our 
chintz  ;  I  am  sure  it  must  look  particularly  well, 
and  it  is  wdiat  I  had  thought  of. 

Miss  Austen,  Chawton,  Alton,  Hants. 


Probably  a  playful  allusion  to  Mr.  Haden. 


2G2  LETTERS   OE   JANE   AUSTEX.  181G 


1816 

LXXIX. 

Cliawtou:  Sunday  (Sept.  8). 

My  dearest  Cassaxdra, 

I  have  borne  the  arrival  of  your  letter  to-day 
extremely  well  :  anybody  might  have  thought  it 
was  giving  me  pleasure.  I  am  very  glad  you  find 
so  much  to  be  satisfied  with  at  Cheltenham. 
While  the  waters  agree,  everything  else  is  trifling. 

A  letter  arrived  for  you  from  Charles  last 
Thursday.  They  are  all  safe  and  pretty  well  in 
Keppel  St.,  the  children  decidedly  better  for 
Broadstairs  ;  and  he  writes  principally  to  ask  when 
it  Avill  be  convenient  to  us  to  receive  Miss  P.,  the 
little  girls,  and  himself.  They  would  be  ready  to 
set  off  in  ten  days  from  the  time  of  his  writing,  ta 
pay  their  visits  in  Hampshire  and  Berkshire,  and 
he  would  prefer  coming  to  Chawton  y/r.v^. 

I  have  answered  him,  and  said  that  we  hoped  it 
might  suit  them  to  wait  till  the  last  week  in  Septr.,. 
as  we  could  not  ask  them  sooner,  either  on  your 
account  or  the  want  of  room.  I  mentioned  the 
23rd  as  the  probable  day  of  your  return.  When 
you    have  once  left   Cheltenham   I   shall   grudge 


1816  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  268 

every  half-day  wasted  on  the  road.  If  there  were 
but  a  coach  from  Hungerford  to  Chawton  !  I  have 
desired  him  to  let  me  hear  again  soon. 

He  does  not  include  a  maid  in  the  list  to  be 
accommodated,  but  if  they  bring  one,  as  I  suppose 
they  will,  we  shall  have  no  bed  in  the  house  even 
then  for  Charles  himself — let  alone  Henry.  But 
what  can  we  do  ? 

We  shall  have  the  Gt.  House  quite  at  our 
command  ;  it  is  to  be  cleared  of  the  Papillons' 
servants  in  a  day  or  two.  They  themselves  ha\e 
been  hurried  off  into  Essex  to  take  possession — 
not  of  a  large  estate  left  them  by  an  uncle — but 
to  scrape  together  all  they  can,  I  suppose,  of  the 
effects  of  a  Mrs.  Eawstorn,  a  rich  old  friend  and 
cousin,  suddenly  deceased,  to  whom  they  are  joint 
executors.  So  there  is  a  happy  end  of  the  Kentish 
Papillons  coming  here. 

No  morning  service  to-day,  wherefore  I  am 
writing  between  twelve  and  one  o'clock.  ]\Ir. 
Benn  in  the  afternoon,  and  likewise  more  rain 
again,  by  the  look  and  the  sound  of  tilings.  You 
left  us  in  doubt  of  Mrs.  Benn's  situation,  but  she 
has  bespoke  lier  nurse.  Mrs.  F.  A.  seldom  either 
looks  or  appears  quite  well.  Little  Embryo  is 
troublesome,    I    suppose.      They    dined    witli    us 


264  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1816 

yesterday,  and  had  fine  weather  both  for  coming 
and  going  home,  which  lias  hardly  ever  liappened 
to  them  before.  She  is  still  unprovided  with  a 
housemaid. 

Our  day  at  Alton  was  very  pleasant,  venison 
quite  right,  children  well-behaved,  and  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Digweed  taking  kindly  to  our  charades  and 
other  games.  I  must  also  observe,  for  his  mother's 
satisfaction,  that  EdAvard  at  my  suggestion  devoted 
himself  very  properly  to  the  entertainment  of  ]\iiss 
S.  Gibson.  Nothing  was  wanting  except  Mr. 
Sweeney,  but  he,  alas  I  had  been  ordered  away  to 
London  the  day  before.  We  had  a  beautiful  walk 
home  by  moonlight. 

Thank  you,  my  back  has  given  me  scarcely 
any  pain  for  many  days.  I  have  an  idea  that 
agitation  does  it  as  much  harm  as  fatigue,  and  that 
I  was  ill  at  the  time  of  your  going  from  tlie  very 
circumstance  of  your  going.  I  am  nursing  myself 
up  now  into  as  beautiful  a  state  as  I  can,  because 
I  hear  that  Dr.  White  means  to  call  on  me  before 
he  leaves  the  country. 

Evening. — Frank  and  Mary  and  the  children 
visited  us  this  morning.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gibson  are 
to  come  on  the  23rd,  and  there  is  too  much  reason 
to  fear  they  will  stay  above  a  week.     Little  George 


1816  LETTERS   OF   J.l^'E   AUSTEN.  265 

could  tell  me  where  you  were  gone  to,  as  well  as 
what  you  were  to  bring  him,  when  I  asked  him 
the  other  day. 

Sir  Tho.  Miller  is  dead.  I  treat  you  with  a 
dead  baronet  in  almost  every  letter. 

So  you  have  C.  Craven  among  3'ou,  as  well  as 
the  Duke  of  Orleans  and  Mr.  Pocock.  But  it 
mortifies  me  that  you  have  not  added  one  to  the 
stock  of  common  acquaintance.  Do  pray  meet 
with  somebody  belonging  to  yourself.  I  am  quite 
weary  of  your  knowing  nobody. 

Mrs.  Dig  weed  parts  with  both  Hannah  and  old 
cook  ;  the  former  will  not  give  up  her  lover,  who 
is  a  man  of  bad  character ;  the  latter  is  guilty 
only  of  being  unequal  to  anything. 

Miss  Terry  was  to  have  spent  this  week  with 
her  sister,  but  as  usual  it  is  put  ofi*.  My  amiable 
friend  knows  the  value  of  her  company.  I  have 
not  seen  Anna  since  the  day  you  left  us ;  her 
father  and  brother  visited  her  most  days.  Edward 
and  Ben  called  here  on  Thursday.  Edward  was 
in  his  way  to  Selborne.  We  found  him  very 
agreeable.  He  is  come  back  from  France, 
thinking  of  the  French  as  one  could  wisli — dis- 
appointed in  everything.  He  did  not  go  beyond 
Paris. 


266        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        IBIG 

I  have  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Perigord ;  she  and 
her  mother  are  in  London  again.  She  speaks  of 
France  as  a  scene  of  general  poverty  and  misery: 
no  money,  no  trade,  nothing  to  be  got  but  by  the 
innkeepers,  and  as  to  her  own  present  prospects 
she  is  not  much  less  melancholy  than  before. 

I  liave  also  a  letter  from  Miss  Sharp,  quite  one 
of  her  letters  ;  she  has  been  again  obliged  to  exert 
herself  more  than  ever,  in  a  more  distressing,  more 
harassed  state,  and  has  met  with  another  excellent 
old  physician  and  his  wife,  with  every  virtue  under 
heaven,  who  takes  to  her  and  cures  her  from  pure 
love  and  benevolence.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Storer  are  their 
Mrs.  and  Miss  Palmer — for  they  are  at  Bridlington. 
I  am  happy  to  say,  however,  that  the  sum  of  the 
account  is  better  than  usual.  Sir  William  is 
returned ;  from  Bridlington  they  go  to  Chevet, 
and  she  is  to  have  a  young  governess  under  her. 

I  enjoyed  Edward's  company  very  much,  as  I 
said  before,  and  yet  I  was  not  sorry  when  Friday 
came.  It  had  been  a  busy  week,  and  I  wanted  a 
few  days  quiet  and  exemption  from  tlie  thought 
and  contrivancy  which  any  sort  of  company  gives. 
I  often  wonder  how  you  can  find  time  for  what 
you  do,  in  addition  to  the  care  of  the  house ;  and 
how    irood    Mrs.  West   could    luive   written   such 


181()        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        267 

books  and  collected  so  many  hard  words,  with  all 
her  family  cares,  is  still  more  a  matter  of  astonish- 
ment. Composition  seems  to  me  impossil)le  with;  a 
head  fnll  of  joints  of  mutton  and  doses  of  rhubarb. 

Monday. — Here  is  a  sad  morning.  I  fear  you 
may  not  have  been  able  to  get  to  the  Pump.  The 
two  last  days  were  very  ])leasant.  I  enjoyed  them 
the  more  for  your  sake.  But  to-day  it  is  really 
bad  enough  to  make  you  all  cross.  I  hope  Mary 
will  change  her  lodgings  at  tlie  fortnight's  end  ; 
I  am  sure,  if  you  looked  about  well,  you  would 
find  others  in  some  odd  corner  to  suit  you  better. 
Mrs.  Potter  charges  for  the  name  of  tlie  High  St. 

Success  to  the  pianoforte  !  I  trust  it  will  drive 
you  away.  We  hear  now  that  there  is  to  be  no 
honey  this  year.  Bad  news  for  us.  We  must  hus- 
band our  present  stock  of  mead,  and  I  am  sorry 
to  perceive  that  our  twenty  gallons  is  very  nearly 
out.  I  cannot  comprehend  how  the  fourteen 
gallons  could  last  so  long. 

We  do  not  much  like  Mr.  Cooper's  new  sermons. 
They  are  fuller  of  regeneration  and  conversion 
than  ever,  with  the  addition  of  his  zeal  in  the 
cause  of  the  Bible  Society. 

Martha's  love  to  Mary  and  Caroline,  and  she  is 
extremely  glad  to  find  they  like  the  pelisse.     The 


268        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1810 

Debarys  are  indeed  odious  !  We  are  to  see  my 
brother  to-morrow,  but  for  only  one  night.  I 
had  no  idea  that  he  would  care  for  the  races 
without  Edward.     Eemember  me  to  all. 

Yours  very  affectionately,         J.  Austen. 

Miss  Austeu,  Post  Office,  Cheltenham. 


1814-I816 

I  CONFESS  to  having  entertained  some  doubts  as  to 
the  publication  of  the  five  letters  addressed  by 
'Aunt  Jane'  to  my  mother  in  1814-16 — doubts 
not  so  much  as  to  the  propriety  of  their  publica- 
tion as  to  the  joossible  dislike  which  some  of  my 
own  family  might  feel  at  the  dragging  to  light  of 
items  of  private  history  which,  seventy  years  ago, 
were  no  doubt  secret  and  sacred  to  both  the  writer 
and  tlie  recij^ient  of  the  letters  which  contain 
them.  But  two  considerations  have  weighed  with 
me  above  all  otliers,  and  I  trust  they  will  be 
deemed  sufficient,  even  if  the  la])se  of  time  since 
the  letters  Avere  written  did  not  in  itself  remove 
every  reasonable  objection.  The  one  consideration 
is  that,  as  regards  Jane  herself,  tliese  five  letters 
are   pecuHarly   interesting,   not   only    because   in 


1814-181G         LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEX.  269 

every  line  they  are  vividly  cliaracteristic  of  tlie 
writer,  but  because  they  differ  from  all  the  preceding 
letters  in  that  they  are  written,  not  to  an  elder 
sister,  but  to  a  niece  who  constantly  sought  her 
advice  and  sympathy,  and  whom  she  addressed,  of 
course,  in  a  different  manner,  and  from  a  different 
standpoint.  The  other  and,  naturally,  to  me  a 
consideration  even  more  important,  is  that,  accord- 
ing to  my  humble  judgment,  these  letters,  whilst 
they  illustrate  the  character  of  my  great-aunt, 
cannot,  when  explained,  do  otherwise  than  reflect 
credit  upon  that  of  my  beloved  mother  ;  whilst  they 
prove  the  great  and  affectionate  intimacy  which 
existed  between  her  and  her  aunt,  and  incidentally 
demonstrate  the  truth  of  a  remark  in  one  of 
Cassandra's  letters  that  there  were  many  points  of 
similitude  in  the  characters  of  the  two.  If  my 
mother  had  preserved  more  of  the  thirty  or  forty 
letters  which  she  received  from  '  Aunt  Jane ' 
during  the  years  1814-16,  it  might  have  been 
possible  for  me,  if  it  seemed  desirable,  to  eliminate 
the  portions  which  related  to  her  own  '  love  affairs,' 
and  to  still  obtain  the  illustrations  of  Jane  Austen's 
character  which  her  letters  to  a  niece  specially 
afford  Avhen  compared  with  her  letters  to  a  sister. 


270  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1814- 

I  am  not  sure,  liowever,  that  such  an  elimination 
would  not  have,  to  a  great  extent,  spoiled,  or  at 
least  diminished,  the  interest  of  the  letters ;  and, 
when  it  became  a  question  of  omitting  altogether 
these  five  letters,  I  thought  that  their  interest  was 
so  great  that  I  could  not  persuade  myself  to  do  so. 
After  all  the  story  is  very  simple,  and  one  which 
can  offend  or  injure  nobody  by  its  relation.  My 
mother  was  a  liandsome  and  agreeable  young 
woman,  fond  of  society,  and  endowed  with  a  large 
portion  of  practical  common  sense.  A  friendship 
sprang  up  between  her  and  a  gentleman  of  about 
her  own  age,  wliose  name  it  is  unnecessary  for  me 
to  mention.  He  was  a  man  of  high  character, 
the  two  saw  much  of  each  other,  and  the  friend- 
ship ripened  into  an  attachment  which  ver}^  nearly 
became  an  engagement.  There  Avas,  liowever,  one 
point  of  difference  which  stood  in  tlie  way,  and 
prevented  this  result.  The  gentleman  was  of  a 
very  serious  disposition,  and  eventually  liis  religious 
views  induced  liim  to  tliink  dancing  and  other 
social  amusements  of  the  same  sort  tilings  which 
ought  to  be  eschewed  and  avoided  by  Christian 
people.  My  mother  was  of  a  different  opinion.  I 
do  not   suppose    there  ever  was    a  woman    more 


'1816  LETTERS    OF   JAXE   AUSTEN.  271 

profoundly   and  really  religious ;   tliroughout    the 
whole  of  her  life   she  attended  assiduously  to  her 
religious  duties,  never  a  day  passed  that   she  did 
not  devote  some  portion  of  it   to  the   perusal   of 
some  pious  author  (which  she  called  '  reading  my 
goodness '),  and  no  one  ever  strove  more  earnestly 
to  do  her  duty  and  to  follow  the  teaching  of  the 
Gospel.      But    she    entertained   a    strong    opinion 
that  this  might  be  done  without  a  severance  from 
the    ordinary  pursuits  and  amusements    of  otlier 
l^eople ;  that  a  person  might  live  '  in  the  world ' 
without  being  '  of  the  world,'  and  tliat  to  perform 
the  duties  which  came  before  her  in  life,  and  set  a 
practical  example  of  a  Christian  life  in  her  everv- 
day  existence,  was  as  likely  to   be  acceptable  to 
God    as    the   withdrawal  from   pursuits  in  which 
everybody  else  indulged,  as  if  a  Christian's  duty  re- 
quired that  he  should  live  apart  from  other  people, 
by  which  means  his  influence  over  them  for  good 
must  of  necessity  be  diminished.     From  the  entries 
in  her  diary,  as  well  as  from  the  letters  before  me, 
it  is  evident  that  about  this  time  a  struggle  went 
on    in    my    mother's    mind    upon    these    points. 
^  Plagued    myself   about  Methodists   all  day,'  and 
^  had  a  nice  conversation  Avith  Mr.  Sherer  about 


272  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1814- 

Methodists,'  are  entries  in  tlie  autumn  of  1814, 
which  evidently  bear  upon  the  matter,  while  other 
entries  throughout  this  and  the  early  part  of  the 
following  year  testify  to  the  fact  that  she  enter- 
tained a  strong  regard  for  the  gentleman,  but  that 
she  was  in  the  position  which  many  young  women 
liave  been  in  before  and  since — namely,  doubtful 
whether  she  cared  enough  for  liim  to  become  his 
wife.  This  doubt  became  a  certainty  in  1815,  and 
I  find  at  the  end  of  her  pocket-book  for  that  year, 
hi  her  usual  summary  of  the  principal  events  of 
the  year,  that  there  were  '  many  serious  discussions 
and  vexatious  circumstances  on  serious  subjects 
tending  nearly  to  dissolve  the  intimacy  between 

and  myself.'     I  cannot  more  aptly  illustrate 

my  mother's  real  feehngs  upon  these  matters  which 
she  speaks  of  as  '  serious '  tlian  by  a  quotation 
from  a  letter  to  her  from  my  father  before  they 
were  married,  which  appears  to  me  to  speak,  in 
the  stronger  language  of  a  man,  that  which  was 
in  her  woman's  heart.  It  so  happened  that  imme- 
diately after  they  became  engaged  my  father  was 
summoned  to  Lincolnshire  upon  affairs  arising  out 
of  the  death  of  Sir  Joseph  Banks,  and  obliged  to  be 
away  for  more  than  a  fortnight,  during  which  time 


1816  LETTERS   OF   JANE  AUSTEN.  273 

he  wrote  daily  to  my  mother,  who  preserved 
all  these  letters — mteresting  mementoes  to  her 
children.  In  one  of  them,  answering  some  remarks 
and  enquiries  of  his  correspondent,  he  writes  as 
follows : — '  In  all  that  I  have  had  to  undergo  I 
have  been  supported  by  that  Power  from  above 
without  whose  aid  I  must  long  ago  liave  sunk  ; 
but,  seriously  as  I  have  always  regarded  every 
occurrence  of  life,  and  attributing  as  I  always  do 
everything  that  liappens  to  a  superintending  Power, 
I  have  never  suffered  these  considerations  to  inter- 
fere with  the  duties  or  even  the  amusements  of 
life.  I  have  never  felt  that  it  could  become  me 
to  find  fault  with  the  conduct  of  others,  and  dog- 
matically prescribe  what  course  it  is  best  to  pursue. 
To  act  upon  a  steady  and  uniform  principle,  to 
adhere  to  what  is  ric^ht  and  to  abstain  from  what 
is  wrong,  to  afford  the  best  example  in  my  power, 
never  to  obtrude  my  opinions,  but  never  upon 
proper  occasions  to  be  ashamed  or  afraid  of  avowing 
them — these  have  been  the  rules  upon  which  I 
have  acted,  and  I  believe  they  will  bring  peace  at 
the  last.  I  dislike  everything  that  savours  of  levity 
in  matters  of  religion,  and  much  more  do  I  dis- 
like that  affected  and  presumptuous  vanity  which 

VOL.    TT.  T 


274  LETTERS   OF  JANE    AUSTEN.  1814- 

dares  to  censure  the  innocent  amusements  of  life — 
wliicli  secludes  people  from  the  common  enjoy- 
ments necessary  to  the  comfort  of  society,  and 
which,  clothed  in  puritanical  hypocrisy,  affects 
a  superiority  to  which  it  has  no  claim  what- 
ever. These  are  serious  subjects  ;  you  first  men- 
tioned them  to' me,  and  I  love  you  too  well  not  to 
tell  you  without  hesitation  what  I  think  and  feel. 
Your  own  principles  as  expressed  to  me  are  right 
— grounded  on  humility,  admitting  how  unequal 
we  are  to  perform  our  duties,  but  resolutely  and 
constantly  persevering  to  the  utmost  of  our  ability 
to  discharge  them  properly — thinking  seriously  of 
everything  that  happens,  constantly  mixing  with 
the  world,  but  enjoying  it  more  or  less  according 
as  we  meet  with  similar  feelings  and  kindred 
spirits,  and  always  liojDing  that  our  example  and 
principles  will  effect  some  good  and  receive  the 
respect  to  which  they  are  entitled.'  It  was  neces- 
sary to  the  elucidation  of  these  five  letters  that 
this  insight  into  my  mother's  affairs  should  be 
given  ;  lier  feelings  may  be  gathered  from  '  Aunt 
Jane's '  remarks  upon  them,  and  I  might  close  these 
prefatory  observations  by  saying  that  this  difference 
upon  '  serious  subjects  '  did  overcome  my  mother's 


1816  LETTEES   OF  JANE   AUSTEX.  275 

regard  for  the  gentleman  in  question,  that  the 
'  intimacy  '  ivas  '  dissolved.'  and  within  a  couple 
of  years  he  found  his  happiness  elsewhere.  I  am 
unable,  however,  to  avoid  another  quotation  from 
one  of  my  father's  letters  in  1820,  Avhich  evidences 
the  frank,  fearless,  open  nature  which,  in  common 
with  'Aunt  Jane,'  my  mother  possessed.  He 
writes  :    '  I  will  now  reply  to  that  part  of  your 

letter  which  relates  to  Mr. .     Our  meetino-, 

my  dearest  Fanny,  in  the  library  at  Godmersham 
on  Friday  fortnight  we  can  neither  of  us  ever 
forget — within  ten  minutes  you  mentioned  to  me 
the  circumstances  of  this  attachment.  Of  course 
I  felt  surprised  till  you  told  me  all,  and  then  I  felt 
still  more  surprised,  and  happy  beyond  what  I 
can  declare,  at  having,  as  it  were  at  once,  deve- 
loped to  me  a  mind  capable  of  expressing  what  I 
do  not  believe  any  other  woman  in  the  world 
would  have  had  courage,  or  firmness,  or  candour, 
or  sense  enough  to  have  mentioned.  Let  me  say 
that  my  esteem  for  you  is  not  of  very  recent 
date,  but  I  hardly  know  of  anything  that  has 
raised  you  higher  in  my  opinion  than  your  frank 
and  sensible  avowal  in  this  instance.  I  would  not  say 
this  if  it  were  not  true,  and  that  you  well  know.' 

t2 


276  LETTERS   OF  JANE    AUSTEN.  1814- 

The  meeting  in  the  library  at  Godmersham  was, 
of  course,  that  at  which  my  father  and  mother 
became  engaged,  and  with  the  hatred  of  conceal- 
ment which  was  a  part  of  her  character,  she 
evidently  told  him  at  once  and  fully  of  the  past, 
and  by  so  doing  confirmed  and  strengthened  his 
confidence  in  herself  for  the  future. 

