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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichd, 11 est film6 A partir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 32 X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 JANE AUSTEN LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN ^ . : J<>V:, >itf Kue, of Prompt . THE LETTERS OP JANE AUSTEN Selected from the Compilation of her Great Nephew EDWARD, LORD BRADBOURNE By SARAH CHAUNCEY WOOLSEY TORON GEORGE 1899 N. MORANG Ji;:X- J^_^^ PRHo3(o CopvrighU 1S99, By Kuuerts Brothers. 321 : • t » • • April le i«i* • •• • • •• • ••••.. * * • '•'JjDHN Wilson and Son, Cambridge, U.S.A. • * PREFACE. The recent cult for Miss Austen, which has re- sulted in no less than ten new editions of her novels within a decade and three memoirs by dif- ferent hands within as many years, have made the facts of her life familiar to most readers. It was a short life, and an uneventful one as viewed from the standpoint of our modern times, when steam and electricity have linked together the ends of the earth, and the very air seems teeming with newn, agitations, discussions. We have barely time to recover our breath between post and post; and the morning paper with its statements of disaster and its hints of still greater evils to be, is scarcely out- lived, when, lo! in comes the evening issue, con- tradicting the news of the morning, to be sure, but full of omens and auguries of its own to strew our pillows with the seed of wakefulness. To us, publications come hot and hot from the press. Telegraphic wires like the intricate and incalculable zigzags of the lightning ramify above our heads; and who can tell at what moment their IV PREFACE. '.'. darts may strike? In Miss Austen's day the tranquil, drowsy, decorous English day of a century since, all was different. News travelled then from hand to hand, carried in creaking post-wagons, or in cases of extreme urgency by men on horseback. When a gentleman journeying in his own *' chaise " took three days in going from Exeter to London, a distance now covered in three hours of railroad, there was little chance of frequent surprises. Love, sorrow, and death were in the world then as now, and worked their will upon the sons of men; but people did not expect happenings every day or even every year. No doubt they lived the longer for this exemption from excitement, and kept their nerves in a state of wholesome repair; but it goes without saying that the events of which they knew 80 little did not stir them deeply. Miss Austen's life coincided with two of the momentous epochs of history, —the American struggle for independence, and the French Revolu- tion; but there is scarcely an allusion to either in her letters. She was interevited in the fleet and its victories because two of her brothers were in the navy and had promotion and prize-money to look forward to. In this connection she mentions Tra- falgar and the Egyptian expedition, and generously remarks that she would read Southey'a «« Life of Nelson " if there was anything in it about her brother Frank! She honors Sir John Moore by PREFACE. remarking after his death that liis mother would perhaps have preferred to have him less distin- guished and still alive; further than that, the making of tlie gooseberry jam and a good recipe for orange wine interests her more than all the march- ings and countermarchings, the mana'uvres and diplomacies, going on the world over. In the midst of the univers vortex of fear and hope, triumph and defeat, while the fate of Britain and British liberty hung trembling in the balance, she sits writing her letters, trimming her caps, and discussing small beer with her sister in a lively and unruflled fashion wonderful to contemplate. "The society of rural England in those days," as Mr. Goldwin Smith happily puts it, '< enjoyed a calm of its own in the mid^t of the European tem- pest like the windless centre of a circular storm." Tlie point of view of a woman with such an en- vironment must naturally be circumscribed and narrow; and in this Miss Austen's charm con- sists. Seeing little, she painted what she saw with absolute fidelity and a dexterity and perfec- tion unequalled. <« On her was bestowed, though in a humble form, the gift which had been bestowed on Homer, Shakespeare, Cervantes, Scott, and a few others, —the gift of creative power." Endowed with the keenest and most delicate insight and a vivid sense of humor, she depicted with exactitude wliut she observed j wiiat she understood, givin g VI PREFACE. to each fact and emotion its precise shade and value. The things she did not see she did not attempt. Affectation was impossible to her, — most of all, af- fectation of knowledge or feeling not justly her own. "She held the mirror up to her time " with an ex- quisite sincerity and fidelity; and the closeness of her study brought her intimately near to those hid- den springs which underlie all human nature. This is the reason why, for all their skimp skirts, leg- of-mutton sleeves, and bygone impossible bonnets, her characters do not seem to us old-fashioned. Minds and hearts are made pretty much after the same pattern from century to century; and given a modern dress and speech, Emma or Elizabeth or dear Anne Eliot could enter a drawing-room to-day, and excite no surprise except by so closely resem- bling the people whom they would find there. ''Miss Austen's novels are dateless things," Mr. Augustine Birrell tells us. "Nobody in his senses would speak of them as 'old novels.' 'John Inglesant' is an old novel, so is 'Ginx's Baby.' But Emma is quite new, and, like a wise woman, affords few clues to her age." We allude with a special touch of affection to Anne Eliot. "Persuasion," which was written during the last two years of Miss Austen's life, when the refining touch of Eternity was already upon her, has always seemed to us the most per- fect of her novels; and Anne, with her exqui- PREFACE. VU site breeding and unselfish straightforwardness, just touched with the tender reserve of memory and regret, one of her best portraitures. But this is a matter of individual taste. Doubtless Elizabeth Uennet is "better fun," as the modern girl would say. Miss Austen herself preferred her. She had a droll and pretty way of talking about her char- acters which showed how real they were to her own mind, and made them equally real to other people. In 1813 she had the good luck to light upon a por- trait of Jane Bennet at an exhibition. "I was very well pleased (pray tell Fanny) with a small portrait of Mi-s. Bindley, excessively like her. I went iu hopes of seeing one. of her sister, but there was no Mrs. Darcy. Peihapa I may find her in the great ev'nbition, which we shall go to if we have time. Mrs. Bingley's is exactly like herself, — size, shaped face, features and sweetness; there never was a gi-eater like- ness. She is dressed in a white gown, with green or- naments, which convinces me of what I had always supposed, that green was a favorite color with her. I dare say Mrs. D. will be in yellow." And later : — " We have been both to the exhibition and Sir J. Reynolds'; and I am disappointed, for there was nothing like Mrs. D. at either. I can only imagine that Mr. D. prizes any picture of her too much to like it should be exposed to the public eye. I can imagine he would have that sort of feeling, — that mixture of love, pride, and deli cacy. Fl i Vlll PREFACE. The letters included in this series comprise about three quarters of the collection in two vol- umes published in 1884 by her great-nephew Lord Brabourne. The lightness, almost friskiness, of their tone cannot fail to strike the reader. Modern letters written by women are filled more or less with hints and queries; questionings as to the why and the wherefore occur; allusions to the various '*fads" of the day, literary or artistic, — Ibsen, Tolstoi, Browning, Esoteric Buddhism, Wagner's Music, the Mind Cure, Social Science, Causes and Reforms. But Cowper and Crabbe were the poetical sensations in Miss Austen's time, Scott and Byron its phenomenal novelties; it took months to get most books printed, and years to persuade anybody to read them. Further- more the letters, in all probability, are carefully chosen to reveal only the more superficial side of their writer. There are wide gaps of omission, covering important events such as Mr. Austen's death, the long illness through which Jane nursed her brother Henry, and the anxieties and worries which his failure in business caused to the whole family. What is vouchsafed us is a glimpse of the girlish and untroubled moments of Miss Austen's life; and the glimpse is a sweet and friendly one. We are glad to have it, in sjiite of our suspicion that another and even more interest- ing part of her personality is withheld from us. PREFACE. IX A good daughter, a deliglitful sister, the most perfect of aunts, what better record could there be of a single Avoman? Her literary work never 8tOL)d in the way of her home duties, any more tliaii her <' quiet, limpid, unimpassioned style" stood between her thouglit and her readers. Her fame may justly be said to be almost en- tirely posthumous. She was read and praised to a moderate degree during her lifetime, but all her novels together brought her no more than seven hundred pounds; and her reputation, as ifc were, was in its close-sheathed bud when, at the early age of forty-one, she died. It would have excited in her an amused incredulity, no doubt, had any one predicted that two generations after her death the real recognition of her powers was to come. Time, which like desert sands has ef- faced the footprints of so many promising authors, has, with her, served as the desert wind, to blow aside those dusts of the commonplace which for a while concealed her true proportions. She is loved more than she ever hoped to be, and far more widely known. Mrs. Ritchie tells some- where an anecdote of a party of seven assembled at a dinner-table, where the question arose of the locality of one of Miss Austen's places, — Maple Grove, the residence of Mr. Suckling, if we are nofc mistaken, —and six of the persons present at once recognized the allusion, and had a formed opinioa PREFACE. on the subject. The seventh was a Frenchman who did not read English! Scott, Macaulay, Sir James Mackintosh, Miss Martineau, Mrs. Ritchie, Miss Mitford, and a liost of others have vied in their generous tributes of admiration. But most striking of all, to our thinking, is that paid to Miss Austen by Lord Tennyson when, in some visit to Lyme not many years since, those with him pointed out this and the other feature of the place only to be inter- rupted with— « Never mind all that. Show me the exact spot where Louisa Musgrove fell!" Could non-historical verisimilitude go farther or mean more? S. C. W. Nbwpobt, June, 1892, LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. I. Steventon, Thursday (January 16, 1796). HAVE just received yours and Mary's 'etter, and I thank you both, though their contents might have been more agreeable. I do not at all expect to see you on Tuesday, since matters have fallen out so unpleasantly; and if you are not able to return till after that day, it will hardly be possible for us to send for you before Saturday, though for my own part I care so little about the ball that it would be no sacrifice to me to give it up for t le sake of see- iag you two days earlier. We are ( xtremely sorry for poor Eliza's illness. I trust, ho vever, that she has continued f - 3cover since you 4rote, and that you will none of you be the worse fW your attend- ance on her. What a good-for-ndthing fellow Charles is to bespeak the stockings! I hope he will be too hot all the rest of his life for it! 12 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1796. I sent you a letter yesterday to Ibthorp, which I suppose you will not receive at Kintbury. It was not very long or very witty, and therefore if you never receive it, it does not much signify. I wrote principally to tell you that the Coopers were arrived and in good health. The little boy is very like Dr. Cooper, and the little girl is to resemble Jane, they say. Our party to Ashe to-morrow night will consist of Edward Cooper, James (for a ball is nothing without him), Buller, who is now staying with us, and I. I look forward with great impatience to it, as I rather expect to receive an offer from my friend in the course of the evening. I shall refuse him, however, unless he promises to give away his white coat. I am very much flattered by your commendation of my last letter, for I write only for fame, and without any view to pecuniary emolument. Edward is gone to spend the day with his friend, John Lyford, and does not return till to-morrow. Anna is now here; she came up in her chaise to spend the day with her young cousins, but she does not much take to them or to anything about them, except Caroline's spinning-wheel. I am very glad to find from Mary that Mr. and Mrs. Fowle are pleased with you. I hope you will continue to give satisfaction. How impertinent you are to write to me about 1795] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 13 Tom, as if I had not opportunities of hearing from »m myself! The last letter that I received from Inm was dated on Friday, 8th, and he told me that If the wind should be favorable on Sunday, which It proved to be, they were to sail from Falmouth on hat day By this time, therefore, they are at Barbadoes, I suppose. The Rivers are still at Manydown, aad are to be at Ashe to-morrow I in tended to call on the Miss Biggs yesterday had the weather been tolerable. Caroline, Anna, and I have just been devouring some cold souse, and it would be difficult to say which enjoyed it most. Tell Mary that I make over Mr. Heartley and al his estate to her for her sole use and benefit in fu ure and not only him, but all my other admirers into the bargain wherever she can find them, even the kiss which C. Powlett wanted to give me, as I mea.1 to confine myself in future to Mr. Tom Lefrov for whom I don't care sixpence. Assure her also,' as a last and indubitable proof of Warren's in- difterence to me, that he actually drew that gen- tiemans picture for me, and delivered it to me without a sigh. Friday.- At length the day is come on which I am to flirt my last with Tom Lefroy, and when you receive this it will be over. My tears flow as I write at the melancholy idea. Wn.. Chute called lere yesterday. I wonder what he means by l^emg 80 civil. There is a report that Tom is 14 LETTERS OP JANE AUSTEN. [1796. going to be married to a Lichfield lass. John Lyford and his sister bring Edward home to-day, dine with us, and we shall all go together to Ashe. I understand that we are to draw for partners. I shall be extremely impatient to hear from you again, that I may know how Eliza is, and when you are to return. With best love, etc., I am affectionately yours, J. Austen. Miss Austen, The Rev. Mr. Fowle'a, Kinkbnry, Newbury ' ; n. Cork Strket, Tuesday mom (Angnst, 1796). My dear Cassandra, — Here I am once more in this scene of dissipation and vice, and I begin already to find my morals corrupted. We reached Staines yesterday, I do not (know) when, without suffering so much from the heat as I had hoped to do. We set off again this morning at seven o'clock, and had a very pleasant drive, as the morning was cloudy and perfectly cool. I came all the way in the chaise from Hertford Bridge. Edward ^ and Frank '' are both gone out to seek their fortunes; the latter is to return soon and * Miaa Austen's second brother. 8 Francis, afterward Sir Francis Austen, Senior Admiral of the Fleet, and K. C. B. 1796.] LETl'EUS OF JANE AUSTEN. 16 help us seek ours. Tlie former we shall never see again. Wo uro to be at Asticy's to-night, which I am glad of. Edward has heard from Henry this morning. He has not been at the races at all, unless his driving Miss Pearson over to Rowling one day can be so called. We shall tiud him there on Thursday. I hope you are all alive after our melancholy parting yesterda;-, and that you pursued your in- tended avocation with success. God bless you ! 1 must leave off, for we are going out. Yours very affectionately, J. Austen. Everybody's love. III. Rowling, Monday (September 5). My dear Cassandra,— I shall be extremely anxious to hear the event of your ball, and shall hope to receive so long and minute an account of every particular that I shall be tired of reading it. Let me know how many, besides their fourteen selves and Mr. and Mrs. Wright, Michael will contrive to place about their coach, and how many of the gentlemen, musicians, and waiters he will have persuaded to come in their shooting-jackets. I hope John Lovett's accident will not prevent his attending the ball, as you will otherwise be 16 LETTERS OP JANE AUSTEN. [1796. m .1 ; f obliged to dai "o with Mr. Tincton tho wholo ova. niug. Let me know liow J. Ilarwood dei>ortB himself without the Miss Biggs, and which of the Marys will carry the day with my brother James. We were at a ball on Saturday, I assure you. We dined at Goodnestone, and in tho evening danced two country-dances and the Boulangeries. I opened the ball with Edward Bridges; the other couples were Lewis Cage and Harriet, Frank and Louisa, Fanny and George. Elizabeth played one country-dance, "Lady Bridges the other, which she made Henry dance with her, and Miss Finch played' the Boulangeries. In reading over the last three or four lines, I am aware of my having expressed myself in oO doubtful a manner that if I did not tell you to the contrary, you might imagine it was Lady Bridges who made Henry dance with her at the same time that she was playing, which, if not impossible, must appear a very improbable event to you. But it was Elizabeth who danced. We supped there, and walked home at night under : j hn'^o of two umbrellas. To-day the Goodnestone party begins to disperse and spread itself abroad. Mr. and Mrs. Cage and George repair to Hythe. Lady Waltham, Miss Bridges, and Miss Mary Finch to Dover, for tho '".ealth of the two former. I have never seen 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 17 Marianne at all. On Thursday Mr. and Mrs liridges return to Danhury; Mias Harriet Hale^ accompanies them to London on hor way to Uorsettiliire. Farmer Claringbould died this morni..,., and I fancy Edwar.l means to get some of his farm, if ho can cheat Sir Urook eno.igh i.i the agreement. We Inive just g.,t some venison from Godmer- sham, which the two Mr. llarveys are to din, on to-morrow, anng at all. They are out again to-day, and are not yet returned. Delightful sport! They are just come home, Edward with his two brace Frank with his two and a half. What amiable young men! Friday. -Your letter and one from Henry are just come, and the contents of both accord 'with my scheme more than I had dared expect. In one particular I could wish it otherwise, for Henry is very indifferent indeed. You must not expect us quite so early, however, as Wednesday, the 20th, -on that day se'nnight, according to onr present- plan, we may be with you. Frank had never any idea of going away before Monday, the 26th I shall write to Miss Mason immediately, and pre^8 her returning with us, which Henry thinks very likely, and particularly eligible. Buy Mary Harrison's gown by all means. You shall have mine for ever so much money, though, if I am tolerably rich when I get home, I shall like it very much myself. As to the mode of our travelling to town, 1 want to go in a stage-coach, but Frank will not'lei 4 22 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [179& me. As you are likely to have the Williams and, Lloyds with you next week, you would hardly find room for us then. If any one wants anything in town, they must send their commissions to Frank, as / shall merely pass through it. The tallow- chandler is Penlington, at the Crown and Beehive, Charles Street, Covent Garden. Miss Austen, Steveuton, Overton, Hants. V. Rowling, Sunday (September 18). My dear Cassandra, — This morning has been spent in doubt and deliberation, in forming plans and removing difficulties, for it ushered in the day with an event which I had not intended should take place so soon by a week. Fi-ank has received his appointment on board the "Captain John Gore, " commanded by the << Triton," and will therefore be obliged to be in town on Wednesday; and though I have every disposition in the world to accompany him on that day, I cannot go on the uncertainty oi the Pearsons being at home, as I should not have a place to go to in case they were from home. I wrote to Miss P. on Friday, and hoped to re- ceive an answer from her this morning, which would have rendered everything smooth and easy, and would have enabled us to leave this place to- (. 1796.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 23 morrow, as Frank, on first receiving his appoint- ment, intended to do. He remains till Wednesday merely to accommodate me. I have written to her again to^ay, and desired her to answer it by re- turn of post. On Tuesday, therefore, I shall posi- tively know whether they can receive me on Wednesday. If they cannot, Edward has been so good as to promise to take me to Greenwich on the Monday following, which was the day before fixed on, if that suits them better. If I have no an- svver at all on Tuesday, I must suppose Mary IS not at home, and must wait till I do hear, as after having invited her to go to Steventon with me, it will not quite do to go home and say no more about it. My father will be so good as to fetch home his prodigal daughter from town, I hope, unless he wishes me to walk the hospitals, enter at the Temple, or mount guard at St. James'. It will hardly be in Frank's power to take me home, - nay, it certainly will not. I shall write again as soon as I get to Greenwich. What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps one in a continual state of inelegance. ^ If Miss Pearson should return with me, pray be careful not to expect too much beauty. I will not pretend to say that on a first view she quite answered the opinion I had formed of her. My mother, I am sure, will be di.appuiuted if ^he duea ^1 ^li 24 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1796. not take great care. From what I remember of her picture, it is no great i-esemblance. I am very glad that the idea of returning with Frank occurred to me; for as to Henry's coming into Kent again, the time of its taking place is so very uncertain that 1 should be waiting for dead men's shoes. I had once determined to go with Frank to-morrow and take my chance, etc., but they dissuaded me from so rash a step as I really think on consideration it would have been ; for if the Pearsons were not at home, I should inevitably fall a sacrifice to the arts of some fat woman who would make me drunk with small beer. Mary is brought to bed of a boj', — both doing very well. I shall leave you to guess what Mary I mean. Adieu, with best love to all your agree- able inmates. Don't let the Lloyds go on any account before I return, unless Miss P. is of the party. How ill I have written ! I begin to hate myself. Yours ever, J. Austen. The "Triton " is a new 32 frigate just launched at Deptford. Frank is much pleased with the pros- pect of having Captain Gore under his command. Miss Austen, Steventou, Overton, Haata. 1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 23 VI. " Bull and George," Dartfoiid, Wednesday (October 24, 1798). My dear Cassandra, — You liave already heard from Daniel, I conclude, in what excellent time we reached and quitted Sittiugbourne, and how very well my mother bore her journey thither. I am now able to send you a continuation of the same good account of her. She was very little fatigued on her arrival at this place, has been refreshed by a comfortable dinner, and now seems quite stout. It wanted five minutes of twelve when we left Sittingbourne, from whence we had a famous pair of horses, which took us to Rochester in an hour and a quarter; the postboy seemed de- termined to show my mother that Kentish drivers were not always tedious, and really drove as fast as Cax. Our next stage was not quite so expeditiously performed; the road was heavy, and our horses very indifferent. However, we were in such good time and my mother bore her journey so well, that ex- pedition was of little importance to us; and as it was, we were very little more than two hours and a half coming hither, and it was scarcely past four when we stopped at the inn. My mother took some of her bitters at Oapringe, and some t^ 26 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [179a more at Rochester, and she ate some bread several times. We have got apartments up two pair of stairs, as we could not be otherwise accommodated with a sitting-room and bed-chambers on the same floor which we wished to be. We hu/e one double- bedded and one single-bedded room; in the former my mother and I are to sleep. I shall leave you to guess who is to occupy the other. We sate down to dinner a little after five, and had some beef- steaks and a boiled fowl, but no oyster sauce. I should have begun my letter soon after our arrival, but for a little adventure which prevented me. After we had been here a quarter of an hour it was discovered that my writing and dressing boxes had been by accident put into a chaise which was just packing off as we came in, and were driven away toward Gravesend in their way to the West Indies. No part of my property could have been such a prize before, for in my writing, box was all my worldly wealth, 71., and my dear Harry.'s deputation. Mr. Nottley immediately de- spatched a man and horse after the chaise, and in half an hour's time I had the pleasure of being as rich as ever; they were got about two or three miles off. My day's journey has been pleasanter in every respect than I expected. I have been very little crowded and by no means unhappy. Your watch- 1798. J LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 27 fulness witli regard to the weather on our accounts was very kind and very eifectual. We had one heavy shower on leaving Sittingbourne, but after- Mards the clouds cleared away, and we had a very bright chrystal afternoon. My father is now reading the " Midnight Bell," which he has got from the library, and mother sitting by the fire. Our route to-morrow is not determined. We have none of us much inclination for London, and if Mr. Nottley will give us leave, I think we shall go to Staines through Croydon and Kingston, M-hich will be much pleasanter than any other way; but he is decidedly for Clapham and Battersea. God bless you all ! Yours affectionately, J. A. I flatter myself that itty Dordy will not forget me at least under a week. Kiss him for me. Miss Austen, Godmershara Park, Faversham. VII. Steventox, Saturday (October 27). My DEAR Cassanbba, —Your letter was a most agreeable surprise to me to-day, and I have taken a long sheet of paper to show my gratitude. We arrived here yesterday between four and five, but I cannot send you quite so triumphant an account of our last day's journey as of the first I ^1 28 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN, [1799. and second. Soon after I had finished ray letter from Stainos, my mother began to suffer from the exercise or fatigue of travelling, and she was a good deal indisposed. She had not a very good TMght at Staiaes, but bore her journey better than I l.ad expected, and at Basingstoke, where we stopped more than half an hour, received much comfort from a mess of broth and the si.;^ht of Mr. Lyford, who recommended her to take t-relve drops of laudanum when she went to bed as a composer, which she accordingly did. James called on us just as we were going to tea, and my mother was well enough to talk very cheer- fully to him before she went to bed. James seems to have taken to his old trick of coming to Steven- ton m spite of Mary's reproaches, for he was here before breakfast and is now paying us a second visit. They were to have dined here to-day, but the weather is too bad. I have had the pleasure of hearing that Martha is with them. James fetched her from Ibthorp on Thursday, and she will stay with them till she removes to Kintbury. We met with no adventures at all in our journey yesterday, except that our trunk had once nearly slipped off, and we were obliged to stop at Hartley to have our wheels greased. Whilst my mother and Mr. Lyford were together I went to Mrs. Ryder's and bought what I intended to buy, but not in much perfection. There were 1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 29 no rmrrow braces for chUdron, and scarcely any netting Hilk; but Miss Woo.I, as usual, is going to town very soon, and will lay in a fresh stock. I gave 28. 3d. a yard for my flannel, and I fancy it IS not very good, but it is so di..gracef«l and con- temptible an article in itself that its being com- paratively good or bad is of little importance. I bought some Japan ink likewise, an.l next week shall begin my operations on my hat, on which you know my principal hopes of happiness depend. ' I am very grand indeed; I had the dignity of dropping out my mother's laudanum last night I carry about the keys of the wine and closet, and twice since I began this letter have had orders to give in the kitchen. Our dinner was very good yesterday, and the chicken boiled perfectly tender- therefore I shall not be obliged to dismiss Nanny on that account. Almost everything was unpacked and put away last night. Nanny chose to do it, and I was not sorry to be busy. I have unpacked the gloves, and placed yours in your drawer. Their color is light and pretty, and I believe exactly what we fixed on. Your letter was chaperoned here by one from Mrs, riooke, in which she says that <' Battleridge " is not to come out before January, and she is so little satisfied with Cawthorn's dilatoriness that Blie never means to employ him again. Mrs. Hall, of Sherborne, was brought to bed f 30 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [ms, yesterday of a dead child, some weeks before she ^ expected, owing to a fright. I suppose nhe hap- pened unawares to look at her husband. There has been a great deal of rain here for this last fortnight, much more than in Kent, and in- deed we found the roads all the way from Staines most disgracefully dirty. Steventon lane has its full share of it, and I don't know when I shall be able t ' get to Deane. I hear that Martha is in better looks and spirits than she has enjoyed for a long time, and I flatter myself she will now be able to jest openly about Mr. W. The spectacles which Molly found are my mother's, the scissors my father's. We are very glad to hear such a good account of your patients, little and great. My dear itty Dordy's remem'- brance of me is very pleasing to me, —foolishly pleasing, because I know it will be over so soon. My attachment to him will be more durable. I shall think with tenderness and delight on his beautiful and smiling countenance and interesting manner until a few years have turned him into an ungovernable, ungracious fellow. The books from Winton are all unpacked and put away; the binding has compressed them most conveniently, and there is now very good room in the bookcase for all that we wish to have there. I believe the servants were very glad to see us. >?98.J LE-HEHS OF JANE AUSTEN, 31 Nanny was, I am sure. She confesses that it was very dull, and yet she had her child with her till last Sunday. I understand that then, are some grapes left, but I believe not many; th..y must bo gathered as soon as possible, or this rain will entirely rot them. I am quite angry with myself for not writing closer; why is my alphabet so nu.ch more sprawly t^.an yours. I)au,e Tilbury's daughter has lain in t^hall I g,ve her any of your baby clothes? The laceman was here only a few days ago. How unfortunate for both of us that he came so soon! Dame Bushell washes for us only one week more, as Sukey has got a place. John Steevens' wife undertakes our purification. She does not look as >f anything she touched would ever be clean, but who knows? We do not seem likely to have any othor maidservant at present, but Dame Staples will supply the place of one. Mary has hired a young girl from Ashe wh,> has never been out to service to be her scrub, but James fears her not being strong enough for the place. Earle Harwood has been to Deane lately, as I hink Mary wrote us word, and his family then told ium that they would receive his wife, if she con- tinned to behave well for another year. He was very grateful, as well he might; their behavior throughout the whole affair has been particularly i^md. Earle and his wife live ir. the most nHvo.l manner imaginable at Portsmouth, without keeping 32 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. a servant of any kind. What a prodigious innate love of virtue sne must have, to marry under such circumstances ! It is now Saturday evening, but I wrote the chief of this in the morning. My mother has not been down at all to-day; the laudanum made her sleep a good deal, and upon the whole I think she is better. My father and I dined by ourselves. How strange! He and John Bond are now very happy together, for I have just heard the heavy step of the latter along the passage. James Digweed called to-day, and I gave him his brother's deputation. Charles Harwood, too, has just called to ask how we are, in his way from Dummer, whither he has been conveying Miss Garrett, who is going to return to her former residence in Kent. I will leave off, or I shall not have room to add a word to-morrow. Sunday. — My mother has had a very good night, and feels much better to-day. I have received my aunt's letter, and thank you for your scrap. I will write to Charles soon. Pray give Fanny and Edward a kiss from me, and ask George if he has got a new song for me. 