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loiMO'-tz
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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.
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