The  first  two  of  these  letters  were  written  in 
November  1814,  one  from  Chawton  and  the  other 
from  Hans  Place  ;  they  speak  for  themselves,  and 
comment  would  only  weaken  their  effect.  The 
visit  to  Hendon  (mentioned  in  the  second  letter) 
was'  to  'Anna  Lefroy,'  nee  Austen,  and  the  Mr. 
Hayter  mentioned  in  the  same  letter  was  the  same 
who  was  afterwards  for  many  years  Patronage 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  in  several  Liberal 
Governments. 

The  third  letter,  written  in  February  1816, 
may  perhaps  require  a  word  of  explanation. 
There  are  two  gentlemen  therein  referred  to, 
one  whom  Jane  believes  determined  to  marry 
her  niece,  the  other  (the  hero  of  the  former 
letters)  for  wliom  she  suspects  that  '  sAveet,  per- 
verse Fanny  '  has  still  some  regard,  which  she  no 
longer  endeavours  to  rekindle  and  strengthen,  but 


1816  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEN.  277 

to  lessen  and  extinguish.  The  first  gentleman  is 
again  referred  to  in  the  next  letter,  before  writing 
which  Jane  seems  to  have  discovered  that  her 
niece's  peril  of  matrimony  was  not  so  imminent  as 
she  had  supposed  :  she  considers  upon  the  whole 
that  Mr. '  cannot  be  in  love  with  you,  how- 
ever he  may  try  at  it,'  and  exhorts  her  niece  not 
to  be  '  in  a  hurry  ' — '  the  right  man  is  sure  to  come 
at  last.'  He  did  come,  but  unfortunately  not 
until  the  grave  had  closed  for  three  years  over  the 
aunt  who  took  such  a  warm  and  lively  interest  in 
all  that  concerned  her  niece,  and  who  would  have 
sincerely  and  heartily  rejoiced  could  she  have  seen 
her  in  the  position  which  she  so  long  and  so 
worthily  occupied. 


LXXX. 

Chawton  :  Friday  (Nov.  18,  1814). 

I  feel  quite  as  doubtful  as  you  could  be,  my 
dearest  Fanny,  as  to  when  my  letter  may  be  finished, 
for  I  can  command  very  little  quiet  time  at  present ; 
but  yet  I  must  begin,  for  I  know  you  will  be  glad 
to  hear  as  soon  as  possible,  and  I  really  am 
impatient  myself  to  be    writing   something  on  so 


278  LETTERS   OF  JANE  AUSTEX.  1814 

very  interesting  a  subject,  though  I  have  no  hope 
of  writing  anything  to  the  purpose.  I  shall  do 
very  little  more,  I  dare  say,  than  say  over  again 
what  you  have  said  before. 

I  was  certainly  a  good  deal  surprised  at  firsts 
as  I  had  no  suspicion  of  any  change  in  3^our  feel- 
ings, and  I  have  no  scruple  in  saying  that  you 
cannot  be  in  love.  My  dear  Fanny,  I  am  ready  to 
laugh  at  the  idea,  and  yet  it  is  no  laughing  mat- 
ter to  have  had  you  so  mistaken  as  to  your  own 
feelings.  And  ^Yi\h.  all  my  heart  I  wish  I  liad 
cautioned  you  on  that  point  wlien  first  you  spoke 
to  me  ;  but,  though  I  did  not  think  you  then  much 
in  love,  I  did  consider  you  as  being  attached  in  a 
degree  quite  sufficiently  for  happiness,  as  I  had  no 
doubt  it  would  increase  with  opportunity,  and  from 
the  time  of  our  being  in  London  together  I  thought 
you  really  very  much  in  love.  But  you  certainly 
are  not  at  all — there  is  no  concealing  it. 

Wliat  strange  creatures  we  are !  It  seems  as  if 
your  being  secure  of  liim  had  made  you  indifferent. 
There  was  a  little  disgust,  I  suspect,  at  the  races, 
and  I  do  not  wonder  at  it.  His  expressions  then 
would  not  do  for  one  who  had  rather  more  acute- 
ness,  penetration,  and  taste,  than  love,  which  was 
your  case.     And  yet,  after  all,  I  am  surprised  that 


18U  LETTEES   OF   JAXE   AUSTEX.  279 

the  change  in  your  feehngs  should  be  so  great. 
He  is  just  what  he  ever  was,  only  more  evidently 
and  uniformly  devoted  to  you.  This  is  all  the 
difference.     How  shall  we  account  for  it  ? 

My  dearest  Fanny,  I  am  writing  what  will  not 
be  of  the  smallest  use  to  you.  I  am  feehng 
differently  every  moment,  and  shall  not  be  able  to 
suof crest  a  sino^le  thinor  that  can  assist  your  mind. 

Co  o  O  «/ 

I  could  lament  in  one  sentence  and  laugh  in  the 
next,  but  as  to  opinion  or  counsel  I  am  sure  that 
none  will  be  extracted  worth  having  from  this 
letter. 

I  read  yours  through  the  very  evening  I  re- 
ceived it,  gettmg  away  by  myself.  I  could  not 
bear  to  leave  off  when  I  had  once  begun.  I  w^as 
full  of  curiosity  and  concern.  Luckily  your  At. 
C.  dined  at  the  other  house  ;  therefore  I  had  not 
to  manoeuvre  away  from  her,  and  as  to  anybody 
else,  I  do  not  care. 

Poor  dear  Mr.  A. !  Oh,  dear  Fanny !  your  mis- 
take has  been  one  that  thousands  of  women  fall 
into.  He  was  the  first  young  man  who  at'tached 
himself  to  you.  That  was  the  charm,  and  most 
powerful  it  is.  Among  the  multitudes,  however, 
that  make  the  same  mistake  with  yourself,  there 
can  be  few  indeed  who   liave  so  little   reason  to 


280       LETTEES  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1814 

regret  it ;  Ids  character  and  his  attachment  leave 
you  nothing  to  be  ashamed  of. 

Upon  the  whole,  what  is  to  be  done  ?  You 
have  no  inclination  for  any  other  person.  His 
situation  in  life,  family,  friends,  and,  above  all,  his 
character,  his  uncommonly  amiable  mind,  strict 
principles,  just  notions,  good  habits,  all  that  you 
know  so  well  how  to  value,  all  that  is  really  of 
the  first  importance, — everything  of  this  nature 
pleads  his  cause  most  strongly.  You  have  no 
doubt  of  his  having  superior  abilities,  he  has  proved 
it  at  the  University  ;  he  is,  I  dare  say,  such  a 
scholar  as  your  agreeable,  idle  brothers  would  ill 
bear  a  comparison  with. 

Oh,  my  dear  Fanny  !  the  more  I  write  about 
him  the  warmer  my  feelings  become — the  more 
strongly  I  feel  the  sterling  worth  of  such  a  young 
man  and  tlie  desirableness  of  your  growing  in  love 
with  him  again.  I  recommend  this  most  thoroughly. 
There  are  such  beings  in  the  world,  perhaps  one  in 
a  thousand,  as  the  creature  you  and  I  should  think 
perfection,  where  grace  and  spirit  are  united  to 
worth,  where  the  manners  are  equal  to  the  lieart 
and  understanding,  but  such  a  person  may  not 
come  in  your  way,  or,  if  he  does,  he  may  not  be 
the  eldest  son  of  a  man  of  fortune,  tlie  near  rela- 


1814        LETTEES  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        281 

tion  of  your  particular  friend  and  belonging  to 
your  own  county. 

Think  of  all  this,  Fanny.  Mr.  X.  has  advan- 
tages which  we  do  not  often  meet  in  one  person. 
His  only  fault,  indeed,  seems  modesty.  If  he  were 
less  modest  he  would  be  more  agreeable,  speak 
louder,  and  look  impudenter ;  and  is  not  it  a  line 
character  of  which  modesty  is  the  only  defect  ? 
I  have  no  doubt  he  will  get  more  hvely  and  more 
like  yourselves  as  he  is  more  with  you  ;  he  will 
catch  your  ways  if  he  belongs  to  you.  And,  as  to 
there  being  any  objection  from  his  goodness,  from 
the  dano'er  of  his  becominor  even  evangelical,  I 
cannot  admit  that.  I  am  by  no  means  convinced 
that  we  ought  not  all  to  be  evangelicals,  and  am 
at  least  persuaded  that  they  who  are  so  from 
reason  and  feeling  must  be  happiest  and  safest. 
Do  not  be  frightened  from  the  connection  by  your 
brothers  having  most  wit — wisdom  is  l^etter  than 
wit,  and  in  the  long  run  will  certainly  have  the 
laugh  on  her  side ;  and  don't  be  frightened  by  the 
idea  of  his  acting  more  strictly  up  to  the  precepts 
of  the  Xew  Testament  than  others. 

And  now,  my  dear  Fanny,  having  written  so 
much  on  one  side  of  the  question,  I  shall  turn 
round   and  entreat    you   not    to    commit  yourself 


282  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1814 

farther,  and  not  to  think  of  accepting  him  unless 
you  really  do  like  him.  Anything  is  to  be  pre- 
ferred or  endured  rather  than  marrying  without 
affection  ;  and  if  his  deficiencies  of  manner,  &c.  &c., 
strike  you  more  than  all  his  good  qualities,  if  you 
continue  to  think  strongly  of  them,  give  him  up 
at  once.  Things  are  now  in  such  a  state  that  you 
must  resolve  upon  one  or  the  other — either  to  allow 
him  to  go  on  as  he  has  done,  or  wlienever  you  are 
together  behave  with  a  coldness  which  may  con- 
vince him  that  he  has  been  deceiving  himself.  I 
have  no  doubt  of  his  suffering  a  good  deal  for  a 
time — a  <^reat  deal  when  he  feels  that  he  must  ^ive 
you  up  ;  but  it  is  no  creed  of  mine,  as  you  must  be 
well  aware,  that  such  sort  of  disappointments  kill 
anybody. 

Your  sendinsf  the  music  was  an  admirable 
device,  it  made  everything  easy,  and  I  do  not 
knoAv  hoAV  I  could  have  accounted  for  the  parcel 
otherwise  ;  for  though  your  dear  jDapa  most  con- 
scientiously hunted  about  till  he  found  me  alone  in 
the  dining-parlour,  your  Aunt  C.  had  seen  that  he 
had  a  j)arcel  to  deliver.  As  it  was,  however,  I  do 
not  think  anything  was  suspected. 

We  have  heard  notliing  fresh  from  Anna.  I 
trust  she  is  very  comfortable   in  her   new   home. 


1814        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEX.        283 

Her  letters  have  been  very  sensible  and  satisfac- 
tory, with  no  ijarade  of  happiness,  which  I  liked 
them  the  better  for.  I  have  often  known  young 
married  women  write  in  a  way  I  did  not  like  in  that 
respect. 

You  will  be  glad  to  hear  that  the  first  edition 
of  M.  P.^  is  all  sold.  Your  uncle  Henry  is  rather 
wanting  me  to  come  to  town  to  settle  about  a 
second  edition,  but  as  I  could  not  very  conveniently 
leave  home  now,  I  have  written  him  my  will  and 
pleasure,  and,  unless  he  still  urges  it,  shall  not  go. 
I  am  very  greedy  and  want  to  make  the  most  of 
it,  but  as  you  are  much  above  caring  about  money 
I  shall  not  plague  you  with  any  particulars.  The 
pleasures  of  vanity  are  more  within  your  com- 
prehension, and  you  will  enter  into  mine  at  receiving 
the  praise  which  every  now  and  then  comes  to  me 
through  some  cliannel  or  other. 

Saturday. — ^h\  Palmer  spent  yesterday  with 
us,  and  is  gone  off  w4th  Cass}^  this  morning.  We 
have  been  expecting  ]\Iiss  Lloyd  the  last  two  days, 
and  feel  sure  of  her  to-day.  Mr.  Knight  and  Mr. 
Edwd.  Knight  are  to  dine  with  us,  and  on  Monday 
they  are  to  dine  with  us  again,  accompanied  by 
their  respectable  host  and  hostess. 

1  '  Mansfield  Park.' 


284       LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1814 

Sunday. — Your  papa  had  given  me  messages  to 
you,  but  tliey  are  unnecessary,  as  he  writes  by  this 
post  to  Aunt  Louisa.  We  had  a  pleasant  party 
yesterday,  at  least  we  found  it  so.  It  is  dehghtful 
to  see  him  so  cheerful  and  confident.  Aunt  Cass, 
and  I  dine  at  the  Great  House  to-day.  We  shall  be 
a  snug  half-dozen.  Miss  Lloyd  came,  as  we  ex- 
pected, yesterday,  and  desires  her  love.  She  is 
very  happy  to  hear  of  your  learning  the  harp.  I 
do  not  mean  to  send  you  what  I  ow^e  ]\Iiss  Hare, 
because  I  think  you  would  rather  not  be  paid 
beforehand. 

^  Yours  very  affectionately,         Jane  Austen. 

Miss  Knight,  Goodnestone  Farm, 
Wingham,  Kent. 

LXXXI. 
23  Hans  Place :  Wednesday  (Nov.  30, 1814). 

I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you,  my  dear  Fanny, 
for  your  letter,  and  I  hope  you  will  write  again 
soon,  that  I  may  know  you  to  be  all  safe  and  happy 
at  home. 

Our  visit  to  Hendon  will  interest  you,  I  am  sure, 
but  I  need  not  enter  into  the  particulars  of  it,  as 
your   papa  will  be   able  to  answer  almost  every 


1814  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEX.  285 

question.  I  certainly  could  describe  her  bedroom, 
and  her  drawers,  and  her  closet,  better  than  he 
can,  but  I  do  not  feel  that  I  can  stop  to  do  it.  I 
was  rather  sorry  to  hear  that  slie  is  to  have  an  in- 
strument ;  it  seems  throwing  money  away.  They 
will  wish  the  twenty-four  guineas  in  the  shape  of 
sheets  and  towels  six  months  hence  ;  and  as  to  her 
plajdng,  it  never  can  be  anything. 

Her  purple  pehsse  rather  surprised  me.  I 
thought  we  had  known  all  paraphernalia  of  that 
sort.  I  do  not  mean  to  blame  her  ;  it  looked  very 
well,  and  I  dare  say  she  wanted  it.  I  suspect 
nothing  worse  than  its  being  got  in  secret,  and  not 
owned  to  anybody.  I  received  a  very  kind  note 
from  her  yesterday,  to  ask  me  to  come  again  and 
stay  a  night  with  them.  I  cannot  do  it,  but  I  was 
pleased  to  find  that  she  had  the  power  of  doing  so 
right  a  thing.  My  going  was  to  give  them  hotli 
pleasure  very  properly. 

I  just  saw  Mr.  Hayter  at  the  play,  and  think 
his  face  would  please  me  on  acquaintance.  I  was 
sorry  he  did  not  dine  here.  It  seemed  rather  odd 
to  me  to  be  in  the  theatre  with  nobody  to  watch 
for.  I  was  quite  composed  myself,  at  leisure  for 
all  the  agitated  Isabella  could  raise. 

Now,  my  dearest  Fanny,  I  will  begin  a  subject 


286  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1814 

which  comes  m  very  naturally.  You  frighten  me 
out  of  my  wits  by  your  reference.  Your  affection 
gives  me  the  highest  pleasure,  but  indeed  you  must 
not  let  anything  depend  on  my  opinion  ;  your  own 
feelings,  and  none  but  your  own,  should  determine 
such  an  important  point.  So  far,  however,  as  an- 
swering your  question,  I  have  no  scruple.  I  am 
perfectly  convinced  that  your  present  feehngs, 
supposing  you  were  to  marry  7ioiij,  would  be 
sufficient  for  his  happiness  ;  but  when  I  think  how 
very,  very  far  it  is  from  a  '  now,'  and  take  every- 
thing that  may  he  into  consideration,  I  dare  not 
say^ '  Determine  to  accept  him  ; '  the  risk  is  too  great 
for  you,  unless  your  own  sentiments  prompt  it. 

You  will  think  me  perverse  perhaps  ;  in  my  last 
letter  I  was  urging  everything  in  his  favour,  and 
noAv  I  am  inclining  the  other  way,  but  I  cannot 
help  it  ;  I  am  at  present  more  impressed  with  the 
possible  evil  that  may  arise  to  you  from  engaging 
yourself  to  liim — in  word  or  inind — than  with  any- 
thing else.  Wlien  I  consider  how  few  young  men 
you  have  yet  seen  much  of ;  how  capable  you  are 
(yes,  I  do  still  think  you  very  capable)  of  being 
really  in  love  ;  and  how  full  of  temptation  the  next 
six  or  seven  years  of  your  life  will  probably  be 
(it  is  the  very  period  of  life  for  the  strongest  attach- 


1814  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEX.  287 

ments  to  be  formed), — I  cannot  wish  you,  with  your 
present  very  cool  feehngs,  to  devote  yourself  in 
lionour  to  him.  It  is  very  true  that  you  never 
may  attach  another  man  his  equal  altogether  ;  but 
if  that  other  man  has  the  power  of  attaching  you 
more,  he  will  be  in  your  eyes  the  most  perfect. 

I  shall  be  glad  if  you  can  revive  past  feehngs, 
and  from  vour  unbiassed  self  resolve  to  o^o  on  as 
you  have  done,  but  this  I  do  not  expect  ;  and  with- 
out it  I  cannot  wish  you  to  be  fettered.  I  should 
not  be  afraid  of  your  marrying  him  ;  with  all  his 
worth  you  would  soon  love  him  enough  for  the 
happiness  of  both  ;  but  I  should  dread  the  con- 
tinuance of  this  sort  of  tacit  engagement,  with  such 
an  uncertainty  as  there  is  of  iclien  it  may  be  com- 
pleted. Years  may  pass  before  he  is  independent ; 
you  like  him  well  enough  to  marry,  but  not  well 
enough  to  wait  ;  the  unpleasantness  of  appearino' 
fickle  is  certainly  great  ;  but  if  you  think  you  want 
punishment  for  past  illusions,  there  it  is,  and 
nothing  can  be  compared  to  the  miseiy  of  beino^ 
bound  icithout  love — bound  to  one,  and  j)referrino^ 
another  ;  that  is  a  punishment  which  you  do  not 
deserve. 

I  know  you  did  not  meet,  or  rather  will  not 
meet,  to-day,  as  he  called  here  yesterday  ;  and  I  am 


288  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEX.  1814 


glad  of  it.  It  does  not  seem  very  likely,  at  least, 
til  at  he  sliould  be  in  time  for  a  dinner  visit  sixty 
miles  off.  We  did  not  see  him,  only  found  his 
card  when  we  came  home  at  four.  Your  Uncle  H. 
merely  observed  that  he  was  i^day  after  '  the  fair' 
We  asked  your  brother  on  Monday  (when  Mr. 
Hayter  was  talked  of)  why  he  did  not  invite  liim 
too  ;  saying,  '  I  know  he  is  in  town,  for  I  met  him 
the  other  day  in  Bond  St.'  Edward  answered 
that  he  did  not  know  where  he  was  to  be  found. 
'  Don't  you  know  his  chambers ?  '     'No.' 

I  shall  be  most  glad  to  hear  from  you  again, 
my  dearest  Fanny,  but  it  must  not  be  later  than 
Saturday,  as  we  shall  be  off  on  Monday  long  before 
the  letters  are  delivered ;  and  write  something  that 
may  do  to  be  read  or  told.  I  am  to  take  the  Miss 
Moores  back  on  Saturday,  and  when  I  return  I 
shall  hope  to  find  your  pleasant  little  flowing 
8 crawl  on  the  table.  It  will  be  a  relief  to  me  after 
playing  at  ma'ams,  for  though  I  hke  Miss  H.  M. 
8s  much  as  one  can  at  my  time  of  life  after  a  day's 
acquaintance,  it  is  uphill  work  to  be  talking  to 
those  whom  one  knows  so  little. 

Only  one  comes  back  with  ]ne  to-morrow, 
probably  Miss  Eliza,  and  I  rather  dread  it.  We 
shall  not  have  two  ideas  in  common.    She  is  young, 


1814        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        289 

pretty,  chattering,  and  thinking  chiefly,  I  presume, 
of  dress,  company,  and  admiration.  Mr.  Sanford 
is  to  join  us  at  dinner,  wliich  will  be  a  comfort, 
and  in  the  evening,  while  your  uncle  and  Miss 
Eliza  play  chess,  he^hall  tell  me  comical  things  and 
I  will  laugh  at  them,  which  will  be  a  pleasure  to 
both. 

I  called  in  Keppel  Street  and  saw  them  all,  in- 
cluding dear  Uncle  Charles,  Avho  is  to  come  and  dine 
with  us  cpiietly  to-day.  Little  Harriot  sat  in  my 
lap,  and  seemed  as  gentle  and  affectionate  as  ever, 
and  as  pretty,  except  not  being  quite  well.  Fanny 
is  a  fine  stout  girl,  talking  incessantl}^  with  an 
interesting  degree  of  lisp  and  indistinctness,  and 
very  likely  may  be  the  handsomest  in  time.  Cassy 
did  not  show  more  pleasure  in  seeing  me  than  her 
sisters,  but  I  expected  no  better.  She  does  not 
shine  in  the  tender  feelings.  She  will  never  be  a 
Miss  O'Xeil,  more  in  the  Mrs.  Siddons  line. 