'T is really very kind of my aunt to ask us to Bath again; a kindness that deserve,*, a better return than to profit by it. Yours ever, J. A. Mias AusTBW, Qoamersham Park, Faveraham, Kent. 1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 33 viir. Steventon, December 1. My dear Cassaxdba, _ I am so good as to write to you again thus speedily, to let you kno^y that I have just heard from Frank. He was at Cadiz, alive and well, on October 19, and had then very lately received a letter from you, written as ^ng ago as when the "London" was at St Helens. But his valy latest intelligence of us was in one fr.m me of September 1, which I sent soon after we got to Godmersham. He had written a packet full for his dearest friends in England, early in October, to go by the -Excellent; " but the -Excellent" was not sailed, nor likely to sail, wlien he despatched this to me. It compre- hended letters for both of us, for Lord Spencer, Mr. Daysh, and the East India Directors. Lord St. Vincent had left the fleet when he wrote, and was gone to Gibraltar, it was said to superintend the httmg out of a private expedition from thence against some of the enemies' ports; Minorca or Malta were conjectured to be the objects Frank writes in good spirits, but says that our correspondence cannot be so easily carried on i„ future as it has been, as the communication be- tween Cadiz and Lisbon is less frequent than formerly. You and my mother, therefore, must 3 ! \A '34 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [i:g8 not alarm yourselves at the long intervals that ^ may divide his letters. I address this advice to you two as being the most tender-hearted of the family. My mother made her entree into the dressing- room through crowds of admiring spectators yes- terday afternoon, and we all drank tea together for the first time these five weeks. She has had a tolerable night, and bids fair for a continuance in the same brilliant course of action to-day. . . . Mr. Lyford was here yesterday; he came while we were at dinner, and partook of our elegant entertainment. I was not ashamed at asking him to sit down to table, for we had some pease-soup, a sparerib, and a pudding. He wants my mother ^ to look yellow and to throw out a rash, but she will do neither. I was at Deane yesterday morning. Mary was very well, but does not gain bodily strength very fast. When I saw her so stout on the third and sixth days, I expected to have seen her as well as ever by the end of a fortnight. James went to Ibthorp yesterday to see his mother and child. Letty is with Mary ^ at present, of course exceedingly happy, and in raptures with the child. Mary does not manage matters in such a way as to make me want to lay in myself. She is not tidy enough in her appearance; she has no * Mrs. Jamea Austen. 1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 35 dressing-gown to sit up in; her curtains are all too thin, and things are not in that comfort and style about her which are necessary to make such a situation an enviable one. Elizabeth Avas really a pretty object with her nice clean cap put on so tidily and her dress so uniformly white and orderly We live entirely in the dressing-room now, which I like very much; I always feel so much more elegant in it than in the parlor. No news from Kintbury yet. Eliza sports wit.; our impatience. She was very well last Thursday. Who 18 Miss Maria Montresor going to marry, and what IS to become of Miss Mulcaster? I find great comfort in my stuff gown, but I hope you do not wear yours too often. I have made myself two or three caps to wear of evenings since I came home, and they save me a world of torment as to hairdressing, which at present gives me no, trouble beyond washing and brushing, for my long hair is always plaited up out of sight, and my short hair curls well enough to want no paper- ing. I have had it cut lately by Mr. Butler. There is no reason to suppose that Miss Morgan is dead after all. Mr. Lyford gratified us very much yesterday by his praises of my father's mutton, which they all think the finest that was ever ate. John Bond begins to find himself grow old, which John Bonds ought not to do, and un- equal to much hard work; a man is therefore 36 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. lured to supply hi8 j.lace as to labor, and John himself is to have tho care of tho sheop. There are not more people engaged than before, I believe j only men instead of boys. I fancy so at least, but you know my stupidity as to such matters. Lizaio Bond is just apprenticed to Miss Small, so we may hope to see her able to spoil gowns in a few years. My father has ai)])lied to Mr. May for an ale- house for Robert, at liis request, and to Mr. Deane, of Winchester, likewise. This was my mother's idea, who thought he would be proud to oblige a relation of Edward in return for Edward's accept- ing his money. He sent a very civil answer indeed, but has no house vacant at present. May expects to have an empty one soon at Farnham, so perhaps Nanny may have the honor of drawing ale for the Bishop. I shall write to Frank to-morrow. Charles Powlett gave a dance on Thursday, to the great disturbance of all his neighbors, of course, who, you know, take a most lively interest in the state of his finances, and live in hopes of his being soon ruined. We are very much disposed to like our new maid; she knows nothing of a dairy, to be sure, which, in our family, is rather against her, but she is to be taught it all. In short, we have felt the inconvenience of being without a maid so long, that wo are determined to like her, and she will 1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 37 find it a hard matter to displease us. As yet, si.e seems to cook very well, is uncommonly stout, and says she can work well at her needle. Sunday. ^My father is glad to hear so good an account of Edward's pigs, and desires he may be told, as encouragement to his taste for them, that Lord Bolton is particularly curious in Aw pigs, has had pigstyes of a most elegant construction built for them, and visits them every morning as soon as he rises. Affectionately yours, Miss AusTEx, Godmersliam Park, Faversham. J. A. IX. Steventon, Tuesday (December 18) My dear Cassandra, -Your letter came quite as soon as I expected, and so your letters will always do, because 1 have made it a rule not to expect them till they come, in which I think I consult the ease of us both. It is a great satisfaction to us to hear that your business is in a way to be settled, and so settled as to give you as little inconvenience as possible. You are very welcome to my father's name and to his services if they are ever required in it. I shall keep my ten pounds too, to wrap myself up in next winter. 38 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. fi798. I took the liberty a few days ago of asking your ' black velvet bonnet to lend me its cawl, which it very readily did, and by which I have been enabled to give a considerable improvement of dignity to cap, which was before too nidgetty to please me. I shall wear it on Thursday, but I hope you will not be offended with me for following your advice as to its ornaments only in part. I still venture to retain the narrow silver round it, put twice round without any bow, and instead of the black military feather shall put in the coquelicot one as being smarter, and besides coquelicot is to be all the fashion this winter. After the ball I shall prob- ably make it entirely black. I am sorry that our dear Charles begins to feel the dignity of ill-usage. My father will write to Admiral Gambler. He must have already re- ceived so much satisfaction from his acquaintance and patronage of Frank, that he will be delighted, I dare say, to have another of the family intro- duced to him. I think it would be very right in Charles to address Sir Thomas on the occasion, though I cannot approve of your scheme of writing to him (which you communicated to me a few nights ago) to request him to come home and con- vey you to Steventon. To do you justice, how- ever, you had some doubts of the propriety of such a measure yourself. I am very much obliged to my dear little George 1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 39 W for his message, — for his love at lea.st; his duty, I suppose, was only in consequence of some hint of my favorable intentions towards him from his father or mother. I am sincerely rejoiced, how- ever, that I ever wa,8 born, since it has been the means of procuring him a dish of tea. Give my best love to him. . . . Wed7iesda?j.—1 have changed my mind, and changed the trimmings of my cap this morning; they are now such as you suggested. I felt as if I should not prosper if I strayed from your direc- tions, and I think it makes me look more like Lady Conynghara now than it did before, which is all that one lives for now. I believe I shall make my new gown like my robe, but the back of the latter is all in a piece with the tail, and will seven yards enable me to copy it in that respect? . . . I have just heard from Martha and Frank: his letter was written on November 12. All well and nothing particular. j^ j^ Miss Austen, Godraersham Park, Favershara. X. Steventon, Monday night (December 24). My dear Cassandra, —I have got some pleas- ant news for you which I am eager to communi- cate, and therefore begin my letter sooner, though I shall not send it sooner than usual. 40 LETTKKS OF JANK AUSTEN. [1798. Admiral Gambier, in reply to ..ly father's ap- pliwdtion, writes as follows; "Ah it is usual to keep young officers in small vessels, it being most proper on account of their inexperience, and it being also a situation where they are more in the way of learning their duty, your son has been con- tinued in tho 'Scorpion;' but I have mentioned to the Board of Admiralty his wish to be in a frigate, and wh on a proper opportunity oifers and it is judged that he has taken his turn in a small ship, I hope he will be removed. With regard to your son liow in the ' London ' I am glad I can give you the assurance that his promotion is likely to take place very soon, as Lord Spencer has been 80 good as to say he would include him in an ar- rangement that he proposes making in a short time relative to some promotions in that quarter." There! I may now finish my letter and go and hang myself, for I am sure I can neither write nor do anything which will not appear insipid to you ^fter this. Mio I really think he will soon be made, and only wish we could communicate our fore- knowledge of the event to him whom it principally concerns. My father has written to Daysh to de- sire that he will inform us, if he can, when the commission is sent. Your chief wish is now ready to be accomplished; and could Lord Spencer give happiness to Martha at the same time, what a joy- ful heart he would make of yours! J 798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 41 I liave sent the same extract of the sweets of Gambier to Charles, who, poor fellow, though he sinks into nothing but aa humble attendant on the hero of the piece, will, I hope, be contented with the prospect held out to him. By what the Admi- ral says, it appears as if he had been designedly kept in the " Scorpion." But I will not torment myself with conjectures and suppositions; facts shall satisfy me. Frank had not heard from any of us for ten weeks when he wrote to me on November 12 in consequence of Lord St. Vincent being removed to Gibraltar. When his commission is sent, how- ever, it will not be so long on its road as our let- ters, because all the Government despatches are forwarded by land to his lordship from Lisbon with great regularity. I returned from Manydown this morning, and found my mother certainly in no respect worse than when I left her. She does not like the cold weather, but t'lat we cannot help. I spent my time very quietly and very pleasantly with Cathe- rine. Miss Blackford is agreeable enough. I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal. I found only Catherine and her when I got to Manydown on Thursday. We dined together, and went together to Worting to seek the protection of Mrs. Clarke, with whom were Lady Mildmay. her eldest son, and Mr. and Mrs. Hoare. 42 LErrERs of jane austen. [ms. Our ball was very thin, but by no means un. pleasant. There were thirty-one people, and only eleven ladies out of the number, and but five single women in the room. Of the gentlemen present you may have some idea from the list of my partners, —Mr. Wood, G. Lefroy, Rice, a Mr. Butcher (belonging to the Temples, a sailor end not of the nth Light Dragoons), Mr. Temple (not the horrid one of all), Mr. Wm. Orde (cousin to the Kingsclere man), Mr. -Tohn Harwood, and Mr. Calland, who appeared as usual with his hat in his haiid, and stood every now and then behind Catherine and me to be talked to and abused for not dancing. We teased him, however, into it at last. I was very glad to see him again after so long a separation, and he was altogether rathir the genius and flirt of the evening. He inquired after you. There were twenty dances, and I danced them all, and without any fatigue. I was glad to find myself capable of dancing so much, and with so much satisfaction as I did; from my slender enjoy- ment of the Ashford balls (as assemblies for danc- ing) T had not thought myself equal to it, but in cold weather and with few couples I fancy I could just as well dance for a week together as for half an hour. My black cap was openly admired by Mrs. Lefroy, and secretly I imagine by everybody else in the room. . . . t( ai w 1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 43 Poor Edward! It is very hard that he, who has everything else in the vvorM that he can wish for, should not have good health too. But I hope with the assistance of stomach complaints, faint- nesses, and sicknesses, he will soon be restored to that blessing likewise. If his nervous complaint proceeded from a suppression of something that ought to be thrown out, which does not seem un- likely, the first of these disorders may really be a remedy, and I sincerely wish it may, for I know no one more deserving of happiness without alloy than Edward is. ... The Lords of the Admiralty will have enough of our applications at present, for I hear from Charles that lie has written to Lord Spencer him- self to be removed. I am afraid his Serene High- ness will be in a passion, and order some of our lieads to be cut off. You deserve a longer letter than this; but it is my unhappy fate seldom to treat people so well as they deserve. ... God bless you! Yours affectionately, Jane Austen. Wednesday. -The snow came to nothing yes- terday, so I did go to Deane, and returned home at nine o clock at night in the little carriage, and without being very cold. Miss Austen, Godmerah.aTn Park, Favershain, Kent. 44 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. XL Steventon, Friday (December 28). My dear Cassandra, — Frank is made. J[e was yesterday raised to the rank of Comnmnder, and appointed to the " Petterel " sloop, now at Gibraltar. A letter from Daysh has just an- nounced this, and as it is confirmed by a very friendly one from Mr. Mathew to the same effect, transcribing one from Admiral Gambier to the General, we have no reason to suspect the truth of it. As soon as you have cried a little for joy, you may go on, and learn further that the India House have taken Captain Austen's jietition into con- sideration, — this comes from Daysh, —and like- wise that Lieutenant Charles /fohn Austen is removed to the -Tamar" frigate, -this comes from the Admiral. We cannot find out where the *' Tamar " is, but I hope we shall now see < harles here at all events. This letter is to be dedicated entirely to good news. If you will send my father an account of your washing aii.l letter expenses, etc., he will send you a draft for the amount of it, as well as for your next quarter, and for Edward's rent. If you don't buy a muslin gown now on the strength of this money and Frank's promotion, I shall never forgive you. 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 45 Mrs. Lefroy has just sent me word that Lady Dorchester meant to invite me to her ball on January 8, which, though an hun.ble bJesMnjf compared with what the last page records, 1 do not consider as any calamity. I cannot write any more now, but I have written enough to make yon very happy, and therefore may safely conclude. Yours affectionately, Jane. Miss Au8TE», Godmersham Park. XII. Stevento.v, Tuesday (January 8. 1799). My deal CAS.S.VNDRA, ^ You must read your letters over five times in future before you send them, and then, perhaps, you may find them as entertaining as I do. I laughed at several parts ot the one which I am now answering. Charles is not come yet, but he must come this morning, or he shall never know what I will do to him. The ball at Kempshott is this evening, and I have got him an invitation, though I have not been so considerate as to get him a partner. But the cases are different between him and Eliza Bailey, for he is not in a dying wav, and may therefore be equal to getting a partner for himself. I believe I told you that Monday was to be the ball night, for which, and for all other errors into 46 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. which I may ever have led you, I humbly ask your pardon. Elizabeth is very cruel about my writing music, and, as a punishment for her, I should insist upon always writing out all hers for her in future, if I were not punishing myself at the same time. I am tolerably glad to hear that Edward's in- come is so good a one, — as glad as I can be at anybody's being rich except you and me, — and I am thoroughly rejoiced to hear of his present to you. I am not to wear my white satin cap to-night, after all; I am to wear a mamalone cap instead, which Charles Fowle sent to Mary, and which she lends me. It is all the fashion now; worn at the opera, and by Lady Mildmays at Hackwood balls. I hate describing such things, and I dare say you will be able to guess what it is like. I have got over the dreadful epocha of mantua-making much better than I expected. My gown is made very much like my blue one, which you always told me sat very well, with only these variations: the sleeves are short, the wrap fuller, the apron comes over it, and a band of the same completes the whole. I assure you that I dread the idea of going to Brighton as much as you do, but I am not without hopes that something may happen to prevent it. ^ has lost his election at B , and per- u . ^1 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 47 haps thejr may not be able to see company for some time. They talk of going to Bath, too, in the spring, and perhaps they may be overturned in their way down, and all laid up for the summer. Wednesday.— I have had a cold and weakness in one of my eyes for some days, which makes writing neither very pleasant nor very profitable, and which will probably prevent my finishing this letter myself. My mother has undertaken to do it for me, and I shall leave the Kempshott ball for her. You express so little anxiety about my being murdered under Ash Park Copse by Mrs. Hul- bert's servant, that I have a great mind not to^ tell you whether I was or not, and shall only say that I did not return home that night or the next, as Martha kindly made room for me in her bed, which was the shut-up one in the new nursery! Kurse and the child slept upon the floor, and there we all were in some confusion and great comfort. The bed did exceedingly well for us, both to lie awake in and talk till two o'clock, and to sleep in the rest of the night. I love Martha better than ever, and I mean to go and see her, if I can, when she gets home. We all dined at the Harwoods' on Thursday, and the party broke up the next morning. This complaint in my eye has been a sad bore to me, for I have not been able to read or work in any comfort since Friday; but one advantage will r\ 48 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. be derived from it, for I shall be such a proficient in music by the time I have got rid of my cold, that I shall be perfectly qualified in that science at least to take Mr. Eoope's office at Eastvvell next summer; and I am sure of Elizabeth's recommen- dation, be it only on Harriet's account. Of my talent in drawing I have given specimens in my letters to you, and I have nothing to do but to in- vent a few hard names for the stars. Mary grows rather more reasonable about her child's beauty, and says that she does not think him really handsome; but I suspect her modera- tion to be something like that of W W 's mamma. Perhaps Mary has told you that they are going to enter more into dinner-parties; the Biggs and Mr. Holder dine there to-morrow, and I am to meet them. I shall sleep there. Catherine has the honor of giving her name to a set, which will be composed of two Withers, two Heathcotes, a Blackford, and no Bigg except herself. She con- gratulated me last night on Frank's promotion, as if she really felt the joy she talked of. My sweet little George! I am delighted to hear that he has such an inventive genius as to face- making. I admired his yellow wafer very much, and hope he will choose the wafer for your next letter. I wore my green shoes last night, and took my white fan with me; I am very glad he never threw it into the river. J*' 1 >' 1799.J LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 49 % Mrs. Knight giving up t'ae Godmersham estate to Edward was no such prodigious act of generosity after all, it seems, for she has reserved herself an income out of it still; this ought to be known, that her conduct may not be overrated. I rather think Edward shows the most magnanimity of the two, in accepting her resignation with such incumbrances. The more I write, the better my eye gets; so I shall at least keep on till it is quite well, before I give up my pen to my mother. Mrs. Bramston's little movable apartment was tolerably filled last night by herself, Mrs. H. Blackstone, her two daughters, and me. I do not like the Miss Blackstones; indeed, I was always determined not to like them, so there is the less merit in it. Mrs. Bramston was very civil, kind, and noisy. I spent a very pleasant evening, chiefly among the Manydown party. There was the same kind of supper as last year, and the same want of chairs. There were more dancers than the room could conveniently hold, which is enough to constitute a good ball at any time. I do not think I was very much in request. People were rather apt not to ask me till they could not help it; one's consequence, you know, varies so much at times without any particular reason. There was one gentleman, an officer of the Cheshire, a very good-looking young man, who, I was told, wanted very much to be intra- 56 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. duced to me; but aa he did not want ;t quite enough to take much trouble in effecting it, we never could bring it about. I danced with Mr. John Wood again, twice with a Mr. South, a lad from Winchester, who, 1 sup- pose, is as far from being related to the bishop of that diocese as it is possible to be, with G. Lefroj, and J. Harwood, who, I think, takes to me rather more than he used to do. One of my gayest ac- tions was sitting down two dances in preference to having Lord Bolton's eldest son for my partner, who danced too ill to be endured. The Miss Cliarterises were there, and played the parts of the Miss Edens with great spirit. Charles never came. Naughty Charles! I suppose he could not get superseded in time. Miss Debary has replaced your two sheets of drawing-paper with two of superior size and qual- ity; so I do not grudge her having taken them at all now. Mr. Ludlow and Miss Pugh of Andover are lately married, and so is Mrs. Skeete of Basing- stoke, and Mr. French, chemist, of Heading. I do not wonder at your wanting to read " First Impressions" again, so seldom as you have gone through it, and that so long ago. I am much obliged to you for meaning to leave my old petti- coat behind you. I have long secretly wished it might be done, but had not courage to make the request. i* t 'fi k* H ^! 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 51 Pray mention the name of Maria Montresor's lover when you write next. My mother wants to know it, and I have not courage to look back into your letters to find it out. I shall not be able to send this till to-morrow, and you will be disappointed on Friday; I am very sorry for it, but I cannot help it. The partnership between Jeffereys, Toomer, and Legge is dissolved; the two latter are melted away into nothing, and it is to be hoped that Jeffereys will soon break, for the sake of a few heroines whose money he may have. I wish you joy of your birthday twenty times over. I shall be able to send this to the post to-day, which exalts me to the utmost pinnacle of human felicity, and makes me bask in the sunshine of prosperity or gives me any other sensation of plea- sure in studied language which you may prefer. Do not be angry with me for not filling my sheet, and believe me yours affectionately, J. A. Miss Austen, Godmersham Park, raversham. XIII. Steventon, Monday (January 21 ). My dear Cassandra, —I will endeavor to make this letter more worthy your acceptance than my last, which was so shabby a one that I think Mr. Mai-shali could never charge you with 52 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. the postage. My eyes have been very indifferent since it was written, but are now getting better once more; keeping them so many hours open on Thursday night, as well as the dust of the ball- room, injured them a good deal. I use them as lit- tle as I can, but you know, and Elizabeth knows, and everybody who ever had weak eyes knows, how delightful it is to hurt them by employment, against the advice and entreaty of all one's friends. Charles leaves us to-night. The " Tamar " is in the Downs, and Mr. Daysh advises him to join her there directl}', as there is no chance of her going to the westward. Charles does i.ot approve of this at all, and will not be much grieved if he should be too late for her before she sails, as he may \hen hope to get into a betler station. He attempted to go to town last night, and got as far on his road thither as Dean Gate; but both the coaches were full, and we had the pleasure of seeing him back again. He will call on Daysl: to-morrow to know whether the *' Tamar " has sailed, or not, and if she is still at the Downs he will proceed in one of the night coaches to Deal. I want to go with him, that I may explain the country to him properly between Canterbury and Rowling, but the un- pleasantness of returning by myself deters me. I should like to go as far as Ospringe with him very much indeed, that I might surprise you at Godmersham. i799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 53 Martha writes me word that Charles was very much admired at Kintbury, and Mrs. Lefroy never saw any one so much improved in her life, and thinks liim handsomer tJian Henry. He appears to far more advantage here than he did at God- mersham, not surrounded by strangers and neither oppressed by a pain in his face or powder in his hair. James christened Elizabeth Caroline on Satur- day morning, ana then came home. Mary, Anna, and EO yard have left us of course j before the second went I took down her answer to her cousin Fanny. Yesterday came a letter to my mother from Edward Cooper to announce, not the birth of a child, but of a living; for Mrs. Leigh has begged his acceptance of the Rectory of Hamstall-Ridware in Staffordshire, vacant by Mr. Johnson's death. We collect from his letter that he means to reside there, in which he shows his wisdom. Stafford- shire is a good way off; so we shall see nothing more of them till, some fifteen years hence, the Miss Coopers are presented to us, fine, jolly, handsome, ignorant girls. The living is valued at MOl. a year, but perhaps it may be improvable. How will they be able to convey the furniture of the dressing-room so far in safety? Our first cousins seem all dropping off very fast. One is incorporated into the family, another dies, 64 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. and a third goes into Staffordshire. We can learn nothing of the disposal of the other living, i have not the smallest notion of FuJwar's having it. Lord Craven has probably other connections and more intimate ones, in that line, than he now has with the Kintbury fam'ly. Our ball on Thursday was a very poor one, only eight couple and but twenty-three people in the room; but it was not the ball's fault, for we were deprived of two or three families by the sudden illness of Mr. Wither, who was seized that morn- ing at Winchester ^\'th a return of his former alarming complaint. An express was sent off from thence to the family; Catherine and Miss Blackford were dining with Mrs. Kussell. Poor Catherine's distress must have been very great. She was prevailed on to wait till the Heathcotes could come from Wintney, and then with those two and Harris proceeded directly to Winchester. In such a disorder his danger, I suppose, must always be great; but from this attack he is now rapHly recovering, and will be well enough to re- turn to Manydown, I fancy, in a few days. It was a fine thing for conversation at the ball. But it deprived us not only of the Biggs, but of Mrs. Russell too, and of the Boltons and John Harwood, who were dining there likewise, and of Mr. Lane, who kept away as related to the family. Poor man I — I mean Mr. Wither — his life is so 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 55 ^ useful, his character so respectable and worthy, that I really believe there was a good deal of sincerity in the general concerr expressed on his account. Our ball was chiefly made up of Jervoises and Terrys, the former of whom were apt to be vulgar, the latter to be noisy. I had an odd set of part- ners: Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Street, Colonel Jervoise, James Digv,'eed, J. Lyford, and Mr. Briggs, a friend of the latter. I had a very pleasant even- ing, however, though you will probably find out that there was no particular reason for it; but I do not think it worth while to wait for enjoyment until there is some real opportunity for it. Mary behaved very well, and was not at all fidgetty. For the history of her adventures at the ball I refer you to Anna's letter. When you come home you will have some shirts to make up for Charles. Mrs. Davies frightened him into buying a piece of Irish when we were in Basingstoke. Mr. Daysh supposes that Captain Aus- ten's commission has reached him by this time. Tuesday. — Your letter has pleased and amused me very much. Your essay on happy fortnights is highly ingenious, and the talobert skin made me laugh a good deal. Whenever I fall into mis- fortune, how many jokes it ought to furnish to my acquaintance in general, or I shall die dreadfully in their debt for entertainment. It began to occur to me before you mentioned it 66 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. that I had been somewhat silent as to my mother's health for some time, but I thought you could have no difficulty in divining its exact sta^e, — you, who have guessed so much stranger things. She is tolerably well, — better upon the whole than she was some weeks ago. She would tell you herself that she has a very dreadful cold in her head at present; but 1 have not much compassion for colds in the head without fever or sore throat. Our own particular little brother got a place in the coach last night, and is now, I suppose, in town. I have no objection at all to your buying our gowns there, as your imagination has pictured to you exactly such a one as is necessary to make me happy. You quite abash me by your progress in netting, for I am still without silk. You must get me some in town or in Canterbury} it should be finer than yours. I thought Edward would not approve, of Charles being a crop, and rather wished you to conceal it from him at present, lest it might fall on his spirits and retard his recovery. My father fur- nishes him with a pig from Cheesedown; it is al- ready killed and cut up, but it is not to weigh more than nine stone; the season is too far ad- vanced to get him a larger one. My mother means to pay herself for the salt and the trouble of ordering it to be cured by the spareribs, the souse, and the lard. We have had one dead lamb. 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 57 I congratulate you on Mr. E. Hutton's good fortune. I suppose the marriage will now follow out of hand. Give my compliments to Miss Finch. What time in March may we e.vpect your return in? I begin to be very tired of answering peoiile's questions on that subject, and independent of that, I shall be very glad to see you at home again, and then if we can get Martha and shirk . . . who will be fo hai)py as we? I think of going to Ibthorp in about a fortnight. My eyes are pretty well, 1 thank you, if you please. Wednesday, 23d. — I wish my dear Fanny many returns of this day, and that she may on every return enjoy as much pleasure as she is now receiving from her dull's-beds. I have just heard from Charles, who is by this time at Deal. He is to be second lieutenant, which pleases him very well. The '< Endymion " is come into the Downs, which pleases him like- wise. He expects to be ordered to Sheerness shortly, as the < the .oftom of Kingsdown Hill we met a gent^vj; m ii. i, buggy, who, on minute examination, tun- i out to be Dr. Hall —and Dr. Hall in such very deep mourniii^r tjiat either his mother, his wife, or himself must be dead. These ' are all of our acquaintance who have yet met our eyes. I have some hopes of being plagued about my trunk; I had more a few hours ago, for it was too heavy to go by the coach which brought Thomas and Kebecca from Devizes; there was reason to suppose that it might be too heavy likewise for any other coach, and for a long time we could hear of no wagon to convey it. At last, however, we unluckily discovered that one was just on the point of setting out for • liis place, but at any rate the trunk cannot be here till to-morrow; so far we are safe, and who knows what may not happen to procure a further delay? I put Mary's letter into the post-office at Ando- ver with my own hand. We are exceedingly pleased with the house; the rooms are ouite as Jarorft as wo avr^^^nt-nA "vr— x> -, 60 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. ley is a fat woman in mourning, and a little black kitten runs about the staircase. Elizabeth has the apartment within the drawing-room; she wanted my mother to have it, but as there was no bed in the inner one, and the stairs are so much easier of a'^cent, or my mother so much stronger than in Paragon as not to regard the double flight, it is settled for us to be above, where we have two very nice-sized rooms, with dirty quilts and everything comfortable. I have the outward and larger apart- ment, as I ought to have; which is quite as large as our bedroom at home, and my mother's is not materially less. The beds are both as large as any at Steventon, and I have a very nice chest of drawers and a closet full of shelves, — so full in- deed that there is nothing else in it, and it should therefore be called a cupboard rather than a closet, I suppose. Tell Mary that there were some carpenters at work in the inn at Devizes this morning, but as I could not be sure of their being Mrs. W. Fowle's relations, I did not make myself known to them. I hope it v-ni be a tolerable afternoon. When first we came, all the umbrellas were up, but now the pavements are getting very white again. My mother does not seem at all the worse for her journey, nor are any of us, I hope, though .Edward seemed rather fagged last night, and 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 61 U not verj' brisk this morning; but I trust the bustle of sending for tea, coffee, and sugar, etc., and going out to taste a cheese himself, will do him good. There was a very long list of arrivals here in the newspaper yesterday, so that we need not immedi- ately dread absolute solitude; and there is a public breakfast in Sydney Gardens evory morning, so that we shall not be wholly starved. Elizabeth has just had a very good account of the three little boys. I hope you are very busy and very comfortable. I find no difficulty in clos- ing my eyes. I like our situation very much; it is far more cheerful than Paragon, and the prospect from the drawing-room window, at which I now write, is rather picturesque, as it commands a pro spective view of the left side of Brock Street, broken by three Lombardy poplars in the garden of the last house in Queen's Parade. I am rather impatient to know the fate of my best gown, but I suppose it will be some days before Frances can get through the trunk. In the mean time I am, with many thanks for your trouble in making it, as well as marking my silk stockings, Yours very affectionately, A great deal of love from everybody. Miss AcsTEN, Steventon, Overton, Hants. 