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The Letters of Jane Austen · The Letters of Jane Austen

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  Preface. The recent cult for Miss Austen, which has resulted in no less
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  than ten new editions of her novels within a decade, and three memoirs by
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  different hands within as many years, have made the facts of her life familiar
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  to most readers. It was a short life, and an uneventful one,
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  as viewed from the standpoint of our modern times, when steam and electricity have
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  linked together the ends of the earth, and the very air seems teeming with
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  news, agitations, discussions. We have barely time to recover our breath between
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  post and post, and the morning paper, with its statements of disaster and
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  its hints of still greater evils to be, is scarcely outlived. When low
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  in comes the evening issue, contradicting the news of the morning, to be
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  sure, but full of omens and auguries of its own, to strew our
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  pillows with the seed of wakefulness to us. Publications come hot and hot from
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  the press. Telegraphic wires, like the intricate and incalculable zigzags of the lightning,
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  ramify above our heads, and who can tell at what moment their darts
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  may strike. In Miss Austen's day, the tranquil drowsy, decorous English day
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  of a century, since all was different. News traveled then from hand to
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  hand, carried in creaking post wagons, or, in cases of extreme urgency,
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  by men on horseback. When a gentleman journeying in his own chaise took
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  three days in going from Exeter to London, a distance now covered in three
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  hours of railroad, there was little chance of frequent surprises. Love, sorrow,
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  and death were in the world then as now, and worked their will
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  upon the sons of men. But people did not expect happenings every day,
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  or even every year. No doubt they lived the longer for this exemption from
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  excitement, and kept their nerves in a state of wholesome repair. But it
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  goes without saying that the events of which they knew so little did not stir
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  them deeply. Miss Austen's life coincided with two of the most momentous epochs of
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  history, the Americans struggle for independence and the French Revolution, but there is
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  scarcely an allusion to either in her letters. She was interested in the fleet
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  and its victories because two of her brothers were in the navy and had promotion
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  and prize money. To look forward to. In this connection, she mentions
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  Trafalgar and the Egyptian Expedition, and generously remarks that she would read Southey's Life
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  of Nelson if there was anything in it about her brother Frank. She honors
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  Sir John Moore by remarking after his death that if his mother would perhaps have
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  preferred to have him less distinguished and still alive. Further than that, the
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  making of the gooseberry jam and a good recipe for orange wine interests her more
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  than all the marchings and countermarchings, the maneuvers and diplomacies going on the world
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  over. In the midst of the universal wars of fear and hope, triumph
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  and defeat, while the fate of Britain and British liberty hung trembling in the
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  balance, she sits writing her letters, trimming her caps, and discussing small
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  beer with her sister in a lively and unruffled fashion. Wonderful to contemplate the
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  society of rural England in those days, as mister Goldwin Smith happily puts,
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  it, enjoyed a calm of its own in the midst of the European tempest.
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  Like the windless center of a circular storm. The point of view of
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  a woman with such an environment must naturally be circumscribed and narrow, And in
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  this miss Austen's charm consists seeing little. She painted what she saw with an
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  absolute fidelity and a dexterity and perfection unequaled. On her was bestowed, though
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  in a humble form, the gift which had been bestowed on Homer, Shakespeare,
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  Cervantes, Scott, and a few others, the gift of creative power.
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  Endowed with the keenest and most delicate insight and a vivid sense of humor.
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  She depicted with exactitude which she observed and what she understood, giving to
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  each fact and emotion its precise shade and value. The things she did not
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  see she did not attempt. Affectation was impossible to her. Most of all,
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  affectation of knowledge or feeling, not justly her own. She held the
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  mirror up to her time with an exquisite sincerity and fidelity, and the closeness
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  of her study brought her intimately near to those hidden springs which underlie all human
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  nature. This is the reason why, for all their skimp skirts lega mutton
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  sleeves and bygone impossible bonnets. Her characters do not seem to us old fashioned
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  minds and hearts are made pretty much after the same pattern from century to century,
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  and given a modern dress and speech. Emma or Elizabeth or dear Anne
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  Elliot could enter a drawing room to day and excite no surprise except by so
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  closely resembling the people whom they would find there. Miss Austen's novels are dateless
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  things, mister Augustine Burrell tells us nobody in his senses would speak of them
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  as old novels. John Ingelsant is an old novel, so is Ginks's Baby,
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  But Emma is quite new, and like a wise woman, affords few
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  clues to her age. We allude with a special touch of affection to Anne
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  Elliot. Persuasion, which was written during the last two years of Miss Austen's
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  life, when the refining touch of eternity was already upon her, has always
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  seemed to us the most perfect of her novels, and Anne, with her
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  exquisite breeding and unselfish straightforwardness, just touched with the tender reserve of memory and
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  regret one of her best portraitures. But this is a matter of individual taste,
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  doubtless Elizabeth Bennett is better fun. As the modern girl would say,
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  Miss Austin herself preferred her. She had a droll and pretty way of talking
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  about her characters, which showed how real they were to her own mind and
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  made them equally real to other people. In eighteen thirteen, she had the
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  good luck to light upon a portrait of Jane Bennet at an exhibition. I
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  was very well pleased, pray tell Fanny with a small portrait of Missus Bingley
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  excessively like her. I went in hopes of seeing one of her sister,
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  but there was no Missus Darcy. Perhaps I may find her in the great
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  exhibition, which we shall go to if we have time. Missus Bingley's is
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  exactly like herself, sighs, shaped, face features and sweetness. There never
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  was a greater likeness. She is dressed in a white gown with green ornaments,
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  which convinces me of what I had always supposed, that green was a
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  favorite color with her. I daresay Missus d will be in yellow. And
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  later we have been both to the exhibition and to Jay Reynolds's, and I
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  am disappointed, for there is nothing like Missus D at either. I can
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  only imagine that Mista d prizes any picture of her too much to like it,
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  should it be exposed to the public eye. I can imagine he would
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  have that sort of feeling, that mixture of love, pride and delicacy.
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  The letters included in this series comprise about three quarters of the collection in two
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  volumes published in eighteen eighty four by her great nephew, Lord Braborn. The
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  lightness, almost friskiness of their tone cannot fail to strike the reader. Modern
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  letters written by women are filled more or less with hints and queries. Questionings
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  as to the why and the wherefore occur, Allusions to the various fads of
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  the day, literary or artistic Ibsen, Tolstoy, Browning, esoteric Buddhism,
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  Wagner's music, the mind Cure, social science, causes and reforms. But
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  Cowper and Crab were the poetical sensations in Miss Austen's time, Scott and Byron
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  its phenomenal novelties. It took months to get most books printed, and years
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  to persuade anybody to read them. Furthermore, the letters, in all probability
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  are carefully chosen to reveal only the more superficial side of their writer. There
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  are wide gaps of omission covering important events such as mister Austen's death, the
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  long illness through which Jane nursed her brother Henry, and the anxieties and worries
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  which his failure in business caused to the whole family. What has vouchsafed us
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  as a glimpse of the girlish and untroubled moments of miss Austen's life, And
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  the glimpse is a sweet and friendly one. We are glad to have it,
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  in spite of our suspicion that another and even more interesting part of her
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  personality is withheld from us. A good daughter, a delightful sister, the
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  most perfect of aunts. What better record could there be of a single woman.
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  Her literary work never stood in the way of her home duties, any
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  more than her quiet, limpid, unimpassioned style stood between her thought and her
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  readers. Her fame may justly be said to be almost entirely posthumous. She
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  was read and praised to a moderate degree during her lifetime, but all her
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  novels together brought her no more than seven hundred pounds, and her reputation as
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  it were, was in its close sheathed bud. When, at the early
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  age of forty one she died, it would have excited in her an amused
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  incredulity. No doubt had any one predicted that two generations after her death the
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  real recognition of her powers was to come. Time, which, like desert
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  sands, has effaced the footprints of so many promising authors, has with her
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  served as the desert wind to blow aside those dusts of the commonplace which for
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  a while concealed her true proportions. She is loved more than she ever hoped
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  to be, and far more widely known. Missus Ritchie tells somewhere an anecdote
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  of a party of seven assembled at a dinner table, where the question arose
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  of the locality of one of Miss Austin's places, Maple Grove, the residence
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  of mister Suckling, if we are not mistaken, and six of the persons
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  present at once recognized the illusion and had a formed opinion on the subject.
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  The seventh was a Frenchman who did not read English, Scott Macaulay, Sir
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  James Mackintosh, Miss Martineau, missus Ritchie, Miss Mitford, and a host
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  of others have vied in their generous tributes of admiration, but most striking of
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  all to our thinking is that paid to Miss Austen by Lord Tennyson, when,
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  in some visit to lyme not many years since those with him pointed out
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  this and the other feature of the place, only to be interrupted with never
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  mind all that show me the exact spot where Louisa Musgrove fell. Could non
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  historical ver similitude go farther or mean more? S. C. W.
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  Newport, June eighteen ninety two, end of preface, Letter one Steventon Thursday,
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  January sixteenth, seventeen ninety six, I have just received yours and Mary's
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  letter, and I thank you both, though their contents might have been more
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  agreeable. I do not at all expect to see you on Tuesday, since
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  matters have fallen out so unpleasantly, and if you are not able to return
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  till after that day, it will hardly be possible for us to send for
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  you before Saturday, though for my own part I care so little about the
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  ball that it would be no sacrifice to me to give it up for the
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  sake of seeing you two days earlier. We are extremely sorry for poor Eliza's
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  illness. I trust, however, that she has continued to recover since you
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  wrote, and that you will none of you be the worse for your attendance
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  on her. What a good for nothing fellow Charles is to bespeak the Stockings.
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  I hope he will be too hot all the rest of his life for
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  it. I sent you a letter yesterday to Ibthorpe, which I suppose you
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  will not receive at Kintbury. It was not very long or very witty,
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  and therefore if you never receive it, it does not much signify. I
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  wrote principally to tell you that the Coopers were arrived and did good health.
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  The little boy is very like doctor Cooper, and the little girl is to
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  resemble Jane. They say. Our party to Ash to morrow night will consist
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  of Edward Cooper. James for a ball is nothing without him Buller, who
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  is now staying with us, and I I look forward with great impatience to
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  it. As I rather expect to receive an offer from my friend in the
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  course of the evening. I shall refuse him, however, unless he promises
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  to give away his white coat. I am very much flattered by your commendation
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  of my last letter, for I write only for fame and without any view
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  to pecuniary emolument. Edward is gone to spend the day with his friend John
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  Lifford, and does not return till to morrow. Anna is now here.
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  She came up in her shares to spend the day with her young cousins,
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  but she does not much take to them, or to anything about them,
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  except Caroline's spinning wheel. I am very glad to find from Mary that mister
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  and Missus Fowl are pleased with you. I hope you will continue to give
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  satisfaction, how impertinent you are to write to me about tom as if I
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  had not opportunities of hearing from him myself. The last letter that I received
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  from him was dated on Friday the eighth, and he told me that if
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  the wind should be favorable on Sunday, which it proved to be, they
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  were to sail from Felmouth on that day. By this time, therefore they
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  are at Barbados. I suppose the rivers are still at Manydown and are to
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  be at ashe to morrow. I intended to call on the miss Biggs yesterday
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  had the weather been tolerable. Caroline, Anna and I have just been devouring
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  some cold sous, and it would be difficult to day which enjoyed it most.
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  Tell Mary that I make over mister Hartley and all his estate to her
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  for her sole use and benefit in future, and not only him, but
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  all my other admirers into the bargain wherever she can find them, even the
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  kiss which see Powlett wanted to give me, as I mean to confine myself
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  in future to mister Tom le Froy, for whom I don't care sixpence.
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  Assure her, also, as a last and indubitable proof of Warren's indifference to
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  me, that he actually drew that gentleman's picture for me and delivered it to
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  me without a sigh. Friday, at length, the day is come on
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  which I am to flirt my last with Tom le Froy. And when you
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  receive this it will be over My tears flow as I write at the melancholy
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  IDEA William Shote called her yesterday. I wonder what he means by being so
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  civil. There is a report that Tom is going to be married to a
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  Lichfield Lass. John Lifford and his sister bring Edward home to day dine with
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  us, and we shall all go together to Ash. I understand that we
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  are to draw for partners. I shall be extremely impatient to hear from you
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  again, that I may know how Eliza is, and when you are to
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  return with best love, et cetera. I am affectionately yours, j Austen
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  to Miss Austen, the Reverend mister Fowls, Kintbury, Newbury, Letter,
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  two Cork Street, Tuesday morn, August seventeen ninety six. My dear Cassandra.
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  Here I am once more in this scene of dissipation and vice, and
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  I begin already to find my morals corrupted. We reached Staines yesterday I do
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  not know when, without suffering so much from the heat as I had hoped
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  to do. We set off again this morning at seven o'clock and had a
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  very pleasant drive, as the morning was cloudy and perfectly cool. I came
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  all the way in the chaise from Hartford Bridge. Edward and Frank are both
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  gone out to seek their fortunes. The latter is to return soon and help
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  us seek ours. The former we shall never see again. We are to
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  be at Astley's to night, which I am glad of. Edward has heard
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  from Henry this morning. He has not been at the races at all.
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  Unless his driving Miss Pearson over to Rowling one day can be so called.
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  We shall find him there on Thursday. I hope you are all alive after
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  our melancholy parting yesterday, and that you pursued your intended avocation with success.
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  God bless you. I must leave off, for we are going out yours
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  very affectionately, J. Austen, Everybody's Love Letter three Rowling, Monday,
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  September fifth, My dear Cassandra, I shall be extremely anxious to hear the
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  event of your ball, and shall hope to receive so long, long and
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  Mi Newton account of every particular that I shall be tired of reading it.
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  Let me know how many besides their fourteen selves and mister and missus Wright Michael
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  will contrive to place about their coach, and how many of the gentlemen musicians
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  and waiters he will have persuaded to come in their shooting jackets. I hope
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  John Lovett's accident will not prevent his attending the ball, as you will otherwise
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  be obliged to dance with mister Tinton the whole evening. Let me know how
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  J. Harwood deports himself without the Miss Biggs, and which of the Mary's
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  will carry the day? With my brother James, we were at a ball
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  on Saturday, I assure you. We dined at Goodnesston, and in the
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  evening danced two country dances and the boulangerie. I opened the ball with Edward
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  Bridges. The other couples were Lewis Cage and Harriet Frank and Louisa, Fanny
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  and George. Elizabeth played one country dance, Lady Bridges the other, which
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  she made Henry dance with her, and Miss Finch played the boulangerie. In
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  reading over the last three or four lines, I am aware of my having
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  expressed myself in so doubtful a manner that if I did not tell you to
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  the contrary, you might imagine it was Lady Bridges who made Henry dance with
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  her at the same time that she was playing, which, if not impossible,
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  must appear a very improbable event to you. But it was Elizabeth who
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  danced. We supped there and walked home at night under the shade of two
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  umbrellas. To day the Goodnesston party begins to disperse and spread itself abroad.
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  Mister and Missus Cage and George repair to hythe Lady Waltham, Miss Bridges and
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  Miss Mary Finch to Dover for the health of the two former I have never
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  seen mary Anne at all. On Thursday, mister and missus Bridges return to
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  Danbury. Miss Harriet Hale's accompanies them to London on her way to Dorsetshire.
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  Farmer Claringboulld died this morning, and I fancy Edward needs to get some of
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  his farm if he can cheat Sir Brooknough in the agreement. We have just
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  got some venison from Godmisham, which the two mister Harveys are to dine on
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  to morrow, and on Friday or Saturday, the goodnesson people are to finish
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  their scraps. Henry went away on Friday as he purposed, without fail.
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  You will hear from him soon, I imagine, as he talked of writing
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  to Steventon shortly. Mister Richard Harvey is going to be married, But as
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  it is a great secret and only known to half the neighborhood, you must
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  not mention it. The lady's name is Musgrave. I am in great distress.
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  I cannot determine whether I shall give riesche half a guinea or only five
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  shillings. When I go away, counsel me, amiable miss Austen, and
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  tell me which will be the most. We walked Frank last night to crixel
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  Ruff, and he appeared much edified. Little Edward was breached yesterday for good
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  and all, and was whipped into the bargain. Pray remember me to everybody
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  who does not inquire after me. Those who do remember me without bidding.
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  Give my love to Mary Harrison, and tell her I wish whenever she is
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  attached to a young man, some respectable doctor Marchmont may keep them apart for
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  five volumes, and of section one let her for rowling. Thursday, September
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  fifteenth, My dear Cassandra, we have been very gay since I wrote last
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  Dining at Nackington, returning by moonlight, and everything quite in style. Not
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  to mention mister Claringbold's funeral, which we saw go by on Sunday. I
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  believe I told you in a former letter that Edward had some idea of taking
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  the name of Claringbold. But that scheme is over. Though it would be
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  a very eligible as well as a very pleasant plan, would any one advance
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  him money enough to begin on We rather expected mister Miles to have done so
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  on Tuesday, but to our great surprise nothing was said on the subject.
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  And unless it is in your power to assist your brother with five or six
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  hundred pounds, he must entirely give up the idea. At Nackington we met
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  Lady Sond's picture over the mantelpiece in the dining room, and the pictures of
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  her three children in an ante room. Besides mister Scott, Miss Fletcher,
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  mister Toke, mister Jaytak, and the Archdeacon Lynch. Miss Fletcher and I
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  were very thick, but I am the thinnest of the two. She wore
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  her purple muslin, which is pretty enough, though it does not become her
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  complexion. There are two traits in her character which are pleasing. Namely,
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  she admires Camilla and drinks no cream in her tea. If you should ever
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  see Lucy, you may tell her that I scolded Miss Fletcher of her negligence
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  in writing as she desired me to do, but without being able to bring
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  her to any proper sense of shame. That Miss Fletcher says in her defense,
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  that is everybody whom lose she knew when she was in Canterbury, has
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  now left it. She has nothing at all to write to her about.
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  By everybody, I suppose Miss Fletcher means that a new set of officers have
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  arrived there. But this is a note of my own, Missus, Miles,
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  mister John Toke, and in short, everybody of any sensibility inquired and
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  tender strains after you and I took an opportunity of assuring mister j. T
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  that neither he nor his father need longer keep themselves single for you, we
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  went in our two carriages to Nackington. But how divided I shall leave to
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  you to surmise, merely observing that as Elizabeth and I were without either hat
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  or bonnet, it would not have been very convenient for us to go in
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  the chaise. We went by by friends, and I contemplated with a melancholy
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  pleasure, the abode of him on whom I once fondly doted. We dined
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  to day at Gudnesston to meet my aunt fielding from Margaret, and a mister
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  Clayton, her professor admirer. At least, so I imagine, Lady Bridges
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  has received very good accounts of Mary Anne who was already certainly the better of
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  her bathing. So His Royal Highness Sir Thomas Williams has at length sailed the
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  papers say on a cruise, but I hope they are gone to Cork,
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  or I shall have written in vain give my love to Jane as she arrived
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  at Steventon yesterday. I dare say I sent a message to mister Digweed from
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  Edward in a letter to Mary Lloyd, which she ought to receive to day.
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  But as I know that the Harwoods are not very exact as to their
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  letters, I may as well repeat it to you. Mister Digweed is to
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  be informed that illness has prevented Suard's coming over to look at the repairs intended
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  at the farm, but that he will come as soon as he can.
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  Mister Digweed may also be informed, if you think proper, that mister and
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  Missus Miles are to dine here to morrow, and that Missus Joan Natchballs to
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  be asked to meet them. Mister Richard Harvey's match is put off till he
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  has got a better Christian name, of which he is great hopes. Mister
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  Children's two sons are both going to be married. John and George. They
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  are to have one wife between them, a Miss Holwell, who belongs to
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  the black Hole at Calcutta. I depend on hearing from James very soon.
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  He promised me an account of the ball, and by this time he must
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  have collected his ideas enough after the fatigue of dancing, to give me one.
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  Edward and Fly went out yesterday very early in a couple of shooting jackets,
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  and came home like a couple of bad shots, for they killed nothing
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  at all. They are out again to day and are not yet returned.
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  Delightful sport. They are just come home. Edward with his two brace,
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  Frank with his two and a half. What amiable young men. Friday,
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  Your letter and one from Henry are just come, and the contents of both
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  accord with my scheme more than I had dared expect. In one particular I
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  could wish it otherwise, for Henry is very indifferent. Indeed, you must
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  not expect us quite so early. However, as Wednesday the twentieth, on
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  that day sunnight, according to our present plan, we may be with you.
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  Frank had never any idea of going away before Monday the twenty sixth.
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  I shall write to Miss Mason immediately and press her returning with us, which
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  Henry thinks very likely and particularly eligible. By Mary Harrison's gown, by all
• 25:33
  means you shall have mine for ever so much money, though if I am
• 25:37
  tolerably rich when I get home, I shall like it very much myself.
• 25:42
  As to the mode of our traveling to town, I want to go in
• 25:47
  a stage coach, but Frank will not let me. As you are likely
• 25:51
  to have the Williams and Lloyd's with you next week, you would hardly find
• 25:55
  room for us. Then, if any one wants anything in town, they
• 25:59
  must send their commissions to Frank, as I shall merely pass through it.
• 26:03
  The tallow Chandler is Penlington at the Crown and Beehive, Charles Street, Covent
• 26:08
  Garden, Letter five, Rowling, Sunday, September eighteenth, My Dear Cassandra,
• 26:19
  this morning has been spent in doubt and deliberation, in forming plans and
• 26:25
  removing difficulties for it us should in the day with an event which I had
• 26:30
  not intended should take place so soon. By a week Frank has received his
• 26:33
  appointment on board the Captain John Gore, commanded by the Triton and will therefore
• 26:40
  be obliged to be in town on Wednesday, and though I have every disposition
• 26:45
  in the world to accompany him on that day, I cannot go on the
• 26:48
  uncertainty of the Pearson's being at home, as I should not have a place
• 26:52
  to go to in case they were from home. I wrote to Miss p
• 26:56
  on Friday and hope to receive an answer from her the morning, which would
• 27:00
  have rendered everything smooth and easy, and would have enabled us to leave this
• 27:04
  place to morrow, as Frank on first receiving his appointment, intended to do.
• 27:11
  He remains till Wednesday, merely to accommodate me. I have written to
• 27:15
  her again to day and desired her to answer it by return of post on
• 27:19
  Tuesday. Therefore I shall positively know whether they can receive me on Wednesday.
• 27:25
  If they cannot, Edward has been so good as to promise to take me
• 27:29
  to Greenwich on the Monday following, which was the day before fixed on if
• 27:33
  that suits them better. If I have no answer at all on Tuesday,
• 27:37
  I must suppose Mary is not at home and must wait till I do here,
• 27:41
  as after having invited her to go to Steventon with me, it will
• 27:45
  not quite do to go home and say no more about it. My father
• 27:49
  will be so good as to fetch home his prodigal daughter from town, I
• 27:52
  hope, unless he wishes me to walk the hospitals, enter at the Temple,
• 27:56
  or mount guard at Saint James's, it will hardly be in Frank's power
• 28:00
  to take me home. Nay, it certainly will not. I shall write
• 28:04
  again as soon as I get to Greenwich. What dreadful hot weather we have.
• 28:11
  It keeps one in a continual state of an elegance. If Miss Pearson
• 28:15
  should return with me, pray be careful not to expect too much beauty.
• 28:19
  I will not pretend to say that on a first view she quite answered the
• 28:22
  opinion I had formed of her. My mother, I am sure, will
• 28:26
  be disappointed if she does not take great care. From what I remember of
• 28:30
  her picture, it is no great resemblance. I am very glad that the
• 28:36
  idea of returning with Frank occurred to me. For as to Henry's coming into
• 28:40
  Kent again, the time of its taking place is so very uncertain that I
• 28:44
  should be waiting for dead men's shoes. I had once determined to go with
• 28:48
  Frank to morrow and take my chance et cetera. But they dissuaded me from
• 28:51
  so rash a step, as I really think, on consideration, it would
• 28:53
  have been for if the Pearsons were not at home, I should inevitably fall
• 28:59
  a sacrifice to the of some fat woman who would make me drunk with small
• 29:03
  beer. Mary is brought to bed of a boy, both doing very well.
• 29:07
  I shall leave you to guess what Mary I mean. Adieu, with
• 29:12
  best love to all your agreeable inmates. Don't let the Lloyds go on any
• 29:17
  account before I return, unless Miss p is of the party. How ill
• 29:22
  I have written, I begin to hate myself yours ever j Austen. The
• 29:30
  Triton is a new thirty two frigate just launch at Deptford. Frank is much
• 29:36
  pleased with the prospect of having Captain Gore under his command. End of section
• 29:41
  two letter six balland George Dartford, Wednesday, October twenty fourth, seventeen ninety
• 29:52
  eight. My dear Cassandra, you have already heard from Daniel. I conclude
• 29:57
  in what excellent time we reached and quitted Sittingbourn, and how very well my
• 30:03
  mother bore her journey thither. I am now able to send you a continuation
• 30:07
  of the same. Good account of her. She was very little fatigued on
• 30:11
  her arrival at this place, has been refreshed by a comfortable dinner, and
• 30:15
  now seems quite stout. It wanted five minutes of twelve when we left Sittingbourne,
• 30:21
  from whence we had a famous pair of horses, which took us to
• 30:25
  Rochester in an hour and a quarter. The postboy seemed determined to show my
• 30:29
  mother that Kentish drivers were not always tedious and really drove as fast as cacks.
• 30:34
  Our next stage was not quite so expeditiously performed. The road was heavy,
• 30:40
  and our horses very indifferent. However, we were in such good time,
• 30:45
  and my mother bore her journey so well that expedition was of little importance
• 30:48
  to us. And as it was, we were very little more than two
• 30:52
  hours and a half coming hither, and it was scarcely past four. We
• 30:56
  stopped at the inn. My mother took some of her bitters at Ospringe and
• 31:00
  some more at Rochester, and she ate some bread. Several times we have
• 31:06
  got apartment supped two pair of stairs, as we could not be otherwise accommodated
• 31:11
  with the sitting room and bed chambers on the same floor which we wished to
• 31:14
  be. We have one double bedded and one single bedded room. In the
• 31:18
  former my mother and I are to sleep. I shall leave you to guess
• 31:22
  who is to occupy the other. We sat down to dinner a little after
• 31:26
  five and had some beef steaks and a boiled fowl, but no oyster sauce.
• 31:33
  I should have become my letter soon after our arrival, but for a
• 31:36
  little adventure which prevented me. After we had been here a quarter of an
• 31:40
  hour, it was discovered that my writing and dressing boxes had been, by
• 31:44
  accident put into a chaise which was just packing off as we came in and
• 31:48
  were driven away toward Gravesend in their way to the West Indies. No part
• 31:53
  of my property could have been such a prize before, for in my writing
• 31:56
  box was all my worldly wealth seven pounds and my dear Harry's deputation. Mister
• 32:04
  Notley immediately dispatched a man and horse after the chaise, and in half an
• 32:07
  hour's time I had the pleasure of being as rich as ever they were got
• 32:12
  about two or three miles off. My day's journey has been pleasanter in every
• 32:16
  respect than I expected. I have been very little crowded, and by no
• 32:21
  means unhappy. Your watchfulness with regard to the weather on our accounts was very
• 32:25
  kind and very effectual. We had one heavy shower on leaving Sittingbourne, but
• 32:31
  afterwards the clouds cleared away and we had a very bright crystal afternoon. My
• 32:37
  father is now reading the Midnight Bell, which he has got from the library,
• 32:42
  and my mother sitting by the fire. Our route tomorrow is not determined.
• 32:45
  We have none of us much inclination for London, and if mister Nottley
• 32:50
  will give us leave, I think we shall go to Staines, through Croydon
• 32:53
  and Kingston. It will be much pleasanter than any other way. But he
• 32:57
  is decidedly for Clapham and Battersey. God bless you all yours affectionately, j
• 33:04
  A. I flatter myself that Itty Dawdy will not forget me at least under
• 33:10
  a week Kiss him for me. Letter seven steventon Saturday October twenty seventh.
• 33:22
  My dear Cassandra, your letter was a most agreeable surprise to me to day,
• 33:28
  and I have taken a long sheet of paper to show my gratitude.
• 33:30
  We arrived here yesterday between four and five, but I cannot send you quite
• 33:35
  so triumphant an account of our last day's journey as of the first and second.
• 33:39
  Soon after I had finished my letter from Staines, my mother began to
• 33:44
  suffer from the exercise or fatigue of traveling, and she was a good deal
• 33:47
  indisposed. She had not a very good night at Staines, but bore her
• 33:52
  journey better than I had expected, and at Basingstoke, where we stopped more
• 33:57
  than half an hour, received much comfort from a mess of broth and the
• 34:00
  sight of mister Lyford, who recommended her to take twelve drops of laudanum when
• 34:05
  she went to bed as a composer, which she accordingly did. James called
• 34:09
  on us just as we were going to tea, and my mother was well
• 34:13
  enough to talk very cheerfully to him before she went to bed. James seems
• 34:16
  to have taken to his old trick of coming to Steventon in spite of Mary's
• 34:21
  reproaches, for he was here before breakfast and is now paying us a second
• 34:25
  visit. They were to have dined here to day, but the weather is
• 34:30
  too bad. I have had the pleasure of hearing that Martha is with them.
• 34:35
  James fetched her from Ibthorpe on Thursday, and she will stay with them
• 34:38
  till she removes to Kintbury. We met with no adventures at all in our
• 34:43
  journey yesterday, except that our trunk had once nearly slipped off, and we
• 34:47
  were obliged to stop it hartly to have our wheels greased. Whilst my mother
• 34:52
  and mister Lyford were together, I went to missus Rider's and bought what I
• 34:57
  intended to buy, but not in much perfect. There were no narrow braces
• 35:01
  for children, and scarcely any notting silk, but miss Wood as usual as
• 35:07
  going to town very soon and will lay in a fresh stock. I gave
• 35:10
  two shillings threepence a yard for my flannel, and I fancy it is not
• 35:15
  very good, but it is so disgraceful and contemptible an article in itself that
• 35:20
  it's being comparatively good or bad is of little importance. I bought some japan
• 35:24
  ink likewise, and next week shall begin my operations on my hat, on
• 35:30
  which you know my principal hopes of happiness depend. I am very grand.
• 35:35
  Indeed I had the dignity of dropping out my mother's Laudanum last night I carry
• 35:39
  about the keys of the wine and closet, and twice since I began this
• 35:44
  letter I have had orders to give into the kitchen. Our dinner was very
• 35:47
  good yesterday, and the chicken boiled perfectly tender. Therefore I shall not be
• 35:52
  obliged to dismiss Nanny on that account. Almost everything was unpacked and put away
• 35:58
  last night. Annie chose to do it, and I was not sorry to
• 36:01
  be busy. I have unpacked the gloves and placed yours in your drawer.
• 36:07
  Their color is light and pretty, and I believe exactly what we fixed on
• 36:12
  your letter was chaperoned here by one from missus Cook, in which she says
• 36:15
  that battle Ridge is not to come out before January, and she is so
• 36:20
  little satisfied with Cawthorne's dilatoriness that she never means to employ him again. Missus
• 36:25
  Hall of Sherburne was brought to bed yesterday of a dead child, some weeks
• 36:30
  before she expected, owing to a fright. I suppose she happened unawares to
• 36:37
  look at her husband. There has been a great deal of rain here for
• 36:40
  this last fortnight, much more than in Kent, and indeed we found the
• 36:45
  roads all the way from stains most disgracefully dirty. Steventon Lane has its full
• 36:51
  share of it, and I don't know when I shall be able to get
• 36:52
  to Dean. I hear that Martha is in better looks and spirits than she
• 36:58
  has enjoyed for a long time, and I flatter myself she will now be
• 37:00
  able to jest openly about mister w the spectacles which Molly found, my mother's,
• 37:07
  the scissors my father's. We are very glad to hear such a good
• 37:10
  account of your patients, little and great. My dear itty Dawdy's remembrance of
• 37:15
  me is very pleasing to me, foolishly pleasing, because I know it will
• 37:20
  be over so soon. My attachment to him will be more durable. I
• 37:25
  shall think with tenderness and delight on his beautiful and smiling countenance and interesting manner,
• 37:31
  until a few years have turned him into an ungovernable, ungracious fellow.
• 37:37
  The books from Wynteron are all unpacked and put away. The binding has compressed
• 37:42
  them most conveniently, and there is now very good room in the bookcase for
• 37:45
  all that we wish to have there. I believe the servants were very glad
• 37:50
  to see us nanny was, I am sure. She confesses that it was
• 37:53
  very dull, and yet she had her child with her till last Sunday.
• 37:58
  I understand that there are some rapes left, but I believe not many.
• 38:01
  They must be gathered as soon as possible, or the rain will entirely rot
• 38:06
  them. I am quite angry with myself for not writing closer. Why is
• 38:10
  my alphabet so much more sprawly than yours? Dame Tilbury's daughter has lain in
• 38:16
  shall I give her any of your baby clothes? The lace man was here
• 38:21
  only a few days ago. How unfortunate for both of us that he came
• 38:24
  so soon. Dame Bushell washes for us only one week more. As Sukie
• 38:30
  has got a place, John Stephens's wife undertakes our purification. She does not
• 38:35
  look as if anything she touch would ever be clean, but who knows.
• 38:38
  We do not seem likely to have any other maid servant at present, but
• 38:42
  Dame Staples will supply the place of one. Mary has hired a young girl
• 38:45
  from Ash who has never been out to service, to be her scrub,
• 38:50
  but James fears her not being strong enough for the place. Earl Harwood has
• 38:55
  been to Dean lately. As I think, Mary wrote his word and is
• 38:59
  fair, then told him that they would receive his wife if she continued to
• 39:02
  behave well for another year. He was very grateful, as well he might.
• 39:07
  Their behavior throughout the whole affair has been particularly kind. Earle and his
• 39:13
  wife live in the most private manner imaginable at Portsmouth, without keeping a servant
• 39:16
  of any kind. What a prodigious, innate love of virtue she must have
• 39:21
  to marry under such circumstances. It is now Saturday evening, but I wrote
• 39:27
  the chief of this in the morning. My mother is not being down at
• 39:30
  all. To day. The Laudanan made as sleep a good deal, and
• 39:34
  upon the whole I think she is better. My father and I dined by
• 39:37
  ourselves. How strange he and John Bond are now very happy together, for
• 39:44
  I have just heard the heavy step of the latter along the passage. James
• 39:49
  Digweed called to day, and I gave him his brother's deputation. Charles Harwood,
• 39:53
  too, is just called to ask how we are. In his way
• 39:55
  from Dumma, where he's been conveying Miss Garrett, who is going to return
• 40:00
  to her former residence in Kent. I will leave off, or I shall
• 40:04
  not have room to add a word tomorrow Sunday. My mother has had a
• 40:09
  very good night and feels much better to day. I have received my aunt's
• 40:15
  letter, and thank you for your scrap. I will write to Charles soon.
• 40:20
  Pray, give Fanny and Edward a kiss from me, and ask George
• 40:22
  if he has got a new song for me. Tis really very kind of
• 40:25
  my aunt to ask us to barth again, a kindness that deserves a better
• 40:30
  return than to profit by it. Yours ever, j A. End of
• 40:37
  Section three, letter eight steventon December first, My dear Cassandra, I am
• 40:45
  so good as to write to you again thus speedily to let you know that
• 40:50
  I have just heard from Frank. He was at Cadiz alive and well on
• 40:54
  October eighteenth, and had then very lately received a letter from you, written
• 40:59
  as long as ago as when the London was at Saint Helen's. But his
• 41:02
  rarely latest intelligence of us was in one of me of September first, which
• 41:07
  I sent soon after we had got to Godmisham. He had written a packet
• 41:12
  full for his dearest friends in England early in October to go by the excellent,
• 41:17
  But the excellent was not sailed nor likely to sail. When he dispatched
• 41:22
  this to me. It comprehended letters for both of us, for Lord Spencer,
• 41:28
  Mister Dash and the East India directors. Lord Saint Vincent had left the
• 41:32
  fleet when he wrote, and was gone to Gibraltar. It was said to
• 41:37
  superintend the fitting out of a private expedition from thence against some of the enemy's
• 41:42
  ports. Minorca or Malta were conjectured to be the objects. Frank writes in
• 41:47
  good spirits, but says that our correspondence cannot be so easily carried on in
• 41:52
  future as it has been, as the communication between Cadiz and Lisbon is less
• 41:57
  frequent than formerly. You and my mother therefore must not alarm yourselves at the
• 42:01
  long intervals that may divide his letters. I address this advice to you too,
• 42:07
  as being the most tender hearted of the family. My mother made her
• 42:12
  entree into the dressing room through crowds of admiring spectators yesterday afternoon, and we
• 42:16
  all drank tea together for the first time these five weeks. She has had
• 42:21
  a tolerable night and bids fair for a continuance in the same brilliant course of
• 42:25
  action to day. Mister Lyford was here yesterday. He came while we were
• 42:30
  at dinner and partook of our elegant entertainment. I was not ashamed of asking
• 42:36
  him to sit down at table, for we had some pea soup, a
• 42:38
  spare rib and a pudding. He wants my mother to look yellow and to
• 42:43
  throw out a rash, but she will do neither. I was at Dean
• 42:47
  yesterday morning. Mary was very well, but does not gain bodily strength very
• 42:52
  fast. When I saw her so stout on the third and six days,
• 42:57
  I expected to have seen her as well as ever by the end of afore
• 43:00
  night. James went to Ibthorpe yesterday to see his mother and child. Letty
• 43:05
  is with Mary at present, of course, exceedingly happy and in raptures with
• 43:09
  the child. Mary does not manage matters in such a way as to make
• 43:14
  me want to lay in myself. She is not tidy enough in her appearance.
• 43:17
  She has no dressing gown to sit up in. Her curtains are all
• 43:21
  too thin, and things are not in that comfort and style about her which
• 43:25
  are necessary to make such a situation an enviable one. Elizabeth was really a
• 43:30
  pretty object, with her nice clean cap put on so tidily, and to
• 43:35
  dress so uniformly, white and orderly. We live entirely in the dressing room
• 43:39
  now, which I like very much. I always feel so much more elegant
• 43:44
  in it than in the parlor. No news from Kintbury yet Eliza sports with
• 43:50
  our impatience. She was very well last Thursday. Who is miss Maria Montressor
• 43:55
  going to marry? And what has become of miss Malcaster. I find great
• 44:00
  comfort in my stuff gown, but I hope you do not wear yours too
• 44:05
  often. I've made myself two or three caps to wear of evening since I
• 44:08
  came home, and they saved me a world of torment as to hair dressing,
• 44:13
  which at present gives me no trouble beyond washing and brushing for my long
• 44:17
  hair, as is always platted up out of sight, and my short hair
• 44:21
  curls well enough to want no papering. I have had it cut lately by
• 44:24
  mister Butler. There is no reason to suppose that Miss Morgan is dead after
• 44:30
  all. Mister Lyford gratified as very much yesterday by his praises of my father's
• 44:34
  mutton, which they all think the finest that ever was eight John Bond begins
• 44:38
  to find himself grow old, which John Bonds ought not to do, and
• 44:43
  unequal to much hard work. A man is therefore hired to supply his place
• 44:47
  as to labor, and John himself is to have the care of the sheep.
• 44:52
  There are not more people engaged than before. I believe, only men
• 44:55
  instead of boys. I fancy so at least, but you know my stupidity
• 45:00
  as to such matters. Lizzie Bond is just apprenticed to Miss Small, so
• 45:05
  we may hope to see her able to spoil gowns in a few years.
• 45:08
  My father has applied to mister May for an ale house for Robert at his
• 45:13
  request, and to mister Dean of Winchester likewise. This was my mother's idea,
• 45:20
  who thought he would be proud to oblige a relation of Edward in return
• 45:22
  for Edwards accepting his money. He sent a very civil answer, indeed,
• 45:27
  but has no vacant house at present. May expects to have an empty one
• 45:31
  soon at Farnham, so perhaps Nanny may have the honor of drawing ale for
• 45:35
  the Bishop. I shall write to Frank to morrow. Charles Powleck gave a
• 45:39
  dance on Thursday to the Great disturbance of all his neighbors, of course,
• 45:45
  who you know, take a most lively interest in the state of his finances,
• 45:49
  and live in hopes of his being soon ruined. We are very much
• 45:52
  disposed to like our new maid. She knows nothing of a dairy, to
• 45:57
  be sure, which in our family is rather against her, but she is
• 46:00
  to be taught at all. In short, we have felt the inconvenience of
• 46:05
  being without a maid so long that we are determined to like her, and
• 46:08
  she will find it a hard matter to displease us. As yet, she
• 46:13
  seems to cook very well, is uncommonly stout, and says she can work
• 46:16
  well at a needle. Sunday, my father is glad to hear so good
• 46:22
  an account of Edward's pigs and desires. He may be told, as encouragement
• 46:27
  to his taste for them, that Lord Bolton is particularly curious in his pigs,
• 46:31
  has had pig styes of a most elegant construction built for them, and
• 46:36
  visits them every morning as soon as he rises. Affectionately, Yours j a
• 46:44
  letter nine steventon Tuesday December eighteenth. My dear Cassandra, your letter came quite
• 46:52
  as soon as I expected, and so your letters will always do, because
• 46:57
  I have made it a rule not to expect them till they come, in
• 47:00
  which I think I consult the ease of us both. It is a great
• 47:04
  satisfaction to us to hear that your business is in a way to be settled,
• 47:07
  and so settle as to give you as little inconvenience as possible. You
• 47:12
  are very welcome to my father's name, and to his services, if they
• 47:15
  are ever required in it. I shall keep my ten pounds too, to
• 47:20
  wrap myself up in next winter. I took the liberty a few days ago
• 47:23
  of asking your black velvet bonnet to lend me its call, which it very
• 47:28
  readily did, and by which I have been enabled to give a considerable improvement
• 47:31
  of dignity to cap which was before too niggoty to please me. I shall
• 47:37
  wear it on Thursday, but I hope you will not be offended with me
• 47:40
  for following your advice as to its ornaments only in part. I still venture
• 47:45
  to retain the narrow silver round it put twice round without any bow, and
• 47:49
  instead of the black military feather, shall put in the collco one, as
• 47:52
  being smarter, And besides, cochlico is to be all the fashion this winter.
• 47:58
  After the ball, I shall probably make it entirely black. I am
• 48:02
  sorry that our dear Charles begins to feel the dignity of ill usage. My
• 48:07
  father will write to Admiral Gambier. He must have already received so much satisfaction
• 48:12
  from his acquaintance and patronage of Frank that he will be delighted. I daresay
• 48:15
  to have another of the family introduced to him. I think it would be
• 48:20
  very right in Charles to address Sir Thomas on the occasion, though I cannot
• 48:23
  approve of your scheme of writing to him, which you communicated to me a
• 48:27
  few nights ago, to acquest him to come home and convey you to Steventon
• 48:31
  to do you justice. However, you had some doubts of the propriety of
• 48:35
  such a measure yourself. I am very much obliged my dear little George for
• 48:39
  his message, for his love, at least his duty, I suppose,
• 48:44
  is only in consequence of some hint of my favorable intentions toward him from his
• 48:47
  father or mother. I am sincerely rejoiced, however, that I ever was
• 48:52
  born, since it has been the means of procuring him a dish of tea.
• 48:57
  Give my best love to him. Wednesday. I've changed my mind and
• 49:04
  changed the trimmings of my cap this morning. They are now such as you
• 49:07
  suggested. I felt as if I should not prosper if I strayed from your
• 49:10
  directions, and I think it makes me look more like Lady Coyningham now than
• 49:15
  it ever did before, which is all that one lives for. Now.
• 49:19
  I believe I shall make my new gown like my robe, but the back
• 49:22
  of the latter is all in a piece with the tale, and will seven
• 49:25
  yards enable me to copy it? In that respect, I've just heard from
• 49:30
  Martha and Frank. His letter was written on November twelve, All well and
• 49:35
  nothing particular. J A letter ten steventon Monday night, December twenty four.
• 49:45
  My dear Cassandra, I have got some pleasant news for you, which I
• 49:51
  am eager to communicate, and therefore begin my letter sooner, though I shall
• 49:54
  not send it sooner than usual. Admiral Gambier, in reply to my father's
• 50:00
  application, writes as follows. As it is usual to keep young officers in
• 50:05
  small vessels, it being most proper on account of their inexperience, and it
• 50:09
  being also a situation where they are more in the way of learning their duty.
• 50:13
  Your son has been continued in the scorpion, but I have mentioned to
• 50:16
  the Board of Admiralty his wish to be in a frigate, And when a
• 50:20
  proper opportunity offers, and it is judged that he has taken his turn in
• 50:23
  a small ship, I hope he will be removed. With regard to your
• 50:28
  son now in the London, I am glad I can give you the assurance
• 50:30
  that his promotion is likely to take place very soon, as Lord Spencer has
• 50:35
  been so good as to say he would include him in an arrangement that he
• 50:37
  proposes making in short time relative to some promotions in that quarter there. I
• 50:45
  may now finish my letter and go and hang myself, for I am sure
• 50:49
  I can neither write nor do anything which will not appear insipid to you after
• 50:52
  this. Now I really think he will soon be made, and only wish
• 50:57
  he could communicate our fore knowledge of the event to him him whom it principally
• 51:00
  concerns. My father has written to date to desire that he will inform us
• 51:05
  if he can when the commission is sent. Your chief wish is now ready
• 51:09
  to be accomplished, and could Lord Spencer give happiness to Martha at the same
• 51:14
  time, what a joyful heart he would make of yours. I have sent
• 51:19
  the same extract of the suits of Gambier to Charles, who, poor fellow,
• 51:22
  though he sinks into nothing but a humble attendant on the hero of the
• 51:25
  peace, will I hope be contented with the prospect held out to him.
• 51:30
  By what the Admiral says, it appears as if he had been designedly kept
• 51:34
  in the scorpion. But I will not torment myself with conjectures and suppositions.
• 51:39
  Facts shall satisfy me. Frank had not heard from any of us for ten
• 51:45
  weeks when he wrote to me on November twelve, in consequence of Lord Saint
• 51:49
  Vincent being removed to Gibraltar. When his commission is sent, however, it
• 51:52
  will not be so long on its road as our letters, because all the
• 51:55
  government despatches afforded by Land to his lordship from Lisbon with great regularity. I
• 52:02
  returned for Menadown this morning and found my mother certainly in no respect worse than
• 52:07
  when I left her. She does not like the cold weather, but that
• 52:10
  we cannot help. I spend my time very quietly and very pleasantly with Catherine.
• 52:16
  Miss Blackford is agreeable enough. I do not want people to be very
• 52:21
  agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal.
• 52:24
  I found only Catherine and her when I got to Menadowne on Thursday. We
• 52:30
  dined together and went together to Worting to seek the protection of Missus Clarke,
• 52:34
  with whom were Lady Mildmay her eldest son, and mister and Missus Hall.
• 52:38
  Our ball was very thin, but by no means unpleasant. There were thirty
• 52:44
  one people, and only eleven ladies out of the number, and but five
• 52:47
  single women in the room. Of the gentlemen present, you may have some
• 52:52
  idea for the list of my partners. Mister Wood, g le Froy rice
• 52:57
  A, mister Butcher belonging to the Temples, a sailor and not of the
• 53:00
  eleventh Light Dragoons, Mister Temple, not the horrid one of all, and
• 53:06
  mister William Orde, cousin to the King's clare man, mister John Harwood,
• 53:10
  and mister Calland, who appeared as usual with his hat in his hand,
• 53:15
  and stood every now and then behind Catherine and me, to be talked to
• 53:17
  and abused for not dancing. We teased him, however, into it.
• 53:22
  At last. I was very glad to see him again after so long a
• 53:24
  separation, and he was altogether rather the genius and flirt of the evening.
• 53:30
  He inquired after you. There were twenty dances, and I danced them all
• 53:35
  and without any fatigue. I was glad to find myself capable of dancing so
• 53:38
  much and with so much satisfaction, as I did. From my slender enjoyment
• 53:44
  of the Ashford balls as assemblies for dancing. I had not thought myself equal
• 53:47
  to it. But in cold weather and with few couples, I fancy I
• 53:52
  could just as well dance for a week together as for half an hour.
• 53:55
  My black cap was openly admired by Missus le Froy, and secretly, I
• 54:00
  imagine by everybody else in the room. Poor Edward, it is very hard
• 54:06
  that he who has that everything else in the world that he can wish for,
• 54:08
  should not have good health too. But I hope, with the assistance
• 54:13
  of stomach complaints, faintnesses and sicknesses, he will soon be restored to that
• 54:16
  blessing. Likewise, if his nervous complaint proceeded, from a suppression of something
• 54:22
  that ought to be thrown out, which does not seem unlikely. The first
• 54:24
  of these disorders may really be a remedy, and I sincerely wish it may,
• 54:30
  for I know no one more deserving of happiness without our law than Edward
• 54:32
  is. The laws of the Admiralty will have enough of our applications at present.
• 54:37
  For I hear from Charles that he has written to Lord Spencer himself to
• 54:40
  be removed. I am afraid his Serene Highness will be in a passion and
• 54:45
  order some of our heads to be cut off. You deserve a longer letter
• 54:50
  than this, but it is my unhappy fate seldom to treat people so well
• 54:53
  as they deserve. God bless you yours affectionately, Jane Ost Wednesday. The
• 55:01
  snow came to nothing yesterday, so I did go to Dean and returned home
• 55:07
  at nine o'clock at night, in that little carriage, and without being very
• 55:09
  cold. And of Section four letter eleven Steventon Friday December twenty eighth, my
• 55:22
  dear Cassandra Frank is made. He was yesterday raised to the rank of commander
• 55:29
  and appointed to the Petrol Sloop now at Gibraltar. A letter from Dash has
• 55:34
  just announced this, and as it is confirmed by a very friendly one from
• 55:37
  mister Matthew to the same effect, transcribing one from Admiral Gambier to the General,
• 55:43
  we have no reason to suspect the truth of it. As soon as
• 55:46
  you have cried a little for joy, you may go on and learn further
• 55:50
  that the India House have taken Captain Austin's petition into consideration. This comes from
• 55:55
  Daish, and likewise that Lieutenant Charles John Austin is removed to the Tamar frigate.
• 56:00
  This comes from the Admiral. We cannot find out where the Tamar is,
• 56:06
  but I hope we shall now see Charles here. At all events,
• 56:09
  this letter is to be dedicated entirely to good news. If you will send
• 56:14
  my father on account of your washing and letter expenses, et cetera, he
• 56:17
  will send you a draft for the amount of it, as well as for
• 56:21
  your next quarter and for Edward's rent. If you don't buy a Muslin gown
• 56:27
  now, on the strength of this money and Frank's promotion, I shall never
• 56:30
  forgive you. Missus le Froy has just sent me word that Lady Dorchester meant
• 56:35
  to invite me to her ball on January eighth, which, though an humble
• 56:39
  blessing compared with what the last page records, I do not consider as any
• 56:44
  calamity. I cannot write any more now, but I have written enough to
• 56:49
  make you very happy, and therefore may safely conclude yours affectionately, Jane Letter
• 56:58
  twelve steventon Tuesday, January eighth, seventeen ninety nine. My dear Cassandra,
• 57:07
  you mist read your letters over five times in future before you send them,
• 57:12
  and then perhaps you may find them as entertaining as I do. I laughed
• 57:15
  at several parts of the one which I am now answering. Charles is not
• 57:21
  come yet, but he must come this morning or he shall never know what
• 57:23
  I will do to him. The ball at Kempshot is this evening, and
• 57:28
  I have got him an invitation, though I have not been so considerate as
• 57:31
  to get him a partner. But the case is a different between him and
• 57:36
  Eliza Bailey, for he is not in a dying way, and may therefore
• 57:39
  be equal to getting a partner for himself. I believe I told you that
• 57:44
  Monday was to be the ball night, for which and for all other errors
• 57:46
  into which I may ever have led you. I humbly ask your pardon.
• 57:52
  Elizabeth is very cruel about my writing music, and as a punishment for her,
• 57:57
  I should insist upon always writing out all hers for her in future,
• 58:00
  if I were not punishing myself. At the same time, I am tolerably
• 58:05
  glad to hear that Edward's income is so good a one, as glad as
• 58:08
  I can be at anybody's being rich except you and me, And I am
• 58:12
  thoroughly rejoiced to hear of his present to you. I am not to wear
• 58:16
  my white satin cap to knight, after all. I am to wear a
• 58:20
  Marmalone cap instead, which Charles Fowl sent to Mary, and which she sends
• 58:24
  me. It is all the fashion now worn at the opera and by Lady
• 58:30
  Mildmay's at Hackwood Balls. I hate describing such things, and I daresay you
• 58:35
  will be able to guess what it is like. I have got over the
• 58:38
  dreadful epoch of Mantua, making much better than I expected. My gown is
• 58:44
  made very like my blue one, which you always told me sat very well,
• 58:47
  with only these variations. The sleeves are short, the rap fuller,
• 58:52
  the apron comes over it, and a band of the same completes the whole.
• 58:58
  I assure you that I dread the idea of going to Brighten as much
• 59:00
  as you do, but I am not without hopes that something may happen to
• 59:05
  prevent it. F has lost his election at b and perhaps they may not
• 59:10
  be able to see company for some time. They talk of going to bath
• 59:15
  too in the spring, and perhaps they may be overturned in their way down
• 59:19
  and all laid up for the summer. Wednesday, I have had a cold
• 59:24
  and weakness in one of my eyes for some days, which makes writing neither
• 59:29
  very pleasant nor very profitable, and which will probably prevent my finishing this letter
• 59:34
  myself. My mother has undertaken to do it for me, and I shall
• 59:37
  leave the kempshot ball for her. You express so little anxiety about my being
• 59:43
  murdered under ash Park Copse by Missus Hulbert's servant, that I have a great
• 59:46
  mind not to tell you whether I was or not, and shall only say
• 59:50
  that I did not return home that night or the next, As Martha kindly
• 59:53
  made room for me in her bed, which was the shut up one in
• 59:57
  the new nursery. Nurse and the child slept upon the floor, and there
• 1:00:00
  we all were in some confusion and great comfort. The bed did exceedingly well
• 1:00:07
  for us both to lie awaken and talk till two o'clock, and to sleep
• 1:00:10
  in the rest of the night. I love Martha better than ever, and
• 1:00:15
  I mean to go and see her if I can, when she gets home.
• 1:00:17
  We all dined at the Harwoods on Thursday, and the party broke up
• 1:00:22
  the next morning. This complaint, in my eye, has been a sad
• 1:00:25
  bore to me, for I have not been able to read or work in
• 1:00:29
  any comfort since Friday. But one advantage will be derived from it, for
• 1:00:34
  I shall be such a proficient in music by the time I have got rid
• 1:00:37
  of my cold, that I shall be perfectly qualified in that science at least
• 1:00:40
  to take mister Rupes off as at Eastwell next summer. And I am sure
• 1:00:44
  of Elizabeth's recommendation, be it only on Harriet's account of my talent in drawing.
• 1:00:50
  I have given specimens in my letters to you, and I have nothing
• 1:00:52
  to do but to invent a few hard names for the stars. Mary grows
• 1:00:58
  rather more reasonable about her child World's beauty, and says that she does not
• 1:01:01
  think him really handsome, but I suspect her moderation to be something like that
• 1:01:07
  of w W's mamma. Perhaps Mary has told you that they are going to
• 1:01:10
  enter into more dinner parties. The Bigs and mister Holder dined there to morrow,
• 1:01:15
  and I am to meet them. I shall sleep there. Catherine has
• 1:01:20
  the honor of giving her name to a set which will be composed of two
• 1:01:23
  Withers, two Heathcotes, a Blackford, and no big except herself. She
• 1:01:29
  congratulated me last night on Frank's promotion, as if she really felt the joy.
• 1:01:32
  She talked of my sweet little George. I am delighted to hear that
• 1:01:38
  he has such an inventive genius as to face making. I admired his yellow
• 1:01:43
  wafer very much, and I hope he will choose the wafer for your next
• 1:01:46
  letter. I wore my green shoes last night and took my white fan with
• 1:01:52
  me. I am very glad he never threw it into the river. Missus
• 1:01:57
  Knight giving up the godmish a mistake to Edward. No such prodigious act of
• 1:02:00
  generosity, after all, it seems, for she has reserved herself an income
• 1:02:05
  out of it. Still, this ought to be known that her conduct may
• 1:02:08
  not be overrated. I rather think Edward shows the most magnanimity of the two
• 1:02:15
  in accepting her resignation with such encumbrances. The more I write, the better
• 1:02:20
  my eye gets, so I shall at least keep on till it is quite
• 1:02:23
  well before I give up my pen to my mother. Missus Bramston's little movable
• 1:02:30
  apartment was tolerably filled last night by herself, Missus H. Blackstone, her
• 1:02:35
  two daughters, and me. I do not like the miss Blackstones. Indeed
• 1:02:40
  I was always determined not to like them, so there is the less merit
• 1:02:44
  in it. Missus Bramston was very civil, kind and noisy. I spent
• 1:02:50
  a very pleasant evening, chiefly among the many down party. There is the
• 1:02:53
  same kind of supper as last year, and the same want of chairs.