Thank  3^ou,  but  it  is  not  settled  yet  whether  I 
do  hazard  a  second  edition.  We  are  to  see  Egerton 
to-day,  when  it  will  probably  be  determined. 
People  are  more  ready  to  borrow  and  praise  than 
to  buy,  which  I  cannot  wonder  at ;  but  though  I 
like  praise  as  well  as  anybody,  I  like  what  Edward 
calls  '  Pewter^'  too.     I  hope  he  continues  careful  of 

VOL.    II.  U 


290  LETTEES   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1814 

his  eyes  and  finds  the  good  effect  of  it.  I  cannot 
suppose  we  differ  in  our  ideas  of  the  Christian 
rehgion.  You  liave  given  an  excellent  description 
of  it.  We  only  affix  a  different  meaning  to  the 
word  evangelical. 

Yours  most  affectionately,         J.  Austex. 

Miss  Knight,  Godinersham  Park, 
Faversham,  Kent. 

LXXXII. 

Obawton  :  (Feb.  20,  1816). 

My  dearest  Faxxy, 

^You  are  inimitable,  irresistible.  You  are  the 
delight  of  my  life.  Such  letters,  such  entertaining 
letters,  as  you  have  lately  sent !  such  a  description 
of  your  queer  little  heart !  such  a  lovely  display 
of  what  imagination  does !  You  are  worth  your 
weight  in  gold,  or  even  in  the  new  silver  coinage. 
I  cannot  express  to  you  what  I  have  felt  in  reading 
your  history  of  yourself — how  full  of  pity  and  con- 
cern, and  admiration  and  amusement,  Uiave  been! 
You  are  the  paragon  of  all  that  is  silly  and  sensible, 
common-place  and  eccentric,  sad  and  lively,  pro- 
vokin^^"  and  interesting.  Who  can  keep  pace  with 
the  fluctuations  of  your  fancy,  tlie  capprizios  of 
your   taste,  tlie   contradictions    of  your  feelings? 


1816        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEX.        291 

You  are  so  odd,  and  all  the  time  so  perfectly 
natural ! — so  peculiar  in  yourself,  and  yet  so  like 
everybody  else  I 

It  is  very,  ver}^  gratifying  to  me  to  know  you 
so  intimately.  You  can  hardly  think  what  a  plea- 
sure it  is  to  me  to  have  such  thorough  pictures  of 
your  heart.  Oh,  what  a  loss  it  ^vill  be  when  you 
are  married !  You  are  too  agreeable  in  your  single 
state — too  agreeable  as  a  niece.  I  shall  hate  you 
when  your  dehcious  play  of  mind  is  all  settled 
down  into  conjugal  and  maternal  affections. 

Mr.  B frightens  me.    He  will  have  you.    I 

see  you  at  the  altar.  I  have  some  faith  in  Mrs.  C. 
Cage's  observation,  and  still  more  in  Lizzy's  ;  and. 
besides,  I  know  it  must  be  so.  He  must  be  wishing 
to  attach  you.  It  would  be  too  stupid  and  too 
shameful  in  him  to  be  otherwise  ;  and  aU  the  family 
are  seeking  your  acquaintance. 

Do  not  imagine  that  I  have  any  real  objection  ; 
I  have  rather  taken  a  fancy  to  him  than  not,  and  I 
like  the  house  for  you.  I  only  do  not  like  you 
should  marry  anybody.  And  yet  I  do  wish  you 
to  marry  very  much,  because  I  know  you  will 
never  be  happy  till  you  are ;  but  the  loss  of 
a  Fanny  Knight  will  be  never  made   up    to    me. 

My  '  affec.  niece  F.  0.  B '  will  be  but  a  poor 

u  2 


292  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEN.  1816 

substitute.  I  do  not  like  your  being  nervous,  and 
so  apt  to  cry — it  is  a  sign  you  are  not  quite  well ; 
but  I  hope  Mr.  Scud — as  you  always  write  his  name 
(your  Mr.  Scuds  amuses  me  very  much) — will  do 
you  good. 

What  a  comfort  that  Cassandra  should  be  so 
recovered !  It  was  more  than  we  had  expected. 
I  can  easily  beheve  she  was  very  patient  and  very 
good.  I  always  loved  Cassandra,  for  her  fine  dark 
eyes  and  sweet  temper.  I  am  almost  entirely 
cured  of  my  rheumatism — ^just  a  little  pain  in  my 
knee  now  and  then,  to  make  me  remember  wliat  it 
was',  and  keep  on  flannel.  Aunt  Cassandra  nursed 
me  so  beautifully. 

I  enjoy  your  visit  to  Goodnestone,  it  must  be  a 
great  pleasure  to  you  ;  3^ou  have  not  seen  Fanny 
Cage  in  comfort  so  long.  I  hope  she  represents 
and  remonstrates  and  reasons  with  you  properly. 
Why  should  you  be  living  in  dread  of  his  marrying 
somebody  else  ?  (Yet,  how  natural !)  You  did  not 
choose  to  have  him  yourself,  why  not  allow  him  to 
take  comfort  wliere  he  can  ?  In  your  conscience 
you  know  that  he  could  not  bear  a  companion  with 
a  more  animated  character.  You  cannot  forizet 
how  you  felt  under  the  idea  of  its  having  been  pos- 
sible that  he  miizht  have  dined  in  Hans  Place. 


1816  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTE^^  293 

My  dearest  Fanny,  I  cannot  bear  you  sliould 
be  unhappy  about  him.  Thmk  of  his  principles  ; 
think  of  his  father's  objection,  of  want  of  money, 
&c.  &c.  But  I  am  doing  no  good  ;  no,  all  that  I 
urge  against  him  will  rather  make  you  take  his 
part  more,  sweet,  perverse  Fanny. 

And  now  I  will  tell  you  that  we  like  your 
Henry  to  the  utmost,  to  the  very  top  of  tlie  glass, 
quite  brimful.  He  is  a  very  pleasing^  young  man. 
I  do  not  see  how  he  could  be  mended.  He  does 
really  bid  fair  to  be  everything  his  father  and  sister 
could  wish  ;  and  WiUiam  I  love  very  much  indeed, 
and  so  we  do  all  ;  he  is  quite  our  own  William. 
In  short,  we  are  very  comfortable  together ;  that 
is,  Ave  can  answer  for  ourselves. 

Mrs.  Deedes  is  as  welcome  as  May  to  all  our 
benevolence  to  her  son  ;  we  only  lamented  that  we 
could  not  do  more,  and  that  the  50/.  note  we  slipped 
into  his  hand  at  parting  was  necessarily  the  limit  of 
our  offering.  Good  Mrs.  Deedes !  Scandal  and 
gossip ;    yes,    I    dare  say    you    are    well    stocked,. 

but  I  am  very  fond  of  Mrs. for  reasons  good.. 

Thank  you  for  mentioning  her  praise  of  'Emma,' &c. 

I  have  contributed  the  markino;  to  Uncle  H.'s 
shirts,  and  now  they  are  a  complete  memorial  of 
the  tender  regard  of  many. 


294  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1816 

Friday. — I  had  no  idea  Avhefi  I  began  tliis  yes- 
terday of  sending  it  before  yonr  brotlier  went  back, 
but  I  have  written  away  my  foohsli  tlioughts  at 
such  a  rate  that  I  Avill  not  keep  tliem  many  hours 
longer  to  stare  me  in  the  face. 

Much  obHged  for  the  quadrilles,  which  I  am 
grown  to  think  pretty  enough,  though  of  course 
they  are  very  inferior  to  the  cotillions  of  my  own 
day. 

Ben  and  Anna  walked  here  last  Sunday  to  hear 
Uncle  Henr}^,  and  she  looked  so  pretty,  it  was  quite 
a  pleasure  to  see  her,  so  young  and  so  blooming, 
and  so  innocent,  as  if  she  had  never  had  a  wicked 
thought  in  her  life,  which  yet  one  has  some  reason 
to  suppose  she  must  have  had,  if  we  believe  tlie 
doctrine  of  original  sin.  I  hope  Lizzy  will  have 
her  play  very  kindly  arranged  for  lier.  Henry  is 
generally  tliought  very  good-looking,  but  not  so 
handsome  as  Edward.  I  think  I  prefer  his  face. 
Wm.  is  in  excellent  looks,  has  a  fine  appetite, 
and  seems  perfectly  well.  You  will  have  a  great 
break  up  at  Godmersham  in  the  spring.  You  must 
feel  their  all  going.  It  is  very  right,  however ! 
Poor  Miss  C.  !  I  sliall  pity  her  when  slie  begins  to 
understand  herself. 

Your  objection  to  tlie  quadrilles  deliglited  me 


1816  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEX.  295 

exceedingly.  Pretty  well,  foi'  a  lady  irrecoverably 
attached  to  one  person  !  Sweet  Fanny,  believe  no 
such  thing  of  yourself,  spread  no  such  malicious 
slander  upon  your  understanding,  within  the  pre- 
cincts of  your  imagination.  Do  not  speak  ill  of 
your  sense  merely  for  the  gratification  of  your 
fancy  ;  yours  is  sense  which  deserves  more  honour- 
able treatment.  You  are  not  in  love  with  him  ;  you 
never  have  been  really  in  love  with  him. 

Yours  very  affectionately,         J.  Austex. 

Miss  Knight,  Godmersham  Park, 
Faversliam,  Kent. 

LXXXIII. 

Ohawton:  Thursday  (March  13). 

As  to  making  any  adequate  return  for  such  a 
letter  as  yours,  my  dearest  Fanny,  it  is  absolutely 
impossible.  If  I  were  to  labour  at  it  all  the  rest 
of  my  life,  and  live  to  the  age  of  Methuselah, 
I  could  never  accomplish  anything  so  long  and  so 
perfect ;  but  I  cannot  let  William  go  without  a  few 
lines  of  acknowledgment  and  reply. 

I  have  pretty  well  done  with  Mr. .     By 

your  description,  he  cannot  be  in  love  with  you, 
however  he  may  try  at  it  ;  and  I  could  not  wish  the 


296  LETTERS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEX.  1816 

liiatcli  unless  tliere  were  a  great  deal  of  love  on  his 
side.  I  do  not  know  what  to  do  about  Jemima 
Branfill.  What  does  her  dancing  away  with  so 
much  spirit  mean  ?  That  she  does  not  care  for 
him^  or  only  wishes  to  a'pjyeav  not  to  care  for  him  ? 
Who  can  understand  a  young  lady  ? 

Poor  Mrs.  C.  Milles,  that  she  should  die  on  the 
wrong  day  at  last,  after  being  about  it  so  long  ! 
It  was  unlucky  that  the  Goodnestone  party  could 
not  meet  you,  and  I  hope  her  friendly,  obliging, 
social  s^^irit,  whicli  delighted  in  drawing  people 
together,  was  not  conscious  of  the  division  and 
disappointment  she  was  occasioning.  I  am  sorry 
and  surprised  that  you  speak  of  her  as  having  little 
to  leave,  and  must  feel  for  Miss  Milles,  though  she 
is  Molly,  if  a  material  loss  of  income  is  to  attend 
her  other  loss.  Single  women  have  a  dreadful 
propensity  for  being  poor,  which  is  one  very  strong 
argument  in  favour  of  matrimony,  but  I  need  not 
dwell  on  such  arguments  with  you^  pretty  dear. 

To  you  I  shall  say,  as  I  have  often  said  before. 
Do  not  be  in  a  liurry,  the  right  man  will  come  at 
last ;  you  will  in  tlie  course  of  the  next  two  or  three 
years  meet  with  somebody  more  generally  unex- 
ceptionable than  anyone  you  have  yet  known,  who 
will  love  you  as  warmly  as  possible,  and  wlio  will 


1816  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEX.  297 

SO  completely  attract  3"'oii  that  3-011  will  feel  yoii 
never  really  loved  before. 

Do  none  of  the  A.'s  ever  come  to  balls  now  ? 
Yoii  have  never  mentioned  them  as  being  at  any. 
And  what  do  you  hear  of  the  Gipps,  or  of  Fanny 
and  her  liiisband  ? 

Aunt  Cassandra  walked  to  ^yya^ds  ^^esterday 
with  Mrs.  Digweed.  Anna  has  had  a  bad  cold, 
and  looks  pale.     She  lias  just  weaned  Julia. 

/  have  also  heard  lately  from  your  Aunt 
Harriot,  and  cannot  understand  their  plans  in 
parting  with  Mss  S.,  whom  she  seems  very  much 
to  value  now  that  Harriot  and  Eleanor  are  both  of 
an  age  for  a  governess  to  be  so  useful  to,  especially 
as,  when  Caroline  w^as  sent  to  school  some  years. 
Miss  Bell  was  still  retained,  though  the  others  even 
then  were  nursery  children.  They  have  some  good 
reason,  I  dare  say,  though  I  cannot  penetrate  it, 
and  till  I  know  what  it  is  I  shall  invent  a  bad  one, 
and  amuse  mj^self  with  accounting  for  the  differ- 
ence of  measures  by  supposing  Miss  S.  to  be  a 
superior  sort  of  woman,  Avho  has  never  stooped  to 
recommend  herself  to  the  master  of  the  family  by 
flattery,  as  Miss  Bell  did. 

I  will  answer  your  kind  questions  more  than 
you  ex])ect.  '  Miss  Catlierine '  is  put  upon  the  shelf 


298  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1816 

for  tlie  present,  and  I  do  not  know  that  she  will 
ever  come  out ;  but  I  liave  a  somethmg  ready  for 
publication,  which  may,  perhaps,  appear  about  a 
twelvemonth  hence.  It  is  short — about  the  length 
of  '  Catherine.'  This  is  for  yourself  alone.  Neither 
Mr.  Salusbury  nor  Mr.  Wildman  is  to  know 
of  it. 

I  am  got  tolerably  w^ell  again,  quite  equal  to 
walking  about  and  enjoying  the  air,  and  by  sitting 
down  and  resting  a  good  while  between  my  walks 
I  get  exercise  enough.  I  liave  a  scheme,  however, 
for  accomplishing  more,  as  the  weather  grows 
spring-like.  I  mean  to  take  to  riding  the  donkey  ; 
it  will  be  more  independent  and  less  troublesome 
than  the  use  of  the  carriage,  and  I  shall  be  able  to 
go  about  with  Aunt  Cassandra  in  her  walks  to 
Alton  and  Wyards. 

I  hope  you  Avill  tliink  Wm.  looking  well ; 
he  was  bilious  the  other  day,  and  At.  Cass, 
supplied  him  with  a  dose  at  his  own  request.  I 
am  sure  you  would  have  approved  it  .Wm.  and 
I  are  the  best  of  friends.  I  love  him  very  much. 
Everything  is  so  natural  about  him — his  affections, 
his  manners,  and  his  drollery.  He  entertains  and 
interests  us  extremely. 

Mat.  Hammond  and  A.  M.  Shaw  are  ])eo])le 


1816        LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEN.        299 

whom  I  cannot  care  for  in  tliemselves,  but  I  enter 
into  their  situation,  and  am  glad  they  are  so  happy. 
If  I  were  the  Duchess  of  Eichmond,  I  should  be 
very  miserable  about  my  son's  choice. 

Our  fears  increase  for  poor  little  Harriot  ;  the 
latest  account  is,  that  Sir  Ev.  Home  is  confirmed  in 
his  opinion  of  there  being  water  on  the  brain. 
I  hope  Heaven,  in  its  mercy,  will  take  her  soon. 
Her  poor  father  will  be  quite  worn  out  by  his 
feelings  for  her  ;  he  cannot  spare  Gassy  at  present, 
she  is  an  occupation  and  a  comfort  to  him. 

LXXXIV. 

Chawton  :  Sunday  (Marcli  23). 

I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you  ;  my  dearest 
Panny,  for  sending  me  Mr.  W.'s  conversation  ;  I  had 
great  amusement  in  reading  it,  and  I  hope  I  am  not 
affronted,  and  do  not  think  the  worse  of  him  for 
having  a  brain  so  very  different  from  mine  ;  but 
my  strongest  sensation  of  all  is  astonishment  at  your 
being  able  to  press  him  on  the  subject  so  perse- 
veringly  ;  and  I  agree  with  your  papa,  that  it  was 
not  fair.  Wlien  he  knows  the  truth  he  will  be 
uncomfortable. 

You  are  the  oddest  creature  !  Xervous  enough 
in  some  respects,  but   in  others   perfectly  without 


\] 


300  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1816 

nerves !  Quite  imrepiilsable,  liardened,  and  im- 
2^udent.  Do  not  oblige  Inni  to  read  any  more. 
Have  mercy  on  him,  tell  liim  tlie  triitli,  and  make 
liim  an  apology.  He  and  I  should  not  in  the  least 
agree,  of  course,  in  our  ideas  of  novels  and  lieroines. 
Pictures  of  perfection,  as  you  know,  make  me  sick 
and  wicked  ;  but  there  is  some  very  good  sense  in 
what  he  says,  and  I  particularly  respect  him  for 
wishing  to  think  well  of  all  young  ladies  ;  it  shows- 
an  amiable  and  a  delicate  mind.  And  he  deserves 
better  treatment  than  to  be  obliged  to  read  any 
more  of  my  works. 

Do  not  be  surprised  at  finding  Uncle  Henry 
acquainted  with  my  having  another  ready  for  pub- 
lication. I  could  not  say  No  when  lie  asked  me, 
but  he  knows  nothing  more  of  it.  You  will  not 
like  it,  so  you  need  not  be  impatient.  You  may 
perhaps  like  the  heroine,  as  she  is  almost  too  good 
for  me. 

Many  thanks  for  your  kind  care  for  my  health  :. 
I  certainly  have  not  been  well  for  many  weeks,, 
and  about  a  week  ago  I  was  very  poorly.  I  have 
had  a  good  deal  of  fever  at  times,  and  indifferent 
nights  ;  but  I  am  considerably  better  now  and  am 
recovering  my  looks  a  little,  wliich  have  been  bad 
enough — black  and  white,  and  every  wrong  colour. 


1816        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        301 

I  must  not  depend  upon  being  ever  ver}^  blooming 
again.  Sickness  is  a  dangerous  indulgence  at  my 
time  of  life.  Thank  you  for  everything  you  tell 
me.  I  do  not  feel  worthy  of  it  by  anything  that 
I  can  say  in  return,  but  I  assure  you  my  pleasure 
in  your  letters  is  quite  as  great  as  ever,  and  I  am 
interested  and  amused  just  as  you  could  wish  me. 
If  there  is  a  i\iiss  Marsden^  I  perceive  whom  she  /T 
will  marry. 

Evening. — I  was  languid  and  dull  and  very  bad 
company  when  I  wrote  the  above :  I  am  better 
now,  to  my  own  feelings  at  least,  and  wish  I  ma}' 
be  more  agreeable.  We  are  going  to  have  rain, 
and  after  that  very  pleasant  genial  weather,  which 
will  exactly  do  for  me,  as  my  saddle  will  then  be 
completed,  and  air  and  exercise  is  what  I  want. 
Indeed,  I  shall  be  very  glad  when  the  event  at 
Scarlets  is  over,  the  exjDectation  of  it  keeps  us 
in  a  worry,  your  grandmamma  especially  ;  she  sits 
brooding  over  evils  which  cannot  be  remedied,  and 
conduct  impossible  to  be  understood. 

Now  the  reports  from  Keppel  St.  are  rather 
better;  little  Harriot's  headaches  are  abated,  and 
Sir  Evd.  is  satisfied  with  the  effect  of  the  mercury, 
and  does  not  despair  of  a  cure.  The  complaint  I 
find  is  not  considered  incurable  nowadays,  provided 


302  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  181G 

the  patient  be  young  enough  not  to  liave  the  lieacl 
hardened.  Tlie  water  in  that  case  may  be  drawn 
off  by  mercury.  But  tliough  this  is  a  new  idea  to 
us,  perhaps  it  may  have  been  h^ng  famihar  to  you 
through  your  friend  Mr.  Scud.  I  hope  liis  high  re- 
nown is  sustained  by  driving  away  Wilham's  cough. 

Tell  Wm.  that  TrisfE^s  is  as  beautiful  and  con- 
descending  as  ever,  and  was  so  good  as  to  dine  rntli 
us  to-day,  and  tell  him  that  I  often  play  at  nines 
and  think  of  him. 

The  Papillons  came  back  on  Friday  night,  but 
I  have  not  seen  them  yet,  as  I  do  not  venture  to 
church.  I  cannot  hear,  however,  but  that  they 
are  the  same  Mr.  P.  and  his  sister  they  used  to  be. 
She  has  engaged  a  new  maidservant  in  Mrs.  Calker's 
room,  whom  she  means  to  make  also  housekeeper 
under  herself. 

Old  Philmore  was  buried  yesterday,  and  I,  by 
way  of  saying  something  to  Triggs,  observed  that 
it  had  been  a  very  handsome  funeral ;  but  his 
manner  of  reply  made  me  suppose  tliat  it  was  not 
generally  esteemed  so.  I  can  only  be  sure  of  one 
part  being  very  liandsome — Triggs  himself,  walking 
behind  in  his  green  coat.  Mrs.  Philmore  attended 
as  chief  mourner,  in  boml)azine,  made  very  short, 
and  flounced  with  cra])e. 


181G  LETTERS   OF   J  AXE   AUSTEX.  303 

Tuesday. — I  have  had  various  phiiis  as  to  this 
letter,  but  at  h^st  I  have  determined  that  Uncle 
Henry  shall  fonvard  it  from  London.  I  want  to 
see  how  Canterbury  looks  in  the  direction.  When 
once  Uncle  H.  has  left  ?^s^I  shall  wish  him  with  you. 
London  has  become  a  hateful  place  to  him,  ancL  he 
is  always  depressed  by  the  idea  of  it.  I  hope  he 
will  be  in  time  for  your  sick.  I  am  sure  he  must 
do  that  part  of  his  duty  as  excellently  as  all  the 
rest.  He  returned  yesterday  from  Steventon,  and 
Avas  with  us  by  breakfast,  bringing  Edward  with 
him,  only  that  Edwd.  stayed  to  breakfast  at 
Wyards.  We  had  a  pleasant  family  day,  for  tlie 
Altons  dined  with  us,  the  last  visit  of  the  kind  pro- 
bably which  she  will  be  able  to  pay  us  for  many  a 
month. 