62 LETl'ERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. XV. 13 Queen Square, Suuday (June 2). My dear Cassandra, — I am obliged to you for two letters, one from yourself and the other from Mary, for of the latter I knew nothing till on the receipt of yours yesterday, when the pigeon- basket was examined, and I received my due. As I have written to her since the time which ought to have brought me hers, I suppose she will con- sider herself, as I choose to consider her, still in my debt. I will lay out all the little judgment I have in endeavoring to get such stockings for Anna as she will approve; but I do not know that I shall execute Martha's commission at all, for I am not fond of ordering shoes; and, at any rate, they shall all liave flat heels. What must I tell you of Edward? Truth or falsehood? I will try the former, and you may clioose for yourself another time. He was better yesterday than he had been for two or three days before, - about as well as while he was at Steventon. He drinks at the Hetling Pump, is to bathe to- morrow, and try electricity on Tuesday. He proposed the latter himself to Dr. Fellowes, Avho made no objection to it, but I fancy we are all unanimous in expecting no advantage from it. At I. 1799.] LE'rrERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 63 present I have no great notion of our staying here beyond the month. I heard from Charles last weekj they were to sail on Wednesday. My mother seems remarkably well. My uncle overwalked himself at first, and can now only travel in a chair, but is otherwise very well. My cloak is come home. I like it very much, and can now exclaim with delight, like J. Bond at hay-harvest, <' This is what I have been looking for these three years. ^' I saw some gauzes in a shop in Bath Street yesterday at only 4;ad like to make a compromise with Adlestrop, Harden, and iiiokharoj that Martha's spending the summer at Stct to be above our price. Gay Street Ml 76 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1801. would be too high, except only the lower house on the left-hand side as you ascend. Towards that my mother has no disinclination; it used to be lower rented than any other house in the row, from some inferiority in the apartments. But above all others her wishes are at present fixed on the corner house in Chapel Kow, which opens into Prince's Street. Her knowledge of it, however, is confined only to the outside, and therefore she is equally uncertain of its being really desirable as of its being to be had. In the mean time she assures you that she will do everything in her power to avoid Trim Street, although you have not ex. pressed the fearful presentiment of it which was rather expected. We know that Mrs. Perrot will want to get us into Oxford Buildings, but we all unite in par- ticular dislike of that part of the town, and there- fore hope to escape. Upon all these different situations you and Edward may confer together, and your opinion of each will be expected with eagerness. As to our pictures, the battle-piece, Mr. Nibbs, Sir William East, and all the old heterogeneous, miscellany, manuscript, Scriptural pieces dispersed over the house, are to be given to James. Your own drawings will not cease to be your own, and the two paintings on tin will be at your disposal. My mother says that the French agricultural prints I 1801.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 77 in the best bedroom were given by Edward to his two sisters. Do you or he know anything about it? She has written to my aunt, and we are all im- patient for the answer. I do not know how to give up the idea of our both going to Paragon in May. Your going I consider as indispensably necessary, and I shall not like being left behind; there ig no place here or hereabouts that I shall want to be staying at, and though, to be sure, the keep of two will be more than of one, I will endeavor to make the difference less by disordering my stomach with Bath buns; and as to the trouble of accommodating us, whether there are one or two, it is much the same. According to the first plan, my mother and our two selves are to travel down together, and my father follow us afterwards in about a fortnight or three weeks. We have promised to spend a couple of days at Ibthorp in our way. We must all meet at Bath, you know, before we set out for the sea, and, everything considered, I think the first plan as good as any. My father and mother, wisely aware of the diffi- culty of finding in all Bath such a bed as their own, have resolved on taking it with them; all the beds, indeed, that we shall want are to be removed, ■namely, besides theirs, our own two, the best for a spare one, and two for raiiLo, ana luc^ju ,/ 78 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1801. necessary articles will probably be the only ma- terial ones that it would answer to send down. I do not think it will be worth while to remove any of our chests of drawers ; we shall be able to get some of a much more commodious sort, made of deal, and painted to look very neat; and I flatter myself that for little comforts of all kinds our apartment will be one of the most complete things of the sort all over Bath, Bristol included. We have thought at times of removing the side- board, or a Pembroke table, or some other piece of furniture, but, upon the whole, it has ended in thinking that the trouble and risk of the removal would be more than the advantage of having them at a place where everything may be purchased. Pray send your opinion. Martha has as good as promised to come to us again in March. Her spirits are better than they were. . . . My mother bargains for having no trouble at all in furnishing our house in Bath, and I have en- gaged for your willingly undertaking to do it all. I get more and more reconciled to the idea of our removal. We have lived long enough in this neighborhood: the Basingstoke balls are certainly on the decline, there is something interesting in the bustle of going away, and the prospect of spending future summers by the sea or in Wales is very delightful. For a time we shall now pos- f 1801.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 79 sess many of the advantages which I have often thought of with envy in the wives of sailors or sol- diers. It must not be generally known, however, that I am not sacrificing a great deal in quitting the country, or I can expect to inspire no tender- ness, no interest, in those we leave behind. Yours affectionately, J. A. Miss Austen, Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. XIX. Steventon, Thursday (January 8). My dear Cassandka, — The "perhaps" which concluded my last letter being only a ''perhaps," will not occasion your being overpowered with surprise, I dare say, if you should receive this be- fore Tuesday, which, unless circumstances are very perverse, will be the case. I received yours with much general philanthropy, and still uiore pecu- liar good-will, two days ago; and I suppose I need not tell you that it was very long, being written on a foolscap sheet, and very entertaining, being written by you. Mr. Payne has been dead long enough for Henry to be OTit of mourning for him before his last visit, thoigb we iinew nothing of it till about that time. Why h<> died, or of what complaint, or to what nobJ'inAn he bequeathed his four diughters in marriage, we havo not heard. I am glad that the Wildmans are going to give ^0 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN, [1801. i a ball, and hope you will not fail to benefit d me by laying out a few kisses i both 1 the yourself and me by laying out a i purchase of a frank. 1 believe you are right in proposing to delay the cambric muslin, and I sub- mit with a kind of voluntary reluctance. Mr. Peter Debary has declined Deane curacy; he wishes to be settled near London. A foolish reason! as if Deane were not near London in com- parison of Exeter or York. Take the vvholv world through, and he will find many more places at a greater distance from London than Deane than he will at a less. What does he think of Glencoe or Lake Katherine? I feel rather indignant that any possible objec- tion should be raised against so valuable a piece of preferment, so delightful a situation! — that Deane should not be universally allowed to be as near the metropolis as any other country villages. As this is the case, however, as Mr. Peter Debary has shown himself a Peter in the blackest sense of the word, we are obliged to look elsewhere for an heir; and my father has thought it a necessary compli- ment to James Digweed to offer the curacy to him, though without considering it as either a desirable or an eligible situation for him. Unless he is in love with Miss Lyford, I think he had better not be settled exactly in this neighborhood; and un- less he is very much in love with her indeed, he is not likely to think a salary of 50Z. equal in value I, ■Ji. rrJiiVJCJi-OJ- vU One VI i Ui, 1801.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 81 Were you indeed to be considered as one of the fixtures of the house ! ~ but you were never actu- ally erected in it either by Mr. Egerton Brydges or Mrs. Lloyd. , . . You are very kind in planning presents for me to make, and my mother has shown me exactly the same attention; but as I do not choose to have generosity dictated to me, I shall not resolve on giving my cabinet to Anna till the first thought of it has been my own. Sidmouth is now talked of as our summer abode. Get all the information, therefore, about it that you can from Mrs. C. Cage. My father's old ministers are already deserting him to pay their court to his son. The brown mare, which, as well as the black, was to devolve on James at our removal, has not had patience to wait for that, and has settled herself even now at Deane. The death of Hugh Capet, which, like that of Mr. Skipsey, though undesired, was not wholly unexpected, being purposely effected, has made the immediate possession of tlie mare very convenient, and everything else I suppose will be seized by degrees in the same manner. Martha and I work at the books every day. Yours affectionately, J. A, Miss AXTSTEN, Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. \¥ 82 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1801. XX. Steventon, Wednesday (January u). Poor Miss Austen! It appears to me that I have rather oppressed you of late by the frequency of my letters. You had hoped not to hear from me again before Tuesday, but Sunday showed you with what a merciless sister you had to deal. I cannot recall the past, but you shall not hear from me quite so often in future. Your letter to Mary was duly received before she left Deane with Martha yesterday morning, and it gives us great pleasure to know that the Chilham ball was so agreeable, and that you danced four dances with Mr. Kemble. Desirable, however, as the latter circumstance was, I cannot help wondering at its taking place. Why did you dance four dances with so stupid a man? Why not rather dance two of them with some elegant brother officer who was struck with your appear- ance as soon as you entered the room? Martha left you her best love. She will write to you herself in a short time ; but trusting to my memory rather than her own, she has nevertheless desired me to ask you to purchase for her two bottles of Steele's lavender water when you are in town, provided you should go to the shop on your own account, otherwise you may be sure that she would not have you recollect the request. 1801.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 83 James dined with us yesterday, wrote to Edward in the evening, filled three sides of paper, every line inclining too much towards the northeast, and the very first line of all scratched out, and this morning he joins his lady in the fields of Elysium and Ibthorp. Last Friday was a very busy day with us. We were visited by Miss Lyford and Mr. Bayle. The latter began his operations in the house, but had only time to finish the four sitting-rooms; the rest is deferred till the spring is more advanced and the days longer. He took his paper of appraise- ment away with him, and therefore we only know the estimate he has made of one or two articles of furniture which my father particularly inquired into. I understand, however, that he was of opinion that the whole would amount to more than two hundred pounds, and it is not imagined that this will comprehend the brewhouse and many other, etc., etc. Miss Lyford was very pleasant, and gave my mother such an account of the houses in Westgate Buildings, where Mrs. Lyford lodged four years ago, as made her think of a situation there with great pleasure, but your opposition will be without difficulty decisive, and my father, in particular, who was very well inclined towards the Kow be- fore, has now ceased to think of it entirely. At ^-— S— .r. .■.«e PTiVirons Oi .xjaura x lace aecm lo o6 I m f j« 1 i 84 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1801. Iii8 choice. His views ou the subject are much advanced since I came home; he grows quite ambi* tious, and actually requires now a couifoitable and a creditable-looking house. On Saturday Miss Lyford went to her long home, — that is to say, it was a long way off, - -and soon afterwards a party of fine ladies issuing from a well-known commodious green vehiole, their heads full of Bantam cocks and Galini' entered the house, — Mrs. Heathcote, Mrs. Harwood, Mrs. James Austen, Miss Bigg, Miss Jane Blacbford. Hardly a day passes in which we do not have ttume visitor or other : yesterday came Mrs. Bram- sv! xie, who is very sorry that she is to lose u&, and atierwards Mr. Holder, who was shut up for an hour with my father and James in a most awful manner. John Bond est d lui. . . . ; X\ ! XXL Steventon, Wednesday (January 21). Expect a most agreeable letter, for not being overburdened with subject (having nothing at all to say), I shall have no check to my genius from beginning to end. Well, and so Frank's letter has made you very happy, but you are afraid he would not have patience to stay for the ''Haarlem, " which you wish him to have done as being safer than the t 1801.] LETTEKS OF JANE AUSTEN. 85 merchantman. Poor fellow! to wait from the middle of November to the end of December, and perha})ti even longer, it must hv t-J work; espe- cially in I pla »' where the inlc ig s^o abominably pale. W hat a surprise to hi must have been on October 20, to be visitc . ollared, and thruat out of the "Petterel" by Captain Inglis. He kindly passes over the poignancy of his feelings in quitting his ship, his officers, ana his men. What a pity it is that he should not be in England at the time of this promotion, because he certainly would have had an appointment, so everybody says, and therefore it must be right for me to say it too. Had he been really here, the certainty of the appointment, I dare say, would not ha\ e been half so great, but as it could not be brought to the proof, his absence will be always a lucky source of regret. Eliza talks of having read in a newspaper that all the first lieutenants of the frigates whose cap- tains were to be sent into line-of-battle ships were to be promoted to the rank of commanders. If it be true, Mr. Valentine may afford himself a fine Valentine's knot, and Charles may perhaps become first of the "Endymion," though I suppose Cap- tain Durham is too likely to bring a villain with him under that denomination. . . . The neighborhood have quite recovered the death of Mrs. Eider, — so much so, that I think they are .,^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /y ^ v.^ /^'li^. m 4^6 ^ « . 1.0 1.1 itt m |2j 2.2 1*0 11:25 yiiu U 1.6 6" FhoiogrEiidiJc ^Sciences Corporation a? 23 WIST MAIN STiHT WIBSTIR,N.Y. 14SS0 (716)872-4303 \ ^ A A ^.<^ n^^ ,^ ^ 86 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1807. rather rejoiced at it now; her things were »c very dear I and Mrs. Rogers is to be all that is desi- rable. Not even death itself can fix the friendship of the world. . . . The Wylmots being robbed nnust be an amusing thing to their acquaintance, and I hope it is as much their pleasure as it seems their avocation to be subjects of general entertainment. 1 have a great mind not to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, which I have just had the pleasure of reading, because I am so ashamed to compare the sprawling lines of this with it. But if I say all that I have to say, I hope I have no reason to hang myself. ... Why did not J. D. make his proposals to you? I suppose he went to see the cathedral, that he might know how he should like to be married in it. . . . MisH Austen, Godmerstuuu Park, FAversham, Kent XXII. South A UPTON, Wednesday (January 7, 1807). My dear Cassandra, — You were mistaken in supposing I should expect j'our letter on Sun- day; I had no idea of hearing from you before Tuesday, and my pleasure yesterday Mas therefore unhurt by any previous disappointment. I thank 1807.] LE'ITKRS OF JANE AUSTEN. 87 3'ou for writing so much; you must really have sent me the value of two letters in one. We are extremely glad to hear that Elizabeth is so much better, and hope you will be sensible of still further amendment in her when you return from Canterbury. Of your visit there I must now speak "inces- santly; " it surprises, but pleases me more, and I consider it as a very just and honorable distinc- tion of you, and not less to the credit of Mrs. Knight. I have no doubt of your spending your time with her most pleasantly in quiet and rational conversation, and am so far from thinking her ex- pectations of you will be deceived, that my only fear is of your being so agreeable, so much to her taste, as to make her wish to keep you with her forever. If that should be the case, we must re- move to Canterbury, which I should not like so well as Southampton. When you receive this, our guests will be all gone or going; and I shal! be left to the com- fortable disposal of my time, to ease of mind from the torments of rice puddings and apple dump- lings, and probably to regret that I did not take more pains to please them all. Mrs. J. Austen has asked me to return with her to Steventon; I need not give my answer; and she has invited my mother to spend there the time of Mrs. F. A.'s confinement, which she seems half inclined to do. 88 LETTEUS OF JANE AUSTEN. V [1807. A few days ago I liad a letter from Miss Irvine, and as I was in her debt, you will guess it to be a remonstrance, not a very severe one, however; the first page is in her usual retrospective, jealous, inconsistent style, but the remainder is chatty and harmless. She supposes my silence may have pro- ceeded from resentment of her not having written to inquire particularly after my hooping-cough, etc. She is a funny one. I have answered her letter, and have endeavored to give something like the truth with as little incivility as I could, by placing my silence to the want of subject in the very quiet way in which we live. Thebe has repented, and stays. I have also written to Charles, and I answered Miss Buller's letter by return of post, as I intended to tell you in my last. Two or three things 1 Jlected when it was too late, that I might have told you; one is that the Welbya have lost their eldest son by a putrid fever at Eton, and another that Tom Chute is go- ing to settle in Norfolk. You have scarcely ever mentioned Lizzy since your being at Godmersham. I hope it is not be- cause she is altered for the wor^e. I cannot yet satisfy Fanny as to Mrs. Foote's baby's name, and I must not encourage her to ex- pect a good one, as Captain Foote is a professed adversary to all but the plainest; he likes only 1807.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 89 Mai-y, Elizabeth, Anne, etc. Our best uliance is of " Caroline," which in conipliment to a sister seems the only exception. He (lined with us on Friday, and I fear will not soon venture again, for the strength of our dinner was a boiled leg of mutton, underdone even for James; and Captain Foote has a ]iarticular dis- like to underdone mutton; bat he was so good- humored and pleasant that I did not much mind his being starved. He gives us all the most cor- dial invitation to his house in the countr}', saying just what the A\ Jlliains ought to say to make us welcome. Of them we have seen nothing since you left us, and we hear that they are just gone to liath again, to be out of the way of further altera- tions at Brooklands. Mrs. F. A. has had a very agreeable letter from Mrs. Dickson, who was delighted with the purse, and desires her not to provide herself with a chris- tening dress, which is exactly what her young correspondent wanted; and she means to defer making any of the caps as long as she can, in hope of having Mrs. D.'s present in time to be service- able as a pattern. She desires me to tell j'ou that the govns were cut out before your letter arrived, but that they are long enough for Caroline. The Beds, as I believe they are called, have falle i to Frank's share to continue, and of course are cut out to admiration. 90 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [I807. •'Alphonsine" did not do. We were dis- gusted in twenty pages, as, independent of a bad translation, it has indelicacies which disgrace a pen liitherto so pure; and we changed it for tlie "Female Quixote," which now makes our evening amusement; to me a very high one, as I find the work quite equal to what I remembered it. Mrs. F. A., to whom it is new, enjoys it as one could wish; the other Mary, I believe, has little pleasure from that or any other book. My mother does not seem at all more disap- pointed than ourselves at the termination of the family treaty; she thinks less of that just now than of the comfortable state of her own finances, which she finds on closing her year's accounts beyond her expectation, as she begins the new year with a balance of 30^. in her favor; and when she has written her answer to my aunt, which you know always hangs a little upon her mind, she will be above the world entirely. You will have a great deal of unreserved discourse with Mrs. K., I dare say, upon this subject, as well as upon many other of our family matters. Abuse every- body but me. Thursday. — We expected James yesterday, but he did not come; if he comes at all now, his visit will be a very short one, as he must return to-mcrrow, that Ajax and the chair may be sent to Winchester on Saturday. Caroline's new pelisso 1807.] LE'rrERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 91 depended upon her mother's being able or not to come 80 far in the chair; how the guinea that will be saved by the same means of return is to be spent I know not. Mrs. J. A. does not talk much of poverty now, though she has no hope of my brother's being able to buy another horse next summer. Their scheme against Warwickshire continues, but I doubt the family's being at Stoneleigh so early as James says he must go, which is May. My mother is afraid I have not been explicit enough on the subject of her wealth; she began 1806 with 68^. she begins 1807 with 99^., and this after 32/. purchase of stock. Frank too has been settling his accounts and making calculations, and each party feels quite equal to our present ex- penses; but much increase of house-rent would not do for either. Frank limits himself, I believe, to four hundred a year. You will be surprised to hear that Jenny is not yet come back; we have heard nothing of her since her reaching Itchingswell, and can only suppose that she must be detained by illness in somebody or other, and that she has been each day expecting to be able to come on the morrow. I am glad I did not know beforehand that she was to be absent during the whole or almost the whole of our friends being with us, for though the inconve- nience has not been nothing, I should have feared ■i 02 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1807. Still more. Our dinners liavo certainly suffered not a little by Imving only Molly's head and Molly's hands to conduct them; she fries better than she did, but not like Jenny. We did 7iot take our walk on Friday, it was too dirty, nor have we yet done it; we may perhaps do something like it to-day, as after seeing Frank skate, which he hopes to do in the meadows by the beech, we are to treat ourselves with a passage over the ferry. It is one of the pleasantest frosts I ever knew, so very quiet. I hope it will last some time longer for Frank's sake, who is quite anxious to get some skating; he tried yesterday, but it would not do. Our acquaintance increase too fast. He was recognized lately by Admiral Bertie, and a few days since arrived the Admiral and his daughter Catherine to wait upon us. There was nothing to like or dislike in either. To the Berties are to be added the Lances, with whose cards we have been endowed, and whose visit Frank and I returned yesterday. They live about a mile and three- quarters from S. to the right of the new road to Portsmouth, and I believe their house is one of those which are to be seen almost anywhere among the woods on the other side of the Itchen. It is a handsome building, stands high, and in a very- beautiful situation. We found only Mrs. Lance at home, and whether 1807.] LErrKRS OF JANE AUSTEN. 93 the boasts any offspring besides a {?rand piano- forte did not appear. She was civil and chatty enough, and offered to introduce us to .s(»nie ac- quaintance in Southampton, which wo gratefully declined. I suppose they must be acting by the orders of Mr. Lance of Nethertou in this civility, as there seems no other reason for their coming near us. They will not come often, 1 dare say. They live in a handsome style and are rich, and she seemed to like to be rich, and we gave her to understand that we were far from being so; she will soon feel there- fore that we are not worth her acquaintance. You must have heard from Martha by this time. We have had no accounts of Kintbury since her letter to me. Mrs. F. A. has had one fainting fit lately; it cam3 on as usual after eating a V-^arty dinner, but did not last long. I can recollect nothing more to say. When my letter is gone, I suppose I shall. Yours affectionately, J. A. I have just asked Caroline if I should send her love to her godmamma, to which she answered " Yes." Miss Austen, Godmersham Park, Fftvershara, Kent. I 94 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1807. XXIII. Southampton. February 8. . . . Our garden is putting in order by u man who bears a remarka>)ly good character, has a very fine complexion, and asks something less than the first. The shrubs which border the gravel walk, he says, are only sweetbrier and roses, and the latter of an indifferent sort; we mean to get a few of a better kind, therefore, and at my own particular desire he procures us some syringas. I could not do without a syringa, for the sake of Cowper's line. We talk also of a laburnum. The border under the terrace wall is clearing away to receive currants and goose- berry bushes, and a spot is found very proper for raspberries. The alterations and improvements within doors, too, advance very properly, and the offices will be made very convenient indeed. Our dressing-table is constructing on the spot, out of a large kitchen table belonging to the house, for doing which we have the permission of Mr. Husket, Lord Lans- down's painter, — domestic painter, I should call him, for he lives in the castle. Domestic chaplains have given way to this more necessary office, and I suppose whenever the walls want no touching up he is employed about my lady's face. The morning was so wet that I was afraid we I .. I!>07.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 96 should not be able to see our little visitor; but Frank, who alone could go to church, called for her after service, and she is now talking away at my side and examining the treasures of my writing-desk drawers, —very happy, I l.(>li,.ve. Not at all shy, of course. Her name is Catherine, and her sister's Caroline. She is something like her hrcither, and as short for her age, hut not so well-l(.oking. What is become of all the shyness in the world? Moral as well as !iatural diseases disappear in the progress of time, and new ones take their place. Shyness and the sweating sickness have given way to confidence and paralytic complaints. . . . Evening. — Our little visitor has just left us, and K'ft us highly pK-ased with her; she is a nice, nat- ural, open-hearted, affectionate girl, with all the ready civility which one sees in the best children in the present day; so unlike anything that I was myself at her age, that I am often all astonishment nnd ii me. Half her time was spent at spillikins, whicii I consider as a very valuable part of our household furniture, and as not the least important I enefaction from the family of Knight to that of Austen. But I must tell you a story. Mary has for some time had notice from Mrs. Dickson of the intended arrival of a certain Miss Fowler in this place. Miss F. is an intimate friend of Mrs. D., and a good deal known a« such to Mary. On Thursday 66 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1807. last she called here while we were out. Mary found, on our return, her card with only her name on it, and she ha«l left word that she would call again. The particularity of this made U8 talk, and, among other conjectures, Frank said in joke, "I dare say she is staying with tne Pearsons." The connection of the names struck Mary, and she immediately recollected Miss Fowler's having been very intimate with jjersons so called, and, upon putting everything together, we have scarcely a doubt of her being actually staying with the only family in the place whom we cannot visit. What a contretemps ! in the language of France. What an unluckiness ! in that of Madame Duval. The black gentleman has certainly employed one of his menial imps to bring about this complete, though trifling mischief. Miss F. has never called again, but we are in daily expectation of it. Miss P. has, of course, given her a proper under- standing of the business. It is evident that Miss F. did not expect or wish to have the visit re- turned, and Frank is quite as much on his guard for his wife as we could desire for her sake or our own. We shall rejoice in being so near W^inchester when Edward belongs to it, and can never have our spare bed filled more to our satisfaction than by him. Does he leave Eltham at Easter? We are reading " Clarentine," and are surprised 1807] LE-rrEUS OF JANE AUSTEN. 97 to find how foolish it is. I remember liking it much less on a second reading than at the first, and it does not bear a third at all. It is full of unnatural conduct and fore.-d difiiculties, without striking merit of any kind. Miss Harrison is g..ing into Devonshire, to at- tend Mrs. Dusantoy, as usual. Miss J. is married to young Mr. G., and is to be very unhappr Ho swears, drinks, is cross, jealous, selfish, and brutal. The match makes her family miserable, and has occasioned his being disinherited. The Browns are added to our list of acquaint- ance. He commands the Sea F'.'uciblos here, under Sir Thomas, and was introduced at his own desire by the latter when we saw him last week. As yet the gentlemen only ',;ive visited, as Mrs. B. is ill ; but she is a nice-looking woman, and wears one of the prettiest straw bonnets in the place. Monday. —The garret beds are made, and ours will be finished to-day. I had hoped it would be finished on Saturday, but neither Mrs. Hall nor Jenny was able to give help enough for that, and I have as yet done very little, and Mary nothing at all. This week we shall do more, and I should like to have all the five beds completed by the end of it. There will then be the window-curtains, sofa-cover, and a carpet to be altered. I should not be surprised if we were to be vis- ited by James again thi.s week; he gave us reason 7 98 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. to expect him soon, and if they go to Evereley he cannot come next week. There, I flatter myself I have constructed you a smartish letter, considering my want of materials; but, like my dear Dr. Johnson, I believe I have dealt more in notions than facts. I hope your cough is gone, and that you are otherwise well, and remain, with love, Yours affectionately, J. A. Miss AusTEW, Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. XXIV. Godmersham, Wednesday (June 15, 1808). My dear Cassandra, —Where shall I begin? Which of all my important nothings shall I tell you first? At half after seven yesterday morning Henry saw us into our own carriage, and we drove away from the Bath Hotel; which, by the by, had been found most uncomfortable quarters, very dirty, very noisy, and very ill-provided. James began his journey by the coach at five. Our first eight miles were hot; Deptford Hill brought to my mind our hot journey into Kent fourteen years ago; but after Blackheath we suffered nothing, and as the day advanced it grew quite cool. At Dartford, which we reached within the two hours and three-quarters, we went to the Bull, the same 1 1808.] • LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 99 inn at which we breakfasted in tl at said journey, and on the present occasion had about the same bad butter. At half-past ten we were again off, and, travel- ling on without any adventure reached Sitting- bourne by three. Daniel was watching for us at the door of the George, and I was acknowledged very kinH'v by Mr. and Mrs. Marshall, to the latter of .