• 1:02:59
  There were more dancings than the room could conveniently hold, which is enough to
• 1:03:01
  constitute a good ball at any time. I do not think I was very
• 1:03:07
  much in request. People were rather upt not to ask me until they could
• 1:03:10
  not help it. Once consequence, you know very so much at times without
• 1:03:15
  any particular reason. There was one gentleman, an officer of the Cheshire,
• 1:03:21
  a very good looking young man, who I was told wanted very much to
• 1:03:24
  be introduced to me, but as he did not want it quite enough to
• 1:03:29
  take much trouble in affecting it, we never could bring it about. I
• 1:03:32
  danced with mister john Wood again twice with a mister South, a lad from
• 1:03:37
  Winchester, who I suppose is as far from being related to the bishop of
• 1:03:40
  that diocese as it is possible to be with G. Lefroy and J.
• 1:03:45
  Harwood, who I think takes to me rather more than he used to do.
• 1:03:49
  One of my gayest actions was sitting down two dances in preference to having
• 1:03:53
  Lord Bolton's eldest son for my partner, who danced too ill to be endured.
• 1:04:00
  The miss Charteriases were there and played the parts of the miss edens with
• 1:04:04
  great spirit. Charles never came naughty Charles. I suppose he could not get
• 1:04:11
  superseded in time. Mister Barry has replaced your two sheets of drawing paper with
• 1:04:16
  two of superior size and quality, so I do not grudge her having taken
• 1:04:21
  them at all. Now, mister Ludlow and Miss Pew of Andover are lately
• 1:04:27
  married, and so is missus Skeet of Basingstoke and mister French chemist of reading.
• 1:04:33
  I do not wonder at your wanting to read first Impressions again so seldom
• 1:04:39
  as you have gone through it, and that so long ago. I am
• 1:04:43
  much obliged to you for meaning to leave my old petticoat behind you. I
• 1:04:46
  have long secretly wished it might be done, but had not courage to make
• 1:04:50
  the request. Pray mention the name of Maria Montresor's lover when you write next.
• 1:04:58
  My mother wants to know it, and I have not courage to look
• 1:05:00
  back into your letters to find it out. I shall not be able to
• 1:05:04
  send this till to morrow, and you will be disappointed on Friday. I
• 1:05:09
  am very sorry for it, but I cannot help it. The partnership between
• 1:05:14
  Jeffrey's tumor and leg is dissolved. The two latter are melted away into nothing,
• 1:05:19
  and it is to be hoped that Jeffreys will soon break for the sake
• 1:05:23
  of a few heroines whose money he may have. I wish you joy of
• 1:05:27
  your birthday twenty times over. I shall be able to send this to the
• 1:05:31
  post to day, which exalts me to the utmost pinnacle of human felicity and
• 1:05:36
  makes me bask in the sunshine of prosperity, or gives me any other sensation
• 1:05:41
  of pleasure in studied language which you may prefer. Do not be angry with
• 1:05:45
  me for not filling my sheet, and believe me yours affectionately, j A.
• 1:05:54
  End of Section five, Letter thirteen steventon Monday, January twenty first,
• 1:06:03
  My dear Cassandra, I will endeavor to make this letter more worthy your acceptance
• 1:06:09
  than my last, which was so shabby a one that I think mister Marshall
• 1:06:13
  could never charge you with the postage. My eyes have been very indifferent since
• 1:06:17
  it was written, but are now getting better once more. Keeping them so
• 1:06:21
  many hours open on Thursday night, as well as the dust of the ball
• 1:06:26
  room, injured them a good deal. I use them as little as I
• 1:06:30
  can. But you know, and Elizabeth knows, and everybody who has ever
• 1:06:33
  had weak eyes knows how delightful it is to hurt them by employment, against
• 1:06:39
  the advice and entreaty of all one's friends. Charles leaves us to night.
• 1:06:45
  The Tamar is in the downs, and mister Dash advises him to join her
• 1:06:49
  there directly, as there is no chance of her going to the westward.
• 1:06:54
  Charles does not approve of this at all, and will not be much grieved
• 1:06:58
  if he should be too late for her before she sails, as he may
• 1:07:01
  then hope to get into a better situation. He attempted to go to town
• 1:07:05
  last night and got as far on his road thither as dean Gate, but
• 1:07:10
  both the coaches were full, and we had the pleasure of seeing him back
• 1:07:14
  again. He will call on dash to morrow to know whether the Tamar has
• 1:07:17
  sailed or not, and if she is still at the downs, he will
• 1:07:21
  proceed in one of the night coaches to deal. I want to go with
• 1:07:26
  him, that I may explain the country to him properly, between Canterbury and
• 1:07:30
  Rowling, But the unpleasantness of returning by myself deters me. I should like
• 1:07:34
  to go as far as Ospringe with him very much, indeed, that I
• 1:07:39
  might surprise you at Godmisham. Martha writes me word that Charles was very much
• 1:07:44
  admired at Kintbury, and missus la Foy never saw any one so much improved
• 1:07:47
  in her life, and thinks him handsomer than Henry. He appears to far
• 1:07:53
  more advantage here than he did at Godmisham. Not surrounded by strangers and neither
• 1:07:58
  oppressed by a pain in his face or powder in his hair. James christened
• 1:08:02
  Elizabeth Caroline on Saturday morning, and then came home. Mary Anna and Edward
• 1:08:09
  have left us. Of course, before the second went I took down her
• 1:08:13
  answer to her cousin Fanny. Yesterday came a letter to my mother from Edward
• 1:08:17
  Cooper, to announce not the birth of a child, but of a living
• 1:08:23
  for missus. Lee has begged his acceptance of the rectory of Hamstall, Ridware
• 1:08:26
  and Staffordshire, vacant by mister Johnson's death. We collect from his letter that
• 1:08:31
  he means to reside there, in which he shows his wisdom. Staffordshire is
• 1:08:36
  a good way off, so we shall see nothing more of them till some
• 1:08:40
  fifteen years. Hence, the miss Coopers are presented to us, fine jolly,
• 1:08:45
  handsome, ignorant girls. The living is valued at one hundred and forty
• 1:08:48
  guineas a year. But perhaps it may be improvable. How will they be
• 1:08:54
  able to convey the furniture of the dressing room so far in safety. Our
• 1:08:59
  first cousin seem are dropping off very fast. One is incorporated into the family,
• 1:09:04
  another dies, and a third goes into Staffordshire. We can learn nothing
• 1:09:09
  of the disposal of the other living I have not the smallest notions of Fulworth's
• 1:09:14
  having it. Lord Craven has probably other connections, and more intimate ones in
• 1:09:18
  that line than he now has with the Kintbury family. Our ball on Thursday
• 1:09:24
  was a very poor one, only eight couple and but twenty three people in
• 1:09:28
  the room. But it was not the ball's fault, for we were deprived
• 1:09:31
  of two or three families by the sudden illness of mister Wither who was seized
• 1:09:35
  that morning at Winchester with the return of his former alarming complaint. An express
• 1:09:41
  was sent off from thence to the family Catherine and Miss Blackford were dining with
• 1:09:45
  missus Russell. Poor Catherine's distress must have been very great. She was prevailed
• 1:09:50
  on to wait till the Heathcotes could come from Whitney, and then with those
• 1:09:55
  two and Harris proceeded directly to Winchester. In such a disorder, his danger,
• 1:10:00
  I suppose, must always be great. But from this attack he is
• 1:10:03
  now rapidly recovering and would be well enough to return to many down I fancy
• 1:10:09
  in a few days. It was a fine thing for conversation at the ball,
• 1:10:13
  but it deprived us not only of the Bigs, but of Missus Russell
• 1:10:16
  too, and of the Boltons and John Harwood, who were dining there.
• 1:10:20
  Likewise, and of mister Lane, who kept away as related to the family.
• 1:10:26
  Poor man, I mean, mister Wither. His life is so useful,
• 1:10:30
  his character so respectable and worthy, that I really believe there was a
• 1:10:34
  good deal of sincerity in the general concern expressed on his account. Our ball
• 1:10:41
  was chiefly made up of Geuvois's and Terry's, the former of whom were apt
• 1:10:45
  to be vulgar, the latter to be noisy. I had an odd set
• 1:10:49
  of partners, mister Jenkins, mister Street, Colonel Geuvois, James Digweed,
• 1:10:56
  J. Lifford, and mister Briggs, a friend of the latter. I
• 1:11:00
  had a very pleasant evening, however, though you will probably find out that
• 1:11:03
  there was no particular reason for it. But I do not think it worth
• 1:11:08
  while to wait for enjoyment until there is some real opportunity for it. Mary
• 1:11:12
  behaved very well and was not at all fidgety. For the history of her
• 1:11:16
  adventures at the ball, I refer you to Anna's letter when you come home
• 1:11:21
  you will have some shirts to make up for Charles. Missus Davies frightened him
• 1:11:26
  into buying a piece of Irish when we were in Basingstoke. Mister Dash supposes
• 1:11:30
  that Captain Austin's commission has reached him by this time Tuesday. Your letter has
• 1:11:36
  pleased and amused me very much. Your essay on happy fortnights is highly ingenious,
• 1:11:43
  and the talibut skin made me laugh a good deal. Whenever I fall
• 1:11:46
  into misfortune, how many jokes it ought to furnish to my acquaintance in general,
• 1:11:51
  or I shall die dreadfully in their debt for entertainment. It began to
• 1:11:56
  occur to me before you mentioned it, that I had been somewhat so as
• 1:12:00
  to my mother's health for some time, But I thought you could have no
• 1:12:02
  difficulty in divining its exact state, you who have guessed so much stranger things.
• 1:12:09
  She is tolerably well, better upon the whole than she was some weeks
• 1:12:13
  ago. She would tell you herself that she is a very dreadful cold in
• 1:12:16
  her head at present. But I have not much compassion for cold in the
• 1:12:19
  head without fever or sore throat. Our own particular little brother got a place
• 1:12:26
  in the coach last night, and is now I suppose in town. I
• 1:12:30
  have no objection at all to your buying our gowns there, as your imagination
• 1:12:33
  has pictured to you exactly such a one as is necessary to make me happy.
• 1:12:38
  You quite abashed me by your progress in notting, for I am still
• 1:12:42
  without silk. You must get me some in town or in Canterbury. It
• 1:12:45
  should be finer than yours. I thought Edward would not approve of Charles being
• 1:12:50
  a crop, and rather wished you to conceal it from him at present,
• 1:12:55
  lest it might fall on his spirits and retard his recovery. My father furnished
• 1:13:00
  him with a pig from Cheesetown. It is already killed and cut up,
• 1:13:03
  but it is not to weigh more than nine stone. The season is too
• 1:13:06
  far advanced to get him a larger one. My mother means to pay herself
• 1:13:11
  for the sort, and the trouble of ordering it to be cured by the
• 1:13:14
  spare ribs, the souse and the lard. We have had one dead lamb.
• 1:13:18
  I congratulate to you on mister e Hatton's good fortune. I suppose the
• 1:13:24
  marriage will now follow out of hand. Give my compliments to miss Finch.
• 1:13:29
  What time in March may we expect your return in? I begin to be
• 1:13:32
  very tired of answering people's questions on that subject, and independent of that,
• 1:13:38
  I shall be very glad to see you at home again. And then if
• 1:13:41
  we can get Martha and Shirk, who will be so happy as we.
• 1:13:45
  I think of going to Ibthorpe in about a fortnight. My eyes are pretty
• 1:13:49
  well. I thank you if you please, Wednesday the twenty third. I
• 1:13:56
  wish my dear Fanny many returns of this day, and that she may,
• 1:14:00
  on every return enjoy as much pleasure as she is now receiving from her doll's
• 1:14:03
  beds. I have just heard from Charles, who is by this time at
• 1:14:08
  Deal. He is to be second Lieutenant, which pleases him very well.
• 1:14:13
  The Endymion is come into the Downs, which pleases him. Likewise, he
• 1:14:16
  expects to be ordered to Sheerness shortly, as the tamar has never been refitted.
• 1:14:23
  My father and mother made the same match for you last night, and
• 1:14:26
  are very much pleased with it. He is a beauty of my mother's.
• 1:14:30
  Yours affectionately, Jane Letter, fourteen thirteen, Queen Square, Friday, May
• 1:14:41
  seventeenth, My dearest Cassandra. Our journey yesterday went off exceedingly well. Nothing
• 1:14:47
  occurred to alarm or delay us. We found the roads in excellent order,
• 1:14:53
  had very good horses all the way, and reached Devizes with ease by four
• 1:14:57
  o'clock. I suppose John has told you in what manner we were divided when
• 1:15:00
  we left andover, and no alteration was afterwards made. At Devizes we had
• 1:15:06
  comfortable rooms and a good dinner, to which we sat down about five.
• 1:15:11
  Amongst other things we had asparagus and a lobster, which made me wish for
• 1:15:15
  you, and some cheesecakes on which the children made so delightful a supper as
• 1:15:20
  to endear the town of Devizes to them for a long time. Well,
• 1:15:26
  here we are at Bath. We got here about one o'clock and have been
• 1:15:30
  arrived just long enough to go over the house, fix on our rooms,
• 1:15:32
  and be very well pleased with the whole of it. Poor Elizabeth has had
• 1:15:36
  a dismal ride of it from Devizes, for it has rained almost all the
• 1:15:41
  way, and our first view of Bath has been just as gloomy as it
• 1:15:44
  was last November twelvemonth. I have got so many things to say, so
• 1:15:48
  many things equally important that I know not on which to decide at present,
• 1:15:54
  and shall therefore go and eat with the children. We stopped in Paragon as
• 1:15:59
  we came along, but as it was too wet and dirty for us to
• 1:16:01
  get out, we could only see Frank, who told us that his master
• 1:16:05
  was very indifferent, but had had a better night last night than usual.
• 1:16:11
  In Paragon we met Missus Foley and Missus Dowdswell with a yellow shawl airing out,
• 1:16:15
  and at the bottom of the Kingstown Hill we met a gentleman in a
• 1:16:18
  buggy who on minute examination turned out to be doctor Hall, and Doctor Hall
• 1:16:25
  in such very deep mourning that either his mother, his wife, or himself
• 1:16:29
  must be dead. These are all of our acquaintance who have yet met our
• 1:16:33
  eyes. I have some hopes of being plagued about my trunk I had a
• 1:16:39
  few more hours ago, for it was too heavy to go by the coach
• 1:16:42
  which brought Thomas and Rebecca from Devises. There was reason to suppose that it
• 1:16:46
  might be too heavy likewise for any other coach, and for a long time
• 1:16:50
  we could hear of no wagon to convey it. At last, however,
• 1:16:55
  we unluckily discovered that one was just on the point of setting out for this
• 1:16:59
  place. But at any rate the trunk cannot be here till to morrow.
• 1:17:02
  So far we are safe, and who knows what may not happen to procure
• 1:17:05
  a further delay. I put Mary's letter into the post office at andover with
• 1:17:11
  my own hand. We are exceedingly pleased with the house. The rooms are
• 1:17:15
  quite as large as to be expected. Missus Bromley is a fat woman in
• 1:17:19
  mourning, and a little black kitten runs about the staircase. Elizabeth has the
• 1:17:25
  apartment within the drawing room. She wanted my mother to have it, but
• 1:17:29
  as there is no bed in the inner one, and the stairs are so
• 1:17:31
  much easier of ascent, or my mother so much stronger than in Paragon,
• 1:17:35
  as not to regard the double flight, it is settled for us to be
• 1:17:40
  above, where we have two very nice sized rooms, with dirty quilts and
• 1:17:44
  everything comfortable. I have the outward and larger apartment as I ought to have,
• 1:17:48
  which is quite as large as our bedroom at home, and my mother's
• 1:17:53
  is not materially less. The beds are both as large as any at Steventon,
• 1:17:57
  and I have a very nice chest of drawers and a closet full of
• 1:18:00
  shelves, so full indeed that there is nothing else in it, and it
• 1:18:03
  should therefore be called a cupboard rather than a closet. I suppose tell Mary
• 1:18:09
  that there were some carpenters at work in the inn it devises this morning,
• 1:18:12
  but as I could not be sure of there being Missus W. Fowl's relations,
• 1:18:15
  I did not make myself known to them. I hope it will be
• 1:18:19
  a very tolerable afternoon. When first we came, all the umbrellas were up,
• 1:18:24
  but now the pavements are getting very white again. My mother does not
• 1:18:29
  seem at all the worse for her journey, nor any of us, I
• 1:18:31
  hope. Though Edward seemed rather fagged last night and not very brisk this morning,
• 1:18:36
  but I trust the bustle of sending for tea, coffee and sugar,
• 1:18:41
  et cetera, and going out to taste of cheese himself will do him good.
• 1:18:45
  There is a very long list of arrivals here in the newspaper yesterday,
• 1:18:49
  so that we need not immediately dread absolute solitude. And there is a public
• 1:18:54
  breakfast in Sydney Gardens every morning, so that we shall not be wholly starved.
• 1:19:00
  Zabeth has had just a very good account of the three little boys.
• 1:19:02
  I hope you are very busy and very comfortable. I find no difficulty in
• 1:19:06
  closing my eyes. I like our situation very much. It is far more
• 1:19:12
  cheerful than Paragon, and the prospect from the drawing room window at which I
• 1:19:15
  now write is rather picturesque, as it commands a prospective view of the left
• 1:19:19
  side of Brock Street, broken by three lumbardy poplars, in the garden of
• 1:19:24
  the last house, and Queen's Parade. I am rather impatient to know the
• 1:19:29
  fate of my best gown, but I suppose it will be some days before
• 1:19:32
  Francis can get through the trunk. In the meantime, I am with many
• 1:19:36
  thanks for your trouble in making it, as well as marking my silk stockings.
• 1:19:42
  Yours very affectionately, Jane, A great deal of love from everybody and
• 1:19:50
  of section six letter of fifteen thirteen, Queen's Square, Sunday, June second,
• 1:20:00
  My dear Cassandra, I am obliged to you for two letters, one
• 1:20:04
  from yourself and the other from Mary. For of the latter I knew nothing
• 1:20:09
  till on the receipt of yours yesterday, when the pigeon basket was examined,
• 1:20:13
  and I received my due, as I have written to her since the time
• 1:20:17
  which ought to have brought me hers. I suppose she will consider herself as
• 1:20:21
  I choose to consider her. Still in my debt. I will lay out
• 1:20:27
  all the little judgment I have in endeavoring to get such stockings for Anna as
• 1:20:31
  she will approve. But I do not know that I shall execute Martha's commission
• 1:20:35
  at all, for I am not fond of ordering shoes, and at any
• 1:20:40
  rate they shall all have flat heels. What must I tell you of Edward
• 1:20:46
  truth or falsehood? I will try the former, and you may choose for
• 1:20:50
  yourself another time. He was better yesterday than he had been for two or
• 1:20:56
  three days before, about as well as while he was at Steveson. He
• 1:21:00
  drinks at the Hetling pump. Is to bathe to morrow and try electricity on
• 1:21:04
  Tuesday. He proposed the latter himself to doctor Fellows, who made no objection
• 1:21:11
  to it. But I fancy we're all unanimous in expecting no advantage from it.
• 1:21:16
  At present, I have no great notion of our staying here beyond the
• 1:21:19
  month. I heard from Charles last week they were to sail on Wednesday.
• 1:21:27
  My mother seems remarkably well. My uncle overwalked himself at first and can now
• 1:21:32
  only travel in a chair, but is otherwise very well. My cloak is
• 1:21:38
  come home. I like it very much and can now exclaim with delight,
• 1:21:43
  like j Bond at Hay Harvest, this is what I have been looking for
• 1:21:46
  all these three years. I saw some gauzes in a shop in Bath Street
• 1:21:50
  yesterday, at only four shillings a yard, but they were not so good
• 1:21:56
  or so pretty as mine. Flowers are very much worn, and fruit is
• 1:22:00
  still more the thing. Elizabeth has a bunch of strawberries, and I have
• 1:22:04
  seen grapes, cherries, plums and apricots. There are likewise almonds and raisins,
• 1:22:10
  French plums and tamarinds at the grocer's, but I have never seen any
• 1:22:14
  of them in hats. A plum or green gage would cost three shillings,
• 1:22:18
  cherries and grapes about five, I believe. But this is at some of
• 1:22:23
  the dearest shops. My aunt has told me of a very cheap one near
• 1:22:27
  Walcotte Church, to which I shall go in quest of something for you.
• 1:22:30
  I have never seen an old woman at the pump room. Elizabeth has given
• 1:22:35
  me a hat, and it is not only a pretty hat, but a
• 1:22:39
  pretty style of hat too. It is something like Eliza's, only instead of
• 1:22:44
  being all straw half a bit is narrow, purple ribbon. I flatter myself,
• 1:22:48
  however, that you can understand very little of it from this description.
• 1:22:53
  Heaven forbid that I should ever offer such encouragement to explanations as to give a
• 1:22:57
  clear one on any occasion myself. But I must write no more of this.
• 1:23:02
  I spent Friday evening with the Mapletons, and was obliged to submit to
• 1:23:05
  being pleased in spite of my incalation. We took a very charming walk from
• 1:23:11
  six to eight up Beacon Hill and across some fields to the village of Charlcombe,
• 1:23:15
  which is sweetly situated in the Little Green Valley as a village which such
• 1:23:19
  a name ought to be. Mary Anne is sensible and intelligent, and even
• 1:23:25
  Jane, considering how fair she is, is not unpleasant. We had a
• 1:23:30
  miss North and a mister Gould of our party. The latter walked home with
• 1:23:33
  me after tea. He is a very young man, just entered Oxford,
• 1:23:39
  wears spectacles and has heard that Evelina was written by doctor Johnson. I am
• 1:23:44
  afraid I cannot undertake to carry Martha's shoes home, for though we had plenty
• 1:23:48
  of room in our trunks when we came, we shall have many more things
• 1:23:51
  to take back, and I must allow besides for my packing. There is
• 1:23:57
  to be a grand gala on Tuesday evening in Sydney Gardens, a concert with
• 1:24:00
  illuminations and fireworks. To the latter, Elizabeth and I look forward with pleasure,
• 1:24:06
  and even the concert will have more than its usual charm for me,
• 1:24:10
  as the gardens are large enough for me to get pretty well beyond the reach
• 1:24:13
  of its sound. In the morning, Lady Willoughby is to present the colors
• 1:24:16
  to some cow or yeomanry or other in the Crescent, and that such festivities
• 1:24:21
  may have a proper commencement. We think of going too. I am quite
• 1:24:27
  pleased with Martha and Missus Lefroy for wanting the pattern of our caps, but
• 1:24:31
  I am not so well pleased with you for giving it to them. Some
• 1:24:35
  wish, some prevailing wish, is necessary to the animation of everybody's mind,
• 1:24:40
  and in gratifying this you leave them to form some other which will not probably
• 1:24:45
  be half so innocent. I shall not forget to write to Frank Duty and
• 1:24:49
  Love, et cetera, Yours affectionately, Jane. My uncle is quite surprised
• 1:24:57
  at my hearing come you so often. But as long as we can keep
• 1:25:00
  the frequency of our correspondence from Martha's uncle, we will not fear our own
• 1:25:05
  letter sixteen thirteen, Queen's Square, Tuesday, June eleventh, My dear Cassandra,
• 1:25:15
  your letter yesterday made me very happy. I am heartily glad that you
• 1:25:18
  have escaped any share of the impurity as a dean, and not sorry as
• 1:25:23
  it turns out that our stay here has been lengthened. I feel tolerably secure
• 1:25:27
  of our getting away next week, though it is certainly possible that we may
• 1:25:30
  remain till Thursday the twenty seventh. I wonder what we shall do with all
• 1:25:34
  our intended visits this summer. I should like to make a compromise with Alderstrop
• 1:25:40
  Hardened bookm that Martha's spending the summer at Steventon should be considered as our respective
• 1:25:45
  visits to them all. Edward has been pretty well for this last week,
• 1:25:48
  and as the waters have never disagreed with him in any respect, we are
• 1:25:53
  inclined to hope that he will derive advantage from them in the end. Everybody
• 1:25:57
  encourages us in this expectation, for they all say that the effects of the
• 1:26:00
  waters cannot be negative, and many are the instances in which their benefit is
• 1:26:04
  felt afterwards, more than on the spot. He is more comfortable here than
• 1:26:10
  I thought he would be, and so as Elizabeth. Though they will both
• 1:26:14
  I believe be very glad to get away the latter, especially which one can't
• 1:26:17
  wonder at somehow so much for missus Piozzi. I had some thoughts of writing
• 1:26:24
  the whole of my letter in her style, but I believe I shall not.
• 1:26:29
  Though you have given me unlimited powers concerning your sprig, I cannot determine
• 1:26:32
  what to do about it, and shall therefore, in this and in every
• 1:26:35
  other future letter continue to ask your further directions. We have been to the
• 1:26:41
  cheap shop, and very cheap we found it. But there are only flowers
• 1:26:45
  made there, no fruit. And as I could get four or five very
• 1:26:48
  pretty sprigs of the former for the same money which would procure only one,
• 1:26:53
  or as en plum, in short, could get more for three or four
• 1:26:57
  shillings than I could have means of bringing home. I cannot decide on the
• 1:27:00
  fruit till I hear from you again. Besides, I cannot help thinking that
• 1:27:04
  it is more natural to have flowers gro out of the head than fruit.
• 1:27:09
  What do you think on that subject? I would not let Martha read first
• 1:27:14
  impressions again upon any account, and am very glad that I did not leave
• 1:27:17
  it in your power. She is very cunning, but I saw through her
• 1:27:21
  design. She means to publish it from memory, and one more perusal must
• 1:27:27
  enable her to do it. As for fitz Albini, when I get home,
• 1:27:31
  she shall have it as soon as she ever will own that mister Elliot
• 1:27:34
  is handsomer than mister Lance, that fair men are preferable to black. For
• 1:27:39
  I mean to take every opportunity of routing out her prejudices. Benjamin Portal is
• 1:27:45
  here. How charming that is? I do not know exactly why, but
• 1:27:49
  the phrase followed so naturally that I could not help putting it down. My
• 1:27:54
  mother saw him the other day, but without making herself known to him.
• 1:27:58
  I am very glad you liked my life, and so are you, and
• 1:28:01
  so is Martha, and we are all glad together. I have got your
• 1:28:05
  cloak home which is quite delightful, as delightful at least as half the circumstances
• 1:28:11
  which are called So. I do not know what is the matter with me
• 1:28:15
  to day, but I cannot write quietly. I am always wandering away into
• 1:28:18
  some exclamation or other. Fortunately I have nothing very particular to say. We
• 1:28:25
  walked to Western one evening last week, and I liked it very much.
• 1:28:30
  Liked what very much Western? No walking to Western. I have not expressed
• 1:28:36
  myself properly, but I hope you'll understand me. We have not been to
• 1:28:42
  any public place lately, nor performed anything out of the common daily routine of
• 1:28:46
  number thirteen Queen Square bath. But to day we were to have dashed away
• 1:28:51
  at a very extraordinary rate by dining out, had it not so happened that
• 1:28:56
  we did not go Edwin renewed his acquaintance lately with mister Evelin, who lives
• 1:29:00
  in the Queen's Parade, and was invited to a family dinner, which I
• 1:29:04
  believe at first Elizabeth was rather sorry at his accepting. But yesterday missus Evelyn
• 1:29:10
  called on us, and her manners were so pleasing that we liked the idea
• 1:29:14
  of going very much. The bigs would call her a nice woman. But
• 1:29:18
  mister Evelin, who is indisposed yesterday, is worse to day, and we
• 1:29:23
  are put off. It is rather impertinent to suggest any household care to a
• 1:29:29
  housekeeper. But I just vanted to say that the coffee mill we wanted every
• 1:29:32
  day. While Edward is at Steventon, as he always drinks coffee for breakfast.
• 1:29:38
  Fanny desires her love to you, her love to Grandpapa, her love
• 1:29:42
  to Anna, and her love to Hannah. The latter is particularly to be
• 1:29:45
  remembered. Edward desires his love to you, to Grandpapa, to Anna,
• 1:29:50
  to Little Edward, to Aunt James and Uncle James. And he hopes all
• 1:29:55
  your turkeys and ducks and chicken and guinea fowls are very well. And Will
• 1:30:00
  wishes you very much to send him a printed letter, and so does Fanny,
• 1:30:02
  and they both rather think they shall answer it. Doctor Gardner was married
• 1:30:08
  yesterday to missus Percy and her three daughters. Now I will give you the
• 1:30:14
  history of Mary's veil, in the purchase of which I have so considerably involved
• 1:30:17
  you that it is my duty to economize for you. In the flowers.
• 1:30:20
  I had no difficulty in getting a muslin veil for half a guinea, and
• 1:30:25
  not much more. In discovering afterwards that the muslin was thick, dirty and
• 1:30:28
  ragged, and therefore would by no means do for a united gift, I
• 1:30:32
  changed it consequently as soon as I could, And, considering what a state
• 1:30:36
  my imprudence had reduced me to, I thought myself lucky in getting a black
• 1:30:41
  lace one for sixteen shillings. I hope the half of that sum will not
• 1:30:45
  exceed greatly what you had intended to offer upon the altar of sister in law
• 1:30:47
  affection yours affectionately, Jane. They do not seem to trouble you much.
• 1:30:54
  From many down, I have long wanted to quarrel with them, and I
• 1:30:58
  believe I shall take this opportunity. There is no denying that they are very
• 1:31:01
  capricious, for they like to enjoy their elder sister's company when they can.
• 1:31:08
  End of Section seven, Letter seventeen Steventon Thursday, November twentieth, eighteen hundred,
• 1:31:16
  My dear Cassandra, your letter took me quite by surprise this morning.
• 1:31:21
  You are very welcome, however, and I am very much obliged to you.
• 1:31:27
  I believe I drank too much wine last night at Hurstbourne. I know
• 1:31:30
  nought else how to account for the shaking of my hand. To day.
• 1:31:33
  You will kindly make allowance, therefore, for any indistinctness of writing, by
• 1:31:38
  attributing it to this venial error. Naughty Charles did not come on Tuesday,
• 1:31:44
  but good Charles came yesterday morning. About two o'clock. He walked in on
• 1:31:48
  a gosport hack, his feeling equal to such a fatigue as a good sign,
• 1:31:54
  and his feeling no fatigue in it to better still, he walked down
• 1:31:58
  to Dean to dinner. He danced the whole evening, and to day is
• 1:32:00
  no more tired than a gentleman ought to be. Your desiring to hear from
• 1:32:04
  me on Sunday will perhaps bring you a more particular account of the ball than
• 1:32:09
  you may care for, because one is prone to think much more of such
• 1:32:13
  things the morning after they happen than when time has entirely driven them out of
• 1:32:16
  one's recollection. It was a pleasant evening. Charles found it remarkably so.
• 1:32:23
  But I cannot tell why unless the absence of Miss Terry, towards whom his
• 1:32:28
  conscience reproaches him with being now perfectly indifferent, was a relief to him.
• 1:32:32
  There were only twelve dances, of which I danced nine, and was merely
• 1:32:38
  prevented from dancing the rest by the want of a partner. We began at
• 1:32:42
  ten, supped at one, and were at Dean before five. There were
• 1:32:46
  but fifty people in the room, very few families, indeed from our side
• 1:32:50
  of the county, and not many more from the other. My partners were
• 1:32:55
  the two St Johns, Hooper Holder and a very prodigious mister Matthew, with
• 1:33:00
  whom I called the last and whom I liked the best of my little stock.
• 1:33:04
  There were very few beauties, and such as there were were not very
• 1:33:08
  handsome. Miss Eyamonga did not look well, and Missus Blount was the only
• 1:33:13
  one much admired. She appeared exactly as she did in September, with the
• 1:33:16
  same broad face, diamond ban, doux, white shoes, pink husband,
• 1:33:21
  and fat neck. The two miss Coxes were there. I traced in one
• 1:33:27
  the remains of the vulgar, broad featured girl who danced at Enna eight years
• 1:33:30
  ago. The other is refined into a nice, composed looking girl like Catherine
• 1:33:34
  Big. I looked at Sir Thomas Champneys and thought of poor Rosalie. I
• 1:33:40
  looked at his daughter and thought her a queer animal with a white neck.
• 1:33:45
  Missus Warren, I was constrained to think a very fine young woman, which
• 1:33:47
  I much regret. She danced away with great activity. Her husband is ugly
• 1:33:54
  enough, uglier even than his cousin John, but he does not look so
• 1:33:58
  very old. The miss Maitland's are both prettyish, very like Anne, with
• 1:34:02
  brown skins, large dark eyes, and a good deal of nose. The
• 1:34:08
  General has got the gout, and Missus Maitland the jaundice. Mister Barry,
• 1:34:13
  Susan and Sallie, all in black but without any statues, made their appearance,
• 1:34:17
  and I was as civil to them miscircumstances would allow me. Mary said
• 1:34:23
  that I looked very well last night. I wore my aunt's gown and handkerchief,
• 1:34:27
  and my hair was at least tidy, which was all my ambition.
• 1:34:30
  I will now have done with the ball, and I will moreover go and
• 1:34:33
  dress for dinner. Farewell. Charles sends you his best love, and Edward
• 1:34:39
  his worst. If you think the distinction improper, you may take the worst
• 1:34:44
  yourself. He will write to you when he gets back to his ship,
• 1:34:46
  and in the meantime, desires that you will consider me as your affectionate sister
• 1:34:51
  j A. Friday. I have determined to go on Thursday, but of
• 1:34:58
  course not before the post comes in. Charles is in very good looks.
• 1:35:01
  Indeed, I had the comfort of finding out the other evening who all the
• 1:35:05
  fat girls with long noses were that disturbed me at the first h ball.
• 1:35:10
  They all proved to be Miss Atkinson's of n I rejoice to say that we
• 1:35:15
  have just had another letter from our dear Frank. It is to you very
• 1:35:17
  short, written from Larnaca in Cyprus, and so lately as October two.
• 1:35:23
  He came from Alexandria and was to return there in three or four days.
• 1:35:27
  Knew nothing of his promotion, and does not write above twenty lines, from
• 1:35:30
  a doubt of the letters ever reaching you, and an idea of all letters
• 1:35:33
  being opened at Vienna. He wrote a few days before to you from Alexandria
• 1:35:38
  by the Mercury sent with despatches to Lord Keith. Another letter must be owing
• 1:35:43
  to us besides this one, if not two, because none of these are
• 1:35:47
  to me. Henry comes to morrow for one night. Only my mother has
• 1:35:53
  heard from missus e Lee Lady say and Sayle and her daughter are going to
• 1:35:57
  remove to Bath. Missus Estwick is married again to a mister Sloane, a
• 1:36:00
  young man under age, without the knowledge of either family. He bears a
• 1:36:04
  good character, however, Letter eighteen steventon Saturday, January third, eighteen o
• 1:36:14
  one, My dear Cassandra, as you have by this time received my last
• 1:36:19
  letter, it is fit that I should begin another, and I begin with
• 1:36:24
  the hope which is at present uppermost in my mind, that you often wore
• 1:36:28
  a white gown in the morning at the time of all the gay parties being
• 1:36:30
  with you. Our visit at ash Park last Wednesday went off in a commisar
• 1:36:35
  way. We met mister Lefroy and Tom Shute, played at cards, and
• 1:36:41
  came home again. James and Mary dined here on the following day, and
• 1:36:45
  at night Henry set off in the mail for London. He was as agreeable
• 1:36:48
  as ever during his visit and has not lost anything in Miss Lloyd's estimation.
• 1:36:54
  Yesterday we were quite alone, only our full selves, But to day the
• 1:36:58
  scene is agreeably very maried by Mary's driving Martha to Basingstoke, and Martha's afterwards
• 1:37:02
  dining at Dean My mother looks forward with as much certainty as you can do
• 1:37:08
  to our keeping two maids. My father is the only one not in the
• 1:37:12
  secret we plan having a steady cook and a young giddy housemaid, with a
• 1:37:16
  sedate middle aged man who is to undertake the double office of husband to the
• 1:37:19
  former and sweetheart to the latter. No children, of course, to be
• 1:37:24
  allowed on either side. You feel more for John Bond than John Bond deserves.
• 1:37:30
  I am sorry to lower his character, but he is not ashamed to
• 1:37:33
  own himself that he is no doubt at all of getting a good place,
• 1:37:36
  and that he had even an offer many years ago from a farmer Pane of
• 1:37:41
  taking him into his service whenever he might quit my father's. There are three
• 1:37:45
  parts of bar which we have thought of as likely to have the houses in
• 1:37:48
  them. Westgate Buildings, Charles Street, and some of the short streets leading
• 1:37:53
  from Laura Place or Pulteney Street. Westgate Buildings, though quite in the lower
• 1:37:58
  part of the town, are not badly so situated themselves. The street is
• 1:38:01
  broad and has rather a good appearance. Charles Street, however, I think
• 1:38:05
  is preferable. The buildings are new, and its nearness to Kingsmead Field would
• 1:38:10
  be a pleasant circumstance. Perhaps you may remember, or perhaps you may forget,
• 1:38:15
  that Charles Street leads from the Queen Square Chapel to the two Green Park
• 1:38:18
  streets. The houses in the streets near Laura Place I should expect to be
• 1:38:24
  above our price. Gay Street would be too high, except only the lower
• 1:38:28
  house on the left hand side, as you ascend towards that. My mother
• 1:38:31
  has no disinclination. It used to be lower rented than any other house in
• 1:38:35
  the row, from some inferiority in the apartments, But above all others,
• 1:38:41
  her wishes are at present fixed on the corner house in Chapel Row, which
• 1:38:44
  opens into Prince's Street. Her knowledge of it, however, is confined only
• 1:38:47
  to the outside, and therefore she is equally uncertain of its being really desirable
• 1:38:53
  as of its being to be had. In the meantime, she assures you
• 1:38:57
  she will do everything in her power to avoid Trim Street, although you have
• 1:39:00
  not expressed the fearful presentiment of it, which was rather expected. We know
• 1:39:05
  that missus Pirat will want to get us into Oxford buildings, but we all
• 1:39:09
  unite in particular dislike of that part of the town, and therefore hope to
• 1:39:13
  escape. Upon all these different situations, you and Edward may confer together,
• 1:39:17
  and your opinion of each will be expected with eagerness. As to our pictures,
• 1:39:23
  the battle piece, mister Libbs, Sir William East, and all the
• 1:39:27
  old heterogeneous miscellany manuscript scriptural pieces dispersed over the house are to be given to
• 1:39:32
  James. Your own drawings will not cease to be your own, and two
• 1:39:35
  paintings on tin will be at your disposal. My mother says that the French
• 1:39:40
  agricultural prints in the best bedroom were given by Edward to his two sisters.
• 1:39:45
  Do you or he know anything about it? She has written to my aunt,
• 1:39:49
  and we are all impatient for the answer. I do not know how
• 1:39:53
  to give up the idea of our both going to Parragon, and may your
• 1:39:57
  going I consider as indispensably necessary, and I or not like being left behind.
• 1:40:01
  There is no place here or hereabouts that I shall want to be staying
• 1:40:04
  at. And though to be sure the keep of two will be more than
• 1:40:06
  one, I will endeavor to make the difference less by disordering my stomach with
• 1:40:12
  bath buns. And as to the trouble accommodating us, whether there are one
• 1:40:15
  or two. It is much the same. According to the first plan,
• 1:40:20
  my mother and our two selves are to travel down together, and my father
• 1:40:24
  follow us afterwards in about a fortnight or three weeks. We have promised to
• 1:40:29
  spend a couple of days at Ibthorpe. In our way, we must all
• 1:40:31
  meet at Bath, you know, before we set out for the sea,
• 1:40:34
  And everything considered, I think the first plan as good as any. My
• 1:40:40
  father and mother, wisely aware of the difficulty of finding in all Bath such
• 1:40:44
  a bed as their own, have resolved on taking it with them. All
• 1:40:46
  the beds, indeed, that we shall want, are to be removed.
• 1:40:49
  Namely, besides, theirs are own to you the best for a spare one
• 1:40:54
  and two for servants, and these necessary articles will probably be the only material
• 1:40:59
  ones that it would answer to send down. I do not think it will
• 1:41:02
  be worth while to remove any of our chests of drawers. We shall be
• 1:41:05
  able to get some of a much more commodious sort, made of deal and
• 1:41:09
  painted to look very neat, And I flatter myself that for little comforts of
• 1:41:13
  all kinds, our apartment will be one of the most complete things of the
• 1:41:15
  sort all over Bath Bristol included. We have thought at times of removing the
• 1:41:21
  sideboard, or a pembroke table, or some other piece of furniture, But
• 1:41:27
  upon the whole it has ended in thinking that the trouble and risk of the
• 1:41:30
  removal would be more than the advantage of having at a place where everything may
• 1:41:33
  be purchased. Pray, send your opinion. Martha has as good as promise
• 1:41:39
  to come to us again in March. Her spirits are better than they were.
• 1:41:44
  My mother bargains for having no trouble at all in furnishing our house in
• 1:41:46
  Bath, and I am engaged for your willingly undertaking to do at all.
• 1:41:50
  I get more and more reconciled to the idea of our removal. We have
• 1:41:55
  lived long enough in this neighborhood. The Basingstoke balls are certainly on the decline.
• 1:41:59
  There is something very interesting in the bustle of going away, and the
• 1:42:01
  prospect of spending future summers by the sea or in Wales is very delightful.
• 1:42:08
  For a time we shall now possess many of the advantages which I have often
• 1:42:11
  thought of with envy in the wives of sailors or soldiers. It must not
• 1:42:15
  be generally known, however, that I am not sacrificing a great deal in
• 1:42:17
  quitting the country, or I can expect to inspire no tenderness, no interest
• 1:42:23
  in those we leave behind. Yours affectionately, j A. End of Section
• 1:42:30
  eight, letter nineteen Steventon Thursday January eighth, My dear Cassandra. The perhaps
• 1:42:43
  which concluded my last letter being only a perhaps, will not occasion your being
• 1:42:48
  overpowered with surprise. I dare say if you should receive this before Tuesday,
• 1:42:54
  which, unless circumstances are very perverse, will be the case. I received
• 1:43:00
  yours with much general philanthropy and still more peculiar goodwill two days ago, and
• 1:43:05
  I suppose I need not tell you that it was very long, being written
• 1:43:10
  on a full scap sheet, and very entertaining being written by you. Mister
• 1:43:15
  Payne has been dead long enough for Henry to be out of mourning for him
• 1:43:18
  before his last visit, though we knew nothing of it till about that time.
• 1:43:24
  Why he died, or of what complaint, or to what noblemen he
• 1:43:28
  bequeathed his four daughters in marriage we have not heard. I am glad that
• 1:43:33
  the Wildermans are going to give a ball, and I hope you will not
• 1:43:35
  fail to benefit both yourself and me by laying out a few kisses in the
• 1:43:41
  purchase of a franc I believe you are right in proposing to delay the cambric
• 1:43:45
  Muslin, and I submit with a kind of voluntary reluctance. Mister Peter de
• 1:43:50
  Barry has declined dean curacy. He wishes to be settled near London, a
• 1:43:56
  foolish reason, as if Dean were not near Lone in comparison of Exeter or
• 1:44:01
  York. Take the whole world through, and he will find many more places
• 1:44:05
  at a greater distance from London than Dean than he will at a less What
• 1:44:10
  does he think of glen Coe or Lake Catherine. I feel rather indignant that
• 1:44:16
  any possible objection should be raised against so valuable a piece of preferment, so
• 1:44:20
  delightful a situation, that Dean should not be universally allowed to be as near
• 1:44:26
  the metropolis as any other country villages. As this is the case. However,
• 1:44:31
  as mister Peter de Berry has shown himself a Peter in the blackest sense
• 1:44:35
  of the word, be I obliged to look elsewhere for an heir. And
• 1:44:40
  my father has thought it a necessary compliment to James Digweed to offer the curacy
• 1:44:44
  to him, though without considering it as either a desirable or an eligible situation
• 1:44:49
  for him. Unless he is in love with miss Lyford, I think he
• 1:44:54
  had better not be settled exactly in this neighborhood. And unless he is very
• 1:44:58
  much in love with her, indeed, he is not likely to think a
• 1:45:00
  salary of fifty pounds equal in value or efficiency to one of seventy five pounds.
• 1:45:08
  Where you indeed be considered as one of the fixtures of the house,
• 1:45:11
  but you are never actually erected in it, either by mister Egerton Bridges or
• 1:45:15
  missus Lloyd. You are very kind and planning presents for me to make,
• 1:45:20
  and my mother has shown me exactly the same attention. But as I do
• 1:45:25
  not choose to have generosity dictated to me, I shall not resolve on giving
• 1:45:29
  my cabinet to Anna till the first thought of it has been My own.
• 1:45:32
  Sidmouth is now talked of as our summer abode. Get all the information therefore
• 1:45:38
  about it that you can from missus c Cage. My father's old ministers are
• 1:45:43
  already deserting him to pay their court to his son, the Brown Mare,
• 1:45:47
  which as well as the Black was to devolve on James at our removal,
• 1:45:51
  has not had patience to wait for that, and has settled herself even now
• 1:45:56
  at Dean. The death of Hugh Capet, which like that of mister Skipsey,
• 1:46:00
  though undesired, was not wholly unexpected. Being purposely affected, has made
• 1:46:06
  the immediate possession of the Mayor very convenient, and everything else I suppose will
• 1:46:11
  be seized by degrees in the same manner. Martha and I work at the
• 1:46:15
  books every day. Yours affectionately, J A letter twenty steventon Wednesday, January
• 1:46:27
  fourteenth, Poor Miss Austen, it appears to me that I have rather oppressed
• 1:46:32
  you of late by the frequency of my letters. You had hoped not to
• 1:46:36
  hear from me again before Tuesday, but Sunday showed you with what a merciless
• 1:46:41
  sister you had to deal. I cannot recall the past, but you shall
• 1:46:45
  not hear from me quite so often in future. Your letter to Mary was
• 1:46:49
  duly received before she left Dean with Martha yesterday morning, and it gives us
• 1:46:55
  great pleasure to know that the Chill and Ball were so agreeable, and that
• 1:46:58
  you danced forward dances with mister Kemball desirable. However, as the latter circumstance
• 1:47:03
  was I cannot help but wonder at its taking place. Why did you dance
• 1:47:10
  four dances with so stupid a man? Why not rather dance two of them
• 1:47:15
  with some elegant brother officer who was struck with your appearance. As soon as
• 1:47:17
  you entered the room, Martha left you her best love. She will write
• 1:47:23
  to you herself in a short time, But trusting to my memory rather than
• 1:47:27
  her own, she has nevertheless desired me to ask you to purchase for her
• 1:47:30
  two bottles of Steel's lavender water when you are in town, provided you should
• 1:47:35
  go to the shop on your own account. Otherwise you may be sure that
• 1:47:39
  she would not have you recollect the request. James dined with us yesterday,
• 1:47:44
  wrote to Edward in the evening, filled three sides of paper, every line
• 1:47:47
  inclining too much towards the northeast, and the very first line of all scratched
• 1:47:51
  out. And this morning he joins his lady in the fields of Elysium and
• 1:47:56
  Ibthorpe. Last Friday was a very busy day. Thus we are visited by
• 1:48:00
  Miss Lyford and mister Bale. The latter began his operations in the house,
• 1:48:04
  but had only time to finish the four sitting rooms. The rest is deferred
• 1:48:09
  till the spring is more advanced and the days longer. He took his paper
• 1:48:14
  of appraisement away with him, and therefore we only know the estimate he is
• 1:48:17
  made of one or two articles of furniture, which my father particularly inquired into.
• 1:48:23
  I understand, however, that he was of opinion that the whole would
• 1:48:26
  amount to more than two hundred pounds, and it is not imagined that this
• 1:48:30
  will comprehend the brew house and many other et cetera, et cetera. Miss
• 1:48:35
  Lyford was very pleasant and gave my mother such an account of the houses in
• 1:48:40
  Westgate Buildings, where missus Lyford lodged four years ago, as made her think
• 1:48:44
  of a situation there with great pleasure. But your opposition will be without difficulty
• 1:48:48
  decisive. And my father, in particular, who was very well inclined towards
• 1:48:53
  the row before, has now ceased to think of it entirely. At present,
• 1:48:57
  the environs of Laura Place seemed to be his choice. His views on
• 1:49:01
  the subject are much advanced since I came home. He grows quite ambitious,
• 1:49:05
  and actually requires now comfortable and accreditable looking house on Saturday, Miss Life had
• 1:49:12
  went to her long home, that is to say, it was a long
• 1:49:15
  way off. And soon afterwards a party of fine ladies, issuing from a
• 1:49:18
  well known commodious green vehicle, their heads full of bantam cocks and galleys,
• 1:49:24
  entered the house. Missus Heathcote, Missus Harwood, Missus James Austen, Miss
• 1:49:29
  Big Miss Jane Blackford. Hardly a day passes in which we do not have
• 1:49:33
  some visitor or other. Yesterday came Missus Bramston, who is very sorry that
• 1:49:39
  she is to lose us. And afterwards mister Holder, who was shut up
• 1:49:43
  for an hour with my father and James in a most awful manner. John
• 1:49:46
  bond Eta Louis, Letter twenty one steventon Wednesday, January twenty first, expect
• 1:49:57
  a most agreeable letter for not being overburdened with subject, having nothing at all
• 1:50:02
  to say. I shall have no check to my genius from beginning to end
• 1:50:08
  well. And so Prank's letter has made you very happy. But you are
• 1:50:12
  afraid he would not have patience to stay for the Harlem, which you wished
• 1:50:15
  him to have done, as being safer than the merchantman poor fellow to wait
• 1:50:19
  from the middle of November to the end of December, and perhaps even longer.
• 1:50:24
  It must be sad work, especially in a place where the ink is
• 1:50:27
  so abominably pale. What a surprise to him it must have been on October
• 1:50:31
  twentieth to be visited, collared, and thrust out of the petrol by Captain
• 1:50:35
  Ingliss. He kindly passes over the poignancy of his feelings in quitting his ship,
• 1:50:41
  his officers, and his men. What a pity it is that he
• 1:50:45
  should not be in England at the time of his promotion, because he certainly
• 1:50:48
  would have had an appointment, so everybody says, and therefore it must be
• 1:50:53
  right for me to say it too. Had he really been here, the
• 1:50:57
  certainty of the appointment, I dare say, would not have been half so
• 1:51:00
  great. But as it could not be brought to the proof, his absence
• 1:51:03
  will always be a lucky source of regret. Eliza talks of having read in
• 1:51:09
  a newspaper that all the first lieutenants of the frigates whose captains were to be
• 1:51:13
  sent into line of battleships were to be promoted to the ranks of commanders.
• 1:51:16
  If it be true, mister Valentine may afford himself a fine valentine'sknot, and
• 1:51:23
  Charles may perhaps become first of the Endymion, though I suppose Captain Durham is
• 1:51:27
  too likely to bring a villain with him under that denomination. The neighborhood has
• 1:51:31
  quite recovered the death of Missus Rider, so much so that I think they
• 1:51:35
  are rather rejoiced at it now. Her things were so very dear, and
• 1:51:40
  Missus Rogers is to be all that is desirable. Not even death itself can
• 1:51:45
  fix the friendship of the world. The Wilmots being robbed must be an amusing
• 1:51:49
  thing to their acquaintance, and I hope it is as much their pleasure as
• 1:51:54
  it seems their avocation to be subjects of general entertainment. I have a great
• 1:51:59
  mind not to acknowledge the proceipt of your letter, which I have just had
• 1:52:02
  the pleasure of reading, because I am so ashamed to compare the sprawling lines
• 1:52:06
  of this with it. But if I say all that I have to say,
• 1:52:11
  I hope I have no reason to hang myself. Why did not j
• 1:52:15
  D make his proposals to you? I suppose he went to see the cathedral
• 1:52:18
  that he might know how he should like to be married in it. End
• 1:52:24
  of section nine. Letter twenty two, Southampton, Wednesday, January seventh,
• 1:52:32
  eighteen o seven. My dear Cassandra, you are mistaken in supposing I should
• 1:52:39
  expect your letter on Sunday. I had no idea of hearing from you before
• 1:52:43
  Tuesday, and my pleasure yesterday was therefore unhurt by any previous disappointment. I
• 1:52:49
  thank you for writing so much. You must really have sent me the value
• 1:52:55
  of two letters and one. We are extremely glad to hear that Elizabeth is
• 1:53:00
  so much better, and hope you will be sensible of still further amendment in
• 1:53:03
  her when you return from Canterbury. Of your visit there, I must now
• 1:53:09
  speak incessantly. It surprises but pleases me more, and I consider it as
• 1:53:15
  a very just and honorable distinction of you, and not less to the credit
• 1:53:19
  of missus Knight. I have no doubt of your spending your time with her
• 1:53:24
  most pleasantly in quiet and rational conversation, and am so far from thinking her
• 1:53:29
  expectations of you will be deceived that my only fear is of your being so
• 1:53:33
  agreeable and so much to her taste as to make her wish to keep you
• 1:53:38
  with her forever. If that should be the case, we must remove to
• 1:53:43
  Canterbury, which I should not like so well as Southampton. When you receive
• 1:53:48
  this, our guests will be all gone or going, and I shall be
• 1:53:54
  left to the comfortable disposal of my time, to ease of mind from the
• 1:53:58
  torments of rice pudding and apple dumplings, and probably to regret that I did
• 1:54:02
  not take more pains to please them all. Missus j Austen has asked me
• 1:54:08
  to return with her to Steventon. I need not give my answer, and
• 1:54:12
  she has invited my mother to spend there the time of Missus f A's confinement,
• 1:54:16
  which she seems half inclined to do. A few days ago I had
• 1:54:20
  a letter from Miss Irvine, and as I was in her debt, you
• 1:54:25
  will guess it to be a remonstrance, not a very severe one. However,
• 1:54:30
  the first page is in her usual retrospective, jealous, inconsistent style,
• 1:54:34
  but the remainder is chatty and harmless. She supposes my silence may have proceeded
• 1:54:41
  from resentment of her not having written to inquire, particularly after my whooping cough,
• 1:54:45
  et cetera. She is a funny one. I have answered her letter
• 1:54:50
  and have endeavored to give something like the truth with as little incivility as I
• 1:54:55
  could, by placing my silence to the want of subject. In the very
• 1:55:00
  quiet way in which we live. Phoebe has repented and stays. I have
• 1:55:05
  also written to Charles, and I answered Miss Buller's letter by return of post.
• 1:55:11
  As I intended to tell you in my last two or three things I
• 1:55:15
  recollected when it was too late that I might have told you. One is
• 1:55:19
  that the Welbys have lost their eldest son by a putrid fever at Eton,
• 1:55:25
  and another that tom Shot is going to settle in Norfolk. You have scarcely
• 1:55:30
  ever mentioned Lizzie since your being at Godmisham. I hope it is not because
• 1:55:34
  she is altered for the worse. I cannot yet satisfy Fanny as to missus
• 1:55:40
  Foote's baby's name, and I must not encourage her to expect a good one.
• 1:55:44
  As Captain Foote is a professed adversary to all but the plainest. He
• 1:55:48
  likes only Mary Elizabeth Anne, et cetera. Our best chance is of Caroline,
• 1:55:56
  which, in compliment to a sister, seems the only exception. He
• 1:56:00
  dined with us on Friday and I fear will not soon venture again, for
• 1:56:04
  the strength of our dinner was a boiled leg of mutton, underdone even for
• 1:56:09
  James, and Captain Foote has a particular dislike to underdone mutton. But he
• 1:56:15
  was so good humored and pleasant that I did not much mind his being starved.
• 1:56:19
  He gives us all the most cordial invitation to his house in the country,
• 1:56:24
  saying just what the williams ought to say to make us welcome of them.
• 1:56:28
  We have seen nothing since you left us, and we hear that they
• 1:56:30
  are just gone to bath again to be out of the way of further alterations
• 1:56:34
  at Brooklyn's. Missus f A has had a very agreeable letter from Missus Dixon,
• 1:56:41
  who is delighted with the purse and desires her not to provide herself with
• 1:56:44
  a christening dress, which is exactly what her young correspondent wanted, and she
• 1:56:48
  means to defer making any of the caps as long as she can, in
• 1:56:51
  hope of having Missus D's present in time to be serviceable as a pattern.