I  hope  your  own  Henry  is  in  France,  and  that 
you  have  heard  from  him  ;  the  passage  once  over, 
he  will  feel  all  happiness.  I  took  my  first  ride 
yesterday,  and  liked  it  very  much.  I  went  up 
Mounter's  Lane  and  round  by  where  the  new 
cottages  are  to  be,  and  found  tlie  exercise  and 
everything  very  pleasant ;  and  I  had  the  advantage 
of  agreeable  companions,  as  At.  Cass,  and  Edward 
walked  by  my  side.     At.  Cass,  is  sucli  an  excellent 


304        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1814 

nurse,  so  assiduous  and  unwearied  I    ]3ut  you  know 
all  that  already. 

Very  affectionately  yours,         J.  Austex. 

Miss  Knight,  Godmersham  Park, 
Canterburv. 


The  following  letters  have  been  given  me  by  one 
of  Mrs.  B.  Lefroy's  daughters,  and  are  interesting 
as  showing  the  sympathy  whicli  Jane  had  for  a 
young  authoress,  and  the  care  and  minuteness  witli 
which  she  looked  into  every  detail  of  composition. 
'  Anna  Austen '  was  engaged  to  Mr.  Lefroy  in 
1814,  and  was  occupied  at  the  same  time  in 
writing  a  novel  which  she  submitted  to  the  valu- 
able criticism  of  '  Aunt  Jane.'  The  first  letter  has 
no  date,  but  from  the  context  must  liave  been 
written  in  May  or  June. 

LXXXV. 

My  deak  Axxa, 

I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you  for  sending 
your  MS.  It  has  entertained  me  extremely  ;  indeed 
all  of  us.  I  read  it  aloud  to  your  Grandmama 
and  Aunt  Cass,  and  we  were  all  very  mucli  pleased. 
The  spirit  does  not  droop  at  all.     Sir  Tlios.,  Lady 


1814        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        305 

Helen  and  St.  Julian  are  very  well  done,  and 
Cecilia  continues  to  be  interesting  in  spite  of  lier 
being  so  amiable.  It  was  very  fit  you  should 
advance  her  age.  I  hke  the  beginning  of  Devereux 
Forester  very  much,  a  great  deal  better  than  if  he 
had  been  very  good  or  very  bad.  A  few  verbal 
corrections  are  all  that  I  felt  tempted  to  make  ; 
the  principal  of  them  is  a  speech  of  St.  Julian  to 
Lady  Helen,  which  you  see  I  have  presumed  to 
alter.  As  Lady  H.  is  Cecilia's  superior,  it  would 
not  be  correct  to  talk  of  her  being  introduced.  It 
is  Cecilia  who  must  be  introduced.  And  I  do  not 
like  a  lover  speaking  in  the  3rd  person ;  it  is  too 
much  hke  the  part  of  Lord  Overtle}^  and  /  think 
it  not  natural.  If  you  think  differently,  however^ 
you  need  not  mind  me.  I  am  impatient  for  more, 
and  only  wait  for  a  safe  conveyance  to  return  this. 

Yours  affectionately,  J.  A. 

LXXXVI. 

August  10,  1814. 

My  dear  Anna, 

I  am  quite  ashamed  to  find  that  I  have  never 
answered  some  question  of  yours  in  a  former  note. 
I  kept  it  on  purpose  to  refer  to  it  at  a  proper  time 
and  then  forgot  it.  I  like  the  name  '  Which  is  the 
Heroine  '  very  well,  and  I  daresay  shall  grow  to 

VOL.    IL  X 


306        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1814 

like  it  very  much  in  time  ;  but  '  Enthusiasm '  was 
something  so  very  superior  that  my  common  title 
must  appear  to  disadvantage.  I  am  not  sensible 
of  any  blunders  about  Dawlish  ;  ^  the  library  was 
pitiful  and  wretched  twelve  years  ago  and  not 
likely  to  have  anybody's  publications.  There  is 
no  such  title  as  Desborough  either  among  dukes, 
marquises,  earls,  viscounts,  or  barons.  These  were 
your  inquiries.  I  will  now  thank  you  for  your 
envelope  received  this  morning.  Your  Aunt  Cass 
is  as  well  pleased  with  St.  Julian  as  ever,  and  I  am 
delighted  with  the  idea  of  seeing  Progillian  again. 
Wednesday  17. — We  have  now  just  finished  the 
lirst  of  the  three  books  I  had  the  pleasure  of  re- 
ceiving yesterday.  I  read  it  aloud  and  we  are  all 
very  much  amused,  and  like  the  work  quite  as 
well  as  ever.  I  depend  on  getting  through  a 
another  book  before  dinner,  but  there  is  really  a 
good  deal  of  respectable  reading  in  your  forty-eight 
pages.  I  have  no  doubt  six  would  make  a  very  good- 
sized  volume.  You  must  have  been  quite  pleased  to 
have  accomplished  so  much.  I  like  Lord  Portman^ 
and  his  brotlier  very  much.     I  am  only  afraid  tlu^t 

'  It  must  be  remembered  that  there  was  no  *  Lord  Port  man  '  in 
1814,  the  creation  of  that  title  having  been  in  18.'i7. 


1814        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        307 

Lord  P/s  good  nature  will  make  most  people  like 
him  better  than  lie  deserves.  The  whole  family 
are  very  good,  and  Lady  Anne,  who  was  your  greai 
dread,  you  have  succeeded  particularly  well  with. 
Bell  Griffin  is  just  what  she  should  be.  My  cor 
rections  have  not  been  more  important  than  be- 
fore ;  here  and  there  we  have  thought  the  sense 
could  be  expressed  in  fewer  words,  and  I  have 
scratched  out  Sir  Thos.  from  walking  with  the 
others  to  the  stables,  (fcc.  the  very  day  after  breaking 
his  arm  ;  for,  though  I  find  your  papa  did  walk  out 
immediately  after  his  arm  was  set,  I  think  it  can  be 
so  little  usual  as  to  appear  unnatural  in  a  book. 
Lynn  will  not  do.  Lynn  is  towards  forty  miles 
from  Dawlish  and  would  not  be  talked  of  there. 
I  have  put  Starcross  instead.  If  you  prefer  Easton 
that  must  be  always  safe. 

I  have  also  scratched  out  the  introduction 
between  Lord  Portman  and  his  brotlier  and  Mr. 
Griffin.  A  country  surgeon  (don't  tellMr.  C.  Lyford^ 
would  not  be  introduced  to  men  of  their  rank,  and 
when  ]\Lr.  P.  is  first  broucfht  in.  he  w^ould  not  be 
introduced  as  the  Honourable.  That  distinction 
is  never  mentioned  at  such  times,  at  least  I  beheve 
not.     Now  we  have  finished  the  second  book,  or 

x2 


308  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1814 

rather  the  fifth.  I  do  think  yon  liad  better  omit 
Lady  Helena's  postscript.  To  those  that  are  ac- 
quainted with  '  Pride  and  Prejudice  '  it  will  seem 
an  imitation.  And  your  Aunt  C.  and  I  both 
recommend  your  making  a  little  alteration  in  the 
last  scene  between  Devereux  F.  and  Lady  Clan- 
murray  and  her  daughter.  We  think  they  press 
him  too  much,  more  than  sensible  or  well-bred 
women  would  do  ;  Lady  C,  at  least,  should  have 
discretion  enough  to  be  sooner  satisfied  with  his 
determination  of  not  going  with  them.  I  am  very 
much  pleased  with  Egerton  as  yet.  I  did  not  ex- 
pect to  like  him,  but  I  do,  and  Susan  is  a  very 
nice  little  animated  creature ;  but  St.  Julian  is 
the  delight  of  our  lives.  He  is  quite  interesting. 
The  whole  of  his  break  off  with  Lady  Helena  is 
very  well  done.  Yes  ;  Eussell  Square  is  a  very 
proper  distance  from  Berkeley  Square.  We  are 
reading  the  last  book.  They  must  be  two  days 
going  from  Dawlish  to  Bath.  They  are  nearly 
100  miles  apart. ^ 

^  Our  modern  race  of  travellers  would  hardly  be  satisfied  with 
this  rate  of  progress.  We  have  somewhat  accelerated  our  speed 
since  Jane's  days,  and  when  inclined  to  grumble  because  a  train  is  ten 
minutes  late,  should  do  well  to  remember  what  advantages  we  enjoy 
over  our  respected  predecessors. 


1814        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        309 

Thursday. — We  finished  it  last  night  after  our 
return  from  drinking  tea  at  the  Great  House. 
The  last  chapter  does  not  please  us  quite  so  well ;  we 
do  not  thoroughly  like  the  play,  perhaps  from  having 
had  too  much  of  plays  in  that  way  lately  (vide 
'  Mansfield  Park  '),  and  we  think  you  had  better  not 
leave  England.  Let  the  Portmans  go  to  Ireland  ; 
but  as  you  know  nothing  of  the  manners  there, 
you  had  better  not  go  with  them.  You  will  be 
in  danger  of  giving  false  representations.  Stick 
to  Bath  and  the  Foresters.  There  you  will  be 
quite  at  home. 

Your  Aunt  C.  does  not  like  desultory  novels, 
and  is  rather  afraid  yours  will  be  too  much  so, 
that  there  will  be  too  frequently  a  change  from 
one  set  of  people  to  another,  and  that  circum- 
stances will  be  introduced  of  apparent  consequence 
which  will  lead  to  nothing.  It  will  not  be  so  great 
an  objection  to  me  if  it  does.  I  allow  much  more 
latitude  than  she  does,  and  think  nature  and  spirit 
cover  many  sins  of  a  wandering  story,  and  people 
in  general  do  not  care  so  much  about  it  for  your 
comfort. 

I  should  like  to  have  had  more  of  Devereux. 
I  do  not  feel  enough  acquainted  with  liim.     You 


310  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEX.  1814 

were  afraid  of  meddling  witli  him  I  dare  say.  I 
like  your  sketch  of  Lord  Claiimurray,  and  your 
picture  of  the  two  young  girls'  enjoyment  is  very 
good.  I  have  not  noticed  St.  Julian's  serious  con- 
versation with  Cecilia,  but  I  like  it  exceedingly. 
What  he  says  about  the  madness  of  otherwise 
sensible  women  on  the  subject  of  their  daughters 
coming  out  is  worth  its  weight  in  gold. 

I   do  not   perceive   that  the   language    sinks. 

Pray  go  on. 

LXXXVII. 

Chawton :  (Sept.  9). 
Mr  DEAR    AXXA, 

We  have  been  very  much  amused  by  your 
three  books,  but  I  have  a  good  many  criticisms 
to  make,  more  than  you  will  Hke.  We  are  not 
satisfied  with  Mrs.  Forester  settling  herself  as 
tenant  and  near  neighbour  to  such  a  man  as  Sir 
Thomas,  without  having  some  other  inducement  to 
go  there.  She  ought  to  have  some  friend  living 
thereabouts  to  tempt  her.  A  woman  going  with 
two  girls  just  growing  up  into  a  neighbourhood 
where  she  knows  nobody  but  one  man  of  not 
very  good  character,  is  an  awkwardness  wdiich  so 
prudent  a  Avoman  as  Mrs.  F.  would  not  be  likely 
to  fall  into.     Eemember  she  is  very  prudent.    You 


1814        LETTEES  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        311 

must  not  let  her  act  inconsistently.  Give  her  a 
friend,  and  let  that  friend  be  invited  by  Sir 
Thomas  H.  to  meet  her,  and  we  shall  have  no 
objection  to  her  dining  at  the  Priory  as  she  does  ; 
but  otherwise  a  woman  in  her  situation  would 
hardly  go  there  before  she  had  been  visited  by 
other  families.  I  hke  the  scene  itself,  the  Miss 
Leslie,  Lady  Anne,  and  the  music  very  much. 
Leslie  is  a  noble  name.  Sir  Thomas  H.  you  always 
do  very  well.  1  have  only  taken  the  hberty  of 
expunging  one  phrase  of  his  which  would  not  be 
allowable — '  Bless  my  heart ! '  It  is  too  famihar 
and  inelegant.  Your  grandmother  is  more  dis- 
turbed at  Mrs.  Forester's  not  returnino-  the  Eg;er- 
tons'  visit  sooner  than  by  anything  else.  They 
ought  to  have  called  at  the  Parsonage  before 
Sunday.  You  describe  a  sweet  place,  but  your 
descriptions  are  often  more  minute  than  will  be 
liked.  You  give  too  many  particulars  of  right 
hand  and  left.  Mrs.  Forester  is  not  careful  enough 
of  Susan's  liealth.  Susan  ought  not  to  be  walkint? 
out  SO  soon  after  heavy  rains,  taking  long  walks  in 
the  dirt.  An  anxious  mother  would  not  suffer  it. 
I  like  your  Susan  very  much,  she  is  a  sweet  crea- 
ture, her  playfulness    of  fancy  is   very  delightful. 


312        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1814 

I  like  her  as  slie  is  now  exceedingly,  but  I  am 
not  quite  so  Avell  satisfied  with  her  behaviour  to 
George  E.  At  first  she  seems  all  over  attachment 
and  feeling,  and  afterwards  to  have  none  at  all ; 
she  is  so  extremely  confused  at  the  ball  and  so 
well  satisfied  apparently  with  Mr.  Morgan.  She 
seems  to  have  changed  her  character. 

You  are  now  collecting  your  people  delight- 
fully, getting  them  exactly  into  such  a  spot  as  is 
the  delight  of  my  life.  Three  or  four  families  in  a 
country  village  is  the  very  thing  to  work  on,  and 
I  hope  you  will  do  a  great  deal  more,  and  make 
full  use  of  them  while  they  are  so  very  favourably 
arranged. 

You  are  but  now  coming  to  the  heart  and 
beauty  of  your  story.  Until  the  heroine  grows 
up  the  fun  must  be  imperfect,  but  I  expect  a  great 
deal  of  entertainment  from  the  next  tliree  or  four 
books,  and  I  hope  you  will  not  resent  these  re- 
marks by  sending  me  no  more.  We  Hke  the 
Egertons  very  well.  We  see  no  blue  pantaloons 
or  cocks  or  hens.  There  is  nothing  to  enchant 
one  certainly  in  Mr.  L.  L.,  but  we  make  no  objec- 
tion to  him,  and  his  inclination  to  like  Susan  is 
pleasing.  The  sister  is  a  good  contrast,  but  the  name 


1814        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        313 

of  Eacliel  is  as  much  I  can  bear.  They  are  not  so 
much  hke  the  Papillons  as  I  expected.  Your  last 
chapter  is  very  entertaining,  the  conversation  on 
genius,  &c.  ;  Mr.  St.  Juhan  and  Susan  both  talk  in 
character,  and  very  well.  In  some  former  parts 
CeciHa  is  perhaps  a  little  too  solemn  and  good,  but 
upon  the  whole  her  disposition  is  very  well  opposed 
to  Susan's,  her  want  of  imagination  is  very  natural. 
I  wish  you  could  make  Mrs.  Forester  talk  more  ; 
but  she  must  be  difficult  to  manage  and  make  en- 
tertaining, because  there  is  so  much  good  sense 
and  propriety  about  her  that  nothing  can  be  made 
very  broad.  Her  economy  and  her  ambition  must 
not  be  staring.  The  papers  left  by  Mrs.  Fisher 
are  very  good.  Of  course  one  guesses  something. 
I  hope  when  you  have  written  a  great  deal  more, 
you  will  be  equal  to  scratching  out  some  of  the 
past.  The  scene  with  Mrs.  MelHsh  I  should  con- 
demn ;  it  is  prosy  and  nothing  to  the  purpose  ;  and 
indeed  the  more  you  can  find  in  your  heart  to 
curtail  between  DaAvlish  and  Newton  Priors,  the 
better  I  think  it  will  be — one  does  not  care  for 
girls  until  they  are  grown  up.  Your  Aunt  C. 
quite  understands  the  exquisiteness  of  that  name — 
Newton  Priors  is  really  a  nonpareil.     Milton  would 


314  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1814 

have  given  his  eyes  to  have  thought  of  it.  Is  not 
the  cottage  taken  from  Tollard  Eoyal  ? '  [Thus  far 
the  letter  was  written  on  the  ninth,  but  before  it 
was  finished  news  arrived  at  Chawton  of  the  death 
of  Mrs.  Charles  Austen.  She  died  in  her  confine- 
ment and  the  baby  died  also.  She  left  three  little 
girls — Cassie,  Harriet,  and  Fanny.  It  was  not  until 
the  18th  that  Jane  resumed  her  letter  as  follows :] 

Sunday. — I  am  very  glad,  dear  Anna,  that  I 
wrote  as  I  did  before  this  sad  event  occurred.  I 
have  only  to  add  that  your  Grandmama  does  not 
seem  the  worse  now  for  the  shock. 

I  shall  be  very  happy  to  receive  more  of  your 
work  if  more  is  ready  ;  and  you  write  so  fast  that 
I  have  great  hopes  Mr.  Digweed  will  come  back 
freighted  with  such  a  cargo  as  not  all  his  hops 
or  his  sheep  could  equal  the  value  of. 

Your  grandmama  desires  me  to  say  that  she 
will  have  finislied  3^our  shoes  to-morrow,  and 
thinks  they  will  look  very  well.  And  tliat  she 
depends  upon  seeing  you  as  you  promise  before 
you  quit  the  country,  and  liopes  you  will  give  her 
more  than  a  day. 

Yours  aflectionately,  J.  Austen. 

Jane    was  quite    right  in    her    expectation    of 


1814  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  olo 

more.     A  considerable  packet  was  transmitted  by 

the    next    opportunity.      In    these    days,  a   bride 

expectant  has  all  the  time  she  can  spare  from  her 

lover    occupied  by  Avriting   innumerable  notes  of 

thanks  for  innumerable  presents  and  good  wishes, 

to  say  nothing  of  those  concerning  the  expensive 

and  enormous  trousseau  now   thought  necessary. 

Of  such    business    Miss   Anna   Austen   had    very 

little,  and  therefore  she  had  ample  leisure  for  her 

story. 

LXXXVIII. 

Chawton:  Wednesday  (Sept.  28). 

My  dear  Anna, 

I  hope  you  do  not  depend  on  having  your  book 
again  immediately.  I  kept  it  that  your  grand- 
mama  may  hear  it,  for  it  has  not  been  possible  yet 
to  have  any  public  reading.  I  have  read  it  to 
your  Aunt  Cassandra,  however,  in  our  own  room 
at  niglit,  while  we  undressed,  and  with  a  great 
deal  of  pleasure.  We  like  the  first  chapter  ex- 
tremely, with  only  a  little  doubt  whether  Lady 
Helena  is  not  almost  too  foohsh.  The  matri- 
monial dialogue  is  very  good  certainly.  I  like 
Susan  as  well  as  ever,  and  begin  now  not  to  care 
at  all  about  Cecilia  ;  she  may  stay  at  Easton  Court 
as  long  as  she  likes.     Henry  Mellish  will  be,  I  am 


316       LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1814 

afraid,  too  miicli  in  the  common  novel  style — a 
handsome,  amiable,  unexceptionable  young  man 
(such  as  do  not  much  abound  in  real  life),  desper- 
ately in  love  and  all  in  vain.  But  I  have  no  busi- 
ness to  judge  him  so  early.  Jane  Egerton  is  a 
very  natural  comprehensible  girl,  and  the  whole 
of  her  acquaintance  with  Susan  and  Susan's  letter 
to  Ceciha  are  very  pleasing  and  quite  in  character. 
But  Miss  Egerton  does  not  entirely  satisfy  us.  She 
is  too  formal  and  solemn,  we  think,  in  her  advice 
to  her  brother  not  to  fall  in  love ;  and  it  is  hardly 
like  a  sensible  woman — it  is  putting  it  into  his 
head.  We  should  hke  a  few  hints  from  her  better. 
We  feel  really  obliged  to  you  for  introducing  a 
Lady  Kenrick  ;  it  will  remove  the  greatest  fault  in 
the  work,  and  I  give  you  credit  for  considerable 
forbearance  as  an  author  in  adopting  so  much 
of  our  opinion.  I  expect  high  fun  about  Mrs. 
Fisher  and  Sir  Thomas.  You  have  been  perfectly 
right  in  telling  Ben.  Lefroy  of  your  w^ork,  and  I 
am  very  glad  to  hear  how  much  he  likes  it.  His 
encouragement  and  approbation  must  be  '  quite 
beyond   everything.'  ^     I  do  not  at  all  wonder  at 

^  A  phrase  always  in  the  mouth  of  one  of  the  Chawton  neigh- 
bours, Mrs.  II.  Diirweed. 


1814  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEN.  317 

his  not  expecting  to  like  anybody  so  well  as 
Cecilia  at  first,  but  I  shall  be  surprised  if  he  does 
not  become  a  Susanite  in  time.  Devereux  For- 
ester's being  ruined  by  his  vanity  is  extremely 
good,  but  I  wish  you  would  not  let  him  plunge 
into  a  '  vortex  of  dissipation.'  I  do  not  object  to 
the  thing,  but  I  cannot  bear  the  expression ;  it 
is  such  thorough  novel  slang,  and  so  old  that  I 
daresay  Adam  met  with  it  in  the  first  novel  he 
opened.  Indeed,  I  did  very  much  like  to  know 
Ben's  opinion.  I  hope  he  will  continue  to  be 
pleased  with  it,  and  I  think  he  must,  but  I  cannot 
flatter  him  with  there  being  much  incident.  We 
have  no  great  right  to  wonder  at  his  not  valueing 
the  name  of  Progillian.  That  is  a  source  of  delight 
which  even  he  can  hardly  be  quite  competent  to. 

Walter  Scott  has  no  business  to  write  novels, 
especially  good  ones.  It  is  not  fair.  He  has  fame 
and  profit  enough  as  a  poet,  and  should  not  be 
takino;  the  bread  out  of  the  mouths  of  other 
people. 