„ioni I devoted my conversation, while Mary went out to buy some gloves. A few min- utes, of course, did for Sittingbourne; and so olf we drove, drove, drove, and by six o'clock were at Godmersham. Our two brothers were walking before the housp as we approached, as natural as life. Fanny and Lizzy met us in the Hall with a great deal of pleasant joy; we went for a few minutes into the breakfast-parlor, and then proceeded to our rooms. Mary has the Hall chamber. I am in the Yellow room — very literally —for I am writing in it at this moment. It seems odd to me to have such a great place all to myself, and to be at Godmersham without you is also odd. You are wished for, I assure you: Fanny, who came to me as soon as she had seen her Aunt James to her room, and stayed while I dressed, was as energetic as usual in her longings for you. She is grown both in height and size since last year, but not immoderately, looks very well, and 100 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808y seems as to conduct and manner just what she was and what one could wish her to continue. Elizabeth, 1 who wa.^ dressing when we arrived, came to me for a minute attended by Marianne, Charles, and Louisa, and, you will not doubt, gave me a very affectionate welcome. That I had re- ceived such from Edward also I need not mention ; but I do, you see, because it is a pleasure. I never saw him look in better health, and Fanny says he is perfectly well. I cannot praise Elizabeth's looks, but they are probably affected by a cold. Her little namesake has gained in beauty in the last three years, though not all that Marianne has lost. Charles is not quite so lovely as he was. . Louisa is much as I expected, and Cassandra I find handsomer than I expected, though at present dis- guised by such a violent breaking-out that she does not come down after dinner. She has charm- ing eyes and a nice open countenance, and seems likely to be very lovable. Her size is magnificent. I was agreeably surprised to find Louisa Bridges still here. She looks remarkably well (legacies are very wholesome diet), and is just what she always was. John is at Sandling. You may fancy our dinner-party therefore; Fanny, of course, belonging to it, and little Edward, for that day. He was almost too happy, his happiness at least -^made him too talkative. 1 Mrs. Edward Ansten. 1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 101 It has struck ten; T must go to breakfast. Since breakfast I have liad a tete-a-tete with Edward in his room; he wanted to know James's plans and mine, and from what his own now are I think it already nearly certain that I shall return when they do, though not with them. Edward will be going about the same time to Alton, where he has business with Mr. Trimmer, and where he means his son should join him; and I shall prob- ably be his companion to that place, and get on afterwards somehow or other. I should have preferred a rather longer stay here certainly, but there is no prospect of any later con- veyance for me, as he does not mean to accompany Edward on his return to Winchester, from a very natural unwillingness to leave Elizabeth at that time. I shall at any rate be glad not to be obliged to be an incumbrance on those who have brought me here, for, as James has no horse, I must feel in their carriage that I am taking his place. We were rather crowded yesterday, though it does not become me to say so, as I and my boa were of the party, and it is not to be supposed but that a child of three years of age was fidgety. I need scarcely beg you to keep all this to your- self, lest it should get round by Anna's means. She is very kindly inquired after by her friends here, who all regret her not coming with her father and mother. 102 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. I left Henry, I hope, free from his tiresome complaint, in other respects well, and thinking with great pleasure of Cheltenham and Stoneleigh. The brewery scheme is quite at an end: at a meeting of the subscribers last week it was by general, and T believe very hearty, consent dis- solved. The country is very beautiful. I saw as much as ever to admire in my yesterday's journey. . . . » XXV. Castle Square, October IS. My dearest Cassandra, — 1 have received your letter, and with most melancholy anxiety was it expected, for the sad news* reached us last night, but without any jjarticulars. It came in a short letter to Martha from her sister, begun at Steventon and finished in Winchester. We have felt, we do feel, for you all, as you will not need to be told, — for you, for Fanny, for Henry, for Lady Bridges, and for dearest Edward, whose loss and whose sufferings seem to make those of every other person nothing. God be praised that you can say what you do of him . that he has a religious mind to bear him up, and a disposition that will gradually lead him to comfort. * The death of Mrs. Edward Ansten. 1808.] XETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 103 My dear, dear Fanny, I ara so thankful that she has you with her! You will be everything to her; you will give her all the consolation that human aid can give. May the Almighty sustain you all, and keep you, my dearest Cassandra, well; but for the present I dare say you are equal to everything. You will know that the poor boys are at Steventon. Perhaps it is best for them, as they will have more means of exercise and amusement there than they could have with us, but I own myself disappointed by the arrangement. I should have loved to have them with me at such a time. I shall write to Edward by this post. We shall, of course, hear from you again very soon, and as often as you can write. We will write as you desire, and I shall add Bookham. Hamstall, I suppose, you write to yourselves, as you do not mention it. What a comfort that Mrs. Deedes is saved from present misery and alarm! But it will fall heavy upon poor Harriot; and as for Lady B., but that her fortitude does seem truly great, I should fear the effect of such a blow, and so unlooked for. I long to hear more of you all. Of Henry's anguish I think with grief and solicitude; but he will ex- ert himself to be of use and comfort. With what true sympathy our feelings are shared by Martha you need not be told; she is the friend and sister under every circumstance. \/ 104 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808 We need not enter into a panegyric on the departed, but it is sweet to think of her great worth, of her solid principles, of her true devo- tion, her excellence in every relation of life. It is also consolatory to reflect on the shortness of the sufferings which led her from this world to a better. Farewell for the present, my dearest sister. Tell Edward that we feel for him and pray for him. Yours affectionately, I will write to Catherine. Perhaps you can give me some directions about mourning. Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., Godmersliam Park, Faversham, Kent. J. AuSTEN". XXVI. Castle Square, Saturday night (October 15). My dear Cassandra, — Your accounts make us as comfortable as we can expect to be at such a time. Edward's loss is terrible, and must be felt as such, and these are too early days indeed to think of moderation in grief, either in him or his afflicted daughter, but soon we may hope that our dear Fanny's sense of duty to that beloved father will rouse her to exertion. For his sake. 1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 105 I and as the most acceptable proof of love to the spirit of her departed mother, she will try to be tranquil and resigned. Does she feel you to be a comfort to her, or is she too much overpowered for anything but solitude? Your account of Lizzy is very interesting. Poor child! One must hope the impression will be strong, and yet one's heart aches for a dejected mind of dght years old. I suppose you see the coi-pse? How does it appear? We are anxious to be assured that Edward will not attend the funeral, but when it comes to the point I think he must feel it impossible. Your parcel shall set off on Monday, and I hope the shoes will fit; Martha and I both tried them on. I shall send you such of your mourning as I think most likely to be useful, reserving for myself your stockings and half the velvet, in which selfish arrangement I know I am doing what you wish. I am to be in bombazeen and crape^ according to what we are told is universal here, and which agrees with Martha's previous observation. My mourning, however, will not impoverish me, for by having my velvet pelisse fresh lined and made up, I am sure I shall have no occasion this winter for anything new of that sort. I take my cloak for the lining, and shall send yours on the chance 106 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1608. though I bel,ev» you, p^li^se is in better rLir than rn.ne. One Miss Baker makes my gown .ad the other my bonnet, which is .„be s^ covered with crape. I have written to Edward Cooper, and hope he will not send one of his letters of cruel comfort to my poor brother: and yesterday I wrote to Alethea ^igg, in reply to a letter from her. She tells us in confidence that Catherine is to be married on Tuesday se'nnight. Mr. Hill is expected at Many- down ,n the course of the ensuing week We are desired by Mrs. Harrison and Miss Austen to say everything proper for them to your- sef and Edward on this sad occasion, especLly hat nothing but a wish of not giving additional trouble where so much is inevitable prevents their writing themselves to express their concern. Ihey seem truly to feel concern. I am glad you can say what you do of Mrs. Knight and of Goodnestone in general. It is a great relief to me to know that the shock did not make any of them ill. But what a task was yours to announce it! Now I hope you are not overpowered with letter-writing, as Henry and John can ease you of many of your correspondents. Was Mr. Scudamore in the house at the time was any application attempted, and is the seizure at all accounted for? >«W.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 107 ™f f*' ~^' ^'^''"^'' '•'"" '» ''" »»" » "Ot ome here, we know that you „u8t have beea informed a, early as Friday of the boys being at Steventon, which I am glad of. Upon your letter to Dr. Goddard'a being for- warded to them, Mary wrote to ask whether my mother wished to have her grandsons sent to her We deeded on their remaining where they were, winch I hope my brother will approve of 1 am sure he ,1 ,„ „3 ,,^ .^^^.^ ^^ ^ ^^^^ .__ such a decision we sacrificed inclination to what we thought best. I shall write by the coach to-morrow to Mrs thouth tr .'° .^"'"'"''' '"°"' ".eir mourning though this day's post will probably bring diref t.ons o them on that subject from youLtes I sha. certainly make use of the oppo'rtunit oi addressing our nephew on the most serious of al nc„ns, . I uatu^lly did in my letter to h^" before The poor boys are, perhaps, more com- fortable at Steventon than they couli I here, but you will understand my feelings with espect to it To-morrow will be a dreadful day for yon all 1 be to hear that it is over. not'^^'lr T '""" '" "^ "■""8'"' y»« will not doubt. I see your mournful party i„ my 1 Mr. Whitfield was the Rector nf r^ time, having come there in 1778 ^'^"'«^'»*'« *' thia 108 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. mind's eye under every varying circumstance of the day; and in the evening especially figure to myself its sad gloom: the efforts to talk, the fre- quent summons to melancholy orders and cares, and poor Edward, restless in misery, going from one room to another, and perhaps not seldom uj)- stairs, to see all that remains of his Elizabeth. Dearest Fanny must now look upon herself as his prime source of comfort, his dearest friend; as the being who is gradually to supply to him, to the extent that is possible, what he has lost. This con- sideration will elevate and cheer her. Adieu. You cannot write too often, as I said before. We are heartily rejoiced that the poor baby gives you no particular anxiety. Kiss dear Lizzy for us. Tell Fanny that I shall write in a day or two to Miss Sharpe. My mother is not ill. Yours most truly, J. Austen. Tell Henry that a hamper of apples is gone to him from Kintbury, and that Mr. Fowle intended writing on Friday (supposing him in London) to beg that the charts, etc., may be consigned to the care of the Palmers. Mrs. Fowle has also written to Miss Palmer to beg she will send fop them. Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent 1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 109 XXVII. OASTtE SqrARF. Monday (October 24). My dear Cassandra, - Edward and George came to us soon after seven on Saturday, very well, but very cold, having by choice travelled on the outside, and with no greatcoat but what Mr. Wise, the oachman, good-naturedly spared them of his, as they sat by his side. They were so much chilled when they arrived, that I was afraid they must have taken cold; but it does not seem at all the case: I never saw them looking better. They behave extremely well in every respect, showing quite as much feeling as one wishes to see, and on every occasion speaking of their father with the liveliest affection. His letter was read over by each of them yesterday, and with many tears; George sobbed aloud, Edward's tears do not flow so easily; but as far as I can judge they are both very properly impressed by what has hap- pened. Miss Lloyd, who is a more impartial judge than I can be, is exceedingly pleased with them. George is almost a new acquaintance to me, and I find him in a different way as engaging as Edward. We do not want amusement: bilbocatch, at which George is indefatigable, spillikins, paper ships, nddles, conundrums, and cards, with watch- IH 4 110 LErrERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [,808. inj? tho ?*nw a»d fib of tlie river, and now and then a stndl out, keep uh well employed; and we mean to avail ourselves of our kind paj.a's consideration, by not returning to Winchester till quite the evening of Wnlnesday. Mrs. J. A. had not time to get them more tlirn one suit of clothes; their others are making here, and though I do not believe Southampton is fa- mous for tailoring, I hope it will prove itself better than Basingstoke. Edward has an old black coat, which will save his having a second new one; but I find that black pantaloons are considered by them as necessary, and of course one would not have them made uncomfortable by the want of what is usual on such occasions. Fanny's letter was received with great pl-asure yesterday, and her brother sends his thanks and will answer it soon. We all saw what she wrote, and were very much pleased with it. To-morrow I hope to hear from you, and to- morrow we must think of poor Catherine. To-day Lady Bridges is the heroine of our thoughts, and glad shall we be when we caTi U^M^y the meeti-g over. There will then be no^lut.j^ . . .ery bad for Edward to undergo. The '« St. Albans, " I find, sailed on the very day of my letters reaching Yarmouth, so that we must not expect an answer at present; we scarcely feel, however, to be in suspense, or only enough to keep >«08.] LErri-RS OF JANE AUSTEN. HI our plans to ourselves. We have been obliged to explain them to our young visitors, in r ,„«eq«enco of Fanny's letter, but we have not y.-t mentioned them to Steventon. We are all quite familiarized to the idea ourselves; my n.othe. only wants Mrs. Seward to go out at midsummer. What sort of a kitchen garden is there? Mrs. J. A. expresses her fear of our sett ing in Kent,' and, till this proposal was made, we -egan to look forward to it here; my mother was artually talk- ing of a house at Wye. It will be be.*, however as it is. ' Anne has just given her mistress warning; she 18 going to be married; I wish she would stay her year. On the subject of matrimony, I musr notice a wedding in the Salisbury paper, wh, h has amused me very much, Dr. Phillot to Lad Fran- ces St. Lawrence. She wanted to have a hu band, I suppose, once in her life, and he a Lady Fra >ces. I hope your sorrowing party were at "churcl yes- terday, and have no longer that to dread. M. rtha was kept at home by a cold, but I went with my two nephews, and I saw Edward was much affe.ted by the sermon, which, indeed, I could have sup- posed purposely addressed to the afflicted, if the text had not naturally come in the course of 1/r Mant's observations on the Litany: 'All that are in danger, necessity, or tribulation,' was the sub- 112 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. ject of it. The weather did not allow us after- wards to get farther than the quay, where George was very happy as long as we eouid stay, flying about from one side to the other, and skipping on board a collier immediately. In the evening we had the Psalms and Lessons, and a sermon at home, to which they were very at- tentive; but you will not expect to hear that they did not return to conundrums the moment it was over. Their aunt has written pleasantly of them, which was more than I hoped. While I write now, George is most industriously /naking and naming paper ships, at which he after- wards shoots with horse-chestnuts, brought from Steventon on purpose; and Edward equally intent over the ''Lake of Killarney," twisting himself about in one of our great chairs. ^tte5c?ay.— Your close-written letter makes me quite ashamed of my wide lines; you have sent me a great deal of matter, most of it very welcome. As to your lengthened stay, it is no more than I expected, and what must be, but you cannot sup- pose I like it. All tliat you say of Edward is truly comforta- ble; I began to fear that when the bustle of the first week was over, his spirits might for a time be more depressed; and perhaps one must still expect something of the kind. If you escape a bilious at- tack, I shall wonder almost as much as rejoice. I 1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 113 am glad you mentioned where Catherine goes to- day; It is a good plan, but sensible people may generally be trusted to form such. The day began cheerfully, but it is not likely to continue what it should, for them or for us. We had a little water-party yesterday; I and my two nephews went from the Itchen Ferry up to Northam, where we landed, looked into the 74 and walked home, and it was so much enjoyed that I had intended to take them to Netley to-day; the tide is just right for our going im- mediately after moonshine, but I am afraid there will be rain; if we cannot get so far, how- ever, we may perhaps go round from the ferry to the quay. I had not proposed doing more than cross the Itchen yesterday, but it proved so pleasant, and 80 much to the satisfaction of all, that when we reached the middle of the stream we agreed to be rowed up the river; both the boys rowed great part of the way, and their questions and remarks as well as their enjoyment, were very amusing'; George s inquiries were endless, and his eagerness m everything reminds me often of his uncle Henry. Our evening was equally agreeable in its way I introduced speculation, and it was so much ap- proved that we hardly knew how to leave off. Your idea of an early dinner to-morrow is ex- 8 m If f If Ml tm m Pi m *.! 4 114 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. actly what we propose, for, after writing the first part of this letter, it came into my head that at this time of year we have not summer evenings We shall watch the light to-day, that we may not give them a dark drive to-morrow. They send their best love to papa and every- body, with George's thanks for the letter brought by this post. Martha begs my brother may be assured of her interest in everything relatij^g to him and his family, and of her sincerely part:.. mg our pleasure in the receipt of every good account from Godmersham. Of Chawton I think I can have nothing more to say, but that everything you say about it in the letter now before me will, I am sure, as soon as I am able to read it to her, make iny mother consider the plan with more and more pleasure. We had formed the same views on H. Digweed's farm. A very kind and feeling letter is arrived to-day from Kintbury. Mrs. Fowle's sympathy and solici- tude on such an occasion you will be able to do justice to, and to express it as she wishes to my brother. Concerning you, she says: ''Cassandra will, I know, excuse my writing to her; it is not to save myself but her that T omit so doing. Give my best, my kindest love to her, and tell her I feel for her as I know she would for me on the same occasion, and that I most sincerely hope her health will not suffer." 1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. II5 We have just had two hampers of apples from Kintbury, and the floor of our little garret is almost covered. Love to all. Yours very affectionately, J. A. Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., Godmersham Park, Faversliam, Keut. XXVIII. Castle Square, Sunday (November 21). Your letter, my dear Cassandra, obliges me to write immediately, that you may have the earliest notice of Frank's intending, if possible, to go to Godmersham exactly at the time now fixed for your visit to Goodnestone. He resolved, almost directly on the receipt of your former letter, to try for an extension of his leave of absence, that he might be able to go down to you for two days, but charged me not to give you any notice of it, on account of the uncertainty of success, :^^ow, however, I must give it, and now perhaps he may be giving it himself; for I am just in the hateful predicament of being obliged to write what I know will somehow or other be of no use. He meant to ask for five days more, and if they were granted, to go down by Thursday night's mail, and spend Friday and Saturday with youj and he considered his chance of succeeding by no means bad. I hope it will take place m he planned, 116 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. (1808 and that your arrangements with Goodnestone may admit of suitable alteration. Your news of Edward Bridges was quite news, for I have had no letter from Wrotham. I wish him happy with all my heart, and hope his choice may turn out according to his own expectations, and beyond those of his family; and I dare say it will. Marriage is a great improver, and in a similar situation Harriet may be as amiable as Eleanor. As to money, that will come, you may be sure, because they cannot do without it. When you see him again, pray give him our congratu- lations and best wishes. This match will certainly set John and Lucy going. There are six bedchambers at Chawton; Henry wrote to my mother the other day, and luckily mentioned the number, which is just what we wanted to be assured of. He speaks also of gar- rets for store-places, one of which she immediately planned fitting up for Edward's man-servant ; and now perhaps it must be for cur own; for she is already quite reconciled to our keeping one. The difficulty of doing without one had been thought of before. His name shall be Robert, if you please. Before I can tell you of it, you will have heard that Miss Sawbridge is married. It took place, I believe, on Thursday. Mrs. Fowle has for some time been in the secret, but the neighborhood in 'i . 1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 117 general were quite unsuspicious. Mr. Maxwell was tutor to the young Gregorys, —consequently, they must be one of the happiest couples in the world, and either of them worthy of envy, for she must be excessively in love, and he mounts from nothing to a comfortable home. Martha has heard him very highly spoken of. They continue for the present at Speen Hill. I have a Southampton match to returb for your Kentish one, Captain G. Heathcote and Miss A. Lyell. I have it from Alethea, and like it, because I had made il before. Yes, the Stoneleigh business is concluded, but it was not till yesterday that my mother was regu- larly informed of it, though the news had reached us on Monday evening by way of Steventon. My aunt says as little as may be on the subject by way of information, and nothing at all by way of satis- faxjtion. She reflects on Mr. T. Leigh's dilatori- ness, and looks about with great diligence and success for inconvenience and evil, among which she ingeniously places the danger of her new house- maids catching cold on the outside of the coach, when she goes down to Bath, for a carriage makes her sick. John Binns has been offered their place, but declines it; as she supposes, because he will not wear a livery. Whatever be the cause, I like the eifect. &i 118 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [I8O8. In spite of all my mother's long and intimate knowledge of the writer, she was not up to the ex- pectation of such a letter as this; the discontented- ness of it shocked and surprised her — but I see nothing in it out of nature, though a sad nature. She does not forget to wish for Chambers, you may be sure. No particulars are given, not a word of arrears mentioned, though in her letter to James they were in a general way spoken of. The amount of them is a matter of conjecture, and to my mother a most interesting one; she cannot fix any time for their beginning with any satisfaction to herself but Mrs. Leigh's death, and Henry's two thousand pounds neitlier agrees with that period nor any other. I did not like to own our previous information of wliat was intended last July, and have therefore only said that if we could see Henry we might hear many particulars, as I had under- stood that some confidential conversation had passed between him and Mr. T. L. at Stoneleigh. We have been as quiet as usual since Frank and Mary left us; Mr. Criswick called on Martha that very morning on his way home again from Ports- mouth, and we have had no visitor since. We called on the Miss Lyells one day, and heard a good account of Mr. Heathcote's canvass, the success of which, of course, exceeds his expec- tations. Alethea in her letter hopes for my inter- est, which I conclude means Edward's, and I take 1 1 1808] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 119 this opportunity, therefore, of requesting that he will bring in Mr. Heathcote. Mr. Lane told us yesterday that Mr. H. had behaved very hand- soraely, and waited on Mr. Thistlethwaite, to say that if he (Mr. T.) would stand, he (Mr. H.) would not oppose him; but Mr. T. declined it, acknowl- edging himself still smarting under the payment of late electioneering costs. The Mrs. Hulberts, we learn from Kintbury, come to Steventon this week, and bring Mary Jane Fowle with them on her way to Mrs. Kune's} she returns at Christmas with her brother. Our brother we may perhaps see in the course of a few days, and we mean to take the opportunity of his help to go one night to the play. Martha ought to see the inside of the theatre once while she lives in Southampton, and I think she will hardly wish to take a second view. The furniture of Bellevue is to be sold to-mor- row, and we shall take it in our usual walk, if the weather be favorable. How could you have a wet day on Thursday? With us it was a prince of days, the most delight- ful we have had for weeks; soft, bright, with a brisk wind from the southwest; everybody was out and talking of spring, and Martha and I did not know how to turn back. On Friday evening we had some very blowing weather, — from six to nine; I think we never heard it worse, even here. And i 120 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [,808. one night we had so much rain that it forced its way agam into the store-closet; and though the evil was comparatively slight and the mischief nothing, I had some employment the next day in drying parcels, etc. I have now moved still more out of the way. Martha sends her best love, and thank* you for admitting her to the knowledge of the pros and cons about Harriet iWe; she has an interest in all such matters. I am also to say that she wants to see you. Mary Jane missed her papa and mamma a good deal at first, but now does verv well without them. I am glad to hear of little John s being better, and hope your accounts of Mrs. Knight will also improve. Adieu! remem. ber me affectionately to everybody, and believe me, Ever yours, j. j^^ Mias AusTKN, Edward Austen's, Esq Godmewham Park, Favershanj, Kent. XXIX. Castle Square, Friday (December 9). Many thanks, my dear Cassandra, to you and Mr. Deedes for your joint and agreeable composi- tion, which took me by surprise this morning He has certainly great merit as a writer; he does am- ple justice to his subject, and without being dif- fuse 18 clear and correct; and though I do not ) 1808] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 121 mean to compare his epistolary powers with yours, or to give him the same portion of my gratitude, he certainly has a very pleasing way of winding up a whole, and speeding truth into the world. "But all this," as my dear Mrs. Piozzi says, ''is flight and fancy and nonsense, for my master has his great casks to mind and I have my little children." It is you, however, in this instance, that have the little children, and I that have the great cask, for we are brewing spruce beer again; but my meaning really is, that I am extremely foolish in writing all this unnecessary stuff when I iiave so many matters to write about that my paper will hardly hold it all. Little matters they are, to be sure, but highly important. In the first place, Miss Curling is actually at Portsmouth, which I was always in hopes would not happen. I wish her no worse, however, than a long and happy abode there. Here she would probably be dull, and I am sure she would be troublesome. The bracelets are in my possession, and every- thing I could wigh them to be. They came with Martha's pelisse, which likewise gives great satisfaction. Soon after I had closed my last letter to you we were visited by Mrs. Dickens and her sister-in- law, Mrs. Bertie, the wife of a lately made Admiral. Mrs. F. A.,» I believe, was their first object, but- ^ Frank Austen. m 122 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. figog. they put up with us very kindly, and Mrs. 1)., finding ,n Miss Lloyd a friend of Mrs. Dundas, had another motive for the acquaintance. She seems a really agreeable woman, - that is, her manners are gentle, and she knows a great many of our connections in West Kent. Mrs. Bertie lives in the Polygon, and was out when we returned her visit, which are her two virtues. A larger circle of acquaintance, and .,„ increase of amusement, is quite in character with our ap- proaching removal. Yes, I mean to go to as many balls as possible, that I may have a good bargain. Everybody is very much concerned at our goinc away, and everybody is acquainted with Chawton and speaks of it as a re ...rkably prett, village,' and everybody knows the house we describe, bu nobody fixes on the right. I am very much obliged to Mrs. Knight for such a proof of the interest she takes in me, and she may depend upon it that I will marry Mr Papillon, whatever may be his reluctance or my own. I owe her much more than such a trifling sacrifice. ® Our ball was rather more amusing than I ex pected. Martha liked it very much, and I did not gape till the last quarter of an hour. It was past nine before we were sent for, and not twelve when we returned. The room was tolerably full, and there were, perhaps, thirty couple of dancers. The 1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 123 -lancholy part was to see so many dozen young women standing by without partners, and each of them with two ugly naked shoulders. It was the same room in which we danced fifteen years ago. I thought it all over, and in spite of the shame of being so much older, felt with thank- fulness that I was quite as happy now as then. We paid an additional shilling for our tea, which we took as we chose in an adjoining and very com- fortable room. There were only four dances, and it went to my heart that the Miss Lances (one of them, too, named Emma) should have partners only for two. You will not expect to hear that I was asked to dance, but I was -by the gentleman whom we met that Sunday with Captain D'Auvergne. We have always kept up a bowing acquaintance since, and, being pleased with his black eyes, I spoke to him at the ball, which brought on me this civility; but I do not know his name, and he seems so little at home in the English language that I believe his black eyes may be the best of him. Captain D'Auvergne has got a ship. Martha and I made use of the verv favorable state of yesterday for walking, to pay our duty at Chiswell. We found Mrs. Lance at home and alone, and sat out three other ladies who soon came in. We went by the ferry, and returned by the bridge, and were scarcely at all fatigued. 124 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [igos. Edward must have enjoyed the last two days You I presume, had a cool — i am hapi)y to sav «.at we had no second letter f.o. Bo'oiL Z ZLf . '""^'" "' "'"»' ■»«'«"- of >nce of all the thanks due on the oec„si„„. Y„„ offer o cravats is very kind, and happens to be particularly ada,,ted to my „a„ts ^0^^ oil "Ut It was an OM thing to occur to you. 1809] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 139 Yes, we l.ave g(,t another fall of snow, and are very dreadful; everything seems to turn to snow this winter. 1 hope you have had no more illness among you and that William will be soon as well as ever. His working a footstool for Chawton is a most agreeable surprise to me, and I am sure his grand- mamma will value it very much as a proof of his affection and industry, but we shall iiever have the heart to put our feet upon it. I believe I must work a muslin cover in satin stitch to keep it from the dirt. I long to know what his colors are. I guess greens and purples. Edward and Henry have started a difficulty re- spectinpr our journey, which, I must .