• 1:56:57
  She desires me to tell you that the gowns were cut out before your letter
• 1:57:00
  arrived, but that they are long enough for Caroline. The beds as I
• 1:57:04
  believe they are called, have fallen to frank share to continue, and of
• 1:57:08
  course are cut out to admiration. Alphonsine did not do. We were disgusted
• 1:57:15
  in twenty pages as independent of a bad translation. It has indelicacies which disgrace
• 1:57:23
  a pen hitherto so pure, And we changed it for the female Quixote,
• 1:57:27
  which now makes our evening amusement to me a very high one, as I
• 1:57:31
  find the work quite equal to what I remembered it. Missus Effe, to
• 1:57:35
  whom it is new, enjoys it as one could wish. The other.
• 1:57:40
  Mary, I believe, has little pleasure from that or any book. My
• 1:57:45
  mother does not seem at all more disappointed than ourselves at the termination of the
• 1:57:48
  family treaty. She thinks less of that just now than of the comfortable state
• 1:57:53
  of her own finances, which she finds on closing her year's accounts beyond her
• 1:57:58
  expectation. As she now begins the new year with a balance of thirty pounds
• 1:58:01
  in her favor, and when she has written her answer to my aunt,
• 1:58:05
  which you know always hangs a little upon her mind, she will be above
• 1:58:10
  the world entirely. You will have a great deal of unreserved discourse with missus
• 1:58:14
  kay, I dare say upon this subject, as well as upon many other
• 1:58:16
  of our family matters abuse everybody but me Thursday. We expected James yesterday,
• 1:58:27
  but he did not come. If he comes at all now, his visit
• 1:58:30
  will be a very short one, as he must return to morrow that Ajax
• 1:58:34
  and the chair may be sent to Winchester on Saturday. Caroline's new police depended
• 1:58:40
  upon her mother's being able or not to come so far in the chair.
• 1:58:44
  How the guinea that will be saved by the same means of return is to
• 1:58:46
  be spent I know not. Missus j A does not talk much of poverty
• 1:58:51
  now, though she has no hope of my brother's being able to buy another
• 1:58:55
  horse next summer. Their scheme against Warwickshire continue news, but I doubt the
• 1:59:00
  family's being at Stoneley so early as James says he must go, which is
• 1:59:04
  may My mother is afraid I have not been explicit enough on the subject of
• 1:59:09
  her wealth. She began eighteen o six with sixty eight pounds. She begins
• 1:59:14
  eighteen o seven with ninety nine pounds, and this after thirty two pounds purchase
• 1:59:18
  of stock. Frank too has been settling his accounts and making calculations, and
• 1:59:24
  each party feels quite equal to our present expenses. But much increase of house
• 1:59:29
  rent would not do for either. Frank limits himself, I believe to four
• 1:59:33
  hundred a year. You will be surprised to hear that Jenny has not yet
• 1:59:38
  come back. We have heard nothing of her since her reaching itchings well,
• 1:59:42
  and I can only suppose that she must be detained by illness in somebody or
• 1:59:45
  other than that she has been each day expecting to be able to come on
• 1:59:48
  the morrow. I am glad I did not know beforehand that she was to
• 1:59:53
  be absent during the whole or almost the whole, of our friends being with
• 1:59:56
  us. For though the inconvenience has not been nothing, I should have feared
• 2:00:00
  still more. Our dinners have certainly suffered not a little by having only Molly's
• 2:00:05
  head and Molly's hands to conduct them. She fries better than she did,
• 2:00:11
  but not like Jenny. We did not take our walk on Friday. It
• 2:00:15
  was too dirty, nor have we yet done it. We may perhaps do
• 2:00:19
  something like it to day, as after seeing Frank skate, which he hopes
• 2:00:24
  to do in the meadows by the beach, we are to treat ourselves with
• 2:00:28
  the passage over the ferry. It is one of the pleasantest frosts I ever
• 2:00:31
  knew, so very quiet. I hope it will last some time longer for
• 2:00:35
  Frank's sake, who is quite anxious to get some skating. He tried yesterday,
• 2:00:41
  but it would not do. Our acquaintance increased too fast. He was
• 2:00:45
  recognized lately by Admiral Bertie, and a few days since arrived the Admiral and
• 2:00:50
  his daughter Catherine to wait upon us. There was nothing to like or dislike
• 2:00:56
  in either. To the Berties are to be added the Lances with whose cards
• 2:01:00
  we have been endowed, and whose visit Frank and I returned yesterday. They
• 2:01:04
  live about a mile and three quarters from s to the right of the new
• 2:01:08
  road to Portsmouth, and I believe their house is one of those which are
• 2:01:12
  to be seen almost anywhere among the woods on the other side of the Itchen.
• 2:01:15
  It is a handsome building, stands high and in a very beautiful situation.
• 2:01:20
  We found only missus Lance at home, and whether she boasts any offspring
• 2:01:25
  besides a grand pianoforte did not appear. She was civil and chatty enough,
• 2:01:30
  and offered to introduce us to some acquaintance in Southampton, which we gratefully declined.
• 2:01:36
  I suppose they must be acting by the orders of mister Lance of Netherton
• 2:01:41
  in this civility, as there seems no other reason for their coming near us.
• 2:01:45
  They will not come often. I dare say. They live in a
• 2:01:47
  handsome style and a rich and she seemed to like to be rich, and
• 2:01:51
  we gave her to understand that we were far from being so. She will
• 2:01:56
  soon feel, therefore that we are not worth her acquaintance. You must have
• 2:02:00
  heard from Martha by this time. We have had no accounts of Kinsbury since
• 2:02:03
  her letter to me. Missus f A has had one fainting fit lately.
• 2:02:09
  It came on as usual after eating a hearty dinner, but did not last
• 2:02:13
  long. I can recollect nothing more to say. When my letter is gone,
• 2:02:18
  I suppose I shall yours affectionately, j A. I have just asked
• 2:02:25
  Caroline if I should send her love to her guard Mamma, to which she
• 2:02:28
  answered yes. Letter twenty three, Southampton, February eighth. Our garden is
• 2:02:39
  putting in order by a man who bears a remarkably good character, but has
• 2:02:43
  a very fine complexion, and asks something less than the first. The shrubs
• 2:02:47
  which border the gravel walk, he says, are only sweet briar and roses,
• 2:02:51
  and the latter of an indifferent sort. We mean to get a few
• 2:02:55
  of a better kind. Therefore, and at my own particular desire, he
• 2:02:59
  procures some syringas I could not do without a syringa for the sake of Cowper's
• 2:03:04
  line. We talk also of a laburnum. The border under the terrace wall
• 2:03:10
  is clearing away to receive currants and gooseberry bushes, and a spot is found
• 2:03:14
  very proper for raspberries. The alterations and improvements within doors, too, advance
• 2:03:19
  very properly, and the offices will be made very convenient. Indeed, our
• 2:03:25
  dressing table is constructing on the spot out of a large kitchen table belonging to
• 2:03:29
  the house, for doing which we have permission of mister Huskett, Lord Lansdowne's
• 2:03:33
  painter, domestic painter, I should call him, for he lives in the
• 2:03:38
  castle. Domestic chaplains have given way to this more necessary office, and I
• 2:03:43
  suppose whenever the walls want no touching up, he is employed about my lady's
• 2:03:47
  face. The morning was so wet that I was afraid we should not be
• 2:03:53
  able to see our little visitor, But Frank, who alone could go to
• 2:03:57
  church, called for her after service, and she is now talking away at
• 2:04:00
  my side and examining the treasures of my writing desk drawers. Very happy,
• 2:04:04
  I believe, not at all shy, of course. Her name is Catherine,
• 2:04:11
  and her sisters Caroline. She is something like a brother, and as
• 2:04:15
  sure for her age, but not so well looking. What has become of
• 2:04:19
  all the shyness in the world, Moral as well as natural diseases disappear in
• 2:04:24
  the progress of time, and new ones take their place. Shyness and the
• 2:04:29
  sweating sickness have given way to confidence and paralytic complaints. Evening, our little
• 2:04:38
  visitor has just left us, and left us highly pleased with her. She
• 2:04:43
  is a nice, natural, open hearted, affectionate girl, with all the
• 2:04:46
  ready civility which one sees in the best children in the present day, so
• 2:04:50
  unlike anything that I was myself at her age, and I am often all
• 2:04:55
  astonishment and shame. Half a time was spent as billikens I consider as a
• 2:05:00
  very valuable part of our household furniture, and is not the least important benefaction
• 2:05:04
  from the family of Knight to that of Austen. But I must tell you
• 2:05:10
  a story. Mary has for some time had notice from Missus Dixon of the
• 2:05:15
  intended arrival of a certain Miss Fowler in this place. Miss E f is
• 2:05:18
  an intimate friend of Missus d and a good deal known as such to Mary.
• 2:05:24
  On Thursday last she called here while we were out. Mary found on
• 2:05:28
  our return her card with only her name on it, and she had left
• 2:05:31
  word that she would call again. The particularity of this made us talk,
• 2:05:36
  and among our other conjectures, Frank said, in joke, I daresay she
• 2:05:41
  is staying with the Pearsons. The connection of the name struck Mary, and
• 2:05:45
  she immediately recollected Miss Fowler's having been very intimate with persons so called. And
• 2:05:50
  upon putting everything together, we have scarcely a doubt of her being actually staying
• 2:05:56
  with the only family in the place whom we cannot visit. What a contretant
• 2:06:01
  in the language of France, What an unluckiness in that of Madame Duvaus.
• 2:06:06
  The black gentleman has certainly employed one of his menial imps to bring about this
• 2:06:11
  complete, though trifling mischief. Miss E f has never called again, But
• 2:06:15
  we are in daily expectation of it. Miss p has, of course given
• 2:06:20
  her a proper understanding of the business. It is evident that Miss f did
• 2:06:24
  not expect or wish to have the visit returned. And Frank is quite as
• 2:06:28
  much on his guard for his wife as we could desire for her sake or
• 2:06:31
  our own. We shall rejoice in being so near Winchester when Edward belongs to
• 2:06:36
  it, and can never have our spare bed filled. More to our satisfaction
• 2:06:40
  than by him does he leave eltonm At Easter. We are reading at Clarentine
• 2:06:45
  and are surprise to find how foolish it is. I remember liking it much
• 2:06:49
  less on a second reading than at the first, and it does not bear
• 2:06:54
  a third at all. It is full of unnatural conduct and force difficulties,
• 2:06:59
  without striking merit of any kind. Miss Harrison is going into Devonshire to attend
• 2:07:04
  Missus Dunstantoy as usual. Miss Jay is married to young mister g and is
• 2:07:10
  to be very unhappy. He swears drinks, is cross, jealous, selfish
• 2:07:15
  and brutal. The match makes a family miserable and has occasioned his being disinherited.
• 2:07:21
  The Browns are added to our list of acquaintance. He commands the sea
• 2:07:26
  fencibles here under Sir Thomas, and was introduced at his own desire by the
• 2:07:30
  latter when we saw him last week. As yet the gentlemen only have visited
• 2:07:34
  as Missus b is ill, but she is a nice looking woman and wears
• 2:07:40
  one of the prettiest straw bonnets in the place. Monday, the garret beds
• 2:07:45
  are made, and ours will be finished to day. I had hoped it
• 2:07:48
  would be finished on Saturday, but neither Missus Hall nor Jenny was able to
• 2:07:53
  give help enough for that, and I have as yet done very little,
• 2:07:57
  and Mary nothing at all. This week we shall do more, and I
• 2:08:01
  should like to have all the five beds completed by the end of it.
• 2:08:05
  There will then be the window curtains, sofa cover and a carpet to be
• 2:08:09
  altered. I should not be surprised if we were to be visited by James
• 2:08:13
  again this week. He gave us reason to expect him soon, and if
• 2:08:18
  they go to Eversley, he cannot come next week there. I flatter myself.
• 2:08:22
  I have constructed you a smartish letter considering my want of materials, But
• 2:08:28
  like my dear doctor Johnson, I believe I have dealt more in notions than
• 2:08:31
  facts. I hope your cough is gone and that you are otherwise well,
• 2:08:37
  and remain with love, Yours affectionately, j A. End of Section ten,
• 2:08:46
  Letter twenty four Godmisham, Wednesday, June fifteenth, eighteen o eight.
• 2:08:54
  My dear Cassandra, Where shall I begin? Which of all my important nothing
• 2:09:00
  shall I tell you? First? At half after seven yesterday morning, Henry
• 2:09:05
  saw us in our own carriage, and we drove away from the Bath Hotel,
• 2:09:09
  which by the bye had been found most uncomfortable quarters, very dirty,
• 2:09:15
  very noisy, and very ill provided. James began his journey by the coach
• 2:09:20
  at five. Our first eight miles were hot. Deptford Hill brought to my
• 2:09:26
  mind our hot journey into Kent fourteen years ago. But after Blackheath we suffered
• 2:09:31
  nothing, and as the day advanced it grew quite cool. At Dartford,
• 2:09:37
  which we reached within the two hours and three quarters, we went to the
• 2:09:41
  Bull, the same inn at which we breakfasted in that said journey, and
• 2:09:45
  on the present occasion had about the same bad butter. At half past ten
• 2:09:50
  we were again off and traveling on without any adventure, reached Sittingbourne. By
• 2:09:56
  three Daniel was watching for us at the door of the Jor, and I
• 2:10:01
  was acknowledged very kindly by mister and Missus Marshall, to the latter of whom
• 2:10:05
  I devoted my conversation while Mary went out to buy some gloves. A few
• 2:10:09
  minutes, of course, did for Sittingbourne, and so off we drove,
• 2:10:13
  drove, drove, and by six o'clock were at Godmisham. Our two brothers
• 2:10:18
  were walking before the house as we approached, as natural as life. Fanny
• 2:10:24
  and Lizzie met us in the hall with a great deal of pleasant joy.
• 2:10:28
  We went for a few minutes into the breakfast parlor, and then proceeded to
• 2:10:31
  our rooms. Mary has the hall chamber. I am in the Yellow room,
• 2:10:37
  very literally, for I am writing in it. At this moment.
• 2:10:41
  It seems odd to me to have such a place all to myself, and
• 2:10:43
  to be at Godmisham without you was also odd. You are wished for,
• 2:10:48
  I assure you. Fanny, who came to me as soon as she had
• 2:10:52
  seen her Aunt James to her room and stayed while I dressed, was as
• 2:10:56
  energetic as usual in her longings for you. She is grown both in height
• 2:11:01
  and sizhe since last year, but not immoderately, looks very well and seems
• 2:11:07
  as to conduct and manner just what she was and what one could wish her
• 2:11:11
  to continue. Elizabeth, who was dressing when we arrived, came to me
• 2:11:16
  for a minute, attended by mary Anne, Charles and Louisa, and you
• 2:11:20
  will, not doubt gave me a very affectionate welcome that I had received such
• 2:11:26
  from Edward. Also, I need not mention, but I do, you
• 2:11:30
  see, because it is a pleasure. I never saw him look in better
• 2:11:33
  health, and Fanny says he is perfectly well. I cannot praise Elizabeth's looks,
• 2:11:39
  but they are probably affected by a cold. Her little namesake has gained
• 2:11:45
  in beauty in the last three years, though not all that mary Anne has
• 2:11:48
  lost. Charles is not quite so lovely as he was, Louisa as much
• 2:11:54
  as I expected, and Cassandra I find handsome than I expected, though at
• 2:11:58
  present disguised by such a violent breaking out that she does not come down after
• 2:12:03
  dinner. She has charming eyes and a nice open countenance, and seems likely
• 2:12:09
  to be very lovable. Her size is magnificent. I was agreeably surprised to
• 2:12:15
  find Louisa Bridges still here. She looks remarkably well. Legacies are very wholesome
• 2:12:20
  diet, and is just what she always was. John, is it,
• 2:12:26
  Sandling? You may fancy our dinner party, therefore Fanny of course belonging to
• 2:12:31
  it, and little Edward for that day he was almost too happy. His
• 2:12:37
  happiness at least made him too talkative. It has struck ten. I must
• 2:12:41
  go to breakfast. Since breakfast I have had a tete a tete with Edward
• 2:12:46
  in his room. He wanted to know James's plans and mine, and from
• 2:12:52
  what his own now are. I think it already nearly certain that I shall
• 2:12:56
  return when they do, though not with them. Edward will be going about
• 2:13:01
  the same time to Alton, where he is business with mister Trimmer, and
• 2:13:03
  where he means his son should join him, and I shall probably be his
• 2:13:07
  companion to that place, and get on afterwards somehow or other. I should
• 2:13:13
  have preferred a rather longer stay here, certainly, but there is no prospect
• 2:13:16
  of any later conveyance for me, as he does not mean to accompany Edward
• 2:13:20
  on his return to Winchester. From a very natural unwillingness to leave Elizabeth at
• 2:13:24
  that time, I shall, at any rate be glad not to be obliged
• 2:13:28
  to be an encumbrance on those who have brought me here, For as James
• 2:13:31
  has no horse, I must feel in their carriage that I am taking his
• 2:13:35
  place. We were rather crowded yesterday, though it does not become me to
• 2:13:41
  say so, as I and my boa were of the party. And it
• 2:13:45
  is not to be supposed but that a child of three years of age was
• 2:13:48
  fidgety. I need scarcely beg you to keep all this to yourself, lest
• 2:13:52
  it should get round by Anna's means. She is very kindly inquired after by
• 2:13:58
  her friends here, who all forget her not coming with her father and mother.
• 2:14:03
  I left Henry, I hope, free from his tiresome complaint. In
• 2:14:07
  other respects well, and thinking with great pleasure of Cheltenham and Stoneleigh. The
• 2:14:13
  brewery scheme is quite at an end. At a meeting of the subscribers last
• 2:14:16
  week it was by General and I believe very hearty consent dissolved. The country
• 2:14:22
  is very beautiful, I saw as much as ever to admire in my yesterday's
• 2:14:26
  journey letter, twenty five Castle Square, October thirteenth, My dearest Cassandra,
• 2:14:39
  I have received your letter, and with most melancholy anxiety was it expected for
• 2:14:46
  the sad news reached us last night, but without any particulars. It came
• 2:14:50
  in a short letter to Martha from her sister, began at Steventon and finished
• 2:14:56
  in Winchester. We have felt, we do feel for you all as you
• 2:15:01
  will not need to be told for you, for Fanny, for Henry,
• 2:15:05
  for Lady Bridges, and for dearest Edward, whose loss and whose suffering seem
• 2:15:11
  to make those of every other person nothing. God be praised that you can
• 2:15:16
  say what you do of him, that he has a religious mind to bear
• 2:15:18
  him up, and a disposition that will gradually lead him to comfort. My
• 2:15:24
  dear dear Fanny, I am so thankful that she has you with her.
• 2:15:30
  You will be everything to her. You will give her all the consolation that
• 2:15:33
  human aid can give. May the Almighty sustain you all and keep you,
• 2:15:39
  my dearest Cassandra well. But for the present, I daresay you are equal
• 2:15:43
  to everything. You will know that the poor boys are at Steventon. Perhaps
• 2:15:48
  it is best for them, as they will have more means of exercise and
• 2:15:52
  amusement there than they could have with us. But I own myself, disappointed
• 2:15:56
  by the arrangement, loved to have them with me. At such a time
• 2:16:03
  I shall write to Edward by this post. We shall, of course hear
• 2:16:07
  from you very soon, and as often as you can write. We will
• 2:16:11
  write as you desire, and I shall add bookm Hamstall. I suppose you
• 2:16:16
  write to yourselves as you do. Not mention it? What a comfort that
• 2:16:20
  missus deeds is safe from present misery and alarm. But it will fall heavy
• 2:16:24
  upon poor Harriet. And as for Lady b but that her fortitude does seem
• 2:16:31
  truly great. I should fear the effect of such a blow, and so
• 2:16:35
  unlooked for. I long to him more of you. All of Henry's anguish,
• 2:16:39
  I think with grief and solicitude. But he will exert himself to be
• 2:16:43
  of use and comfort with what true sympathy our feelings are shared by Martha.
• 2:16:48
  You need not be told she is the friend and sister under every circumstance.
• 2:16:54
  We need not enter into a panegyric on the departed. But it is sweet
• 2:17:00
  to think of her great worth, of her solid principles, of her true
• 2:17:03
  devotion, her excellence in every relation of life. It is also consolatory to
• 2:17:09
  reflect on the shortness of the sufferings which led her from this world to a
• 2:17:13
  better Farewell for the present, my dearest sister, tell Edward that we feel
• 2:17:18
  for him and pray for him. Yours affectionately, J. Austen, I
• 2:17:24
  will write to Catherine. Perhaps you can give me some directions about mourning Letter
• 2:17:33
  twenty six Castle Square, Saturday night, October fifteenth. My dear Cassandra,
• 2:17:41
  your accounts make us as comfortable as we can expect to be at such a
• 2:17:46
  time. Edward's loss is terrible and must be felt as such, and these
• 2:17:52
  are too early days, indeed to think of moderation and grief, either in
• 2:17:56
  him or his afflicted daughter. But soon we may hope that our dear Fanny's
• 2:18:00
  sense of duty to that beloved father will rouse her to exertion for his sake,
• 2:18:05
  and as the most acceptable proof of love to the spirit of her debuted
• 2:18:09
  mother. She will try to be tranquil and resigned. Does she feel you
• 2:18:13
  to be a comfort to her? Or is she too much overpowered for anything
• 2:18:18
  but solitude? Your account of Lizzie is very interesting, poor child. One
• 2:18:24
  must hope the impression will be strong, and yet one's heart aches for a
• 2:18:28
  dejected mind of eight years old. I suppose you see the corpse? How
• 2:18:35
  does it appear? We are anxious to be assured that Edward will not attend
• 2:18:39
  the funeral, but when it comes to the point, I think he must
• 2:18:41
  feel it impossible. Your parcel shall set off on Monday, and I hope
• 2:18:46
  the shoes will fit. Martha and I both tried them on. I shall
• 2:18:52
  send you such of your mourning as I think most likely to be useful,
• 2:18:54
  reserving for myself your stockings and half the velvet, in which selfish arrangement I
• 2:19:00
  know I am doing what you wish. I am to be in Bombazeene and
• 2:19:03
  Crape, according to what we are told is universal here, and which agrees
• 2:19:07
  with Martha's previous observation. My mourning, however, will not impoverish me,
• 2:19:13
  for by having my velvet police fresh lined and made up, I am sure
• 2:19:16
  I shall have no occasion this winter for anything new of that sort. I
• 2:19:20
  take my cloak for the lining, and shall send yours on the chance of
• 2:19:24
  its doing something of the same for you, though I believe your police is
• 2:19:28
  in better repair than mine. One miss Baker makes my gown, and the
• 2:19:33
  other my bonnet, which is to be silk covered with crape. I have
• 2:19:39
  written to Edward Cooper and hope he will not send one of his letters of
• 2:19:43
  cruel comfort to my poor brother. And yesterday I wrote to Alethea Big in
• 2:19:48
  reply to a letter from her. She tells us in confidence that Catherine is
• 2:19:52
  to be married on Tuesday, sunnight. Mister Hale is expected at many down
• 2:19:56
  in the course of the ensuing week. We are desired by missus Harrison and
• 2:20:01
  miss Austen to say everything proper for them to yourself and Edward on this sad
• 2:20:05
  occasion, especially that nothing but a wish of not giving additional trouble where so
• 2:20:11
  much is inevitable, prevents their writing themselves to express their concern. They seem
• 2:20:16
  truly to feel concern. I am glad you can say what you do of
• 2:20:22
  missus Knight, and of Goodnesston in general. It is a great relief to
• 2:20:26
  me to know that the shock did not make any of them ill. But
• 2:20:30
  what a task was yours to announce it now. I hope you are not
• 2:20:35
  overpowered with letter writing, as Henry and John can ease you of many of
• 2:20:39
  your correspondents. Was mister Scudamore in the house at the time, was any
• 2:20:43
  application attempted, and is the seizure at all accounted for? Sunday? As
• 2:20:52
  Edward's letter to his son is not come here, we know that you must
• 2:20:54
  have been informed as early as Friday of the boys being at Steventon, which
• 2:20:58
  I am glad of. Upon your letter to Doctor Goddard's being forwarded to them,
• 2:21:03
  Mary wrote to ask whether my mother wished to have her grandsons sent to
• 2:21:07
  her. We decided on their remaining where they were, which I hope my
• 2:21:11
  brother will approve of. I am sure he will do us the justice of
• 2:21:15
  believing that in such a decision we sacrificed inclination to what we thought best.
• 2:21:20
  I shall write by the coach to morrow to missus j A and to Edward
• 2:21:24
  about their mourning, though this day's post will probably bring directions to them on
• 2:21:30
  that subject from yourselves, I shall certainly make use of the opportunity of addressing
• 2:21:33
  our nephew on the most serious of all concerns, as I naturally did in
• 2:21:37
  my letter to him before. The poor boys are perhaps more comfortable at Steventon
• 2:21:43
  than they could be here, but you will understand my feelings with respect to
• 2:21:46
  it. To morrow be a dreadful day for you all, mister Whitfield,
• 2:21:50
  will be a severe duty. Glad shall I be to hear that it is
• 2:21:54
  over, that you are forever in our thoughts. You will not doubt I
• 2:22:00
  see your mournful party in my mind's eye, under every varying circumstance of the
• 2:22:03
  day, and in the evening especially figure to myself its sad gloom, the
• 2:22:09
  efforts to talk, the frequent summons to melancholy orders and cares, and poor
• 2:22:15
  Edward restless and misery, going from one room to another, and perhaps not
• 2:22:20
  seldom upstairs to see all that remains of his Elizabeth. Dearest Fanny must now
• 2:22:26
  look upon herself as his prime source of comfort, his dearest friend, as
• 2:22:31
  the being who is to gradually supply to him to the extent that is possible
• 2:22:35
  what he has lost. This consideration will elevate and cheer her Adieu. You
• 2:22:43
  cannot write too often. As I said before, we are heartily rejoice that
• 2:22:48
  the poor baby gives you no particular anxiety. Kiss dear Lizzie for us tell
• 2:22:52
  Fanny that I shall write in a day or two to miss Sharp. My
• 2:22:56
  mother is not ill yours most truly J Austen tell Henry that a hamper of
• 2:23:05
  apples is gone to him from Kintbury, and that mister Fowl intended writing on
• 2:23:09
  Friday, supposing him in London, to beg that the charts, et cetera
• 2:23:13
  may be consigned to the care of the Palmers. Missus Fowl has also written
• 2:23:16
  to Miss Palmer to beg she will send for them. End of Section eleven.
• 2:23:24
  Letter twenty seven, Castle Square, Monday, October twenty fourth. My
• 2:23:31
  dear Cassandra, Edward and George came to us soon after seven on Saturday,
• 2:23:37
  very well but very cold, having by choice traveled on the outside and with
• 2:23:41
  no greatcoat. But what mister Wise the coachman good naturedly spared them of his
• 2:23:48
  as they sat by his side. They were so much chilled when they arrived
• 2:23:52
  that I was afraid they must have taken cold. But it does not seem
• 2:23:56
  at all the case. I never saw them looking better. They behave extremely
• 2:24:01
  well in every respect, showing quite as much feeling as one wishes to see,
• 2:24:05
  and on every occasion speaking of their father with the liveliest affection. His
• 2:24:09
  letter was read over by each of them yesterday, and with many tears.
• 2:24:15
  George sobbed aloud Edward's tears do not flow so easily. But as far as
• 2:24:20
  I can judge, they are both very properly impressed by what has happened.
• 2:24:24
  Miss Lloyd, who is a more impartial judge than I can be, is
• 2:24:28
  exceedingly pleased with them. George is almost a new acquaintance to me, and
• 2:24:33
  I find him in a different way as engaging as Edward. We do not
• 2:24:39
  want amusement, bilbo catch at which George is indefatigable, spiliqans, paper ships,
• 2:24:45
  riddles, conundrums and cards, with watching the flow and eb of the
• 2:24:48
  river, and now and then a stroll out keep us well employed. And
• 2:24:52
  we mean to avail ourselves of our kind Papa's consideration by not returning to Winchester
• 2:24:58
  till quite the evening of when day, missus j A had not time to
• 2:25:03
  get them more than one suit of clothes. Their others are making here.
• 2:25:07
  And though I do not believe Southampton is famous for tailoring, I hope it
• 2:25:11
  will prove itself far better than Basingstoke. Edward has an old black coat,
• 2:25:16
  which will save his having a second new one. But I find that black
• 2:25:20
  pantaloons are considered by them as necessary and of course one would not have them
• 2:25:24
  made uncomfortable by the want of what is usual on such occasions. Fanny's letter
• 2:25:31
  was received with great pleasure yesterday, and her brother sends his thanks and will
• 2:25:35
  answer it soon. We all saw what she wrote and were very much pleased
• 2:25:39
  with it. To morrow I hope to hear from you, And to morrow
• 2:25:45
  we must think of poor Catherine. To day Lady Bridges is the heroine of
• 2:25:48
  our thoughts, and glad shall we be when we can fancy the meeting over.
• 2:25:52
  There will then be nothing so very bad for Edward to undergo the Saint
• 2:25:58
  Albans I find sailed on the very day of my letters reaching Yarmouth, so
• 2:26:01
  that we must not expect an answer at present. We scarcely feel, however,
• 2:26:05
  to be in suspense, or only enough to keep our plans to ourselves.
• 2:26:11
  We have been obliged to explain them to our young visitors in consequence of
• 2:26:15
  Fanny's letter, but we have not yet mentioned them to Steventon. We are
• 2:26:20
  all quite familiarized to the idea ourselves. My mother only wants missus Seward to
• 2:26:24
  go out at midsummer. What sort of a kitchen garden is there? Missus
• 2:26:30
  j A expresses her fear of our settling in Kent, and till this proposal
• 2:26:35
  was made we began to look forward to it. Here my mother was actually
• 2:26:37
  talking of a house at why it will be best. However, as it
• 2:26:41
  is, Anne has just given her mistress warning she is going to be married.
• 2:26:48
  I wish she would stay her year. On the subject of matrimony,
• 2:26:52
  I must notice a wedding in the Salisbury Paper which has amused me very much.
• 2:26:56
  Doctor Philpott to Lady Francis, Saint Lawrence. She wanted to have a
• 2:27:01
  husband, I suppose once in her life, and he a Lady Francis.
• 2:27:07
  I hope your sorrowing party were at church yesterday, and have no longer that
• 2:27:11
  to dread. Martha was kept at home by a cold, but I went
• 2:27:15
  with my two nephews, and I saw Edward was much affected by the sermon,
• 2:27:20
  which, indeed I could have supposed purposely addressed to the afflicted if the
• 2:27:24
  text had not naturally come in the course of Doctor Mant's observations on the litany.
• 2:27:28
  All that are in danger, necessity or tribulation was the subject of it.
• 2:27:33
  The weather did not allow us afterwards to get farther than a key,
• 2:27:37
  where George was very happy as long as we could stay, flying about from
• 2:27:41
  one side to the other and skipping on board a collier. Immediately in the
• 2:27:46
  evening we had the psalms and lessons and a sermon at home, to which
• 2:27:50
  they were very attentive. But you will not expect to hear that they did
• 2:27:52
  not return to conundrums the moment it was over. Their aunt has written pleasantly
• 2:27:58
  of them, which was more than I hoped. While I write now,
• 2:28:03
  George is most industriously making and naming paper ships at which he afterwards shoots with
• 2:28:07
  horse chestnuts brought from Steventon on purpose. And Edward equally intent over the lake
• 2:28:13
  of Killarney, twisting himself about in one of our great chairs. Tuesday,
• 2:28:22
  your close written letter makes me quite ashamed of my wide lines. You have
• 2:28:26
  sent me a great deal of matter, most of it very welcome. As
• 2:28:31
  to your lengthened stay, it is no more than I expected. And what
• 2:28:33
  must be that you cannot suppose that I like it. All that you say
• 2:28:39
  of Edward is truly comfortable. I began to fear that when the bustle of
• 2:28:43
  the first week was over, his spirits might for a time be more depressed,
• 2:28:48
  and perhaps one must still expect something of the kind. If you escape
• 2:28:52
  a bilious attack, I shall wonder almost as much as rejoice. I am
• 2:28:58
  glad you mentioned where Catherine goes to day. It is a good plan,
• 2:29:01
  but sensible people may generally be trusted to form such The day began cheerfully,
• 2:29:07
  but it is not likely to continue what it should, for them or for
• 2:29:11
  us. We had a little water party yesterday. I and my two nephews
• 2:29:16
  went from the Itchen Ferry up to Northam, where we landed, looked into
• 2:29:20
  the seventy four, and walked home. And it was so much enjoyed that
• 2:29:24
  I had intended to take them to Netley to day. The tide is just
• 2:29:28
  right for our going immediately after moonshine, but I am afraid there will be
• 2:29:31
  rain if we cannot get so far. However, we may perhaps go round
• 2:29:35
  from the ferry to the quay. I had not proposed doing more than cross
• 2:29:39
  the Itchen yesterday, but it proved so pleasant and so much to the satisfaction
• 2:29:45
  of all, that when we reached the middle of the stream, we agreed
• 2:29:48
  to be rode up the river. Both the boys rode great part of the
• 2:29:50
  way, and their questions and remarks, as well as their enjoyment, were
• 2:29:56
  very amusing. George's inquiries were endless, and his eagerness in everything reminds me
• 2:30:01
  often of his uncle Henry. Our evening was equally agreeable in its way.
• 2:30:07
  I introduced speculation, and it was so much approved that we hardly knew how
• 2:30:11
  to leave off. Your idea of an early dinner to morrow is exactly what
• 2:30:16
  we propose for. After writing the first part of this letter, it came
• 2:30:20
  into my head that at this time of year we have not summer evenings.
• 2:30:24
  We shall watch the light to day that we may not give them a dark
• 2:30:28
  drive to morrow. They send their best love to Papa and everybody, with
• 2:30:33
  George's thanks for the letter brought by this post. Martha begs, my brother
• 2:30:37
  may be assured of her interest in everything relating to him and his family,
• 2:30:41
  and of her sincerely partaking our pleasure in the receipt of every good account from
• 2:30:45
  Godminsham of Chawton. I think I can have nothing more to say but that
• 2:30:50
  everything you say about it in the letter now before me, will I am
• 2:30:52
  sure, as soon as I am able to read it to her make my
• 2:30:56
  mother consider the plan with more and more pleasure. We had formed the same
• 2:31:01
  views on h Digweed's farm. A very kind and feeling letter is arrived to
• 2:31:05
  day from Kintbury, missus Fowle's sympathy and solicitude on such an occasion you will
• 2:31:11
  be able to do justice to and to express it as she wishes to my
• 2:31:15
  brother concerning you, she says, Cassandra. Will I know excuse my writing
• 2:31:22
  to her. It is not to save myself but her that I omit so
• 2:31:26
  doing. Give my best, my kindest love to her, and tell her
• 2:31:31
  I feel for her as I know she would for me on the same occasion,
• 2:31:33
  and that I most sincerely hope her health will not suffer. We have
• 2:31:39
  just had two hampers of apples from Kintbury, and the floor of our little
• 2:31:43
  garret is almost covered. Love to all yours, very affectionately, j A
• 2:31:52
  Letter, twenty eight Castle Square, Sunday, November twenty first. Your letter,
• 2:32:00
  my dear Cassandra, obliges me to write immediately that you may have the
• 2:32:03
  earliest notice of Frank's intending, if possible, to go to Godmisham exactly at
• 2:32:09
  the time now fixed for your visit to Goodnestone. He resolved almost directly on
• 2:32:13
  the receipt of your former letter, to try for an extension of his leave
• 2:32:16
  of absence, that he might be able to go down to you for two
• 2:32:18
  days, but charged me not to give you any notice of it on account
• 2:32:22
  of the uncertainty of success. Now, however, I must give it,
• 2:32:26
  and now perhaps he may be giving it himself, for I am just in
• 2:32:31
  the hateful predicament of being obliged to write what I know will somehow or other
• 2:32:33
  be of no use. He meant to ask her five days more and if
• 2:32:39
  they were granted, to go down by Thursday night's mail and spend Friday and
• 2:32:43
  Saturday with you, and he considered his chance of succeeding by no means bad.
• 2:32:50
  I hope it will take place as he planned, and that your arrangements
• 2:32:52
  with Goodnesston may admit of suitable alteration. Your news of Edward Bridges was quite
• 2:32:58
  new, for I have had no letter from Wrotham. I wish him happy
• 2:33:03
  with all my heart, and hope his choice may turn out according to his
• 2:33:07
  own expectations and beyond those of his family, and I daresay it will.
• 2:33:13
  Marriage is a great improver and in a similar situation. Harry, it may
• 2:33:18
  be as amiable as eleanor as to money that will come, you may be
• 2:33:22
  sure because they cannot do without it. When you see him again, pray,
• 2:33:26
  give him a congratulations and best wishes. This match will certainly set John
• 2:33:31
  and Lucy going. There are six bedchambers at Shawton. Henry wrote to my
• 2:33:37
  mother the other day and luckily mentioned the number, which is just what we
• 2:33:41
  wanted to be assured of. He speaks also of Garrett's for store places,
• 2:33:46
  one of which she immediately planned fitting up for Edward's manservant. And now perhaps
• 2:33:52
  it must be for our own, for she is already quite reconciled while keeping
• 2:33:56
  one. The difficulty of doing without one had been thought of before. His
• 2:34:01
  name shall be Robert, if you please, before I can tell you of
• 2:34:05
  it, you will have heard that Miss Sawbridge is married. It took place,
• 2:34:09
  I believe on Thursday. Missus Fowl has for some time been in on
• 2:34:13
  the secret, but the neighborhood in general were quite unsuspicious. Mister Maxwell was
• 2:34:20
  tutor to the young Gregory's. Consequently, they must be one of the happiest
• 2:34:22
  couples in the world, and either of them worthy of envy, for she
• 2:34:28
  must be accessibly in love, and he mounts from nothing to a comfortable home.
• 2:34:33
  Martha has heard him very highly spoken of. They continue for the present
• 2:34:37
  at Speen Hill. I have a Southampton match to return for your Kentish one,
• 2:34:43
  Captain g Heathcote and miss A Lyle. I have it from Alithia,
• 2:34:48
  and like it because I had made it before. Yes the Stoneleigh business is
• 2:34:54
  concluded, but it was not till yesterday that my mother was regularly informed of
• 2:34:58
  it, though the new had reached us on Monday evening by way of Steventon.
• 2:35:03
  My aunt says, as little as may be on the subject by way
• 2:35:05
  of information, and nothing at all by way of satisfaction. She reflects on
• 2:35:11
  mister t Lee's Delettorinus, and looks about with great diligence and success for inconvenience
• 2:35:16
  and evil, among which she ingeniously places. The danger of her new housemaid's
• 2:35:20
  catching cold on the outside of the coach when she goes down to bath for
• 2:35:24
  a carriage, makes her sick. John Binns has been offered their place,
• 2:35:28
  but declines it, as she supposes, because he will not wear a livery.
• 2:35:33
  Whatever be the cause. I like the effect In spite of all my
• 2:35:39
  mother's long and intimate knowledge of the writer, she was not up to the
• 2:35:43
  expectation of such a letter as this. The discontentedness of its shocked and surprised
• 2:35:48
  her. But I see nothing in it out of nature, though a sad
• 2:35:52
  nature. She does not forget to wish for chambers. You may be sure
• 2:35:56
  no particular as a given, not a word of a re mentioned, though
• 2:36:01
  in a letter to James they were in a general way spoken of. The
• 2:36:05
  amount of them is a matter of conjecture, and my mother a most interesting
• 2:36:09
  one. She cannot fix any time for their beginning with any satisfaction to herself.
• 2:36:13
  But missus Lee's death and Henry's two thousand pounds neither agrees with that period
• 2:36:18
  nor any other. I do not like to own our previous information of what
• 2:36:22
  was intended last July, and have therefore only said that if we could see
• 2:36:26
  Henry we might m many particulars. As I had understood that some confidential conversation
• 2:36:31
  had passed between him and mister t. L at Stoneleigh. We have been
• 2:36:35
  as quiet as usual since Frank and Mary left us. Mister Criswick called on
• 2:36:41
  Martha that very morning on his way home again from Portsmouth, and we have
• 2:36:43
  had no visitor since we called in the miss Lyles one day and had a
• 2:36:48
  good account of mister Heathcote's canvas, the success of which, of course exceeds
• 2:36:54
  his expectations. Alethia, in her letter hopes for my interest, which I
• 2:36:58
  conclude means edwards, and I take this opportunity therefore of requesting that you will
• 2:37:03
  bring in mister Heathcote. Mister Lane told us yesterday that mister H had behaved
• 2:37:07
  very handsomely, and waited on mister Thistlewaite to say that if he mister T
• 2:37:13
  would stand he mister H would not oppose him, But mister T declined it,
• 2:37:20
  acknowledging himself still smarting under the payment of late electioneering costs. The Missus
• 2:37:26
  Hulberts, we learned from Kinbury, come to Steventon this week and bring Mary
• 2:37:31
  Jane Fowl with them on her way to Missus Nene's. She returns at Christmas
• 2:37:35
  with her brother. Our brother we may perhaps see in the course of a
• 2:37:39
  few days, and we mean to take the opportunity of his help to go
• 2:37:41
  one night to the play. Martha ought to see the inside of the theater
• 2:37:45
  once while she lives in Southampton, and I think she will hardly wish to
• 2:37:48
  take a second view. The furniture of Bellevue is to be sold tomorrow,
• 2:37:54
  and we shall take it in our usual walk if the weather be favorable.
• 2:37:58
  How could you have had a wet day on Thursday with us? It was
• 2:38:03
  the prince of days, the most delightful we have had for weeks, soft,
• 2:38:05
  bright, with a brisk wind from the southwest. Everybody was out and
• 2:38:11
  talking of spring, and Martha and I did not know how to turn back.
• 2:38:15
  On Friday evening we had very blowing weather from six to nine. I
• 2:38:18
  think we never heard it worse even here. And one night we had so
• 2:38:22
  much rain that it forced its way again to the store closet. And though
• 2:38:26
  the evil was comparatively slight and the mischief nothing, I had some employment the
• 2:38:31
  next day in drying parcels, et cetera. I have now moved still more
• 2:38:35
  out of the way. Martha sends her best love and thanks you for admitting
• 2:38:41
  her to the knowledge of the pros and cons about Harriet Foote. She has
• 2:38:43
  an interest in all such matters. I am also to say that she wants
• 2:38:48
  to see you. Mary Jane missed her Papa and Mamma a good deal at
• 2:38:52
  first, but now does very well without them. I am glad to hear
• 2:38:56
  of Little John's being better, and hope your accounts, Miss Night, will
• 2:39:00
  also improve. Adieu remember me affectionately to everybody, and believe me ever yours
• 2:39:07
  j A. End of Section twelve, Letter twenty nine, Castle Square,
• 2:39:18
  Friday, December ninth. Many thanks, my dear Cassandra, to you and
• 2:39:24
  mister Deeds for your joint and agreeable composition, which took me by surprise this
• 2:39:28
  morning. He has certainly great merit as a writer. He does ample justice
• 2:39:33
  to his subject, and without being diffuse, is clear and correct. And
• 2:39:39
  though I do not mean to compare his epistolary powers with yours, or to
• 2:39:43
  give him the same portion of my gratitude, he suddenly has a very pleasing
• 2:39:46
  way of winding up a whole and speeding truth into the world. But all
• 2:39:52
  this, as my dear Missus Piozzi says, is flight and fancy and nonsense.
• 2:39:58
  For my master has his great casks to mind, and I have my
• 2:40:01
  little children. It is you, however, in this instance, that have
• 2:40:05
  the little children, and I that have the great cask for we are brewing
• 2:40:09
  spruce beer again. But my meaning really is that I am extremely foolish in
• 2:40:15
  writing all this unnecessary stuff when I have so many matters to write about that
• 2:40:18
  my paper will hardly hold it. All little matters, they are, to
• 2:40:22
  be sure, but highly important. In the first place. Miss Curling is
• 2:40:28
  actually at Portsmouth, which I was always in hopes would not happen. I
• 2:40:31
  wish her no worse, however, than a long and happy abode there.
• 2:40:35
  Here, she would probably be dull, and I am sure she would be
• 2:40:39
  troublesome. The bracelets are in my possession and everything I could wish them to
• 2:40:43
  be. They came with Martha's Police, which likewise gives great satisfaction. Soon
• 2:40:50
  after I had closed my last letter to you, we visited my Missus Dickens
• 2:40:54
  and her sister in law, Missus Bertie, the wife of a lately made
• 2:40:58
  admiral, Missus f A. I believe was their first object, but they
• 2:41:01
  put up with us very kindly, and Missus d In finding in Miss Lloyd,
• 2:41:07
  a friend of Missus Dundas, had another motive for the acquaintance. She
• 2:41:11
  seems a really agreeable woman. That is, her man is a gentle and
• 2:41:16
  she knows a great many of our connections in West Kent. Missus Bertie lives
• 2:41:20
  in the Polygon and was out when we returned her visit, which are her
• 2:41:24
  too virtues A larger circle of acquaintance and an increase of amusement is quite in
• 2:41:31
  character with our approaching removal. Yes, I mean to go to as many
• 2:41:35
  balls as possible, that I may have a good bargain. Everybody is very
• 2:41:39
  much concerned at our going away, and everybody is acquainted with Chawton and speaks
• 2:41:45
  of it as a remarkably pretty village. And everybody knows the house we describe,
• 2:41:48
  but nobody fixes on the right. I am very much obliged to missus
• 2:41:52
  Knight for such proof of the interest she takes in me, and she may
• 2:41:56
  depend upon it that I will marry mister Papillon, whatever may be his reluctance
• 2:42:01
  or my own. I owe her much more than such a trifling sacrifice.
• 2:42:07
  Our ball was rather more amusing than I expected. Martha liked it very much,
• 2:42:11
  and I did not gape till the last quarter of an hour. It
• 2:42:15
  was past nine before we were sent for, and not twelve when we returned.
• 2:42:20
  The room was tolerably full, and there were perhaps thirty couple of dancers.
• 2:42:24
  The melancholy part was to see so many dozen young women standing by without
• 2:42:28
  partners, and each of them with two ugly naked shoulders. It was the
• 2:42:35
  same room in which we danced fifteen years ago. I thought it all over,
• 2:42:39
  and, in spite of the shame of being so much older, felt
• 2:42:41
  with thankfulness that I was quite as happy now as then. We paid an
• 2:42:46
  additional shilling for our tea, which she took as we chose in an adjoining
• 2:42:48
  and very comfortable room. There were only four dances, and it went to
• 2:42:54
  my heart that the miss lances, one of them too named Emma, should
• 2:42:58
  have partners only for two. You will not expect to hear that I was
• 2:43:01
  asked to dance, but I was by the gentleman whom we met that Sunday
• 2:43:05
  with Captain du Vain. We have always kept up a bowing acquaintance since,
• 2:43:11
  and being pleased with his black eyes, I spoke to him at the ball,
• 2:43:13
  which brought on me this civility that I do not know his name,
• 2:43:18
  and he seems so little at home in the English language, that I believe
• 2:43:22
  his black eyes may be the best of him. Captain Douvain has got a
• 2:43:26
  ship. Martha and I made use of the very favorable state of yesterday for
• 2:43:31
  walking to pay our duty. At Chiswell. We found missus Lance at home
• 2:43:35
  and alone, and sat out three other ladies who soon came in. We
• 2:43:39
  went by the ferry and returned by the bridge, and was scarcely a tool
• 2:43:43
  fatigued. Edward must have enjoyed the last two days. You, I presume,
• 2:43:48
  had a cool drive to Canterbury. Kitty Foot came on Wednesday, and
• 2:43:54
  her evening visit began early enough for the last part the apple pie of our
• 2:43:58
  dinner, for we never dine now till five yesterday, I, or rather
• 2:44:03
  you, had a letter from Nanny Hilliard, the object of which is that
• 2:44:07
  she would be very much obliged to us if we would get Hannah a place.
• 2:44:11
  I am sorry that I cannot assist her. If you can let me
• 2:44:15
  know, as I shall not answer the letter immediately. Mister Sloper is married
• 2:44:20
  again, not much to Nanny's or anybody's satisfaction. The lady was governess to
• 2:44:24
  Sir Robert's natural children and seems to have nothing to recommend her. I do
• 2:44:30
  not find, however, that nanny is likely to lose her place in consequence.
• 2:44:33
  She says, not a word of what service she wishes for Hannah,
• 2:44:37
  or what Hannah can do. But a nursery, I suppose, or something
• 2:44:41
  of that kind, must be the thing. Having now cleared away my smaller
• 2:44:46
  articles of news, I come to a communication of some weight, no less
• 2:44:50
  than that my uncle and aunt are going to allow James a hundred pounds a
• 2:44:54
  year. We hear a bit through Steventon. Mary sent us the other day
• 2:44:58
  an extract from my aunt's life on the subject, in which the donation is
• 2:45:01
  made with greatest kindness, and intended as a compensation for his loss, and
• 2:45:05
  the conscientious refusal of Hampstead living one hundred pounds a year being all that he
• 2:45:09
  had at the time, called it's worth, as I find it was always
• 2:45:13
  intended at Steventon to divide the real income with Kintbury. Nothing can be more
• 2:45:18
  affectionate than my aunt's language in making the present, and likewise in expressing her
• 2:45:22
  hope of their being much more together in future, than to her great regret
• 2:45:26
  they have of late years been. My expectations for my mother do not rise
• 2:45:31
  with this event. We will allow a little more time. However, before
• 2:45:35
  we fly out, if not prevented by parish business, James comes to us
• 2:45:41
  on Monday. The Missus Hulberts and Miss Murden are their guests at present,
• 2:45:46
  and likely to continue such till Christmas Anna comes home in the nineteenth the hundred
• 2:45:52
  a year begins next lady day, I am glad you are to have Henry
• 2:45:56
  with you again. With him and the boys, you cannot but have a
• 2:46:00
  cheerful and at times even a merry Christmas. Martha is so manuscript torn.
• 2:46:09
  We want to be settled at Chawton in time for Henry to come to us
• 2:46:11
  for some shooting in October at least, or a little earlier, and Edward
• 2:46:16
  may visit us after taking his boys back to Winchester. Suppose we name the
• 2:46:20
  fourth of September. Will not that? Do I have but one thing more
• 2:46:24
  to tell you. Missus Hill called in my mother yesterday when we were gone
• 2:46:28
  to Chiswell, and in the course of the visit, asked her whether she
• 2:46:31
  knew anything of a clergyman's family of the name of Alford, who had resided
• 2:46:35
  in our part of Hampshire. Missus Hill had been applied to as likely to
• 2:46:39
  give some information of them on account of their probable vicinity to Doctor Hill's living
• 2:46:43
  by a lady or for a lady who had known Missus and the two miss
• 2:46:48
  Alfords and Bath, whether they'd removed, it seems from Hampshire, and who
• 2:46:52
  now wishes to convey to the miss Alfords some work or trimming what she has
• 2:46:56
  been doing for them. But the mother and daughters have left Bath, and
• 2:47:00
  the lady cannot learn where they are gone to. While my mother gave us
• 2:47:03
  the account, the probability of its being ourselves occurred to us, and it
• 2:47:07
  had previously struck herself. What makes it more likely and even indispensably to be
• 2:47:13
  us, is that she mentioned mister Hammond as now having the living or curacy
• 2:47:16
  which the father had had. I cannot think who our kind lady can be,
• 2:47:22
  but I dare say we shall not, like the work distribute the affectionate
• 2:47:26
  love of a heart not so tired as the right hand belonging to it.
• 2:47:31
  Yours ever, sincerely, J A Letter, thirty Castle Square, Tuesday,
• 2:47:41
  December twenty seventh, My dear Cassandra, I can now write at leisure and
• 2:47:46
  make the most of my subjects, which is lucky as they are not numerous
• 2:47:50
  this week. Our house was cleared by half past eleven on Saturday, and
• 2:47:56
  we had the satisfaction of hearing yesterday that the party reached home in safety soon
• 2:48:01
  after five. I was very glad of your letter this morning. For my
• 2:48:05
  mother taking medicine, Eliza keeping her bed with a cold, and Charles not
• 2:48:09
  coming made us rather dull and dependent on the post. You tell me much
• 2:48:16
  that gives me pleasure, but I think not much to answer. I wish
• 2:48:20
  I could help you in your needlework. I have two hands and a new
• 2:48:24
  thimble that lead a very easy life. Lady sons match surprises but does not
• 2:48:31
  offend me. Had her first marriage been of affection, or had there been
• 2:48:35
  a grown up single daughter, I should not have forgiven her. But I
• 2:48:39
  consider everybody as having a right to marry once in their lives for love if
• 2:48:43
  they can, and provided she will now leave off having bad headaches and being
• 2:48:46
  pathetic, I can allow her. I can wish her to be happy.
• 2:48:52
  Do not imagine that your picture of your tete a tete with Sir B makes
• 2:48:56
  any change in our expectations here he could not really be read, though he
• 2:49:00
  held the newspaper in his hand, he was making up his mind to the
• 2:49:03
  deed and the manner of it. I think you will have a letter from
• 2:49:07
  him soon. I heard from Portsmouth yesterday, and as I am able to
• 2:49:13
  send them more clothes, they cannot be expecting a very early return to us.
• 2:49:18
  Mary's face is pretty well, but she must have suffered a great deal
• 2:49:22
  with it. An absess was formed and opened. Our evening party on Thursday
• 2:49:28
  produced nothing more remarkable than miss Murden's coming, too, though she had declined
• 2:49:31
  it absolutely in the morning, and sitting very ungracious and very silent with us
• 2:49:35
  from seven o'clock till half after eleven, for so late was it owing to
• 2:49:41
  the chairman before we got rid of them. The last hour spent in yawning
• 2:49:46
  and shivering in a wide circle round the fire was dull enough, but the
• 2:49:50
  tray had admirable success. The wigeon and preserved ginger were as delicious as one
• 2:49:54
  could wish. But as to our black butter, do not decoy any to
• 2:50:00
  Southampton by such a lure, for it is all gone. The first pot
• 2:50:03
  was opened when Frank and Mary were here, and proved not at all what
• 2:50:07
  it ought to be. It was neither solid nor entirely sweet, and on
• 2:50:11
  seeing it Eliza remembered that Miss Austin had said that she did not think it
• 2:50:15
  had been boiled enough. It was made, you know, when we were
• 2:50:18
  absent, such being the event of the first pot, I would not save
• 2:50:22
  the second, and we therefore aided an unpretending privacy, And though not what
• 2:50:26
  it ought to be part of, it was very good. James means to
• 2:50:31
  keep three horses on this increase of income. At present he has but one.
• 2:50:37
  Mary wishes the other two to be fit to carry women, and in
• 2:50:39
  the purchase of one, Edward will probably be called upon to fulfill his promise
• 2:50:43
  to his godson. We have now pretty well ascertained James's income to be eleven
• 2:50:48
  hundred pounds curate paid, which makes us very happy the ascertainment as well as
• 2:50:54
  the income. Mary does not want to talk of the garden. It may
• 2:50:58
  well be a disagree subject to her, but her husband is persuaded that nothing
• 2:51:03
  is wanting to make the first new one good but trenching, which is to
• 2:51:05
  be done by his own servants, and John Bond by degrees, not at
• 2:51:09
  the expense which trenching the other amounted to. I was happy to hear,
• 2:51:15
  chiefly for Anna's sake, that a ball at many Down was once more in
• 2:51:18
  agitation. It is called a child's ball, and given by Missus Heathcott to
• 2:51:22
  William. Such was its beginning at least, but it will probably swell into
• 2:51:28
  something more. Edward was invited doing his stay at Many Down, and it
• 2:51:31
  is to take place between this and twelfth day. Missus Holbert has taken Anna
• 2:51:35
  a pair of white shoes. On the occasion I've forgotten my last to tell
• 2:51:41
  you that we hear by way of Kintbury and the Palmers that they were all
• 2:51:43
  well at Bermuda in the beginning of November. Wednesday yesterday must have been a
• 2:51:50
  day of sad remembrance at Godminsham. I am glad it is over. We
• 2:51:56
  spent Friday evening with our friends at the boarding house, and our curiosity was
• 2:52:01
  gratified by the sight of their fellow inmates, Missus Drew and miss Hook,
• 2:52:05
  mister Wynn and mister Fitzhugh. The latter is brother to Missus Lance and very
• 2:52:09
  much the gentleman. He has lived in that house more than twenty years,
• 2:52:13
  and poor man is so totally deaf that they say he could not hear a
• 2:52:16
  cannon were it fired close to him. Having no canon at hand to make
• 2:52:20
  the experiment, I took it for granted and talked to him a little with
• 2:52:24
  my fingers, which was funny enough. I recommended him to read Carinna.