I  do  not  like  him,  and  do  not  mean  to  like 
'  Waverley  '  if  I  can  help  it,  but  fear  I  must. 

I  am  quite  determined,  however,  not  to  be 
pleased  with  Mrs.  West's  '  Alicia  De  Lacy,'  should 


318        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        1814 

I  ever  meet  Avitli  it,  which  I  hope  I  sliall  not.  I 
think  I  can  be  stout  against  anything  written  by 
Mrs.  West.  I  liave  made  up  my  mind  to  hke  no 
novels  really  but  Miss  Edgeworth's,  yours,  and  my 
own. 

What  can  you  do  with  Egerton  to  increase 
tlie  interest  for  him?  I  wish  you  could  contrive 
something,  some  family  occurrence  to  bring  out 
his  good  qualities  more.  Some  distress  among 
brothers  and  sisters  to  relieve  by  the  sale  of  his 
curacy !  Something  to  carry  him  mysteriously 
away,  and  then  be  heard  of  at  York  or  Edinburgh 
in  an  old  great  coat.  I  would  not  seriously  re- 
commend anything  improbable,  but  if  you  could 
invent  something  spirited  for  him  it  would  have 
a  good  effect.  He  might  lend  all  his  money  to 
Captain  Morris,  but  then  he  would  be  a  great  fool 
if  he  did.  Cannot  the  Morrises  quarrel  and  he 
reconcile  them  ?  Excuse  the  liberty  I  take  in  these 
suggestions. 

Your  Aunt  Frank's  nursemaid  has  just  given 
her  warning,  but  whether  she  is  worth  your 
having,  or  would  take  your  place,  I  know  not. 
Slie  was  Mrs.  Webb's  maid  before  she  went  to  the 
Great  House.     Slie  leaves  your  aunt  because  slie 


1814  LETTEKS   OF   JAXE   AUSTEX.  ol9 

cannot  agree  with  the  other  servants.  She  is  in 
love  witli  the  man  and  her  head  seems  rather 
tnrned.  He  returns  her  affection,  but  she  fancies 
every  one  else  is  wanting  him  and  envying  her. 
Her  previous  service  must  have  fitted  her  for  such 
a  place  as  yours,  and  she  is  very  active  and 
cleanly.  The  Webbs  are  really  gone  !  When  I 
saw  the  wagons  at  the  door,  and  thought  of  all 
the  trouble  they  must  have  in  moving,  I  began  to 
reproach  myself  for  not  having  liked  them  better, 
but  since  the  wagons  have  disappeared  my  con- 
science has  been  closed  again,  and  I  am  excessively 
glad  they  are  gone. 

I  am  very  fond  of  Sherlock's  sermons  and  pre- 
fer them  to  almost  any. 

Your  affectionate  Aunt,  J.  Austex. 

If  you  wish  me  to  speak  to  the  maid  let  me 
know. 

In  October  Jane's  correspondent  paid  her  last 
visit  to  Chawton  as  Anna  Austen.  Very  soon 
after  her  return  she  wrote  to  tell  them  her  wed- 
ding day  was  fixed.  On  November  8  she  was 
married  in  the  parish  church  of  Steventon.  Mr. 
B.   Lefroy  did    not  take  holy  orders  until   about 


320        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1814 

tliree  years  after  the  marriage,  and  tlie  first  home 
of  the  young  couple  was  at  Henclon,  to  which  place 
the  following  letter  was  addressed  : 

LXXXIX. 

Chawton  :  (Nov.  21,  1814). 

My  deae  Anna, 

I  met  Harriet  Benn  yesterday.  She  gave  me 
her  congratulations  and  desired  they  might  be  for- 
warded to  you,  and  there  they  are.  The  chief 
news  from  this  country  is  the  death  of  old  Mrs. 
Dormer.  Mrs.  Clement  walks  about  in  a  new 
black  velvet  pelisse  lined  with  yellow,  and  a  white 
bobbin  net  veil,  and  looks  remarkably  well  in 
them. 

I  tliink  I  understand  the  country  about  Hendon 
from  your  description.  It  must  be  very  pretty  in 
summer.  Sliould  you  know  from  the  atmosphere 
that  you  were  within  a  dozen  miles  of  London  ? 
Make  everybody  at  Hendon  admire  '  Mansfield 
Park.'  Your  affectionate  Aunt,  J.  A. 

The  next  letter  is  written  from  Hans  Place, 
where  Jane  was  staying  with  her  brother  Henry, 
and  from  which  they  had  recently  driven  down 
to  see  tlie  newly-married  couple  at  Hendon. 


1814        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        321 

xo. 

Hans  Place  (Xov.  28,  1814). 
Mr  DEAR  AXXA, 

I  assure  you  we  all  came  away  very  much 
pleased  with  our  visit.  We  talked  of  you  for 
about  a  mile  aud  a  half  with  great  satisfaction  ; 
and  I  have  been  just  sending  a  very  good  report 
of  you  to  Miss  Benn,  with  a  full  account  of  your 
dress  for  Susan  and  Maria. 

We  were  all  at  the  play  last  night  to  see  ^iiss 
O'Neil  in  '  Isabella.'  I  do  not  think  she  was  quite 
equal  to  my  expectations.  I  fancy  I  want  some- 
thing more  than  can  be.  I  took  two  pocket-hand- 
kerchiefs, but  had  very  little  occasion  for  either. 
She  is  an  elegant  creature,  however,  and  hugs  Mr. 
Young  delightfully.  I  am  going  this  morning  to 
see  the  little  girls  in  Keppel  Street.  Cassy  was 
excessively  interested  about  your  marriage  when 
she  heard  of  it,  which  w^as  not  until  she  was  to 
drink  your  health  on  the  wedding  day. 

She  asked  a  thousand  questions  in  her  usual 
manner,  what  he  said  to  you  and  what  you  said  to 
him.  If  your  uncle  were  at  home  he  w^ould  send  his 
best  love,  but  I  will  not  impose  any  base  fictitious 
remembrances  on  you,  mine  I  can  honestly  give,  and 
remain  Your  affectionate  Aunt,  J.  Austex. 

A^OL.    II.  Y 


22  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEN.  1814 


o^^ 


Marriage  did  not  immediately  stop  Mrs.  Lefroy'i=f 
story-writiDg,  and  early  in  December  she  sent  her 
annt  another  packet,  which  elicited  the  following^ 

letter  :— 

XCI. 

Hans  Place  (  Wednesday). 

My  deak  Axna, 

I  have  been  very  far  from  finding  yonr  book 
an  evil,  I  assnre  yon.  I  read  it  immediately,  and 
with  great  pleasnre.  I  think  yon  are  going  on 
very  well.  The  description  of  Dr.  Griffin  and 
Lady  Helena's  imhappiness  is  very  good,  and  jnst 
what  was  hkely  to  be.  I  am  cnrions  to  know 
what  the  end  of  them  will  be.  The  name  of 
Newton  Priors  is  really  invalnable  ;  I  never  met 
mth  anything  snperior  to  it.  It  is  delightfnl,  and 
one  conld  live  on  the  name  of  Newton  Priors  for 
a  twelvemonth.  Indeed,  I  think  yon  get  on  very 
fast.  I  only  wish  other  people  of  my  acqnaint- 
ance  conld  compose  as  rapidl}-.  I  am  pleased 
with  the  dog  scene  and  with  the  whole  of  George 
and  Snsan's  love,  but  am  more  particnlarly  strnck 
with  yonr  serions  conversations.  They  are  very 
good  thronghout.  St.  Jnlian's  history  was  qnite  a 
snrprise  to  me.  Yon  had  not  very  long  known  it 
yourself  I   suspect ;    but  I  have  no    objection   to 


1814  LETTEES   OF   JAXE   AUSTEN.  823 

make  to  the  circumstance,  and  it  is  very  well  told. 
His  liaviiia"  been  in  love  with  the  aunt  oives 
Cecilia  an  additional  interest  with  him.  I  like  the 
idea — a  very  proper  compliment  to  an  aunt !  I 
rather  imagine  indeed  that  nieces  are  seldom 
chosen  but  out  of  comphment  to  some  aunt  or 
another.  I  daresay  Ben  was  in  love  with  me  once,, 
and  would  never  have  thought  of  you  if  he  had 
not  supposed  me  dead  of  scarlet  fever.  Yes,  I  was 
in  a  mistake  as  to  the  number  of  books.  I  thought 
I  had  read  three  before  the  three  at  Chawton,  but 
fewer  than  six  will  not  do.  I  want  to  see  dear 
Bell  Griffin  again  ;  and  had  you  not  better  give 
some  hint  of  St.  Julian's  early  history  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  story  ? 

We  sliall  see  nothing  of  Streatham  while  we 
are  in  town,  as  Mrs.  Hill  is  to  lye  in  of  a  daughter. 
Mrs.  Blackstone  is  to  be  with  her.  Mrs.  Heath- 
cote  and  Miss  Bigg  ^  are  just  leaving.  The  latter 
writes  me  w^ord  that  Miss  Blackford  is  married, 
but  I  have  never  seen  it  in  the  papers,  and  one 
may  as  well  be  single  if  the  wedding  is  not  to  be 
in  print. 

Your  affectionate  Aunt,  J.  A. 

'  Sisters  to  Mrs.  Hall. 

Y  2 


324  LETTERS   OF  JAXE   AUSTEN.  1815 

In  August  1815  Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  Lefroy  moved 

from   Hendon,    and    took    a    small    house    called 

Wyards,  near  Alton  and  within  a  walk  of  Chawton. 

Wyards  is  more  than  once  mentioned  in  our  letters. 

In  the  autumn  of  1815,  Jane  went  up  to  Hans 

Place  (as    has  been    already  stated)    to    visit   her 

brother  Henry,  and  to  superintend  the  publishing 

of  '  Emma,'  and  at  that  time  the  following  letter 

was  written  : — 

XOII. 

Chawton :  Friday  (Sept.  29). 

My  dear  Anna, 

^We  told  Mr.  B.  Lefroy  that  if  the  weather  did 
not  prevent  us  we  should  certainly  come  and  see 
you  to-morrow  and  bring  Cassy,  trusting  to  your 
beins^  good  enouo'h  to  ^ive  her  a  dinner  about  one 
o'clock,  that  we  might  be  able  to  be  with  joii  the 
earlier  and  stay  the  longer.  But  on  giving  Cassy 
her  choice  between  tlie  Fair  at  Alton  or  Wyards, 
it  must  be  confessed  tliat  she  has  preferred  the 
former,  which  we  trust  will  not  greatly  affront  you  ; 
if  it  does,  you  may  liope  that  some  little  Anne 
hereafter  may  revenge  the  insult  by  a  similar  pre- 
ference of  an  Alton  Fair  to  lier  Cousin  Cassy.  In 
the  meanwhile  we  have  determined  to  put  off  our 
visit  to  you  until  Monday,  which  we  hope  will  be 


1815  LETTERS   OF   J.1]N'E   AUSTEN,  325 

not  less  convenient.  I  wish  the  weather  may  not 
resolve  on  another  put  off.  I  must  come  to  you 
before  Wednesday  if  it  be  possible,  for  on  that  day 
I  am  o'oinc^  to  London  for  a  week  or  two  with  your 
Uncle  Henry,  who  is  expected  here  on  Sunday.  If 
Monday  should  appear  too  dirty  for  walking,  and 
Mr.  Lefroy  would  be  so  kind  as  to  come  and  fetch 
me,  I  should  be  much  obliged  to  him.  Cassy 
might  be  of  the  party,  and  your  Aunt  Cassandra 
will  take  another  opportunity. 

Yours  very  affectionately,  my  dear  Anna, 

J.  Austen. 

But  before  the  week  or  two  to  which  she  had 
limited  her  visit  in  Hans  Place  was  at  an  end,  her 
biiother  fell  ill,  and  on  October  22  he  was  in  such 
danger  that  she  wrote  to  Steventon  to  summon 
her  father  to  town.  The  letter  was  two  days  on 
the  road,  and  reached  him  on  Sunday  the  24th. 
Even  then  he  did  not  start  immediately.  In  the 
evening  he  and  his  wife  rode  to  Chawton,  and  it 
was  not  until  the  next  day  that  he  and  Cassandra 
arrived  in  Hans  Place.  The  malady  from  which 
Henry  Austen  was  suffering  was  low  fever,  and 
he  was  for  some  days  at  death's  door ;  but  lie 
ralhed  soon  after  his  brother  and  sisters  arrived, 


326        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        1816 

and  recovered  so  quickly  that  the  former  was  able 
to  leave  him  at  the  end  of  the  week.  Tlie  great 
anxiety  and  fatigue  which  Jane  underwent  at  this 
time  Avas  supposed  by  some  of  her  family  to  have 
broken  down  her  health.  She  was  in  a  very  feeble 
and  exhausted  condition  when  the  bank  in  which 
her  brother  Henry  was  a  partner  broke,  and  he  not 
only  lost  all  that  he  possessed,  but  most  of  his 
relations  suffered  severely  also.  Jane  was  well 
•enough  to  pay  several  visits  with  her  sister  in  the 
summer  of  1816,  including  one  to  Steventon — the 
last- she  ever  paid  to  that  home  of  her  childhood. 
The  last  note  which  Mrs.  Lefroy  had  preserved  is 
dated  : — 

XCIII. 

June  23,  181G, 

My  dear  Axxa, 

Cassy  desires  her  best  thanks  for  the  book.  She 
was  quite  delighted  to  see  it.  I  do  not  know  when 
I  have  seen  her  so  much  struck  by  anj^body's  kind- 
ness as  on  this  occasion.  Her  sensibility  seems  to 
be  opening  to  tlie  perception  of  great  actions. 
These  gloves  liaving  appeared  on  tlie  pianoforte 
ever  since  you  were  here  on  Friday,  we  imagine 
they  must  l3e  yours.  Mrs.  Digweed  returned 
yesterday  through    all   tlie    afternoon's    rain,  and 


1816  LETTEES   OF   JA>'E   AUSTEX.  327 

^vas  of  course  wet  through,  but  iu  speaking  of  it 
she  never  once  said  '  it  was  beyond  everything/ 
Avliich  I  am  sure  it  must  have  been.  Your  Mama 
means  to  ride  to  Speen  Hill  to-morrow^  to  see  the 
Mrs.  Hulberts,  who  are  both  very  indifferent.  By 
^11  accounts  they  really  are  breaking  now — not  so 
stout  as  the  old  jackass. 

Yours  affectionately,  J.  A. 

Cliawtou  :  Sunday,  June  23. 

Uncle  Charles's  birthday. 

I  insert  here  a  letter  of  Jane  Austen's  written 
backwards^  addressed  to  her  niece  '  Cassy,'  daughter 
of  Captain  Charles  Austen  (afterwards  Admiral) 
Avhen  a  Httle  girl. 

XCIV. 
Y^M  KAED  YSSAC, 

I  hsiw  uoy  a  yppah  wen  rdej.  Euoy  xis 
snisuoc  emac  ereli  yadretsey,  dna  dah  hcae  a  eceip 
fo  ekac.  Siht  si  elttil  Yssac's  yadhtrib,  dna  ehs  si 
€erht  sraey  dlo.  Knarf  sah  nugeb  gninrael  Xital 
•ew  deef  eht  Xibor  yreve  gninrom.  Yllas  netfo 
seriuqne  retfa  uoy.  Yllas  Mahneb  sah  tog  a  Aven 
neerg  nwog.  Teirrah  Thgink  semoc  yreve  yad  ot 
ilaer  ot  Tnua  Ardnassac.    Doog  eyb  ym  raed  Yssac. 


328       LETTEES  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        1817 

Tnua  Ardnassac  sdnes  reli  tseb  evol,  dna  os  ew 
od  11a. 

Eiioy  etanoitceffa  Tnua,  Exaj  Netsua. 

Notwahc:  Xaj.  8. 

In  January  1817  she  wrote  of  herself  as  better 
and  able  to  walk  into  Alton,  and  hoped  in  the 
summer  she  should  be  able  to  walk  back.  In 
April  her  father  in  a  note  to  Mrs.  Lefroy  says,  '  I 
was  happy  to  have  a  good  account  of  herself 
written  by  her  own  hand,  in  a  letter  from  your 
Aunt  Jane ;  but  all  who  love,  and  tliat  is  all  who 
know  her,  must  be  anxious  on  her  account.'  We 
all  know  how  well  grounded  that  anxiety  was,  and 
how  soon  her  relations  had  to  lament  over  the  loss 
of  the  dearest  and  brightest  member  of  their  family. 

And  now  I  come  to  the  saddest  letters  of  all, 
those  which  tell  us  of  the  end  of  that  bright  life, 
cut  short  just  at  the  time  when  the  world  might 
have  hoped  that  unabated  intellectual  vigour,  sup- 
plemented by  the  experience  brought  by  maturer 
years,  would  have  produced  works  if  possible  even 
more  fascinating  than  those  with  which  slie  had 
already  embellished  the  literature  of  her  country. 
But  it  was  not  to  be.     The  fiat  had  o-one  forth — 


1817  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  329 

the  ties  which  bound  that  sweet  spirit  to  eartli 
were  to  be  severed,  and  a  blank  left,  never  to  be 
filled,  in  the  family  which  her  loved  and  loving 
presence  had  blessed,  and  wliere  she  had  been  so 
well  and  fondly  appreciated.  In  the  early  spring 
of  1817  the  unfavourable  symptoms  increased,  and 
the  failure  of  her  health  was  too  visible  to  be 
neglected.  Still,  no  apprehensions  of  immediate 
danger  were  entertained,  and  it  is  probable  that 
wlien  she  left  Chawton  for  Winchester  in  ^lay,  she 
did  not  recognize  tlie  fact  that  she  was  bidding 
a  last  farewell  to  '  Home.'  Happy  for  her  if  it 
was  so,  for  there  are  few  things  more  melancholy 
than  to  look  upon  any  beloved  place  or  person 
with  the  knowledge  that  it  is  for  '  tlie  last  time.' 
In  all  probabiUty  this  grief  was  spared  to  Jane, 
for  even  after  her  arrival  at  Winchester  she  spoke 
and  wrote  as  if  recovery  was  hopeful ;  and  I  fancy 
that  her  relations  were  by  no  means  aware  that 
the  end  was  so  near. 

I  find  from  my  mother's  pocket-books  that  she 
received  at  least  four  letters  from  '  Aunt  Jane  '  in 
1817,  the  date  of  the  last  being  March  26,  but 
of  these  I  have  found  none.  She  wrote  to  her 
Aunt  several  times  in  June  (as  Cassandra's  letters 


330  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.     ^^  1817 

imply),  and  as  late  as  July  9,  10,  and  15,  the 
last  letter  of  which  must  either  be  the  one  specially 
alluded  to  in  Letter  95,  or  must  have  arrived  after 
]ier  death.  The  entries  in  my  motlier's  pocket- 
books  at  this  time  show  how  much  her  heart  was 
with  her  relations  at  Winchester. 

June  14. — '  A  sad  account  of  my  poor  dear 
Aunt  Jane.' 

June  18. — 'Another  hopeless  account  from 
Winchester.' 

June  29. — '  Much  the  same  account  of  dear 
Aunt  Jane.' 

Then  comes  (July  20)  '  A  letter  from  Papa 
announcing  my  poor  dear  Aunt  Jane  Austen's 
death  at  four  on  Friday  morn,'  and  further  on  are 
allusions  to  the  letters  which  follow. 

Jidy  22. — '  A  long  letter  from  dear  Aunt 
Cass.,  with  many  affecting  particulars.'  '  Wrote 
great  part  of  a  letter  to  Aunt  Cass,  and  was  miser- 
able.' My  mother  always  summarized  the  '  prin- 
cipal events  of  the  year '  at  the  end  of  each 
pocket-book,  and  at  the  head  of  her  summary  of 
those  in  1817  comes  :  'I  had  the  misery  of  losing 
my  dear  Aunt  Jane  after  a  lingering  illness.'  So 
terminated  the  friendship  of  two  natures,  which  in 


1817        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        331 

many  respects  singularly  liarmonized,  and  each 
of  which,  whilst  on  earth,  contributed  in  a  remark- 
able degree  to  the  happiness  of  those  among  whom 
its  lot  was  cast. 

Cassandra's  letters  tell  the  tale  of  the  event  in 
words  that  require  no  addition  from  me.  They  are 
simple  and  affecting — the  words  of  one  who  had 
been  stricken  by  a  great  grief,  but  whose  religion 
stood  her  in  good  stead,  and  enabled  her  to  bear 
it  with  fortitude.  The  firm  and  loving  bond  of 
union  Avliich  had  ever  united  tlie  Austen  family, 
naturally  intensified  their  sorrow  at  the  loss  of  one 
of  their  number,  and  that  the  one  of  whom  they 
had  been  so  proud  as  well  as  so  fond.  They  laid 
her  within  the  walls  of  the  old  cathedral  which 
she  had  loved  so  much,  and  went  sorrowfully  back 
to  their  homes,  with  the  feeling  that  nothing  could 
replace  to  them  the  treasure  they  had  lost.  And 
most  heavily  of  all  must  the  blow  have  fallen 
upon  the  only  sister,  the  correspondent,  the  com- 
panion, the  other  self  of  Jane,  who  had  to  return 
alone  to  the  desolate  home,  and  to  the  mother  to 
Avhose  comforts  the  two  had  liitherto  ministered 
together,  but  who  would  lienceforward  have  her 
alone   on  whom  to  rely.     The  return  must  have 


332       LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.        1817 

been  sad  indeed  ;  every  moment  the  surrounding 
associations  must  have  awakened  old  memories 
and  kept  alive  her  heart-grief,  and  nothing  could 
have  rendered  tlie  misery  endurable  save  that  hope 
so  earnestly  expressed  in  her  letters,  that  she  and 
her  sister  would  be  re-united  hereafter.  They  are 
indeed  sad  letters,  but  they  form  the  proper  con- 
clusion to  the  series  which  I  give  to  the  world. 
The  lock  of  Jane's  hair,  mentioned  at  the  end  of 
the  last  letter,  was  set  in  an  oval  brooch,  bearing 
simply  the  inscription  of  her  name  and  the  date  of 
her  death.     I  have  it  now  in  my  possession. 