^vn with 801 confusion, had never been thought of by us; but if the former expected by it to prevent our travelling into Kent entirely, he will be disap- pointed, for we have already determined to go the Croydon road on leaving Bookham and sleep at Dartford. Will not that do? There certainly does seem no convenient resting-place on the other road. Anna went to Clanville last Friday, and I have hopes of her new aunt's being really worth her knowing. Perhaps you may nevor have heard that James and Mary paid a morning visit there in form some weeks ago, and Mary, though by no means disposed to like her, was very much pleased 140 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1809. with her indeed. Her praise, to be sure, proves nothing more than Mrs. M.'s being civil and at- tentive to them, but her being so is in favor of her having good sense. Mary writes of Anna as improved in j.erson, but gives her no other com- mendation. I am afraid her absence now may deprive her of one pleasure, for that silly Mr. Hammond is actually to give his ball on Friday. We had some reason to expect a visit from Earle Harwood and James this week, but they do not come. Miss Murden arrived last night at Mrs. Hookey's, as a message and a basket announced to us. You will therefore return to an enlarged and, of course, improved society here, especially as the Miss Williamses are come back. We were agreeably surprised the other day by a visit from your beauty and mine, each in a new cloth mantle and bonnet; and I dare say you will value yourself much on the modest propriety of Miss W.'s taste, hers being purple and Miss Grace's scarlet. I can easily suppose that your six weeks here will be fully occupied, were it only in lengthening the waists of your gowns. 1 have pretty well ar- ranged my spring and summer plans of that kind, and mean to wear out my spotted muslin before I go. You will exclaim at this, but mine really has signs of feebleness, which with a little care may come to something. 1809.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 141 Martha and Dr. Mant are as bad as ever; he runs after her in the street to apologize for having spoken to a gentleman while she was near him the day before. Poor Mrs. Mant can stand it no longer; she is retired to one of her married daughters'. When William returns to Winchester Mary Jane is to go to Mrs. Nune's for a month, and then to Steventon for a fortnight, and it seeifis likely that she and her aunt Martha may travel into Berkshire together. We shall not have a month of Martha after your return, and that month will be a very interrupted and broken one, but we shall enjoy ourselves the more when we can get a quiet half-hour together. To set against your new novel, of which nobody ever heard before, and perhaps never may again, we have got -Ida of Athens," by Miss Owenson, which must be very clever, because it was written, as the authoress says, in three months. We have only read the preface yet, but her Irish girl does not make me expect much. If the warmth of her language could affect the body, it might be worth reading in this weather. Adieu! I must leave off to stir the fire and call on Miss Murden. E'cenmg. - 1 have done them both, the first very often. We found our friend as comfortable as she can ever allow herself to be in cold weather. 142 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [I8O9. There is a very neat parlor behind the shop for her to sit in, not very light indeed, being h la Southampton, the middle of three deep, but very lively from the frequent sound of tlie pestle and mortar. We afterwards called on the Miss Williamses, who lodge at Durantoy's. Miss Mary only was at home, and she is in very indifferent health. Dr. Hacket came in while we were there, and said that he never remembered such a severe winter as this in Southampton before. It is bad, but we do not suffer as we did last year, because the wind has been more KE. than N.W. For a day or two last week my mother was very poorly with a return of one of her old complaints, but it did not last long, and seems to have left nothing bad behind it. She began to talk of a serious illness, her two last having been preceded by the same symptoms, but, thank heaven! she is now quite as well as one can expect her to be in weather which deprives her of exercise. Miss M. conveys to us a third volume of ser- mons, from Hamstall, just published, and which we are to like better than the two others; they are professedly practical, and for the use of coun- try congregations. I have just received some verses in an unknown hand, and am desired to forward them to my nephew Edward at Godmer- sham. »«09.J LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 143 Alas! poor Brag, tl.ou boastful game! What «owavaibthiue empty if Where now thy more distinguished fame ? My day ,s o'er, and thine the same, Jor thou, hke me, art thrown aside At Godmersham, this Christmastide ; And now across the table wide Each game save brag or spec, is tried. S>uch IS the mild ejaculation Of tender-hearted speculation. Wednesday. ~I expected to have a letter f. V- ,, " ''""■• *™™ Portsmouth. Mis, Murden ha, been sitting with us this »»™.ng. As yet she seems ve,^ weU peas , w.th her situation. The worst part of her bet' !" S-'J-P'on wiil be the necessity of on ^2 :;'V"""'- "--1 ">en, for she' talks so d tha 0,^ ,s quite ashamed; but our dining hours are luckily very different, which we shall take a reasonable advantage of. ' The Queen's birthday moves the assemble to th.a n,ght instead of last, and as it is alwa™ ul! atte-'ded, Martha and I expect an amusing sW We were ,„ hopes of being independent oi o hi companmns by having the attendance of M Austen and Captain Harwood; but as they fan us we are obliged to look out for other hei;, ad have fixed on the Wallops as least likely ;, be ciy willing, and I am sorry that 144 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1809. you must wait a whole week for the particulars of the evening. I propose being asked to dance by our acquaintance Mr. Smith, now Caj>tain Smith, who has lately reappeared in Southampton, but I shall decline it. He saw Charles last August. What an alarming bride Mrs. must have been ; such a parade is one of the most immodest pieces of modesty that one can imagine. To attract notice could have been her only wish. It augurs ill for her family; it announces not great sense, and therefore insures boundless influence. I hope Fanny's visit is now taking place. You have said scarcely anything of her lately, but I trust you are as good friends as ever. Martha sends her love, and hopes to have the pleasure of seeing you when you return to South- ampton. You are to understand this message as being merely for the sake of a message to oblige me. Yours affectionately, J. Austen. Henry never sent his love to me in your last, but I send him mine. Miss AusTKN, Edward Austen's, Esq., Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. 1809.] LEITERS OF JANE AUSTEN. I45 XXXIII. Castle Squahe, Tuesday (January 24), ^ My dear Cassandra,-! will give you the indulgence of a letter on Thursday this week, in- stead of Friday, but I do not require you to write again before Sunday, provided I may believe you and your finger going on quite well. Take care of your precious self; do not work too hard Remember that Aunt Cassandras are quite as scarce as Miss Beverleys.' I had the happiness yesterday of a letter from Charles, but J shall say as little about it as possible because I know that excruciating Henry will have had a letter likewise, to make all my intelligence valueless. It was written at Bermuda on the 7th and 10th of December. All well, and Fanny still only in expectation of being otherwise. He had taken a small prize in his late cruise, — a French schooner, laden with sugar; but bad weatJier parted them, and she had not yet been heard ox. His cruise ended December 1st. My September letter was the latest he had received. This day three weeks you are to be in London, and I wish you better weather; not but that y a' may have worse, for we have now nothing but 1 "Cecilia" Beverley, the heroine of Miss Rurnoy's novel. 10 146 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [18(». ceaseless snow or rain and I'nsuiferable dirt to complain of j no tempestuous winds nor severity of cold. Since I wrote last we have had some- thing of each, but it is not genteel to rip up old grievances. You used me scandalously by not mentioning Edward Cooper's sermons. I tell you everything, and It IS unknown the mysteries you conceal from me; and, to add to the rest, you persevere in giv- ing a final ''e"to "invalid," thereby putting it out of one's power to suppose Mrs. E. Leigh, even for a moment, a veteran soldier. She, good woman, IS, I hope, destined for some further placid enjoy- ment of her own excellent in this world, for her recovery advances exceedingly well. I had th\s pleasant news in a letter f/om Book- ham last Thursday; but as the letter was from Mary instead of her mother, you will guess her account was not ^ually good from home. Mrs. Cooke had been confined to her bed some days by illness, but was then better, and Mary wrote in confidence of her continuing to mend. I have de- sired to hear again soon. You rejoice me by what you say of Fanny, i I hope she will not turn good-for-nothing this ever so long. We thought of and talked of her yester- day with sincere affection, and wished her a long enjoyment of all the happiness to which she seems » Fanny Austen, afterward Lady Edward Knatchbull. 1809.] LETTfiKS OF JANE AUSTEN. I47 born While she gives happiness to those about Jier she is pretty sure of her own share I am gratified by her having pleasure in what I wnte, but I wish the knowledge of my being ex- posed to her discerning criticism may not hurt my style, by inducing too great a solicitude. I begin already to weigh my words and sentences more than I did, and am looking about for a sentiment, an illustration, or a metaphor in every corner of the room. Could my ideas flow as fast as the rain in the store-closet, it would be charming. We have been in two or three dreadful states within the last week, from the melting of the snow, etc., and the contest between us and the closet has now ended in our defeat. I have been obliged to move almost everything out of it, and leave it to splash itself as it likes. You have by no means raised my curiosity after Caleb My .lisinclination for it before was af- fected but now it is real. I do not like the evan- gelicals. Of course I shall be delighted when I read it, like other people; but till I do I dislike it I am sorry my verses did not bring any return from Edward. I was in hopes they might, but I suppose he does not rate them high enough. It might be partiality, but they seemed to me purely classical, -just like Homer and Virgil, Ovid and ■rropria que Maribus. I h^ a nice brotherly letter from Frank the f, . 148 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1809. Other day, which, after an interval of nearly three weeks, was very welcome. No orders were come on Friday, and none were come yesterday, or we should have heard to-day. I had supposed Miss C. would share her cousin's room here, but a message in this letter proves the contrary. I will make the garret as comfortable as I can, but the possi- bilities of that apartment are not great. My mother has been talking to Eliza about our future home, and she, making no diflficulty at all of the sweetheart, is perfectly disposed to continue with us, but tin she has written home for mother's approbation cannot quite decide. Mother does not like to have her so far off. At Chawton she will be nine or ten mil«s nearer, which I hope will have its due influence. As for Sally, she means to play John Binns with us, in her anxiety to belong to our household again. Hitherto she appears a very good servant. You depend upon finding all your plants dead, I hope. They look very ill, I understand. Your silence on the s^.bject of our ball makes me suppose j^our curiosity too great for words. We were very well entertained, and could have stayed longer but for the arrival of my list shoes to con- vey me home, and I did not like to keep them waiting in the cold. The room was tolerably full, and the ball opened by Miss Glyn. The Miss Lances had partners, Captain Dauvergne's friend 1809.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 149 appeared in regimentals, Caroline Maitland had an officer to flirt with, and Mr. John Harrison was deputed by Cantain Smith, being himself absent, to ask me to dance. Everything went well, you see, especially after we had tucked Mrs. Lance's neckerchief in behind and fastened it with a pin. We had a very full and agreeable account of Mr. Hammond's ball from Anna last night; the same fluent pen has sent similar information, I know, into Kent. She seems to have been as happy as one could wish her, and the complacency of her mamma in doing the honors of the evening must have made her pleasure almost as great. The grandeur of the meeting was beyond my hopes. I should like to have seen Anna's looks and per- formance, but that sad cropped head must have injured the former. Martlia pleases herself with believing that if I had kept her counsel you would never have heard of Dr. M.'s late behavior, as if the very slight manner in which I mentioned it could have been all on which you found your judgment. I do not endeavor to undeceive her, because I wish her happy, at all events, and know how highly she prizes happiness of any kind. She is, morover, so full of kindness for us both, and sends you in particular so many good wishes about your finger, that I am willing to overlook a venial fault, and as Dr. M. is a clergym.an,, their attachment, how- f 150 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1803 ever immoral, has a decorous air. Adieu, sweet You. This is grievous news from Spain. It is well that Dr. Moore was spared tho knowledge of such a son's death. Yours affectionately, J. Austen. Anna's hand gets better and better; it begins to be too good for any consequence. We send best love to dear little Lizzy and Mari- anne in particular. The Portsmouth paper gave a melancholy his- tory of a poor mad woman, escaped from confine- ment, who said her husband and daughter, of the name of Payne, lived at Ashford, in Kent. Do you own them? Mi98 Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., Godmersham Park, Faverehara, Keut XXXIV. Castle Square, Monday (January 30). My dear Cassandra, — I was not much sur- prised yesterday by the agreeable surprise of your letter, and extremely glad to receive the assurance of your finger being well again. Here is such a wet day as never was seen. I wish the poor little girls had better weather for their journey; they must amuse themselves with watching the raindrops down the windows. Sack- ree, I suppose, feels quite broken-hearted. I can- %' t 1809.] LEITEUS OF JANE AUSTEN. 151 not have done witli the weather without observing how delightfully mild it is; I am sure Fanny must enjoy it with us. Yesterday was a very blowing day; we got to church, however, which we had not been able to do for two Sundays before, I am not at all ashamed about the name of the novel, having been guilty of no insult toward your handwriting; the diphthong I always saw, out knowing how fond you were of adding a vowel wherever you could, T attributed it to that alone, and the knowledge of the truth does the book no service; the only merit it could have was in the name of Caleb, which has an hone.^, unpretending sound, but in Cudebs there is pedantry and affec- tation. Is it written only to classical scholars? I shall now try to say only what is necessary, I am weary of meandering; so expect a vast deal of small matter, concisely told, in the next two pages. Mrs. Cooke has been very dangerously ill, but 18 now, I hope, safe. I had a letter last week from George, Sfary being too busy to write, and at that time the disorder was called of the typhus kind, and their alarm considerable, but yesterday brought me a much better account from Mary, the origin of the complaint being now ascertained to be bilious, and the strong medicines requisite promising to be eftectuaL Mrs. E. L. is so much i 152 LErrEUs of jane austen. [mo. recovered ag to got into the dressing-room every day. A letter from Hamstall gives us the history of Sir Tho. Williams's return. The Admiral, who- ever he might be, took a fancy to the «' Neptune," and having only a worn-out 74 to offer in lieu of it, Sir Tho. declined such a con.nmnd, and is come home passenger. Lucky man! to have so fair an opportunity of escape. I hope his wife allows herself to be happy on the occasion, and does not give all her thoughts to being nervous. ^ A great event happens this week at Hamstall in young Edward's removal to school. He is going to Rugby, and is very happy in the idea of It; I wish his hapi)iness may last, but it will be a great change to become a raw school-boy from heing a pompous sermon-writer and a domineering brother. It will do him good, I dare say. Caroline has had a great escape from being burnt to death lately. As her husband gives the account, we must believe it true. Miss Murden IS gone, — called away by the critical state of Mrs. Pottinger who has had another severe sti-oke, and is without sense or speech. Miss Murden wishes to return to Southampton if circumstances suit, but it must be very doubtful. We have been obliged to turn away Cholles, he grew so very drunken and negligent, and we have a man in his place called Thomas. ■ I ISOa] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. lo3 Martha desires n.n to communicate something concerning herself which she knows will give you pleasure, as affording her very particular satisfac- tion, — it is that she is to be in town this spring with Mrs. Dundas. I „ee.l n.,t dilate on the sub- ject. Ym. understand enough of the whys and where, ore.s to Miter into her feelings, and to be conscou that i all possible arrangements it is the one -itost acceptable to her. She goes to Bar- ton on leading us, and the family remove to town in April. What you tell me of Miss Sharpe is quite new, and surprises me a little; I feel, however, as you do. She is born, poor thing! to struggle with evil, and her continuing with Miss B. is, I hope, a proof that matters are not always so very bad be- tween them as her letters sometimes represent. Jenny's marriage I had heard of, and supposed you would do so too from Steventon, as I knew you were corresponding with Mary at the time. I hope she will not sully the resi)ectable name she now bears. Your plan for Miss Curling is uncommonly con- siderate and friendly, and such as she must su.-ely jump at. Edward's going round by Steventon, as I understand he promises to do, can be no reasonable objection; Mrs. J. Austen's hospitality is just of the kind to enjoy such a visitor. We were very glad to know Aunt Fannv was II; 154 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [igoa in the country when we read of the fire. Pray give ray best compliments to the Mrs. Finches, if they are at Gm. I am sorry to find tl,at Sir' J Moore has a mother living, but though a very heroic son he might not be a very necessary one to her happiness. Deacon Morrell may be more to Mrs. Morrell. I wish Sir John had united something of the Christian with the hero in his death. Thank heaven! we have had no one to care for particu- larly among the troops, -no one, in fact, nearer to us than Sir John himself. Col. Maitland is safe and well; his mother and sisters were of course anxious about him, but there is no entering much into the solicitudes of that family. My mother is well, and gets out when she can with the sanje enjoyment, and apparently the same strength, as hitherto. She hopes you will not omit begging Mrs. Seward to get the garden cropped for us, supposing she leaves the house too early to make the garden any object to herself We are very desirous of receiving your account of the house, for your observations will have a motive which can leave nothing to conjecture and suffer nothing from want of memory. For one's own dear self, one ascertains and remembers everything. Lady Sondes is an impudent woman to come back into her old neighborhood again; I suppose 1811] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN 155 she pretends never to have married before, and wonders how her father and mother came to have her christened Lady Sondes. The store-closet, I hope, will never do so again, for much of the evil is proved to have proceeded from the gutter being choked up, and we have had it cleared. We had reason to rejoice in the child's absence at the time of the thaw, for the nursery was no' habitable. We hear of similar disasters from almost everybody. No news from Portsmouth. We are very pa- tient. Mrs. Charles Fowle desires to be kindly remembered to you. She is warmly interested in my brother and his family. Yours very affectionately, M- A ^ J. Austen. Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., Godraershara Park, Faversliam, Kent. m XXXV. Sloane St., Thursday (April 18, 1811). My dear Cassandka, — I have so many little matters to tell you of, that I cannot wait any longer before I begin to put them down. I spent Tuesday in Bentinck Street. The Cookes called here and took me back, and it was quite a Cooke day, for the Miss Rolies paid a visit while I was there, and Sam Arnold dropped in to tea. 156 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1811. The badness of the weather disconcerted an ex- cellent plan of mine, —that of calling on Miss Beckford again; but from the middle of the day it rained incessantly. Mary and 1, after disposing of her father and mother, went to the Liverpool Museum and the British Gallery, and I had some amusement at each, though my preference for men and women always inclines me to attend more to the company than the sight. Mrs. Cooke regrets very much that she did not see you when you called; it was owing to a blun- der among the servants, for she did not know of our visit till we were gone. She seems tolerably well, but the nervous part of her complaint, I fear, increases, and makes her more and more unwilling to part with Mary. I have proposed to the latter that she should go to Chawton with me, on the supposition of my travelling the Guildford road, and she, I do believe, would be glad to do it, but perhaps it may be im- possible; unless a brother can be at home at that time, it certainly must. George comes 1.. them to-day. I did not see Theo. till late on Tuesday; he was gfine to Ilford, but he came back in time to show his usual nothing-meaning, harmless, heartless civility. Henry, who had been confined the whole day to the bank, took me in his way home, and, after putting life and wit into the party for a quar- 1811.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 157 ter of an hour, put himself and his sister into a liackney coacli. I bless my stars that I have done with Tuesday. But, alas! Wednesday was likewise a day of great doings, for Manon and I took our walk to Grafton House, and I have a good deal to say on that subject. I am sorry to tell you that I am getting very ex- travagant, and spending all my money, and, what is worse for you, I have been spending yours too; for in a linendraper's shop to which I went for checked muslin, and for which I wa.s obliged to give seven shillings a yard, I was tempted by a pretty-colored mu.slin, and bouglit ten yards of it on the chance of your liking it; but at the same time, if it should not suit you, you must not think yourself at all obliged to take it; it is only 3s. 6d. per yard, and I should not in the least mind keep- ing the whole. In texture it is just what we pre- fer, but its resemblance to green crewels, I must own, is not great, for the pattern is a small red spot. And now I believe I have done all my com- missions except Wedgwood. I liked my walk very much; it was shorter than I had expected, and the weather was delightful. We set off immediately after breakfast, and must have reached Grafton House by half-past eleven; but when we entered the shop the whole counter was thronged, and we waited full half an hour be- 158 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [isn. fore we could be attended to. When we wore served, however, I was very well satisfied with my purchases, —my bugle trimming at 2s. 4d. and three pair silk stockings for a little less than 12s. a pair. In my way back who should I meet but Mr. Moore, just come from Beckenham. I believe he would have passed me if I had not made him stop, but we were delighted to meet. I soon found, however, that he had nothing new to tell me, and then I let him go. Miss Burton has made me a very pretty little bonnet, and n6Vv nothing can satisfy me but I must have a straw ha% of the riding-hat shape, like Mrs. Tilson's ; and a young woman in this neighborhood is actually making me one. I am really very shocking, but it will not be dear at a guinea. Our pelisses are Us. each; she charges only 8s. for the making, but the buttons seem ex- pensive, — are expensive, I might have said, for the fact is plain enough. We drank tea ngain yesterday with the Tilsons, and met the Smiths. I find all these little parties very pleasant. I like Mrs. S.; Miss Beaty is good-humor itself, and does not seem much be- sides. We spend to-morrow evening with them, and are to meet the Coin, and Mrs. Can^^elo Smith you have been used to hear o^ and, if s-he is in good humor, are likely to have extelient singing. len.] LETTERS OP JANE AUSTEN. 159 had kindly planned our going together to the Ly- ceum, but I have a cold which I should not like to make worse before Saturday, so I stay within all this day. Eliza is walking out by herself. She has plenty of business on her hands just now, for the day of the party is settled, and drawing near. Above -^ghty people are invited for next Tuesdayevening. and there is to .e so-ne very good music, -five professionals, three of them glee singers, besides amateurs. Fanny will listen to this. One of the hirelings is a Capital on the harp, from which I expect great pleasure. The foundation of the party was a dinner to Henry Egerton and Henry Walter, but the latter leaves town the day before I am sorry, as I wished her prejudice to be done away, but should have been more sorry if there had been no invitation. I am a wretch, to be so occupied with all these things as to seem to have no thoughts to give to people and circumstances which reallv supply a far more lasting interest, -the society in which you are; but I do think of you all, I assure you, and want to know all about everybody, and especially about your visit to the W. Fr^'ars; mais le moyen not to be occup^-ed by one's owii concerns? A^a^urrfay. _ Frank is superseded in the ''Cale- donia." Henry brought us this news vegterda- ^■m 160 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [im, from Mr. Daysh, and he heard at slie i,arae time that Charlos may be in England in the toarso of a month. Sir Edward Pollen succeeds Lord Gambier in his command, and iiojne captaii. of his succeeds Frank; and i believe the order is already gone out. Henry means to inquire further to-day. H*^ wrote to Mary on the occasion. This is something to think of. Henry is convinced that he will have th«? offer of something else, but does not think it wiil be at all incumbent on him to accept it; and tmm follows, what Avill he do? and where will he live? I hope to hear from you to-daj How are you as to health, strength, looks, etc. V I had a very comfortable account from Cliawton yc ,terday. If the weather permits, Eliza and I walk into London this morning. She is in want of chimney lights for Tuesday, and I of an ounce of davning- cotton. She has resolved not to venture to the play to-night. The D'Entraigues and Comte Julien cannot come to the party, which was at first a grief, but she has since supplied herself so well with performers that it is of no consequence; their not coming has produced our going to them to- morrow evening, which I like the idea of. It will be amusing to see the ways of a French circle. I wrote to Mrs. Hill a few days ago, and have received a most kind and satisfactor : swer. Any time the first week in May exactly , s her, and 1811] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 161 therefore I consider my going as tolerably fixed. I shall leave Sloane Street on the 1st or 2d, and be ready for James on the 9th, and, if his plan al- ters, I can take care of myself. I have explained my views here, and everything is smooth and pleasant; and Eliza talks kindly of conveying me to Streatham. We met the Tilsons yesterday evening, but the singing Smiths sent an excuse, which put our Mrs. Smith out of humor. We are come back, after a good dose of walking and coaching, and I have the pleasure of your letter. I wish I had James's verses, but they were left at Chawton. When I return thither, if Mrs. K. will give me leave, I will send them to her. Our first object to-day was Henrietta St., to consult with Henry in consequence of a very unlucky change of the play for this very night, — "Hamlet" instead of ''King John," — and we ' are to go on Monday to -Macbeth " instead; but It IS a disappointment to us both. Love to all. Yours affectionately, Miss Austen, Edward Austkn's, Esq., Godmershara Park, Faveraham, Kent. II 162 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1811. XXXVI. Sloane St., Thursday (April 25). My dearest Cassandra, — I can return the compliment by thanking you for the unexpected pleasure of your letter yesterday, and as I like unexpected pleasure, it made me very happy; and, indeed, you need not apologize for your letter in any respect, for it is all very fine, but not too fine, I hope, to be written again, or something like it. I think Edward will not suffer much longer from heat; by the look of things this morning I suspect the weather is rising into the balsamic north-east. It has been hot here, as you may sup- pose, since it was so hot with you, but I have not suffered from it at all, nor felt it in such a degree «s to make me imagine it would be ai j thing in the country. Everybody has talked of the heat, but I set it all down to London. I give you joy of our new nephew, and hope if he ever comes to be hanged it will not be till we are too old to care about it. It is a great comfort to have it so safely and speedily over. The Miss Curlings must be hard worked in writing so many letters, but the novelty of it may recommend it to them; mine was from Miss Eliza, and she says that my brother may arrive to-day. •■ • 1811.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 163 No, indeed, I am never too busy to think of S. and S.^ I can no more forget it than a mother can forget her sucking child; and I am much obliged to you for your inquiries. I have had two sheets to correct, but tlie last only brings us to Willoughby's first appearance. Mrs. K. regrets in the most flattering manner that she must wait till May, but I have scarcely a hope of its being out in June. Henry does not neglect it; he has hurried the printer, and says he will see him again to-day. It will not stand still during his absence, it will be sent to Eliza. The Incomes remain as they were, but T will get them altered if I can. I am very much grati- fied by Mrs. K.'s interest in it; and whatever mi. v be the event of it as to my credit with her, sin- cerely wish her curiosity could be satisfied sooner than is now probable. I think she will like my Elinor, but cannot build on anything else. Our party wcut off extremely well. There were many solicitudes, alarms, and vexations before- hand, c" ^urse, but at last everything was quite right. The rooms were dressed up with tJnwers, etc., and looked very pretty. A glass for the mantelpiece was lent by the man who is making their own. Mr. Egerton and Mr. Walter came at half-past five, and the festivities began with a pair of very fine soles. ^ " Sense and Sensibility." 4 164 1 'TTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1811, Yes, Mr. Walter— for he postponed his leaving London on purpose — which did not give much ])]ea8ure at the time, any more than the circum- stance fromwhiol i.j..c, -- his railing on Sunday and being asked by Henry to take the family dinner on that day, which he did; but it is all smoothed over now, and she likes him very \,ell. At half-past seven arrived the musicians in two hackney coaches, and by eight the lordly company began to ai)pear. Among the earliest were George and Mary Cooke, and I spent the greatest part of the evening very pleasantly with them. The drawing-room being soon hotter than we lil ed, we placed ourselves in the connecting passage, which was comparatively cool, and gave us all the advan- tage of the music at a pleasant distance, as well as that of the first view of every new-comer. 1 was quite .surrounded by acquaintance, espe- cially gentlemen; and whai with Mr. Hampson, Mr. Seymour, Mr. V Knatchbull, Mr. Guillemarde, Mr. Cure, a Captain Simpson, brother to the Captain Simpson, besides Mr. Walter and Mr. Egenun, in addition to the t'ookes, and Miss Beckford, and Miss Middleton, I Lad quite as much upon my hands ^ I could do. Poor Miss B. is been suffering nc^ain from her old complaint, & d 1 ks thinner than ever. She certainly goes to Cheltenham the J*'^ginning of June. We were all delight and cordiality, of L 1811.] LKTTEUS OF JANE AUSTEN. 165 course. Miss M. seems very happy, but has not beauty enough to figure in London. Including everybody we wore sixty-six, — which was considerably more than Eliza had expected, and quite enough to fill the back drawing-room and leave a few to be scattered about in the other and in the passage. The nuj' '<; was extremely good. It open'^d (tell Fanny) with " Poike de i'arp pirs praise pof Pra- pela; " and of the other glees I remember, *'In peace love tunes," '• Eosabelle," '' The Red Cross Knight," and '^ Poor Insect." Between the songs Mere lessons on the harp, or harp and pianoforte together; and the harp-player was Wiepart, whose name seems famous, though new to me. There was one female singer, a hhort Miss Davis, all in blue, bringing up for the public line, whose voice was said to be very fine indeed; and all the per- formers gave great satisfaction by doicg what they were paid for, and giving themselves no airs. No amateur could be persuaded to do anything. The house was not clear till after twelve. If you wish to hear more of it, ^ ou mm t put your questions, but I seem rather to have exhausted than spared the subject. This said ('aptain Simpson told us, on tlso au- thority of some other Captain just arrived from Halifax, that Charle? was bringing the ** Cleo- patra " home, and that she was probably by this ■f 3m II 166 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [isil. time in the Channel; but as Captiiin S. was certainly in liquor, we must not quite depend on it. It nnist give one a sort of expectation, however, and will j.revent my writing to him any more. I would rather he should not reach Eng- land till I am at home, and tlie Steventon party gone. My mother and Martha both write with great satisfaction of Anna's behavior. She is quite an Anna with variations, but she cannot have reached her last, for that is always the most flourishing and showy; she is at about her third or fourth, which are generally simjjle and pretty. Your lilacs are in leaf, ours are in bloom. The horse-chestnuts are quite out, and the elms almost. I had a pleasant walk in Kensington Gardens on Sunday with Henry, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Tilson; everything was fresh and beautiful. We did go to the play, after all, on Saturday. We went to the Lyceum, and saw the << Hypocrite," an old play taken from Moli^re's ''Tartuffe," and were well entertained. Dowton and Mathews were the good actors; Mrs. Edwin was the heroine, and her performance is just what it used to be. I have no chance of seeing Mrs. Siddons; she did act on Monday, but as Henry was told by the box-keeper that he did not not think she would, the plans, and all thought of it, were given up. I should particularly have liked seeing her in '' Constance," 1811.] LETTEUS OF JANE AUSTEN. 