• 2:52:31
  Miss Hook is a well behaved, genteelish woman. Missus Drew well behaved without
• 2:52:35
  being at all genteel. Mister Wynn seems a chatty and rather familiar young man.
• 2:52:41
  Miss Murton was quite a different creature this last evening from what she had
• 2:52:43
  been before, owing to her having, with Martha's help, found a situation
• 2:52:48
  in the morning which was very fair for comfort. When she leaves Steventon,
• 2:52:52
  she comes to board and lodge with Missus Hookie, the chemist, for there
• 2:52:54
  is no mister Hookey. I cannot say that I am in any hurry for
• 2:52:58
  the can inclusion of her present visit, but I was truly glad to see
• 2:53:01
  her comfortable in mind and spirits at her age. Perhaps one may be as
• 2:53:07
  friendless one's self, and in similar circumstances quite as captious. My mother has
• 2:53:13
  lately been adding to her possessions in plate, a whole tablespoon and a whole
• 2:53:16
  dessert spoon and six whole tea spoons, which makes our sideboard border on the
• 2:53:22
  magnificent. They are mostly the produce of old or useless silver. I have
• 2:53:28
  turned with the eleven s in the list into twelve vess and the card looks
• 2:53:31
  all the better. A silver tea ladle is also added, which will at
• 2:53:35
  least answer the purpose of making us sometimes think of John Warren. I have
• 2:53:39
  laid Lady Son's case before Martha, who does not make the least objection to
• 2:53:43
  it, and is particularly pleased with the name of Montresor. I do not
• 2:53:48
  agree with her there, but I like his rank very much, and always
• 2:53:52
  affix the ideas of strong sense and highly elegant manners to a general I must
• 2:53:56
  write Charles next week. You may guess in what extravagant terms of praise Earl
• 2:54:01
  Harwood speaks of him. He is looked up to by everybody in all America.
• 2:54:07
  I shall not tell you anything more of William Digweed's China, as your
• 2:54:11
  silence on the subject makes you unworthy of it. Missus h. Digweed looks
• 2:54:15
  forward with great satisfaction to our being her neighbors. I would have her enjoyed
• 2:54:18
  the idea to the utmost as I suspect there will not be much in the
• 2:54:22
  reality with equal pleasure we anticipate in intimacy with her husband's bailiff and his wife,
• 2:54:28
  who live close by us and is said to be a remarkably good sort
• 2:54:31
  of people. Yes, yes, we will have a piano forte, as
• 2:54:35
  good a one as can be got for thirty guineas, and I will practice
• 2:54:39
  country dances that we may have some amusement for our nephews and nieces when we
• 2:54:43
  have the pleasure of their company. Martha sends her love to Henry and tells
• 2:54:48
  him that he will soon have a bill of miss Chaplin's about fourteen pounds to
• 2:54:52
  pay on her account, but the bill shall not be sent in till his
• 2:54:54
  return to town. I hope he comes to you in good health and in
• 2:54:58
  spirits of as good as a first return to Godmisham can allow. With his
• 2:55:03
  nephews, he will force himself to be cheerful till he really is. So
• 2:55:07
  send me some intelligence of Eliza. It is a long while since I have
• 2:55:09
  heard of her. We have had snow on the ground here almost a week.
• 2:55:15
  It is now going, but Southampton must boast no longer. We all
• 2:55:18
  send our love to Edward Junior and his brothers, and I hope speculation is
• 2:55:22
  generally liked. Fare you well, yours affectionately, J Austen. My mother
• 2:55:30
  has not been out of doors this week, but she keeps pretty well.
• 2:55:33
  We have received through Bookham in a different account of your Godmother. End of
• 2:55:39
  Section thirteen, Letter thirty one, Castle Square, Tuesday, January tenth,
• 2:55:48
  eighteen o nine. I am not surprised, my dear Cassandra, that you
• 2:55:52
  did not find my last letter very full of matter, and I wish this
• 2:55:56
  may not have the same deficiency. But we are doing nothing ourselves to write
• 2:56:01
  about, and I am therefore quite dependent upon the communications of our friends or
• 2:56:05
  my own wits. This post brought me two interesting letters, yours and one
• 2:56:11
  from Bookham, in answer to an inquiry of mine about your good Godmother,
• 2:56:16
  of whom we had lately received a very alarming account from Paragon. Miss Arnold
• 2:56:20
  was the informant then, and she spoke of missus e l having been very
• 2:56:26
  dangerously ill and attended by a physician from Oxford. Your letter to Adelstrop may
• 2:56:31
  perhaps bring you information from the spot, but in case it should not,
• 2:56:35
  I must tell you that she is better, though Doctor Bourne cannot yet call
• 2:56:39
  her out of danger. Such was the case last Wednesday, and missus Cook's
• 2:56:45
  having had no later account as a favorable sign. I am to hear again
• 2:56:48
  from the latter next week, but not this if everything goes on well.
• 2:56:54
  Her disorder is an inflammation on the lungs, arising from a severe chill taken
• 2:56:58
  in church life past Sunday three weeks. Her mind all pious composure, as
• 2:57:03
  may be supposed. George Cook was there when her illness began. His brother
• 2:57:09
  has now taken his place. Her age and feebleness considered one's fears cannot but
• 2:57:15
  preponderate. One's fears cannot but preponderate. Though her amendment has already surpassed the
• 2:57:20
  expectation of the physician at the beginning. I am sorry to add that Becky
• 2:57:26
  is laid up with a complaint of the same kind. I am very glad
• 2:57:30
  to have a time of your return at all fixed. We all rejoice in
• 2:57:33
  it, and it will not be later than I had expected. I dare
• 2:57:37
  not hope that Mary and Miss Curling may be detained at Portsmouth so long or
• 2:57:41
  half so long, but it would be worth tuppence to have it so the
• 2:57:46
  Saint Albans perhaps may soon be off to help bring home what may remain by
• 2:57:50
  this time of our poor army, whose state seems dreadfully critical. The regency
• 2:57:56
  seems to have been heard of only here, my most political correspondence, make
• 2:58:00
  no mention of it. Unlucky that I should have wasted so much reflection on
• 2:58:03
  the subject. I can now answer your question to my mother more at large
• 2:58:09
  and likewise more at small, with equal perspicuity and minuteness. For the very
• 2:58:13
  day of our leaving Southampton is fixed. And if the knowledge is of no
• 2:58:18
  use to Edward, I am sure it will give him pleasure. Easter Monday,
• 2:58:22
  April third is the day. We are to sleep that night at Alton,
• 2:58:26
  and be with our friends at Bookham the next If they are then at
• 2:58:28
  home there, we shall remain till the following Monday, and on Tuesday,
• 2:58:33
  April eleventh, hope to be at Godmsham. If the cooks are absent,
• 2:58:37
  we shall finish our journey on the fifth. These plans depend, of course,
• 2:58:41
  upon the weather, but I hope there will be no settled cold to
• 2:58:43
  delay us materially. To make you amends for being at Boukham, it is
• 2:58:48
  in contemplation to spend a few days at Bayton Lodge in our way out of
• 2:58:52
  Kent. The hint of such a visit is most affectionately welcomed by missus Birch
• 2:58:56
  in one of her odd pleasant letters lately, in which she speaks of us
• 2:59:01
  with the usual distinguished kindness, declaring that she shall not be at all satisfied
• 2:59:05
  unless a very handsome present has made us immediately from one quarter. Fanny's not
• 2:59:11
  coming with you is no more than we expected, and as we have not
• 2:59:13
  the hope of a bed for her, and shall see her so soon afterwards
• 2:59:18
  at Godmisham, we cannot wish it otherwise William will be quite recovered. I
• 2:59:22
  trust by the time you receive this. What a comfort his crosstitch must have
• 2:59:28
  been. Pray tell him that I should like to see his work very much.
• 2:59:31
  I hope our answers this morning have given satisfaction. We had great pleasure
• 2:59:35
  in Uncle Deeds's packet, And pray let Mary Anne know in private that I
• 2:59:41
  think she is quite right to work a rug for Uncle John's coffee urn,
• 2:59:45
  and that I am sure it must give great pleasure to herself now and to
• 2:59:48
  him when he receives it. The preference of brag over speculation does not greatly
• 2:59:54
  surprise me, I believe, because I feel the same myself. But it
• 2:59:58
  mortifies me deeply, because speculation was under my patronage. And after all,
• 3:00:03
  what is there so delightful in a pair royal of braggers? It is but
• 3:00:07
  three nines, or three knaves, or a mixture of them. When one
• 3:00:11
  comes to reason upon it. It cannot stand its ground against speculation, of
• 3:00:16
  which I hope Edward is now convinced. Give my love to him, if
• 3:00:20
  he is. The letter from Paragon before mentioned was much like those which had
• 3:00:26
  preceded it as to the felicity of its writer. They found their house so
• 3:00:31
  dirty and so damp, that they were obliged to be a week at an
• 3:00:33
  inn. John Binns had behaved most unhandsomely and engaged himself elsewhere. They have
• 3:00:41
  a man, however, on the same footing, which my aunt does not
• 3:00:43
  like, and she finds both him and the new maid servant very very inferior
• 3:00:48
  to Robert and Martha. Whether they mean to have any other domestics does not
• 3:00:52
  appear, nor whether they are to have a carriage. While they are in
• 3:00:56
  bath the holders are as usual, though I believe it is not very usual
• 3:01:01
  for them to be happy, which they now are at a great rate.
• 3:01:05
  In Hooper's marriage, the Irvines are not mentioned. The American lady improved as
• 3:01:11
  we went on, but still the same faults in part recurred. We are
• 3:01:16
  now in Margiana and like it very well. Indeed, we are just going
• 3:01:20
  to set off for Northumberland to be shut up in Widerington Tower, where there
• 3:01:24
  must be two or three sets of victims already immured under a very fine villain.
• 3:01:31
  Wednesday. Your report of Eliza's health gives me great pleasure, and the
• 3:01:35
  progress of the bank is a constant source of satisfaction. With such increasing profits,
• 3:01:41
  tell Henry that I hope he will not work poor high diddles so hard
• 3:01:45
  as he used to do. Has your newspaper given a sad story of a
• 3:01:48
  Missus Middleton, wife of a farmer in Yorkshire, her sister and servant being
• 3:01:52
  almost frozen to death in the late weather, her little child quite so?
• 3:01:58
  I hope the sister is not our friend, miss would and I rather think
• 3:02:01
  her brother in law had moved into Lincolnshire. But their name and station accord
• 3:02:05
  too well. Missus Eym and the maid are said to be tolerably recovered,
• 3:02:09
  but the sister is likely to lose the use of her limbs. Charles's rugg
• 3:02:15
  will be finished to day and sent to morrow to Frank, to be consigned
• 3:02:18
  by him to mister Turner's care, and I am going to send Marmine out
• 3:02:22
  with it. Very generous in me, I think, as we have no
• 3:02:26
  letter from Alderstrop, we may suppose the good woman was alive on Monday,
• 3:02:31
  but I cannot help expecting bad news from thence or book them in a few
• 3:02:35
  days. Do you continue quite well? Have you nothing to say of your
• 3:02:39
  little namesake? We join in love and many happy returns, Yours affectionately,
• 3:02:46
  J Austen. The men are down. Ball was a smaller thing than I
• 3:02:50
  expected, but it seems to have made Anna very happy at her age.
• 3:02:54
  It would not have done for me. Letter thirty two Castle Square, Tuesday,
• 3:03:03
  January seventeenth, My dear Cassandra, I am happy to say that we
• 3:03:07
  had no second letter from Bookham last week. Yours has brought its usual measure
• 3:03:11
  of satisfaction and amusement, and I beg your acceptance of all the thanks do
• 3:03:16
  on the occasion Your offer of cravats is very kind and happens to be particularly
• 3:03:22
  adapted to my wants, but it was an odd thing to occur to you.
• 3:03:26
  Yes, we have got another fall of snow, and a very dreadful
• 3:03:31
  everything seems to turn to snow this winter. I hope you have had no
• 3:03:35
  more illness among you, and that William will be soon as well as ever.
• 3:03:39
  His working a footstool for Chawton is a most agreeable surprise to me,
• 3:03:43
  and I am sure his grand Mamma will value it very much as a proof
• 3:03:46
  of his affection and industry. But we shall never have the heart to put
• 3:03:50
  our feet upon it. I believe I must work a muslin cover in satin
• 3:03:54
  stitch to keep it from the dirt. I long to know what his colors
• 3:03:58
  are. I guess greens and purples. Edward and Henry have started a difficulty
• 3:04:05
  respecting our journey, which I must own with some confusion, had never been
• 3:04:09
  thought of by us. But if the Warmer expected by it to prevent our
• 3:04:13
  traveling into Kent entirely, he will be disappointed. For we have already determined
• 3:04:16
  to go to the Croydon Road on leaving Bookham and sleep at Dartford will not
• 3:04:20
  that do. There certainly does seem no convenient resting place on the other road.
• 3:04:26
  Anna went to Clanville last Friday, and I have hopes of her new
• 3:04:31
  aunt's being really worth her knowing. Perhaps you may never have heard that James
• 3:04:35
  and Mary paid a morning visit there in form some weeks ago, and Mary,
• 3:04:39
  though by no means disposed to like her, was very much pleased with
• 3:04:41
  her. Indeed, her praise, to be sure, proves nothing more than
• 3:04:45
  missus Emm's being civil and attentive to them. But her being so is in
• 3:04:48
  favor of her having good sense. Mary writes of Anna as improved in person,
• 3:04:54
  but gives her no other commendation. I am afraid her absence now may
• 3:04:58
  deprive her of one pleasure, for that silly mister Hammond is actually to give
• 3:05:03
  his ball on Friday. We had some reason to expect a visit from Earl
• 3:05:07
  Harwood and James this week, but they do not come. Miss Murden arrived
• 3:05:11
  last night at missus Hookey's as a message and a basket announced to us.
• 3:05:16
  You will therefore return to an enlarged and of course improved society here, especially
• 3:05:22
  as the Miss williamses are come back. We were agreeably surprised the other day
• 3:05:26
  by a visit from your beauty and mine, each in a new cloth,
• 3:05:30
  mantle and bonnet, And I daresay will value yourself much on the modest propriety
• 3:05:33
  of Miss W's taste, hers being purple, and Miss Grace's scarlet. I
• 3:05:41
  can easily suppose that your six weeks here will be fully occupied, were it
• 3:05:45
  only in lengthening the waists of your gowns. I have pretty well arranged my
• 3:05:48
  spring and summer plans of that kind, and mean to wear out my spotted
• 3:05:52
  muslin before I go. You will exclaim at this, but mine really has
• 3:05:56
  signs of feebleness, which, with a little care may come to something.
• 3:06:01
  Martha and doctor Mant are as bad as ever. Key runs after her in
• 3:06:05
  the street to apologize for having spoken to a gentleman which he was near him
• 3:06:09
  the day before. Poor missus Mant can stand it no longer. She is
• 3:06:13
  retired to one of her married daughters. When William returns to Winchester, Mary
• 3:06:18
  Jane is to go to missus Newne's for a month and then to Steventon for
• 3:06:22
  a fortnight. And it seems likely that she and her aunt Martha may travel
• 3:06:26
  into Berkshire together. We shall not have a month of Martha after your return,
• 3:06:31
  and that month we have very interrupted and broken one. But we shall
• 3:06:33
  enjoy ourselves the more when we can get a quiet half hour together to set
• 3:06:39
  against your new novel, of which nobody ever heard before, and perhaps never
• 3:06:43
  may again. We have got Ida of Athens by Miss Owenson, which must
• 3:06:48
  be very clever, because it was written, as the authoress says, in
• 3:06:54
  three months. We have only read the preface yet, but her Irish girl
• 3:06:58
  does not make me expect much. If the warmth of her language could affect
• 3:07:01
  the body, it might be worth reading in this weather. Adieu, I
• 3:07:07
  must leave off to stir the fire and call on Miss Murden evening. I
• 3:07:13
  have done them both the first. Very often we find our friend as comfortable
• 3:07:18
  as she can ever allow herself to be in cold weather. There is a
• 3:07:22
  very neat parlor behind the shop for her to sit in. Not very light,
• 3:07:24
  indeed, being a la Southampton, the middle of three deep, but
• 3:07:30
  very lively from the frequent sound of the pestle and mortar. We afterwards called
• 3:07:35
  on the Miss Williamses, who lodge at Dernatoy's, who lodge at Durantoy's.
• 3:07:39
  Miss Mary only was at home and she is in very indifferent health. Doctor
• 3:07:45
  Hackett came in while we were there and said that he never remembered such a
• 3:07:48
  severe winter as this in Southampton before. It is bad, but we do
• 3:07:52
  not suffer as we did last year because the wind has been more northeast than
• 3:07:56
  northwest for a day or two last year week my mother was very poorly with
• 3:08:01
  return of one of her old complaints, but it did not last long and
• 3:08:05
  seems to have left nothing bad behind it. She began to talk of a
• 3:08:09
  serious illness, her two last having been preceded by the same symptoms. But
• 3:08:15
  thank Heaven, she is now quite as well as one can expect her to
• 3:08:18
  be, in weather which deprives her of exercise. Miss m conveys to us
• 3:08:24
  a third volume of sermons from Hamstall, just published, and which we are
• 3:08:28
  to like better than the two others. They are professedly practical and for the
• 3:08:33
  use of country congregations. I have just received some verses in an unknown hand
• 3:08:39
  and am desired to forward them to my nephew Edward at godmisham alas poor brag
• 3:08:45
  thou boastful game. What now avails thine empty name? Where now is thy
• 3:08:50
  more distinguished fame? My day is ooor and thine the same for thou like
• 3:08:56
  me art thrown aside at Godmsham. This creetmis tied, and now across the
• 3:09:01
  table wide, each game, save brag or speck, is tried. Such
• 3:09:07
  is the mild ejaculation of tender hearted speculation. Wednesday. I expected to have
• 3:09:16
  a letter from somebody to day, but I have not. Twice every day
• 3:09:20
  I think of a letter from Portsmouth. Miss Murden has been sitting with us
• 3:09:24
  this morning. As yet she seems very well pleased with her situation. The
• 3:09:30
  worst part of her being in Southampton will be the necessity of one walking with
• 3:09:33
  her now and then, for she talks so loud that one is quite ashamed.
• 3:09:37
  But our dining hours are luckily very different, which we shall take all
• 3:09:41
  reasonable advantage of. The Queen's birthday moves the assembly to this night instead of
• 3:09:46
  last, and as it is always fully attended, Martha and I expect an
• 3:09:50
  amusing show. We were in hopes of being independent of other companions by having
• 3:09:56
  the attendants of mister Austin and Captain Harwood. But as they fail, are
• 3:10:00
  we are obliged to look out for other help, and are fixed on the
• 3:10:03
  wallops as least likely to be troublesome. I have called on them this morning
• 3:10:07
  and found them very willing, and I am sorry that you must wait a
• 3:10:09
  whole week for the particulars of the evening. I propose being asked to dance
• 3:10:15
  by our acquaintance mister Smith now Captain Smith, who has lately reappeared in Southampton,
• 3:10:20
  but I shall decline it. He saw Charles last August. What an
• 3:10:26
  alarming bride, missus Blank must have been, Such a parade as one of
• 3:10:30
  the most immodest pieces of modesty that one can imagine to attract notice could have
• 3:10:35
  been her only wish. It augers ill for her family. It announces not
• 3:10:39
  great sense, and therefore, in Shaw's boundless influence, I hope Fanny's visit
• 3:10:46
  is now taking place. You have said scarcely anything of her lately, but
• 3:10:50
  I trust you are as good friends as ever. Martha sends her love and
• 3:10:54
  hopes to have the pleasure of seeing you when you return to Southampton. You
• 3:10:58
  are to understand and this message as being merely for the sake of a message
• 3:11:01
  to oblige me yours affectionately j Austen. Henry never sent his love to me
• 3:11:09
  in your last but I send him mine. End of Section fourteen. Letter
• 3:11:16
  thirty three Castle Square, Tuesday, January twenty fourth, My dear Cassandra,
• 3:11:24
  I will give you the indulgence of a letter on Thursday this week instead of
• 3:11:28
  Friday. But I do not require you to write again before Sunday, provided
• 3:11:33
  I may believe you and your finger going on quite well. Take care of
• 3:11:37
  your precious self. Do not work too hard. Remember that Aunt Cassandra is
• 3:11:41
  quite as scarce as Miss Beverly's. I had the happiness yesterday of a letter
• 3:11:46
  from Charles, but I shall say as little about it as possible, because
• 3:11:50
  I know that excruciating Henry will have had a letter likewise to make all my
• 3:11:54
  intelligence valueless. It was written at Bermuda on the seventh and tenth of December,
• 3:12:00
  all well, and Fanny still only in expectation of being otherwise. He
• 3:12:05
  had taken a small prize in his late cruise, a French schooner laden with
• 3:12:09
  sugar, but bad weather parted them, and she had not yet been heard
• 3:12:13
  of. His cruise ended December first. My September letter was the latest he
• 3:12:20
  had received this day. Three weeks you were to be in London, and
• 3:12:24
  I wish you better weather, not but that you may have worse, For
• 3:12:28
  we now have nothing but ceaseless snow or rain and insufferable dirt to complain of.
• 3:12:33
  No tempestuous winds nor severity of cold. Since I wrote last, we
• 3:12:39
  have had something of each. But it is not genteel to rip up old
• 3:12:43
  grievances. You used me scandalously by not mentioning Edward Cooper's sermons. I tell
• 3:12:50
  you everything, and it is unknown the mysteries you conceal from me. And
• 3:12:54
  to add to the rest, you persever in giving a final e to invalid,
• 3:13:00
  thereby putting it out of one's power to suppose missus e lee even for
• 3:13:03
  a moment. A veteran soldier. She good woman, is I hope destined
• 3:13:09
  for some further placid enjoyment of her own excellence in this world, for her
• 3:13:13
  recovery advances exceedingly well. I had this pleasant news in a letter from Bukham
• 3:13:18
  last Thursday. But as the letter was from Mary instead of her mother,
• 3:13:22
  you will guess her account was not equally good. From home missus Cook had
• 3:13:26
  been confined to her bed some days by illness, but was then better,
• 3:13:31
  and Mary wrote in confidence of her, continuing to mend. I have desired
• 3:13:35
  to hear again soon. You rejoice me by what you say of Fanny.
• 3:13:39
  I hope she will not turn good for nothing this ever so long. We
• 3:13:43
  thought of and talked of her yesterday with sincere affection, and wished her a
• 3:13:48
  long enjoyment of all the happiness to which she seems born. While she gives
• 3:13:52
  happiness to those about her, she is pretty sure of her own share.
• 3:13:56
  I am gratified by her having pleasure in what I write, but I wish
• 3:14:01
  the knowledge of my being exposed to her discerning criticism may not hurt my style
• 3:14:05
  by inducing too great a solicitude. I begin already to weigh my words and
• 3:14:09
  sentences more than I did, and am looking about for a sentiment, an
• 3:14:13
  illustration, or a metaphor in every corner of the room. Could my ideas
• 3:14:20
  flow as fast as the rain in the store closet, it would be charming.
• 3:14:24
  We have been in two or three dreadful states within the last week,
• 3:14:28
  from the melting of the snow, et cetera, and the contest between us
• 3:14:31
  in the closet has now ended in our defeat. I have been obliged to
• 3:14:35
  move almost everything out of it and leave it to splash itself as it likes.
• 3:14:41
  You have, by no means raised my curiosity after Caleb. My disinclination
• 3:14:46
  for it before was affected, but now it is real. I do not
• 3:14:50
  like the evangelicals. Of course I shall be delighted when I read it like
• 3:14:54
  other people. But till I do, I dislike it. I am sorry.
• 3:14:58
  My verses did not bring any return from Edward. I was in hopes
• 3:15:03
  they might, but I suppose he does not rate them high enough. It
• 3:15:07
  might be partiality, but they seemed to me purely classical, just like Homer
• 3:15:11
  and virgil Ovid and proper Aqua Marabus. I had a nice brotherly letter from
• 3:15:18
  Frank the other day, which, after an interval of nearly three weeks,
• 3:15:22
  was very welcome. No orders will come on Friday, and none will come
• 3:15:26
  yesterday, or we should have heard to day. I had supposed Miss c
• 3:15:31
  would share her cousin's room here, but a message in this letter proves the
• 3:15:33
  contrary. I will make the garret as comfortable as I can, but the
• 3:15:37
  possibilities of that apartment are not great. My mother has been talking to Eliza
• 3:15:43
  about our future home, and she making no difficulty at all of the Sweetheart
• 3:15:48
  is perfectly disposed to continue with us, but till she is written home for
• 3:15:52
  mother's approbation, cannot quite decide. Mother does not like to have her so
• 3:15:56
  far off at Chawton. She will be nine or time ten miles nearer,
• 3:16:01
  which I hope will have its due influence. As for Sally, she means
• 3:16:05
  to play John Binns with us in her anxiety to belong to our household again.
• 3:16:09
  Hitherto she appears a very good servant. You depend upon finding all your
• 3:16:15
  plants dead. I hope they look very ill. I understand your silence on
• 3:16:20
  the subject of our ball makes me suppose your curiosity too great for words.
• 3:16:24
  We were very well entertained and could have stayed longer but for the arrival of
• 3:16:28
  my list's shoes to convey me home, and I did not like to keep
• 3:16:31
  them waiting in the cold. The room was tolerably full, and the ball
• 3:16:35
  opened by Miss Glynn. The miss Lances had partners. Captain Dauvergneur's friend appeared
• 3:16:41
  in Regimentals. Caroline Maitland had an officer to flirt with, and mister John
• 3:16:46
  Harrison was deputed by Captain Smith, being himself absent, to ask me to
• 3:16:50
  dance. Everything went well, you see, especially after we had tapped missus
• 3:16:56
  Lance's neckerchief in behind and fastened it with a pin. We had a very
• 3:17:01
  full and agreeable account of mister Hammond's ball From Anna last night. The same
• 3:17:05
  fluent pen has sent similar information I know into Kent. She seems to have
• 3:17:09
  been as happy as one could wish her, and the complacency of her Mamma
• 3:17:13
  doing the honors of the evening must have made her pleasure almost as great.
• 3:17:16
  The grandeur of the meeting was beyond my hopes. I should like to have
• 3:17:20
  seen Anna's looks and performance, but that sad cropped head must have injured the
• 3:17:26
  former Martha pleases herself with believing that if I had kept her counsel, you
• 3:17:31
  would never have heard of doctor M's late behavior, as if the very slight
• 3:17:35
  manner in which I mentioned it could have been all on which you found your
• 3:17:37
  judgment. I do not endeavor to undeceive her, because I wish her happy
• 3:17:41
  at all events, and know how highly she prizes happiness of any kind.
• 3:17:46
  She is moreover so full of kindness for us both, and sends you,
• 3:17:50
  in particular so many good wishes about your finger that I am willing to overlook
• 3:17:54
  a venial fault. And as doctor em is a clergyman, their attachment,
• 3:17:58
  how ever immoral, has a decorous air. Adieu, sweet you, this
• 3:18:05
  is grievous news from Spain. It is well that doctor Moore was spared the
• 3:18:09
  knowledge of such a son's death. Yours affectionately, j austen Anne's hand gets
• 3:18:16
  better and better. It begins to be too good for any consequence. We
• 3:18:20
  send best love to dear little Lizzie and Mary Anne. In particular, the
• 3:18:26
  Portsmouth Paper gave a melancholy history of a poor madwoman escape from confinement, who
• 3:18:31
  set her husband and daughter of the name of Payne, lived at Ashford and
• 3:18:33
  Kent. Do you own them? Letter thirty four Castle Square, Monday,
• 3:18:43
  January thirtieth, My dear Cassandra, I was not much surprised yesterday by the
• 3:18:48
  agreeable surprise of your letter, and extremely glad to receive the assurance of your
• 3:18:52
  finger being well again. Here is such a wet day as was never seen.
• 3:18:56
  I wish the poor little girls had better weather for their journey. They
• 3:19:01
  must amuse themselves with watching the rain drops down the windows. Sachary, I
• 3:19:05
  suppose, feels quite broken hearted. I cannot have done with the weather without
• 3:19:09
  observing how delightfully mild it is. I am sure Fanny must enjoy it with
• 3:19:13
  us. Yesterday was a very blowing day. We got to church, however,
• 3:19:18
  but we had not been able to do for two Sundays before. I
• 3:19:22
  am not at all ashamed about the name of the novel, having been guilty
• 3:19:24
  of no insult toward your handwriting the diff thong I always saw, But knowing
• 3:19:30
  how fond you were of adding a vow whenever you could, I attributed it
• 3:19:33
  to that alone. And the knowledge of the truth does the book no service.
• 3:19:37
  The only merit it could have was in the name of Caleb, which
• 3:19:39
  has an honest, unpretending sound. But in Colibs there is pedantry and affectation.
• 3:19:46
  Is it written only to classical scholars? I shall now try to say
• 3:19:52
  only what is necessary. I am weary of meandering, so expect a vast
• 3:19:56
  deal of small matter concisely told in the next two pages. Missus Cook has
• 3:20:03
  been very dangerously ill, but is now I hope safe. I had a
• 3:20:07
  letter last week from George Mary being too busy to write, and at that
• 3:20:11
  time the disorder was called of the typhus kind, and their alarm considerable.
• 3:20:16
  But yesterday brought me a much better account from Mary, the origin of the
• 3:20:18
  complaint being now ascertained to be bilious, and the strong medicine's requisite promising to
• 3:20:24
  be effectual. Missus e l is so much recovered as to get into the
• 3:20:28
  dressing room every day. A letter from Hamstall gives the history of Sir Thomas
• 3:20:31
  Williams's return. The Admiral, whoever he might be, took a fancy to
• 3:20:37
  the Neptune, and having only a worn out seventy four to offer anew of
• 3:20:39
  it, Sir Thomas declined such a command at his come home passenger. Lucky
• 3:20:46
  man to have so fair an opportunity of escape. I hope his wife allows
• 3:20:50
  herself to be happy on the occasion and does not give all her thoughts to
• 3:20:54
  being nervous. A great event happens this week at Hamstall in Young Edward's removal
• 3:20:58
  to school. He is going to Rugby and is very happy in the idea
• 3:21:01
  of it. I wish his happiness may last, But it will be a
• 3:21:05
  great change to become a raw schoolboy from being a pompous sermon writer and a
• 3:21:09
  domineering brother. It will do him good. I daresay Caroline has had a
• 3:21:16
  great escape from being burnt to death lately. As her husband gives the account,
• 3:21:20
  we must believe it true. Miss Marden is gone called away by the
• 3:21:24
  critical state of Missus Pottinger, who has had another severe stroke and is without
• 3:21:28
  sense or speech. Miss Madden wishes to return to Southampton of circumstances suit,
• 3:21:33
  but it must be very doubtful. We have been obliged to turn away Charles.
• 3:21:37
  He grew so very drunken and negligent, and we have a man in
• 3:21:41
  his place called Thomas. Martha desires me to communicate something concerning herself, which
• 3:21:46
  she knows will give you pleasure as affording her very particular satisfaction. It is
• 3:21:52
  that she is to be in town this spring with Missus Dundas. I need
• 3:21:56
  not dilate on the subject. You understand enough of the wise and wear fours
• 3:22:00
  to enter into her feelings, and to be conscious that of all possible arrangements,
• 3:22:03
  it is the one most acceptable to her. She goes to barton On
• 3:22:07
  leaving us and the family moved to town in April. What you tell me
• 3:22:11
  if Miss Sharp is quite new and surprises me a little? I feel,
• 3:22:16
  however, as you do. She is born poor thing to struggle with evil,
• 3:22:22
  and her continuing with Miss b is I hope, a proof that matters
• 3:22:24
  are not always so very bad between them, as her letters sometimes represent Jenny's
• 3:22:31
  marriage. I had heard of and supposed you would do so too from Steventon,
• 3:22:35
  as I knew you were corresponding with Mary at the time. I hope
• 3:22:39
  she will not Sully, the respectable name she now bears. Your plan for
• 3:22:43
  Miss Curling is uncommonly considerate and friendly, and such as she must surely jump
• 3:22:48
  at Edward's going round by Steventon, as I understand he promises to do,
• 3:22:54
  can be no reasonable objection. Missus j Austen's hospitality is just of the kind
• 3:22:58
  to enjoy such a visit her. We were very glad to know Aunt Fanny
• 3:23:01
  was in the country when we read of the fire. Pray give my best
• 3:23:05
  compliments to the missus Finch's if they are at g M. I am sorry
• 3:23:09
  to find that Sir Jane Moore has a mother living, but though a very
• 3:23:13
  heroic son, he might not be a very necessary one to her happiness.
• 3:23:16
  Deacon Morrel may be more to Missus Morrel. I wish Sir John had united
• 3:23:22
  something of the Christian with the hero in his death. Thank Heaven, we
• 3:23:26
  have had no one to care for, particularly among the troops, no one
• 3:23:30
  in fact nearer to us than Sir John himself. Colonel Maytland is safe and
• 3:23:33
  well. His mother and sisters were of course anxious about him, but there
• 3:23:37
  is no entering much into the solicitudes of that family. My mother is well
• 3:23:43
  and gets out when she can, with the same enjoyment and apparently the same
• 3:23:46
  strength as hitherto. She hopes you will not omit begging missus Seward to get
• 3:23:50
  the garden cropped for us, supposing she leaves the house too wellly to make
• 3:23:54
  the garden any object to herself. We are very desirous of receiving your account
• 3:23:58
  of the house, for your observations. Will have a motive which can leave
• 3:24:01
  nothing to conjecture, and suffer nothing from want of memory for one's own dear
• 3:24:05
  self, one ascertains and remembers everything. Lady SOMs is an imprudent woman to
• 3:24:11
  come back to her old neighborhood again. I suppose she pretends never to have
• 3:24:16
  married before, and wonders how her father and mother came to have her christened
• 3:24:20
  Lady SOMs. The store closet. I hope will never do so again,
• 3:24:24
  for much of the evil is proved to have proceeded from the gutter being choked
• 3:24:28
  up, and we have had it cleared. We had reason to rejoice in
• 3:24:31
  the child's absence at the time of the thaw, for the nursery was not
• 3:24:33
  habitable. We hear of similar disasters from almost everybody. No news from Portsmouth.
• 3:24:41
  We are very patient. Missus Charles Fowl desires to be kindly remembered to
• 3:24:45
  you. She is warmly interested in my brother and his family. Yours very
• 3:24:50
  affectionately. J. Austen, end of Section fifteen, Letter thirty five,
• 3:25:00
  Sloane Street, Thursday April eighteenth, eighteen eleven. My dear Cassandra, I
• 3:25:07
  have so many little matters to tell you of that I cannot wait any longer
• 3:25:11
  before I begin to put them down. I spent Tuesday in Bentinck Street.
• 3:25:16
  The cooks called here and took me back, and it was quite a cook
• 3:25:20
  day for the Miss Rowles paid a visit while I was there, and Sam
• 3:25:24
  Arnold dropped in to tea. The badness of the weather disconcerted an excellent plan
• 3:25:31
  of mine, that of calling on Miss Beckford again, But from middle of
• 3:25:35
  the day it rained incessantly. Mary and I, after disposing of her father
• 3:25:39
  and mother, went to the Liverpool Museum in the British Gallery, and I
• 3:25:43
  had some amusement at each, though my preference for men and women always inclines
• 3:25:50
  me to attend more to the company than the sight. Missus Cook regrets very
• 3:25:54
  much that she did not see you when you called. It was owing to
• 3:25:58
  a blunder among the servants, for she did not know of our visit till
• 3:26:01
  we were gone. She seems tolerably well, but with the nervous part of
• 3:26:05
  her complaint, I fear increases and makes her more and more unwilling to part
• 3:26:11
  with Mary. I propose to the latter that she should go to Chawton with
• 3:26:16
  me on the supposition of my traveling the Guildford Road, and she, I
• 3:26:20
  do believe, would be glad to do it, But perhaps it may be
• 3:26:22
  impossible unless a brother can be at home at that time. It certainly must
• 3:26:28
  George comes to them to day. I did not see Fear till late on
• 3:26:33
  Tuesday. He was gone to Ilford, but he came back in time to
• 3:26:37
  show his usual nothing meaning harmless, heartless civility. Henry, who had been
• 3:26:43
  confined to the whole day to the bank, took me in his way home,
• 3:26:46
  and, after putting life and wit into the party for a quarter of
• 3:26:48
  an hour, put himself and his sister into a Hackney coach. I bless
• 3:26:54
  my stars that I have done with Tuesday. But alas Wednesday was like Quires,
• 3:27:00
  a day of great doings for Manon, and I took our walk to
• 3:27:03
  Grafton House, and I have a good deal to say on that subject.
• 3:27:07
  I am sorry to tell you that I am getting very extravagant and spending all
• 3:27:11
  my money. And what is worse for you, I have been spending yours
• 3:27:16
  too, For in a linen drapist shock, to which I went for a
• 3:27:18
  checked muslin, and for which I was obliged to give seven shillings a yard.
• 3:27:24
  I was tempted by a pretty colored muslin and bought ten yards of it
• 3:27:28
  on the chance of your liking it. But at the same time, if
• 3:27:31
  it should not suit you, you must not think yourself at all obliged to
• 3:27:33
  take it. It is only three shillings and sixpence a yard, and I
• 3:27:39
  should not in the least mind keeping the whole in texture. It is just
• 3:27:43
  what we prefer, but its resemblance to green cruels, I must own is
• 3:27:48
  not great. For the pattern is a small red spot. And now I
• 3:27:52
  believe I have done all my commissions except Wedgewood. I like my walk very
• 3:27:58
  much. It is shorter than I had expected, and the weather was delightful.
• 3:28:03
  We set off immediately after breakfast and must have reached Grafton House by half
• 3:28:07
  past eleven. But when we entered the shop the whole counter was thronged and
• 3:28:13
  we waited full half an hour before we could be attended to. When we
• 3:28:16
  were served, however, I was very well satisfied with my purchases. My
• 3:28:20
  bugle trimming at two shillings and fourpence and three pear silk stockings for a little
• 3:28:26
  less than twelve shillings a pair. In my way back, who should I
• 3:28:30
  meet but mister Moore, just come from Beckenham. I believe he would have
• 3:28:35
  passed me if I had not made him stop. But we were delighted to
• 3:28:37
  meet I soon found, however, that he had nothing new to tell me,
• 3:28:41
  and then I let him go. Miss Burton has made me a very
• 3:28:46
  pretty little bonnet, and now nothing can satisfy me. But I must have
• 3:28:50
  a straw hat of the riding hat shape like Missus Tilson's, and a young
• 3:28:54
  woman in this neighborhood is actually making me one. I am really very shocking,
• 3:28:58
  but it will not be dear at a guinea. Our polices are seventeen
• 3:29:03
  shillings each. She charges only eight shillings for the making. But the buttons
• 3:29:07
  seem expensive. Are expensive, I might have said, for the fact is
• 3:29:11
  plain enough. We drank tea again yesterday with the Tilsons and met the Smiths.
• 3:29:18
  I find all these little parties very pleasant. I like missus s.
• 3:29:22
  Miss Betty is good humor itself and has not seen much. Besides. We
• 3:29:28
  spend to morrow evening with them, and are to meet the Colonel and Missus
• 3:29:31
  Cantalo Smith you have been used to hear of, and if she is in
• 3:29:35
  good humor, I are likely to have excellent singing to night. I might
• 3:29:39
  have been at the play. Henry had kindly planned our going together to the
• 3:29:43
  lyceum, But I have a cold, which I should not like to make
• 3:29:46
  worse before Saturday, so I stay within all this day. Eliza is walking
• 3:29:52
  out by herself. She has plenty of business on her hands just now for
• 3:29:56
  the day of The party is settled and drawing near above. Eighty people are
• 3:30:01
  invited for next Tuesday evening, and there is to be some very good music,
• 3:30:05
  five professionals, three of them glee singers, besides amateurs. Fanny will
• 3:30:11
  listen to this. One of the hirelings is a capital on the harp,
• 3:30:15
  from which I expect great pleasure. The foundation of the party was a dinner
• 3:30:20
  to Henry Egerton and Henry Walter, but the latter leaves town the day before.
• 3:30:24
  I am sorry as I wished her prejudice to be done away, but
• 3:30:28
  should have been more sorry if there had been no invitation. I am a
• 3:30:33
  wretch to be so occupied with all these things as to seem to have no
• 3:30:37
  thoughts to give to people and circumstances which really supply a far more lasting interest
• 3:30:41
  the society in which you are. But I do think of you all,
• 3:30:46
  I assure you, and want to know all about everybody, and especially about
• 3:30:50
  your visit to the w Friars. Millamoyen not to be occupied by one's own
• 3:30:54
  concerns. Saturday, Frank is superseded in the Caledonia. Henry brought us this
• 3:31:01
  news yesterday from mister Dash and he had at the same time that Charles may
• 3:31:05
  be in England in the course of a month. Sir Edward Pollin succeeds Lord
• 3:31:09
  Gambia in his command, and some captain of his succeeds Frank, and I
• 3:31:15
  believe the order is already gone out. Henry means to inquire further to day.
• 3:31:20
  He wrote to Mary on the occasion, this is something to think of.
• 3:31:24
  Henry is convinced that he will have the offer of something else, but
• 3:31:28
  does not think it will be at all encumbent upon him to accept it,
• 3:31:31
  and then follows what will he do and where will he live? I hope
• 3:31:37
  to hear from you to day. How are you as to health, strength,
• 3:31:41
  looks, et cetera. I had a very comfortable account from Chawton yesterday.
• 3:31:46
  If the weather permits, Eliza and I walk into London this morning.
• 3:31:50
  She is in want of chimney lights for Tuesday, and I have an ounce
• 3:31:54
  of darning cotton. She is resolved not to venture to the play tonight.
• 3:31:58
  The don Trays and Count Juliet cannot come to the party. It was at
• 3:32:03
  first a grief, but she has since supplied herself so well performers that it
• 3:32:07
  is of no consequence. Their not coming has produced our going to them to
• 3:32:11
  morrow evening, which I like the idea of. It will be amusing to
• 3:32:16
  see the ways of a French circle. I wrote to missus Hill a few
• 3:32:20
  days ago and have received a most kind and satisfactory answer. Any time the
• 3:32:26
  first week in May exactly suits her, and therefore I consider my going as
• 3:32:31
  tolerably fixed. I shall leave Sloane Street on the first or second, and
• 3:32:35
  be ready for James on the ninth, And if his plan altars, I
• 3:32:37
  can take care of myself. I have explained my views here and everything is
• 3:32:43
  smooth and pleasant, and Eliza talks kindly of conveying me to Stratum. We
• 3:32:48
  met the Tilsen's yesterday evening, but the Singing Smith's sent an excuse which put
• 3:32:54
  our Missus Smith out of humor. We are come back after a good dose
• 3:32:58
  of walking and coaching, and I have the pleasure of your letter. I
• 3:33:03
  wish I had James's verses, but they were left at Chawton when I return
• 3:33:07
  thither, if missus K will give me leave, I will send them to
• 3:33:11
  her. Our first object to day was Henrietta Street to consult with Henry in
• 3:33:16
  consequence of a very unlucky change of the play for this night Hamlet instead of
• 3:33:20
  King John, and we are to go on Monday to Macbeth instead. But
• 3:33:24
  it is a disappointment to us both. Love to all yours affectionately, Jane
• 3:33:33
  Letter, thirty six, Sloane Street, Thursday, April twenty fifth, My
• 3:33:41
  dearest Cassandra, I can return the compliment by thanking you for the unexpected pleasure
• 3:33:46
  of your letter yesterday. And as I like unexpected pleasure, it made me
• 3:33:52
  very happy. And indeed you need not apologize for your letter in any respect,
• 3:33:56
  for it is all very fine, but not too fine. I hope
• 3:34:01
  to be written again, or something like it. I think Edward will not
• 3:34:05
  suffer much longer from heat. By the look of things this morning, I
• 3:34:09
  suspect the weather is rising into the Belsamic northeast. It has been hot here,
• 3:34:15
  as you may suppose, since it was so hot with you, But
• 3:34:18
  I have not suffered from it at all, nor felt it in such a
• 3:34:20
  degree as to make me imagine it would be anything in the country. Everybody
• 3:34:24
  has talked of the heat, but I set it all down to London.
• 3:34:30
  I give you joy of our new nephew, and hope if he ever comes
• 3:34:33
  to be hanged it will not be. It will be too old to care
• 3:34:37
  about it. It is a great comfort to have it so safely and speedily
• 3:34:41
  over the Miss Curlings must be hard worked in writing so many letters, but
• 3:34:46
  the novelty of it may recommend it to them. Mine was from Miss Eliza,
• 3:34:50
  and she says that my brother may arrive to day. No, indeed,
• 3:34:54
  I am never too busy to think of S and S. I can
• 3:34:58
  no more forget it than a mother I can forget her sucking child. And
• 3:35:01
  I am much obliged to you for your inquiries. I have had two sheets
• 3:35:05
  to correct, but the last only brings us to Willoughby's first appearance. Missus
• 3:35:11
  Kay regrets in the most flattering manner that she must wait till May. But
• 3:35:15
  I have scarcely a hope of its being out in June. Henry does not
• 3:35:18
  neglect it. He is hurried the printer, and says he will see him
• 3:35:22
  again to day. It will not stand still during his absence. It will
• 3:35:26
  be sent to Eliza. The incomes remain as they were, but I will
• 3:35:31
  get them altered if I can. I am very much gratified by missus Kay's
• 3:35:37
  interest in it, and whatever may be the event of it, as to
• 3:35:39
  my credit with her, sincerely wish her curiosity could be satisfied sooner than is
• 3:35:43
  now probable. I think she will like my eleanor, but cannot build on
• 3:35:48
  anything else. Our party went off extremely well. There were many solicitudes,
• 3:35:56
  alarms and vexations beforehand, of course, but at last everything was quite right.
• 3:36:01
  The rooms were dressed up with flowers, et cetera, and looked very
• 3:36:03
  pretty. A glass for the mantelpiece was lent by the man who was making
• 3:36:09
  their own. Mister Egerton and mister Walter came at half past five, and
• 3:36:13
  the festivities began with a pair of very fine souls. Yes, mister Walter,
• 3:36:18
  for he has postponed his leaving London on purpose, which did not give
• 3:36:22
  much pleasure at the time, any more than the circumstance from which it rose.
• 3:36:26
  His calling on Sunday and being asked by Henry to take the family dinner
• 3:36:30
  on that day, which he did, but it is all smoothed over now,
• 3:36:33
  and she likes him very well. At half past seven arrived musicians in
• 3:36:39
  two Hackney coaches, and by eight the Lordly Company began to appear. Among
• 3:36:45
  the earliest were George and Mary Cook, and I spent the greatest part of
• 3:36:48
  the evening very pleasantly with them, the drawing room being soon hotter than we
• 3:36:52
  liked, who placed ourselves in the connecting passage, which was comparatively cool,
• 3:36:58
  and gave us all the advantage of the music at a pleasant distance, as
• 3:37:01
  well as that of the first view of every newcomer. I was quite surrounded
• 3:37:05
  by acquaintance, especially gentlemen, and what with mister Hampson, mister Seymour,
• 3:37:11
  mister w Knatchbull, mister Gimud, mister cure A, Captain Simpson, brother
• 3:37:16
  to the Captain Simpson, besides mister Walter and mister Egerton, in addition to
• 3:37:22
  the Cooks and Miss Beckford and Miss Middleton, I had quite as much upon
• 3:37:26
  my hands as I could do. Poor miss b has been suffering again from
• 3:37:31
  her old complaint and looks thinner than ever. She certainly goes to Cheltena in
• 3:37:37
  the beginning of June we were all delight and cordiality. Of course, Miss
• 3:37:41
  em seems very happy, but has not beauty enough to figure in London,
• 3:37:46
  including everybody. We were sixty six, which was considerably more than Eliza had
• 3:37:52
  expected, and quiet enough to fill the back drawing room and leave a few
• 3:37:54
  to be scattered about in the other and in the passage the music was extremely
• 3:38:01
  good. It opened Tell Fanny with Poig de parp Purse, praise, Poff,
• 3:38:07
  propeller, and of the other Glease I remember in peace, love tunes,
• 3:38:13
  Rosa Bell, the Red Cross, Knight, and Poor Insect. Between
• 3:38:18
  the songs were lessons on the harp or harp and pianoforte together, and the
• 3:38:24
  harp player was Wypart, whose name seems famous, though new to me.
• 3:38:28
  There was one female singer, a short Miss Davis, all in blue,
• 3:38:33
  bringing up for the public line, whose voice was said to be very fine.
• 3:38:37
  Indeed, and all the performers gave great satisfaction by doing what they were
• 3:38:41
  paid for and giving themselves no heirs. No amateur could be persuaded to do
• 3:38:46
  anything. The house was not clear till after twelve. If you wish to
• 3:38:52
  hear more of it, you must put your questions but I seem rather to
• 3:38:56
  have exhausted than spared the subject. This said Captain Simpson told us, on
• 3:39:01
  the authority of some other captain just arrived from Halifax, that Charles was bringing
• 3:39:05
  the Cleopatra home, and that she was probably by this time in the channel.
• 3:39:11
  But as Captain s was certainly in liquor, we must not quite depend
• 3:39:15
  upon it. It must give one a sort of expectation, however, and
• 3:39:18
  will prevent my writing to him any more. I would rather he should not
• 3:39:22
  reach England. T lime at home, and the Steventon party gone. My
• 3:39:28
  mother and Martha both write with great satisfaction of Anna's behavior. She is quite
• 3:39:33
  an Anna, with variations, but she cannot have reached her last, for
• 3:39:37
  that is always the most flourishing and showy. She is at about her third
• 3:39:41
  or fourth, which are generally simple and pretty. Your lilacs are in leaf,
• 3:39:46
  ours are in bloom, the horse chestnuts are quite out, and the
• 3:39:50
  elms almost I had a pleasant walk in Kensington Gardens on Sunday with Henry,
• 3:39:56
  mister Smith, and mister Tilson. Ever, everything was fresh and beautiful.
• 3:40:01
  We did go to the play after all. On Saturday we went to the
• 3:40:05
  Lyceum and saw the Hypocrite, an old play taken for Moliere's Tartuffe, and
• 3:40:11
  were well entertained. Doubton and Matthews were the good actors. Missus Edwin was
• 3:40:16
  the heroine, and her performance is just what it used to be. I
• 3:40:20
  have no chance of seeing Missus Siddons. She did act on Monday, but
• 3:40:24
  as Henry was told by the boxkeeper, but he did not think she would,
• 3:40:28
  the plans and all thought of it were given up. I should particularly
• 3:40:33
  have liked seeing her in constance, and could swear at her with little effort
• 3:40:35
  for disappointing me. Henry has been to the water color exhibition, which opened
• 3:40:41
  on Monday, and is to meet us there again some morning. If Eliza
• 3:40:46
  cannot go, and she has a cold at present, Miss Beate will be
• 3:40:50
  invited to be my companion. Henry leaves town on Sunday afternoon, but he
• 3:40:54
  means to write soon himself to Edward and will tell his own plans. The
• 3:40:58
  tea is this moment setting out. Do not have your colored muslin unless you
• 3:41:05
  really want it, because I am afraid I could not send it to the
• 3:41:07
  coach without giving trouble. Here. Eliza caught her coal on Sunday in our
• 3:41:13
  way to the Dntraig's. The horse is actually jibbed on this side of Hyde
• 3:41:16
  Park Gate. A load of fresh gravel made it a formidable hill to them,
• 3:41:20
  and they refused the collar. I believe there was a sore shoulder to
• 3:41:24
  irritate. Eliza was frightened and we got out and were detained in the evening
• 3:41:30
  air several minutes. The cold is in her chest, but she takes care
• 3:41:33
  of herself, and I hope it may not last long. This engagement prevented
• 3:41:39
  mister Walters staying late. He had his coffee and went away. Eliza enjoyed
• 3:41:43
  her evening very much and means to cultivate the acquaintance. And I see nothing
• 3:41:48
  to dislike in them, but they're taking quantities of snuff. Monsieur, the
• 3:41:52
  old Count is a very fine looking man, with quiet manners, good enough
• 3:41:56
  for an Englishman, and I believe is a man of great information and taste.
• 3:42:03
  He has some fine paintings which delighted Henry as much as the sun's music
• 3:42:05
  gratified Eliza, and among them a miniature of Philip the fifth of Spain,
• 3:42:11
  Louis the fourteenth's grandson, which exactly suited my capacity. Count Julienne's performance is
• 3:42:16
  very wonderful. We met only missus Latouche and miss East, and we are
• 3:42:22
  just now engaged to spend next Sunday evening at missus El's and to meet the
• 3:42:26
  d'antraigs. But Monsieur le Comte must do without Henry. If he would but
• 3:42:31
  speak English, I would take to him. Have you ever mentioned the leaving
• 3:42:35
  off tea to missus Kay. Eliza has just spoken of it again. The
• 3:42:39
  benefit she is found from it in sleeping has been very great. I shall
• 3:42:45
  write soon to Catherine to fix my day. We shall be Thursday. We
• 3:42:48
  have no engagement, but for Sunday. Eliza's cold makes quiet advisable. Her
• 3:42:54
  party is mentioned in this morning's paper. I am sorry to hear of poor
• 3:42:58
  Fanny's day from that quarter, I suppose is to be the alloy of a
• 3:43:03
  happiness. I will have no more to say. Yours affectionately, j A,
• 3:43:09
  give my love particularly to my god daughter. End of section sixteen,
• 3:43:16
  Letter thirty seven, Sloane Street, Tuesday, My dear Cassandra, I had
• 3:43:24
  sent off my letter yesterday before yours came, which I was sorry for,
• 3:43:30
  But as Eliza has been so good as to get me a frank. Your
• 3:43:33
  questions shall be answered without much further expense to you. The best direction to
• 3:43:39
  Henry at Oxford will be the Blue Boar Corn Market. I do not mean
• 3:43:46
  to provide another trimming for my police, for I am determined to spend no
• 3:43:50
  more money, so I shall wear it as it is longer than I ought.
• 3:43:54
  And then I do not know. My head dress was a bugle ban,
• 3:44:00
  and like the border to my gown, and a flower of Missus Tilson's.
• 3:44:03
  I depended upon hearing something of the evening from mister w k and am
• 3:44:09
  very well satisfied with his notice of me a pleasing looking young woman. That
• 3:44:13
  must do one cannot pretend to anything better. Now thankful to have it continued
• 3:44:18
  a few years longer. It gives me sincere pleasure to hear of missus Knight's
• 3:44:24
  having had a tolerable night at last. But upon this occasion I wish she
• 3:44:28
  had another name for the two nights jingle very much. We have tried to
• 3:44:33
  get self control, but in vain. I should like to know what her
• 3:44:37
  estimate is. But am always half afraid of finding a clever novel too clever,
• 3:44:43
  and of finding my own story and my own people all forestalled. Eliza
• 3:44:50
  has just received a few lines from Henry to assure her of the good conduct
• 3:44:54
  of his mare. He slept at Uxbridge on Sunday and wrote from Wheatfield.
• 3:45:00
  We were not claimed by Hans's place yesterday, but are to dine there to
• 3:45:03
  day. Mister Tilson called in the evening, but otherwise we were quite alone
• 3:45:09
  all day, and after having been out a good deal, the change was
• 3:45:13
  very pleasant. I like your opinion of miss Atton much better than I expected,
• 3:45:18
  and have now hopes of her staying a whole twelvemonth by this time.
• 3:45:22
  I suppose she is hard at it, governing away poor creature. I pity
• 3:45:28
  her, though they are my nieces. Oh yes, I remember miss Emma
• 3:45:33
  Plumtree's local consequence perfectly. I am in a dilemma for want of an Emma
• 3:45:41
  escaped from the lips of Henry Gibbs. But really I was never much more
• 3:45:46
  put to it than in continuing an answer to Fanny's former message, what is
• 3:45:50
  there to be said on the subject Pery pell or Perry pay or Poe or
• 3:45:58
  at the most pie Pope Pay, Pike pit. I congratulate Edward on the
• 3:46:03
  Wheeld of Kent Canal bill being put off till another session, as I have
• 3:46:09
  just had the pleasure of reading, there is always something to be hoped from
• 3:46:13
  delay between session and session. The first prepossession may rouse up the nation,
• 3:46:20
  and the villainous bill may be forced to lie still against wicked men's will.
• 3:46:26
  There is poetry for Edward and his daughter. I am afraid I shall not
• 3:46:30
  have any for you. I forgot to tell you in my last that our
• 3:46:35
  cousin, Miss Payne called in on Saturday and was persuaded to stay to dinner.