1817  LETTERS    OF   JAXE    AUSTEX.  333 

Letters  from  Miss  Cassandra  Austen  to  her  niece  Miss 
Knight,  after  the  death  of  her  sister  Jane,  July  is, 
i8i7, 

xcv. 

VVincliester :  Sunday. 

My  deaeest  Faxxy, 

Doubly  dear  to  me  now  for  her  dear  sake  wliom 
we  liave  lost.  She  did  love  you  most  sincerely, 
and  never  shall  I  forget  the  proofs  of  love  you 
gave  her  during  her  illness  in  writing  those  kind, 
amusing  letters  at  a  time  when  I  know  your 
feelings  would  have  dictated  so  different  a  style. 
Take  the  only  reward  I  can  give  you  in  the 
assurance  that  your  benevolent  purpose  icas 
answered ;  you  did  contribute  to  her  enjoj^ment. 

Even  your  last  letter  afforded  pleasure.  I 
merely  cut  the  seal  and  gave  it  to  her  ;  she  opened 
it  and  read  it  herself,  afterwards  she  gave  it  me  to 
read,  and  then  talked  to  me  a  little  and  not  un- 
cheerfully  of  its  contents,  but  there  was  then  a 
languor  about  her  which  prevented  her  taking  the 
same  interest  in  anything  she  had  been  used  to  do. 

Since  Tuesda)^  evening,  when  her  complaint 
returned,  there  was  a  visible  change,  she  slept 
more  and  much  more  comfortably ;  indeed,  durino- 
the  last  eight-and-forty  hours  she  was  more  asleeo 


334  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEN.  1817 

tlian  awake.  Her  looks  altered  and  she  fell  away, 
but  I  perceived  no  material  diminution  of  strength, 
and,  though  I  was  then  hopeless  of  a  recovery,  I 
had  no  suspicion  how  rapidly  my  loss  was  ap- 
proaching. 

I  have  lost  a  treasure,  such  a  sister,  such  a 
friend  as  never  can  have  been  surpassed.  She  was 
the  sun  of  my  life,  the  gilder  of  every  pleasure, 
the  soother  of  every  sorrow ;  I  had  not  a  thought 
concealed  from  her,  and  it  is  as  if  I  had  lost  a 
part  of  myself.  I  loved  her  only  too  well — not 
better  than  she  deserved,  but  I  am  conscious  that 
my  affection  for  her  made  me  sometimes  unjust  to 
and  negligent  of  others ;  and  I  can  acknowledge, 
more  than  as  a  general  principle,  the  justice  of  the 
Hand  which  has  struck  this  blow. 

You  know  me  too  well  to  be  at  all  afraid  tliat 
I  should  suffer  materially  from  my  feelings  ;  I  am 
perfectly  conscious  of  the  extent  of  my  irreparable 
loss,  but  I  am  not  at  all  overpowered  and  very 
little  indisposed,  nothing  but  wliat  a  short  time, 
with  rest  and  change  of  air,  will  remove.  I  thank 
God  that  I  was  enabled  to  attend  lier  to  the  last, 
and  amongst  my  many  causes  of  self-reproach  I 
have  not  to  add  any  Avilful  neglect  of  her  comfort. 

She  felt  herself  to  be  dying  about  half-an-liour 


1817  LETTEES   OF  J.VXE   AUSTEX.  335 

before  she  became  tranquil  and  apparently  uncon- 
scious. During  that  half-hour  was  her  struo-gle, 
poor  soul !  She  said  she  could  not  tell  us  what 
she  suffered,  though  she  complained  of  little  fixed 
pain.  When  I  asked  her  if  there  was  anything 
she  wanted,  her  ansAver  was  she  wanted  nothing 
but  death,  and  some  of  her  words  were  :  '  God 
grant  me  patience,  pray  for  me,  oh,  pray  for  me  ! ' 
Her  voice  was  affected,  but  as  long  as  she  spoke 
she  was  intelligible. 

I  hope  I  do  not  break  your  heart,  my  dearest 
Fanny,  by  these  particulars  ;  I  mean  to  afford  you 
gratification  wdiilst  I  am  relieving  my  own  feelings. 
I  could  not  write  so  to  an3'body  else  ;  indeed 
you  are  the  only  person  I  have  written  to  at  all, 
excepting  your  grandmamma — it  was  to  her,  not 
your  Uncle  Charles,  I  wrote  on  Friday. 

Immediately  after  dinner  on  Thursday  I  went 
into  the  town  to  do  an  errand  which  your  dear 
aunt  was  anxious  about.  I  returned  about  a 
quarter  before  six  and  found  her  recovering  from 
faintness  and  oppression  ;  she  got  so  well  as  to 
be  able  to  give  me  a  minute  account  of  her 
seizure,  and  when  the  clock  struck  six  she  was 
talking  quietly  to  me. 

I   cannot    say  how   soon   afterwards    she   was 


336  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  1817 

seized  again  with  the  same  faintiiess,  which  was 
followed  by  tlie  sufferings  she  could  not  describe  ; 
but  Mr.  Lyford  had  been  sent  for,  had  apphed 
something  to  give  her  ease,  and  slie  was  in  a 
state  of  quiet  insensibility  by  seven  o'clock  at  the 
latest.  From  that  time  till  half-past  four,  wdien 
she  ceased  to  breathe,  she  scarcely  moved  a  limb, 
so  that  we  have  every  reason  to  think,  with 
gratitude  to  tlie  Almighty,  that  her  sufferings  were 
over.  A  slight  motion  of  the  liead  with  every 
breath  remained  till  almost  the  last.  I  sat  close 
to  her  with  a  pillow  in  my  lap  to  assist  in  sup- 
porting her  head,  which  was  almost  off"  the  bed, 
for  six  hours ;  fatigue  made  me  tlien  resign  my 
place  to  Mrs.  J.  A.  for  two  hours  and  a-half,  when 
I  took  it  again,  and  in  about  an  hour  more  she 
breathed  her  last. 

I  was  able  to  close  her  eyes  myself,  and  it  was 
a  great  gratification  to  me  to  render  her  those  last 
services.  There  was  nothing  convulsed  which  gave 
the  idea  of  pain  in  her  look  ;  on  tlie  contrary,  but 
for  tlie  continual  motion  of  the  head  she  gave  one 
the  idea  of  a  beautiful  statue,  and  even  now,  in 
her  coffin,  there  is  such  a  sweet,  serene  air  over  liei* 
countenance  as  is  quite  pleasant  to  contemplate. 

This  day,  my  dearest  Fanny,  you  have  had  the 


1817  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEX.  337 

melanclioly  intelligence,  and  I  know  you  suffer 
severely,  but  I  likewise  know  that  you  will  apply 
to  tlie  fountain-head  for  consolation,  and  that  our 
merciful  God  is  never  deaf  to  such  prayers  as  you 
will  offer. 

The  last  sad  ceremony  is  to  take  place  on 
Thursday  morning ;  her  dear  remains  are  to  be 
deposited  in  the  cathedral.  It  is  a  satisfaction  to 
me  to  think  that  they  are  to  lie  in  a  building  she 
admired  so  much  ;  her  precious  soul,  I  presume 
to  hope,  reposes  in  a  far  superior  mansion.  May 
mine  one  day  be  re- united  to  it  ! 

Your  dear  papa,  your  Uncle  Henry,  and  Frank 
and  Edwd.  Austen,  instead  of  his  father,  "will 
attend.  I  hope  they  will  none  of  them  suffer 
lastingly  from  their  pious  exertions.  Tlie  ceremony 
must  be  over  before  ten  o'clock,  as  the  cathedral 
service  begins  at  that  hour,  so  that  we  shall  be  at 
home  early  in  the  day,  for  there  will  be  nothing  to 
keep  us  here  afterwards. 

Your  Uncle  James  came  to  us  yesterday,  and  is 
gone  home  to-day.  Uncle  H.  goes  to  Chawton  to- 
morrow morning  ;  he  has  given  every  necessary 
direction  here,  and  I  think  his  company  there  will 
do  good.  He  returns  to  us  again  on  Tuesday 
evening. 

VOL.    II.  Z 


338       LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEX.        1817 

I  did  not  think  to  have  written  a  long  letter 
when  I  began,  but  I  have  found  the  employment 
draw  me  on,  and  I  hope  I  shall  have  been  giving 
you  more  pleasure  tlian  pain.  Eemember  me 
"kindly  to  Mrs.  J.  Bridges  (I  am  so  glad  she  is  with 
you  now),  and  give  my  best  love  to  Lizzie  and  all 
the  others. 

I  am,  my  dearest  Fanny, 

Most  affectionately  yours, 

Cass.  Eliz.  Austex. 

I  have  said  nothing  about  those  at  Chawton, 
because  I  am  sure  you  hear  from  your  papa. 

xcvi. 

Chawton:  Tuesday  (July  29,  1817). 

My  dearest  Faxxy, 

I  have  just  read  your  letter  for  tlie  third  time, 
and  thank  you  most  sincerely  for  every  kind 
expression  to  myself,  and  still  more  warmly  for 
your  praises  of  her  who  I  believe  was  better  known 
to  you  than  to  any  human  being  besides  myself. 
Nothing  of  the  sort  could  have  been  more  gratify- 
ino'  to  me  tlian  the  manner  in  wliich  you  write  of 
lier,  and  if  tlie  dear  angel  is  conscious  of  what  passes 
liere,  and  is  not  above  all  earthly  feelings,  she 
may  perhaps  receive  pleasure  in  being  so  mourned. 


1817  LETTERS   OF   JANE   AUSTEX.  339 

Had  she  been  the  survivor  I  can  fancy  her  speakmg 
of  you  in  ahnost  the  same  terms.  There  are 
certainly  many  points  of  >trong  resemblance  in 
your  characters ;  in  3'our  intimate  acquaintance 
with  each  other,  and  your  mutual  strong  affection, 
you  were  counterparts. 

Thursday  was  not  so  dreadful  a  day  to  me  as 
you  imagined.  There  was  so  much  necessary  to 
be  done  that  tliere  was  no  time  for  additional 
misery.  Everything  was  conducted  with  the 
greatest  tranquillity,  and  but  that  I  was  deter- 
mined I  would  see  the  last,  and  therefore  was 
upon  the  listen,  I  should  not  have  known  when 
they  left  the  house.  I  watched  the  httle  mournful 
procession  the  lengtli  of  the  street ;  and  when  it 
turned  from  my  sight,  and  I  had  lost  her  for  ever, 
even  then  I  was  not  overpowered,  nor  so  much 
agitated  as  I  am  now  in  writing  of  it.  Xever  was 
human  being  more  sincerely  mourned  by  those 
who  attended  lier  remains  than  was  this  dear 
creature.  ^lay  the  sorrow  with  which  she  is 
parted  with  on  earth  be  a  prognostic  of  tJie  joy 
with  which  slie  is  hailed  in  heaven ! 

I  continue  very  tolerably  well— much  better 
than  any  one  could  have  supposed  possible,  because 
I  certainly  have  had  considerable  fatigue  of  body 


340  LETTEKS  OF   JAXE   AUSTEN.  1817 

as  well  as  anguish  of  mind  for  months  back ;  but 
I  really  am  well,  and  I  hope  I  am  properly  grate- 
ful to  the  Almighty  for  having  been  so  supported. 
Your  grandmamma,  too,  is  much  better  than  when 
I  came  home. 

I  did  not  think  your  dear  papa  appeared  un- 
well, and  I  understand  that  he  seemed  much  more 
comfortable  after  his  return  from  Winchester  than 
he  had  done  before.  I  need  not  tell  you  that  he 
was  a  great  comfort  to  me ;  indeed,  I  can  never 
say  enough  of  the  kindness  I  have  received  from 
him^  and  from  every  other  friend. 

I  get  out  of  doors  a  good  deal  and  am  able  to 
employ  myself.  Of  course  those  employments  suit 
me  best  which  leave  me  most  at  leisure  to  think  of 
her  I  have  lost,  and  I  do  think  of  her  in  every 
variety  of  circumstance.  In  our  happy  hours  of 
confidential  intercourse,  in  the  cheerful  family 
party  which  she  so  ornamented,  in  her  sick  room, 
on  her  death-bed,  and  as  (I  hope)  an  inhabitant  of 
heaven.  Oh,  if  I  may  one  day  be  re-united  to  her 
there  !  I  know  the  time  must  come  when  my  mind 
will  be  less  engrossed  by  her  idea,  but  I  do  not 
like  to  think  of  it.  If  I  think  of  her  less  as  on 
earth,  God  grant  that  I  may  never  cease  to  reflect 
on  her  as  inhabiting^  heaven,  and  never  cease  my 


1817  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  341 

liiimble  endeavours  (when  it  shall  please  God)  to 
jom  her  there. 

In  looking  at  a  few  of  the  precious  papers 
which  are  now  my  property  I  have  found  some 
memorandums,  amongst  which  she  desires  that  one 
of  her  gold  chains  may  be  given  to  her  god- 
daughter Louisa,  and  a  lock  of  her  hair  be  set 
for  you.  You  can  need  no  assurance,  my  dearest 
Eanny,  that  every  request  of  your  beloved  aunt 
will  be  sacred  with  me.  Be  so  good  as  to  say 
whether  you  prefer  a  brooch  or  ring.  God  bless 
you,  my  dearest  Fanny. 

Believe  me,  most  affectionately  yours, 

Cass.  Elizth.  Austen. 

31iss  Knight,  Godmersham  Park, 
Canterbury. 


Enclosed  in  one  of  the  Letters  of  i 807, 
Verses  to  rhyme  luith  '  Rose.'' 

1.  Mrs.  Austex. 

This  morning  I  woke  from  a  quiet  repose, 
I  first  rubb'd  my  eyes,  and  I  next  blew  my  nose  ; 
With  my  stockings  and  shoes  I  then  covered  my  toes, 
And  proceeded  to  put  on  the  rest  of  my  clothes. 
This  was  finished  in  less  than  an  hour,  I  suppose. 
I  employ'd  myself  next  in  repairing  my  hose. 


;42       LETTERS  OF  JAXE  AUSTEN.        1807 

'Twas  a  work  of  necessity,  not  what  I  chose  ; 

Of  my  sock  I'd  much  rather  have  knit  twenty  rows. 

My  work  being  done,  I  look'd  through  the  windows, 

And  with  pleasure  beheld  all  the  bucks  and  the  does, 

The  cows  and  the  bullocks,  the  wethers  and  ewes. 

To  the  library  each  morning  the  family  goes. 

So  I  went  with  the  rest,  though  I  felt  rather  froze. 

My  flesh  is  much  warmer,  my  blood  freer  flows. 

When  I  work  in  the  garden  with  rakes  and  with  hoes. 

And  now^  I  believe  I  must  come  to  a  close, 

For  I  find  I  grow  stupid  e'en  while  I  compose. 

If  I  write  any  longer  my  verse  will  be  prose. 


2.  Miss  Austen  (Cassaxdra). 

Love,  they  say,  is  like  a  rose  ; 

I'm  sure  'tis  like  the  wind  that  blows. 

For  not  a  human  creature  knows 

How  it  comes  or  where  it  goes. 

It  is  the  cause  of  many  woes  : 

It  swells  the  eyes  and  reds  the  nose. 

And  very  often  changes  those 

Who  once  were  friends  to  bitter  foes. 

But  let  us  now  the  scene  trans[)Ose 

And  think  no  more  of  tears  and  throes. 

Why  may  we  not  as  well  suppose 

A  smiling  face  the  urchin  shows  ? 

And  when  with  joy  the  bosom  glows, 

And  when  the  heart  has  full  repose, 

'Tis  mutual  love  the  gift  bestows. 


1807        LETTEES  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.        34o 

3.  Miss  Jaxe  Austex. 

Happy  the  lab'rer  in  his  Sunday  clothes  ! 

In  Hght-drab  coat,  smart  waistcoat,  well-darn'd  hose, 

And  hat  upon  his  head,  to  church  he  goes  ; 

As  oft,  with  conscious  pride,  he  downward  throws 

A  glance  upon  the  ample  cabbage  rose 

Which,  stuck  in  button-hole,  regales  his  nose. 

He  envies  not  the  gayest  London  beaux. 

In  church  he  takes  his  seat  among  the  rows, 

Pays  to  the  place  the  reverence  he  owes. 

Likes  best  the  prayers  whose  meaning  least  he  knows, 

Lists  to  the  sermon  in  a  softening  doze. 

And  rouses  joyous  at  the  welcome  close. 


4.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Austex. 

Xever  before  did  I  quarrel  with  a  rose. 

Till  now,  that  I  am  told  some  lines  to  compose. 

Of  which  I  have  little  idea,  God  knows  ; 

But  since  that  the  task  is  assigned  me  by  those 

To  whom  love,  affection,  and  gratitude  owes 

A  ready  compliance,  I  feign  would  dispose 

And  call  to  befriend  me  the  muse  who  bestows 

The  gift  of  poetry  both  on  friends  and  foes. 

My  warmest  acknowledgments  are  due  to  those 

Who  watched  near  my  bed  and  soothed  me  to  repose, 

Who  pitied  my  sufferings  and  shared  in  my  woes, 

And,  by  their  sympathy,  relieved  my  sorroivs. 

May  I  as  long  as  the  blood  in  my  veins  flows 

Feel  the  warmth  of  love  which  now  in  my  breast  glows. 

And  may  I  sink  into  a  refreshing  doze 

When  I  lie  my  head  on  my  welcome  pillows. 


344  LETTERS   OF   JANE    AUSTEX.  1807 

In  Jane  Austen^s  handwriting^  enclosed  in  the  same 

Letter  of  i807. 

On  Sir  Home  Popham's  Sentence,  April  1807. 

Of  a  ]Ministry  pitiful,  angry,  mean, 

A  gallant  commander  the  victim  is  seen. 

For  promptitude,  vigour,  success,  does  he  stand 

Condemn'd  to  receive  a  severe  reprimand  ! 

To  his  foes  I  could  wish  a  resemblance  in  fate : 

That  they,  too,  may  suffer  themselves,  soon  or  late. 

The  injustice  they  warrant.     But  vain  is  my  spite. 

They  cannot  so  suffer  who  never  do  right. 


To    Miss    Bigg,    previous   to    her    Marriage,    with    some 

POCKETHANDKERCHIEFS    I    HAD    HeMMED    FOR    HeR. 

Cambrick  !   With  grateful  blessings  would  I  pay 
The  pleasure  given  me  in  sweet  employ. 
Long  may'st  thou  serve  my  friend  without  decay, 
And  have  no  tears  to  wipe  but  tears  of  joy. 


On  THE  SAME  Occasion,  but  not  sent. 

Cambrick  !  thou'st  been  to  me  a  good. 
And  I  would  bless  thee  if  I  could. 
Go,  serve  thy  mistress  with  delight, 
Be  small  in  compass,  soft  and  white  ; 
Enjoy  thy  fortune,  honour'd  much 
To  bear  her  name  and  feel  her  touch  ; 
And  that  thy  worth  may  last  for  years, 
Slight  be  her  colds,  and  few  her  tears. 


APPENDICES. 


The  notice  taken  by  the  Prince  Eegent  of  Jane  xlusten's 
novels  cannot  be  better  described  than  in  the  words  of 
Mr.  Austen  Leigh  in  the  following  passage,  which  I 
venture  to  transcribe  from  his  book : — 

'  It  was  not  till  towards  the  close  of  her  life,  when  the 
last  of  the  works  that  she  saw  published  was  in  the  press, 
that  she  received  the  only  mark  of  distinction  ever 
bestowed  upon  her ;  and  that  was  remarkable  for  the  high 
quarter  whence  it  emanated  rather  than  for  any  actual 
increase  of  fame  that  it  conferred.  It  happened  thus. 
In  the  autumn  of  1815  she  nursed  her  brother  Henry 
through  a  dangerous  fever  and  slow  convalescence  at  his 
house  in  Hans  Place.  He  was  attended  by  one  of  the 
Prince  Regent's  physicians.  All  attempts  to  keep  her 
name  secret  had  at  this  time  ceased,  and  though  it  had 
never  appeared  on  a  title-page,  all  who  cared  to  know 
might  easily  leai'n  it  :  and  the  friendly  .physician  was 
aware  that  his  patient's  nurse  was  the  author  of  "  Pride 
and  Prejudice."  Accordingly  he  informed  her  one  day 
that  the  Prince  was  a  great  admirer  of  her  novels ;  that 
he  read  them  often,  and  kept  a  set  in  every  one  of  his 
residences  ;  that  he  himself  therefore  had  thought  it  right 


346        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.       app.  i. 

to  inform  his  Koyal  Highness  that  ]Miss  Austen  was  stay- 
ing in  London,  and  that  the  Prince  had  desired  Mr. 
Clarke,  the  Hbrarian  of  Carlton  House,  to  wait  upon  her. 
The  next  day  Mr.  Clarke  made  his  appearance,  and  invited 
her  to  Carlton  House,  saying  that  he  had  the  Prince's 
instructions  to  show  her  the  library  and  other  apartments, 
and  to  pay  her  every  possible  attention.  The  invitation 
was  of  course  accepted,  and  during  the  visit  to  Carlton 
House  Mr.  Clarke  declared  himself  commissioned  to  say 
that  if  Miss  Austen  had  any  other  novel  forthcoming  she 
was  at  liberty  to  dedicate  it  to  the  Prince.  Accordingly 
such  a  dedication  was  immediately  prefixed  to  "  Emma,'' 
which  was  at  that  time  in  the  press. 