167 and could swear at lier with littlo effort for dis- appointing lue. Henry has been to the Water-Color Exhibition, which opened on Monday, and is to meet us there again some morning. If Eliza cannot go (and she has a cold at present), Miss Beaty will be invited to be my companion. Henry leaves town on Sun- day afternoon, but he means to write soon himself to Edward, and will tell his own plans. The tea is this moment setting out. Do not have your colored muslin unless you really want it, because I am afraid I could not send it to the coach without giving trouble here. Eliza caught her cold on Sunday in our way to the D'Entraigues. The horses actually gibbed on this side of Hyde Park Gate: a load of fresh gravel made it a formidable hill to them, and they refused the collar; I believe there was a sore shoulder to irritate. Eliza was frightened, and we got out, and were detained in the evening air several minutes. The cold is in her chest, but she takes care of her- self, and I hope it may not last long. This engagement i.revented Mr. Walter's stay- ing late, — he had his coffee and went away. Eliza enjoyed her evening very much, and means to cul- tivate the acquaintance; and I see nothing to dis- like in them but their taking quantities of snuff. Monsieur, the old Count, is a very finelooking man, with quiet manners, good enough for an Eng- ■ Mi y*i M 188 ' LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1811. v M lishman, and, I believe, is a man of great informa- tion and taste. He has some fine paintings, which delighted Henry as much as the son's music grati- fied Eliza; and among them a miniature of Philip V. of Spain, Louis XIV. 's grandson, which exactly- suited my capacity. Count Julien's performance is very wonderful. We met only Mrs. Latouche and Miss East, and we are just now engaged to spend next Sunday evening at Mrs. L.'s, and to meet the D'Entraigues, but M. le Comte must do without Henry. If he would but speak English, I would take to him. Have you ever mentioned the leaving off tea to Mrs. K. ? Eliza has just si^oken of it again. The benefit she has found from it in sleeping has been very great. I shall write soon to Catherine to fix my day, which will be Thursday. We have no engagement but for Sunday. Eliza's cold makes quiet advis- able. Her party is mentioned in this morning's paper. I am sorry to hear of poor Fanny'n state. From that quarter, I suppose, is to be the alloy of her happiness. I will have no more to say. Yours affectionately, J. A. Give my love particularly to my goddaughter. Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., Godinersham Park, Eaversham. ,\ ,i 1811.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 169 i ^i XXXVII. Sloane St., Tuesday. My dear Cassandra, — I had sent off my letter yesterday before yours came, which I was sorry for; but as Eliza has been so good as to get me a frank, your questions shall be answered with- out much further expense to you. The best direction to Henry at Oxford will be "The Blue Boar, Cornmarket." I do not mean to provide another trimming for my pelisse, for I am determined to spend no more money; so I shall wear it as it is, longer than I ought, and then — I do not know. My head-dress was a bugle-band like the border to my gown, and a flower of Mrs. Tilson's. I de- pended upon hearing something of the evening from Mr. W. K., and am very well satisfied with his notice of me — ''A pleasing-looking young woman" — that must do; one cannot pretend to anything better now; thankful to have it con- tinued a few 3'ears longer! It gives me sincere pleasure to hear of Mrs. Knight's having had a tolerable night at last, but upon this occasion I wish she had another name, for the two nights jingle very much. We have tried to get " Self-control," but in vain. I should like to know what her estimate is, but am always half afraid of finding a clever novel too i\, till* I f \ f I r- i^' fi' a • 170 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [181 L clever, and of finding raj own story and my own people all forestalled. Eliza has just received a few lines from Henry to assure her of the good conduct of his mare. He slept at Uxbridge on Sunday, and wrote from Wheatfield. ^''e were not claimed by Hans Place yesterday, are to dine there to-day. Mr. Tilson called in the evening, but otherwise we were quite alone all day; and after having been out a good deal, the change was very pleasant. I like your opinion of Miss Atten much better than I expected, and have now hopes of her stay- ing a whole twelvemonth. By this time I suppose she is hard at it, governing away. Poor creature! I pity her, though they are my nieces. Oh! yes, I remember Miss Emma Plumbtree's local consequence perfectly. I am in a dilemma, for want of an Emma, Escaped from the lips of Henry Gipps. But, really, I was never much more put to it than in continuing an answer to Fanny's former message. What is there to be said on the subject? Pery pell, or pare pey? or po; or at the most, Pi, pope, pey, pike, pit. I congratulate Edward on the Weald of Kent Canal Bill being put off till another Session, as I have just had the pleasure of reading. There is always something to be hoped from delay. 1811.J LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 171 Between Session and Session The first Prepossession May rouse up the Nation, And the villanous Bill May be forced to lie still Against wicked men's will. There is poetry for Edward and his daughter. 1 am afraid I shall not have any for you. 1 forgot to tell you in my last that our cousin Miss Payne called in on Saturday, and was per- suaded to stay dinner. She told us a great deal about her friend Lady Cath. Brecknell, who is most happily married, and Mr. Brecknell is very religious, and has got black whiskers. I am glad to think that Edward has a tolerable day for his drive to Goodnestone, and very glad to hear of his kind promise of briiiging you to town. I hope everything will arrange itself favorably. The 16th is now to be Mrs. Dundas's day. I mean, if I can, to wait for your return before I have my new gown made up, from a notion of their making up to more advantage together; and as I find the muslin is not so wide as it used to be, some contrivance may be necessary. I expect the skirt to require one-half breadth cut in gores, be- sides two whole breadths. Eliza has not yet quite resolved on inviting Anna, but I think she will. Yours very affectionately, Jane. , I 'm li 172 i P 1' LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. XXXVIII. [1811. Chawton, Wednesday (May 29) o talk of a tenth child at Hamstall. I had forgo there were but eight already. ^ Your inquiry after my uncle and aunt were most happdy timed, for the very same post l^ougiran account of them. They are again at Glou'c te^ ■House enioyinK fresh air i..l,;„i, <.i Mt tl.„ . / ' ' "'^y *«™ '"have felt tl,e want „f ,„ BatI,, a„d are tolerably well but not „ore than tolerable. M, aunt do's no enter mto particulars, but she does not write in ^P.r.s, and we imagine that she has never ejL; got the better of her disorder in the winter. Mrs Welby takes her out air„,g i„ her barouche, which B.ves her a headache, -a comfortable proof I "' pose, of the uselessness of the new carriaje wZ they have got it. ^ yon that Col. Orde has married our cousin Margt Beckford, the Marchess, of Douglas's sister. It papers say that her father disinherits her, but I think too well of in 0,.^« t not « 1 . '° ""''Po™ 'hit she has not a handsome independence of her own The chickens are all alive and (it for the table but we save them for something g.and. .Sor^ oj «.e flower seeds are coming up very well, but your -.gnonette makes a wretched appearance. Mis, :n. tisii. ^y (May 29). Cassandra, had forgot t were most "brought an Grloucpster iem to have rably well, it does not >t write in er entirely ter. Mrs. 5he, which oof, I snp. iage when I can tell in Margt. ter. The er, but I t she has ||! s^W'< '5 ^ 15 nV'l t he table, Some of but your 3. Miss r 2?; 172 hKVTKhS OF JANE AU.STEN. 'pan. I XXXVI ri. iT was ft msVt*K(* of nmw, mv dear T',. • . 1 «k , ' ' "^talJ. I had form,t «bere yr^re but eight alroudv. 1 wx in J- • •,;' ' an !'! at <'!.>;(ccsti'r bi<^h they 8i^<^u) ;., Ikuu ' it.e in '•VBr entirely s -A comfortable proof, I j^nu- -sness of Hi/ r>..,v ...,„,.: , 3 I ■'H»i»f li«vo hr-nrd hpf.„... 7 .,,1 - n, ^ut: we mwp thpTo t ;u she im^ .i.t-dt', nnsfOrtTKiffo ^,.u < u 1 ""»- .your "hed. appoarajice. Miss nngnoTietfe make- ;n. r'8ii. .- ■via. 29). ■'■■-uiidr;i, *" ""('re im>sc '■ •liglit an Oloucnster ' !ii to havrt • ■-• 'y ^^*•*l,, ■ ■ . '.'■• I r; litiroJy wf, ,r snp. iage when ' ■ ■■ .ills ' able, Some of but yoor Misi.s 2 W Q <«i O U o b O < H H O U 55 O H & <; X f t f 18^1.] LLTTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 173 Benn has been equally unlucky as to hers. She had seed from four different people, and none of it comes up. Our young piony at the foot of the fir- tree has just blown and looks very handsome, and the whole of the shrubbery border will soon be very gay with pinks and sweet-williams, in addi- tion to tho columbines already in bloom. The syringas, too, are coming out. We are likely to have a great crop of Orleans plums, but not many- greengages — on the standard scarcely any, three or four dozen, perhaps, against the wall. I believe I told you differently when I first came home, but I can now judge better than I could then. I have had a medley and satisfactory letter this morning from the husband and wife at Cowes; and in consequence of what is related of their plans, we have been talking over the possibility of inviting them here in their way from Steventon, which is what one should wish to do, and is, I dare say, what they expect, but, supposing Martha to be at home, it does not seem a very easy thing to accommodate so large a party. My mother offers to give up her room to Frank and Mary, but there will then be only the best for two maids and three children. They go to Steventon about the 22d, and I guess — for it is quite a guess — will stay there from a fortnight to three weeks. X Xtlilou HCb T entUi-u to press luiss onarpe>» com- 174 LErrERS OF JANF AUSTEN. [1811. ing at present; we may hardly be at liberty before August. Poor John Bridges! we are very sorry for his situation and for the distress of the family. Lady B., is in one way severely tried. And our own dear brother suffers a great deal,' I dare say, . n the occasion. I have not much to say of ourselves. Anna is nursing a cold caught in the arbor at Faringdon, that she may be able to keep her enga^ ment to Maria M. this evening, when I suppose she will make it worse. She did not return from Faringdon till Sunday, ftUim H. B. walked home with her, and drank tea here, She was with the Prowtings almost all Mon- d:vv, She went to learn to make feather trimmings of Miss Anna, and they kept her to dinner, which was rather lucky, as we were called upon to meet Mrs. and Miss Terry the same evening at the Dig- weeds; and though Anna was of course invited too, I think it always safest to keep her away from the family, lest she should be doing too little or too much. Mrs. Terry, Mary, and Kobert, with my aunt Harding and her daughter, came from Dumraer for a day and a night, — all very agreeable and very much delighted with the new house and with Chawton in general. We sat upstairs, and had thunder and lightning 1811.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 176 as usual. I ne\ .t knew such a spring for thunder- storms as it has been. Tliank God! we have had no bad ones hero. I thought myself in luck to liave my uncnifortablo feelings shared '.y the mistress of the h( use, as that procu linds and candles. It had been excessively h( .e whole day. Mrs. Harding is a good-looking woman, but not much like Mrs. Toke, inasmuch as she is very brown and has scarcely any teeth; she seems to have some of Mrs. Toke's civility. Miss II. is an elegant, pleasing, pretty-looking girl, about nineteen, I suppose, or nineteen and a half, or nineteen and a quarter, with flowers in her head and music at her finger-ends. She plays very well indeed. I have seldom heard anybody with more pleasure. They were it Godington four or five years ago. My cousin Flora Long was there last year. My name is Diana. How does Fanny like it? Wiiat a change in the weather! We have a fire again now. Harriet Benn sleeps at the Great House to-night, and spends to-morrow with us; and the plan is that we should all walk with her to drink tea at Faringdoii, for her mother is now recovered; but the state of the weather is not very promising at present. Miss Benn has been returned to her cottage since the beginning of last week, and has now just got another girl ; she comes from Alton. For many i' 1-^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 11.25 u ti& 12.0 ■ 1.8 U 11.6 6" ^Sciences Corporabon 23 WIST MAIN STMCT WnSTIR.N.Y. 14SM (7l6)t72-4S03 %^ '§^ 1 Ji \ K<^ n^^ .^ « I 176 LETTERS OP JANE AUSTEN. [isil. days Miss B. had nobody with her but her niece Elizabeth, who was delighted to be her visitor and her maid. They both dined here on Saturday while Anna was at Faringdon; and last night an accidental meeting and a sudden impulse produced Miss Benn and Maria Middleton at our tea-table. If you have not heard it is very fit you should, that Mr. Harrison has had the living of Fareham given him by the Bishop, and is going to reside there; and now it is said that Mr. Peach (beautiful wiseacre) wants to have the curacy of Overton, and If he does leave Wootton, James Digweed wishes to go there. Fare you well. Yours affectionately, Jaxe Austen. The chimneys at the Great House are done. Mr. Prowting has opened a gravel-pit, very con- veniently for my mother, just at the mouth of the approach to his house; but it looks a little as if he meant to catch all his company. Tolerable gravel. Miss AlTSTEN, Godniersham Park, Faversliani, Kent XXXIX. CiiAWTON, Tlmrsday (June 6). By this time, my dearest Cassandra, you know Martha's plans. I was rather disappointed, I confess, to find that she could v=ot leave town till 1811.] LETTEKS OF JANE AUSTEN. 177 after ye 24th, as I had lioped to see you here the week before. The delay, however, is not great, and everything seems generally arranging itself for your return very conifortahly. I found Henry peifcctly predisposed to bring you to London if agreeable to yourself; he has not fixed his day for going into Kent, but he must be back again before ye 20th, You may therefore think with something like certainty of the close of your Godmersham visit, and will have, I suj.pose, about a week for Sloane Street. He travels in his gig, and should the weather be tolerable I think you must have a delightful journey. I have given up all idea of Miss Sharpe's travel- ling with you aiid Martha, for though you are both all cou.pliance with my scheme, yet as you knock off a week from the end of her visit, and Martha rather more from the beginning, the thing is out of the question. I have written to her to say that after the middle of July we shall be happy to receive her, and I have added a welcome if she could make her way hither directly, but I do not expect that she will. I have also sent our invitation to Cowes. We are very sorry for the disappointment you have all had in Lady B.'s illness; but a division of the proposed party is with you by this time, and I hope may have brought you a better account of the rest. » 178 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [isii. Give my love and tlianks to Harriot, who has written me charming things of your looks, and diverted me very mucli by jjoor Mrs. C. Milles's continued perplexity. I had a few lines from Henry on Tuesday to prepare us for himself and his friend, and by the time that I had made the sumptuong provision of a neck of mutton on the occasion, they drove into the court; but lest you should not immediately recollect in how many hours a neck of mutton may be certainly procured, I add that they came a little after twelve, -both tall and well, and in their different degrees agreeable. It was a visit of only twenty-four hours, but very pleasant while it lasted. Mr. Tilson took a sketch of the Great House before dinner, and af- ter dinner we all thme walked to Chawton Park,i meaning to go into :ut it was toe dirty, and we were obliged to keep or the outside. Mr. Tilson admired the trees very much, but grieved that they should not be turned into money. My mother's cold is better, and I believe she only wants dry weather to be very well. It Mas a great distress to her tliat Anna should be absent during her uncle's visit, a distress which I could not share. She does not return from Faringdon till this evening, and I doubt not has had plerty J A large beech wood extending for a long distance upon a hiU about a mile from Chawton : the trees are magnificent 1811] LEITEKS OF JANE AUSTEN. 179 of the miscellaneous, unsettled sort of happiness which seems to suit her best. We hear from Misa I3enn, who was on the Common witli the Prowt. ings, that she was very much admired by the gea tlomen in general. I like your new bonnets exceedingly; yours is e. shape which always looks well, and I think Fanny's particularly becoming to her. On Monday I had the pleasure of receiving, un packing, and ai)proving our Wedgwood ware. It- all came very safely, and upon the whole is a good match, though I think they might have allowed us rather larger leaves, especially in such a year of fine foliage as this. One is apt to suppose that the woods about Lirmingham must be blighted. There was no bill with the goods, but that shall not screen them from being paid. I mean to ask Martha to settle the account. It will be quite in her way, for she is just now sending my mother a breakfast-set from the same place. I hope it will come by the wagon to-morrow; it is certainly what we want, and I long to know what it is like, and as I am sure Martha has great pleasure in making the present, I will not have any regret. We have cousiderable deali-i?3 with the wagons at present : a hamper of port anu brandy from Southampton is now in the kitchen. Your answer about the Miss Plumbtrees proves you as fine a Daniel as ever Portia was; for I maintained Emma to be the eldest. 180 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [I8II. We began pease on Sunday, but our gatherings are very small, not at all like the gathering in the " Lady of the Lake." Yesterday 1 had the agree- able surprise of finding several scarlet strawberries quite ripe; had you been at home, this would have been a pleasure lost. There are more gooseberries and fewer currants than I thought at first. We must buy currants for our wine. The Digweeds are gone down to see the Ste- phen Terrys at Southampton, and catch the King's birthday at Portsmouth. Miss Papillon called on us yesterday, looking handsomer than ever. Maria Middleton and Miss Benn dine here to-morrow. We are not to enclose any more letters to Abingdon Street, as perhaps Martha has told you. I had just left off writing and put on my things for walking to Alton, when Anna and her friend Harriot called in their way thither; so we went together. Their business was to provide mourning against the King's death, and my mother has had a bombazine bought for her. I am not sorry to be back again, for the young ladies had a great deal to do, and without much method in doing it. Anna does not come home till to-morrow morn- ing. She has written I find to Fanny, but there does not seem to be a great deal to relate of Tues- day. I had hoped there might be dancing. Mrs. Budd died on Sunday evening. I saw V I 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 181 her two days before her death, and thought it must happen soon. She suffered much from weakness and restlessness almost to the last. Poor little Harriot seems truly grieved. You have never mentioned Harry; how is he? With love to you all, Yours affectionately, j. a. MiHfl AusTEW, Edward Austen's, Egq., Godmershain Park, Favershara. ' "" XL. CiiAWTON, Fridaj (January 29, 1813), * I HOPE you received my little parcel by J. Bond on Wednesday evening, my dear Cassandra, and that you will be ready to hear from me again on Sunday, for I feel that I must write to you to-day. I want to tell you that I have got my own darling child 1 from London. On Wednesday I received one copy sent down by Falkener, with three lines from Henry to say that he had given another to Charles and sent a third by the coach to Godmersham. . . . The advertisement is in our paper to-day for the first time : 18.,. He shall ask 1/. Is. for my two next, and 1/. 8s. for my stupidest of all. Miss B. dined with us on the very day of the book's coming, and in the evening we fairly set at it, and read half the first vol. to her, prefacing that, having intelligence from ' " Pride and PrfijniJiVei," 182 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [I8i3. Henry that such a work would soon appear, wo had deiired him to Hend it whenever it came out, and I believe it passed with her unsuspected. Shd was amused, poor soul! That she could not help, you know, with two such people to lead the wuy; but she really does seem to admire Elizabeth. I must confess that I think her as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print, and how J shall be able to tolerate those who do not like her at least, I do not know. There are a few typical errors; and a ''said he," or a ''said she," would sometimes make the dialogue more immediately clear; but "I do not write for such dull elves" as have not a great deal of ingenuity themselves. The second rolume is shorter than I could wish, but the difference is not so much in reality as in look, there being a larger proportion of narrative d in that part. I have lop't and crop't so success- fully, however, that I imagine it must be rather shorter than "Sense and Sensibility " altogether. Now I will try and write of something else. XLI. Chawton, Thursday (February 4). My deak Cassandra, — Your letter was truly welcome, and I am much obliged to you for all your praise; it came at a right time, for I had had some fits of disgust. Our second evening's read- 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 183 ing to Miss B, had not i)lease(l me so well, but I believe soiuething must be attributed to my mother's too rapid way of getting on: though she perfectly understands the characters herself, she cannot speak as they ought. Upon the whole, however, I am (juite vain enough and well satisfied enough. The work is rather too light and bright and sparkling: it wants shade; it wants to be stretched out here and there with a long chapter of sense, if it could be had; if not, of solemn specious nonsense, about something unconnected with the story, —an es.say on writing, a critique on Walter Scott, or the history of Buonaparte, or something that would form a contrast, and bring the reader with increased delight to the playfulness and epigrammatism of the general style. . . . The greatest blunder in the printing that I have met with is in page 220, v. 3, where two speeches are made into one. There rvght as well be no suppers at Longbourn; but I su^.,) ^e it was the remains of Mrs. Bennet'a old Meryton habits. XLII. Febrcart. This will be a quick return for yours, my dear Cassandra. I doubt its having much else to recom- mend it; but there is no saying: it may turn out to be a very long and delightful letter. I am exceed- ingly pleased that you can say what you do, after i 184 LKrrKus of jane acsten. [1813. having gone tlirmgh tluMvholo work, and Fanny'g pruise is very gratit'ying. My hopes were toleraMy strong of her, hut nothing like a certainty. Jr,.r liking Darey and Elizaheth is enough. She might hate all the others, if she would. I have her opinion unih-r her own hand this morning; but your transcript of it, which I read first, was not, and 18 not, the less accseptable. To me it is of course all praise, hut the more exact truth which 8he sends you is good enough. ... Our party ou Wednesday was not unagreeable, though we wanted a master of the house less anxious and fidgety, and more conversable. Upon Mrs 's mentioning that she had sent the rejected ad- dresses to Mrs. H., I began talking to her a little about them, and expressed my hope of their having amused her. Her answer was, ««0h dear, yes, very much, very droll indeed, the opening of the house, and the striking up of the fiddles! " What she meant, poor woman, who shall say? I sought no farther. As soon as a whist-party was formed, and a round table threatened, I made my mother an excuse and came away, leaving just as many for their round table as there were at Mrs. Grant's.* I wish they might be as agreeable a set. My mother is very well, and finds great amusement in glove-knitting, and at present wants * At this time, February, 1813, " Mansfield Park " was nearly finished. I813.J LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 185 no othor work. Wo qnite run over with books. She has got Sir Join, Carr's *' Travels in Spain," and I am reading a Society octavo, an " Essay on the Military Police and Institutions of the British Empire," by Capt. Pasley of the Engineers. —a book Avhich r protested against at tirst, but which npon trial I find delightfully written and highly entertaining. 1 am as much in love with the author as I ever was with Clurkson or Buchanan, or even the two Mr. Smiths of the city. The first soldier I ever sighed for; but he does write with extraordinary force and spirit. Yesterday, more- over, brought us "Mrs. Grant's Letters," with Mr. White's compliments; but I have disposed of them, compliments and all, to Miss P., and amongst so many readers or retainers of books as we have in Chawton, I dare say there will be no difficulty in getting rid of them for another fort- night, if necessary. I have disposed of Mrs. Grant for the second fortnight to Mrs. . It can make no difference to her which of the twenty- six fortnights in the year the three vols, lie on her table. I have been applied to for information as to the oath taken in former times of Bell, Book, and. Candle, but have none to give. Perhaps you may be able to learn something of its origin where you now are. Ladies who read those enormous great stupid thick quarto volumes which one al- ways sees in the breakfast-parlor there must be 186 LK'ITKKS OF JANE AU8TKN. [I813. acc|imintea with everything ii. the w«.rl.l. I ,|e. teHt a (juarto. Captain Pasley's h„ok is too good for their society. They v.ill not un.hTHtan.l a n.an who condenses his thoughts into an octavo. I have learned from Sir J. C^irr that there is no Govern- ment House at (iibraltar. I must alter it tu the Connnissioner's. XLIII. Sloane Stkkkt, Thursdny, May 20. My dear Ca8.saxi)ua, — before I say any- thing else, I claim a i)ai)er full of halfj)ence on the drawing-room mantelpiece; I put them there myself, and forgot to bring them with me. I cannot say that I have yet been in any distress for money, but I choose to have my due, as well as the Devil. How lucky we were in our weather yesterday! This wet morning makes one more sensible of it. We had no rain of any conse- quence. The head of the curricle was put half up three or four times, but our share of the showers was very trifling, th.mgh they seemed to be heavy all round us, when we were on the Hog's-back, and I fancied it might then be raining so hard at Chawton as to make you feel f.^r us much more than we deserved. Three hours and a quarter took us to Guildford, where we stayed barely two hours, and had only just time enough for all we 181.1] LE'ITEBS OF JANE AUSTEN. 187 had to do there; that !«, eating a long and com- fortable breakfast, watching the carriages, payi g Mr. Harrington, and taking a little stroll after- wards. From s .mo views which that stroll gave us, I think most highly of the situation of Guild- ford. We wanted all our brothers and sisters to bo standing with us in tlie bowling-green, and looking towards Horsham. I was very lucky in my gloves,— got them at the first shop I went to, though I went into it rather because it was near than because it looked at all like a glove- shop, and gave only four shillings for them; after which everybody at Chawton will be hoping and predicting that they cannot be good for anything, and their worth certainly remains to be proved; but I think they lo„k very well. We left Guildford at twenty minuf.s bofmo twelve (I hope somebody cares for those minutite), and were at Esher in about two hours mor<- I was very much pleased with the country in general. Between Guildford and Ripley I thought it particularly pretty, also about Painshill; and from a Mr. Spicer's grounds at Esher, which we walked into before dinner, the views were beautiful. I cannot say what we did not see, but I should think there could not be a wood, or a meadow, or palace, or remarkable spot in England that was not spread out before us on one side or other. Claremont is going to be sold: a Mr. Ellis has it now. It 188 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [I813. is a house that seems never to have prospered. After dinner we walked forward to be overtaken at the coachman's time, and before he did over- take us we were very near Kingston. I fancy it was about half-past six when we reached this house,— a twelve hours' business, and the horses did not appear more than reasonably tired. I was very tired too, and glad to get to bed early, but am quite well to-day. I am very snug in the front drawing-room all to myself, and would not say "thank you "for any company but you. The quietness ot it does me good. I have con- trived to pay my two visits, though the weather made me a great while about it, and left me only a few minutes to sit with Charlotte Craven.^ She looks very well, and her hair is done up with an elegance to do credit to any education. Her man- ners are as unaffected and pleasing as ever. She had heard from her mother to-day. Mrs. Craven spends another fortnight at Chilton. I saw no- body but Charlotte, which pleased me best I was shown upstairs into a drawing-room, whc.a she came to me; and the appearance of the room, so totally unschoollike, amused me very much: it was full of modern elegances. Yours very affec*'- , J. A. » The present Lady Pollen, of Redenham, near Andover. then at a school in Loudon. 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 189 XLIV. Sloane Street, Monday (May 24) My DEAREST Cassaxdra,-! am' very much obliged to you for writing to me. You must have hated It after a worrying morning. Your letter came just in time to save my going to Kemnant's, and fit me for Christian's, where I bought Fannv'^ d- My. ^ ^ went the day before (Friday) to Layton's as I proposed, and got my mother's gown, ~ seven yards at 6s. (5d. I then walked into No. 10, which IS all dirt and confusion, but in a very promising way; and after being present at the opening of a new account, to my great amusement, Henry and I went to the exhibition in Spring Gardens. it IS not thought a good collection, but I was very well pleased, particularly (pray tell Fanny) with a small portrait of Mra. Bingley,i excessively like her. ■^ I went in hopes of seeing one of her sister, but there was no Mrs. Darcy.i Perhaps, however, I may find her in the great exhibition, which we shall go to if we have time. I have no chance of her in the collection of Sir Joshua Reynolds's paint- ings, which is now showing in Pall Mall, and which we are also to visit. 1 K/rfe " Pride and Prejudice." ■>». 