• 3:46:39
  She told us a great deal about her friend, Lady Catherine Brecknell,
• 3:46:43
  who is most happily married, and mister Brecknell is very religious and has got
• 3:46:46
  black whiskers. I am glad to think that Edward has a tolerable day for
• 3:46:52
  his drive to Goodnesston, and very glad to hear of his kind promise of
• 3:46:54
  bringing you to town. I hope everything will arrange itself favorably. The sixteenth
• 3:47:01
  is now to be missus Dundas's day. I mean, if I can to
• 3:47:05
  wait for your return before I have my new gown made up. From a
• 3:47:09
  notion of their making up to more advantage together, and as I find the
• 3:47:13
  muzzle is not so wide as it used to be, some contrivance may be
• 3:47:16
  necessary. I expect the skirt to require one half breadth cut in gauze besides
• 3:47:22
  two whole breadths. Eliza has not quite yet resolved on inviting Anna, but
• 3:47:28
  I think she will yours very affectionately. Jane Lutter, thirty eight, Chawton,
• 3:47:39
  Wednesday, May twenty nine. It was a mistake of mine, my
• 3:47:43
  dear Cassandra, to talk of a tenth child at Hamstall. I had forgot
• 3:47:48
  there were but eight already. Your inquiry, after my uncle and aunt were
• 3:47:52
  most happily timed for the very same post, brought an account of them.
• 3:47:56
  They are again at Gloucester House, enjoying fresh air, which they seem to
• 3:48:01
  have felt the want of in Bath, and are tolerably well, but not
• 3:48:05
  more than tolerable. My aunt does not enter into particulars, but she does
• 3:48:09
  not write in spirits, and we imagine that she has never entirely got the
• 3:48:13
  better of her disorder. In the winter, Missus Welby takes her out airing
• 3:48:18
  in her barouche, which gives her a headache. A comfortable proof, I
• 3:48:22
  suppose of the uselessness of the new carriage. When they have got it.
• 3:48:26
  You certainly must have heard before I can tell you that Colonel Ord has married
• 3:48:31
  our cousin, Margaret Beckford, the marchioness of Douglas's sister. The papers say
• 3:48:37
  that her father disinherits her, but I think too well of an awe to
• 3:48:39
  suppose that she is not a handsome independence of her own. The chickens are
• 3:48:45
  all alive and fit for the table, but we save them for something grand.
• 3:48:50
  Some of the flower seeds are coming up very well, but your Mignonette
• 3:48:54
  makes a wretched appearance. Miss Ben has been equally unlucky as to hers.
• 3:49:00
  She had seed from four different people, and none of it comes up.
• 3:49:03
  Our young pioneer at the foot of the fir tree has just blown and looks
• 3:49:07
  very handsome. And the whole of the shrubbery border will be soon very gay
• 3:49:11
  with pinks and sweet Williams. In addition to the columbines already in bloom,
• 3:49:18
  the syringas too are coming out. We are likely to have a great crop
• 3:49:22
  of orleans plums, but not many green gages on the standard, scarcely any
• 3:49:28
  three or four dozen, perhaps against the wall I told you differently when I
• 3:49:31
  first came home, but I can now judge better than I could then.
• 3:49:37
  I have had a medley in a satisfactory letter this morning from the husband and
• 3:49:41
  wife at Coe's, And in consequence of what is related of their plans,
• 3:49:45
  we have been talking over the possibility of inviting them here in their way from
• 3:49:48
  Steventon, which is what one should wish to do, and is I dare
• 3:49:52
  say, what they expect. But supposing Martha to be at home, it
• 3:49:56
  does not seem a very easy thing to accommodate so larger party. My mother
• 3:50:01
  offers to give up her room to Frank and Mary, but there will then
• 3:50:05
  be only the best for two maids and three children. They go to Steventon
• 3:50:09
  about the twenty second, and I guess, for it is quite a guess.
• 3:50:15
  We'll stay there from a fortnight to three weeks. I must not venture
• 3:50:18
  to press Miss Sharp's coming. At present we may hardly be at Liberty before
• 3:50:22
  August. Poor John Bridges. We are very sorry for his situation and for
• 3:50:28
  the distress of the family. Lady b is in one way severely tried,
• 3:50:35
  and our own dear brother suffers a great deal. I dare say on the
• 3:50:37
  occasion. I have not much to say of ourselves. Anna is nursing a
• 3:50:43
  cold caught in the arbor at Farringdon, that she may be able to keep
• 3:50:46
  her engagement to Maria m this evening, when I suppose she will make it
• 3:50:50
  worse. She did not return from Farrington till Sunday, when h B walked
• 3:50:56
  home with her and drank tea. Here she was the proutings almost all Monday.
• 3:51:01
  She went to learn to make feather trimmings of miss Anna, and they
• 3:51:05
  kept her to dinner, which was rather lucky, as we were called upon
• 3:51:09
  to meet Missus and miss Terry the same evening at the digweeds, and though
• 3:51:13
  Anna was of course invited too, I think it always safest to keep her
• 3:51:16
  away from the family, lest she should be doing too little or too much.
• 3:51:22
  Missus, Terry, Mary and Robert, with my Aunt Harding and her
• 3:51:26
  daughter came from Dummer for a day and a night, all very agreeable and
• 3:51:31
  very much delighted with the new house and with Chawton in general. We sat
• 3:51:37
  upstairs and had thunder and lightning as usual. I never knew such a spring
• 3:51:41
  for thunderstorms as it has been. Thank God, we've had no bad ones
• 3:51:46
  here. I thought myself in luck to have my uncomfortable feelings shared by the
• 3:51:50
  mistress of the house, as that procured blinds and candles. It had been
• 3:51:56
  excessively hot the whole day. Missus Harding is a good look woman, but
• 3:52:01
  not much like Missus Tolk, inasmuch as she is very brown and has scarcely
• 3:52:05
  any teeth. She seems to have some of Missus Toke's civility. Miss h
• 3:52:09
  is an elegant, pleasing, pretty looking girl about nineteen I suppose, or
• 3:52:15
  nineteen and a half or nineteen in a quarter, with flowers in her head
• 3:52:18
  and music at her finger ends. She plays very well. Indeed, I
• 3:52:24
  have seldom had anybody with more pleasure. They were at Godington four or five
• 3:52:28
  years ago. My cousin Flora Long was there last year. My name is
• 3:52:33
  Diana. How does Fanny like it? What a change in the weather.
• 3:52:39
  We have a fire again now. Harriet Ben sleeps at the Great House to
• 3:52:43
  night and spends to morrow with us, And the plan is that we should
• 3:52:46
  all walk with her to drink tea at Farringdon, for her mother is now
• 3:52:50
  recovered. But the state of the weather is not very promising. At present.
• 3:52:54
  Miss Ben has been returned to her cottage since the beginning of last week,
• 3:52:58
  and has now scot another girl, she comes from Alton. For many
• 3:53:03
  days Miss b had nobody with her but her niece Elizabeth, who is delighted
• 3:53:07
  to be her visitor, and her maid. They both dined here on Saturday
• 3:53:11
  while Anna was at Farringdon, and last night an accidental meeting and a sudden
• 3:53:16
  impulse produced Miss Ben and Maria Middleton at our tea table. If you have
• 3:53:22
  not heard, it is very foot you should that mister Harrison has had the
• 3:53:26
  living of Fareham given him by the Bishop and is going to reside there.
• 3:53:31
  And now it is said that mister Peach, beautiful Wiseacre, wants to have
• 3:53:35
  the curacy of Overton, and if he does leave Ruton, James Digweed wishes
• 3:53:39
  to go there. Fare you well, yours affectionately, Jane Austen. The
• 3:53:46
  chimneys at the Great House had done. Mister Prowting has opened a gravel pit
• 3:53:50
  very conveniently for my mother, just at the mouth of the approach to his
• 3:53:54
  house. But it looks a little as if he meant to catch all his
• 3:53:56
  company tolerable gravel. Letter thirty nine Chawton, Thursday, June sixth. By
• 3:54:07
  this time, my dearest Cassandra, you know Martha's plans. I was rather
• 3:54:13
  disappointed, I confess, to find that she could not leave town till after
• 3:54:16
  the twenty fourth, as I had hoped to see you here the week before.
• 3:54:20
  The delay, however, is not great, and everything seems generally arranging
• 3:54:24
  itself for your return very comfortably. I found Henry perfectly predisposed to bring you
• 3:54:30
  to London, if agreeable to yourself. He has not fixed his day for
• 3:54:33
  going into Kent, but he must be back again before the twentieth. You
• 3:54:39
  may therefore think with something like certainty of the close of your Godminsham visit,
• 3:54:43
  and will have I suppose about a week for Sloane Street. He travels in
• 3:54:48
  his gig, and should the weather be tolerable, I think you must have
• 3:54:52
  a delightful journey. I have given up all idea of Miss Sharp's traveling with
• 3:54:56
  you and Martha, for though you were both a compliance with my scheme.
• 3:55:01
  Yet as you knock off a week from the end of her visit, and
• 3:55:05
  Martha rather more from the beginning, the thing is out of the question.
• 3:55:09
  I have written to her to say that after the middle of July. We
• 3:55:11
  shall be very happy to receive her, and I have added a welcome if
• 3:55:16
  she could make her way hither directly, but I do not expect that she
• 3:55:18
  will. I have also sent our invitation to Coles. We are very sorry
• 3:55:24
  for the disappointment you have all had in Lady B's illness. But a division
• 3:55:28
  of the proposed party is with you by this time, and I hope I
• 3:55:31
  may have brought you a better account of the rest. Give my love and
• 3:55:35
  thanks to Harriet, who has written me charming things of your looks and diverted
• 3:55:39
  me very much by poor missus. C. Mills continued perplexity. I had
• 3:55:45
  a few lines from Henry on Tuesday to prepare us for himself and his friend,
• 3:55:50
  and by the time that I had made the sumptuous provision of a neck
• 3:55:52
  of mutton on the occasion they drove into the court. But lest you should
• 3:55:56
  not immediately recollect in how many hours a neck of mutton made certainly be procured.
• 3:56:01
  I add that they came a little after twelve, both tall and well,
• 3:56:05
  and in their different degrees agreeable. It was a visit of only twenty
• 3:56:09
  four hours, but very pleasant while it lasted. Mister Tilson took a sketch
• 3:56:15
  of the Great House before dinner, and after dinner we all three walked to
• 3:56:18
  Chawton Park, meaning to go into it, but it was too dirty and
• 3:56:22
  we were obliged to keep on the outside. Mister Tilson admired the trees very
• 3:56:26
  much, but grieved that they should not be turned into money. My mother's
• 3:56:33
  cold is better, and I believe she only wants dry weather to be very
• 3:56:35
  well. It was a great distress to her that Anna should be absent during
• 3:56:39
  her uncle's visit, her distress which I could not share. She does not
• 3:56:45
  return from Farringdon till this evening, and I doubt not has had plenty of
• 3:56:48
  the miscellaneous, unsettled sort of happiness which seems to suit her best. We
• 3:56:54
  hear from Miss Ben, who was on the common with the Prowtings, that
• 3:56:56
  she was very much admired by the gentlemen in general. I like your new
• 3:57:01
  bonnets exceedingly. Yours is a shape which always looks well, and I think
• 3:57:07
  Fanny's particularly becoming to her. On Monday, I had the pleasure of receiving,
• 3:57:13
  unpacking and approving our wedgewood, where it all came very safely, and
• 3:57:18
  upon the whole is a good match, though I think they might have allowed
• 3:57:22
  us rather larger leaves, especially in such a year of fine foliage as this.
• 3:57:26
  One is apt to suppose that the woods about Birmingham must be blighted.
• 3:57:31
  There is no bill with the goods, but that shall not screen them from
• 3:57:35
  being paid. I mean to ask Martha to settle the account. It will
• 3:57:39
  be quite in her way, for she is just now sending my mother a
• 3:57:41
  breakfast set from the same place. I hope it will come by the wagon
• 3:57:46
  tomorrow. It is certainly what we want, and I long to know what
• 3:57:50
  is like. And as I am sure Martha has great pleasure in making the
• 3:57:54
  present, I will not have any regret. We have considerable dealings with the
• 3:57:58
  wagons at present. A hamper of port and brandy from Southampton is now in
• 3:58:03
  the kitchen. Your answer about the miss plum trees proves you as fine a
• 3:58:09
  Daniel as ever Porsia was. For I maintained Emma to be the eldest.
• 3:58:13
  We began peas on Sunday, but our gatherings are very small, not at
• 3:58:18
  all like the gathering in the Lady of the Lake yesterday. Had the agreeable
• 3:58:22
  surprise of finding several scarlet strawberries quite ripe. Had you been at home,
• 3:58:28
  this would have been a pleasure lost. There are more gooseberries and fewer currants
• 3:58:31
  than I thought at first. We must buy currants for our wine. The
• 3:58:37
  Digweeds are gone down to see the Stephen Terry's at Southampton and catch the King's
• 3:58:41
  birthday at Portsmouth. Miss Pappy Yawn called on us yesterday, looking handsomer than
• 3:58:46
  ever. Mariah Middleton and Miss Ben dine here to morrow. We are not
• 3:58:52
  to enclose any more letters to Abingdon Street, as perhaps Martha has told you.
• 3:58:58
  I had just left off right and put on my things for walking to
• 3:59:01
  Walton, when Anna and her friend Harriet called in their way thither, so
• 3:59:05
  we went together. Their business was to provide mourning against the King's death,
• 3:59:11
  and my mother has had a bombazine brought for her. I am not sorry
• 3:59:15
  to be back again, for the young ladies had a great deal to do,
• 3:59:18
  and without much method in doing it. Anna has not come home till
• 3:59:22
  tomorrow morning. She has written I find to Fanny, but there does not
• 3:59:28
  seem to be a great deal to relate of Tuesday. I had hoped there
• 3:59:31
  might be dancing. Missus Budd died on Sunday evening. I saw her two
• 3:59:37
  days before her death and thought it must happen soon. She suffered much from
• 3:59:41
  weakness and restlessness, almost to the last. Poor little Harriet seems truly grieved.
• 3:59:48
  You have never mentioned Harry how is he? With love to you all
• 3:59:54
  yours affectionately, j A. Anne, Section seventeen, Letter, forty Chawton,
• 4:00:07
  Friday, January twenty ninth, eighteen thirteen. I hope you received my
• 4:00:13
  little parcel by Jay Bond on Wednesday evening, my dear Cassandra, and that
• 4:00:16
  you will be ready to hear from me again on Sunday, for I feel
• 4:00:20
  that I must write to you to day. I want to tell you that
• 4:00:24
  I have got my own darling child from London. On Wednesday I received one
• 4:00:28
  copy sent down by Faulconer, with three lines from Henry to say that he
• 4:00:33
  had given another to Charles and sent a third by the coach to Godmusham.
• 4:00:37
  The advertisement is in our paper to day for the first time eighteen shillings.
• 4:00:43
  He shall ask one pound one shilling for my two next and one pound eight
• 4:00:48
  shilling for my stupidness of all Miss b dined with us on the very day
• 4:00:52
  of the book's coming, and in the evening we fairly set at it and
• 4:00:56
  read half the first volume to her, prefacing that, having intelligence from Henry
• 4:01:01
  that such a work would soon appear, we had desired to descend it whenever
• 4:01:03
  it came out, and I believed it passed with her unsuspected. She was
• 4:01:09
  amused, poor soul, that she could not help, you know, with
• 4:01:13
  two such people to lead the way. But she really does seem to admire
• 4:01:18
  Elizabeth. I must confess that I think her as delightful a creature as ever
• 4:01:22
  appeared in print. And how I shall be able to tolerate those who do
• 4:01:26
  not like her? At least I do not know. There are a few
• 4:01:31
  typical errors, and A said he, or A said she would sometimes make
• 4:01:37
  the dialogue more immediately clear. But I do not write for such dull elves
• 4:01:43
  as have not a great deal of ingenuity themselves. The second volume is shorter
• 4:01:48
  than I could wish, but the difference is not so much in reality as
• 4:01:52
  in look, there being a larger proportion of narrative in that part I have
• 4:01:56
  locked and cropped so successfully, however, that I imagine it must be rather
• 4:02:01
  shorter than sent and sensibility altogether. Now I will try and write of something
• 4:02:07
  else. Letter forty one, Chawton, Thursday, February fourth, My dear
• 4:02:16
  Cassandra, your letter was truly welcome, and I am much obliged to you
• 4:02:22
  for all your praise. It came at a right time, for I had
• 4:02:26
  had some fits of disgust. Our second evening's reading to Miss b had not
• 4:02:31
  pleased me so well. But I believe something must be attributed to my mother's
• 4:02:35
  too rapid way of getting on. Though she perfectly understands the characters herself,
• 4:02:41
  she cannot speak as they ought upon the whole. However, I am quite
• 4:02:46
  vain enough and well satisfied enough. The work is rather too light and bright
• 4:02:50
  and sparkling. It wants shade. It wants to be stretched out here and
• 4:02:56
  there with a long chapter of sense if it could be had, if not
• 4:03:01
  of Solemn's specious nonsense about something unconnected with the story, an essay on writing
• 4:03:09
  a critique on Walter Scott, or the history of Buonaparte, or something that
• 4:03:13
  would form a contrast and bring the reader with increased delight to the playfulness and
• 4:03:18
  epigrammatism of the general style. The greatest blunder in the printing that I have
• 4:03:22
  met with is in page two hundred and twenty, volume three, where two
• 4:03:26
  speeches are made into one. There might as well be no suppers at Longbourn,
• 4:03:31
  but I suppose it was the remains of missus Bennett's old Merit and Habits
• 4:03:37
  letter forty two February. This will be a very quick return for yours,
• 4:03:45
  my dear Cassandra. I doubt it's having much else to recommend it, but
• 4:03:48
  there is no saying. It may turn out to be a very long and
• 4:03:52
  delightful letter. I am exceedingly pleased that you can say what you do after
• 4:03:58
  having gone through the whole work. And Fanny's praise is very gratifying. My
• 4:04:03
  hopes were tolerably strong of her, but nothing like a certainty. Her liking
• 4:04:09
  Darcy and Elizabeth is enough. She might hate all the others if she would.
• 4:04:13
  I have her opinion under her own hand this morning. But your transcript
• 4:04:18
  of it, which I read first, was not and is not the less
• 4:04:22
  acceptable to me. It is, of course all praise, but the more
• 4:04:26
  exact truth which she sends you is good enough. Our party on Wednesday was
• 4:04:33
  not unagreeable, though we wanted a master of the house less anxious and fidgety,
• 4:04:37
  and more conversible. Upon Missus Blank's mentioning that she had sent the rejected
• 4:04:41
  addresses to Missus h I began talking to her a little about them and expressed
• 4:04:46
  my hope of their having amused her. Her answer was, oh, dear,
• 4:04:52
  yes, very much, very droll. Indeed the opening of the house
• 4:04:56
  and the striking up of the fiddles what she meant? Poor woman? Who
• 4:05:01
  can say? I sought no further. As soon as a whist party was
• 4:05:07
  formed and a round table threatened, I made my mother an excuse and came
• 4:05:11
  away, leaving just as many for their round table as they were at Missus
• 4:05:15
  Grant's. I wish they might be as agreeable as set. My mother is
• 4:05:20
  very well and finds great amusement in glove knitting, and at present wants no
• 4:05:24
  other work. We quite run over with books. She has got Sir John
• 4:05:31
  Carr's Travels in Spain, and I am reading a Society Octavo, an essay
• 4:05:37
  on the military, police and institutions of the British Empire, like Captain Pasley
• 4:05:41
  of the Engineers, a book which I protested against at first, but which
• 4:05:46
  upon trial I find delightfully written and highly entertaining. I am as much in
• 4:05:52
  love with the author as I ever was with Clarkson or Buchanan, or even
• 4:05:56
  the two mister smiths of the city. The first soul I have a sighed
• 4:06:00
  for. But he does write with extraordinary force and spirit. Yesterday moreover brought
• 4:06:07
  us Missus Grant's letters with mister White's compliments. But I have disposed of them
• 4:06:13
  compliments and all to miss p And. Amongst so many readers or retainers of
• 4:06:18
  books as we have in shorten, I dare say there will be no difficulty
• 4:06:22
  in getting rid of them for another fortnight if necessary. I have disposed of
• 4:06:26
  Missus Grant for the second fortnight to Missus Blank. It can make no difference
• 4:06:31
  to her which of the twenty six fortnights in the year the three volumes lie
• 4:06:33
  on her table. I have been applied to for information as to the oath
• 4:06:39
  taken in former times of Bell, Book and Candle, but have none to
• 4:06:41
  give. Perhaps you may be able to learn something of its origin where you
• 4:06:46
  are now, Ladies who read those enormous, great, stupid, thick quarto
• 4:06:50
  volumes which one always sees in the breakfast parlor. There must be acquainted with
• 4:06:56
  everything in the world. I detest a quarto. Captain Pasley's book is too
• 4:07:01
  good for their society. They will not understand a man who condenses his thoughts
• 4:07:05
  into an octavo. I have learned from Sir Jay Carr that there is no
• 4:07:11
  government house at Gibraltar. I must alter it to the Commissioner's letter forty three
• 4:07:20
  Sloane Street, Thursday, May twentieth, My dear Cassandra. Before I say
• 4:07:26
  anything else, I claim a paper full of halfpence on the drawing room mantel
• 4:07:30
  piece. I put them there myself and forgot to bring them with me.
• 4:07:35
  I cannot say that I have yet been in any distress for money, but
• 4:07:37
  I choose to have my due as well as the devil. How lucky we
• 4:07:43
  were on our weather yesterday. This wet morning makes one more sensible of it.
• 4:07:48
  We had no rain of any consequence. The head of the curracle was
• 4:07:52
  put half up three or four times, but our share of the showers was
• 4:07:54
  very trifling, though they seemed to be heavy all round us when we were
• 4:07:58
  in the hogs and I fancied it might then be raining so hard at Chawton
• 4:08:03
  as to make you feel for us much more than we deserved. Three hours
• 4:08:07
  and a quarter took us to Guildford, where we stayed barely two hours and
• 4:08:11
  had only just time enough for all we had to do there, that is,
• 4:08:15
  eating a long and comfortable breakfast, watching the carriages, paying mister Harrington,
• 4:08:20
  and taking a little stroll afterwards. From some views which that stroll gave
• 4:08:24
  us, I think most highly of the situation of Guildford. We wanted all
• 4:08:30
  our brothers and sisters to be standing with us in the bowling Green and looking
• 4:08:33
  towards Horsham. I was very lucky in my gloves, got them at the
• 4:08:37
  first shop I went to, though I went into it rather because it was
• 4:08:41
  near than because it looked at all like a glove shop, and gave only
• 4:08:45
  four shillings for them, after which everybody at Chawton would be hoping and predicting
• 4:08:50
  that they cannot be good for anything, and their worth certainly remains to be
• 4:08:54
  proved. But I think they look very well. We left Guildford at twenty
• 4:08:58
  minutes twelve I hope somebody cares for these minutia, and were at Esher in
• 4:09:03
  about two hours more. I was very much pleased with the country in general.
• 4:09:09
  Between Guildford and Ripley. I thought it particularly pretty. Also about Painshill,
• 4:09:15
  and from mister Spice's grounds at Esha, which we walked into before dinner.
• 4:09:18
  The views were beautiful. I cannot say what we did not see,
• 4:09:22
  but I should think there could not be a wood or a meadow, or
• 4:09:26
  palace or remarkable spot in England that was not spread out before us on one
• 4:09:30
  side or another. Claremont is going to be sold, and mister Ellis has
• 4:09:35
  it now. It is a house that seems never to have prospered. After
• 4:09:39
  dinner we walked forward to be overtaken at the coachman's time, and before he
• 4:09:43
  did overtake us we were very near Kingston. I fancied. It was about
• 4:09:48
  half past six when we reached this house, a twelve hours business, and
• 4:09:52
  the horses did not appear more than reasonably tired. I was very tired too,
• 4:09:58
  and glad to get to bed early. But I am quite well to
• 4:10:01
  day. I am very snug in the front drawing room all to myself,
• 4:10:05
  and would not say thank you for any company but you. The quietness of
• 4:10:09
  it does me good. I have contrived to pay my two visits, though
• 4:10:13
  the weather made me a great while about it, and left me only a
• 4:10:16
  few minutes to sit with Charlotte Craven. She looks very well and her hair
• 4:10:22
  is done up with an elegance to do credit to any education. Her manners
• 4:10:26
  are as unaffected and pleasing as ever she has heard from her mother to day.
• 4:10:31
  Missus Craven spent another fortnight at Chiltern. I saw nobody but Charlotte,
• 4:10:35
  which pleased me best. I was shown upstairs and for a drawing room when
• 4:10:39
  she came to me, and the appearance of the room so totally unschoolike amused
• 4:10:45
  me very much. It was full of modern elegancies. Yours very affectionately,
• 4:10:52
  j A. And of Section eighteen. Letter forty four Sloane Street, Monday,
• 4:11:01
  May twenty fourth, My dearest Cassandra, I am very much obliged to
• 4:11:07
  you for writing to me. You must have hated it. After a worrying
• 4:11:11
  morning, your letter came just in time to save my going to Remnants and
• 4:11:16
  fit me for Christians, where I bought Fanny's dimity. I went the day
• 4:11:20
  before Friday to Leyton's as I promised, and got my mother's gown seven yards
• 4:11:26
  at six shillings and sixpence. I then walked into number ten, which is
• 4:11:31
  all dirt and confusion, but in a very promising way. And after being
• 4:11:37
  present at the opening of a new account, to my great amusement, Henry
• 4:11:41
  and I went to the exhibition in spring Gardens. It is not thought a
• 4:11:45
  good collection, but I was very well pleased, particularly pray Tell Fanny with
• 4:11:50
  a small portrait of Missus Bingley excessively like her. I went in hopes of
• 4:11:56
  seeing one of her sister, but though no Missus Darcy. Perhaps, however,
• 4:12:03
  I may find her in the great exhibition, which we shall go to
• 4:12:05
  if we have time. I have no chance of her in the collection of
• 4:12:09
  Sir Joshua Reynold's paintings, which is now showing in poll Maw, and which
• 4:12:13
  we are also to visit. Missus Bingley's is exactly herself, sighs, shaped,
• 4:12:20
  face features and sweetness. There never was a greater likeness. She is
• 4:12:26
  dressed in a white gown with green ornaments, which convinces me of what I
• 4:12:31
  always supposed, that green was a favorite color with her. I dare say
• 4:12:35
  Missus d will be in yellow. Friday was our worst day as to weather,
• 4:12:41
  We were out in a very long and very heavy storm of hail,
• 4:12:45
  and there had been others before, but I heard no thunder. Saturday was
• 4:12:50
  a good deal better, dry and cold. I gave two shillings and sixpence
• 4:12:56
  for the Dimity. I do not boast of any bargains, but I think
• 4:13:00
  both the Sarsenet and Dimity good of their sort. I have bought your locket,
• 4:13:05
  but was obliged to give eighteen chillings for it, which must be rather
• 4:13:09
  more than you intended. It is neat and plain, set in gold.
• 4:13:15
  We were to have gone to the Somerset House exhibition on Saturday, but when
• 4:13:18
  I reached Henrietta Street, mister Hampson was wanted there, and mister Tilson and
• 4:13:22
  I were obliged to drive about town after him. And by the time we
• 4:13:26
  had done it was so late for anything but home. We never found him.
• 4:13:31
  After all, I have been interrupted by missus Tilson. Poor woman.
• 4:13:37
  She is in danger of not being able to attend Lady Drummond Smith's party to
• 4:13:41
  night. Miss Burdett must to have taken her. And now Miss Burdett has
• 4:13:46
  a corf and will not go. My cousin Caroline is her sole dependants.
• 4:13:52
  The events of yesterday were our going to Belgrave Chapel in the morning, are
• 4:13:56
  being prevented by the rain from going to evening service at Saint Jane, Mister
• 4:14:00
  Hamson's calling, Messrs Barlow and Phillips dining here, and mister and missus Tilson's
• 4:14:05
  coming in the evening a laudnaire. She drank tea with us both Thursday and
• 4:14:11
  Saturday. He dined out each day, and on Friday we were with them,
• 4:14:16
  and they wish us to go with them to morrow evening to meet Miss
• 4:14:18
  Burdett. But I do not know how it will end. Henry talks of
• 4:14:22
  a drive to Hampstead, which may interfere with it. I should like to
• 4:14:28
  see Miss Burdett very well, but that I am rather frightened by hearing that
• 4:14:31
  she wishes to be introduced to me. If I am a wild beast,
• 4:14:35
  I cannot help it. It is not my own fault. There is no
• 4:14:41
  change in our plan of leaving London, but we shall not be with you
• 4:14:43
  before Tuesday. Henry thinks Monday would appear too early a day. There is
• 4:14:48
  no danger of our being induced to stay longer. I have not quite determined
• 4:14:54
  how I shall manage about my clothes. Perhaps there may be only my trunk
• 4:14:58
  to send by the CA coach, or there may be a bandbox with it.
• 4:15:03
  I have taken your gentle hint and written to missus Hill. The Hoblins
• 4:15:09
  want us to dine with them, but we have refused. When Henry returns,
• 4:15:13
  he will be dining out a great deal. I dare say, as
• 4:15:16
  he will then be alone, it will be more desirable. He will be
• 4:15:20
  more welcome at every table, and every invitation more welcome to him. He
• 4:15:24
  will not want either of us again till he is settled in Henrietta Street.
• 4:15:28
  This is my present persuasion, and he will not be settled there, really
• 4:15:33
  settled till late in the autumn. He will not be come to bide till
• 4:15:37
  after September. There is a gentleman entreaty for this house. Gentleman himself is
• 4:15:45
  in the country, But Gentlemen's friend came to see it the other day and
• 4:15:48
  seemed pleased on the whole. Gentlemen would rather prefer an increased rent to parting
• 4:15:54
  with five hundred guineas at once, And if that is the only difficulty,
• 4:15:56
  it will not be minded. Henry indifferent as to the Witch, get us
• 4:16:03
  the best weather you can for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we are to go
• 4:16:07
  to Windsor in our way to Henley, which will be a great delight.
• 4:16:11
  We shall be leaving Sloane Street about twelve two or three hours after Charles's party
• 4:16:15
  have begun their journey. You will miss them, but the comfort getting back
• 4:16:19
  at your own room will be great, and then the tea and sugar.
• 4:16:26
  I fear Miss Clues is not better, or you would have mentioned it.
• 4:16:30
  I shall not write again unless I have any unexpected communication or opportunity to tempt
• 4:16:34
  me. I n close mister Harrington's bill and receipt. I am very much
• 4:16:41
  obliged to Fanny for her letter. It made me laugh heartily, but I
• 4:16:45
  cannot pretend to answer it. Even had I more time. I should not
• 4:16:49
  feel at all sure of the sort of letter that Miss Darcy would write.
• 4:16:53
  I hope Miss Ben is quite well again and will have a comfortable dinner with
• 4:16:56
  you to day Monday evening. We've been both to the exhibition and Sir Jay
• 4:17:03
  Reynolds's, and I am disappointed, for there is nothing like missus d at
• 4:17:07
  either. I can only imagine that mister d prizes any picture of her too
• 4:17:14
  much to like it should be exposed to the public eye. I can imagine
• 4:17:18
  he would have that sort of feeling, that mixture of love, pride and
• 4:17:22
  delicacy. Setting aside this disappointment, I had great amusement amongst the pictures,
• 4:17:27
  and the driving about the carriage being open was very pleasant. I liked my
• 4:17:33
  solitary elegance very much, and was ready to laugh all the time at my
• 4:17:37
  being where I was. I could not but feel that I had naturally small
• 4:17:41
  right to be parading about London in a barouche. Henry desires Edward may know
• 4:17:47
  that he had just bought three dozen of claret for him cheap, and ordered
• 4:17:52
  it to be sent down to Chawton. I should not wonder if we got
• 4:17:56
  no farther than reading on Thursday evening, and so reached Stephen only to a
• 4:18:00
  reasonable dinner hour the next day. But whatever I may write, or you
• 4:18:04
  may imagine, we know it will be something different. I shall be quiet
• 4:18:08
  to morrow morning. All my business is done, and I shall only call
• 4:18:12
  again upon missus Hoblin, et cetera. Love to your much party, Yours
• 4:18:18
  affectionately, J. Austen, letter forty five Henrietta Street, Wednesday, September
• 4:18:30
  fifteenth, half past eight. Here I am my dearest Cassandra, seated in
• 4:18:36
  the breakfast dining sitting room, beginning with all my might. Fanny will join
• 4:18:41
  me as soon as she is dressed and begin her letter. We had a
• 4:18:45
  very good journey, weather and roads excellent, the first three stages for one
• 4:18:49
  shilling and sixpence, and our only misadventure the being delayed about a quarter of
• 4:18:53
  an hour at Kingston for horses, and being obliged to put up with a
• 4:18:57
  pair belonging to a Hackney coach and their coachmen, which left no room on
• 4:19:02
  the barouche box for Lizzie, who was to have gone her last stage there
• 4:19:06
  as she did the first. Consequently, we were all four within, which
• 4:19:11
  was a little crowded. We arrived at a quarter past four and were kindly
• 4:19:15
  welcomed by the coachman, and then by his master, and then by William,
• 4:19:21
  and then by Missus Pengird, who met us all before we reached the
• 4:19:23
  foot of the stairs. Madame Vijian was below dressing us a most comfortable dinner
• 4:19:29
  of soup, fish, bouillet, partridges and an apple tart, which we
• 4:19:33
  sat down to soon after five, after cleaning and dressing ourselves, and feeling
• 4:19:38
  that we were most commodiously disposed of the little adjoining dressing room to our apartment.
• 4:19:44
  Makes spanniard myself very well off. Indeed, and as we have poor
• 4:19:48
  Eliza's bed, our space is ample every way, says arrived safely about half
• 4:19:53
  past six. At seven we set off on a coach for the Lyceum.
• 4:19:57
  Were at home again in about four hours and half, had soup and wine
• 4:20:02
  and water, and then went to our holes. Edward finds his quarters very
• 4:20:07
  snug and quiet. I must get a softer pen. This is harder I
• 4:20:14
  am in Agony's I have not yet seen mister Crabbe. Martha's letter is gone
• 4:20:18
  to the post. I am going to write nothing but short sentences. There
• 4:20:25
  shall be two four stops in every line. Leyton and Shear's is Bedford House.
• 4:20:30
  We mean to get there before breakfast, if it's possible. For we
• 4:20:33
  feel more and more how much we have to do and how little time.
• 4:20:37
  This house looks very nice. It seems like Sloane Street moved here. I
• 4:20:42
  believe Henry is just rid of Sloane Street. Fanny does not come, but
• 4:20:48
  I have edward seated by me, beginning a letter which looks natural. Henry
• 4:20:53
  has been suffering from the pain in the face which he has been subject to
• 4:20:57
  before he caught at Matlock, and since his return has been paying a little
• 4:21:03
  for past pleasure. It is nearly removed now, but he looks thin in
• 4:21:07
  the face, either from the pain or the fatigues of his tour, which
• 4:21:11
  must have been great. Lady Robert is delighted with P and P, and
• 4:21:18
  really was so, as I understand, before she knew who wrote it,
• 4:21:21
  For of course she knows now. He told her with as much satisfaction as
• 4:21:25
  if it were my wish. He did not tell me this, but he
• 4:21:29
  told Fanny and mister Hastings. I am quite delighted with what such a man
• 4:21:34
  writes about it. Henry sent him the books after his return from Dalsford.
• 4:21:40
  But you will hear the letter too. Let me be rational and return to
• 4:21:45
  my two false stops. I talked to Henry at the play last night.
• 4:21:51
  We were in a private box, mister Spencer's, which made it much more
• 4:21:55
  pleasant. The box is directly on the stage, one is infinitely less fatigued
• 4:22:02
  than in the common way. But Henry's plans are not what one could wish.
• 4:22:07
  He does not mean to be at short un till the twenty ninth.
• 4:22:10
  He must be in town again by October fifth. His plan is to get
• 4:22:14
  a couple of days of pheasant shooting and then return directly. His wish was
• 4:22:18
  to bring you back with him. I have told him your scruples. He
• 4:22:22
  wishes you to suit yourself as to time, and if you cannot come till
• 4:22:26
  later, we'll send for you at any time. As far as bag shot.
• 4:22:30
  He presumed you would not find difficulty in getting so far, I could
• 4:22:34
  not say you would. He proposed or going with him into Oxfordshire. It
• 4:22:38
  was his own thought. At first. I could not but catch at it
• 4:22:42
  for you. We have talked of it again this morning. For now we
• 4:22:47
  have breakfasted, and I am convinced that if you can make it suit in
• 4:22:51
  other respects, you need not scruple on his account if you cannot come back
• 4:22:55
  with him on the third or fourth. Therefore, I do hope you will
• 4:22:57
  contrive to go to Adlestrop by not beginning your absence till about the middle of
• 4:23:02
  this month. I think you may manage it very well. But you will
• 4:23:07
  think all this over one could wish he had intended to come to you earlier,
• 4:23:11
  but it cannot be helped. I said nothing to him, missus H
• 4:23:15
  and miss B that he might not suppose difficulties. Shall not you put them
• 4:23:19
  into our own room? This seems to me the best plan, and the
• 4:23:23
  maid will be most conveniently near, Oh, dear me, when I shall
• 4:23:30
  ever have done. We did go to Leyton and Shears before breakfast, very
• 4:23:34
  pretty English poplins at four shillings and threepence, Irish ditto at six shillings.
• 4:23:40
  More pretty, certainly beautiful. Fanny and the two little girls are gone to
• 4:23:45
  take places for to night at Covent Garden, clandestine marriage and midas. The
• 4:23:52
  latter will be a fine show for l and Em. They reveled last night
• 4:23:56
  in Don Juan, whom we left in Hell at half past eleven. We
• 4:24:00
  had scarrow mooch and a ghost and were delighted. I speak of them.
• 4:24:04
  My delight was very tranquil, and the rest of us were so beminded.
• 4:24:10
  Don Juan was the last of three musical things five hours at Brighton, in
• 4:24:14
  three acts, of which one was over before we arrived. None the worse
• 4:24:18
  and the beehive, rather less flat and trumpery. I have this moment received
• 4:24:25
  five pounds from kind beautiful Edward. Fanny has a similar gift. I shall
• 4:24:30
  say that I can of it for your better leisure in this place. My
• 4:24:34
  letter was from miss Sharp, nothing particular, a letter from Fanny Cage.
• 4:24:40
  This morning four o'clock. We had just come back from doing Missus Tickars,
• 4:24:45
  miss Hare and mister Spence. Mister Hall is here, and while Fanny is
• 4:24:49
  under his hands, I will try to write a little more. Miss Hare
• 4:24:55
  had some pretty caps and is to make me one like one of them,
• 4:24:57
  only white satin and stead of blue. It will be white satin and lace,
• 4:25:03
  and a little white flower perking out of the left ear, like Harriet
• 4:25:06
  Byron's feather. I have allowed her to go as far as one pound and
• 4:25:10
  sixteen shillings. My gown is to be trimmed everywhere with white ribbon platted on
• 4:25:15
  somehow or other. She says it will look well. I am not sanguine.
• 4:25:19
  They trim with white very much. I learnt from Missus Tickars's young lady,
• 4:25:26
  to my high amusement, that the stays now are not made to force
• 4:25:29
  the bosom up at all. That was a very unbecoming, unnatural fashion.
• 4:25:33
  I was really glad to hear that they are not to be so much off
• 4:25:37
  the shoulders as they were. Going to mister Spencer's was a sad business and
• 4:25:42
  cost us many tears. Unluckily we are obliged to go a second time before
• 4:25:48
  he could do more than just look. We went first at half past twelve
• 4:25:52
  and afterwards at three. Papa with us each time, and alas we are
• 4:25:56
  to go again to morrow. Lizzie is not finished yet. There have been
• 4:26:02
  no teeth taken out, however, nor will be, I believe, but
• 4:26:06
  he finds hers in a very bad state, and seems to think particularly ill
• 4:26:10
  of their durableness. They have all been cleaned, hers filed, and are
• 4:26:15
  to be filed again. There is a very sad hole between two of her
• 4:26:18
  front teeth. Thursday morning, half past seven, up and dressed and downstairs
• 4:26:26
  in order to finish my letter in time for the parcel. At eight I
• 4:26:30
  have an appointment with Madame b who wants to show me something downstairs. At
• 4:26:36
  nine we are to set off for Grafton House and get that over before breakfast.
• 4:26:41
  Edward is so kind as to walk there with us we are to be
• 4:26:44
  at Miss Spencer's again from eleven five. From that time to be driving about.
• 4:26:48
  I suppose till four o'clock at least, we are, if possible,
• 4:26:52
  to call on missus Tilson. Mister Hall was very punctual yesterday and curled me
• 4:26:57
  out at a great rate. I thought it looked hideous, and longed for
• 4:27:02
  a snug cap instead, but my companion silenced me by their admiration. I
• 4:27:07
  had only a bit of velvet round my head. I did not catch cold.
• 4:27:11
  However, the weather is all in my favor. I have had no
• 4:27:15
  pain in my face since I left you. We had very good places in
• 4:27:19
  the box next to stage box front and second row, the three old ones
• 4:27:23
  behind. Of course, I was particularly disappointed at seeing nothing of mister Crabb.
• 4:27:29
  I felt sure of him when I saw that the boxes were fitted up
• 4:27:32
  with Crimson velvet. The new mister Terry was Lord Ogleby, and Henry thinks
• 4:27:37
  he may do, but there is no acting more than moderate. And I
• 4:27:41
  was as much amused by the remembrances connected with Midas as with any part of
• 4:27:44
  it. The girls were very much delighted, but still preferred darn Juan,
• 4:27:48
  and I must say that I have seen nobody on the stage who has a
• 4:27:52
  more interesting character than that compound of cruelty and lust. It was not possible
• 4:27:57
  for me to get the worsteds yesterday day. I heard Edward last night pressing
• 4:28:02
  Henry to come to you, and I think Henry engaged together after his November
• 4:28:06
  collection. Nothing has been done as to S and S. The books came
• 4:28:11
  to hand too late for him to have time for it before he went.
• 4:28:15
  Mister Hastings never hinted at Eliza in the smallest degree. Henry knew nothing of
• 4:28:19
  mister Trimmer's death. I tell you these things that you may not have to
• 4:28:23
  ask them over again. There is a new clerk sent down to Alton,
• 4:28:29
  a mister Edmund Williams, a young man whom Henry thinks most highly of,
• 4:28:33
  and he turns out to be a son of the luckless Williamses of Grosvenor place.
• 4:28:37
  I long to have you hear mister H's opinion of P and P.
• 4:28:41
  He is admiring my Elizabeth so much as particularly welcome to me. Instead of
• 4:28:47
  saving my superfluous well for you to spend, I am going to treat myself
• 4:28:51
  with spending it myself. I hope at least that I shall find some poplin
• 4:28:55
  it Leyton in Cheers that will tempt me to buy it. If I do
• 4:28:59
  it, she shall be sent to Chawton. As half will be for you,
• 4:29:03
  for I depend upon your being so kind as to accept it. Being
• 4:29:06
  the main point, it will be a great pleasure to me. Don't say
• 4:29:11
  a word. I only wish you could choose too. I shall send twenty
• 4:29:15
  yards now for bath. Poor f Cage has suffered a good deal from her
• 4:29:22
  accident. The noise of the White Heart was terrible to her. They will
• 4:29:26
  keep her quiet. I dare say she is not so much delighted with the
• 4:29:30
  place as the rest of the party, probably as she says herself, from
• 4:29:33
  having been less well. But she thinks she should like it the better in
• 4:29:37
  the season. The street's are very empty now, and the shop's not so
• 4:29:41
  gay as she expected. They are at number one Henrietta Street, the corner
• 4:29:45
  of Laura Place, and of no acquaintance at present, but the Bramstons.
• 4:29:49
  Lady Bridges drinks at the cross Bath, her son at the Hot and lo
• 4:29:53
  Weezer is going to Bathe Dr Parry seems to be half starving mister Bridges for
• 4:29:59
  he is res districted to much such a diet as James's bread, water and
• 4:30:03
  meat, and is never to eat so much of that as he wishes,
• 4:30:06
  And he is to walk a great deal walk till he drops. I believe
• 4:30:10
  gout or no gout, It really is to that purpose. I have not
• 4:30:15
  exaggerated charming. Whether for you and us, and the travelers and everybody,
• 4:30:22
  you will take your walk this afternoon and end of section nineteen, Letter forty
• 4:30:30
  six, Henrietta Street, Thursday, September sixteenth, after dinner. Thank you,
• 4:30:38
  my dearest Cassandra, for the nice long letter I sent off this morning.
• 4:30:44
  I hope you've had it by this time, and that it has found
• 4:30:47
  you all well, and my mother no more in need of leeches. Whether
• 4:30:52
  this will be delivered to you by Henry on Saturday evening or by the postman
• 4:30:56
  on Sunday morning, I know not, as he has lately recollected something of
• 4:31:00
  an engagement for Saturday, which perhaps may delay his visit. He seems determined
• 4:31:04
  to come to you soon. However, I hope you will receive the gown
• 4:31:08
  tomorrow and may be able, with tolerable honesty to say you like the color
• 4:31:14
  it was bought at Grafton House, where by going very early we got immediate
• 4:31:18
  attendance, and went on very comfortably. I only forgot the one particular thing
• 4:31:22
  which I had always resolved to buy there, a white silk handkerchief, and
• 4:31:27
  was therefore obliged to give six shillings for one at Crook and Breastford's, which
• 4:31:32
  reminds me to say that the worsteds ought also to be at Shorten tomorrow,
• 4:31:36
  and that I shall be very happy to hear they are approved. I had
• 4:31:40
  not much time for deliberation. We are now all four of us young ladies
• 4:31:45
  sitting round the circular table in the inner room writing our letters, while the
• 4:31:48
  two brothers are having a comfortable doze in the room adjoining. It is to
• 4:31:52
  be a quiet evening, much to the satisfaction of four of the six.
• 4:31:56
  My eyes are quite tired of dust and lamps. The letter you forwarded from
• 4:32:03
  Edward Junior has been duly received. He has been shooting most prosperously at home
• 4:32:07
  and dining at Chillium Castle of mister Scudamore. My cap is come home,
• 4:32:12
  and I like it very much. Fanny has one also. Hers is white
• 4:32:17
  sarsenet and lace of a different shape from mine more fit for morning carriage,
• 4:32:22
  where which is what it is intended for, and is in shape exceedingly like
• 4:32:26
  our own satin and lace of last winter, shaped round the face exactly like
• 4:32:32
  it, with pipes and more fullness, and a round crown inserted behind My
• 4:32:37
  cap has a peak in front. Large full bows of very narrow ribbon old
• 4:32:42
  tuppenny are the thing, one over the right temple perhaps, and another at
• 4:32:48
  the left ear. Henry is not quite well. His stomach is rather deranged.
• 4:32:53
  You must keep him in rhubarb and give him plenty of port and water.
• 4:32:59
  He caught cold farther back than I told you before. He got to
• 4:33:03
  Matlock somewhere in his journey from the north, but the ill effects of that,
• 4:33:07
  I hope are nearly gone. We returned from Grafton House only just in
• 4:33:11
  time for breakfast, and had scarcely finished breakfast when the carriage came to the
• 4:33:15
  door from eleven to half past three. We were hard at it. We
• 4:33:19
  did contrive to get to Hans place for ten minutes. Missus t was as
• 4:33:23
  affectionate and pleasing as ever. After our return, mister Tilson walked up from
• 4:33:30
  the compting house and called upon us, and these have been all our visitings.
• 4:33:34
  I have rejoiced more than once that I bought my writing paper in the
• 4:33:37
  country. We have not had a quarter of an hour to spare. I
• 4:33:41
  enclosed the eighteen pence due to my mother. The rose color was six shillings,
• 4:33:47
  and the other four shillings per yard. There was but two yards and
• 4:33:51
  a quarter of the dark slate in the shop, but the man promised to
• 4:33:53
  match it and send it at correctly. Fanny bought her irish at Newton's and
• 4:33:59
  Leicester Square, and I took the opportunity of thinking about your ivish, and
• 4:34:03
  seeing one piece of the yard wide at four shillings, and it seemed to
• 4:34:07
  me very good, good enough for your purpose. It might at least be
• 4:34:10
  worth your while to go there if you have no other engagements. Fanny is
• 4:34:15
  very much pleased with the stockings. She has bought of Remington silk at twelve
• 4:34:18
  shillings, cotton at four shillings swepents. She thinks them great bargains. But
• 4:34:23
  I have not yet seen them, as my hair was dressing when the man
• 4:34:26
  and the stockings came. The poor girls and their teeth, I have not
• 4:34:32
  mentioned them yet, but we were a whole hour. Expenses and Lizzie's were
• 4:34:36
  filed and lamented over again, and poor mary Anne had two taken out after
• 4:34:41
  all, and the two just beyond the eye teeth to make room for those
• 4:34:45
  in front. When her doom was fixed, Fanny, Lizzie and I walked
• 4:34:48
  into the next room, where we had each of the two sharp and hasty
• 4:34:52
  screams. The little girl's teeth, I can suppose in a critical state,
• 4:34:59
  but I think he must be a lover of teeth and money and mischief to
• 4:35:02
  parade about Fanny's. I would not have him look at mine for a shilling
• 4:35:06
  of tooth and double it. It was a disagreeable hour. We then went
• 4:35:11
  to Wedgewoods, where my brother and Fanny chose a dinner set. I believe
• 4:35:15
  the pattern is a small lozenge in purple between lines of narrow gold, and
• 4:35:18
  it is to have the crest. We must have been three quarters of an
• 4:35:22
  hour at Grafton House, Edward, sitting by all the time with wonderful patience.
• 4:35:27
  There Fanny bought the net for Anna's gown and a beautiful square veil for
• 4:35:32
  herself. The edging there is very cheap. I was tempted by some,
• 4:35:37
  and I bought some very nice platting lace at three shillings and fourpence. Fanny
• 4:35:41
  desires me to tell Martha, with her kind love, that Birchall assured her
• 4:35:45
  there was no second set of Hook's lessons for beginners, and that by my
• 4:35:49
  advice, she has therefore chosen her a set by another composer. I thought
• 4:35:55
  she would rather have something than not. It cost six shillings. With you
• 4:36:00
  all, including Triggs, I remain yours very affectionately. J Austen let her
• 4:36:07
  forty seven, Godmsham Park, Thursday, September twenty third, My dearest Cassandra,
• 4:36:18
  thank you five hundred and forty times for the exquisite piece of workmanship which
• 4:36:22
  was brought into the room this morning while we were at breakfast with some very
• 4:36:26
  inferior works of art in the same way, and which I read with high
• 4:36:30
  glee, much delighted with everything it told, whether good or bad. It
• 4:36:34
  is so rich in striking intelligence that I hardly know what to reply to.
• 4:36:38
  First, I believe Finery must have it. I am extremely glad that you
• 4:36:44
  like the Poplin. I thought it would have my mother's approbation, but was
• 4:36:48
  not so confident of yours. Remember that it is a present. Do not
• 4:36:52
  refuse me. I am very rich. Missus Clement is very welcome to her
• 4:36:56
  little boy and my congratulations into the bargain. If you ever think of giving
• 4:37:02
  them. I hope she will do well. Her sister in Lucina, Missus
• 4:37:07
  h. Gibbs, does too well, we think. Mary p wrote on
• 4:37:11
  Sunday that she had been three days on the sofa. Sacree does not approve
• 4:37:15
  it. Well. There is some comfort in the Missus Hulbart's not coming to
• 4:37:19
  you, and I am happy to hear of the honey. I was thinking
• 4:37:22
  of it the other day. Let me know when you begin the new tea
• 4:37:26
  and the new white wine. My present elegances have not yet made me indifferent
• 4:37:32
  to such matters. I am still a cat if I see a mouse.
• 4:37:37
  I am glad you like our new caps. But Fanny is out of conceit
• 4:37:40
  with hers already. She finds that she has been buying a new cap without
• 4:37:44
  having a new pattern, which is true enough. She is rather out of
• 4:37:47
  luck to like neither her gow nor her cap. But I do not much
• 4:37:51
  mind it, because besides that I like them both myself. I consider it
• 4:37:55
  as a thing, of course, at her time of life. One of
• 4:37:56
  the sweet taxes of youth to choose in a hurry and make bad bargains.
• 4:38:03
  I wrote to Charles yesterday, and Fanny has had a letter from him to
• 4:38:06
  day, principally to make inquiries about the time of their visit here, to
• 4:38:10
  which mine was an answer beforehand. So he will probably write again soon to
• 4:38:15
  fix his week. I am best pleased that Cassie does not go to you.
• 4:38:19
  Now. What have we been doing since I wrote last? The mister
• 4:38:22
  Kays came a little before dinner on Monday, and Edward went to the church
• 4:38:26
  with the two seniors, but there is no inscription yet drawn up. They
• 4:38:30
  are very good natured, you know, and civil and all that, but
• 4:38:33
  are not particularly super fine. However, they ate their dinner and drank their
• 4:38:38
  tea and went away, leaving their lovely wodom in our arms. And I
• 4:38:42
  wish you had seen Fanny and me running backwards and forwards with his breeches from
• 4:38:47
  the little Chintz to the white room before we went to bed, in the
• 4:38:49
  greatest of frights, lest he should come upon us before we had done it
• 4:38:53
  all. There had been a mistake in the housemaid's preparation, and they were
• 4:38:57
  gone to bed. He seems a very harmless sort of young man. Nothing
• 4:39:02
  to like or dislike in him. Goes out shooting or hunting with the two
• 4:39:06
  others all the morning, and plays at whist and makes queer faces in the
• 4:39:10
  evening. End of Section twenty. Letter forty eight, Godminsham Park, Monday,
• 4:39:18
  October eleventh, My dearest start Cass. I've just asked Aunt Jane to
• 4:39:25
  let me write a little in her letter, but she does not like it,
• 4:39:27
  so I won't good bye. He will have Edwards's letter to morrow.
• 4:39:33
  He tells me that he did not send you any news to interfere with mine,
• 4:39:37
  but I do not think there is much for anybody to send at present.
• 4:39:42
  We had our dinner party on Wednesday, with the addition of Missus and
• 4:39:47
  Miss Mills, who were under a promise of dining here in their return from
• 4:39:49
  Eastwell whenever they paid their visit of duty there, and it happened to be
• 4:39:55
  paid on that day. Both mother and daughter are much as I have always
• 4:39:59
  found the I like the mother first because she reminds me of Missus Birch,
• 4:40:04
  and secondly because she is cheerful and grateful for what she is at the age
• 4:40:08
  of ninety and upwards. The day was pleasant enough. I sat by mister
• 4:40:15
  Chisholm and we talked away at a great rate about nothing worth hearing. It
• 4:40:19
  was a mistake as to the day of the sharer's going being fixed. They
• 4:40:23
  are ready, but are waiting for mister Paget's answer. I inquired of missus
• 4:40:29
  Mills after Jemima Bridges, and was quite grieved to hear that she was obliged
• 4:40:33
  to leave Canterbury some months ago on account of her debts, and is nobody
• 4:40:37
  knows where what an unprosperous family. On Saturday, soon after breakfast, mister
• 4:40:45
  j P left us for Norton Court. I like him very much. He
• 4:40:49
  gives me the idea of a very amiable young man, only too diffident to
• 4:40:53
  be so agreeable as he might be. He was out the chief of each
• 4:40:56
  morning with the other two shooting and get wet through to morrow. We are
• 4:41:02
  to know whether he and a hundred young ladies will come here for the ball.
• 4:41:04
  I do not much expect any. The deeds cannot meet us. They
• 4:41:10
  have engagements at home. I will finish the deeds by saying that they are
• 4:41:15
  not likely to come here till quite late in my stay, the very last
• 4:41:18
  week, perhaps, and I do not expect to see the moors at all.