'  Mr.  Clarke  was  the  brother  of  Dr.  Clarke,  the  traveller 
and  mineralogist,  whose  life  has  been  written  by  Bishop 
Otter;  Jane  found  in  him  not  only  a  very  courteous 
gentleman,  but  also  a  warm  admirer  of  her  talents ; 
though  it  will  be  seen  by  his  letters  that  he  did  not 
clearly  apprehend  the  limits  of  her  powers,  or  the  proper 
field  for  their  exercise.  The  following  correspondence 
took  place  between  them. 

'  Feeling  some  apprehension  lest  she  should  make  a 
mistake  in  acting  on  the  verbal  permission  which  she  had 
received  from  the  Prince,  Jane  addressed  the  following 
letter  to  Mr.  Clarke  :— 

*'Nov.  15,  1815. 

"  Sir, — I  must  take  the  liberty  of  asking  you  a  ques- 
tion. Among  .the  many  flattering  attentions  which  I  re- 
ceived from  you  at  Carlton  House  on  ^londay  last  was  the 
information  of  my  being  at  liberty  to  dedicate  any  future 
work  to  His  Royal  Highness  the  Prince  Kegent,  without 
the  necessity  of  any  solicitation  on  my  part.  Such,  at 
least,   I  believed  to  be  your  words ;    but  as  I  am  very 


APP.  I.  APPENDICES.  347 

anxious  to  be  quite  certain  of  what  was  intended,  I 
entreat  you  to  have  the  goodness  to  inform  me  how  such 
a  permission  is  to  be  understood,  and  whether  it  is 
incumbent  on  me  to  show  my  sense  of  the  honour  by 
inscribing  the  work  now  in  the  press  to  His  Eoyal  High- 
ness ;  I  should  be  equally  concerned  to  appear  either  pre- 
sumptuous or  ungrateful.'' 

*  The  following  gracious  answer  was  returned  by  Mr. 
Clarke,  together  with  a  suggestion  which  must  have  been 
received  with  some  sm*prise  : — 

"  Carlton  House  :  (Nov.  16,  1815). 

"  Dear  Madam, — It  is  certainly  not  incurahent  on 
you  to  dedicate  your  work  now  in  the  press  to  His  Royal 
Highness ;  but  if  you  wish  to  do  the  Regent  that  honour 
either  now  or  at  any  future  period  I  am  happy  to  send 
you  that  permission,  which  need  not  require  any  more 
trouble  or  solicitation  on  your  part. 

"  Your  late  works.  Madam,  and  in  particular  '  Mans- 
field Park,'  reflect  the  highest  honour  on  yom*  genius  and 
your  principles.  In  every  new  work  your  mind  seems  to 
increase  its  energy  and  power  of  discrimination.  The 
Regent  has  read  and  admired  all  your  publications. 

"  Accept  my  best  thanks  for  the  pleasure  your  volumes 
have  given  me.  In  the  perusal  of  them  I  felt  a  great 
inclination  to  write  and  say  so.  And  I  also,  dear  Madam, 
wished  to  be  allowed  to  ask  you  to  delineate  in  some 
future  work  the  habits  of  life,  and  character,  and  enthu- 
siasm of  a  clergyman,  who  should  pass  his  time  between 
the  metropolis  and  the  country,  who  should  be  something 
like  Beattie's  Minstrel — 


Silent  when  glad,  aftectionate  the'  shy, 

And  in  his  looks  Avas  most  demurely  sad  ; 
And  now  he  laughed  aloud,  yet  none  knew  why. 


348        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.       app.  i. 

Neither  G-oldsmith,  nor  La  Fontaine  in  his  '  Tableau  de 
Famille,'  have  in  my  mind  quite  delineated  an  English 
clergyman,  at  least  of  the  present  day,  fond  of  and  entirely 
engaged  in  literature,  no  man's  enemy  but  his  own.  Pray, 
dear  Madam,  think  of  these  things. 

"  Believe   me  at  all   times  with    sincerity  and 
respect,  your  faithful  and  obliged  servant, 
"J.  S.  Clarke,  Librarian." 

'  The  following  letter,  written  in  reply,  will  show  how 
unequal  the  author  of  "  Pride  and  Prejudice  "  felt  herself 
to  delineating  an  enthusiastic  clergyman  of  the  present 
day,  who  should  resemble  Beattie's  Minstrel:  — 

''Dec.  11. 

"  Dear  Sir, — My  '  Emma '  is  now  so  near  publication 
that  I 'feel  it  right  to  assure  you  of  my  not  having  forgot- 
ten your  kind  recommendation  of  an  early  copy  for  Carlton 
House,  and  that  I  have  Mr.  Murray's  promise  of  its  being 
sent  to  His  Eoyal  Highness,  under  cover  to  you,  three 
days  previous  to  the  work  being  really  out.  I  must  make 
use  of  this  opportunity  to  thank  you,  dear  Sii',  for  the 
very  high  praise  you  bestow  on  my  other  novels.  I  am  too 
vain  to  wish  to  convince  you  that  you  have  praised  them 
beyond  their  merits.  My  greatest  anxiety  at  present  is 
that  this  fourth  work  should  not  disgrace  what  w^as  good  in 
the  others.  But  on  this  point  I  will  do  myself  the  justice 
to  declare  that,  whatever  may  be  my  wishes  for  its  success, 
I  am  strongly  haunted  with  the  idea  that  to  those  readers 
w^ho  have  preferred  '  Pride  and  Prej  udice '  it  will  appear 
inferior  in  wit,  and  to  those  who  have  preferred  '  ]\Lins- 
field  Park '  inferior  in  good  sense.  Such  as  it  is,  however, 
I  hope  you  will  do  me  the  favour  of  accepting  a  copy. 
Mr.  Murray  will  have  directions  for  sending  one.     I  am 


App.  I.  APPENDICES.  349 

quite  honoured  by  your  thinking  me  capable  of  drawing 
such  a  clergyman  as  you  gave  the  sketch  of  in  your  note 
of  Nov.  16th.  But  I  assure  you  I  am  not.  The  comic 
part  of  the  character  I  might  be  equal  to,  but  not  the 
good,  the  enthusiastic,  the  literary.  Such  a  man's  con- 
versation must  at  times  be  on  subjects  of  science  and 
philosophy,  of  which  I  know  nothing ;  or  at  least  be 
occasionally  abundant  in  quotations  and  allusions  which  a 
woman  who,  like  me,  knows  only  her  own  mother-tongue, 
and  has  read  little  in  that,  would  be  totally  without  the 
power  of  giving.  A  classical  education,  or  at  any  rate  a 
very  extensive  acquaintance  with  English  literature, 
ancient  and  modern,  appears  to  me  quite  indispensable 
for  the  person  who  would  do  any  justice  to  your  clergy- 
man ;  and  I  think  I  may  boast  myself  to  be,  with  all 
possible  vanity,  the  most  unlearned  and  uninformed 
female  who  ever  dared  to  be  an  authoress. 
"  Believe  me,  dear  8ir, 
"  Your  obliged  and  faithful  hum^^  ser*. 
"Jane  Austex."^ 

'  ]Mr.  Clarke,  however,  was  not  to  be  discouraged  from 
proposing  another  subject.  He  had  recently  been  appointed 
chaplain  and  private  Enghsh  secretary  to  Prince  Leopold, 
who  was  then  about  to  be  united  to  the  Princess  Charlotte ; 
and  when  he  again  wrote  to  express  the  gracious  thanks 
of  the  Prince  Kegent  for  the  copy  of  "  Emma  "  which  had 
been  presented,  he  suggests  that  "  an  historical  romance 
illustrative  of  the  august  House  of  Cobourg  would  just 
now  be  very  interesting,"   and  might  very  properly  be 

^  It  was  her  pleasure  to  boast  of  greater  ignorance  than  she  had 
any  just  claim  to.  She  knew  more  than  her  mother-tongue,  for  she 
knew  a  good  deal  of  French  and  a  little  of  Italian. 


ooO       LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.      xvp.   i. 

dedicated  to  Prince  Leopold.  This  was  much  as  if  8ir 
William  Ross  had  been  set  to  paint  a  great  battle-piece  ; 
and  it  is  amusing  to  see  with  what  grave  civility  she 
declined  a  proposal  which  must  have  struck  her  as  ludicrous, 
in  the  following  letter  : — 

"My  dear  Sir, — I  am  honoured  by  the  Prince's 
thanks  and  very  much  obliged  to  yourself  for  the  kind 
manner  in  which  you  mention  the  work.  I  have  also  to 
acknowledge  a  former  letter  forwarded  to  me  from  Hans 
Place.  I  assure  you  I  felt  very  grateful  for  the  friendly 
tenor  of  it,  and  hope  my  silence  will  have  been  considered, 
as  it  was  truly  meant,  to  proceed  only  from  an  unwilling- 
ness to  tax  your  time  with  idle  thanks.  Under  every 
interesting  circumstance  which  your  own  talents  and 
literacy  labours  have  placed  you  in,  or  the  favour  of  the 
Regent  bestowed,  you  have  my  best  wishes.  Your  recent 
appointments  I  hope  are  a  step  to  something  still  better. 
In  my  opinion,  the  service  of  a  court  can  hardly  be  too-, 
well  paid,  for  immense  must  be  the  sacrifice  of  time  and 
feeling  required  by  it. 

'  You  are  very  kind  in  your  hints  as  to  the  sort  of 
composition  which  might  recommend  me  at  present,  and 
I  am  fully  sensible  that  an  historical  romance,  founded  on 
the  House  of  Saxe-Cobourg,  might  be  much  more  to  the 
purpose  of  profit  or  popularity  than  such  pictures  of 
domestic  life  in  country  villages  as  I  deal  in.  But  I 
could  no  more  write  a  romance  than  an  epic  poem.  I 
could  not  sit  seriously  down  to  write  a  serious  romance 
under  any  other  motive  than  to  save  my  life  ;  and  if  it 
were  indispensable  for  me  to  keep  it  up  and  never  relax 
into  "laughing  at  myself  or  at  other  })eople,  I  am  sure  I 
sliould  be  hung  before  I  had  finished  the  first  chapter. 
No,  I  must  keep  to  my  own  style  and  go  on  in  my  own 


APP.  r.  APPEXDICES.  351 

way  ;  and  though  I  may  never  succeed  again  in  that,  I 
am  convinced  that  I  should  totally  fail  in  any  other. 
"  I  remain,  my  dear  Sir, 
"  Your  very  much  obliged,  and  sincere  friend, 

"J.  Austen." 

"Chawton,  near  Alton,  April  1,  1816." 

'  I  append,  also,  Lady  Morley's  letter  to  which  Jane 
refers  in  one  of  her  own,  and  also  her  reply  : — 

"  Saltram  :  (December  27,  1815). 

"  Madam, — I  have  been  most  anxiously  waiting  for  an 
introduction  to  '  Emma,'  and  am  infinitely  obliged  to  you 
for  your  kind  recollection  of  me,  which  will  procure  me 
the  pleasure  of  her  acquaintance  some|days  sooner  than 
I  should  otherwise  have  had  it.  I  am  already  become 
intimate  with  the  Woodhouse  family,  and  feel  that  they 
will  not  amuse  and  interest,  me  less  than  the  Bennetts, 
Bertrams,  Norrises,  and  all  their  admirable  predecessors. 
I  can  give  them  no  higher  praise. 

"  I  am.  Madam,  your  much  obliged 

"  F.   MORLEY." 

3Iiss  J,  Austen  to  the  Countess  of  Morley. 
"  Madam, — Accept  my  thanks  for  the  honour  of  your 
note,  and  for  your  kind  disposition  in  favour  of  '  Emma.' 
In  my  present  state  of  doubt  as  to  her  reception  in  the 
world,  it  is  particularly  gratifying  to  me  to  receive  so 
early  an  assurance  of  your  Ladyship's  approbation.  It 
encourages  me  to  depend  on  the  same  share  of  general 
good  opinion  which  '  Emma's  '  predecessors  have  experi- 
enced, and  to  believe  that  I  have  not  yet,  as  almost  every 
writer  of  fancy  does  sooner  or  later,  overwritten  myself. 

"I  am,  ]Madam, 
"  Your  obliged  and  faithful  serv*. 

"  J.  AUSTEX." 
"December  31,  1815." 


;52 


LETTERS    OF   JAXE   AUSTEN. 


APr.  II. 


II. 


Copied  from  an  old  Accouxt-Book  in  the  Haxd- 

^  Tlie  Account  of  the  Kvj^ences  for  Cloaths,  Linen,  cbc.  for  ray  3 

Bed  Linen  given  to  Mrs.  Cage  and 

EECD 
1791.  £    s.   d. 

July  27.  Ee''' of  Sir  Brook  for  several  Bills.         .         .         .       29  13     6 
Dec.  2.5.  Ke'^'^  of  the  Ex<"  |  interest  on  the  Fortunes  of 

Fannv,  Sophia,  and  Elizabeth 52  10     0 

1792. 
June  2.  Pie<=^  of  the  Ex""^  for  wedding  cloaths  and  other 

expences 400    0    0 

June  19.  Advanced  by  me  on  the  above  account  by  desire 

of  Lady  Waltham ^   .         .     300    0     0 

Ee<=''  of  Mrs.  Fielding  at  different  times       .         .         .         .       36     0    0 
August  16.     Advanced  by  me  to  make  up  deficiencies,  and 

to  clear  the  whole  account 49  12     6 


£867  16    a 

/ 


£867  16     0- 


App.  n. 


APPENDICES. 


o  r  o 
ODD 


WRITING    OF    Lady    Bridges    (Fanny   Fowler). 

Dmighters   Weddings  in  Deer  1791,  and  subsequent 
purcMsed  foi'  Mrs.  Austen,  1792. 


PER   CONTRA. 


do. 


1791. 
July  16. 

22. 

23. 

25.  do. 

27.  do. 
Sept.  19.  Pd. 

24.     „ 
Oct.  31. 


Shaw,  Linen  Draper,  Bath     . 
Pd.  Faulding,  do.  Coventry  St. 
do.         do.         do. 
Cnmerford  do.  Bond  St. 
"Winter  for  black  Taffeta 
Percival  for  a  black  chintz 
Faulding- 
Mrs.  Lilly  for  plain  work 
Mrs.  Mercer  do. 

Smallwood  for  threads,  &c. 
Emery  for  Body  Lining  . 
Dec.  14  and  27.     Presents  to  Jeffrey  and  the  servants 

Gave  to  each  of  the  dear  girls  for  Pocket 
money  £21 
1792. 
April  24.  Pd.  Ratcliffe  for  plain  work 
Briggs  for  Minionet 
Calloway's  bill  for  ribbons 
April  30.  Lilly  for  plain  work 

„  Hookham  for  Bills,  &c. . 

June  19.  Pd.  Warriner  as  per  bill 
„    Jacquin          do 
„    M.  Lachrie    do. 
„    Cooper  do. 

„    Hatsell  do. 

„    Fletcher        do. 
„    Schneider      do. 
20.     „    Nours  &  Co. 
ditto 
„     Falconer 
„    Webb 
„    Ludlam 
„    Cierlars  &  Co. 
„    Coup 
„    Toussaint 

„    Winter  for  edgings,  &c. 
„    Weindley  for  fans  . 
„     Seniors  as  per  bill  . 
„    Jones  do, 

„     Collins  do. 

Aug.  15.     Pd.  Percival  &  Condell 


VOL.    II, 


it  Acct  of 

ChUd 

£ 

8.    d. 

7 

7    0 

.  -      3 

12     6 

1 

14     0 

12 

0     0 

5 

0     0 

1 

11     6 

7 

10     0 

2 

12     6 

2 

14     0 

0 

8     6 

1 

13     4 

.       19 

19     0 

'ocke 

.       63 

0     0 

8 

2  11 

6 

6     0 

1 

18     2 

7 

13     6 

4 

17     6 

.     199 

12  11 

13 

1     0 

.       15 

5     0 

.       20 

16     6 

.       14 

8     0 

.       16 

4     0 

.       20 

14     6 

65 

17     0 

.       83 

2     0 

.       14 

2     0 

.       31 

8     0 

13 

11     0 

24 

3     4 

5 

9     0 

7 

7     0 

18 

18     0 

2 

7     6 

1 

18     0 

5 

3     6 

6 

4     0 

130 

3     4 

Total 

£867 

AA 

16     0 

354 


LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN. 


APP.   II. 


Inventory  of  Linen  and  Clothes  made  up  for  Fanny,  lohen  she 
married  and  went  to  Combe,  Dec.  lAth,  1791.  N.B.  Sojyhia 
and  EUzaheth  had  the  same  Dec.  27. 


24  Day  shifts. 
14  night  do. 
.36  Pocket  Hfs. 
54  Napkins. 

3  Powdering  Gowns. 
8  p"-  of  Pockets. 

12  p'  of  Drawers. 

4  Bedgowns. 
12  night  caps. 
12  under  caps. 

14  p'  silk  stockings. 
14  p''  cotton  do. 
6  p""  gauze  worsted. 

6  Flannel  Petticoats. 
8  under  Dimity  do. 

4  Callico  upper  do. 

2  Corded  Dimity  do. 

2  India  Dimity  do. 

7  Muslin  Petticoats. 

1  white  Sattin  do. 

3  Dimity  Muslin  Pierrots. 

2  Plain  muslin  do. 

3  Ptound  gowns  flounced. 
1  ditto  scoUop'd. 

1  Black  chintz  night  gown. 

1  Black  silk  ditto  and  petticoat. 

2  Color'd  chintz  gowns. 

5  muslin  cloaks. 
1  Lawn  do. 


1  Black  silk  do. 

1  White  satin  do. 
3  Habits. 

2  striped  and  2  plain  white 

waistcoats. 
15  pr  of  shoes. 

3  riding-Hats. 

2  Bonnets. 

3  caps. 

1  MuiF  and  Tippet,  sable. 

2  great  coats. 

4  dozen  of  gloves. 
2  pr  of  stays. 

Muslin,  &c.,  &c. 

4  chemise  Handkerchiefs. 

6  worked  ditto 
24  striped  Bordered  do. 

6  plain  muslin  do. 
12  worked  cravats. 

4  plain  do. 
12  pr  white  laced  ruffles. 

6  pr  black  ditto 

6  pr  plain  mushn  do. 

8  plain  Tuckers. 

4  worked  do. 

1  worked  Lavni  Pierrot. 

1  Japan  flowered  Mus"  do. 

1  fine  worked  Mus"  do. 


Immediately  after  the  preceding  inventory  there  ap- 
pears in  the  same  book  three  separate  accounts,  headed 
^Child-bed  Linen  given  to  Mrs.  Cage,  May  23,  1792,' 
*  Child  Bed  Linen  given  by  Mrs.  Deedes  to  Sophia,'  with 
sundry  articles   'Bought   in   addition,'    and    '  Child -bed 


APP.   II. 


APPENDICES. 


Linen  Bought  for  Mrs.  Austen,  Sept.  14tli,  1792,'  together 
with  a  separate  list  headed  '  Things  for  the  Child.'  As 
these  lists  are  pretty  much  the  same,  and  would  probably 
not  be  interesting  to  the  general  public,  I  should  not 
have  alluded  to  them  but  for  the  fact  that  a  fourth  list 
informs  those  who  care  to  compare  present  with  past 
prices,  with  the  cost  of  many  articles  a  hundred  years  ago, 
and  this  information  may,  perhaps,  interest  those  upon 
whom  a  similar  expense  has  already  fallen,  or  may  possibly 
fall  in  the  future.     This  list  is  headed : — 


The  Quality  and  Price  of  each  of  the  Articles  2Jrecedi7ig, 
for  Mrs.  Austen. 


30  Ti'ds  of  Diaper  for  2  shirts  at  22^  . 
„     do  for  4  single  at  do    . 
4  yrds  |  Irish — for  4  Dble  Binders     ] 
.2  yrds  do  for  2  single  at  2/8  f 

18  yrds  tine  Irish  |-  for  6  short  shifts  at  3/6 
18  yrds  India  Dimity  for  6  waistcoats  3/6  . 
13  yrds  CaUico  for  lining  2  shirts  at  IS*^     . 
8  yrds  f  Dimity  for  a  %vrapping-gown  3/3 
3  yrds  fine  checked  muslin  for  Limming  /5 

2  yrds  ^  long  cloth  for  a  Mantle  o|6 

3  yrds  coarse  flannel  16^^/ 

3  yrds  fine  do  2'/ 

5  yrds  Green  Persian  Coyer  for  the  Horse  22^1 
71  yards  fine  India  Dimity  for  2  cloaks    . 

5|  yrds  Callico  to  line  Ellwide  do  2  2 

2  yrds  corded  Dimity  for  2  hnings  for  the  Basket  at  3 
10  yrds  f  do  for  6  child's  Bed  goAyns  3/3 
12  yrds  check'd  muslin  for  6  robes  3'/ 

2  Pr  of  clouting  at  25' 

1  do  28 


hou(jht 


1  do  36 

1  do  25 

10  yrds  fine  Diaper  3/6 


£    s. 

d. 

2   15 

0 

2  15 

0 

0  16 

0 

3  3 

0 

3  3 

0 

16 

3 

1  8 

5i 

0  15 

0 

0  13 

9 

0  4 

0 

0  6 

0 

0  9 

2 

1  12 

H 

0  11 

11 

0  6 

0 

0  15 

0 

1  16 

0 

2  10 

0 

1  8 

0 

1  16 

0 

1  5 

0 

3  3 

0 

Carried  forward 


'^2     7     7| 


A  A  'A 


;56 


LETTEES  OF  JANE  AUSTEN. 


APP.   II. 


The  Quality  and  PHce  of  each  of  the  Articles  preceding,  honfjld  for 
Mrs.  Austen  -cont. 


Broiiglit  forward 
10  yrds  fine  Diaper  21** 

1  pr  Damask  35*       . 

^  of  a  yd  wide  Irish  for  under  stays 
Buckles,  Tape,  Leather  Bones  for  do 
A  Basket  for  the  child's  things 

1  doz  Damask  clouts  38/ 

1  do  34/  . 

1  cotton  swaith 

4  Best  Blankets  3/9  . 

Total 


£    s. 

d. 