190 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. Mrs. Bingley's is exactly herself, —size, shaped face, features, and sweetness; there never was a greater likeness. She is dressed in a wiiite gown, with green ornaments, which convinces me of what I had always supposed, that green was a favorite color with her. I dare say Mrs. D. will be in yellow. Friday was our worst day as to weather. We were out in a very long and very heavy storm of hail, and there had been others before, but I heard no thunder. Saturday was a good deal better; dry and cold. I gave 2s. 6cl. for the dimity. ■ I do not boast of any bargains, but think both the sarsenet and dimity good of their sort. I have bought your locket, but was obliged to give 185. for it, which must be rather more than you intended. It is neat and plain, set in gold. We were to have gone to the Somerset House Exhibition on Saturday, but when I reached Hen- rietta Street Mr. Hampson was wanted there, and Mr. Tilson and I were obliged to drive about town after him, and by the time we had done it was too late for anything but home. We never found him after all. I have been interrupted by Mrs. Tilson. Poor woman! She is in danger of not being able to attend Lady Drummond Smith's party to-night. Miss Burdett was to have taken her, and now i813] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEX. 191 Miss Burdett has a cough and will not go. My cousin Caroline is her sole dependence. The events of yesterday were, our going to Bel- grave Chapel in the morning, our being prevented by the rain from going to evening service at St. James, Mr. Hampson's calling, Messrs. Barlow and Phillips dining here, and Mr. and Mrs. Til- son's coming in the evening ^ V ordinaire. She drank tea with us both Thursday and Saturday; he dined out each day, and on Friday we were with them, and they wish us to go to them to-morrow evening, to meet Miss Burdett, but I do not know how it will end. Henry talks of a drive to Hamp- stead, which may interfere with it. I should like to see Miss Burdett very well, but that I am rather frightened by hearing that she wishes to be introduced to me. If I am a wild beast, I cannot help it. It is not my own fault. There is no change in our plan of leaving Lon- don, but we shall not be with you before Tuesday. Henry thinks Monday would appear too early a day. There is no danger of our being induced to stay longer. I have not quite determined how I shall manage about rx^Y clothes; perhaps there may be only my trunk to send by the coach, or there may be a band-box with it. I have taken your gentle hint, and written to Mrs. Hill. 192 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEX. [1813. The Hoblyns want us to dine with them, but we have refused. When Henry returns he will be dining out a great deal, I dare say; as he will then be alone, it will be more desirable; he will be more welcome at every table, and every invitation more welcome to him. He will not want either of us again till he is settled in Henrietta Street. This is my present persuasion. And he will not be settled there — really settled— -till late in the autumn; « he will not be come to bide " till after September. There is a gentleman in treaty for this house. Gentleman himself is in the country, but gentle- man's friend came to see it the other day, and seemed pleased on the whole. Gentleman would rather prefer an increased rent to parting with five hundred guineas at once, and if that is the only difficulty it will not be minded. Henry is indif- ferent as to the which. Get us the best weather you can for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. We are to go to Wind- sor in our way to Henley, which will be a great delight. We shall be leaving Sloane Street about twelve, two or three hours after Charles's party have begun their journey. You will miss them, but the comfort of getting back into your own room will be great. And then the tea and sugar! I fear Miss Clewes is not better, or you would 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 193 have mentioned it. I shall not write again unless I have any unexpected communication or oppor- tunity to tempt me. I enclose Mr. Herington's bill and receipt. I am very much obliged to Fanny for her letter; it made me laugh heartily, but I cannot pretend to answer it. Even had I more time, I should not feel at all sure of the sort of letter that Miss D.i would write. I hope Miss Benn is got well again, and will have a comfortable dinner with you to-day. Monday Eveninff. —We h&ve been both to the exhibition and Sir J. Reynolds's, and I am disap- pointed, for there was nothing like Mrs. D. at either* I can only imagine that Mr. D. prizes any picture of her too much to like it should be exposed to the public eye. I can imagine he would have that sort of feeling, _ that mixture of love, pride, and delicacy. Setting aside this disappointment, I had great amusement among the pictures; and the driving about, the carriage being open, was very pleasant. I liked my solitary elegance very much, and was ready to laugh all the time at my being where I was. I could not but feel that I had naturally small right to be parading about London in a barouche. Henry desires Edward may know that he has ^ Miss Darcy. IS 194 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. just bought three dozen of claret for liim (cheap), and ordered it to be sent down to Chawton. I should not wonder if we got no farther than Reading on Thursday evening, and so reach Ste- venton only to a reasonable dinner-hour the next day; but whatever I may write or you may ima- gine, we know it will be something different. I shall be quiet to-morrow morning; all my busi- ness is done, and I shall only call again upon Mrs. Hoblyn, etc. Love to your much . . . party. Yours affectionately, J. Austen. XLV. Henrietta St., Wednesday (Sept 15, i past 8). Here I am, my dearest Cassandra, seated in the breakfast, dining, sitting room, beginning with all my might. Fanny will join me as soon as she is dressed, and begin her letter. We had a very good journey, weather and roads excellent; the three first stages for Is. 6d., and our only misadventure the being delayed about a quarter of an hour at Kingston for horses, and being obliged to put up with a pair belonging to a hackney coach and their coachman, which left no room on the barouche box fov Lizzy, who was to have gone her last stage there as she did the first; 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 195 consequently we were all four within, which was a little crowded. We arrived at a quarter-past four, and were kindly welcomed by the coachman, and then by his master, and then by William, and then by Mrs. Pengird, who all met us before we reached the foot of the stairs. Mde. Bigiou was below dressing us a most comfortable dinner of soup, fish, bouille'e, partridges, and an apple tart, which we sat down to soon after five, after cleaning and dressing our- selves, and feeling that we were most commodiously disposed of. Tlie little adjoining dressing-room to our apartment makes Fanny and myself very well off indeed, and as we have poor Eliza's * bed our space is ample every way. Sace arrived safely about half-past six. At seven we set off in a coach for the Lyceum; were at home again in about four hours and a half; had soup and wine and water, and then went to our holes. Edward finds his quarters very snug and quiet. I must get a softer pen. This is harder. I am in agonies. I have not yet seen Mr. Crabbe. Mar- tha's letter is gone to the post. I am going to write nothing but short sentences. There shall be two full stops in every line. Lay- ton and Shear's is Bedford House. We mean to » Eliza, Henry Austen's first wife, who had died in the earlier part of this year. 196 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. get there before breakfast if it 's possible; for we feel more and more how much we have to do and how little time. This house looks very nice. It seems like Sloane Street moved here. I believe Henry is just rid of Sloane Street. Fanny does not come, but I have Edward seated by me begin- ning a letter, which looks natural. Henry has been suffering from the pain in the face which he has been subject to before. He caught cold at Matlock, and since his return has been paying a little for past pleasure. It is nearly removed now, but he looks thin in the face, either from the pain or the fatigues of his tour, which must have been great. Lady Robert is delighted with P. and P.,» and really was so, as I understand, before she knew who wrote it, for of course she knows now. He told her with as much satisfaction as if it were my wish. He did not tell me this, but he told Fanny. And Mr. Hastings! I am quite de- lighted with what such a man writes about it. Henry sent him the books after his return from Dayleslord, but you will hear the letter too. Let me be rational, and return to my two full stops. I talked to Henry at the play last night. We were in a private box, —Mr. Spencer's, — which made it much more pleasant. The box is di- 1 "Pride and Prejudice." 1813.] LErrERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 197 rectly on the stage. One is infinitely less fa- tigued than in the common way. But Henry's plans are not what one could wish. He does not mean to be at Chawton till the 29th. He must be in town again by Oct. 5. His plan is to get a couple of days of pheasant shooting and then re- turn directly. His wish was to bring you back with him. I have told him your scruples. He wishes you to suit yourself as to time, and if you cannot come till later, will send for you at any time as far as liagshot. He presumed you M-ould not find difficulty in getting so far. I could not say you would. He proposed your going with him into Oxfordshire. It was his own thought at first. I could not but catch at it for you. We have talked of it again this morning (for now we have breakfasted), and I am convinced that if you can make it suit in other respects you need not scruple on his account. If you cannot come back with him on the 3rd or 4th, therefore, I do hope you will contrive to go to Adlestrop. By not beginning your absence till about the middle of this month I think you may manage it very well. But you will think all this over. One could wish he had intended to come to you earlier, but it can- not be helped. I said nothing to him of Mrs. H. and Miss B., that he might not suppose difficulties. Shall not you put them into our own room? This seems to "I1 1 198 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. me the best plan, and the maid will be most con- veniently near. Oh, dear me! when I shall ever have done. We did go to Layton and Shear's before breakfast. Very pretty English poplins at 4«. 3d.', Irish, ditto at Gs. ; more pretty, certainly, — beautiful. Fanny and the two little girls are gone to take places for to-night at Covent Garden; ''Clandestine Marriage" and "Midas." The latter will be a fine show for L. and M.^ They revelled last night in ''Don Juan," whom we left in hell at half-past eleven. We had scaramouch and a ghost, and were delighted. I speak of them; my delight was very tranquil, and the rest of us were sober- minded. "Don Juan " was the last of three mu- sical things. " Five Hours at Brighton," In three acts, — of which one was over before we arrived, none the worse, —and the "Beehive," rather less flat and trumperj'. I have this moment received 5^. from kind, beau- tiful Edward. Fanny has a similar gift. I shall save what I can of it for your better leisure in this place. My letter was from Miss Sharpe, — nothing particular. A letter from Fanny Cage this morning. Four o'clock. — We are just come back from do- ing Mrs. Tickars, Miss Hare, and Mr. Spence. Mr. Hall is here, and while Fanny is under his hands, I will try to write a little more. * Lizzy and Marianne. 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 199 Miss Hare had some pretty caps, and is to make me one like one of them, only white satin instead of blue. It will be white satin and lace, and a little white flower perking out of the left ear, like Harriot Byron's feather. I have allowed her to go as far as 11. 16s. My gown is to be trimmed everywhere with white ribbon plaited on somehow or other. She says it will look well. I am not sanguine. They trim with white very much. I learnt from Mrs. Tickars's young lady, to my high amusement, that the stays now are not made to force the bosom up at all; that was a very un- becoming, unnatural fashion. I was really glad to hear that they are not to be so much off the shoulders as they were. Going to Mr. Spence's was a sad business, and cost us many tears; unluckily we were obliged to go a second time before he could do more than just look. We went first at half-past twelve and after- wards at three; papa with us each time; and, alas! we are to go again to-morrow. Lizzy is not fin- ished yet. There have been no teeth taken out, however, nor will be, I believe; but he finds hers in a very bad state, and seems to think particu- larly ill of their durableness. They have been all cleaned, hers filed, and are to be filed again. There is a very sad hole between two of her front teeth. Thursday Morning, half-past Seven.— JJ-^ and 200 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [I813. Pressed and dowimtairs in crder to finish my letter in time for tl.e purrol. At eight I have an appoint- nient with Mada.ue B., wh.. wants to show niM something downstairs. At nine we are to . . t .,ft' for Grafton Kouse, and get that ..ver before break- fast. Edward is so kind as to walk thorr with us. We are to be at Mr. S],ence'H again at 11.6: from that time shall be driving about I suppose till four o'clock at least. We are, if possible, to call on Mrs. Tilson. Mr. Hall was very punctual yesterday, and curled me out at a great rate. I thought it looked hideous, and longed for a snug cap instead, but my companions silenced me by their admiration. I had only a bit of velvet round my head. I did not catch cold, however. The weather is all in my favor. I have had no pain in my face since I left you. We had very good places in the box next the stage-box, front and second row; the three old ones behind, of course. I was particularly disappointed at seeing nothing of Mr. Crabbe. I felt sure of him when I saw that the ^oxes were fitted up with crimson velvet. Tho ne>v Mr. Terrj v^s Lord Ogleby, and Henry Uiiiiks he may do; but there was no acting more than moderate, and I was as much amused by the remembrances connected with " Midas " as with any part of it. The girls were very much delighted, but still prefer "Don Juan; " il 1813.J LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. SOI aiul I must say that I have seen nobody on the 8tag(' ulio lias heen u more ■iitcrosting clianu-tor than that compound of cruelty and lust. It was not possible for me to get the worsted, yesterday. I heard ijdward lust night j)n'ssing Henry to come to you, and I think Henry en^ iged to go there after his November collection. Noi.,ii..g Jms been done as to S. and .S.» The books came to hand too late for him to ha\ time for it before he went. Mr. Hastings never hinted at Eliza iu the smallest degree. Henry knew nothing of Mr. Trimmer's death. I tell you liese things that you may not have to ask them over again. There is a new clerk sent down to Alton, a Mr. Edmund Williams, a young man whom Henry thinks most highly of, and he turns out to be a son of the luckless William, s of Grosvenor Place. I long to have you hear Mr. [.'s opinion of P. and P. His admiring my Eliza -eth so much is particularly welcome to me. Instead of saving my superfluous ealth for you to spend, I am going to treat myself ith spending it myself. I hope, at least, that I shall find some poplin at Layton and Shear's that will tempt me to buy it. If I do, it shall be sent to Ghawton, as half will be for you ; for I depend upon your being so kind as to accept it, being the main point. It 1 " Sense and Sensibility." 1 202 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. will be a great pleasure to me. Don't say a word. I only wish you could choose too. I shall send twenty yards. Now for Bath. Poor F. Cage has suffered a good deal from her accident. The noise of the White Hart was terrible to her. They will keep her quiet, I dare say. She is not so much delighted with the place as the rest of the party; probably, as she says herself, from having been less well, but she thinks she should like it better in the season. The streets are very empty now, and the shops not 80 gay as she expected. They are. at No. 1 Hen- rietta Street, the corner of Laura Place, and have no acquaintance at present but the Bramstons. Lady Bridges drinks at the Cross Bath, her son at the Hot, and Louisa is going to bathe. Dr. Parry seems to be half starving Mr. Bridges, for he is re- stricted to much such a diet as James's, bread, water and meat, and is never to eat so much of that as he wishes, and he is to walk a great deal, — walk till he drops, I believe, — gout or no gout. It really is to that purpose. I have not exaggerated. Charming weather for you and us, and the trav- ellers, and everybody. You will take your walk this afternoon, and . . . Henrietta Street, the autumn of 1813. Miss Austen, Chawton. By favor of Mr. Gray. 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 203 XLVI. Henrietta Street, Thursday (Sept. 16, after dinner). Thank you, my dearest Cassandra, for the nice long letter I sent off this morning. I hope you have had it by this time, and that it hus found you all well, and my mother no more in need of leeches. Whether this will be delivered to you by Henry .n Saturday evening, or by the postman on Sunday morning, I know not, as he has lately recollected something of an engagement for Satur- day, which perhaps may delay his visit. He seems determined to come to you soon, however. I hope you will receive the gown to-morrow, and may be able with tolerable honesty to say that you like the color. It was bought at Grafton House, where, by going very early, we got imme- diate attendance and went on very comfortably. I only forgot the one particular thing which I had always resolved to buy there, —a white silk hand- kerchief, — and was therefore obliged to give six shillings for one at Crook and Besford's; which reminds me to say that the worsteds ought also to be at Chawton to-morrow, and that I shall be very happy to hear they are approved. I had not much time for deliberation. We are now all four of us young ladies sitting round the circular table in the inner room writing I fl 204 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [I813. our letters, whiJe the two brothers are having a comfortable coze in the room adjoining. It is to be a quiet evening, much to the satisfaction of four of the six. My eyes are quite tired of dust and lamps. The letter you forwarded from Edward, junr has been duly received. He has been shooting most prosperously at home, and dining at Chilham Castle and with Mr. Scudamore. My cap is come home, and I like K very much. Fanny has one also; hers is white sarsenet and lace of a different shape from mine, more fit for morn- ing carriage wear, which is what it is intended for, and is in shape exceedingly like our own satin and lace of last winter; shaped round the face exactly like it, with pipes and more fulness, and a round crown inserted behind. My cap has a peak in front. Large full bows of very narrow ribbon (old twopenny) are the thing. One over the right temple, perhaps, and another at the left ear. Henry is not quite well. His stomach is rather deranged. You must keep him in rhubarb, and give him plenty of port and water. He caught his cold farther back than I told you, -before he got to Matlock, somewhere in his journey from the North; but the ill effects of that I hope are nearly gone. We returned from Grafton House only just in 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 205 time for breakfast, and had scarcely finished break- fast when the carriage came to the door. From eleven to half-past three we were hard at it; we did contrive to get to Hans Place for ten minutes. Mrs. T. was as affectionate and pleasing as ever. After our return Mr. Tihon walked up from the Compting House and called upon us, and these have been all our visitings. I have rejoiced more than once that I bouglit my writing-paper in the country; we have not had a quarter of an hour to spare. I enclose the eighteen-pence due to my mother. -The rose color was 6s. and the other 4s. per yard. There was but two yards and a quarter of the dark slate in the shop, but the man promised to match it and send it off correctly. Fanny bought her Irish at Newton's in Leicester Square, and I took the opportunity of thinking about your Irish, and seeing one piece of the yard wide at 4s., and it seemed to me very good; good enough for your purpose. It might at least be worth your while to go there, if you have no other engagements. Fanny is very much pleased with the stockings she has bought of Remmington, silk at 125., cotton at 4*. 3c?. She thinks them great bargains, but I have not seen them yet, as my hair was dressing when the man and the stockings came. The poor girls and their teeth! I have not 206 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [I813. mentioned them yet, but we were a whole hour at Spence's, and Lizzy's were filed and lamented over again, and poor Marianne had two taken out after all, the two just beyond the eye teeth, to make room for those in front. When her doom was fixed, Fanny, Lizzy, and I walked into the next room, where we heard each of the two sharp and / hasty screams. The little girls' teeth I can suppose in a critical state, but I think he must be a lover of teeth and money and mischief, to parade about Fanny's. I would not have had him look at mine for a shilling a tooth and double it. It was a disagreeable hour. We then went to Wedgwood's, where my brother and Fanny chose a dinner-set. I believe the pattern is a small lozenge in purple, between lines of narrow gold, and it is to have the crest. We must have been three-quarters of an hour at Grafton Housp, Edward sitting by all the time with wonderful patience. There Fanny bought the net for Anna's gown, and a beautiful square veil for herself. The edging there is very cheap. I was tempted by some, and I bought some very nice plaiting lace at 3s. Ad. Fanny desires me to tell Martha, with her kind love, that Birchall assured her there was no second set of Hook's Lessons for Beginners, and that, by my advice, she has therefore chosen her a set by 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 207 another composer. I thought she would rather have something than not. It costs six shillings. With love to you all, including Triggs, I remain, Yours very affectionately, J. AusTm. Henrietta St., autumn of 1813. Miss Austen, Chawton. By favor of XLVII. GoDMERSHAM Park, Thursday (Sept. 23). My dearest Cassandra, — Thank you five hundred and forty times for the exquisite piece of workmanship which was brought into the room this morning, while we were at breakfast, with some very inferior works of art in the same way, and which I read with high glee, much delighted with everything it told, whether good or bad. It is so rich in striking intelligence that I hardly know what to reply to first. I believe finery must have it. I am extremely glad that you like the poplin. I thought it would have my mother's approbation, but was not so confident of yours. Remember that it is a present. Do not refuse me. I am very rich. Mrs. Clement is very welcome to her little boy, and to my congratulations into the bargain, if ever you think of giving them. I hope she will do 208 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. well. Her sister in Lucina, Mrs. H. Gipps, does too well, we think. Mary P. wrote on Sunday that she had been three days on the sofa. Sackree does not a])prove it. Well, there is some comfort in the Mrs. Hul- bart's not coming to you, and I am happy to hear of the honey. I was thinking of it the other day. Let me know when you begin the new tea and the new white wine. My present elegances have not yet made me indifferent to such matters I am still a cat if I see a mouse. I am glad you like our caps, but Fanny is oat of conceit with hers already; she finds that she has been buying a new cap without having a new pattern, which is true enough. She is rather out of luck to like neither her gown nor her cap, but I do not much mind it, because besides that I like them both myself, I consider it as a thing of course at her time of life,— one of the sweet taxes of youth to choose in a hurry and make bad bargains. I wrote to Charles yesterday, and Fanny has had a letter from him to^ay, principally to make inquiries about the time of their visit here, co which mine was an answer beforehand; so he will probably write again soon to fix his week. I am best pleased that Cassy does not go to you. Now, what have we been doing since I wrote last? The Mr. K.'s^ came a little before dinner ' Knatchbulls. 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 209 on Monday, and Edward went to the church with the two seniors, but there is no inscription yet drawn up. They are very good-natured, you know, and civil, and all that, but are not particularly superfine; however, they ate their dinner and drank their tea, and went away, leaving their lovely Wadham in our arms, and I wish you had seen Fanny and me running backwards and for- wards with his breeches from the little chintz to the white room before we went to bed, in the greatest of frights lest he should come upon us before we had done it all. There had been a mis- take in the housemaid's preparation, and they were gone to bed. He seems a very harmless sort of young man, nothing to like or dislike in him, — goes out shoot- ing or hunting with the two others all the morn- ing, and plays at whist and makes queer faces in the evening. . . . XLVIII. GomiERSHAM Park, Monday (Oct. 11) [My dearest Aunt Cass., —I have just asked Aunt Jane to let me write a little in her letter but she does not like it, so I won't. Good-by!] You will have Edward's letter to-morrow. He tells me that he did not send you any news to in- terfere with mine, but I do not think there is much for anybody to send at present. 14 210 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. k We had our dinner-party on Wednesday, with the addition of Mrs. and Miss Milles, who were under a promise of dining here in their return from Eastwell, whenever they paid their visit of duty there, and it happened to be paid on that day. Both mother and uaugh^^er are much as I have always found them. I like the mother — first, because she reminds me of Mrs. Birch; and, secondly, because she is cheerful and grateful for what she is at the age of ninety and upwards. The day was pleasant enough. I sat by Mr. Chisholme, and we talked away at a great rate about nothing worth hearing. It was a mistake as to the day of the Sherers going being fixed; they are ready, but are waiting for Mr. Paget's answer. I inquired of Mrs. Milles after Jemima Brydges, and was quite grieved to hear that she was obliged to leave Canterbury some months ago on account of her debts, and is nobody knows where. What an unprosperous family! On Saturday, soon after breakfast, Mr. J. P. left us for Norton Court. I like him very much. He gives me the idea of a very amiable young man, only too diffident to be so agreeable as he might be. He was out the chief of each morning with the other two, shooting and getting wet through. To-morrow we are to know whether he and a hun- dred young ladies will come here for the ball. I do not much expect any. 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 211 The Deedes cannot meet us; they have engage- ments at home. I will finish the Deedes by saying that they are not likely to come here till quite late in my stay, — the very last week perhaps; and I do not expect to see the Moores at all. They are not solicited till after Edward's return from Hampshire. Monday, November 15, is the day now fixed for our setting out. Poor Basingstoke races! There seem to have been two particularly wretched days on purpose for them; and Weyhill week does not begin much happier. We were quite surprised by a letter from Anna at Tollard Koyal, last Saturday; but perfectly ap- prove her going, and only regret they should all go 80 far to stay so few days. We had thunder and lightning here on Thursday morning, between five and seven; no very bad thunder, but a great deal of lightning. It has given the commencement of a season of wind and rain, and perhaps for the next six weeks we shall not have two dry days together. Lizzy is very much obliged to you for your let- ter and will answer it soon, but has so many things to do that it may be four or five days before she can. This is quite her own message, spoken in rather a desponding tojie. Your letter gave pleas- ure to all of us; we had all the reading of it of i il. 212 LETTEHS OF JANE AUSTEN. [181.1. course, -—I three times, as I undertook, to the great relief of Lizzy, to read it to Sackree, and after- wards to Louisa. Sackree does not at all approve of Mary Doe and her nuts, — on the score of propriety rather than health. She saw some signs of going after her in George and Henry, and thinks if you could give the girl a check, by rafher reproving her for taking anything seriously about nuts which they said to ner, it might be of use. This, of course, is between our three discreet selves, a scene of triennial bliss. j Mrs. Breton called here on Saturday. I never saw her before. She is a large, ungenteel woman, with self -satisfied and would-be elegant manners. We are certain of some visitors to-morrow. Ed- ward Bridges comes for two nights in his way from Lenham to Ramsgate, and brings a friend — name unknown — but supposed to be a Mr. Harpur, a neighboring clergyman; and Mr. R. Mascall is to shoot with the young men, which it is to be sup- posed will end in his staying dinner. Ou Thursday, Mr. Lushington, M.P. for Canter- bury, and manager of the Lodge Hounds, dines here, and stays the night. He is chiefly young Edward's acquaintance. If I can I will get a frank from him, and write to you all the sooner. I sup- pose the Ashford ball will furnish something. As I wrote of my nephews with a little bitter- I8I3.] LEITEKS OK JANE AUSTEN. 213 ness in my last, I think it particularly incumbent on me to do them justice now, and I have great pleasure in saying that they were both at the Sacra- ment yesterday. After having much i)raised or much blamed anybody, one is generally sensible of something just the reverse soon afterwards. Now these two boys who are out with the foxhounds will come home and disgust me again by some habit of luxury or some proof of sporting mania, unless 1 keep it off by this prediction. They amuse themselves very comfortably in the evening by netting; tbey are each about a rabbit net, and sit as deedily to it, side by side, as any two Uncle Franks could do. I am looking over ' < Self-Control " again, and my opinion is confirmed of its being an excellently meant, elegantly written work, without anything of nature or probability in it. I declare I do not know whether Laura's passage down the American river is not the most natural, possible, every^iay thing she ever does. Tuesday. —De^v me! what is to become of me? Such a long letter! Two-and-forty lines in the second page. Like Harriot Byron, I ask, what am I to do with my gratitude? I can do nothing but thank you and go on. A few of your inquiries, I think, are replied to en avance. The name of F. Cage's drawing-master is O'Neil. AVe are exceedingly amused with your Shalden < 214 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [igis. news, and your self-reproach on the subject of Mrs. Stockwell made me laugh heartily. I rather won- dered that Johncock,» the only person in the room, could help laughing too. I had not heard before of her having the measles. Mrs. H. and Alethea's staying till Friday was quite new to me; a good plan, however. I could not have settled it better myself, and am glad they found so much in the house to approve, and I hope they will ask Martha to visit them. I admire the sagacity and taste of Charlotte Williams. Those large dark eyes always judge well. I will compliment her by naming a heroine after her. Edward has had all the particulars of the build- ing, etc., read to him twice over, and seems very well satisfied. A narrow door to the pantry is the only subject of solicitude; it is certainly just the door which should not be narrow, on account of the trays; but if a case of necessity, it must be borne. I knew there was sugar in the tin, but had no idea of there being enough to last through your company. All the better. You ought not to think this new loaf better than the other, because that was the first of five which all came together. Something of fancy, perhaps, and something of imagination. Dear Mrs. Digweed! I cannot bear that she * The butler at Godmersham. 1813.] LETTERS OP JANE AUSTEN. 