• 4:41:22
  They are not solicited till after Edward's return from Hampshire. Monday, November
• 4:41:27
  fifteenth is the day now fixed for our setting out poor Basingstoke races. There
• 4:41:33
  seem to have been two particularly wretched days on purpose for them, and Wayhill
• 4:41:37
  week does not begin much happier. We were quite surprised by a letter from
• 4:41:42
  Anna at Tollard Royal last Saturday, but perfectly approve her going, and only
• 4:41:48
  regret they should all go so far to stay so few days. We had
• 4:41:53
  thunder and lightning here on Thursday morning between five and seven, no very bad
• 4:41:59
  thunder, but great deal of lightning. It has given the commencement of a
• 4:42:03
  season of wind and rain, and perhaps for the next six weeks we shall
• 4:42:07
  not have two dry days together. Lizzie is very much obliged to you for
• 4:42:11
  your letter, and will answer it soon, but has so many things to
• 4:42:15
  do that it may be four or five days before she can. This is
• 4:42:19
  quite her own message, spoken in rather a desponding tone. Your letter gave
• 4:42:25
  pleasure to all of us. We had all the reading of it. Of
• 4:42:27
  course, I three times, as I undertook, to the great relief of
• 4:42:33
  Lizzie, to read it to Sacrie and afterwards to Louisa. Sacrie is not
• 4:42:37
  at all approve of Mary Doe and her nuts on the score of propriety rather
• 4:42:42
  than health. She saw some signs of going after her and George and Henry,
• 4:42:47
  and thinks if you could give the girl a check by rather reproving her
• 4:42:51
  for taking anything seriously about nuts which they said to her, it might be
• 4:42:55
  of use. This, of course, is between our three discreet selves,
• 4:43:00
  a scene of triennial bliss. Missus Breton called here on Saturday. I never
• 4:43:06
  saw her before. She is a large, ungenteel woman with self satisfied,
• 4:43:11
  and would be elegant manners. We are certain of some visitors to morrow.
• 4:43:18
  Edward Bridges comes for two nights in his way from Lenham to Ramsgate, and
• 4:43:22
  brings a friend name unknown, but supposed to be mister Harper, a neighboring
• 4:43:26
  clergyman, and mister r. Maskell is to shoot with the young men,
• 4:43:30
  which it is to be supposed, will end in his staying dinner on Thursday.
• 4:43:37
  Mister Lushington m p for Canterbury and manager of the lodge Hounds, dines
• 4:43:41
  here and stays the night. He is chiefly Young Edward's acquaintance. If I
• 4:43:47
  can, I will get a Frank from him and write to you all the
• 4:43:49
  sooner. I suppose the Ashford Ball will furnish something. As I wrote of
• 4:43:56
  my nephews with a little bitterness in my last, I think it particularly incumb
• 4:44:00
  on me to do them justice now, and I have great pleasure in saying
• 4:44:03
  they were both at the sacrament yesterday after having much praised or much blamed.
• 4:44:07
  Anybody one is generally sensible of something just the reverse soon afterwards. Now,
• 4:44:14
  these two boys who are out with the foxhounds will come home and disgust me
• 4:44:18
  again by some habit of luxury or some proof of sporting mania, unless I
• 4:44:22
  keep it off. By this prediction. They amuse themselves very comfortably in the
• 4:44:26
  evening by netting. They are each about a rabbit net, and sit as
• 4:44:30
  deedily to it, side by side as any two Uncle Franks could do.
• 4:44:37
  I am looking over self control again, and my opinion is confirmed of its
• 4:44:41
  being an excellently meant, elegantly written work, without anything of nature or probability
• 4:44:47
  in it, I declare, I do not know whether Laura's passage down the
• 4:44:51
  American River is not the most natural, possible, every day thing she ever
• 4:44:55
  does. Tuesday, Dear me, what is to become of me? Such
• 4:45:02
  a long letter? Two and forty lines on the second page. Like Harriet
• 4:45:07
  Byron, I ask what am I to do with my gratitude? I can
• 4:45:11
  do nothing but thank you and go on a few of your inquiries I think
• 4:45:15
  are applied to an avance. The name of f Cage's drawing master is O'Neill.
• 4:45:22
  We are exceedingly amused with your Sheldon news and your self reproach on the
• 4:45:26
  subject of Missus Stockwell made me laugh heartily. I rather wondered that John Cocke,
• 4:45:30
  the only person in the room, could help laughing too. I had
• 4:45:34
  not heard before of her having the measles. Missus h and Althea's staying till
• 4:45:40
  Friday was quite new to me. A good plan, however, I could
• 4:45:42
  not have settled it better myself, and am glad they found so much in
• 4:45:47
  the house to approve, and I hope they will ask Martha to visit them.
• 4:45:51
  I admire the sagacity and taste of Charlotte Williams. Those large dark eyes
• 4:45:56
  always judge well. I will compliment her by name a heroine after her.
• 4:46:02
  Edward has had all the particulars of the building, et cetera, read to
• 4:46:04
  him twice over, and seems very well satisfied. A narrow door to the
• 4:46:10
  pantry is the only subject of solicitude. It is certainly just the door,
• 4:46:14
  which should not be narrow on account of the trays. But if a case
• 4:46:18
  of necessity, it must be borne. I knew there was sugar in the
• 4:46:22
  tin, but had no idea of their being enough to last through your company.
• 4:46:26
  All the better. You ought not to think this new loaf better than
• 4:46:30
  the other, because that was the first of five which all came together.
• 4:46:34
  Something of fancy, perhaps, and something of imagination. Dear missus Digweed,
• 4:46:41
  I cannot bear that she should not be foolishly happy after a ball. I
• 4:46:45
  hope Miss Yates and her companions were all well the day after their arrival.
• 4:46:48
  I am thoroughly rejoiced that Miss ben has placed herself in lodgings, though I
• 4:46:52
  hope they may not be long necessary. No letter from Charles yet, how
• 4:47:00
  are these life of Nelson? I am tired of lives of Nelson, being
• 4:47:04
  that I never read any I will read this. However, if Frank is
• 4:47:08
  mentioned in it. Here am I in Kent with one brother in the same
• 4:47:14
  county, and another brother's wife, and see nothing of them, which seems
• 4:47:18
  unnatural? It will not last so forever, I trust. I should like
• 4:47:23
  to have Missus f A and her children here for a week, but not
• 4:47:27
  a syllable of that nature as ever breathed. I wish her last visit had
• 4:47:32
  not been so long a one. I wonder whether Missus Tilson has ever lain
• 4:47:36
  in mention it, if it ever comes to your knowledge, and we shall
• 4:47:40
  hear of it by the same post from Henry mister rob Maskell breakfasted here he
• 4:47:45
  eats a great deal of butter I dined upon goose yesterday, which I hope
• 4:47:52
  will secure a good sale of my second edition. Have you any to martyrs
• 4:47:56
  Fanny and I regale on them every day? Disastrous letters from the plump Treys
• 4:48:03
  and Oxendens, refusals everywhere, a blank partieu, and it is not quite
• 4:48:10
  certain whether we go or not. Something may depend upon the disposition of Uncle
• 4:48:15
  Edward when he comes, and upon what we hear at Chilliam castle this morning,
• 4:48:18
  for we are going to pay visits. We are going to each house
• 4:48:22
  at Chillim and my Stol. I shall like seeing the fags. I shall
• 4:48:26
  like it all, except that we are to set out so early that I
• 4:48:30
  have not time to write as I wish. Edward Bridge's friend is a mister
• 4:48:36
  hawker. I find not harper. I would not have you sleep in such
• 4:48:41
  an era for the world. My brother desires his best love, and thanks
• 4:48:45
  for all your information. He hopes the roots of the old beach have been
• 4:48:49
  dug away enough to allow a proper covering of mold and turf. He is
• 4:48:53
  sorry for the necessity of building the new coin, but hopes they will contrive
• 4:48:57
  that the doorway should be of the usual win. If it must be contracted
• 4:49:00
  on one side by widening it on the other, the appearance need not signify.
• 4:49:07
  And he desires me to say that your being at Chorton when he is
• 4:49:10
  will be quite necessary. You cannot think it more indispensable than he does.
• 4:49:15
  He is very much obliged to you for your attention to everything. Have you
• 4:49:18
  any idea of returning with him to Henrietta Street and finishing your visit, then
• 4:49:22
  tell me your sweet little innocent ideas. Everything of love and kindness, proper
• 4:49:30
  and improper must now suffice yours very affectionately. J. Austen, letter forty
• 4:49:37
  nine, god Mission Park, Thursday, October fourteenth, My dearest Cassandra.
• 4:49:45
  Now I will prepare for mister Lushington, and as it will be wisest also
• 4:49:51
  to prepare for his not coming or my not getting a frank, I shall
• 4:49:53
  write very close from the first, and even leave room for the seal in
• 4:49:57
  the proper place. When I have followed up my last with this, I
• 4:50:02
  shall feel somewhat less unworthy of you than the state of our correspondence now requires.
• 4:50:07
  I left off in a great hurry to prepare for our morning visits.
• 4:50:11
  Of course, was ready a great deal the first and need not have hurried
• 4:50:15
  so much. Fanny wore her new gown and cap. I was surprised to
• 4:50:18
  find my stole so pretty. The ladies were at home. I was in
• 4:50:23
  luck and saw Lady Fagg and all her five daughters with an old Missus Hamilton
• 4:50:29
  from Canterbury, and Missus and miss Chapman from Margaret into the bargain. I
• 4:50:34
  never saw so plain a family, five sisters, so very plain. They
• 4:50:41
  are as plain as the Foresters, or the Franfordops, or the Sea Graves
• 4:50:45
  or the rivers. Excluding Sophie, Miss Sallie Fagg has a pretty figure and
• 4:50:51
  that comprises all the good looks of the family. It was stupidish. Fanny
• 4:50:56
  did her part very well, but there was a lack of talk altogether,
• 4:51:00
  and the three friends in the house only sat by and looked at us.
• 4:51:06
  However, Miss Chapman's name is Laura, and she had a double flounce to
• 4:51:10
  her gown. You really must get some flounces. Are not some of your
• 4:51:14
  large stock of white morning gowns just in a happy state for a flounce too
• 4:51:18
  short? Nobody at home at either house in Chilliam. Edward Bridges and his
• 4:51:25
  friend did not forget to arrive. The friend is a mister Wigram, one
• 4:51:29
  of the three and twenty children of a rich great mercantile, Sir Robert Wigram,
• 4:51:33
  an old acquaintance of the Foots, but very recently known to Edward B.
• 4:51:38
  The history of his coming here is that, intending to go from Ramsgate
• 4:51:41
  to Brighton, Edward B persuaded him to take Lenim on his way, which
• 4:51:47
  gave him the convenience of mister W's gig and the comfort of not being alone
• 4:51:51
  there, but probably thinking a few days of Godminsham would be the cheapest and
• 4:51:55
  pleasantest way of entertaining his friend and himself offered a visit here, and here
• 4:52:00
  they stay till to morrow. Mister W is about five or six and twenty,
• 4:52:06
  not ill looking and not agreeable. He is certainly, no addition,
• 4:52:11
  a sort of cool gentlemanlike manner, but very silent. They say his name
• 4:52:17
  is Henry, a proof how unequally the gifts of fortune are bestowed. I
• 4:52:22
  have seen many a John and Thomas much more agreeable. We have got rid
• 4:52:27
  of mister r Mascal, however, I did not like him either. He
• 4:52:32
  talks too much and is conceited, besides having a vulgarly shaped mouth. He
• 4:52:37
  slept here on Tuesday, so that yesterday Fanny and I are sat down to
• 4:52:41
  breakfast with six gentlemen to admire us. We did not go to the ball.
• 4:52:45
  It was left to her to decide, and at last she determined against
• 4:52:48
  it. She knew that it would be a sacrifice on the powert of her
• 4:52:52
  father and brothers if they went, And I hope it will prove that she
• 4:52:55
  has not sacrificed much. It is not likely that there should have been anybody
• 4:53:00
  there whom she would care for. I was very glad to be spared the
• 4:53:03
  trouble of dressing and going and being weary before it was half over. So
• 4:53:07
  my gown and my cap are still unworn. It will appear at last,
• 4:53:11
  perhaps that I might have done without either. I produced my brown bombazine yesterday,
• 4:53:17
  and it was very much admired, indeed, and I like it better
• 4:53:19
  than ever. You have given many particulars of the state of Chawton House,
• 4:53:23
  but still we want more. Edward wants to be expressly told that all the
• 4:53:29
  round tower, et cetera is entirely down, and the door from the best
• 4:53:33
  room stopped up. He does not know enough of the appearance of things in
• 4:53:36
  that quarter. He heard from Bath yesterday. Lady b continues very well,
• 4:53:41
  and Doctor Parry's opinion is that while the water agrees with her, she ought
• 4:53:45
  to remain there, which those there coming away at a greater uncertainty than we
• 4:53:49
  had supposed. It will end, perhaps in a fit of the gout,
• 4:53:53
  which may prevent her coming away. Louisa thinks her mother's being so well may
• 4:53:59
  be quite as much owing to her being out of doors. As to the
• 4:54:02
  water, Lady b is going to try the hot pump the cross bath being
• 4:54:07
  about to be painted. Louisa is particularly well herself and thinks the water has
• 4:54:11
  been of use to her. She mentioned our inquiries et cetera to mister and
• 4:54:17
  Missus Alex Evelyn and had their best compliments and thanks to give in return.
• 4:54:22
  Doctor Parry does not expect mister e to last much longer. Only think of
• 4:54:27
  Missus Holder's being dead. Poor woman. She has done the only thing in
• 4:54:32
  the world she could possibly do to make one cease to abuse her. Now,
• 4:54:37
  if you please, Hooper must have it in his power to do more
• 4:54:40
  by his uncle Lucky for the little girl and Anne Elkins can hardly be so
• 4:54:45
  unfit for the care of a child as a Missus Holder. A letter from
• 4:54:49
  Rotham yesterday offering an early visit here, and mister and Missus Moore and one
• 4:54:55
  child are to come on Monday for ten days. I hope Charles and Fanny
• 4:55:00
  not fix the same time, but if they come at all in October they
• 4:55:03
  must. What is the use of hoping the two parties of children is the
• 4:55:07
  chief evil? To be sure? Here we are the very thing has happened,
• 4:55:14
  or rather worse, a letter from Charles this very morning, which gives
• 4:55:18
  us reason to suppose they may come here to day. It depends upon the
• 4:55:22
  weather, and the weather is now very fine. No difficulties are made,
• 4:55:26
  however, and indeed there will be no want of room. But I wish
• 4:55:30
  there were no Wigrams and Lushington's in the way to fill up the table and
• 4:55:33
  make us such a motley set. I cannot spare mister Lushington either because of
• 4:55:38
  his frank But mister Wigram does no good to anybody. I cannot imagine how
• 4:55:44
  a man can have the impudence to come to a family party for three days
• 4:55:47
  where he is quite a stranger, unless he knows himself to be agreeable on
• 4:55:51
  undoubted authority. He and Edward B are going to ride to east Well.
• 4:55:56
  And as the boys are hunting and my brother is gone to Canterbury, Fanny
• 4:56:00
  and I have a quiet morning before us Edward has driven off poor missus Sulkold.
• 4:56:06
  It was thought a good opportunity of doing something towards clearing the house.
• 4:56:10
  By her own desire. Missus Fanny is to be put in the room next
• 4:56:12
  the nursery. Her baby in a little bed beside her, and as Cassie
• 4:56:17
  is to have the closet within, and Betsy Williams's little hole, they will
• 4:56:21
  all be very snug together. I shall be most happy to see dear Charles,
• 4:56:26
  and he will be as happy as he can with a cross child or
• 4:56:29
  some such care pressing on him at the time. I should be very happy
• 4:56:33
  in the idea of seeing little Cassie again too. Did not I fear she
• 4:56:37
  would disappoint me by some immediate disagreeableness. The comfort of the billiard table here
• 4:56:42
  is very great. It draws all the gentlemen to it whenever they are within,
• 4:56:47
  especially after dinner, so that my brother Fanny and I have the library
• 4:56:51
  to ourselves and delightful quiet. There is no truth in the report of g
• 4:56:56
  Hatton being to marry Miss Wemans he desires it may be, country, have
• 4:57:00
  you done anything about our present Miss ben I suppose she must have a bed
• 4:57:04
  at my mother's whenever she dines there. How will they manage us to inviting
• 4:57:08
  her when you were gone? And if they invite, how will they continue
• 4:57:12
  to entertain her. Let me know as many of your parting arrangements as you
• 4:57:18
  can as to wine, et cetera. I wonder whether the ink bottle has
• 4:57:22
  been filled. Does Butcher's meet keep up at the same price, and is
• 4:57:26
  not bred lower than two shillings and sixpence Mary's blue gown, My mother must
• 4:57:32
  be in agonies. I have a great mind to have my blue gown died
• 4:57:36
  some time or other. I proposed it once to you, and you made
• 4:57:40
  some objection. I forget what it is the fashion of flounces that gives it
• 4:57:45
  particular expediency. Missus and Miss Wildman have just been here. Miss is very
• 4:57:52
  plain. I wish Lady b may be returned before we lead Godminsham. That
• 4:57:56
  Fanny may spend the time of her father's absence at Goodnesston is what she would
• 4:58:00
  prefer. Friday. They came last night at about seven. We had given
• 4:58:07
  them up, but I still expected them to come. Dessert was nearly over,
• 4:58:11
  a better time for arriving than an hour and a half earlier. They
• 4:58:15
  were late because they did not set out earlier and did not allow time enough.
• 4:58:19
  Charles did not aim at more than reaching Sittingbourne by three, which could
• 4:58:23
  not have brought them here by dinner time. They had a very rough passage.
• 4:58:27
  He would not have ventured if he had known how bad it would be.
• 4:58:32
  However, here they are safe and well, just like their own nice
• 4:58:34
  selves. Fanny looking as neat and white this morning as possible, and dear
• 4:58:40
  Charles, all affectionate, placid, quiet, cheerful, good humor. They
• 4:58:45
  are both looking very well. But poor little Cassie has grown extremely thin and
• 4:58:48
  looks poorly. I hope a week's country air and exercise may do her good.
• 4:58:55
  I am sorry to say it can be but a week. The baby
• 4:58:56
  does not appear so large in proportion as she was, nor quite so pretty,
• 4:59:02
  but I have seen very little of her. Cassie was too tired and
• 4:59:04
  bewildered just at first to seem to know anybody. We met them in the
• 4:59:08
  hall, the women and girl part of us, But before we reached the
• 4:59:12
  library, she kissed me very affectionately, and has since seemed to recollect me
• 4:59:17
  in the same way. It was quite an evening of confusion, as you
• 4:59:22
  may suppose. At first, we were all walking about from one part of
• 4:59:26
  the house to the other. Then came a fresh dinner in the breakfast room
• 4:59:29
  for Charles and his wife, which Fanny and I attended. Then we moved
• 4:59:33
  into the library were joined by the dining room. People were introduced, and
• 4:59:37
  so forth, and then we had tea and coffee, which was not over
• 4:59:41
  till past ten. Billiards again drew all the odd ones away, and Edward,
• 4:59:47
  Charles, the two Fannies and I sat snugly talking. I shall be
• 4:59:51
  glad to have our numbers a little reduced, and by the time you receive
• 4:59:53
  this, we shall be only a family, though a large family party.
• 5:00:00
  Mister Lushington goes to morrow. Now I must speak of him, and I
• 5:00:04
  like him very much. I am sure he is clever and a man of
• 5:00:08
  taste. He got a volume of Milton last night and spoke of it with
• 5:00:12
  warmth. He is quite an m p, very smiling, with an exceeding
• 5:00:18
  good address and readiness of language. I am rather in love with him.
• 5:00:22
  I daresay he is ambitious and insincere. He puts me in mind of mister
• 5:00:27
  Dundas. He is a wide smiling mouth and very good teeth, and something
• 5:00:33
  the same complexion, and knows he is a much shorter man. With Martha's
• 5:00:37
  leave, does Martha never hear from Missus Craven? Is Missus Craven never at
• 5:00:41
  home? We breakfasted in the dining room to day, and are now all
• 5:00:47
  pretty well dispersed and quiet. Charles and George are gone out shooting together to
• 5:00:52
  winnegates and seat and wood. I asked on purpose to tell Henry mister Lushington
• 5:00:57
  and Edward are gone some other way. I wish Charles may kill something,
• 5:01:02
  but this high wind is against their sport. Lady Williams is living at the
• 5:01:07
  Rose in Sittingbourne. They called upon her yesterday. She cannot live at Sheerness,
• 5:01:11
  and as soon as she gets to Sittingbourn as quite well. In return
• 5:01:15
  for all your matches, I announced that her brother William is going to marry
• 5:01:18
  a Miss Austen, of a Wiltshire family who say they are related to us.
• 5:01:23
  I talked to Cassie about Chawton. She remembers much, but does not
• 5:01:27
  volunteer on the subject. Poor little love. I wish she were not so
• 5:01:32
  very palmery, but it seems stronger than ever. I never knew a wife's
• 5:01:37
  family features have such undue influence. Papa and Mamma have not made up their
• 5:01:41
  mind as to parting with her or not the chief. Indeed, the only
• 5:01:45
  difficulty with Mamma is a very reasonable one. The child's being very unwilling to
• 5:01:49
  leave them. When it was mentioned to her, she did not like the
• 5:01:52
  idea of it at all. At the same time, she has been suffering
• 5:01:56
  so much lately from sea sickness that her mamma cannot bear to have her much
• 5:02:00
  on board this winter. Charles is less inclined to part with her. I
• 5:02:06
  do not know how it will end, or what is to determine it.
• 5:02:10
  He desires his best love to you, and is not written because he has
• 5:02:14
  not been able to decide. They are both very sensible of your kindness.
• 5:02:18
  On the occasion I have made Charles furnish me with something to say about young
• 5:02:22
  Kendall. He is going on very well. When he first joined the namour,
• 5:02:27
  my brother did not find him forward enough to be what they call put
• 5:02:30
  in the office, and therefore placed him under the schoolmaster. But he is
• 5:02:34
  very much improved and goes into the office now every afternoon, still attending school
• 5:02:40
  in the morning. This cold weather comes very fortunately for Edward's nerves. With
• 5:02:45
  such a house full, it suits him exactly. He is all alive and
• 5:02:49
  cheerful. Poor James, on the contrary, must be running his toes into
• 5:02:55
  the fire. I find that Mary Jane Fowl was very near returning with her
• 5:02:59
  brother and paying them a visit on board. I forget exactly what hindered her.
• 5:03:04
  I believe the Cheltenham scheme. I am glad something did. They are
• 5:03:10
  to go to Cheltenham on Monday sunnight. I don't vouch for their going,
• 5:03:14
  you know it only comes from one of the family. Now, I think
• 5:03:18
  I have written you a good sized letter and may deserve whatever I can get
• 5:03:22
  in reply. Infinities of love, I must distinguish that of Fanny Senior,
• 5:03:29
  who particularly desires to be remembered to you all yours very affectionately. J.
• 5:03:34
  Austen end of Section twenty one, Letter fifty god Mishiam Park, October eighteenth,
• 5:03:45
  My dear aunt Cassandra, I am very much obliged to you for your
• 5:03:48
  long letter and for the nice account of Chawton. We are all very glad
• 5:03:52
  to hear that the Adams are gone, and hope Dame Libskin will be more
• 5:03:56
  happy now with her deafy child as she calls it. But I am afraid
• 5:04:00
  there is not much chance of her remaining long sole mistress of her house.
• 5:04:04
  I am sorry you had not any better news to send us of our hair.
• 5:04:07
  Poor little thing. I thought it would not live long in that pondy
• 5:04:11
  house. I don't wonder that Mary Doe is very sorry it is dead,
• 5:04:15
  because we promised her that if it was alive when we came back to Chawton,
• 5:04:18
  we would reward her for her trouble. Papa is very much obliged to
• 5:04:22
  you for ordering the scrubby firs to be cut down. I think he was
• 5:04:26
  rather frightened at first about the great oak. Fanny quite believed it, for
• 5:04:30
  she exclaimed, dear me, what a pity, how could they be so
• 5:04:33
  stupid? I hope by this time they have to put up some hurdles for
• 5:04:37
  the sheep, or turn out the cart horses from the lawn. Pray.
• 5:04:41
  Tell Grandmamma that we have begun getting seeds for her. I hope we shall
• 5:04:45
  be able to get her a nice collection, but I am afraid this wet
• 5:04:48
  weather is very much against them. How glad I am to hear that she
• 5:04:52
  had such good success with her chickens, but I wish there had been some
• 5:04:56
  more bantams among them. I am very sorry to hear of poor Lizzie fate.
• 5:05:00
  I must now tell you something about our poor people. I believe you
• 5:05:04
  know Old Mary Croucher. She gets madderer and madderer every day. Aunt Jane
• 5:05:11
  has been to see her, but it was on one of her rational days.
• 5:05:14
  Poor will Amos hopes your skewers are doing well. He has left his
• 5:05:18
  house in the poor Row and lives in a barn at Builting. We asked
• 5:05:22
  him why he went away, and he said the fleas were so starved,
• 5:05:23
  and he came back from Chortan that they all flew upon him and enamost et
• 5:05:27
  him up. How unlucky it is that the weather is so wet. Poor
• 5:05:33
  Uncle Charles has come home half drowned every day. I don't think Little Fanny
• 5:05:37
  is quite so pretty as she was. One reason is because she wears short
• 5:05:41
  petticoats. I believe. I hope Cook is better. She was very unwell
• 5:05:45
  the day before we went away. Papa has given me a half dozen new
• 5:05:49
  pencils, which are very good ones. Indeed I draw every other day.
• 5:05:55
  I hope you going to whip Lucy Chilcraft every night. Miss Clues begs me
• 5:06:00
  to give her very best respects to you. She is very much obliged to
• 5:06:03
  you of your kind inquiries after her pray, give my duty to Grandmamma and
• 5:06:07
  love to Miss Floyd. I remain my dear aunt, Cassandra, your very
• 5:06:11
  affectionate niece. Elizabeth Knight Thursday. I think Lizzie's letter will entertain you.
• 5:06:21
  Thank you for yours just received. To morrow shall be fine, if possible,
• 5:06:26
  you will be at Guildford before our party set off. They only go
• 5:06:29
  to Key Street as mister Street the purser lives there, and they have promised
• 5:06:33
  to dine and sleep with him. Cassie's looks are much mended. She agrees
• 5:06:38
  pretty well with her cousins, but is not quite happy among them. They
• 5:06:42
  are too many and too boisterous for her. I have given her your message,
• 5:06:47
  but she said nothing and did not look as if the idea of going
• 5:06:51
  to Chawton again was a pleasant one. They have Edward's carriage to Ospringe.
• 5:06:56
  I think I have just done a good deed, extracted Charles from his wife
• 5:07:00
  and children upstairs, and made him get ready to go out shooting, and
• 5:07:03
  not keep mister Moore a waiting any longer. Mister and missus Sheerer and Joseph
• 5:07:08
  dined here yesterday very prettily. Edward and George were absent gone for a night
• 5:07:14
  to Eastling. The two Fannys went to Canterbury in the morning and took Lew
• 5:07:18
  and Cass to try our new stays. Harriet and I had a comfortable walk
• 5:07:22
  together. She desires her best love to you and kind remembrance to Henry Fanny's
• 5:07:29
  best love. Also, I fancy there is to be another party to Canterbury
• 5:07:33
  to morrow. Mister and Missus Moore and me. Edward thanks Henry for his
• 5:07:37
  letter. We are most happy to hear. He is so much better.
• 5:07:41
  I depend upon you for letting me know what he wishes. As to my
• 5:07:45
  staying with him or not, you will be able to find out. I
• 5:07:48
  dare say I had intended to beg you would bring one of my night caps
• 5:07:52
  with you in case of my staying, but forgot it when I wrote on
• 5:07:56
  Tuesday. Edward is much concerned about his pond. He cannot now doubt the
• 5:08:00
  fact of its running out, which he was resolved to do as long as
• 5:08:03
  possible. I suppose my mother will like to have me write to her.
• 5:08:07
  I shall try at least. No, I have never seen the death of
• 5:08:11
  Missus Crabbe. I have only just been making out from one of his prefaces
• 5:08:15
  that he probably was married. It is almost ridiculous, poor woman. I
• 5:08:22
  will comfort him as well as I can, but I do not undertake to
• 5:08:25
  be good to her children. She had better not leave any Edward and George
• 5:08:30
  set off this day week for Oxford. Our party will then be very small,
• 5:08:34
  as the Moors will be going about the same time to enliven us.
• 5:08:37
  Fanny proposes spending a few days soon afterwards at Fredville. It will really be
• 5:08:42
  a good opportunity, as her father will have a companion. We shall all
• 5:08:47
  three go to Wrotham, but Edward and I stay only a night. Perhaps
• 5:08:51
  loved mister Tilson, yours very affectionately, j A letter fifty one god Masham
• 5:09:02
  Park, Wednesday, November third, My dearest Cassandra. I will keep this
• 5:09:07
  celebrated birthday by writing to you, and as my pen seems inclined to write
• 5:09:11
  large, I will put my lines very close together. I had but just
• 5:09:15
  time to enjoy your letter yesterday before Edward and I set off in the chair
• 5:09:19
  for Canterbury, and I allowed him to hear the chief of it as we
• 5:09:22
  went along. We rejoice sincerely in Henry's gaining ground as he does, and
• 5:09:27
  hope there will be weather for him to get out every day this week as
• 5:09:30
  the likeliest way of making him equal to what he plans for the next.
• 5:09:34
  If he is tolerably well, the going into Oxfordshire will make him better by
• 5:09:38
  making him happier. Can it be that I have not given you the minutia
• 5:09:44
  of Edward's plans? See here? They are to go to Wrotham on Saturday
• 5:09:48
  the thirteenth, spend Sunday there, and be in town on Monday to dinner,
• 5:09:52
  and if agreeable to Henry, spend one whole day with him, which
• 5:09:56
  day is likely to be Tuesday, and so go down to Chawton on Wednesday.
• 5:10:02
  But now I cannot be quite easy without staying a little while with Henry
• 5:10:07
  unless he wishes it. Otherwise, his illness and the dull time of year
• 5:10:10
  together make me feel that it would be horrible of me not to offer to
• 5:10:14
  remain with him. And therefore, unless you know of any objection, I
• 5:10:18
  wish you would tell him, with my best love, that I shall be
• 5:10:21
  most happy to spend ten days or a fortnight in Henrietta Street, if he
• 5:10:23
  will accept me. I do not offer more than a fortnight, because I
• 5:10:27
  shall then have been some time from home, but it will be a great
• 5:10:30
  pleasure to be with him, as it always is. I have the less
• 5:10:34
  regret and scruple on your account because I shall see you for a day and
• 5:10:38
  a half, and because you will have Edward for at least a week.
• 5:10:42
  My scheme is to take bookham in my way home for a few days,
• 5:10:45
  and my hope that hen you will be so good as to send me some
• 5:10:48
  part of the way thither. I have a most kind repetition of missus Cook's
• 5:10:52
  two or three dozen invitations with the offer of meeting me anywhere in one of
• 5:10:56
  her airings. Fanny's cold is much better by dozing and keeping her room on
• 5:11:02
  Sunday. She got rid of the worst of it, but I am rather
• 5:11:04
  afraid of what this day may do for her. She is gone to Canterbury
• 5:11:08
  with Missclues, Liz and mary Anne, and is but roguish weather for any
• 5:11:14
  one in a tender state. Miss Clues has been going to Canterbury ever since
• 5:11:18
  her return, and it is just now accomplishing. Edward and I had a
• 5:11:22
  delightful morning for our drive there. I enjoyed it thoroughly, but the day
• 5:11:26
  turned off before we were ready, and we came home in some rain and
• 5:11:30
  the apprehension of a great deal. It has not done us any harm.
• 5:11:33
  However, he went to inspect the jail as a visiting magistrate and took me
• 5:11:38
  with him. I was gratified, and went through all the feelings which people
• 5:11:42
  must go through, I think in visiting such a building. We paid no
• 5:11:47
  other visits, only walked about snugly together and shopped. I bought a concert
• 5:11:52
  ticket and a sprig of flowers for my old age. To bury the subject
• 5:11:56
  from gay to grave with inimitable address. I shall now tell you something of
• 5:12:00
  the bath party, and still a bath party they are for a fit of
• 5:12:04
  the gout came on last week. The accounts of lady B are as good
• 5:12:10
  as can be under such a circumstance. Doctor P says, it appears very
• 5:12:12
  good sort of gout, and his spirits are better than usual. But as
• 5:12:17
  to her coming away, it is of course all uncertainty. I have very
• 5:12:22
  little doubt of Edward's going down to Bath if they have not left it when
• 5:12:25
  he is in Hampshire. If he does, he will go on from Steventon
• 5:12:29
  and then return direct to London, without coming back to Chawton. This detention
• 5:12:33
  does not suit his feelings. It may be rather a good thing, however,
• 5:12:38
  that doctor p should see Lady B with the gout on her. Harriet
• 5:12:42
  was quite wishing for it. The day seems to improve. I wish by
• 5:12:48
  pen would too sweet. Mister Ogle, I dare say he sees all the
• 5:12:53
  panoramas, for nothing has free admittance everywhere. He is so delightful. Now
• 5:13:00
  you need not see anybody else. I am glad to hear of our being
• 5:13:04
  likely to have a peep at Charles and Fanny at Christmas. But do not
• 5:13:08
  force poor Caste to stay if she hates it. You have done very right
• 5:13:11
  as to missus f A. Your tidings are bess and s give me pleasure.
• 5:13:17
  I have never seen it advertised. Harriet, in a letter to Fanny
• 5:13:21
  to day, inquires whether they sell cloths for polices at Bedford House, and
• 5:13:25
  if they do, will be very much obliged to you to desire them to
• 5:13:29
  send her down patterns with the widths and prices. They may go from Charing
• 5:13:33
  Cross almost any day in the week, but if it is a ready money
• 5:13:37
  house, it will not do. For the brew of Fir. The Archbishop
• 5:13:40
  says she cannot pay for it immediately. Fanny and I suspect they do not
• 5:13:45
  deal in the article. The sharers, I believe, are now really going
• 5:13:48
  to go. Joseph has had a bed here the last two nights, and
• 5:13:52
  I do not know whether this is not the day of moving. Missus Sherrier
• 5:13:56
  called yesterday to take leave. The weather looks worse again. We dine at
• 5:14:00
  Chilham Castle to morrow, and I expect to find some amusement, but more
• 5:14:06
  from the concert the next day, as I am sure of seeing several that
• 5:14:08
  I want to see. We are to meet a party from Goodnesston, Lady
• 5:14:12
  b Miss Hawley and Lucy Foote, and I am to meet Missus Harrison,
• 5:14:17
  and we are to talk about Ben and Anna. My dear Missus Harrison,
• 5:14:22
  I shall say, I am afraid the young man has some of your family
• 5:14:25
  madness. And though there often appears to be something of madness in Anna too,
• 5:14:30
  I think she inherits more of it from her mother's family than from ours.
• 5:14:33
  That is what I shall say, and I think she will find it
• 5:14:37
  difficult to answer me. I took up your letter again to refresh me,
• 5:14:41
  being somewhat tired, and was struck with the prettiness of the hand. It
• 5:14:45
  is really a very pretty hand now, and then so small and neat.
• 5:14:51
  I wish I could get as much into a sheet of paper another time.
• 5:14:53
  I will take two days to make a letter in it is fatiguing to write
• 5:14:57
  a whole long one at once. I hope to hear from you again on
• 5:15:00
  Sunday, and again on Friday, the day before we move. On Monday,
• 5:15:06
  I suppose you'll be going to Stratham to see quiet mister Hill and eat
• 5:15:08
  very bad baker's bread, a fall in bread by the bye. I hope
• 5:15:14
  my mother's bill next week will show it. I have had a very comfortable
• 5:15:18
  letter from her, one of her fourscap sheets, quite full of little home
• 5:15:21
  news. Anna was there the first of the two days. And Anna sent
• 5:15:26
  away and an Anna fetched are different things. This will be an excellent time
• 5:15:30
  for Ben to pay his visit, now that we the formidables are absent.
• 5:15:37
  I did not mean to eat, but mister john Cock is brought in the
• 5:15:40
  tray, so I must. I am all alone. Edward is gone into
• 5:15:45
  his woods. At this present time I have five tables, eight and twenty
• 5:15:51
  chairs, and two fires, all to myself. Miss Clues is to be
• 5:15:56
  invited to go to the concert with us. There will be my brother's place
• 5:15:59
  and ticket for her, as he cannot go. He and the other connections
• 5:16:03
  of the Cages are to meet at Millgate that very day to consult aout a
• 5:16:07
  proposed alteration of the Maidstone Road, in which the Cages are very much interested.
• 5:16:11
  Sir Brook comes here in the morning, and they are to be joined
• 5:16:15
  by mister Deeds at Ashford. The loss of the concert will be no great
• 5:16:18
  evil to the Squire. We shall be a party of three ladies. Therefore,
• 5:16:22
  and to meet three ladies. What a convenient carriage Henry's is to his
• 5:16:29
  friends in general? Who has it next? I am glad William's going is
• 5:16:33
  voluntary and on no worse grounds. An inclination for the country is a venial
• 5:16:37
  fault. He has more of Cowper than of Johnson, and him fonder of
• 5:16:42
  tame hares and blank verse than of the full tide of human existence at Charing
• 5:16:47
  Cross. Oh, I have more of such sweet flattery from miss Sharp.
• 5:16:52
  She is an excellent kind friend. I am read and admired. An Ireland
• 5:16:57
  too, there is a missus Lecher, the wife of a judge an old
• 5:17:02
  lady and very good and very clever, who is all curiosity to know about
• 5:17:07
  me, what I am like, and so forth. I am not known
• 5:17:10
  to her by name. However, this comes through missus Carrick, not through
• 5:17:14
  Missus Gore. You are quite out there. I do not despair of having
• 5:17:19
  my picture in the exhibition at last, all white and red, with my
• 5:17:22
  head on one side. Or perhaps I may marry young mister Darbley. I
• 5:17:27
  suppose in the meantime I shall owe dear Henry a great deal of money for
• 5:17:32
  printing, et cetera. I hope Missus Fletcher will indulge herself with s and
• 5:17:37
  s. If I am to stay in HS, and you should be writing
• 5:17:41
  home soon, I wish you'd be so good as to give a hint of
• 5:17:42
  it, for I am not likely to write there again these ten days.
• 5:17:47
  Having written yesterday, Fanny has set her heart upon its being a mister Brett
• 5:17:51
  who is going to marry a Miss Dora best of this country. I daresay
• 5:17:56
  Henry has no objection. Pray where did the boys sleep? The deeds come
• 5:18:02
  here on Monday to stay till Friday, So that shall end with a flourish.
• 5:18:04
  The last canto they bring Isabella and one of the grown ups and will
• 5:18:10
  come in for a Canterbury ball on Thursday. I shall be glad to see
• 5:18:12
  them. Missus Deeds and I must talk rationally together. I suppose Edward does
• 5:18:18
  not write to Henry because of my writing so often. God bless you.
• 5:18:23
  I shall be so glad to see you again, and I wish you many
• 5:18:26
  happy returns of this day. Poor Lord Howard, how he does cry about
• 5:18:32
  it Yours very truly j A. End of Section twenty two, Letter fifty
• 5:18:41
  two, Godmishiam Park, Saturday, November sixth My dearest Cassandra, having half
• 5:18:51
  an hour before breakfast, very snug in my own room, lovely morning,
• 5:18:56
  excellent fire, fancy me. I will give you some account of the last
• 5:19:02
  two days. And yet what is there to be told? I shall get
• 5:19:07
  foolishly minute unless I cut the matter short. We met only the Bretons at
• 5:19:12
  Chilliam Castle, besides a mister and Missus Osborne and a miss Lee staying in
• 5:19:18
  the house, and were only fourteen altogether. My brother and Fanny thought it
• 5:19:23
  the pleasantest party they had ever known there, and I was very well entertained
• 5:19:27
  by bits and scraps. I had long wanted to see Doctor Breton and his
• 5:19:33
  wife amuses me very much with her affected refinement and elegance. Miss Lee I
• 5:19:38
  found very conversible. She admires Crab as she ought. She is at an
• 5:19:44
  age of reason ten years older than myself. At least she was at the
• 5:19:48
  famous ball at Chilham Castle, so of course you remember her by the bye.
• 5:19:53
  As I must leave off being young, I find many du sirs in
• 5:19:57
  being a sort of chaperone. Prime put on the sofa near the fire and
• 5:20:02
  can drink as much wine as I like. We had music in the evening.
• 5:20:07
  Fanny and Missus Wildman played, and mister James Wildman sat close by and
• 5:20:11
  listened or pretended to listen. Yesterday was a day of dissipation all through.
• 5:20:18
  First came Sir Brook to dissipate us before breakfast. Then there was a call
• 5:20:22
  from mister Shearer, and then a regular morning visit from Lady Honeywood in her
• 5:20:26
  way home from east Well. Then Sir Brooke and Edward set off. Then
• 5:20:32
  we dined five in number at half past four. Then we had coffee,
• 5:20:37
  and at six Miss Clues Fanny and I drove away. We had a beautiful
• 5:20:42
  night for our Frisks. We were earlier than we need have been. But
• 5:20:47
  after a time Lady B and her two companions appeared. We had kept places
• 5:20:51
  for them, and there we sat, all six in a row under a
• 5:20:53
  sidewalk I between Lucy Foote and Miss Clues. Lady B was much what I
• 5:21:00
  expected. I could not determine whether she was rather handsome or very plain.
• 5:21:07
  I liked her for being in a hurry to have the concert over and get
• 5:21:08
  away, and forgetting away at last with a great deal of decision and promptness,
• 5:21:14
  not waiting to compliment, and dawdle and fuss about seeing dear Fanny,
• 5:21:18
  who was half the evening in another part of the room with her friend the
• 5:21:21
  plum Trees. I am growing too minute, so I will go to breakfast.
• 5:21:27
  When the concert was over, Missus Harrison and I found each other out
• 5:21:30
  and had a very comfortable, little complimentary, friendly chat. She is a
• 5:21:36
  sweet woman, still quite a sweet woman in herself, and so like her
• 5:21:40
  sister. I could almost have thought I was speaking to Missus le Froy.
• 5:21:45
  She introduced me to her daughter, whom I think pretty but most dutifully inferior
• 5:21:49
  to La mere Bouet. The Fags and the Hammonds were there, William Hammond,
• 5:21:55
  the only young man of renown. Miss looked very handsome, but I
• 5:21:59
  prefer her little, smiling, flirting sister Julia. I was just introduced at
• 5:22:04
  last to Mary plump Tree, but I should hardly know her again. She
• 5:22:08
  was delighted with me, however, good enthusiastic soul, and lady b found
• 5:22:14
  me handsomer than she expected. So you see I am not so very bad
• 5:22:18
  as you might think. For it was twelve before we reached home. We
• 5:22:22
  were all dog tired, but pretty well to day. Missus Clues says she
• 5:22:27
  is not caught cold, and Fanny's does not seem worse. I was so
• 5:22:33
  tired that I began to wonder how I should get through the ball next Thursday.
• 5:22:37
  But there will be so much more variety than in walking about, and
• 5:22:40
  probably so much less heat, that perhaps I may not feel it more.
• 5:22:45
  My china crape is still kept for the ball. Enough of the concert.
• 5:22:49
  I had a letter from Mary yesterday. They traveled down to Cheltenham last Monday
• 5:22:55
  very safely, and is certainly to be there a month. Bath is still
• 5:23:00
  bath. The h Bridges must quit them early next week, and Louisa seems
• 5:23:04
  not quite to despair of their all moving together. But to those who see
• 5:23:08
  at a distance, there appears no chance of it. Doctor Perry does not
• 5:23:12
  want to keep Lady be at bath when she can once move. That is
• 5:23:17
  lucky you will see poor mister Evelen's death. Since I wrote last, my
• 5:23:22
  second edition has stared me in the face. Mary tells me that Eliza means
• 5:23:27
  to buy it. I wish she may. It can hardly depend upon any
• 5:23:33
  more. Firefield estates. I cannot help hoping that many will feel themselves obliged
• 5:23:37
  to buy it. I shall not mind imagining it a disagreeable duty to them,
• 5:23:42
  so as they do it. Mary heard before she left home that it
• 5:23:47
  was very much admired at Cheltenham, and that it was given to miss Hamilton.
• 5:23:51
  It is pleasant to have such a respectable writer named. I cannot tire
• 5:23:56
  you, I am sure on this subject, or I would apologize what weather
• 5:24:00
  and what news we have enough to do to admire them both. I hope
• 5:24:06
  you derive your full share of enjoyment from each. I have extended my lights
• 5:24:11
  and increased my acquaintance a good deal within these two days. Lady Honeywood,
• 5:24:17
  you know I did not sit near enough to be a perfect judge. But
• 5:24:21
  I thought her extremely pretty, and her manners have all the recommendations of ease
• 5:24:25
  and good humor and unaffectedness, and going about with four horses, and nicely
• 5:24:30
  dressed herself, she is altogether a perfect sort of woman. Oh and I
• 5:24:36
  saw mister Gipps last night, the useful mister Gibbs, whose attentions came in
• 5:24:41
  as acceptably to us in handing us to the carriage for want of a better
• 5:24:44
  man, as they did to Emma plum Tree. I thought him rather a
• 5:24:48
  good looking little man. I long for your letter to morrow, particularly that
• 5:24:52
  I may know my fate as to London. My first wish is that Henry
• 5:24:56
  should really choose what he likes best. I he shall certainly not be sorry
• 5:25:00
  if he does not want me morning church to morrow. I shall come back
• 5:25:04
  with impatient feelings. The Sharers are gone, but the Pagets are not come.
• 5:25:11
  We shall therefore have mister Eyres again. Mister Paget acts like an unsteady
• 5:25:15
  man. Doctor Hant, however, gives him a very good character. What
• 5:25:21
  is wrong is to be imputed to the lady. I dare say the house
• 5:25:25
  likes female government. I have a nice long black and red letter from Charles,
• 5:25:30
  but not communicating much that I did not know. There is some chance
• 5:25:36
  of a good ball next week. As far as females go, Lady Bridges
• 5:25:41
  may perhaps be there with some natch balls, Missus Harrison, perhaps with Miss
• 5:25:45
  Oxendon and Miss Papillon's. And if Missus Harrison, then Lady Fagg will come.
• 5:25:52
  The shades of evening are descending, and I resume my interesting narrative.
• 5:25:56
  Sir brook and my brother came back about four, and Sir Brooke almost immediately
• 5:26:00
  set forward again to Goodnesston. We are to have Edward be to morrow to
• 5:26:06
  pay us another Sunday's visit, the last for more reasons than one. They
• 5:26:11
  all come home on the same day that we go. The deeds do not
• 5:26:15
  come till Tuesday. Sophia is to be the comer. She is a disputable
• 5:26:19
  beauty that I much want to see. Lady Elizabeth Hatton and Anna Maria called
• 5:26:25
  here this morning. Yes they called, but I do not think I can
• 5:26:29
  say anything more about them. They came, and they sat and they went
• 5:26:36
  Sunday. Dearest Henry, what a turn he has for being ill, and
• 5:26:41
  what a thing bile is. This attack is probably been brought on in part
• 5:26:45
  by his previous confinement and anxiety, but however it came. I hope it
• 5:26:52
  is going fast, and that you will be able to send a very good
• 5:26:55
  account of him on Tuesday. As I hear on Wednesday, of course,
• 5:26:59
  I shall not expect to hear again on Friday. Perhaps a letter to Rotham
• 5:27:03
  would not have an ill effect. We are to be off on Saturday before
• 5:27:07
  the post comes in. As Edward takes his own horses all the way he
• 5:27:11
  talks of nine o'clock, we shall bait at Lenham. Excellent sweetness of you
• 5:27:17
  to send me such a nice long letter. It made its appearance with one
• 5:27:21
  from my mother soon after I and my impatient feelings walked in. How glad
• 5:27:26
  I am that I did what I did. I was only afraid that you
• 5:27:30
  might think the officer perfluous. But you have set my heart at ease.
• 5:27:33
  Tell Henry that I will stay with him. Let it be ever so disagreeable
• 5:27:37
  to him. Oh, dear me, I have not time on paper for
• 5:27:41
  half that I want to say. There have been two letters from Oxford,
• 5:27:45
  one from George yesterday. They got there very safely. Edward two hours behind
• 5:27:52
  the coach, having lost his way in leaving London. George writes cheerfully and
• 5:27:56
  quietly hopes to have Utterson's rooms soon, went to lecture on Wednesday, state
• 5:28:02
  some of his expenses, and concludes with saying, I am afraid I shall
• 5:28:07
  be poor. I am glad he thinks about it so soon. I believe
• 5:28:11
  there is no private tutor chosen yet. But my brother is to hear from
• 5:28:15
  Edward on the subject shortly. You and missus h and Catherine and Alethia going
• 5:28:21
  about together in Henry's carriage seeing sights. I am not used to the idea
• 5:28:25
  of it yet. All that you are to see of Stretham seen already your
• 5:28:30
  Stretham and my Bookom may go hang. The prospect of being taken down to
• 5:28:33
  Chawton by Henry perfects the plan to me. I was in hopes of your
• 5:28:37
  seeing some illuminations, and you have seen them. I thought you would come,
• 5:28:42
  and you did come. I am sorry. He is not to come
• 5:28:45
  from the Baltic sooner. Poor Mary. My brother has a letter from Louisa
• 5:28:51
  to day of an unwelcome nature. They are to spend the winter at Bath.
• 5:28:56
  It was just decided on doctor Parry wished it, not from thinking the
• 5:29:00
  water necessary to Lady b but that he might be better able to judge how
• 5:29:03
  far his treatment of her, which is totally different from anything she had been
• 5:29:07
  used to, is right. And I suppose he will not mind having a
• 5:29:11
  few more of her Ladyship's guineas his system is a lowering one. He took
• 5:29:17
  twelve ounces of blood from her when the gout appeared, and forbids wine et
• 5:29:21
  cetera. Hitherto the plan agrees with her. She is very well satisfied to
• 5:29:26
  stay, but it is a sore disappointment to Louisa and Fanny. The h
• 5:29:30
  Bridges leave them on Tuesday, and they mean to move into a smaller house.
• 5:29:36
  You may guess how Edward feels. There can be no doubt if his
• 5:29:38
  going to bath now, I should not wonder if he brought Fanny Cage back
• 5:29:41
  with him. You shall hear from me once more, some day or other,
• 5:29:48
  Yours, very affectionately, j A. We do not like mister Hampson's
• 5:29:53
  scheme. Letter of fifty three Henrietta Street, Wednesday, March second, eighteen
• 5:30:03
  fourteen. We had altogether a very good journey, and everything at Cobham was
• 5:30:07
  comfortable. I could not pay mister Harrington. That was the only alas of
• 5:30:12
  the business. I shall therefore return his bill and my mother's two pounds,
• 5:30:18
  that you may try your luck. We did not begin reading till Bentley Green.
• 5:30:22
  Henry's approbation is hitherto even equal to my wishes. He says it is
• 5:30:26
  different from the other two, but does not appear to think it at all
• 5:30:30
  inferior. He is only married Missus R. I am afraid he's gone through
• 5:30:34
  the most entertaining part. He took to Lady B and Missus N most kindly,
• 5:30:40
  and gives great praise to the drawing of the characters. He understands them
• 5:30:44
  all, likes Fanny, and I think foresees how it will all be.
• 5:30:48
  I finished the Heroine last night and was very much amused by it. I
• 5:30:53
  wonder James did not like it better. It diverted me exceedingly. We went
• 5:30:59
  to bed at ten. I was very tired, but slept to a miracle
• 5:31:03
  and am lovely to day, and at present Henry seems to have no complaint.
• 5:31:07
  We left Cobbham at half past eight, stopped to bate and breakfast at
• 5:31:11
  Kingston, and were in this house considerably before too. Nice smiling mister Barlow
• 5:31:17
  met us at the door, and, in reply to inquiries afternoons, said
• 5:31:21
  that peace was generally expected. I have taken possession of my bedroom, unpacked,
• 5:31:26
  my bandbox, sent Miss Peas two letters to the Tuppenny Post, have
• 5:31:30
  been visited by Madame b and have now writing by myself at the new table
• 5:31:33
  in the front room. It is snowing. We had some snow storms yesterday
• 5:31:40
  and a smart frost at night, which gave us a hard road from Cobham
• 5:31:44
  to Kingston. But as it was then getting dirty and heavy, Henry had
• 5:31:48
  a pair of leaders put on to the bottom of Sloane Street. His own
• 5:31:52
  horses therefore cannot have had hard work. I watched for vales as we drove
• 5:31:56
  through the streets, and had the pleasure of seeing several upon vulgar heads.
• 5:32:02
  And now how do you all do you? In particular after the worry of
• 5:32:07
  yesterday and the day before. I hope Martha had a pleasant visit again,
• 5:32:11
  and that you and my mother could eat your beef pudding depend upon my thinking
• 5:32:15
  of the chimney sweeper. As soon as I wake to morrow. Places are
• 5:32:18
  secured at drew Rey Lane for Saturday, but so great as the rage for
• 5:32:22
  seeing Keen that only a third and fourth row could be got as it is
• 5:32:26
  a front box. However, I hope we shall do pretty well. Shylock
• 5:32:32
  a good play for Fanny. She cannot be much affected. I think missus
• 5:32:37
  Peregord has just been here. She tells me that we owe her Master for
• 5:32:40
  the silk dyeing. My poor old muslin has never been dyed yet, it
• 5:32:45
  has been promised to be done several times. What wicked people die as are
• 5:32:49
  they begin with dipping their own souls and scarlet sin. It is evening.
• 5:32:55
  We have drank tea and I have torn through the third volume of the Heroine.
• 5:33:00
  I do not think it falls off. It is a delightful burlesque,
• 5:33:03
  particularly on the Radcliffe style. Henry is going on with Mansfield Park. He
• 5:33:08
  admires h Crawford. I mean properly as a clever, pleasant man. I
• 5:33:15
  tell you all the good I can, as I know how much you will
• 5:33:18
  enjoy it. We hear that mister Keane is more admired than ever. There
• 5:33:22
  are no good places to be got and drew Rey Lane for the next fortnight,
• 5:33:26
  but Henry means to secure some for Saturday fortnight, when you are reckoned
• 5:33:30
  upon give my love to a little cass. I hope she found my bed
• 5:33:34
  comfortable last night. I have seen nobody in London yet with such a long
• 5:33:38
  chin as doctor Syntax, nor anybody quite so large as Gogmagolicus. Yours affectionately,
• 5:33:47
  J. Austen And of Section twenty three, Letter fifty four, Henry,
• 5:33:56
  Atta Street, Wednesday, March ninth, Well, we went to the
• 5:34:00
  play again last night, and as we were out a great part of the
• 5:34:03
  morning too, shopping and seeing the Indian jugglers, I am very glad to
• 5:34:07
  be quiet now till dressing time. We are to dine at the Tilsons,
• 5:34:12
  and to morrow at mister Spencer's. We had not done breakfast yesterday when mister
• 5:34:18
  j. Plumptree appeared to say that he had secured a box. Henry asked
• 5:34:21
  him to dine here, which I fancy he was very happy to do,
• 5:34:25
  and so at five o'clock we four sat down to table together, while the
• 5:34:29
  Master of the house was preparing for going out himself. The Farmer's Wife is
• 5:34:33
  a musical thing in three acts, and as Edward was steady in not staying
• 5:34:37
  for anything more, we were home before ten. Fanny and mister j p
• 5:34:42
  are delighted with Miss s and her merrit in singing. Is I dare say
• 5:34:48
  very great? That she gave me no pleasure? Is no reflection upon her,
• 5:34:52
  nor I hope upon myself being what nature made me on that article.
• 5:34:57
  All that I am sensible of in miss is a pleasing person and no skill
• 5:35:02
  in acting. We had Matthews liston and Emory, of course some amusement.
• 5:35:10
  Our friends were off before half past eight this morning, and had the prospect
• 5:35:14
  of a heavy cold journey before them. I think they both liked their visit
• 5:35:18
  very much. I am sure Fanny did. Henry sees decided attachment between her
• 5:35:23
  and his new acquaintance. I have a cold too, as well as my
• 5:35:29
  mother and Martha. Let it be a generous emulation between us which can get
• 5:35:33
  rid of it. First, I wear my gauze gown to day long sleeves
• 5:35:38
  and all I shall see how they succeed. But as yet I have no
• 5:35:42
  reason to suppose long sleeves are allowable. I have lowered the bosom, especially
• 5:35:48
  at the corners, and platted black satin ribbon round the top. Such will
• 5:35:52
  be my costume of vine leaves and paste, prepare for a play the very
• 5:35:57
  first evening. I rather think Covent Garden to see Young and Richard. I
• 5:36:03
  have answered for your little companions being conveyed to Keppel Street immediately. I have
• 5:36:07
  never yet been able to get there myself, but I hope I shall soon.