32     7 

n 

1  11 

6 

1  15 

0 

0    3 

0 

0     5 

0 

0     3 

6 

1  18 

0 

1  14 

0 

1 

0 

15 

0 

£40  13    7| 


I  do  not  think  it  necessary  to  give  in  detail  the 
'  things  for  the  child,'  especially  as  no  prices  are  men- 
tioned^  but  in  order  that  my  great-grandmother  may  not 
be  suspected  of  having  robbed  an  infant  of  its  due^ 
I  would  respectfully  mention  that  six  shirts,  six  robes,  six 
bedgowns  of  '  corded  dimity,'  &c.  &c.,  were  supplemented 
by  '  3  cockades  of  Lace,'  '  a  suit  of  Xtning  Linen  con- 
sisting of  a  muslin  Kobe,  fine  cambrick  cap  and  shirt,'  and 
sundry  other  articles  of  quality  and  quantity  sufficient  to 
make  any  nurse  proud,  and  to  secure  the  comfort  and 
happiness  of  any  reasonable  infant. 


APP.  II.  APPENDICES.  357 


Letters  from  Fanny  Foivler,  Lady  Bridges,  announcinrj 
the  engagement  of  her  three  daughters,  Elizabeth, 
Fanny,  and  Sophia, 

Goodnestone  :  (March  2,  1791). 

3Iy  dear  Mrs.  Fielding, 

I  cannot  leave  to  my  Dail^'^  the  pleasure  of  in- 
forming you  of  an  Event  that  gives  us  the  greatest 
satisfaction.  We  had  for  some  time  observed  a  great 
attachment  between  Mr.  Austin  (Mr.  Knight's  Eelation) 
and  our  dear  Eliz"^ ;  and  Mr.  Knight  has,  in  the  hand- 
somest manner,  declared  his  entire  approbation  of  it ; 
but  as  they  are  both  very  young,  he  wish'd  it  not  to  take 
place  immediately,  and  as  it  will  not  suit  him  to  give  up 
TQUch  at  present,  their  Income  will  be  small,  and  they 
must  be  contented  to  live  in  the  Country,  which  I  think 
will  be  no  hardship  to  either  party,  as  they  have  no  high 
Ideas,  and  it  is  a  greater  satisfaction  to  us  than  if  she  was 
to  be  thrown  upon  the  world  in  a  higher  sphere,  young 
and  inexperienced  as  she  is.  He  is  a  very  sensible, 
amiable  young  man,  and  I  trust  and  hope  there  is  every 
prospect  of  Happiness  to  all  parties  in  their  union.  This 
Affair  has  very  much  agitated  Sir  B.,  and  he  has  not  been 
quite  so  well  for  some  days  past  as  he  had  been  for  a 
month  before ;  but  now  it  is  decided  he  will,  I  make  no 
doubt,  be  better  again  in  a  few  days,  but  I  have  long 
observed  that  when  his  mind  has  been  agitated  he  has 
had  a  return  of  cough  and  oppression.  He  has  sent  his 
-case  to  Bath,  and  if  he  is  encouraged  to  go  there,  we  shall 
set  out  according  to  the  time  pointed  out  from  thence,  as 


358        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.      app.  ti. 

he  has  desired  to  know  when  the  Waters  have  most  efficacy.^ 
Fatty  is  so  good  (as)  to  stay  with  my  Grirls  during  our 
absence,  or  I  should  be  much  distress'd  at  leaving  them 
so  long.  She  has  been  pretty  well,  upon  the  whole,  ever 
since  she  has  been  here,  and  in  remarkable  good  Looks 
and  Spirits. 

Adieu,  my  dearest  Mrs.  Fielding.  All  here  unite  with 
me  in  kindest  love  and  compts :  as  due.  My  Dau""* 
desire  their  duty  to  you.  Believe  me  ever  yours  affec- 
tionately, F.  B. 

To  Mrs.  Fielding,  St.  James's  Palace,  London. 

Goodnestone:  (March  28,  1791). 

My  dear  Mrs.  Fielding, 

I  flatter  myself  you  are  so  truly  interested  in  the 
welfare  of  my  dearest  children,  that  I  am  not  afraid  of 
being  troublesome  in  writing  again  so  soon,  but  must 
inform  you  that  my  dearest  Fanny  has  received  an  offer 
of  Marriage  from  Mr.  Lewis  Cage,  a  Gentleman  of  this 
County  of  an  unexceptionable  good  character.  His  pro- 
posal has  our  entire  approbation.  As  you  was  so  kind  to 
express  a  wish  to  be  acquainted  with  JNIr.  Austin,  I 
inform'd  him  of  it,  in  consequence  of  which  he  call'd  at 
St.  James's,  and  was  very  much  disappointed  he  was  not 

^  Sir  Brook  died  before  his  daughters  were  married.  '  Fatty ' 
was  Isabella,  sister  of  Mrs.  C.  Fielding's  husband,  and  daughter  of 
*  Anne  Palmer,'  by  her  second  husband  Col.  Fielding.  She  seems  to 
have  been  a  popular  person,  known  all  her  life  as  '  Fatty  Fielding,' 
and  often  at  Goodnestone  and  Godmersham.  She  was  godmother  to 
one  of  Mr.  E.  Knight's  children  (^Marianne),  and  died  unmarried  in 
1812. 


APP.  II.  APPENDICES.  359 

so  fortunate  to  find  you  at  home,  as  his  Time  would  not 
permit  him  to  make  a  Second  Attempt ;  indeed,  I  should 
be  quite  happy  that  your  two  future  Nephews  should  be 
known  to  you,  and  I  hope  it  will  not  be  long  before  they 
have  an  opportunity  of  being  introduced.  My  Daughters 
are  going  to-morrow  to  Godmersham  for  a  Week ;  I  do  not 
accompany  them,  as  Mr.  Bridges  is  here.  Sir  Brook  con- 
tinues charmingly  well,  and  is  in  very  good  spirits.  I 
hope  we  shall  get  a  glimpse  of  you  as  we  pass  through 
town  to  Bath  the  middle  of  next  month,  tho'  our  stay 
will  be  very  short.  How  is  ^liss  Finch  ?  ^  I  hope  much 
recovered  since  she  left  Margate.  I  am  quite  delighted 
to  hear  such  good  accounts  of  Augusta,^  and  hope  she 
feels  no  remains  of  her  severe  Illness,  but  that  she  and  all 
the  rest  of  your  Family  are  well.  All  here  unite  with  me 
in  kindest  Love  to  you  all. 

Believe  me,  ever  yours  affectionately,  F.  B. 

Brock  St.,  Bath :  (July  10,  1791). 

My  dear  ]\Ies.  Fielding, 

After  having  wrote  to  you  so  lately  you  will  be  no 
doubt  surprized  at  hearing  again  so  soon,  and  not  less  so 
to  find  that  the  Cause  of  my  addressing  myself  to  you  is 
to  inform  you  that  we  have  received  proposals  of  Marriage 
from  Mr.  William  Deedes  for  your  God-daughter,  our  dear 
Sophia.  He  is  a  young  Man  of  a  very  Amiable  Disposition 
and  universally  beloved,  and  his  Father  has  been  so  kind 

^  ^  Miss  Finch '  must  mean  one  of  Mrs.  C.  Fielding-'s  three  sisters^ 
who  all  died  unmarried. 

^  '  Augusta  Sophia  '  was  the  youngest  daughter  of  Mrs.  0.  Fielding  ; 
she  married  Mr.  Geo.  Hicks  in  1813,  and  lived  to  a  good  old  age. 


360        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.      app.  ii. 

to  approve  his  Choice.  I  hope  it  will  meet  with  your 
approbation,  and  think  she  bids  as  fair  to  be  happy  with 
her  Connection  as  her  sisters  with  theirs.  It  is  certainly 
a  very  singular  instance  of  good  fortune  in  One  Family, 
that  3  Grirls,  almost  unknown,  should  have  attach'd  to 
themselves  three  Young  Men  of  such  unexceptionable 
Characters,  and  I  pray  to  God  that  their  future  conduct 
will  ever  do  Credit  to  their  Choice.  Mr.  William  Deedes 
is  gone  with  Mr.  Knight  on  the  Scotch  Tour  ;  he  had  been 
long  engaged  to  accompany  them,  but  did  not  choose  to 
set  out  on  so  long  an  excursion  till  he  had  explain'd  him- 
self. As  I  have  many  letters  to  write  I  will  not  obtain 
you  longer  than  to  beg  our  best  Love  and  good  wishes  to 
you  and  all  your  dear  Family,  and  kind  Compliments  to 
Lady  XDharlotte  and  Miss  Finch. 

Believe  me,  ever  affectionately  yours,  F.  E. 


III. 
Mrs,  Knight  to  Mr.  KnatchbulL 

Saturday. 
Indeed,  my  dear  Edward,  I  am  very  glad  your  wife 
gave  you  a  scold :  as  I  did  not  know  that  another  sore 
finger  prevented  her  holding  a  Pen,  I  was  quite  surprised 
at  not  hearing  from  her — her  constant  attention  has 
spoiled  me  and  made  me  unreasonable.  Yesterday,  how- 
ever, a  kind  present  from  Col.  Knatchbull  satisfied  me 


APP.  III.  APPENDICES.  361 

that  you  were  alive,  whatever  might  have  happened  to 
jour  wife  and  children.  It  was  very  good  of  you  to  think 
of  me ;  I  am  very  fond  of  smelts,  and  enjoyed  them 
exceedingly,  but  you  should  not  have  sent  half  the 
number,  for  I  was  obliged  to  let  a  neighbour  help  me  to 
consume  them.  I  was  soon  awakened  from  the  dream  of 
happiness  in  which  Lady  Honywood  found  me,  for  the 
next  day,  which  was  not  cold,  I  was  almost  as  ill  as  at  any 
time,  and  I  have  since  that  had  many  painful  Days,  and 
am  quite  desponding  again.  People  talk  of  the  fine 
weather — the  hot  sun  I  do  not  feel,  but  the  cold  N.E. 
wind  penetrates  to  my  fireside,  and  I  am  always  starved. 

I  am  glad  I  shall  get  a  peep  at  dear  Belle  on  the  loth. 
I  hope  you  will  both  contrive  to  dine  here  with  Chailie 
and  his  wife.  The  first  day  of  their  arrival  I  always  pro- 
vide for  them.  I  do  not  much  like  the  accounts  they 
send  me  of  my  nephew  Wyndham ;  he  seems  a  most 
indolent  young  man,  and  I  heartily  wish  he  had  gone  into 
a  Regiment  of  the  Line.  The  sight  of  the  Installations  he 
pronounced  a  bore,  and  rejected  a  ticket.  His  father  then 
kindly  sent  a  chaise  for  Wadham,  but  Dr.  Butler  had 
refused  permission  to  some  other  boys  to  go,  and  therefore 
could  not  grant  it  to  him.  I  wonder  whether  you  have 
seen  your  new  neighbours  yet.  What  an  elegant  way 
they  fixed  on  to  pass  part  of  their  wedding  Day !  An 
Ostler  and  Housemaid  at  an  Inn,  who  had  a  chay  lent  them 
by  their  master  for  the  Day,  would  probably  have  spent  it 
in  the  same  manner.  Indeed,  my  dear  Edward,  I  hope 
Lord  Burleigh  will  not  make  his  appearance  in  my  Room 
at  the   same   time  with   his  son  again  ;    I   have  hardly 


362        LETTEES  OF  JANE  AUSTEX.      Arr.  iii. 

recovered  it  yet.  As  the  christening  is  to  be  on  Tuesday, 
I  suppose  the  whole  Party  will  soon  adjourn  to  Hatch  ;  by 
that  time,  perhaps,  he  will  be  obliged  to  begin  his  canvass, 
and  some  puzzling  questions  he  will  have  to  answer  in  the 
course  of  it. 

Miss  Toke  is  much  the  same.  Their  sea  Plan  is  now 
fixed,  and  a  good  House  in  Nelson's  Crescent  is  engaged 
for  them,  from  the  1st  of  July  for  2  months,  at  80  guineas^ 
The  expense  seems  to  be  a  dreadful  burthen  upon  aJl 
their  minds ;  but  as  it  will  only  cause  Mr.  T.'s  putting  a 
100^.  instead  of  a  IfiOOl.  in  the  stocks,  I  cannot  pity 
them.  You  will  be  glad  to  resign  the  correspondence  to 
your  wife,  if  you  are  to  be  plagued  with  such  long  letters^ 
I  expect  you  will  put  this  into  her  hand  before  you  have 
got  half  through  it. 

Adieu,  dear  Edward.  My  best  love  to  Belle,  and 
believe  me,  affectionately  yours,  C.  K.* 

1  This  letter  must  have  been  written  in  1808  or  1809.  '  Dear 
Belle '  was  ]Mrs.  KnatchbuU,  my  father's  first  wife,  Annabella-Chris- 
tiana  Honywood,  who  married  in  1806,  and  died  in  1814.  '  My 
nephew  Wyndham  '  must  mean  a  son  of  her  brother  Wyndham,  who 
died  during  his  father's  lifetime,  although  I  cannot  find  his  name  in 
any  family  pedigree.  '  Lord  Burleigh  '  was  her  nickname  for  her 
cousin,  my  grandfather,  Sir  Edward  Knatchbull.  3Iy  father,  by  the 
kindness  of  Sir  Joseph  and  Lady  Banks  (his  aunt),  had  been  placed 
in  a  position  not  so  dependent  upon  his  father  as  would  otherwise 
have  been  the  case,  and  was  eventually  very  greatly  benefited  from 
the  same  sources.  My  grandfather,  having  married  three  times,  and 
having  many  younger  children,  some  differences  upon  pecuniary 
matters  occurred  between  him  and  his  son,  during  whicli  they  seem 
to  have  accidentally  met  at  '  Whitefriars,'  to  which  Mrs,  Knight 
here  alludes.  I  do  not  know  what  were  ^  the  puzzling  questions' 
which  my  grandfather  would  have  to  answer ;  the  fact  of  his  third 
wife    being  a  lloman  Catholic  had  given  great  offence  to  the  hot 


APr.  HI.  APPENDICES.  363 

Protestants  of  Kent ;  but  they  had  had  their  revenge  in  1802,  when  he 
was  defeated  at  the  general  election,  and  the  reference  to  my  father's 
first  wife  shows  that  this  letter  was  wi'itten  several  years  later. 

Talking  of  elections,  the  three  famous  contests  of  1796,  1802,  and 
1806  furnished  the  text  for  some  verses  which  I  may  as  well  insert 
here,  although  they  have  no  more  to  do  with  Jane  Austen  than  with 
the  man  in  the  moon,  but  may  amuse  those  who  take  an  interest  m 
matters  of  the  sort.  The  facts  are  briefly  these — Knatchbull  and 
Honywood — Tory  and  Whig — were  the  great  contending  powers, 
whilst  Geary  was  the  moderate  politician  of  neutral  tint,  who  was 
happy  to  receive  support  from  both,  and  had,  moreover,  as  a  popidar 
and  good  man  of  business,  a  number  of  personal  friends.  In  1796, 
Knatchbull,  by  throwing  his  second  votes  to  Geary,  brought  him  in 
at  Ilonywood's  expense.  In  1802,  when  he  tried  to  do  the  same 
thing,  various  causes  had  contributed  to  strengthen  Honywood,  who 
was  able  to  turn  the  tables  and  throw  KuatchbuU  out  by  splitting 
his  votes  witli  Geary.  In  1806  both  had  grown  wary,  each  polled 
aH  the  '  plumpers '  he  coidd,  and  Geary,  getting  scarcely  any  second 
votes  from  the  other  two,  had  to  retire  discomfited.  Hence  the 
following  verses  in  1806 : — 

Some  ten  years  ago,  three  men  of  great  fame, 

Filmer  Honywood,  Knatchbull,  and  Geary  by  name, 

To  the  County  of  Kent  did  their  service  propose 

As  Parliament  men,  with  a  view  to  be  chose. 

The  Freeholders  then  did  most  wisely  decree 

That  Knatchbull  and  Geary  were  the  best  of  the  three. 

Six  years  had  elapsed  when  the  very  same  men 

To  the  County  did  offer  their  service  again ; 

The  Freeholders  then  did  as  wisely  decide 

To  take  t'other  two  and  set  Knatchbull  aside  ; 

Four  years  after  this  caDie  another  election, 

When  Geary  in  turn  underwent  his  rejection. 

Let  no  one  from  hence  most  rashly  insist  on't 

That  the  County  of  Kent  is  not  truly  consistent — 

Most  consistent  to  all  she  appears,  without  doubt, 

By  putting  all  '  in '  and  by  turning  all  '  out ' ! 


i64  LETTERS   OF  JANE   AUSTEN.  app.  iv. 


IV. 


Mrs.  Knight  to  Miss  Knight,  afterwards  Lady 
K'iiatchhidL 

Oct.  26,  1809. 
I  was  quite  delighted  with  your  letter,  my  dearest 
Fanny,  but  you  have  got  yourself  into  a  scrape  by  your 
kind  attention  to  my  wishes,  for  you  sent  me  just  such  an 
account  as  I  like  to  receive,  and  I  shall  therefore  be  the 
more  desirous  of  hearing  from  you  again.  I  have  also 
heard  from  your  imcle  Henry,  so  that  I  believe  I  am 
almost  as  much  acquainted  with  all  your  proceedings  as  if 
I  had  been  one  of  your  Party.  As  I  now  do  nothing,  or 
go  anywhere,  it  will  not  be  in  my  Power  to  reward  you  for 
your  trouble  by  an  amusing  letter  in  return,  but  as  you 
are  a  reasonable,  good  girl,  I  know  you  will  be  satisfied 
with  what  I  can  tell  you.  Our  Jubilee  went  off  with 
great  eclat ;  above  6001,  were  subscribed,  and  about  as 
many  persons  were  regaled  with  meat.  Bread  and  Beer, 
and  every  private  House,  I  believe,  presented  a  scene  of 
festivity  and  happiness.  Mary  Fox  and  Daniel  assisted 
at  a  Bowl  of  Punch,  &c.  &c.,  at  the  Friars,  and  I  was  glad  to 
hear  from  them  a  good  account  of  the  little  ones  at  God- 
mersham.  Mr.  Honywood  sent  a  Jubilee  donation  of 
100^.  to  the  Hospital,  with  a  very  handsome  letter  to  Mr. 
Toke.  Of  the  grand  Ball  I  hope  to  give  you  an  account 
which  my  Friends  promised  to  bring  me  this  morning.  I 
hear  the  gowns  &c.  for  the  Groodnestone  Party  were  got 
ready,  but  to  be  sure  it  was  a  little  in  the  usual  dilatory  style 
of  the  Bridges's  to  put  off  all  preparations  till  the  preceding 


APP.  ly.  APPENDICES.  365 

Monday.  Pray  tell  me  whether  you  ever  saw  your  in- 
tended Aunt.  It  is  a  pity  she  cannot  change  her  Christian, 
with  her  other  name,  for  Dolly,  Tny  dear,  will  not  sound 
well.  I  know  something  of  her  and  have  heard  more,  and 
as  Sir  Brook  makes  a  second  match  I  think  the  Family 
are  very  lucky  in  the  Person  he  has  fixed  upon.  I  had  a 
letter  from  dear  Harriet,  but  she  did  not  then  know  what 
was  going  forward.  I  am  sorry  to  hear  from  herself,  as 
well  as  others,  that  she  is  very  thin,  without  any  cause  for 
it.  vShe  tells  me  she  has  had  her  hair  cut  off,  and  there 
are  various  opinions  as  to  the  effect.  Her  Husband,  how- 
ever, thinks  it  an  improvement,  and  that  is  sufficient  for 
a  good  wife.  I  heard  of  the  Chawton  Party  looking  very 
comfortable  at  Breakfast,  from  a  gentleman  who  was 
travelling  by  their  door  in  a  Post-chaise  about  ten  days 
ago.  Your  account  of  the  whole  family  gives  me  the 
sincerest  Pleasure,  and  I  beg  you  will  assure  them  all  how 
much  I  feel  interested  in  their  happiness.  I  think,  my 
dearest  Fanny,  that  your  poor  little  watch  always  seemed 
in  an  uncomfortable  state.  If  you  like  to  have  a  new  one, 
I  shall  have  great  pleasure  in  providing  you  with  one,  and 
as  I  suppose  you  will  be  in  Sloane  Street  a  day  or  two  in 
your  return,  it  would  be  a  good  opportunity  to  make  your 
choice.  A  watch  and  chain  will  certainly  not  cost  less 
than  20  guineas,  and  you  may  be  assured  I  shall  not 
grudge  5  or  10  more  to  please  my  dear  God-daughter. 
Draw  upon  your  Uncle  Hemy,  therefore,  for  what  you 
require.  By  a  letter  from  Miss  Cuthbert,  I  find  I  am  in 
your  Papa's  debt. 

The  Ball  was  full,  but  the  harmony  of  the  evening  was 


366        LETTERS  OF  JANE  AUSTEN.      app.  iv. 

destroyed  by  the  folly  of  Lady  C.  Nelson,  who  made  a 
select  Supper  Party,  and  disobliged  all  the  rest.  When 
she  and  her  Pai*ty  returned  to  the  Ball-room,  the  other  set 
would  not  join  her  dance,  the  music  was  stopped,  and  in 
short  there  was  a  grand  Row,  The  Dinner  had  passed  off 
better.  No  Toast  was  drank  with  more  enthusiasm  than 
^Ix.  Milles,  who  represented  Canterbury  at  the  time  of 
the  King's  accession.  He  bow'd  and  bow'd  again,  and 
was  cheer'd  and  cheer'd  again.  Mrs.  Palmer  was  at  the 
Ball. 

Adieu,  my  dear.     Affectionately  yours,  C.  K.' 

^  The  *  intended  aunt ' — '  Dolly,  my  dear ' — was  Dorothy  Hawley, 
Sir  Brook's  second  wife. 


THE   END. 


S  &H 


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