• 5:36:12
  What cruel weather this is? And here is Lord Portsmouth, married too
• 5:36:18
  to Miss Hanson. Henry has finished Mansfield Park, and his approbation has not
• 5:36:23
  lessened. He found the last half of the last volume extremely interesting. I
• 5:36:30
  suppose my mother recollects that she gave me no money for paying Brecknell and Twining,
• 5:36:34
  and my funds will not supply enough. We are home in such good
• 5:36:38
  time that I can finish my letter to night, which will be better than
• 5:36:42
  getting up to do it to morrow, especially as on account of my cold,
• 5:36:47
  which has been very heavy in my head this evening, I rather think
• 5:36:51
  of lying in bed later than usual. I would not but be well enough
• 5:36:55
  to go to Hartford Street on any account. We met only General to day,
• 5:37:00
  who is not much to say for himself. I was ready to laugh
• 5:37:03
  at the remembrance of Frederick, and such a different Frederick, as we chose
• 5:37:07
  to fancy him to the real Christopher. Missus Tilson had long sleeves too,
• 5:37:12
  and she assured me that they are worn the evening by many. I was
• 5:37:17
  glad to hear this. She dines here. I believe next Tuesday, on
• 5:37:22
  Friday, we are to be snug with only mister Barlow and an evening of
• 5:37:25
  business. I am so pleased that the mead is brewed. Love to all
• 5:37:30
  I have written to Missus Hill and care for nobody, Yours affectionately, J.
• 5:37:37
  Austen letter of fifty five, Chawton, Tuesday, June thirteenth. My
• 5:37:45
  dearest Cassandra Fanny takes my mother to Alton this morning, which gives me an
• 5:37:52
  opportunity of sending you a few lines without any other trouble than that of writing
• 5:37:56
  them. This is a delightful day in the country, and I hope not
• 5:38:00
  much too hot for town. Well you had a good journey, I trust
• 5:38:04
  and all that, and not rain enough to spoil your bonnet. It appeared
• 5:38:08
  so likely to be a wet evening that I went up to the Great House
• 5:38:11
  between three and four and dawdled away an hour very comfortably. Though Edward was
• 5:38:17
  not very brisk, The air was clearer in the evening and he was better.
• 5:38:22
  We all five walked together into the kitchen garden and along the Gosport Road,
• 5:38:26
  and they drank tea with us. You will be glad to hear that
• 5:38:30
  g Turner has another situation, something in the cow line near Rumsey, and
• 5:38:36
  he wishes to move immediately, which is not likely to be inconvenient to anybody.
• 5:38:41
  The new nurserym Minu at Alton comes this morning to value the crops in
• 5:38:44
  the garden. The only letter to day is from missus Cook to me.
• 5:38:48
  They do not leave home till July and want me to come to them according
• 5:38:52
  to my promise, And after considering everything, I have resolved on going.
• 5:38:59
  Mike Companions promote it. I will not go, however, till after Edward
• 5:39:03
  is gone, that he may feel he has a somebody to give memorandums to.
• 5:39:07
  At the last I must give up all help from his carriage, of
• 5:39:11
  course, and at any rate it must be such an excessive expense that I
• 5:39:15
  have quite made up my mind to it, and do not mean to care.
• 5:39:19
  I have been thinking of trigs and the chair. You may be sure,
• 5:39:23
  but I know it will end in posting. They will meet me at
• 5:39:26
  Guildford. In addition to their standing claims on me, they admire Mansfield Park
• 5:39:33
  exceedingly. Mister Cook says it is the most sensible novel he ever read,
• 5:39:38
  and the manner in which I treat the clergy delights them very much. Altogether,
• 5:39:42
  I must go, and I want you to join me there when your
• 5:39:45
  visit in Henrietta Street is over. Put this into your capacious head. Take
• 5:39:52
  care of yourself, and do not be trampled to death in running after the
• 5:39:55
  Emperor. The report in Alton yesterday was that they would certainly travel this road
• 5:40:00
  either to or from Portsmouth. I long to know that this bow of the
• 5:40:03
  Prince's will produce. I saw Missus Andrews yesterday. Missus Browning had seen her
• 5:40:10
  before. She is very glad to send an Elizabeth. Miss Ben continues the
• 5:40:15
  same. Mister Curtis, however, saw he yesterday and said her hand was
• 5:40:19
  going on as well as possible. Except our best love, yours very affectionately,
• 5:40:26
  J. Austen, Letter fifty six, Thursday June twenty third. Dear
• 5:40:34
  Cassandra, I received your pretty letter while the children were drinking tea with us,
• 5:40:40
  as mister Louch was so obliging as to walk over with it. Your
• 5:40:44
  good account of everybody made us very happy. I heard yesterday from Frank when
• 5:40:49
  he began his letter, he hoped to be here on Monday, but before
• 5:40:52
  it was ended he had been told that the Naval review would not take place
• 5:40:56
  till Friday, which would probably occasion him some delay, as he cannot get
• 5:41:00
  some necessary business of his own attended to while Portsmouth is in such a bustle.
• 5:41:04
  I hope Fanny has seen the Emperor, and then I may fairly wish
• 5:41:08
  them all away. I go to morrow and hope for some delays and adventures.
• 5:41:15
  My mother's wood is brought in, but by some mistake no Bavins.
• 5:41:19
  She must therefore buy some henry at White's. Oh what to henry? I
• 5:41:26
  do not know what to wish as to miss be, so I will hold
• 5:41:30
  my tongue and my wishes. Sacrie and the children set off yesterday and have
• 5:41:34
  not been returned back upon us. They were all very well the evening before.
• 5:41:40
  We had handsome presents from the Great House yesterday, a Ham and the
• 5:41:44
  four leeches. Sacrie has left some shirts of her master's at the school,
• 5:41:48
  which finished or unfinished. She begs to have sent by Henry and William.
• 5:41:52
  Mister Hinton is expected home soon, which is a good thing for the shirts.
• 5:41:57
  We have called upon Miss Duncatoy and Miss Papillon, and been very pretty.
• 5:42:02
  Miss d has a great idea of being Fanny Price. She and her
• 5:42:06
  youngest sister together, who is named Fanny. Miss Ben has drank tea with
• 5:42:11
  the Prowtings, and I believe comes to us this evening. She has still
• 5:42:15
  a swelling about the forefinger and a little discharge, and has not seemed to
• 5:42:18
  be on the point of a perfect cure. But her spirits are good and
• 5:42:22
  she will be most happy. I believe to accept any invitation. The Clements
• 5:42:26
  are gone to Petersfield to look only think of the Marquis of Granby being dead.
• 5:42:33
  I hope, if it please Heaven, there should be another son.
• 5:42:36
  They will have better sponsors and less parade. I certainly do not wish that
• 5:42:41
  Henry should think again of getting me to town. I would rather return straight
• 5:42:45
  from Bookham. But if he really does propose it, I cannot say no
• 5:42:49
  to what will be so kindly intended. It could be but for a few
• 5:42:53
  days, however, as my mother would be quite disappointed by my exceeding the
• 5:42:57
  fortnight which I now talk of the outside. At least we could not both
• 5:43:02
  remain longer away comfortably. The middle of July is Martha's time, as far
• 5:43:07
  as she has any time. She has left it to missus Craven to fix
• 5:43:11
  the day. I wish she could get her money paid for. I fear
• 5:43:15
  her going at all depends upon that. Instead of bath, the Deans Dundases
• 5:43:19
  have taken a house at Clifton Richmond Terrace, and she is as glad of
• 5:43:25
  the change as even you and I should be, or almost she will now
• 5:43:29
  be able to go on from Berkshire and visit them without any fears from heat.
• 5:43:33
  This post has brought me a letter from miss Sharp, poor thing.
• 5:43:37
  She has been suffering, indeed, but is now in a comparative state of
• 5:43:41
  comfort. She is at Sir w PA's in Yorkshire with the children, and
• 5:43:45
  there is no appearance of her quitting them. Of course we lose the pleasure
• 5:43:49
  of seeing her here. She writes highly of Sir William, I do so
• 5:43:53
  want him to marry her. There is a dow at, a lady p
• 5:43:56
  presiding there to make it all right. The man is the same, But
• 5:44:00
  she does not mention what he is by profession or trade. She does not
• 5:44:04
  think Lady p was privy to his scheme on her, but on being in
• 5:44:08
  his power, yielded, Oh, Sir William, Sir William, how I
• 5:44:15
  will love you if you will love miss Sharp, missus driver et cetera off
• 5:44:19
  by Collier, but so near being too late, that she had not time
• 5:44:23
  to call and leave the keys herself. I have them, however, I
• 5:44:27
  suppose one is the key of the linen press, but I do not know
• 5:44:30
  what to guess the other. The coach was stopped at the blacksmiths, and
• 5:44:34
  they came running down with trigs and browning and trunks and bird cages, quite
• 5:44:40
  amusing. My mother desires her love and hopes to hear from you yours very
• 5:44:45
  affectionately. J Austen, Frank and Mary are to have Mary good child to
• 5:44:51
  help is under till they can get a cook. She is delighted to go
• 5:44:56
  best love at Stretham of section twenty four, letter of fifty seven twenty three
• 5:45:06
  hands place, Tuesday morning, August eighteen fourteen. My dear Cassandra, I
• 5:45:12
  had a very good journey, not crowded. Two of the three taken up
• 5:45:17
  at Bentley being children, the others of a reasonable size, and they were
• 5:45:22
  all very quiet and civil. We were late in London from being a great
• 5:45:26
  load and from changing coaches at Farnham. It was nearly four, I believe
• 5:45:30
  when we reached Sloane Street. Henry himself met me, and as soon as
• 5:45:36
  my trunk and basket could be routed out from all the other drunks and baskets
• 5:45:38
  in the world, we were on our way to Hand's place in the luxury
• 5:45:42
  of a nice, large, cool, dirty Hackney coach. There were four
• 5:45:48
  in the kitchen part of Yolden, and I was told fifteen at top.
• 5:45:52
  Among them Percy Ben We met in the same room at Egham, but poor
• 5:45:56
  Percy was not in his usual spirits. He would be more chatty, I
• 5:46:00
  dare say, in his way from Woolwich. We took up a young Gibson
• 5:46:04
  at Holborn, and in short everybody either did come up by Yorden yesterday or
• 5:46:10
  wanted to come up. It put me in mind of my own coach between
• 5:46:14
  Edinburgh and Stirling. Henry is very well and has given me an account of
• 5:46:18
  the Canterbury races, which seemed to have been as pleasant as one could wish
• 5:46:23
  everything went well. Fanny had good partners. Mister Blank was her second on
• 5:46:29
  Thursday, but he did not dance with her any more. This will content
• 5:46:33
  you for the present. I must just add, however, that there were
• 5:46:37
  no Lady Charlotte's They were gone off to Kirby, and that Mary Oxenden,
• 5:46:41
  instead of dying, is going to marry William Hammond. No James and Edward.
• 5:46:48
  Yet our evening yesterday was perfectly quiet. We only talked a little to
• 5:46:52
  mister Tilson. Of course, the intermediate gardens she was gone out airing with
• 5:46:56
  Miss Burditt. It is a delightful place, more than answers my expectation.
• 5:47:03
  Having got rid of my unreasonable ideas, I find more space and comfort in
• 5:47:07
  the rooms than I had supposed, and the garden is quite a love.
• 5:47:11
  I am in the front attic, which is the bed chamber to be preferred.
• 5:47:15
  Henry wants you to see it all, and asked whether you return with
• 5:47:19
  him from Hampshire. I encouraged him to think you would. He breakfasts here
• 5:47:25
  early and then rides to Henrietta Street. If it continues fine, John is
• 5:47:30
  to drive me there by and by, and we shall take an airing together,
• 5:47:33
  and I do not mean to take any other exercise, for I feel
• 5:47:37
  a little tired after my long jumble. I live in his room downstairs.
• 5:47:42
  It is particularly pleasant from opening upon the garden. I go and refresh myself
• 5:47:47
  every now and then, and then come back to solitary coolness. There is
• 5:47:52
  one maid servant, only a very creditable, clean looking young woman. Richard
• 5:47:56
  remains for the present. Whennesday morning, my brother and Edward arrived last night.
• 5:48:03
  They could not get places the day before. Their business is about teeth
• 5:48:07
  and wigs, and they are going off to breakfast to Scarman's and Tavistock Street,
• 5:48:12
  and they are to return to go with me afterwards in the barouche.
• 5:48:15
  I hope to do some of my errands to day. I got the willow
• 5:48:19
  yesterday as Henry was not quite ready. When I reached Tennis Street, I
• 5:48:23
  saw mister Hampson there for a moment. He dines here to morrow and proposed
• 5:48:29
  bringing his son. So I must submit to seeing George Hamson. Though I
• 5:48:33
  had hoped to go through life without it. It was one of my vanities,
• 5:48:38
  like your not reading patronage. After leaving h Street, we drove to
• 5:48:44
  missus Letutia's. They are always at home, and they are to dine here
• 5:48:48
  on Friday. We could do no more, as it began to rain.
• 5:48:53
  We dine at half past four today that our visitors may go to the play,
• 5:48:57
  and Henry and I are to spend and the evening with the Tilsons,
• 5:49:00
  to meet Miss Burnett, who leaves town to morrow. Missus t called on
• 5:49:06
  me yesterday. Is not this all that can have happened or been arranged?
• 5:49:11
  Not quite? Henry wants me to see more of his hand well favorite,
• 5:49:17
  and has written to invite her to spend a day or two here with me
• 5:49:21
  his scheme, mister Vetcher. On Saturday, I am more and more convinced
• 5:49:25
  that he will marry again soon, and like the idea of her better than
• 5:49:29
  of anybody else at hand. Now I have breakfasted and have the room to
• 5:49:33
  myself again. It is likely to be a fine day. How do you
• 5:49:37
  all do? Henry talks of being at Chawton about the first of September.
• 5:49:44
  He has once mentioned a scheme which I should rather like, calling on the
• 5:49:47
  birches and the crutch fleas in our way. It may never come to anything,
• 5:49:52
  but I must provide for the possibility by troubling you to send my silk
• 5:49:55
  police by Collier on Sunday. I feel it would be necessary on such an
• 5:49:59
  a cause Asian, and be so good as to put up a clean dressing
• 5:50:03
  gown, which will come from the wash on Friday. You need not direct
• 5:50:07
  it to be left anywhere it may take its chance. We are to call
• 5:50:11
  for Henry between three and four, and I must finish this and carry it
• 5:50:15
  with me, as he is not always there. In the morning, before
• 5:50:18
  the parcel is made up, and before I set off, I must return
• 5:50:22
  Missus Tilson's visit. I hear nothing of the hoblins and abstain from all inquiry.
• 5:50:29
  I hope Mary, Jane and Frank's gardens go on well. Give my
• 5:50:33
  love to them all. None a hats love to George. A great many
• 5:50:37
  people wanted to run up in the poach as well as me. The wheed
• 5:50:41
  looked very well all the way, and James says the same of his road.
• 5:50:45
  The same good account of Missus C's health continues, and her circumstances mend
• 5:50:51
  she gets farther and farther from poverty. What a comfort. Good Bye to
• 5:50:56
  you yours, very truly and affectionately Jane all well at Steventon, I hear
• 5:51:04
  nothing particular of Ben, except that Edward is to get him some pencils.
• 5:51:11
  Letter of fifty eight, My dear Anna, I am very much obliged to
• 5:51:18
  you for sending your manuscript. It has entertained me extremely, indeed all of
• 5:51:23
  us. I read it aloud to your Grandmamma and Aunt cass and we were
• 5:51:27
  very much pleased. The spirit does not droop at all, Sir Thomas.
• 5:51:33
  Lady Helen and Saint Julian are very well done, and Cecilia continues to be
• 5:51:37
  interesting in spite of her being so amiable. It is very fit you should
• 5:51:41
  advance her age. I like the beginning of Devereux Foster very much, a
• 5:51:47
  great deal better than if you had been very good or very bad. A
• 5:51:51
  few verbal corrections are all that I felt tempted to make the principle of them
• 5:51:55
  as a speech of Saint Julian to Lady Helen, which you see I have
• 5:51:59
  presumed to alter. As Lady h is Cecilia superior. It would not be
• 5:52:03
  correct to talk of her being introduced. It is Cecilia who must be introduced.
• 5:52:10
  And I do not like a lover speaking in the third person. It
• 5:52:12
  is too much like the part of Lord Overtley, and I think it not
• 5:52:17
  natural if you think differently. However, you need not mind me. I
• 5:52:22
  am impatient for more, and only wait for a safe conveyance to return this
• 5:52:26
  Yours, affectionately, J. A letter fifty nine August tenth, eighteen fourteen.
• 5:52:37
  My dear Anna, I am quite ashamed to find that I have never
• 5:52:41
  answered some question of yours in a former note. I kept it on purpose
• 5:52:45
  to refer to it at a proper time, and then forgot it. I
• 5:52:49
  like the name which is the heroine, very well, and I dare say
• 5:52:53
  she'll grow to like it very much in time. But enthusiasm was something so
• 5:52:57
  very superior that my common title must appear to disadvantage. I am not sensible
• 5:53:03
  of any blunders about Dawlish. The library was pitiful and wretched twelve years ago,
• 5:53:07
  and not likely to have anybody's publications. There is no such title as
• 5:53:12
  desper either among dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, or barons. These
• 5:53:18
  were your inquiries. I will now thank you for your envelope received this morning.
• 5:53:23
  Your aunt cass is as well pleased with Saint Julian as ever, and
• 5:53:26
  I am delighted with the idea of seeing Prigillian again. Wednesday, seventeenth.
• 5:53:33
  We have now just finished the first of the three books I had the pleasure
• 5:53:36
  of receiving yesterday. I read it aloud and we were all very much amused,
• 5:53:41
  and I like the work quite as well as ever. I depend on
• 5:53:45
  getting through another book before dinner. But there is really a good deal of
• 5:53:48
  respectable reading in your forty eight pages. I have no doubt six would make
• 5:53:52
  a very good sized volume. You must have been quite pleased to have accomplished
• 5:53:56
  so much. I like Lord Portman and his brother very much. I am
• 5:54:02
  only afraid that Lord PA's good nature will make most people like him better than
• 5:54:06
  he deserves. The whole family are very good, and Lady Anne, who
• 5:54:11
  is your great dread, you have succeeded particularly well with Belle Gryffin is just
• 5:54:15
  what she should be. My corrections have not been more important than before.
• 5:54:21
  Here and there we have thought the sense could be expressed in fewer words,
• 5:54:25
  and have scratched out. Sir Thomas from walking with the others to the stables,
• 5:54:27
  et cetera, the very day after breaking his arm, for though I
• 5:54:30
  find your papa did walk out immediately after his arm was set. I think
• 5:54:34
  it can be so little usual as to appear unnatural in a book. Lynn
• 5:54:40
  will not do. Lynn is forty miles from Dawlish and would not be talked
• 5:54:44
  of there. I have put star Cross instead. If you prefer Easton,
• 5:54:49
  that must always be safe. I have also scratched out the introduction between Lord
• 5:54:55
  Portman and his brother and mister Griffin, a country surgeon. Don't tell mister
• 5:55:00
  c Lyford would not be introduced to men of their rank, and when mister
• 5:55:04
  p Is first brought in, he would not be introduced as the honorable.
• 5:55:10
  That distinction is never mentioned at such times, at least I believe not.
• 5:55:15
  Now we have finished the second book, or rather the fifth, I do
• 5:55:18
  think you had better omit Lady Helena's PostScript to those that are acquainted with pride
• 5:55:22
  and prejudice. It will seem in imitation, and your aunt See and I
• 5:55:27
  both recommend your making a little alteration in the last scene between Devereaux f and
• 5:55:32
  Lady Clanmurray and her daughter. We think they press him too much more than
• 5:55:37
  sensible or well bred women would do. Lady c at least should have discretion
• 5:55:41
  enough to be sooner satisfied with his determination of not going with them. I
• 5:55:45
  am very much pleased with Egerton as yet. I did not expect to like
• 5:55:51
  him, but I do. And Susan is a very nice little animated creature.
• 5:55:56
  But Saint Julian is the delight of our lives. He is quite interesting.
• 5:56:00
  The whole of his break off with Lady Helena is very well done.
• 5:56:04
  Yes, Russell Square is a very proper distance from Berkeley Square. We are
• 5:56:10
  reading the last book. They must be two days going from Daulish to Bath.
• 5:56:15
  They are nearly one hundred miles apart Thursday. We finished it last night,
• 5:56:21
  after our return from drinking tea at the Great House. The last chapter
• 5:56:25
  does not please us quite so well. We do not thoroughly like the play,
• 5:56:30
  perhaps from having had too much of plays in that way lately. V
• 5:56:33
  Day Mansfield Park, and we think you had better not leave England. Let
• 5:56:37
  the Portmans go to Ireland. But as you know nothing of the man as
• 5:56:41
  there, you had better not go with them. You'll be in danger of
• 5:56:45
  giving false representations. Stick to Bath and the foresters there you'll be quite at
• 5:56:52
  home. Your aunt Seed does not like desultory novels, and is rather afraid
• 5:56:56
  yours will be too much, so that they will be too frequently a change
• 5:57:00
  from one set of people to another, and that circumstances will be introduced of
• 5:57:03
  apparent consequence, which will lead to nothing. It will not be so great
• 5:57:08
  an objection to me if it does. I allow much more latitude than she
• 5:57:12
  does, and think nature and spirit cover many sins of a wandering story,
• 5:57:17
  and people in general do not care so much about it. For your comfort,
• 5:57:22
  I should like to have had more of Devereaux. I do not feel
• 5:57:25
  acquainted enough with him. You are afraid of meddling with him. I dare
• 5:57:27
  say I like your sketch of Lord Clanmurray, and your picture of the two
• 5:57:33
  young girl's enjoyment is very good. I have not noticed Sint Julian's serious conversation
• 5:57:37
  with Cecilia, but I like it exceedingly. What he says about the madness
• 5:57:42
  of otherwise sensible women on the subject of their daughters coming out is worth its
• 5:57:47
  weight in gold. I do not perceive that the language sinks pray go on
• 5:57:56
  and of section twenty five, Letter sixty Chawton, September ninth, My dear
• 5:58:04
  Anna. We have been very much amused by your three books, but I
• 5:58:08
  have a good many criticisms to make, more than you will like. We
• 5:58:14
  are not satisfied with Missus Forrester's settling herself as tenant and near neighbor to such
• 5:58:18
  a man as Sir Thomas without having some other inducement to go there. She
• 5:58:22
  ought to have some friend living thereabouts to tempt her. A woman going with
• 5:58:27
  two girls just growing up into a neighborhood where she knows nobody but one man
• 5:58:32
  of not very good character is an awkwardness which so prudent a woman as Missus
• 5:58:36
  f would not be likely to fall into. Remember she is very prudent.
• 5:58:41
  You must not let her act so inconsistently. Give her a friend, and
• 5:58:47
  let that friend be invited by Sir Thomas H to meet her. And we
• 5:58:49
  shall have no objection to her dining at the priory as she does. But
• 5:58:53
  otherwise a woman in her situation would hardly go there before she has been visited
• 5:58:59
  by other family. Please, I like the scene itself, the miss Leslie
• 5:59:03
  Lady Anne, and the music very much. Leslie is a noble name.
• 5:59:10
  Sir Thomas H. You always do very well. I have only taken the
• 5:59:12
  liberty of expunging one phrase of his, which would not be allowable. Bless
• 5:59:18
  my heart, it is too familiar and inelegant. Your grandmother is more disturbed
• 5:59:25
  at Missus Forester's not returning the Egerton's visit sooner than by anything else they ought
• 5:59:30
  to have called at the parsonage before Sunday. You describe a sweet place,
• 5:59:34
  but your descriptions are often more minute than would be liked. You give too
• 5:59:38
  many particulars of right hand and left. Missus Forester is not careful enough of
• 5:59:44
  Susan's health. Susan not not to be walking out so soon after heavy rains,
• 5:59:48
  taking long walks in the dirt. An anxious mother would not suffer it.
• 5:59:53
  I like your Susan very much. She is a sweet creature. Her
• 5:59:57
  playfulness of fancy is very delightful. I like her as she is now exceedingly,
• 6:00:03
  but I am not quite so well satisfied with her behavior to George r.
• 6:00:07
  At first she seems all over attachment and feeling, and afterwards to have
• 6:00:12
  none at all. She is so extremely confused at the ball, and so
• 6:00:17
  well satisfied. Apparently with mister Morgan, she seems to have changed her character.
• 6:00:22
  You are now collecting your people delightfully, getting them exactly into such a
• 6:00:26
  spot as is the delight of my life. Three or four families in a
• 6:00:30
  country village is the very thing to work on, and I hope you will
• 6:00:34
  do a great deal more and make full use of them. While they are
• 6:00:37
  so very favorably arranged. You are but now coming to the heart and beauty
• 6:00:42
  of your story. Until the heroine grows up, the fun must be imperfect.
• 6:00:48
  But I expect a great deal of entertainment from the next three or four
• 6:00:51
  books, and I hope you will not resent these remarks by sending me no
• 6:00:53
  more. We like the Egertons very well. We see no blue pantaloom or
• 6:01:00
  cocks or hens. There is nothing to enchant one certainly in mister l L.
• 6:01:04
  But we make no objection to him, and his inclination to like Susan
• 6:01:08
  is pleasing. The sister is a good contrast, but the name of Rachel
• 6:01:14
  is as much as I can bear. They are not so much like the
• 6:01:18
  pappy yawns as I expected. Your last chapter is very entertaining. The conversation
• 6:01:22
  on genius et cetera, Mister Saint Julian and Susan both talk in character and
• 6:01:27
  very well. In some former parts. Cecilia is perhaps a little too solemn
• 6:01:33
  and good, but upon the whole her disposition is very well opposed to Susan's.
• 6:01:37
  Her want of imagination is very natural. I wish you could make Missus
• 6:01:42
  forrest a talk more, but she must be difficult to manage and make entertaining,
• 6:01:48
  because there is so much good sense and propriety about her that nothing can
• 6:01:51
  be made very broad. Her economy and her ambition must not be staring.
• 6:01:56
  The papers left by Missus Fisher are very good. Of course, one guesses
• 6:02:00
  something. I hope when you have written a great deal more you will be
• 6:02:04
  equal to scratching out some of the past. The scene with Missus Melish I
• 6:02:08
  should condemn it is prosy and nothing to the purpose. And indeed, the
• 6:02:12
  more you can find in your heart to get tail between Doulish and Newton Priors,
• 6:02:15
  the better I think it will be. One does not care for girls
• 6:02:19
  until they are grown up. Your aunt See quite understands the exquisiteness of that
• 6:02:25
  name. Newton Prize is really a non parel Milton would have given his eyes
• 6:02:30
  to have thought of. It is not the cottage taken from Tollard Royal.
• 6:02:36
  Thus far. The letter was written on the ninth, but before it was
• 6:02:38
  finished, news arrived at Chotton of the death of Missus Charles Austen. She
• 6:02:44
  died in her confinement, and the baby died also. She left three little
• 6:02:48
  girls, Cassie, Harriet and Fanny. It was not until the eighteenth that
• 6:02:55
  Jane resumed her letter as follows Sunday. I am very glad Dear Anna,
• 6:03:02
  that I wrote as I did before this sad event occurred. I have only
• 6:03:07
  to add that your grand Mamma does not seem the worse now for the shock.
• 6:03:11
  I shall be very happy to receive more of your work, if more
• 6:03:14
  is ready, And do you write so fast that I have great hopes mister
• 6:03:18
  Degree will come back freighted with such a cargo as not all his hops or
• 6:03:22
  his sheep could equal the value of your grand Mamma desires me to say that
• 6:03:26
  she will have finished your shoes to morrow and thinks they will look very well,
• 6:03:32
  and that she depends upon seeing you as you promise before you quit the
• 6:03:36
  country, and hopes you will give her more than a day. Yours affectionately,
• 6:03:41
  j Austen, Letter sixty one, Chawton, Wednesday, September twenty eighth.
• 6:03:52
  My dear Anna, I hope you do not depend on having your book
• 6:03:56
  again immediately. I kept it that your grand Mamma hear it, for it
• 6:04:00
  has not been possible yet to have any public reading. I have read it
• 6:04:04
  to your Aunt Cassandra. However, in our own room at night, while
• 6:04:08
  we undressed, and with a great deal of pleasure. We like the first
• 6:04:12
  chapter extremely, with only a little doubt whether Lady Helena is not almost too
• 6:04:18
  foolish. The matrimonial dialog is very good. Certainly I like Susan as well
• 6:04:23
  as ever, and begin now not to care at all about Cecilia. She
• 6:04:27
  may stay at Easton Court as long as she likes Henry Melish will, I
• 6:04:32
  am afraid be too much in the common novel style. A handsome, amiable,
• 6:04:37
  unexceptionable young man such as do not much abound in real life, desperately
• 6:04:41
  in love and all in vain. But I have no business to judge him
• 6:04:45
  so early. Jane Egerton is a very natural, comprehensible girl, and the
• 6:04:52
  whole of her acquaintance with Susan and Susan's letter to Cecilia are very pleasing and
• 6:04:56
  quite in character. But miss Eggerton and does not entirely satisfy us. She
• 6:05:02
  is too formal and solemn. We think in her advice to her brother not
• 6:05:06
  to fall in love, and it is hardly like a sensible woman. It
• 6:05:10
  is putting it into his head. We should like a few hints from her
• 6:05:14
  better. We feel really obliged to you for introducing a lady Kenrick. It
• 6:05:18
  will remove the greatest fault in the work, and I give you credit for
• 6:05:22
  considerable forbearance as an author in adopting so much of our opinion. I expect
• 6:05:26
  high fun about missus Fisher and Sir Thomas. You've been perfectly right in telling
• 6:05:32
  ben Lefroy of your work, and I am very glad to hear how much
• 6:05:34
  he likes it. His encouragement and approbation must be quite beyond everything. I
• 6:05:41
  do not at all wonder it is not expecting to like anybody so well as
• 6:05:44
  Cecilia at first, but I shall be surprised if he does not become a
• 6:05:48
  Susannite in time. Devereux Foster's being ruined by his vanity is extremely good,
• 6:05:53
  but I wish you would not let him plunge into a vortex of dissipation.
• 6:05:59
  I do not object to this thing, but I cannot bear the expression.
• 6:06:03
  It is such a thorough novel slang and so old that I dare say Adam
• 6:06:07
  met with it in the first novel he opened. Indeed, I did very
• 6:06:11
  much like to know Ben's opinion. I hope you will continue to be pleased
• 6:06:15
  with it, and I think he must. But I cannot flatter him with
• 6:06:18
  their being much incident, we have no great right to wonder. It is
• 6:06:22
  not valuing the name of Prigillian. That is a source of delight which even
• 6:06:26
  he can hardly be quite competent to. Walter Scott has no business to write
• 6:06:33
  novels, especially good ones. It is not fair. He is fame and
• 6:06:37
  profit enough as a poet and should not be taking the bread out of the
• 6:06:41
  mouths of other people. I do not like him, and I do not
• 6:06:45
  mean to like Waverley if I can help it, but fear I must.
• 6:06:51
  I am quite determined, however, not to be pleased with Missus West's Alicia
• 6:06:55
  de Lacy, should I ever meet with it, which I hope I shall
• 6:06:59
  not. I think I can be stout against anything written by Missus West.
• 6:07:03
  I've made up my mind to like no novels, really, but miss Edgeworth's,
• 6:07:07
  yours and my own. What can you do with Egerton to increase the
• 6:07:12
  interest for him? I wish you could contrive something, some family occurrence to
• 6:07:18
  bring out his good qualities, more, some distress among brothers and sisters to
• 6:07:22
  relieve by the sale of his curacy. Something to carry him mysteriously away and
• 6:07:27
  then be heard of at York or Edinburgh in an old greatcoat. I would
• 6:07:33
  not seriously recommend anything improbable, but if you could invent something spirited for him,
• 6:07:38
  it would have a good effect. He might lend all his money to
• 6:07:41
  Captain Morris, but then he would be a great fool if he did.
• 6:07:47
  Cannot the Morris's quarrel and he reconcile them. Excuse the liberty I take in
• 6:07:52
  these suggestions. Your Aunt Frank's nursemaid has just given her warning. But whether
• 6:07:59
  she is worth your hair all would take your place? I know not.
• 6:08:03
  She was missus Webb's maid before she went to the Great House. She leaves
• 6:08:07
  your aunt because she could not agree with the other servants. She is in
• 6:08:11
  love with the man, and her head seems rather turned. He returns her
• 6:08:15
  affection but she fancies every one else is wanting him and envying her. Her
• 6:08:19
  previous service must have fitted her for such place as yours, and she is
• 6:08:22
  very active and cleanly. The webbs are really gone. When I saw the
• 6:08:27
  wagons at the door, and thought of all the trouble they must have in
• 6:08:30
  moving, I began to reproach myself for not having liked them better. But
• 6:08:34
  since the wagons have disappeared, my conscience has been closed again, and I
• 6:08:40
  am excessively glad they are gone. I am very fond of Sherlock's sermons,
• 6:08:45
  and prefer them to almost any Your affectionate aunt, j Austen. If you
• 6:08:52
  wish me to speak to the maid, let me know. End of Section
• 6:08:57
  twenty six, Letter sixty two to Miss Francis Austen Chawton, Friday, November
• 6:09:07
  eighteenth, eighteen fourteen. I feel quite as doubtful as you could be,
• 6:09:11
  my dearest Fanny, as to when my letter may be finished, for I
• 6:09:15
  can command very little quiet time at present. But yet I must begin,
• 6:09:21
  for I know you will be glad to hear as soon as possible, and
• 6:09:23
  I really am impatient myself to be writing something on so very interesting a subject,
• 6:09:27
  though I have no hope of writing anything to the purpose. I shall
• 6:09:32
  do very little more. I dare say, then, say over again what
• 6:09:34
  you have said before. I was certainly a good deal surprised at first,
• 6:09:40
  as I had no suspicion of any change in your feelings. And I have
• 6:09:44
  no scruple in saying that you cannot be in love, my dear Fanny.
• 6:09:48
  I am ready to laugh at the idea. And yet it is no laughing
• 6:09:52
  matter to have had you so mistaken as to your own feelings. And with
• 6:09:56
  all my heart I wish I had cautioned you on that point first you spoke
• 6:10:00
  to me. But though I did not think you then much in love,
• 6:10:03
  I did consider you as being attached in a degree quite sufficiently for happiness,
• 6:10:08
  as I had no doubt would increase with opportunity. And from the time of
• 6:10:11
  our being in London together I thought you really very much in love. But
• 6:10:17
  you certainly are not at all. There is no conceding it. What strange
• 6:10:22
  creatures we are. It seems as if your being secure of him had made
• 6:10:26
  you indifferent. There was a little disgust I suspect at the races, and
• 6:10:30
  I do not wonder at it. His expressions then, would not do for
• 6:10:34
  one who had rather more acuteness, penetration, and taste than love, which
• 6:10:38
  was your case. And yet, after all I am surprised that the change
• 6:10:45
  in your feeling should be so great. He is just what he ever was,
• 6:10:48
  only more evidently and uniformly devoted to you. This is all the difference.
• 6:10:55
  How shall we account for it? My dearest Fanny, I am writing
• 6:11:00
  what will not be of the smallest use to you. I am feeling differently
• 6:11:03
  every moment, and shall not be able to suggest a single thing that can
• 6:11:07
  assist your mind. I could lament in one sentence and laugh in the next,
• 6:11:14
  But as to opinion or counsel, I am sure that none will be
• 6:11:17
  exacted worth having from this letter. I read yours through the very evening.
• 6:11:22
  I received it getting away by myself. I could not bear to leave off
• 6:11:26
  when I had once begun. I was full of curiosity and concern. Luckily
• 6:11:33
  your aunt c dined at the other house. Therefore I had not to maneuver
• 6:11:37
  away from her, And as to anybody else, I do not care.
• 6:11:41
  Poor dear mister a, oh dear Fanny, your mistake has been one that
• 6:11:48
  thousands of women fall into He was the first young man who attached himself to
• 6:11:52
  you. That was the charm and most powerful. It is among the multitudes,
• 6:11:59
  however, that make the same mistake with yourself. There can be few,
• 6:12:03
  indeed, who have so little reason to regret it. His character and
• 6:12:06
  his attachment leave you nothing to be ashamed of. Upon the whole what is
• 6:12:11
  to be done. You have no inclination for any other person. His situation
• 6:12:17
  in life, family, friends, and above all his character, his uncommonly
• 6:12:22
  amiable mind, strict principles, just notions, good habits, all that you
• 6:12:27
  know so well, how to value all that is really of the first importance,
• 6:12:33
  Everything of this nature pleads his cause most strongly. You have no doubt
• 6:12:37
  of his having superior abilities. He has proved at the university he is,
• 6:12:42
  I daresay, such a scholar as your agreeable idle brothers would ill bear a
• 6:12:47
  comparison with, oh, my dear Fanny. The more I write about him,
• 6:12:52
  the warmer my feelings become. The more strongly I feel the sterling worth
• 6:12:56
  of such a young man, and the desirableness of your growing in love with
• 6:13:00
  him. Again, I recommend this most thoroughly. There are such beings in
• 6:13:04
  the world, perhaps one in a thousand, as the creature. You and
• 6:13:07
  I should think perfection, where grace and spirit are united to worth with a
• 6:13:11
  manners are equal to the heart and understanding. But such a person may not
• 6:13:15
  come in your way, or if he does, he may not be the
• 6:13:19
  eldest son of a man of fortune, the near relation of your particular friend,
• 6:13:23
  and belonging to your own county. Think of all this, Fanny,
• 6:13:30
  mister A has advantages which we do not often meet in one person. His
• 6:13:33
  only fault, indeed, seems modesty. If he were less modest, he
• 6:13:38
  would be more agreeable, speak louder, and look impudentor and is not at
• 6:13:44
  a fine character, of which modesty is the only defect. I have no
• 6:13:48
  doubt he will get more lively and more like yourselves. As he is more
• 6:13:51
  with you. He will catch your ways if he belongs to you. And
• 6:13:56
  as to there being any objection from his goodness from the day danger of his
• 6:14:00
  becoming even evangelical, I cannot admit that I am by no means convinced that
• 6:14:06
  we ought not all to be evangelicals, and have at least persuaded that they
• 6:14:10
  who are so from reason and feeling must be happiest and safest. Do not
• 6:14:15
  be frightened from the connection by your brother's having most wit. Wisdom is better
• 6:14:19
  than wit, and in the long run will certainly have the laugh on her
• 6:14:22
  side. And don't be frightened by the idea of his acting more strictly up
• 6:14:27
  to the precept of the New Testament than others. And now, my dear
• 6:14:32
  Fanny, having written so much on one side of the question, I shall
• 6:14:36
  turn round and entreat you not to commit yourself father, and not to think
• 6:14:40
  of accepting him unless you really do like him. Anything is to be preferred
• 6:14:45
  or endured, rather than marrying without affection. And if his deficiency is a
• 6:14:49
  manner, et cetera, et cetera, strike you more than all his good
• 6:14:53
  qualities. If you continue to think strongly of him, give him up at
• 6:14:57
  once. Things are now in such a state that you must resolve upon one
• 6:15:02
  or the other, either to allow him to go on as he has done,
• 6:15:06
  or, whenever you are together, behave with the coldness which may convince
• 6:15:10
  him that he has been deceiving himself. I have no doubt if his suffering
• 6:15:12
  a good deal for a time a great deal when he feels that he must
• 6:15:17
  give you up, but it is no creed of mine, as you must
• 6:15:21
  be well aware that such sort of disappointments kill anybody. Your sending the music
• 6:15:27
  was an admirable device. It made everything easy, and I do not know
• 6:15:32
  how I could have accounted for the parcel otherwise, For though your dear Papa
• 6:15:36
  most conscientiously hunted about till he found me alone in the dining parlor, your
• 6:15:40
  aunt see had seen that he had de parceled to deliver as it was.
• 6:15:44
  However, I do not think anything was suspected. We have heard nothing fresh
• 6:15:49
  from Anna. I trust she is very comfortable in her new home. Her
• 6:15:53
  letters have been very sensible and satisfactory, with no parade of happiness, which
• 6:15:59
  I like them better, for I have often known young married women right in
• 6:16:03
  a way I did not like in that respect. You will be glad to
• 6:16:07
  hear that the first edition of Mansfield Park is all sold. Your uncle Henry
• 6:16:12
  is rather wanting me to come to town to settle about a second edition,
• 6:16:15
  but as I could not very conveniently leave home now, I've written him my
• 6:16:19
  will and pleasure, and unless he still urges it shall not go. I
• 6:16:23
  am very greedy and want to make the most of it. But as you
• 6:16:27
  are much above caring about money, I shall not plague you with any particulars.
• 6:16:33
  The pleasures of vanity are more within your comprehension, and you will enter
• 6:16:37
  into mine at receiving the praise which every now and then comes to me through
• 6:16:41
  some channel or other. Saturday, mister Palmer spent yesterday with us and has
• 6:16:48
  gone off with Cassie this morning. We've been expecting Miss Lloyd the last two
• 6:16:52
  days and feel sure of her. To day mister Knight and mister Edward Knight
• 6:16:56
  are to dine with us, and on Monday they are to dine with us
• 6:17:00
  again, accompanied by their respectable host and hostess. Sunday, your Papa had
• 6:17:07
  given me messages to you, but as they are unnecessary, as he writes
• 6:17:11
  by this post to Aunt Louisa, we had a pleasant party yesterday, at
• 6:17:17
  least we found it. So it is delightful to see him so cheerful and
• 6:17:21
  confident. Aunt cass and I dine at the Great House to day. We
• 6:17:26
  shall be a snug half dozen. Miss Lloyd came as we expected yesterday and
• 6:17:30
  desires her love. She is very happy to hear of your learning. The
• 6:17:33
  harp I do not mean to send you what I owe is hare, because
• 6:17:37
  I think you would rather not be paid beforehand. Yours, very affectionately,
• 6:17:44
  Jane Austen, letter sixty three, Chawton, November twenty first, eighteen fourteen.
• 6:17:53
  My dear Anna, I met Harriet Ben yesterday. She gave me her
• 6:17:59
  congratulations and desired they might be forwarded to you, and there they are.
• 6:18:03
  The chief news from this country is the death of old missus Drmer. Missus
• 6:18:08
  Clement walks about in a new black velvet police lined with yellow and a white
• 6:18:12
  bobinette veil, and looks remarkably well in them. I think I understand the
• 6:18:18
  country about Hendon with your description. It must be very pretty in summer.
• 6:18:23
  Should you know from the atmosphere that you were within a dozen miles of London.
• 6:18:27
  Make everybody attend and admire Mansfield Park, your affectionate aunt. J A.
• 6:18:37
  Letter sixty four, Hans Place, November twenty eighth, eighteen fourteen.
• 6:18:44
  My dear Anna, I assure you we all came away very much pleased with
• 6:18:48
  your visit. We talked of you for about a mile and a half with
• 6:18:52
  great satisfaction, and I have been just sending a very good report of you
• 6:18:56
  to miss Ben with a full account of your dress for Susan and Mara.
• 6:19:00
  We were all at the play last night to see Miss O'Neal and Isabella.
• 6:19:04
  I do not think she was quite equal to my expectations. I fancy I
• 6:19:08
  want something more than can be. I took two pocket handkerchiefs, but had
• 6:19:14
  very little occasion for either. She is an elegant creature, however, and
• 6:19:18
  hugs mister Young delightfully. I am going this morning to see the little girls
• 6:19:23
  in Keppel Street. Cassie was excessively interested about your marriage when she heard of
• 6:19:27
  it, which was not until she was to drink your health on the wedding
• 6:19:30
  day. She asked a thousand questions, in her usual manner, what he
• 6:19:37
  said to you and what you said to him. If your uncle were at
• 6:19:40
  home, he would send his best love. But I will not impose any
• 6:19:42
  base fictitious remembrances on you mine. I can honestly give and remain your affectionate
• 6:19:48
  aunt. J Austen letter sixty five, Hans Place, Wednesday, My dear
• 6:19:59
  Anne, I have been very far from finding your book, and evil I
• 6:20:03
  assure you I read it immediately and with great pleasure. I think you are
• 6:20:08
  going on very well. The description of Doctor Griffin and Lady Helenah's unhappiness is
• 6:20:14
  very good, and just what was likely to be. I am curious to
• 6:20:18
  know what the end of them will be. The name of Newton Prize is
• 6:20:22
  really invaluable. I never met with anything superior to it. It is delightful,
• 6:20:27
  and one could live on the name of Newton Priors for a twelvemonth.
• 6:20:33
  Indeed, I think you get on very fast. I only wish other people
• 6:20:37
  of my acquaintance could compose as rapidly. I am pleased with the dog scene
• 6:20:42
  and with the whole of George and Susan's love, but am more particularly struck
• 6:20:47
  with your serious conversations. They are very good throughout. Saint Julian's history was
• 6:20:52
  quite a surprise to me. You had not very long known it yourself,
• 6:20:56
  I suspect, but I have no objection to make to the circumince, and
• 6:21:00
  it is very well told. His having been in love with the Aunt gives
• 6:21:04
  Cecilia an additional interest with him. I like the idea a very proper compliment
• 6:21:11
  to an aunt. I rather imagine, indeed, that nieces are seldom chosen
• 6:21:15
  but out of compliment to some aunt or other. I dare say Ben was
• 6:21:19
  in love with me once and would never have thought of you if he had
• 6:21:22
  not supposed me dead of scarlet fever. Yes, I was in a mistake
• 6:21:27
  as to the number of books. I thought I had read three before the
• 6:21:30
  three at Chawton, but fewer than six will not do. I want to
• 6:21:36
  see dear Bell Griffin again, and had you not better give some hint of
• 6:21:40
  Saint Julian's early history in the beginning of the story, we shall see nothing
• 6:21:45
  of Stretton while we are in town. As Missus Hill is to lie in
• 6:21:48
  of a daughter, Missus Blackstone is to be with her. Missus Heathcote and
• 6:21:52
  Miss bigg are just leaving. The latter writes me word that Miss Blackford is
• 6:21:56
  married, but I have never seen it in the papers, and one may
• 6:22:00
  as well be single if the wedding is not to be in print. Your
• 6:22:04
  affectionate Aunt j A And of Section twenty seven, Letter sixty six twenty three
• 6:22:17
  Hans Place, Wednesday, November thirtieth, eighteen fourteen. I am very much
• 6:22:22
  obliged to you, my dear Fanny, for your letter, and I hope
• 6:22:26
  you will write again soon that I may know you to be all safe and
• 6:22:30
  happy at home. Our visit to Hendon will interest you, I am sure,
• 6:22:34
  but I need not enter into the particulars of it, as your Papa
• 6:22:38
  will be able to answer almost every question. I certainly could describe her bedroom
• 6:22:45
  and her drawers and her closet better than he can, but I do not
• 6:22:48
  feel that I can stop to do it. I was rather sorry to hear
• 6:22:52
  that she is to have an instrument. It seems throwing money away. They
• 6:22:56
  will wish the twenty four guineas in the shape of sheep and towels six months
• 6:23:00
  hence, and as to her playing it never can be anything her purple please
• 6:23:07
  rather surprised me. I thought we had known all paraphernalia of that sort.
• 6:23:12
  I do not mean to blame her. It looked very well, and I
• 6:23:17
  dare say she wanted it. I suspect nothing worse than its being got in
• 6:23:21
  secret and not owned to anybody. I received a very kind note from her
• 6:23:26
  yesterday to ask me to come again and stay a night with them. I
• 6:23:30
  cannot do it, but I was pleased to find that she had the power
• 6:23:33
  of doing so. Right a thing my going was to give them both pleasure
• 6:23:37
  very properly. I just saw mister Hayter at the play, and I think
• 6:23:41
  his face would please me on acquaintance. I was sorry he did not dine
• 6:23:45
  here. It seemed rather odd to me to be in the theater with nobody
• 6:23:49
  to watch for. I was quite composed myself at leisure for all the agitated
• 6:23:56
  Isabella could raise. Now, my dearest fan, I will begin a subject
• 6:24:00
  which comes in very naturally. You frighten me out of my wits by your
• 6:24:06
  reference. Your affection gives me the highest pleasure. But indeed you must not
• 6:24:11
  let anything depend on my opinion, your own feelings, that nothing but your
• 6:24:15
  own should determine such an important point. So far, however, as answering
• 6:24:19
  your question, I have no scruple. I am perfectly convinced that your present
• 6:24:26
  feelings, supposing that you were to marry now, would be sufficient for his
• 6:24:30
  happiness. But when I think how very far it is from a now,
• 6:24:34
  and take everything that may be into consideration, I dare not say determined to
• 6:24:40
  accept him. The risk is too great for you. Unless your own sentiments
• 6:24:45
  prompt it. You will think me perverse. Perhaps in my last letter I
• 6:24:52
  was urging everything in his favor, and now I am inclining the other way,
• 6:24:56
  but I cannot help it. I am at present more impressed with the
• 6:25:00
  possible evil that may arise to you from engaging yourself to him in word or
• 6:25:06
  mind than with anything else. When I consider how few young men you have
• 6:25:11
  yet seen much of how capable you are. Yes, I do still think
• 6:25:15
  you very capable of being really in love, and how full of temptation the
• 6:25:21
  next six or seven years of your life will probably be. It is the
• 6:25:25
  very period of life the strongest attachments to be formed. I cannot wish you,
• 6:25:30
  with your present very cool feelings, to devote yourself in honor to him.
• 6:25:36
  It is very true that you may never attach another man his equal altogether.
• 6:25:41
  But if that other man has the power of attaching you more, he
• 6:25:45
  will be in your eyes the most perfect. I shall be glad if you
• 6:25:49
  can revive past feelings and from your unbiased self resolved to go on as you
• 6:25:55
  have done. But this I do not expect, and without it I can
• 6:26:00
  not wish you to be fettered. I should not be afraid of your marrying
• 6:26:03
  him with all his worth. You would soon love him enough for the happiness
• 6:26:07
  of both. But I should dread the continuance of this sort of tacit engagement
• 6:26:12
  with such an uncertainty as there is of when it may be completed. Years
• 6:26:17
  may pass before he is independent. You like him well enough to marry,
• 6:26:22
  but not well enough to wait. The unpleasantness of appearing fickle is certainly great.
• 6:26:27
  But if you think you want punishment for past allusions, there it is.
• 6:26:32
  And nothing can be compared to the misery of being bound without love,
• 6:26:36
  bound to one and preferring another. That is a punishment which you do not
• 6:26:41
  deserve. I know you did not meet, or rather will not meet to
• 6:26:47
  day, as he called here himself yesterday, and I am glad of it.
• 6:26:52
  It does not seem very likely, at least that he should be in
• 6:26:55
  time for a dinner visit. Sixty miles off. We did not see him,
• 6:27:00
  found his card when we came home at four. Your uncle h merely
• 6:27:03
  observed that he was a day after the fair. We asked your brother on
• 6:27:07
  Monday, when mister Hayter was talked of why he did not invite him to
• 6:27:12
  saying I know he is in town, for I met him the other day
• 6:27:17
  in Bond Street, Edward answered that he did not know where he was to
• 6:27:19
  be found, don't you know his chambers. No. I shall be most
• 6:27:26
  glad to hear from you again, my dearest Fanny, But it must not
• 6:27:30
  be later than Saturday, as we shall be off on Monday, long before
• 6:27:33
  the letters are delivered, and write something that may do to be read or
• 6:27:37
  told. I am to take the miss Moors back on Saturday, and when
• 6:27:41
  I return I shall hope to find your pleasant, little flowing scowl on the
• 6:27:45
  table. It will be a relief to me after playing at Malm's. For
• 6:27:49
  though I like Miss h M as much as one can at my time of
• 6:27:53
  life, after a day's acquaintance, it is up hill work to be talking
• 6:27:57
  to those whom one knows so little. Only one comes back with me to
• 6:28:03
  morrow, probably Miss Eliza, and I rather dread it. We shall not
• 6:28:07
  have two ideas in common. She is young, pretty, chattering and thinking.
• 6:28:12
  Chiefly I presume of dress, company and admiration. Mister Sandford is to
• 6:28:18
  join us at dinner, which will be a comfort. And in the evening,
• 6:28:22
  while your uncle and Miss Eliza play chess, he shall tell me comical
• 6:28:26
  things and I will laugh at them, which will be a pleasure to both.
• 6:28:32
  I called in Keppel Street, and saw them all, including dear Uncle
• 6:28:36
  Charles, who is to come and dine with us quietly. To day.
• 6:28:38
  Little Harriet sat in my lap and seemed as gentle and affectionate as ever,
• 6:28:44
  and as pretty, except not being quite well. Fanny is a fine stout
• 6:28:49
  girl, talking incessantly and with an interesting degree of lisp and indistinctness, and
• 6:28:56
  very likely may be the handsomest in time. Cass He did not show more
• 6:29:00
  pleasure in seeing me than her sisters, but I expected no better. She
• 6:29:04
  does not shine in the tender feelings. She will never be a miss O'Neill
• 6:29:08
  more in the missus Siddons line. Thank you. But it is not settled
• 6:29:15
  yet whether I do hazard a second edition. We are to see Egerton today,
• 6:29:18
  when it will probably be determined. People are more ready to borrow and
• 6:29:22
  praise than to buy, which I cannot wonder at. But though I like
• 6:29:29
  praise as well as anybody, I like what Edward calls pewter too. I
• 6:29:33
  hope he continues careful of his eyes and finds the good effect of it.
• 6:29:37
  I cannot suppose we differ in our ideas of the Christian religion. You have
• 6:29:42
  given an excellent description of it. We only fix a different meaning to the
• 6:29:47
  word evangelical. Yours, most affectionately, J. Austen, Letter sixty seven,
• 6:29:59
  Chawton, Friday, September twenty ninth, My dear Anna, we told
• 6:30:04
  mister b Lefroy that if the weather did not prevent us, we should certainly
• 6:30:07
  come and see you to morrow and bring Cassie, trusting to your being good
• 6:30:11
  enough to give her a dinner at about one o'clock, that we might be
• 6:30:15
  able to be with you the earlier and stay the longer. But on giving
• 6:30:19
  Cassie her choice between the fair at Alton or Wyatt's, it must be confessed
• 6:30:23
  that she is preferred the former, which we trust will not greatly affront you.
• 6:30:29
  If it does, you may hope that some little Anne hereafter may revenge
• 6:30:33
  the insult by a similar preference of an Alton fair to her cousin Cassie.
• 6:30:37
  In the meanwhile, we have determined to put off our visit to you until
• 6:30:41
  Monday, which we hope will be not less convenient. I wish the weather
• 6:30:45
  may not resolve on another put off. I must come to you before Wednesday,
• 6:30:49
  if it be possible, for on that day I am going to London
• 6:30:52
  for a week or two with your uncle Henry, who is expected here on
• 6:30:56
  Sunday. If Mondays should appear too dirty for walking, and mister le Froy
• 6:31:00
  would be so kind as to come and fetch me, I should be much
• 6:31:03
  obliged to him. Cassie might be of the party, and your aunt Cassandra
• 6:31:07
  will take another opportunity. Yours very affectionately, my dear Anna j. Austen
• 6:31:15
  Note by Lord Braborn. But before the week or two to which she had
• 6:31:21
  limited her visit in Hans's Place was at an end. Her brother fell ill,
• 6:31:25
  and on October twenty second he was in such danger that she wrote to
• 6:31:30
  Steventon to summon her father to town. The letter was two days on the
• 6:31:33
  road and reached him on Sunday, the twenty fourth. Even then he did
• 6:31:37
  not start immediately. In the evening, he and his wife rode to Chawton,
• 6:31:42
  and it was not until the next day that he and Cassandra arrived in
• 6:31:45
  Hans's Place. The malady from which Henry Austin was suffering was low fever,
• 6:31:51
  and he was for some days at death's door, but he rallied soon after
• 6:31:53
  his brother and sisters arrived and recovered so quickly that the former was able to
• 6:31:59
  leave him at the end of the great anxiety and fatigue which Jane underwent at
• 6:32:03
  this time was supposed by some of her family to have broken down her health.
• 6:32:07
  She was in a very feeble and exhausted condition when the bank in which
• 6:32:11
  her brother Henry was a partner broke, and he not only lost all that
• 6:32:14
  he possessed, but most of his relations suffered severely. Also. Jane was
• 6:32:18
  well enough to pay several visits with her sister in the summer of eighteen sixteen,
• 6:32:22
  including one to Steventon, the last she ever paid to that home of
• 6:32:26
  her childhood. The last note which Missus le Froy had preserved is dated letter
• 6:32:33
  sixty eight June twenty third, eighteen sixteen. My dear Anna Cassie desires her
• 6:32:41
  best thanks for the book. She was quite delighted to see it. I
• 6:32:48
  do not know when I have seen her so much struck by anybody's kindness as
• 6:32:51
  on this occasion. Her sensibility seems to be opening to the perception of great
• 6:32:56
  actions. These gloves having appeared on the piano forte ever since you were here
• 6:33:00
  on Friday, we imagine they must be yours. Missus digweed returned yesterday through
• 6:33:06
  all the afternoon's reign, and was of course wet through, but in speaking
• 6:33:11
  of it she never once said it was beyond everything, which I am sure
• 6:33:15
  it must have been. Your Mamma means to ride to spin Hill to morrow
• 6:33:18
  to see the missus Hulberts, who are both very indifferent. By all accounts,
• 6:33:23
  they really are breaking now, not so stout as the old jackass.
• 6:33:29
  Yours affectionately, j A. End of Section twenty eight, Letter sixty nine,
• 6:33:38
  Hans Place, Friday, November twenty fourth, eighteen fifteen. My dearest
• 6:33:45
  Cassandra, I have the pleasure of sending you a much better account of my
• 6:33:49
  affairs, which I know will be a great delight to you. I wrote
• 6:33:53
  to mister Murray yesterday myself and Henry wrote at the same time to Roworth.
• 6:33:57
  Before the notes were out the house. I received three sheets and an apology
• 6:34:03
  from r. We sent the notes, however, and I had a most
• 6:34:07
  civil one in reply from mister m. He is so very polite, indeed,
• 6:34:11
  that it is quite overcoming. The printers have been waiting for paper.
• 6:34:15
  The blame is thrown upon the stationer, but he gives his word that I
• 6:34:18
  shall have no further cause for dissatisfaction. He has lent us Miss Williams and
• 6:34:23
  Scott and says that any book of his will always be at my service.
• 6:34:29
  In short, I am soothed and complimented into tolerable comfort. We had a
• 6:34:34
  busy yesterday from Edward night, and mister Maskell joined him here, and this
• 6:34:40
  morning has brought mister Maskal's compliments and two pheasants. We have some hope of
• 6:34:45
  Edward's coming to dinner to day. He will if he can. I believe
• 6:34:48
  he is looking extremely well. To morrow mister Hayden is to dine with us.
• 6:34:55
  There is happiness. We really grow so fond of mister Hayden that I
• 6:34:59
  do not know what to do expect. He and mister Tilson and mister Phillips
• 6:35:03
  made up our circle of wits last night. Fanny played and he sat and
• 6:35:07
  listened and suggested improvements till Richard came in to tell him that the doctor was
• 6:35:12
  waiting for him at Captain Blake's, and then he was off with the speed
• 6:35:18
  that you can imagine. He never disappear in the least above his profession or
• 6:35:22
  out of humor with it, or I should think poor Captain Blake, whoever
• 6:35:26
  he is, in a very bad way. I must have misunderstood Henoon I
• 6:35:30
  told him that you were to hear from him to day. He read me
• 6:35:33
  what he wrote to Edward. Part of it must have amused him, I
• 6:35:37
  am sure one part alas cannot be very amusing to anybody. I wonder that
• 6:35:41
  with such business to worry him, he can be getting better. But he
• 6:35:45
  certainly does gain strength. And if you and Edward were to see him now,
• 6:35:49
  I feel sure that you would think him improved since Monday. He was
• 6:35:53
  out yesterday. It was a fine sunshiny day here in the country. Perhaps
• 6:36:00
  you might have clouds and fogs. Dare I say so? I shall not
• 6:36:03
  deceive you if I do as to my estimation of the climate of London.
• 6:36:08
  And he ventured first on the balcony and then as far as the greenhouse.
• 6:36:12
  He caught no cold, and therefore has done more to day, with great
• 6:36:17
  delight and self persuasion of improvement. He has been to see missus Tilsing and
• 6:36:22
  the mailings. By the bye. You may talk to mister t of his
• 6:36:26
  wife's being better. I saw yesterday and was sensible of her having gained ground
• 6:36:30
  in the last two days evening we have had no edward. Our circle is
• 6:36:38
  formed only mister Tilson and mister Hayden. We are not so happy as we
• 6:36:44
  were. A message came this afternoon from missus Latouche and miss East offering themselves
• 6:36:51
  to drink tea with us to morrow, and as it was accepted, here
• 6:36:55
  is an end of our extreme felicity in our dinner guest. I am heart
• 6:37:00
  sorry they are coming. It will be an evening spoilt to Fanny and me.
• 6:37:04
  Another little disappointment. Mister h advises Henry's not venturing with us in the
• 6:37:10
  carriage to morrow. If it were spring, he says, it would be
• 6:37:12
  a different thing. One would rather this had not been. He seems to
• 6:37:18
  think is going out to day rather imprudent, though acknowledging at the same time
• 6:37:22
  that he is better than he was in the morning. Fanny has had a
• 6:37:26
  letter full of commissions from Goodnesston. We shall be busy about them and her
• 6:37:30
  own matters. I dare say from twelve to four nothing I trust will keep
• 6:37:34
  us from Keppel Street. This day has brought a most friendly letter from mister
• 6:37:40
  Fowl, with a brace of pheasants. I did not know before that,
• 6:37:42
  Henry had written to him a few days ago to ask for them. We
• 6:37:47
  shall live upon pheasants, no bad life. I send you five one pound
• 6:37:52
  notes for fear you should be distressed for little money. Lizzie's work is charmingly
• 6:37:57
  done. Shall you put it to your chintz. A sheet came in this
• 6:38:02
  moment. First and third volumes are now at one forty four, second at
• 6:38:06
  forty eight. I am sure you will like particulars. We are not to
• 6:38:11
  have the trouble of returning the sheets to mister Murray any longer. The printer's
• 6:38:14
  boys bring and carry. I hope Mary continues to get well fast, and
• 6:38:19
  I send my love to little Herbert. You will tell me more of Martha's
• 6:38:22
  plans, of course, when you write again, remember me most kindly to
• 6:38:26
  everybody, and miss Ben besides yours very affectionately j Austen, I have been
• 6:38:34
  listening to dreadful insanity. It is mister Hayden's firm belief that a person not
• 6:38:40
  musical is fit for every sort of wickedness. I ventured to assert a little
• 6:38:45
  on the other side, but wished the cause in abler hands. Letter seventy
• 6:38:52
  Hans Place, Sunday November twenty sixth, My dearest, The parcel arrived safely,
• 6:39:02
  and I am much obliged to you for your trouble. It cost two
• 6:39:04
  shillings and tenpence, but as there is a certain saving of two shillings and
• 6:39:08
  four and a halfpence on the other side, I am sure it is well
• 6:39:11
  worth doing. I send four pairs of silk stockings, but I do not
• 6:39:15
  want them washed at present. In the three neck handkerchiefs, I include the
• 6:39:19
  one sent down before these things. Perhaps Edward may be able to bring.
• 6:39:25
  But even if he is not, I am extremely pleased with his returning to
• 6:39:29
  you from Steventon. It is much better, far preferable. I did mention
• 6:39:34
  the p r in my note to mister Murray. It brought me a fine
• 6:39:38
  compliment in return. Whether it has done any other good I do not know,
• 6:39:42
  but Henry thought it worth trying. The printers continued to supply me very
• 6:39:48
  well. I am advanced in volume three to my arrow Root, upon which
• 6:39:52
  peculiar style of spelling there is modest query in the margin. I will not
• 6:39:57
  forget Anna's arrow root. I hope you have told Martha of my first resolution
• 6:40:02
  of letting nobody know that I might dedicate et cetera, for fear of being
• 6:40:06
  obliged to do it, and that she is thoroughly convinced of my being influenced
• 6:40:10
  now by nothing but the most mercenary motives. I have paid nine shillings on
• 6:40:15
  her account to Miss Palmer. There was no more owing well. We were
• 6:40:19
  all very busy yesterday from half past eleven till four in the streets, working
• 6:40:25
  almost entirely for other people, driving from place to place, after a parcel
• 6:40:30
  for sandling, which we never could find, and encountering the miseries of Grafton
• 6:40:33
  House to get a purple frock for Eleanor Bridges. We got to Kepple Street,
• 6:40:37
  however, which was all I cared for, and though we could stay
• 6:40:41
  only a quarter of an hour, Fanny's calling gave great pleasure, and her
• 6:40:47
  sensibility still greater, for she was very much affected at the sight of the
• 6:40:49
  children. Poor little f looked heavy. We saw the whole party. Aunt
• 6:40:56
  Harriet Hope's Cassie will not forget to make a pincush for missus Kelly, as
• 6:41:00
  she has spoken of its being promised her several times. I hope we shall
• 6:41:04
  see Aunt h and the dear little girls here on Thursday. So much for
• 6:41:10
  the morning. Then came the dinner and mister Hayden, who brought good manners
• 6:41:15
  and clever conversation. From seven to eight the harp. At eight missus l
• 6:41:19
  and miss E arrived and for the rest of the evening. The drawing room
• 6:41:22
  is thus arranged on the sofa side, the two ladies Henry and myself making
• 6:41:27
  the best of it. On the opposite side, Fanny and mister Hayden in
• 6:41:32
  two chairs. I believe at least they had two chairs, talking together uninterruptedly.
• 6:41:37
  Fancy the scene? And what is to be fancied next? Why that
• 6:41:41
  mister h dines here again to morrow to day we are to have mister Barlow.
• 6:41:48
  Mister h is reading Mansfield Park for the first time, and he prefers
• 6:41:52
  it to P and p a hare and four rabbits from Godmisham yesterday, so
• 6:41:56
  that we are stalked for nearly a week. Poor farmer Andrews. I am
• 6:42:02
  very sorry for him, and sincerely wish his recovery a better account of the
• 6:42:07
  sugar than I could have expected. I should like to help you break some
• 6:42:10
  more. I am glad you cannot wake early. I am sure you must
• 6:42:14
  have been under great arrears of rest. Fanny and I have been to b
• 6:42:18
  Chapel and walked back with Maria Cuthbert. We have been very little plagued with
• 6:42:22
  visitors this last week. I remember only miss Harry is the aunt. But
• 6:42:27
  I am in terror for to day, a fine, bright Sunday, plenty
• 6:42:32
  of mortar and nothing to do. Henry gets out in his garden every day,
• 6:42:37
  but at present his inclination for doing more seems over. Nor has he
• 6:42:41
  now any plan for leaving London before December eighteenth, when he thinks of going
• 6:42:45
  to Oxford for a few days in to day. Indeed, his feelings are
• 6:42:48
  for continuing where he is through the next two months. One knows the uncertainty
• 6:42:53
  of all this, but should it be so, we must think the best,
• 6:42:57
  and hope the best, and do you the best. And my idea
• 6:43:02
  in that case is that when he goes to Oxford, I should go home
• 6:43:04
  and have nearly a week of you before you take my place. This is
• 6:43:08
  only a silent project, you know, to be gladly given up if better
• 6:43:12
  things occur. Henry calls himself stronger every day, and mister h keeps on
• 6:43:18
  approving his pulse, which seems generally better than ever. But still they will
• 6:43:22
  not let him be well. Perhaps when Fanny is gone, he will be
• 6:43:26
  allowed to recover faster. I am not disappointed. I never thought the little
• 6:43:32
  girl at wireds very pretty, but she will have a fine complexion and curly
• 6:43:36
  hair, and pass for a beauty. We are glad that mamma's cold has
• 6:43:41
  not been worse, and send our love and good wishes by every convenient opportunity.
• 6:43:47
  Sweet amiable Frank, why does he have a cold? Too? Like
• 6:43:52
  Captain Mervyn to mister Duval, I wish it well over with him. Fanny
• 6:43:56
  has heard all that I have said to you about herself, and h thank
• 6:44:00
  you very much for the sight of dearest Charles's letter to yourself. How pleasantly
• 6:44:06
  and how naturally he writes, and how perfect a picture of his disposition and
• 6:44:10
  feelings his style conveys, Poor dear fellow, not a present. I have
• 6:44:15
  a great mind to send him all the twelve copies which were to have been
• 6:44:18
  dispersed among my near connections, beginning with the p R and ending with Countess
• 6:44:23
  Morley. Adieu yours affectionately, j Austen, give my love to Cassie and
• 6:44:32
  Mary Jane. Caroline will be gone when this reaches you. End of Section
• 6:44:37
  twenty nine, Letter seventy one, Han's Place, Saturday, December second,
• 6:44:45
  My dear Cassandra. Henry came back yesterday, and might have returned the day
• 6:44:51
  before if he had known as much in time. I had the pleasure of
• 6:44:55
  hearing from mister t on Wednesday night that mister Seymour thought that was not the
• 6:44:59
  least occasion for his absenting himself any longer. I had also the comfort of
• 6:45:03
  a few lines on Wednesday morning from Henry himself, just after your letter was
• 6:45:07
  gone, giving so good an account of his feelings as made me perfectly easy.
• 6:45:14
  He met with the utmost care and attention at Hanwell, spent his two
• 6:45:18
  days there very quietly and pleasantly, and being suddenly in no respect to the
• 6:45:22
  worse for going. We may believe that he must be better, as he
• 6:45:26
  is quite sure of being himself to make his return a complete gala. Mister
• 6:45:30
  Hayden was secured for dinner. I need not say that our evening was agreeable.
• 6:45:37
  But you seem to be under a mistake as to mister h You call
• 6:45:41
  him an apothecary He is no apothecary. He has never been an apothecary.
• 6:45:45
  There is not an apothecary in this neighborhood, the only inconvenience of the situation,
• 6:45:51
  perhaps, But so it is. We have not a medical man within
• 6:45:55
  reach. He is a hayden, nothing but a hayden, a sort of
• 6:46:00
  wonderful, nondescript creature on two legs, something between a man and an angel,
• 6:46:06
  but without the least spice of an apothecary. He is perhaps the only
• 6:46:10
  person not an apothecary hereabouts. He has never sung to us. He will
• 6:46:15
  not sing without a piano forte accompaniment. Mister Myers gives his three lessons a
• 6:46:21
  week, altering his days and his hours. However, just as he chooses,
• 6:46:26
  never very punctual and never giving good measure. I have not Fanny's fondness
• 6:46:30
  for masters, and mister Myers does not give me any longing after them.
• 6:46:36
  The truth is I think that they are all, at least music masters,
• 6:46:38
  made of too much consequence and allowed to take too many liberties with their scholars.
• 6:46:44
  Time. We shall be delighted to see Edward on Monday, only sorry
• 6:46:48
  that you must be losing him. A turkey will be equally welcome with himself.
• 6:46:53
  He must prepare for his own proper bedchamber here. As Henry moved down
• 6:46:57
  to the one below last week we found the other cold. I am sorry.
• 6:47:03
  My mother has been suffering, and I am afraid this exquisite weather is
• 6:47:06
  too good to agree with her. I enjoy it all over me, from
• 6:47:10
  top to toe, from right to left, longitudinally, perpendicularly diagonally, and
• 6:47:17
  I cannot but selfishly hope we are to have it last till Christmas. Nice,
• 6:47:21
  unwholesome, unseasonable, relaxing, close, muggy weather. Oh, thank
• 6:47:27
  you very much for your long letter. It did me a great deal of
• 6:47:32
  good. Henry accepts your offer of making his nine gallon of mead. Thankfully.
• 6:47:37
  The mistake of the dogs rather vexed him for a moment, but he
• 6:47:40
  has not thought of it since to day. He makes a third attempt at
• 6:47:42
  his strengthening plaster, and as I am sure he will now be getting out
• 6:47:47
  a great deal, it is to be wished that he may be able to
• 6:47:48
  keep it on. He sets off this morning by the Chelsea coach to sign
• 6:47:52
  bonds and visit Henrietta Street, and I have no doubt will be going every
• 6:47:57
  day to Henrietta Street. Fanny and I were very snug by ourselves. As
• 6:48:03
  soon as we were satisfied about our invalids being safe at Hanwell, by maneuvering
• 6:48:07
  and good luck, we foiled all the mailing's attempts upon us. Happily,
• 6:48:11
  I caught a little cold on Wednesday, the morning we were in town,
• 6:48:15
  which we made very useful, and we saw nobody but are precious and mister
• 6:48:19
  Tilson. This evening the mailings are allowed to drink tea with us. We
• 6:48:25
  are in hopes, that is, we wish Miss Palmer and little girls may
• 6:48:29
  come this morning. You know, of course, that she could not come
• 6:48:33
  on Thursday, and she will not attempt to name any other day. God
• 6:48:37
  bless you. Excuse the shortness of this, but I must finish it now
• 6:48:42
  that I may save you tuppence. Best love, yours affectionately, j A.
• 6:48:49
  It strikes me that I have no business to give the p R a
• 6:48:52
  binding, but we will take counsel upon the question. I am glad you
• 6:48:56
  have put the flounce on your chintz. I am sure it must look particularly
• 6:49:00
  well, and it is what I had thought of. Letter seventy two,
• 6:49:07
  Chawton February twentieth, eighteen sixteen. My dearest Fanny, you are inimitable,
• 6:49:15
  irresistible. You are the delight of my life. Such letters, such entertaining
• 6:49:22
  letters as you have lately sent, such a description of your queer little heart,
• 6:49:26
  such a lovely display of what imagination does. You are worth your weight
• 6:49:30
  in gold, or even in the new silver coinage. I cannot express to
• 6:49:37
  you what I have felt in reading your history of yourself. How full of
• 6:49:40
  pity and concern and admiration and amusement I have been. You are the paragon
• 6:49:45
  of all that is silly and sensible, commonplace and eccentric, sad and lively,
• 6:49:51
  provoking and interesting. Who can keep pace with the fluctuations of your fancy,
• 6:49:56
  the caprizios of your taste, the contradictions of your feelings. You are
• 6:50:00
  so odd and all the time, so perfectly natural, so peculiar in yourself,
• 6:50:07
  and yet so like everybody else. It is very, very gratifying to
• 6:50:12
  me to know you so intimately. You can hardly think what a pleasure it
• 6:50:17
  is to me to have such thorough pictures of your heart. Oh, what
• 6:50:19
  a loss it will be when you are married. You are too agreeable in
• 6:50:23
  your single state too agreeable as a niece. I shall hate you, and
• 6:50:29
  your delicious play of mind is all settled down into conjugal and maternal affections.
• 6:50:34
  Mister B frightens me. He will have you. I see you at the
• 6:50:40
  altar. I have some faith in Missus c. Cage's observation, and still
• 6:50:45
  more in Lizzie's. And besides, I know it must be so. He
• 6:50:49
  must be wishing to attach you. It would be too stupid and too shameful
• 6:50:53
  in him to be otherwise. And all the family are seeking your acquaintance.
• 6:51:00
  Not imagine that I have any real objection. I have rather taken a fancy
• 6:51:03
  to him than not, and I like the house for you. I only
• 6:51:07
  do not like that you should marry anybody. And yet I do wish you
• 6:51:11
  to marry very much, because I know you will never be happy till you
• 6:51:15
  are. But the loss of a Fanny Knight will never be made up to
• 6:51:18
  me, my affectionate niece. F C B. Will be but a poor
• 6:51:23
  substitute. I do not like your being nervous and so apt to cry.
• 6:51:29
  It is a sign you are not quite well. But I hope mister scud
• 6:51:33
  as you always write his name your mister Scud's amuse me very much, will
• 6:51:38
  do you good? What a comfort that Cassandra should be so recovered. It
• 6:51:44
  was more than we had expected. I can easily believe she was very patient
• 6:51:48
  and very good. I always loved Cassandra, of her fine dark eyes and
• 6:51:52
  sweet temper. I am almost entirely cured of my rheumatism. Just a little
• 6:51:57
  pain in my knee now and then. To make me remember what it was
• 6:52:02
  and keep on flannel, Aunt, Cassandra nursed me so beautifully. I enjoy
• 6:52:07
  your visit to Goodnesston. It must be a great pleasure to you. You
• 6:52:11
  have not seen Fanny Cage in comfort so long. I hope she represents and
• 6:52:15
  remonstrates and reasons with you properly. Why should you be living in dread of
• 6:52:21
  his marrying some one else? Yet? How natural you did not choose to
• 6:52:26
  have him yourself. Why not allow him to take comfort where he can?
• 6:52:30
  In your conscience you know that he could not bear a companion with a more
• 6:52:33
  animated character. You cannot forget how you felt under the idea of its having
• 6:52:37
  been possible that he might have dined in Hans's place. My dearest Fanny,
• 6:52:42
  I cannot bear that you should be unhappy about him. Think of his principles,
• 6:52:48
  think of his father's objection of want of money, et cetera, et
• 6:52:52
  cetera. But I am doing no good. No all that I urge against
• 6:52:56
  him will rather make you take his part more wheat perverse, Fanny. And
• 6:53:03
  now I will tell you that we like your henry to the utmost to the
• 6:53:06
  very top of the glass, quite brimful. He is a very pleasing young
• 6:53:11
  man. I do not see how he could be mended. He does really
• 6:53:14
  bid fair to be everything his father and sister could wish. And William I
• 6:53:18
  love very much, indeed, and so do we all. He is quite
• 6:53:22
  our own William. In short, we are very comfortable together. That is,
• 6:53:26
  we can answer for ourselves. Missus Deedes is as welcome as made to
• 6:53:33
  all our benevolence to her son. We only lamented that we could not do
• 6:53:36
  more, and that the fifty pound note we slipped into his hand at parting
• 6:53:40
  was necessarily the limit of our offering. Good Missus Deeds. Scandal and gossip,
• 6:53:45
  yes, I dare say you are well stocked, but I am very
• 6:53:48
  fond of Missus blank for reasons good. Thank you for mentioning her praise of
• 6:53:52
  Emma et cetera. I have contributed the marking to Uncle H's shirts, and
• 6:54:00
  now they are a complete memorial of the tender regard of many Friday. I
• 6:54:06
  had no idea when I began this yesterday of sending it before your brother went
• 6:54:08
  back. But I have written away my foolish thoughts at such a rate that
• 6:54:12
  I will not keep them many hours longer to stare me in the face,
• 6:54:17
  much obliged for the quadrilles, which I am growing to think pretty enough,
• 6:54:21
  though of course they are very inferior to the cortillions of my own day.
• 6:54:26
  Ben and Anna walked here last Sunday to hear Uncle Henry, and she looked
• 6:54:30
  so pretty. It was quite a pleasure to see her so young and so
• 6:54:33
  blooming, and so innocent, as if she had never had a wicked thought
• 6:54:37
  in her life, which yet one has some reason to suppose she must have
• 6:54:40
  had, if we believe the doctrine of original sin. I hope Lizzie will
• 6:54:45
  have her play very kindly arranged for her. Henry is generally thought very good
• 6:54:49
  looking, but not so handsome as Edward. I think I prefer his face.
• 6:54:55
  William is an excellent looks, has a fine appetite, and seems perfectly
• 6:54:59
  well well. You will have a great break up at Godmisham in the spring.
• 6:55:03
  You must feel they are all going. It is very right, However,
• 6:55:07
  poor miss c I shall pity her when she begins to understand herself.
• 6:55:14
  Your objection to the quadrills delighted me exceedingly pretty well for a lady recoverably attached
• 6:55:18
  to one person. Sweet Fanny, believe no such thing of yourself spread,
• 6:55:25
  no such malicious slander upon your understanding within the precincts of your imagination. Do
• 6:55:30
  not speak ill of your sense merely for the gratification of your fancy. Yours
• 6:55:33
  is sense which deserves more honorable treatment. You are not in love with him,
• 6:55:40
  You never have been really in love with him. Yours, very affectionately,
• 6:55:45
  J. Austen, end of Section thirty, Letter seventy three, Chawton,
• 6:55:55
  Thursday, March thirteenth. As to making any adequate return for such a
• 6:56:00
  letter as yours, my dearest Fanny, it is absolutely impossible. If I
• 6:56:04
  were to labor at it all the rest of my life and live to the
• 6:56:07
  age of Methuselah, I could never accomplish anything so long and so perfect.
• 6:56:14
  But I cannot let William go without a few lines of acknowledgment and reply.
• 6:56:19
  I have pretty well done with mister Blank. By your description, he cannot
• 6:56:25
  be in love with you, however he may try at it, and I
• 6:56:27
  could not wish the match unless there were a great deal of love on his
• 6:56:30
  side. I do not know what to do about Jemima Branfil. What does
• 6:56:36
  her dancing away with so much spirit mean that she does not care for him
• 6:56:41
  or only wishes to appear not to care for him. Who can understand a
• 6:56:45
  young lady, poor missus c Mills, that she should die on the wrong
• 6:56:49
  day at last, after being about it so long. It was unlucky that
• 6:56:53
  the goodness and party could not meet you, and I hope her friendly,
• 6:56:56
  obliging social spirit, which delighted in drawing people together, was not conscious of
• 6:57:02
  the division and disappointment she was occasioning. I am sorry and surprised that you
• 6:57:07
  speak of her as having little to leave, and must feel for miss Mills,
• 6:57:11
  though she is molly if a material loss of income is to attend to
• 6:57:15
  her other loss. Single women have a dreadful propensity for being poor, which
• 6:57:21
  is one very strong argument in favor of matrimony. But I need not dwell
• 6:57:25
  on such arguments with you, pretty Dear to you, I shall say,
• 6:57:30
  as I have often said before, do not be in a hurry. The
• 6:57:33
  right man will come at last. You will, in the course of the
• 6:57:37
  next two or three years meet with somebody more generally unexceptionable than any one you
• 6:57:41
  have yet known, who will love you as warmly as possible, and who
• 6:57:45
  will so completely attract you that you will feel you never really loved before.
• 6:57:51
  Do none of the A's have a come to balls now? You have never
• 6:57:53
  mentioned them as being at any And what do you hear of the grips or
• 6:57:57
  of Fanny and her husband. Aunt Cassandra walked to Wireds yesterday with missus Digweed.
• 6:58:04
  Anna has had a bad cold and looks pale. She has just weaned
• 6:58:08
  Julia. I have also heard lately from your aunt Harriet and cannot understand their
• 6:58:15
  plans in parting with miss s, whom she seems very much to value,
• 6:58:18
  now that Harriet and Eleanor are both of age for a governess to be so
• 6:58:22
  useful to, especially as when Caroline was sent to school some years Miss Bell
• 6:58:26
  was still retained, though the others even then were nursery children. They have
• 6:58:32
  some good reason, I dare say, though I cannot penetrate it, and
• 6:58:36
  till I know what it is, I shall invent a bad one, and
• 6:58:38
  amuse myself with accounting for the difference of measures by supposing Miss Eyes to be
• 6:58:44
  a superior sort of woman, who has never stooped to recommend herself to the
• 6:58:47
  master of the family by flattery, as Miss Bell did. I will answer
• 6:58:52
  your kind questions more than you expect. Miss Catherine is put upon the shelf
• 6:58:56
  for the present, and I do not know that she will ever come out.
• 6:59:00
  But I have a something ready for publication, which may perhaps appear about
• 6:59:03
  a twelvemonth. Hence it is short about the length of Catherine. This is
• 6:59:10
  for yourself alone. Neither mister Siralusbury nor mister Wildman is to know of it.
• 6:59:17
  I am got tolerably well again, quite eagle to walking about and enjoying
• 6:59:21
  the air, And by sitting down and resting a good while between my walks,
• 6:59:25
  I get exercise enough. I have a scheme, however, for accomplishing
• 6:59:29
  more. As the weather grows spring like I mean to take to riding the
• 6:59:33
  donkey. It will be more independent and less troublesome than the use of the
• 6:59:37
  carriage, and I shall be able to go about with Aunt Cassandra in her
• 6:59:41
  walks to Alton and Wireds. I hope you will think William looking well.
• 6:59:47
  He was billious the other day, and Aunt Cassandra supplied him with the dose
• 6:59:49
  at his own request. I am sure you would have approved it. William
• 6:59:55
  and I are the best of friends. I love him very much. Everything
• 6:59:59
  is so natural about him, his affections, his manners, and his drollery.
• 7:00:03
  He entertains and interests us extremely. Matt Hammond and a m shaw A
• 7:00:10
  people whom I cannot care for in themselves, but I enter into their situation
• 7:00:15
  and am glad they are so happy. If I were the Duchess of Richmond,
• 7:00:18
  I should be very miserable about my son's choice. Our fears increase for
• 7:00:23
  poor little Harriet. The latest account is that Sir ev Holme is confirmed in
• 7:00:27
  his opinion of there being water on the brain. I hope Heaven and its
• 7:00:32
  mercy will take her soon. Her poor father will be quite worn out by
• 7:00:36
  his feelings for her. He cannot spare Cassie. At present. She is
• 7:00:40
  an occupation and a comfort to him, Letter seventy four, Chawton, Sunday,
• 7:00:48
  March twenty third. I am very much obliged to you, my dearest
• 7:00:53
  Fanny, for sending me mister W's conversation. I had great amusement in reading
• 7:00:59
  it, and I I hope I am not affronted, and do not think
• 7:01:02
  the worse of him for having a brain so very different from mine. But
• 7:01:04
  my strongest sensation of all is astonishment at your being able to press him on
• 7:01:10
  the subject so perseveringly, And I agree with your Papa that it was not
• 7:01:14
  fair. When he knows the truth, he will be uncomfortable. You are
• 7:01:19
  the oddest creature, nervous enough in some respects, but in others perfectly without
• 7:01:25
  nerves, quite unrepulsible, hardened and impudent. Do not oblige him to read
• 7:01:32
  any more, Have mercy on him, tell him the truth, and make
• 7:01:36
  him an apology. He and I should not, in the least degree,
• 7:01:38
  of course, in our ideas of novels and heroines. Pictures of perfection,
• 7:01:44
  as you know, make me sick and wicked. But there is some very
• 7:01:48
  good sense in what he says, and I particularly respect him for wishing to
• 7:01:52
  think well of all young ladies. It shows an amiable and a delicate mind,
• 7:01:56
  and he deserves better treatment than to be obliged to read any more of
• 7:02:00
  my works. Do not be surprised at finding Uncle Henry acquainted with my having
• 7:02:04
  another ready for publication. I could not say no when he asked me,
• 7:02:10
  but he knows nothing more of it. You will not like it, so
• 7:02:12
  you need not be impatient. You may perhaps like the heroine, as she
• 7:02:18
  is almost too good for me. Many thanks for your kind care for my
• 7:02:22
  health. I certainly have not been well for many weeks, and about a
• 7:02:26
  week ago I was very poorly. I have had a good deal of fever
• 7:02:30
  at times, and indifferent nights. But I am considerably better now and am
• 7:02:36
  recovering my looks a little, which have been bad enough, black and white
• 7:02:41
  and every wrong color. I must not depend upon ever being very blooming again.
• 7:02:47
  Sickness is a dangerous indulgence at my time of life. Thank you for
• 7:02:51
  everything you tell me. I do not feel worthy of it by anything I
• 7:02:55
  can say in return, but I assure you my pleasure in your letters is
• 7:02:59
  quite as great as ever, and I am interested and amused just as you
• 7:03:02
  can wish me. If there is a miss Marsden, I perceive whom she
• 7:03:06
  will marry. Evening. I was languid and dull and very bad company when
• 7:03:12
  I wrote the above. I am better now to my own feelings at least,
• 7:03:18
  and I wish I may be more agreeable. We are going to have
• 7:03:21
  rain, and after that very pleasant genial weather, which will exactly do for
• 7:03:26
  me as my saddle will then be completed, and air and exercises what I
• 7:03:30
  want. Indeed, I shall be very glad when the event at Scarlet's is
• 7:03:34
  over the expectation of it keeps us in worry. Your grand Mamma specially,
• 7:03:40
  she sits brooding over evils which cannot be remedied, and conduct impossible to be
• 7:03:45
  understood. Now the reports from Keppel Street are rather better. Little Harriet's headaches
• 7:03:51
  are abated, and Sir Everard is satisfied with the effects of the mercury and
• 7:03:55
  does not despair of a cure. The complaint I find is not considered incurable
• 7:03:59
  no days, provided the patient be young enough not to have the head hardened.
• 7:04:03
  The water in that case may be drawn off by mercury. But though
• 7:04:07
  this is a new idea to us, perhaps it may have been long familiar
• 7:04:11
  to you through your friend mister Scudd. I hope his hire renown is sustained
• 7:04:17
  by driving away William's cough. Tell William that Triggs is as beautiful and condescending
• 7:04:22
  as ever, and was so good as to dine with us to day,
• 7:04:26
  and tell him that I often play at Nine's and think of him. The
• 7:04:30
  Papillons came back on Friday night, but I have not seen them yet,
• 7:04:34
  as I do not venture to church. I cannot hear, however, that
• 7:04:38
  they are the same mister p and his sister they used to be. She
• 7:04:41
  has engaged a new maid servant in Missus Corker's room, whom she means to
• 7:04:45
  make also housekeeper under herself. Old Fillmore was buried yesterday, and I,
• 7:04:52
  by way of saying something to Triggs, observed that it had been a very
• 7:04:56
  handsome funeral. But his manner of reply made me suppose that it was not
• 7:05:00
  generally esteemed. So I can only be sure of one part being very handsome,
• 7:05:06
  Triggs himself walking behind in his green coat. Missus Fillmore attended as chief
• 7:05:11
  mourner in bombazine, made very short and flounced with crape Tuesday. I have
• 7:05:19
  had various plans as to this letter, but at last I have determined that
• 7:05:23
  Uncle Henry shall forward it from London. I want to see how Canterbury looks
• 7:05:27
  in the direction when once Uncle h has left us, I shall wish him
• 7:05:33
  with you. London has become a hateful place to him, and he is
• 7:05:36
  always depressed by the idea of it. I hope he will be in time
• 7:05:40
  for your sick I am sure he must do that part of his duty as
• 7:05:42
  excellently as all the rest. He returned yesterday from Steventon and was with us
• 7:05:48
  by breakfast, bringing Edward with him. Only that Edward stayed to breakfast at
• 7:05:52
  Wilds. We had a pleasant family day for the autumns dined with us,
• 7:05:56
  the last visit of the kind probably which she'll be able to pay us for
• 7:06:00
  many a month. I hope your own Henry is in France, and that
• 7:06:04
  you have heard from him the passage. Once over, he will feel all
• 7:06:08
  happiness. I took my first ride yesterday and liked it very much. I
• 7:06:14
  went up Mount's Lane and round by where the new cottages are to be,
• 7:06:18
  and found the exercise and everything very pleasant. And I had the advantage of
• 7:06:22
  agreeable companions as Aunt Cass and Edward walked by my side. Aunt cass is
• 7:06:26
  such an excellent nurse, so assiduous and unwearied. But you know all that
• 7:06:32
  already very affectionately, Yours, J. Austen, Letter seventy five, Chawton,
• 7:06:44
  Sunday, September eighth, eighteen sixteen, My dearest Cassandra. I have
• 7:06:49
  borne the arrival of your letter to day extremely well. Anybody might have thought
• 7:06:53
  it was giving me pleasure. I am very glad you find so much to
• 7:06:57
  be satisfied with at Cheltenham, while the waters agree everything else is trifling.
• 7:07:03
  A letter arrived for you from Charles last Thursday. They are all safe and
• 7:07:07
  pretty well in Kepple Street, the children decidedly better for broad Stairs, and
• 7:07:11
  he writes principally to ask when it will be convenient to us to perceive Miss
• 7:07:15
  p the little girls and himself. They would be ready to set off in
• 7:07:19
  ten days from the time of his writing to pay their visits in Hampshire and
• 7:07:22
  Berkshire, and he would prefer coming to Chawton first. I have answered him
• 7:07:29
  and said that we hoped it might suit them to wait till the last week
• 7:07:30
  in September, as we could not ask them sooner, either on your account
• 7:07:36
  or the want of room. I mentioned. The twenty third is the probable
• 7:07:38
  day of your return. When you have once left Cheltenham, I shall grudge
• 7:07:42
  every half day wasted on the road. If there were but a coach from
• 7:07:47
  Hungerford to Chawton, I have desired him to let me hear again soon he
• 7:07:52
  does not include a maid in the list to be accommodated. But if they
• 7:07:56
  bring one, as I suppose they will, you shall have no bed in
• 7:07:59
  the house even then for Charles himself, let alone Henry. But what can
• 7:08:03
  we do? We shall have the great house quite at our command. It
• 7:08:07
  is to be cleared of the papillon servants in a day or two. They
• 7:08:11
  themselves have been hurried off into Essex to take possession not of a large estate
• 7:08:15
  left them by an uncle, but to scrape together all they can. I
• 7:08:18
  suppose of the effects of a Missus Rawston, a rich old friend and cousin
• 7:08:22
  suddenly deceased, to whom they are joint executors. So there is a happy
• 7:08:27
  end of the Kentish Papillon's coming here. No morning service to day, wherefore
• 7:08:33
  I am writing between twelve and one o'clock mister ben is in the afternoon and
• 7:08:37
  likewise more rain again. By the look and sound of things, you left
• 7:08:42
  us in doubt of Missus Ben's situation, but she has bespoke her nurse.
• 7:08:47
  The Affes dined with us yesterday and had fine weather both for coming and going
• 7:08:51
  home, which has hardly ever happened to them before. She is still unprovided
• 7:08:56
  with the housemaid. Our day at Alton was very pleasant, venison quite right,
• 7:09:00
  children well behaved, and mister and Missus Digweed taking kindly to our charades
• 7:09:06
  and other games. I must also observe, for his mother's satisfaction, that
• 7:09:11
  Edward, at my suggestion, devoted himself very properly to the entertainment of Miss
• 7:09:15
  s Gibson. Nothing was wanting except mister Sweeney, but he alas had been
• 7:09:19
  ordered away to London the day before. We had a beautiful walk home by
• 7:09:23
  moonlight. Thank you. My back has given me scarcely any pain for many
• 7:09:30
  days. I have an idea that agitation does it as much harm as fatigue,
• 7:09:34
  and that I was ill at the time of your going. From the
• 7:09:37
  very circumstance of your going, I am nursing myself now into a beautiful state
• 7:09:41
  as I can, because I hear that Doctor White means to call on me
• 7:09:45
  before he leaves the country evening. Frank and Mary and the children visited us
• 7:09:52
  this morning. Mister and Missus Gibson are to come on the twenty third,
• 7:09:56
  and there is too much reason to fear they will stay above a week.
• 7:09:59
  Little George could tell me where you were gone to, as well as what
• 7:10:02
  you were to bring him when I asked him the other day. Sir Thomas
• 7:10:06
  Miller is dead. I treat you with a dead baronet in almost every letter.
• 7:10:11
  So you have C. Craven among you, as well as the Duke
• 7:10:14
  of Orleans and mister Pocock. But it mortifies me that you have not added
• 7:10:18
  one to the stock of common acquaintance. Do pray meet with somebody belonging to
• 7:10:22
  yourself? I am quite weary of your knowing nobody. Missus Deegweed parts with
• 7:10:27
  both Hannah and old Cook. The formal not give up her lover, who
• 7:10:32
  is a man of bad character. The latter is guilty only of being unequal
• 7:10:36
  to anything. Miss Terry was to have spent this week with her sister,
• 7:10:41
  but as usual it is put off. My amiable friend knows the value of
• 7:10:45
  her company. I have not seen Anna since the day you left us.
• 7:10:48
  Her father and brother visited her most days. Edward and Ben called here on
• 7:10:52
  Thursday. Edward was in his way to Selbourne. We found him very agreeable.
• 7:10:59
  He has come back from France thinking of the French as one could wish,
• 7:11:03
  disappointed in everything. He did not go beyond Paris. I have had
• 7:11:07
  a letter from Missus Perrigoud. She and her mother are in London again.
• 7:11:11
  She speaks of France as a scene of general poverty and misery, no money,
• 7:11:17
  no trade, nothing to be got but by the innkeepers. And as
• 7:11:21
  to her own present prospects, she is not much less melancholy than before.
• 7:11:26
  I have also a letter from Miss Sharp, quite one of her letters.
• 7:11:30
  She has been again obliged to exert herself more than ever, in a more
• 7:11:33
  distressing, more harassed state, and has met with another excellent old physician and
• 7:11:37
  his wife with every virtue under heaven, who takes to her and cures her
• 7:11:41
  from pure love and benevolence. Doctor and Missus Storer are there, Missus and
• 7:11:48
  miss Palmer, for they are at Bridlington. I am happy to say,
• 7:11:52
  however, that the sum of the account is better than usual, Sir William
• 7:11:56
  is returned from Bridlington. They go to Cheveais, and she is to have
• 7:11:59
  a younger under her I enjoyed Edward's company very much, as I said before,
• 7:12:04
  and yet I was not sorry when Friday came. It had been a
• 7:12:07
  busy week, and I wanted a few days quiet and exemption from the thought
• 7:12:11
  and contrivancy which any sort of company gives. I often wonder how you can
• 7:12:17
  find time for what you do in addition to the care of the house,
• 7:12:21
  and how good missus West could have written such books and collected so many hard
• 7:12:25
  words with all her family cares is still more a matter of astonishment. Composition
• 7:12:30
  seems to me impossible with a head full of joints of mutton and doses of
• 7:12:33
  rhubarb. Monday, here is a sad morning. I fear you may have
• 7:12:41
  not been able to get to the pump. The two last days were very
• 7:12:44
  pleasant. I enjoyed them the more for your sake. But to day it
• 7:12:48
  is really bad enough to make you all cross. I hope Mary will change
• 7:12:52
  her lodgings at the fortnight's end. I am sure if you looked about well,
• 7:12:56
  you would find others in some odd corner to suit you better, missus
• 7:13:00
  Potter changes for the name of the high Street success to the Pianoforte. I
• 7:13:06
  trust it will drive you away. We now hear that there is no honey
• 7:13:08
  this year, bad news for us. We must husband our present stock of
• 7:13:14
  mead, and I am sorry to perceive that our twenty gallons is very nearly
• 7:13:18
  out. I cannot comprehend how the fourteen gallons could last so long. We
• 7:13:22
  do not much like mister Cooper's new sermons. They are fuller of regeneration and
• 7:13:27
  conversion than ever, with the addition of his zeal in the cause of the
• 7:13:30
  Bible Society. Martha's love to Marry and Caroline, and she is extremely glad
• 7:13:37
  to find they like the police. The de Barris are indeed odious. We
• 7:13:41
  are to see my brother to morrow, but only for one night. I
• 7:13:45
  had no idea that he would care for the races without Edward. Remember me
• 7:13:48
  to all yours, very affectionately, j Austen. Note by Lord Braborn,
• 7:13:57
  I insert here a letter of Jane Austin's written backwards, addressed to her niece
• 7:14:03
  Cassie, daughter of Captain Charles Austen. Afterwards, Admiral when a little Girl
• 7:14:10
  letter seventy six. My dear Cassie, I wish you a happy new year.
• 7:14:18
  Your six cousins came here yesterday and had each a piece of cake.
• 7:14:25
  This is little Cassie's birthday, and she is three years old. Frank has
• 7:14:32
  begun learning Latin. We feed the robin every morning. Salie often inquires after
• 7:14:40
  you. Sallie Benham has got a new green gown. Harriet Knight comes every
• 7:14:48
  day to read to Aunt Cassandra. Goodbye, my dear Cassie. Aunt Cassandra
• 7:14:57
  sends her best love, and so we do, all your affectionate Aunt Jane
• 7:15:07
  Austen note by Lord Braborn. In January eighteen seventeen, she wrote of herself
• 7:15:17
  as better and able to walk into Alton, and hoped in the summer she
• 7:15:22
  should be able to walk back. In April, her father, in a
• 7:15:26
  note to missus le Foy, says, I was happy to have a good
• 7:15:29
  account of herself written by her own hand in a letter from your Aunt Jane.
• 7:15:33
  But all who love, and that is all who know her, must
• 7:15:37
  be anxious on her account. We all know how well grounded that anxiety was,
• 7:15:41
  and how soon her relations had to lament over the loss of the dearest
• 7:15:45
  and brightest member of their family. And now I come to the saddest letters
• 7:15:51
  of all those which tell us of the end of that bright life cut short,
• 7:15:56
  just at the time when the world might have hoped that unabated intellectual vigor,
• 7:16:00
  supplemented by the experience brought by maturer years, would have produced works,
• 7:16:03
  if possible, even more fascinating than those with which she had already embellished the
• 7:16:08
  literature of her country. But it was not to be. The fiat had
• 7:16:14
  gone forth, the ties which bound that sweet spirit to earth were to be
• 7:16:18
  severed, and a blank left never to be filled in the family which her
• 7:16:22
  loved and loving presence had blessed, and where she had been so well and
• 7:16:26
  fondly appreciated. In the early spring of eighteen seventeen, the unfavorable symptoms increased,
• 7:16:33
  and the failure of her health was too visible to be neglected. Still,
• 7:16:37
  no apprehensions of immediate danger were entertained, and it is probable that when
• 7:16:41
  she left Chawton for Winchester in May, she did not recognize the fact that
• 7:16:45
  she was bidding a last farewell to home. Happy for her if it was
• 7:16:49
  so, for there were few things more melancholy than to look upon any beloved
• 7:16:53
  place or person with the knowledge that it is for the last time. In
• 7:16:59
  all probability, this grief was spared to Jane, for even after her arrival
• 7:17:03
  at Winchester, she spoke and wrote as if recovery was hopeful, and I
• 7:17:07
  fancy that her relations were by no means aware that the end was so near.
• 7:17:11
  Note by Lord Braborn. Cassandra's letters tell the tale of the event in
• 7:17:17
  words that require no addition from me. They are simple and affecting, the
• 7:17:22
  words of one who had been stricken by a great grief, but whose religion
• 7:17:26
  stood her in good stead and enabled her to bear it with fortitude. The
• 7:17:30
  firm and loving bond of union which had ever united the Austin family naturally intensified
• 7:17:36
  their sorrow at the loss of one of their number, and that the one
• 7:17:38
  of whom they had been so proud as well as so fond. They laid
• 7:17:42
  her within the walls of the old cathedral, which she had loved so much,
• 7:17:47
  and went sorrowfully back to their homes, with the feeling that nothing could
• 7:17:49
  replace to them the treasure they had lost, And most heavily of all must
• 7:17:53
  the blow have fallen upon the only sister, the correspondent, the companion,
• 7:17:59
  the other self of Jane, who had to return alone to the desolate home
• 7:18:03
  and to the mother to whose comfort the two had hitherto ministered together. But
• 7:18:07
  who would henceforward have her alone on whom to rely. Letter from Miss Cassandra
• 7:18:14
  Austen to her niece, Miss Knight, after the death of her sister Jane,
• 7:18:18
  July eighteenth, eighteen seventeen, Letter seventy seven, Winchester, Sunday,
• 7:18:27
  My dearest Fanny, doubly dear to me now for her dear sake, whom
• 7:18:33
  we have lost. She did love you most sincerely, and never shall I
• 7:18:37
  forget the proofs of love you gave her during her illness in writing those kind,
• 7:18:41
  amusing letters at a time when I know your feelings would have dictated so
• 7:18:45
  different a style. Take the only reward I can give you, in the
• 7:18:51
  assurance that your benevolent purpose was answered. You did contribute to her enjoyment.
• 7:18:56
  Even your lost letter afforded pleasure. I merely cut the seal and gave it
• 7:19:02
  to her. She opened it and read it herself. Afterwards she gave it
• 7:19:07
  to me to read, and then talked to me a little, and not
• 7:19:11
  uncheerfully of its contents. But there was then a languor about her, which
• 7:19:15
  prevented her taking the same interest in anything that she had been used to do
• 7:19:19
  since Tuesday evening. When her complaint returned, there was a visible change.
• 7:19:26
  She slept more and much more comfortably. Indeed, during the last eight and
• 7:19:30
  forty hours she was more asleep than awake. Her looks altered, and she
• 7:19:36
  fell away. But I perceived no material diminution of strength, And though I
• 7:19:41
  was then hopeless of a recovery, I had no suspicion how rapidly my loss
• 7:19:45
  was approaching. I have lost a treasure, such a sister, such a
• 7:19:52
  friend, as never can have been surpassed. She was the son of my
• 7:19:56
  life, the guilder of every pleasure, the soother of every sorrow. I
• 7:20:03
  had not a thought concealed from her, And it is as if I had
• 7:20:07
  lost a part of myself. I loved her only too well, no better
• 7:20:12
  than she deserved. But I am conscious that my affection for her made me
• 7:20:17
  sometimes unjust to and negligent of others. And I can acknowledge more than as
• 7:20:23
  a general principle, the justice of the hand which has struck this blow.
• 7:20:29
  You know me too well to be at all afraid that I should suffer materially
• 7:20:33
  from my feelings. I am perfectly conscious of the extent of my irreparable loss,
• 7:20:37
  but I am not at all overpowered, and very little indisposed. Nothing
• 7:20:42
  but what a short time with rest and change of air will remove. I
• 7:20:48
  thank God that I was enabled to attend her to the last, and amongst
• 7:20:52
  my many causes of self reproach, I have not to add any wilful neglect
• 7:20:57
  of her comfort. She felt herself to be dying about half an hour before
• 7:21:02
  she became tranquil, and apparently unconscious during that half hour was her struggle,
• 7:21:08
  poor soul, She said she could not tell us what she suffered, though
• 7:21:12
  she complained of little fixed pain. When I asked her if there was anything
• 7:21:18
  she wanted, her answer was that she wanted nothing but death, and some
• 7:21:22
  of her words were, God, grant me patience, Pray for me,
• 7:21:27
  Oh, pray for me. Her voice was affected, but as long as
• 7:21:32
  she spoke she was intelligible. I hope I do not break your heart,
• 7:21:37
  my dearest Fanny. By these particulars I mean to afford you gratification. Whilst
• 7:21:42
  I am relieving my own feelings, I could not write so to anybody else.
• 7:21:48
  Indeed, you are the only person I have written to at all,
• 7:21:51
  excepting your Grandmamma. It was to her, not to your uncle Charles,
• 7:21:56
  I wrote on Friday. Immediately after dinner on Thursday, I went into the
• 7:22:02
  town to do an errand which your dear aunt was anxious about. I returned
• 7:22:06
  about a quarter before six and found her recovering from faintness and oppression. She
• 7:22:11
  got so well as to be able to give me a minute account of her
• 7:22:14
  seizure, and when the clock struck six, she was talking quietly to me.
• 7:22:19
  I cannot say how soon afterwards she was seized again with the same faintness,
• 7:22:23
  which was followed by the sufferings she could not describe. But mister Lyford
• 7:22:27
  had been sent for, had applied something to give her ease, and she
• 7:22:32
  was in a state of quiet insensibility by seven o'clock at the latest. From
• 7:22:37
  that time till half past four, when she ceased to breathe, she scarcely
• 7:22:41
  moved a limb. So that we have every reason to think, with gratitude
• 7:22:45
  to the Almighty, that her sufferings were over a slight motion of the head
• 7:22:52
  with every breath remained till almost the last. I sat close to her with
• 7:22:56
  a pillow on my lap to assist in supporting her head, which was almost
• 7:23:00
  off the bed for six hours. Fatigue made me then resign my place to
• 7:23:04
  missus j A for two hours and a half when I took it again,
• 7:23:10
  and in about an hour more she breathed her last. I was able to
• 7:23:15
  close her eyes myself, and it was a great gratification to me to render
• 7:23:18
  her those last services. There was nothing convulst which gave the idea of pain
• 7:23:23
  in her look. On the contrary, but for the continual motion of her
• 7:23:27
  head, she gave one the idea of a beautiful statue. And even now
• 7:23:33
  in her coffin there is such a sweet, serene air over her countenance as
• 7:23:37
  is quite pleasant to contemplate this day. My dearest Fanny, you have had
• 7:23:42
  the melancholy intelligence, and I know you suffer severely, But I likewise know
• 7:23:48
  that you will apply to the fountain head for consolation, and that our merciful
• 7:23:52
  God is never deaf to such prayers as you will offer. The last sad
• 7:23:56
  ceremony is to take place on Thursday morning. Her dear remains are to be
• 7:24:00
  deposited in the cathedral. It is a satisfaction to me to think that they
• 7:24:06
  are to line the buildings she admired so much. Her precious soul, I
• 7:24:10
  presume to hope proposes in a far superior mansion, may mine one day be
• 7:24:17
  reunited to it. Your dear Papa, your uncle Henry, and Frank and
• 7:24:22
  Edward Austin instead of his father, will attend. I hope they will,
• 7:24:27
  none of them suffer lasting thee from their pious exertions. The ceremony must be
• 7:24:33
  over before ten o'clock, as the cathedral service begins at that hour, so
• 7:24:37
  that we shall be at home early in the day, for there will be
• 7:24:40
  nothing to keep us here afterwards. Your uncle James came to us yesterday and
• 7:24:45
  is gone home to day. Uncle h goes to Chawton to morrow morning.
• 7:24:51
  He has given every necessary direction here, and I think his company there will
• 7:24:55
  do good. He returns to us again on Tuesday evening. I did not
• 7:25:00
  think to have written a long letter when I began, but I have found
• 7:25:03
  the employment draw me on, and I hope I shall have been given you
• 7:25:07
  more pleasure than pain. Remember me kindly to missus Jaybridges. I am so
• 7:25:12
  glad she is with you now, and give my best love to Lizzie and
• 7:25:18
  all the others. I am my dearest Fanny, most affectionately, Yours,
• 7:25:23
  Cassandra Elizabeth Austen. I have said nothing about those at Chawton, because I
• 7:25:30
  am sure you hear from your Papa letter seventy eight, Chawton, Tuesday,
• 7:25:38
  July twenty ninth, eighteen seventeen. My dearest Fanny, I have just read
• 7:25:45
  your letter for the third time, and thank you most sincerely for every kind
• 7:25:48
  expression to myself, and still more warmly for your praises of her, who
• 7:25:53
  I believe was better known to you than to any human being besides myself.
• 7:25:57
  Nothing of the sort could have been more gratifying to me than the manner in
• 7:26:00
  which you write of her. And if the dear Angel is conscious of what
• 7:26:04
  passes here and is not above all earthly feelings, she may perhaps receive pleasure
• 7:26:11
  in being so mourned had she been the survivor. I can fancy his speaking
• 7:26:15
  of you in almost the same terms. There are certainly many points of strong
• 7:26:21
  resemblance in your characters, in your intimate acquaintance with each other and your mutual
• 7:26:25
  strong affection. You were counterparts. Thursday was not so dreadful a day to
• 7:26:30
  me as you imagined. There is so much necessary to be done that there
• 7:26:34
  is no time for additional misery. Everything was conducted with the greatest tranquility.
• 7:26:41
  And but that I was determined I would see the last, and therefore was
• 7:26:44
  upon the listen. I should not have known when they left the house.
• 7:26:48
  I watched little mourn for procession and length of the street, and when it
• 7:26:52
  turned away from my sight and I had lost her forever. Even then I
• 7:26:56
  was not overpowered nor so much agitated as I am now in writing of it.
• 7:27:02
  Never was human being more sincerely mourned by those who are tended her remains
• 7:27:07
  than was this dear creature. May the sorrow with which she is parted with
• 7:27:11
  on earth be a prognostic of the joy with which she is hailed in heaven.
• 7:27:17
  I continue very tolerably well, much better than any one could have supposed,
• 7:27:22
  because I certainly have considerable fatigue of body as well as anguish of mind
• 7:27:26
  for months back. But I really am well, and I hope I am
• 7:27:30
  properly grateful to the Almighty for having been so supported your grand Mamma too,
• 7:27:34
  is much better than when I came home. I did not think your dear
• 7:27:38
  Papa appeared done well, and I understand that he seemed much more comfortable after
• 7:27:42
  his return from Winchester than he had done before. I need not tell you
• 7:27:48
  that he was a great comfort to me. Indeed, I never can say
• 7:27:52
  enough of the kindness I have received from him and from every other friend.
• 7:27:56
  I get out of doors a good deal and am able to employ myself.
• 7:28:00
  Of course, those employments suit me best, which leave me most at leisure
• 7:28:03
  to think of her I have lost, and I do think of her in
• 7:28:07
  every variety of circumstance, in our happy hours of confidential intercourse, in the
• 7:28:11
  cheerful family party which she so ornamented in her sick room on her death bed,
• 7:28:18
  and as I hope an inhabitant of heaven. Oh, if I may
• 7:28:23
  one day be reunited to her there, I know the time must come when
• 7:28:27
  my mind will be less engrossed by her idea. But I do not like
• 7:28:32
  to think of it. If I think of her less as on earth.
• 7:28:36
  God grant that I may never cease to reflect on her as inhabiting heaven,
• 7:28:40
  and never cease my humble endeavors, when it shall please God to join her
• 7:28:45
  there. In looking at a few of the precious papers which are now my
• 7:28:48
  property, I have found some memorandums, amongst which she desires that one of
• 7:28:53
  her gold chains may be given her god daughter Louisa, and a look of
• 7:28:56
  her hair be set for you. You can need no assurance, my dearest
• 7:29:02
  Fanny, that every request of your beloved aunt will be sacred with me.
• 7:29:06
  Be so good as to say whether you prefer a brooch or a ring.
• 7:29:10
  God bless you, my dearest Fanny. Believe me most affectionately, Yours,
• 7:29:15
  Cassandra Elizabeth Austen end of section thirty one