215 should not be foolishly happy after a ball. I hope Miss Yates and her companions were all well the day after their arrival. I am thoroughly rejoiced that Miss Benn has placed herself in lodgings, though I hope they may not be long necessary. No letter from Charles yet. Southey's ''Life of Nelson." I am tired of ** Lives of Nelson, " being that I never read any. I will read this, however, if Frank is mentioned in it. Here am I in Kent, with one brother in the same county and another brother's wife, and see nothing of them, which seems unnatural. It will not last so forever, I trust. I should like to have Mrs. F. A. and her children here for a week, but not a syllable of that nature is ever breathed. I wish her last visit had not been so long a one. I wonder whether Mrs. Tilson has ever lain-in. Mention it if it ever comes to your knowledge, and we shall hear of it by the same post from Henry. Mr. Kob. Mascall breakfasted here; he eats a great deal of butter. I dined upon goose yester- day, which, I hope, will secure a good sale of my second edition. Have you any tomatas? Fanny u. and I regale on them every day. Disastrous letters from the Plumptres and Oxen- dens. Kefusals every where -- a blank partout^ and it is not quite certain whether we go or not; something may depend upon the disposition of Uncle Edward when he comes, and upon what 216 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. we hear at Cliilham Castle this morning, for we are going to [.ay visits. We are going to each house at Chilham and to Mystole. I shall like seeing the Faggs. I shall like it all, except that we are to set out so early that I have not time to write as I would wish. Edwd. Bridges's friend is a Mr. Hawker, I find, not Harpur. I would not have you sleep in such an error for the world. My brother desires his best love and thanks for all your information. He hopes the roots of the old beech have been dug away enough to allow a proper covering of mould and turf. He is sorry for the necessity of building tlie new coin, but hopes they will contrive that the doorway should be of the usual width, — if it must be contracted on one side, by widening it on the otlier. The ap- pearance need not signify. And he desires me to say that your being at Chawton when he is will be quite necessary. You cannot think it more indis- pensable than he does. He is very much obliged to you for your attention to everything. Have you any idea of returning with him to Henrietta Street and finishing your visit then? Tell me your sweet little innocent ideas. Everything of love and kindness, proper and improper, must now suffice. Yours very aifectionately, J. Austen. Miss Austen, CIuAvton, Alton, Hants. if 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 217 XLIX. GoDMERSHAM Park, Thursday (Oct. 14). My dearest Cassandra, — Now I will prepare for Mr. Lushington, and as it will be wisest also to prepare for his not coming, or my not getting a frank, I shall write very close from the first, and even leave room for the seal in the proper place. When I have followed up my last with this I shall feel somewhat less unworthy of you than the state of our correspondence now requires. I left off in a great hurry to prepare for our morning visits. Of course was ready a good deal the first, and need not have hurried so much. Fanny wore her new gown and cap. I was sur- prised to find Mystole so pretty. The ladies were at home. I was in luck, and saw Lady Fagg and all her five daughters, with an old Mrs. Hamilton, from Canterbury, and Mrs. and Miss Chapman, from Margate, into the bar> gain. I never saw so plain a family, — five sisters so very plain! They are as plain as the Foresters, or the Franfraddops, or the Seagraves, or the Rivers, excluding Sophy. Miss Sally Fagg has a pretty figure, and that comprises all the good looks of the family. It was stupidish; Fanny did her part very well, but there was a lack of talk altogether, and the 218 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [I813. three friends in the house only sat by and looked at us. However, Miss Chapman's name is Laura, and she had a double flounce to her gown. You really must get some flounces. Are not some of your large stock of white morning gowns just in a happy state for a flounce — too short? Nobody at home at either house in Chilham. Edward Bridges and his friend did not forget to arrive. The friend is a Mr. Wigram, one of the three-and-twenty children of a great rich mercan- tile, Sir Robert Wigram, an old acquaintance of the Footes, but very recently known to Edward B. The history of his coming here is, that, intending to go from Ramsgate to Brighton, Edw. B. per- suaded him to take Lenham on his way, which gave him the convenience of Mr. W.'s gig, and the comfort of not being alone there; but, probably thinking a few days of Gm. would be the cheapest and pleasantest way of entertaining his friend and himself, offered a visit here, and here they stay till to-morrow. Mr. W. is about five or six-and-twenty, not ill- looking, and not agreeable. He is certainly no addition. A sort of cool, gentlemanlike manner, hut very silent. They say his name is Henry, a proof how unequally the gifts of fortune are be- stowed. I have seen many a John and Thomas much more agreeable. We have got rid of Mr. R. Mascall, however. I 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 219 did not like him, either. He talks too much, and is conceited, besides having a vulgarly shaped mouth. He slept here on Tuesday, so that yester- day Fanny and I sat down to breakfast with six gentlemen to admire us. We did not go to the ball. It was left to her to decids, and at last she determined against it. She knew that it would be a sacrifice on the part of her father and brothers if they went, and I hope it will prove that she has not sacriiioed much. It is not likely that there should have been anybody there whom she would care for. I was very glad to be spared the trouble of dressing and going, and being weary before it was half over; so my gown and my cap are still unworn. It will appear at last, perhaps, that I might have done without either. I produced my brown bombazine yester- day, and it was very much admired indeed, and I like it better than ever. You have given many particulars of the state of Chawton House, but still we want more. Edward wants to be expressly told that all the round tower, etc., is entirely down, and the door from the best room stopped up; he does not know enough of the appearance of things in that quarter. He heard from Bath yesterday. Lady B. con- tinues very well, and Dr. Parry's opinion is, that while the water agrees with her she ought to re- main there, which throws their coming away at a 220 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [I8I3. greater uncertainty than we had supposed. It will end, perhaps, in a fit of the gout, which may pre- vent her coming away. Louisa thinks her mother's being so well may be quite as much owing to her being so much out of doors as to the water. Lady B. is going to try the hot pump, the Cross bath being about to be painted. Louisa is particularly well herself, and thinks the water has been of use to her. She mentioned our inquiries, etc., to Mr. and Mrs. Alex. Evelyn, and had their best compli- ments and thanks to give in return. Dr. Parry does not expect Mr. E. to last much longer. Only think of Mrs. Holder's being dead! Poor woman, she has done the only thing in the world y she could possibly do to make one cease to abuse her. Now, if you please. Hooper must have it in his power to do more by his uncle. Lucky for the little girl. An Anne Ekins can hardly be so unfit for the care of a child as a Mrs. Holder. A letter from Wrotham yesterday offering an early visit here, and Mr. and Mrs. Moore and one child are to come on Monday for ten days. I hope Charles and Fanny may not fix the same time, but if they come at all in October they must. What is the use of hoping? The two parties of children is the chief evil. To be sure, here we are; the very thing has happened, or rather worse, —a letter from Charles this very morning, wliich gives us reason to sup- 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 221 pose they may come here to-day. It depends upon the weather, and thv. weather now is very fine. No difficulties are made, however, and, indeed, there will be no want of room; but I wish there were no Wigrams and Lushingtons in the way to fill up the table and make us such a motley set. I cannot spare Mr. Lushington either, because of his frank, but Mr. Wigram does no good to anybody, I cannot imagine how a man can have the impu- dence to come into a family party for three days, where he is quite a stranger, unless he knows him- self to be agreeable on undoubted authority. He and Edw. B. are going to ride to Eastwell, and as the boys are hunting, and my brother is gone to Canty., Fanny and I have a quiet morning before us. Edward has driven off poor Mrs. Salkeld. It was thought a good opportunity of doing some- thing towards clearing the house. By her own desire Mrs. Fanny » is to be put in the room next the nursery, her baby in a little bed by her; and as Cassy is to have the closet within, and Betsey William's little hole, they will be all very snug together. I shall be most happy to see dear Charles, and he will be as happy as he can with a cross child, or some such care, pressing on him at the time. I should be very happy in the idea of seeing little Cassy again, too, did not I fear 1 Mrs. Charles Ansten, P^e Fanny Talmer. 222 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. (I8I3. she would disappoint me by some immediate disagreeableness. . . . The comfort of the billiard-table here is very great; it draws all the gentlemen to it whenever they are within, especially after dinner, so that my brother, Fanny, and I have the library to ourselves in delightful quiet. There is no truth in the re- port of G. Hatton being to marry Miss Wemyss. He desires it may be contradicted. Have you done anything about our present to Miss Benn? I suppose she must have a bed at my mother's whenever she dines there. How will they manage as to inviting her when you are gone? and if they invite, how will they continue to entertain her? Let me know as many of your parting arrange- ments as you can, as to wine, etc. I wonder whether the ink-bottle has been filled. Does butcher's meat keep up at the same price, and is not bread lower than 2s. 6d.? Mary's blue gown! My mother must be in agonies. I have a great mind to have my blue gown dyed some time or other. I proposed it once to you, and you made some objection, I forget what. It is the fashion of flounces that gives it particu- lar expediency. Mrs. and Miss Wildman have just been here. Miss is very plain. I wish Lady B. may be re- turned before we leave Gm., that Fanny may 1813] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 223 epenj the time of her father's absence at Good- nestone, which is what she would prefer. Friday. — They came last night at about seven. We had given them up, but I still expected them to come. Dessert was nearly over; a better time for arriving than an hour and a half earlier. They were late because they did not set out earlier, and did not allow time enough. Charles did not aim at more than reaching Sittingbourne by three, which could not have brought them here by dinner- time. They had a very rough passage ; he would not have ventured if he had known how bad it would be. However, here they are, safe and well, just like their own nice selves, Fanny looking as neat and white this morning as possible, and dear Charles all affectionate, placid, quiet, cheerful good-humor. They are both looking very well, but poor little Cassy is grown extremely thin, and looks poorly. I hope a week's country air and exercise may do her good. I am sorry to say it can be but a week. The baby does not appear so large in proportion as she was, nor quite so pretty, but I have seen very little of her. Cassy was too tired and bewildered just at first to seem to know anybody. We met them in the hall — the women and girl part of us — but before we reached the library she kissed me very affectionately, and has since s^iemed to recol- lect me in the same way. 224 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [isis. It was quite an evening of confusion, as you may suppose. At first we were all walking about from one part of the house to the other; then came a fresh dinner in the breakfast-room for Charles and his wife, which Fanny and I attended; then we moved into the library, were joined by the dining-room people, were introduced, and so forth; and then we had tea and coffee, which was not over till past ten. Billiards again drew all the odd cms as ay; and Edward, Charles, the two Fannies, and I sat snugly talking. I shall be glad to have our numbers a little reduced, and by the time you receive this we shall be only a family, though a large family, party. Mr. Lushington goes to- morrow. Now I must speak of him, and I like him very much. I am sure he is clever, and a man of taste. He got a volume of Milton last niglit, and spoke of it with warmth. He is quite an M. P., very smiling, with an exceeding good address and readi- ness of language. I am ratlier in love with him. I dare say he is ambitious and insincere. He puts me in mind of Mr. Dundas. He has a wide smil- ing mouth, and very good teeth, and something the same complexion and nose. He is a much shorter man, with Martha's leave. Does Martha never hear from Mrs. Craven? Is Mrs. Craven never at home? We breakfasted in the dining-room to-day, and 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 225 are now all pretty well dispersed and quiet. Charles and George are gone out shooting together, to Winnigates and Seaton Wood. I asked on pur. pose to tell Henry. Mr. Lushington and Edwd. are gone some other way. I wish Charles may kill something; but this high wind is against their sport. Lady Williams is living at the Kose at Sitting- bourne; they called upon her yesterday; she can- not live at Sheerness, ancT as soon as she gets to Sittingbourne is quite well. In return for all your matches, I announce that her brother William is going to marry a Miss Austen, of a Wiltshire family, who say they are related to us. I talk to Cassy about Chawton; she remembers much, but does not volunteer on the subject. Poor little love! I wish she were not so very Palmery, but it seems stronger than ever. I never knew a wife's family features have such undue influence. Papa and mamma have not yet made up their mind as to parting with her or not; the chief, in- deed the only, difficulty with mamma is a very reasonable one, the child's being very unwilling to leave them. When it was mentioned to her she did not like the idea of it at all. At the same time she has been suffering so much lately from sea-sickness that her mamma cannot bear to have her much on board this winter. Charles is less IS 226 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. inclined to part with her. I do not know how it will end, or what ia to determine it. He deaires his best love to you, and has not written because he has not been able to decide. They are both very sensible of your kindness on the occasion. I have made Charles furnish me with something to say about young Kendall. He is going on very well. When he first joined the "Namur," my brother did not find him forward enough to be what they call put in the office, and therefore placed him under the schoolmaster; but he is very much improved, and goes into the office now every afternoon, still attending school ia the morning. This cold weather comes very fortunately for Edward's nerves, with such a house full; it suits liim exactly; he is all alive and cheerful. Poor James, on the contrary, mast be running his toes into the fire. I find that Mary Jany Fowle was very near returning with her brother and paying them a visit on board. I forget exactly what hin- dered her; I believe the Cheltenham scheme. I am glad something did. They are to go to Chel- tenham on Monday se'nuight. I don't vouch for their going, you know; it only comes from one of the family. Now I think I have written you a good-sized letter, and may deserve whatever I can get in re- ply. Infinities of love. I must distinguish that 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 227 of Fanny, senior, who particularly desires to be remembered to you all. Yours very affectionately, J. Austen. Faversham, Oct. 1.5, 1813. Miss Au8TEN, Chawton, Alton, Hants. I'er S. K. LusuiMUTON. GODMERSHAM PaRK, Oct. 18. My dear Aunt Cassandra, — I am very much obliged to you for your long letter and for the nice account of Chawton. We are all very glad to hear that the Adams are gone, and hope Dame Libscombe ■will be more happy now with her deaffy child, as she calls it, but I am afraid there is not much chance of her remaining long sole mistress of her house. I am sorry you had not any better news to send us of our hare, poor little thing! I thought it would not live long in that Pondi/ House; I don't wonder that Maiy Doe is very sorry it is dead, because we promised her that if it was alive when we came back to Chawton, we would reward her for her trouble. Papa is much obliged to you for ordering the scrubby firs to be cut down; I think he was rather friglitened at first about the great oak. Fanny quite believed it, for she exclaimed, <' Dear me, 228 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. what a pity, how could they be so stupid!" I hoi)e by thi.s tiuic they have put up some hurdles for the sheep, or turned out the cart-horses from the lawn. Pray tell grandmamma that we have begun get- ting seeds for her; I hope we shall be able to get her a nice collection, but I am afraid this wet weather is very much against them. How glad I am to hear she has had such good succ ss with her chickens, but I wish there had been more bantams amongst them. I am very sorry to hear of poor Lizzie's fate. I must now tell you something about our poor people. I believe you know old Mary Croucher; she gets maderer and maderer every day. Aunt Jane has been to see her, but it was on one of her rational days. Poc.r Will Amos hopes your skew- ers are doing well; he has left his house in the poor Kow, and lives in a barn at Builting. We asked him why he went away, and he said the fleas were so starv.^d when he came back from Chawton that they all flew upon him and eenermost eat him up. How unlucky it is that the weather is so wet I Poor Uncle Charles has come home half drowned every day. I don't think little Fanny is quite so pretty as she was; one reason is because she wears short petticoats, I beliave. I hope Cook is better: she 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 229 was very unwell the day wo went away. Papa has given nie half-a-dozea new pencils, which are very good ones indeed; I draw every other day. I hope you go and wliip Lucy Chalcraft every night. Miss Clewes begs me to give her very best re- spects to you; she is very much obliged to you for your kind inquiries after her. Pray give my duty to grandmamma and love to Miss Floyd. I re- main, my dear Aunt Cassandra, your very affec- tionate niece, Elizth. Knight. Thursday, — I think Lizzy's letter will entertaiu you. Thank you for yours just received. To- morrow shall be fine if possil'' >. You will be at Guildford before our party set off. They only go to Key Street, as Mr. Street the Purser lives there, and they have promised to dine and sleep with him. Cassy's looks are much mended. She agrees pretty well with her cousins, but is not quite happy among them; they are too many and too boisterous for her. I have given her your mes- sage, but she said nothing, and did not look as if the idea of going to Chawton again was a pleasant one. They have Edward's carriage to Ospringe. I think I have just done a good deed, — extracted Charles from his wife and children ui)stairs, and made him get ready to go out shooting, and not keep Mr. Mnore waiting any Ic-iiger. 230 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. Mr. and Mrs. Sherer and Joseph dined here yesterday very prettily. Edw. and Geo. were absent, —gone for a night to Eastling. The two Fannies went to Canty, in the morning, and took Lou. and Cass, to try on new stays. Harriet and I had a comfortable walk together. She desires her best love to you and kind remembrance to Henry. Fanny's hest love also. I fancy there is to be another party to Canty, to-morrow, — Mr. and Mrs. Moore and me. Edward thanks Henry for his letter. We are most happy to hear he is so much better. I de- pend upon you for letting me know what he wishes as to my staying with him or not; you will be able to find out, I dare say. I had intended to beg you would bring one of my nightcaps with you, in ca.«»e of my staying, but forgot it when I wrote on Tuesday. Edward is much concerned about his pond; he cannot now doubt the fact of its run- ning out, which he was resolved to do as long as possible. I suppose my mother will like to have me write to her. I shall try at least. No; I have never seen the death of Mrs. Crabbe. I have only just been making out from one of his prefaces that he probably was married. It is al- most ridiculous. Poor woman I I will comfort him as well as I can, but I do not undertake to be good to her children. She had better not leave any. 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 231 Edw. and Geo. set off this day week for Oxford. Our party will then be very small, as the Moores will be going about the same time. To enliven us, Fanny proposes spending a few days soon after- wards at Fredville. It will really be a good oppor- tunity, as her father will have a companion. We shall all three go to Wrotham, but Edwd. and I stay only a night perhaps. Love to Mr. Tilson.' Yours very affectionately, J. A. Misd ACSTEK, 10 Henrietta St, Covent Garden, London. I LI. GoDHERSHAH Pahk, Wednesday (Nov. 3). My dearest Cassandra, —I will keep this celebrated birthday by writing to you; and as my pen seems inclined to write large, I will put my lines very close together. I had but just time to enjoy your letter yesterday before Edward and I set off in the chair for Canty., and I allowed him to hear the chief of it as we went along. We rejoice sincerely in Henry's gaining ground as he does, and hope there will be weather for him to get out every day this week, as the likeliest way of making him equal to what he plans for the next. If he is tolerably well, the going into Oxfordshire will make him better, by making him happier. Can it be that I have not given you the minu- tiaj of Edward's plans? See, here they are: To 232 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. go to Wrotham on Saturday the 13th, spend Sun- day there, and be in town on Monday to dinner, and if agreeable to Henry, spend one whole day with him, which day is likely to be Tuesday, and so go down to Chawton on Wednesday. But now I cannot be quite easy without staying a little while with Henry, unless he wishes it otherwise; his illness and the dull time of year together make me feel that it would be horrible of me not to offer to remain with him, and therefore unless you know of any objection, I wish you would tell him with my best love that I shall be most happy to spend ten days or a fortnight in Henrietta St., if he will accept me. I do not offer more than a fortnight, because I shall then have been some time from home; but it will be a great pleasure to be with him, as it always is. I have the less regret and scruple on your account, because I shall see you for a day and a half, and because you will have Edward for at least a week. My scheme is to take Bookham in my way home for a few days, and my hope that Henry will be so good as to send me some part of the way thither. I have a most kind repetition of Mrs. Cooke's two or three dozen invitations, with the offer of meeting me anywhere in one of her airings. Fanny's cold is much better. By dosing and keeping her room on Sunday, she got rid of the worst of it, but I am rather afraid of what this •.!■ /: 1813] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 233 :s day may do tor her; she is gone to Canty, with Miss Clewes, Liz., and Ma"'"«, and it is but rough- ish weather for any one in a tender state. Miss Clewes has been going to Canty, ever since her return, and it is now just accomplishing. Edward and I had a delightful morning for our drive there, I enjoyed it thoroughly; but the day turned off before we were ready, and we came home in some rain and the apprehension of a great deal. It has not done us any harm, however. He went to inspect the gaol, as a visiting magistrate, and took me with him. I was gratified, and went through all the feelings which people must go through, I think, in visiting such a building. We paid no other visits, only walked about snugly together, and shopped. I bought a con- cert ticket and a sprig of flowers for my old age. To vary the subject from gay to grave with inimitable address, I shall now tell you something of the Bath party — and still a Bath party they are, for a fit of the gout came on last week. The accounts of Lady B. are as good as can be under such a circumstance; Dr. P. says it appears a good sort of gout, and her spirits are better than usual, but as to her coming away, it is of course all uncertainty. I have very little doubt of Ed- ward's going down to Bath, if they have not left it when he is in Hampshire; if he does, he will go on from Steventon, and then return direct to / 234 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. London, without coming back to Chawton. This detention does not suit his feelings. It may be rather a good thing, however, that Dr. P. should see Lady B. with the gout on her. Harriot was quite wishing for it. The day seems to improve. I wish my pen would too. Sweet Mr. Ogle! I dare say he sees all the panoramas for nothing, has free admittance every- where; he is so delightful! Now, you need not see anybody else. I am glad to hear of our being likely to have a peep at Charles and Fanny at Christmas, but do not force poor Cass, to stay if she hates it. You have done very right as to Mrs. F. A. Your tidings of S. and S. give me pleasure. I have never seen it advertised. Harriot, in a letter to Fanny to-day, inquires whether they sell cloths for pelisses at Bedford House, and, if they do, will be very much obliged to you to desire them to send her down patterns, with the width and prices; they may go from Charing Cross almost any day in the week, but if it is a ready-money house it will not do, for the hru of feu the Archbishop says she cannot pay for it immediately. Fanny and I suspect they do not deal in the article. The Sherers, I believe, are now really going to go; Joseph has had a bed here the last two 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 235 , nights, and I do not know whether this is not the day of moving. Mrs. Sherer called yesterday to take leave. The weather looks worse again. We dine at Chilham Castle to-morrow, and I expect to find some amusement, but more from the concert the next day, as I am sure of seeing several that I want to see. We are to meet a party from Goodnestone, Lady B., Miss Hawley, and Lucy Foote, and I am to meet Mrs. Harrison, and we are to talk about Ben and Anna. <'My dear Mrs. Harrison," I shall say, " I am afraid the young man has some of your family madness; and though there often appears to be something of madness in Anna too, I think she inherits more of it from her mother's family than from ours." That is what I shall say, and I think she will find it difficult to answer me. I took up your letter again to refresh me, being somewhat tired, and was struck with the prettiness of the hand : it is really a very pretty hand now and then, — so small and so neat ! I wish I could get as much into a sheet of paper. ^ Another time I will take two days to make a letter in: it is fatiguing to write a whole long one at once. I hope to hear from you again on Sunday and again 1 I cannot pass tins paragniph over w ,hout remarking that it ia hardly possible to imagine anything neater or prettier than Jane's own hand. Most of her letters are beautifnlly written, and the MS. of her "Lady Susan" remariiabljr so. —Note bj Luid liuAUOuuNE. 236 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. on Friday, the day before we move. On Monday, I suppose, you will be going to Streatham, to see quiet Mr. Hill and eat very bad baker's bread. A fall in bread by the by. I hope my mother's bill next week will show it. I have had a very comfortable letter from her, one ot her foolscap sheets quite full of little home news. Anna was there the first of the two days. An Anna sent away and an Anna fetched are different things. This will be an excellent time for Ben to pay his visit, now that we, the formidables, are absent. I did not mefa to eat, but Mr. Johncock has brought in the tray, so I must. I am all alone. Edward is gone into his wood?. At this present time I have five tables, eight-and-twenty chairs, and two fires all to myself. Miss ""lewes is to be invited to go to the concert with us; there will be my brother's place and ticket for her, as he cannot go. He and the other connections of the Cages are to meet at Mil gate that very day, to consult about a proposed altera- tion of the Maidstone road, in which the Cages are very much interested. Sir Brook comes here in the morning, and they are to be joined by Mr. Deedes at Ashford. The loss of the concert wiy be no great evil to the Squire. We shall be a party of three ladies therefore, and to meet three ladies. 1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 237 What a convenient carriage Henry's is, to his friends in general! Wlio has it next? I am glad William's going is voluntary, and on no worse grounds. An inclination for the country is a venial fault. He. has more of Cowper than of Johnson in him, — fonder of tame hares and blank verse than of the full tide of human existence at Charing Cross. ^^ Oh! I have more of such sweet flattery from Miss Sharp. She is an excellent kind friend. I am read and admired in Ireland too. There is a Mrs. Fletcher, the wife of a judge, an old lady, and very good and very clever, who is all curiosity to know about me, — what I am like, and so forth. I 0.m not known to her by name, however. This comes through Mrs. Carrick, not through Mrs. Gore. You are quite out there. I do not despair of having my picture in the Exhibition at last, —all white and red, with my head on one side; or perhaps I may marry young Mr. D'Arblay. I suppose in the mean time I shall owe dear Henry a great deal of money for printing, etc. I hope Mrs. Fletcher will indulge herself with S. and S. If I am to stay in H. S., and if you should be writing home soon, I wish you would be so good as to give a hint of it, for I am not likely to write there again these ten days, having written yesterday. 238 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. Fanny has set her heart upon its being a Mr. Brett who is going to marry a Miss Dora Best, of this country. I dare sr.y Henry has no objection. Pray, wliere did the boys sleep? The Deedes come here on Monday to stay till Friday, so that we shall end with a flourish the last canto. They bring Isabella and one of the grown-ups, and will come in for a Canty, ball on Thursday. I shall be glad to see them. Mrs. Deedes and I must talk rationally together, I suppose. Ei..ward does not write to Henry, because of my writing so often. God bless you. I shall be so glad to see you again, and I wish you many happy returns of this day. Poor Lord Howard! How he does cry about it! Yours very truly, J. A. Miss Austen, 10 Heurietta Street, Cerent Garden, London. nr. GoDHERSHAM Park, Saturday (Nov. 6). My dearest Cassandra, — Having half an hour before breakfast (very snug, in my own room, lovely morning, excellent fire — fancy me!) I will give you some account of the last two days. And yet, what is there to be told? I shall get foolishly minute unless I cut the matter short. We met only the Bretons at Chilham Castle, 1813.] LEITERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 239 besides a Mr. and Mrs. Osborne and a Miss Lee staying in the house, and were only fourteen al- together. My brother and Fanny thought it the pleasantest party tliey had ever known there, and I was very well entertained by bits and scraps. I had long wanted to see Dr. Breton, and his wife amuses me very much with her affected refinement and elegance. Miss Lee I found very conversable ; she admires Crabbe as she ought. She is at an age of reason, ten years older than myself at least. She was at the famous ball at Chilham Castle, so of course you remember her. By the by, as I must leave off being young, I find many douceurs \\\ being a sort of chaperon, for I am put on the sofa near the fire, and can drink as much wine as I like. We had music in the evening: Fanny and Miss Wildman played, and Mr. James "Wildman sat close by and lis- tened, or pretended to listen. Yesterday was a day of dissipation all through : first came Sir Brook to dissipate us before break- fast; then there was a call from Mr. Sherer, then a regular morning visit froui Lady Honey wood in her way home from Eastwell; then Sir Brook and Edward set off; then we dined (five in num- ber) at half-past four; then we had coffee; and at six Miss Clewes, Fanny, and I v^ ^ s^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) // ^V 11.25 U |22 |A0 1.4 ■ 1.8 ■ 1.6 Photographic .Sciences Coiporalion 23 WBT MAM STRIIT WIIISTIR,N.Y. I4SM (716) 172.4303 ► a* ^.*\^^^ ^%' 1(1. Your Uncle Henry is rather Mvanting me to cotne to town to settle about a second 'edition ; but as I cculd not very conveniently leave home now, I have written him my will and pleasure and unless he still urges it, shall not go. I am very greedy and want to make the most of it; but as you are much above caring about money, I shall not plague you with any particulars. The pleasures of vanity are more within your com- prehension, and you will enter into mine at receiv- ing the praise which every now and then comes to me through some channel or other. Saturday. — Mr. Palmer spent yesterday with us, and is gone off with Cassy this morning. We have been expecting Miss Lloyd the last two days, and feel sure of her to-day. Mr. Knight and Mr. Edwd. Knight are to dine with us, and on Monday they are to dine with us again, accompanied by their respectable host and hostess. Sunday. — Your papa had given me messages to you; but they are unnecessary, as he writes by this post to Aunt Louisa. We had a pleasant party yesterday; at least we found it so. It is delightful to see him so cheerful and confident. Aunt Csiss. and I dine at the Great House to-day. We shall be a snug half-dozen. Miss Lloyd came, as we ex- pected, yesterday, and desires her love. She is very happy to hear of your learning the harp. I ' " Mansfield Park." 1814 ] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 281 dr) not moan to send you wliat I owe Mihh Hare, becauao I think you would rather not be paid beforehand. Yours very affectionately, Jane Austen. MlM Kniqiit, Gooduestoue Farm, Wiugharo, Kent. LXIII CiiAWTON, Nov. 21, 1814. My dear Anna, — I met Harriet Bonn vester- day. She gave me her congratulationH, and desired they might be forwarded to you, and there they are. The chief news from this country is tho death of old Mrs. Dormer. Mrs. Clement walks about in a new black velvet pelis ♦♦ lined with yellow, and a white bobbin net veil, and looks remarkably well in them. I think I understand the country about Hendon from your description. It must be very pretty in summer. Should you know from the atmosphere that you were within a dozen miles of London? Make everybody at Hendon admire "Mansfield Park." Your affectionate aunt, J. A. 1 282 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. : I LXIV. Hans Place, Nov. 28, 1814. My dear Anna, — I assure you we all came away very much pleased with our visit. We talked of you for about a mile aud a half with great satisfaction; and I have been just sending a very good report of you to Miss Benn, with a full account of your dress for Susan and Maria. We were all at the play last night to see Miss O'Neil in " Isabella." I do not think she was quite equal to my expectations. I fancy I want some- thing more than can be. I took two pocket-hand- kerchiefs, but had very little occasion for either. She is an elegant creature, however, and hugs Mr. Young delightfully. I am going this morning to see the little girls in Keppel Street. Cassy was excessively interested about your marriage when she heard of it, which was not until she was to drink your health on the wedding-day. She asked a thousand questions in her usual manner, what he said to you and what you said to him. If your uncle were at home he would send his best love, but I will not impose any base fictitious remembrances on you; honestly give, and remain Your affectionate aunt, mine I can J. Austen. 1814.] LETT2R8 OF J^VNE AUSTEN. 283 LXV. Hans Place, Wednesday. My dear Anna, — I have been very far from finding your book an evil, I assure you. I read it immediately and with great pleasure. I think you are going on very well. The description of Dr. Griffin and Lady Helena's unhappiness is very good, and just what ? likely to be. I am curious to know what the end of them will be. The name of Newton Priors is really invaluable; I never met with anything superior to it. It is delightful, and one could live on the name of New- ton Priors for a twelvemonth. Indeed, I think you get on very fast. I only wish other people of my acquaintance could compose as rapidly. I am pleased with the dog scene anr' with the whole of George and Susan's love, but am more particularly struck with your serious conversations. They are very good throughout. St. Julian's history was quite a surprise to me. You had not very long known it yourself, I suspect; but I have no objec- tion to make to the circumstance, and it is very well told. His having been in love with the aunt gives Cecilia an additional interest with him. I like the idea, — a very proper compliment to an aunt! I rather imagine indeed that nieces are seldom chosen but out of compliment to some 284 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. aunt or anotht-r. I dare say Ben was in lovd with me once, and would never have thought of you if he had not supposed me dead of scarlet fever. Yes, I was in a mistake as to the number of books. T thought I had read three before the three at Chawton, but fewer than six will not do. I want to see dear Bell Griffin again; and had you not better give some hint of St. Julian's early history in the beginning of the story? We shall see nothing of Streatham while we are in town, as Mrs. Hill is to lie in of a daughter. Mrs. Blackstone is to bo with her. Mrs. Heath- cote and Miss Bigg ' are just leaving. The latter writes me word that Miss Blackford is married, but I have never seen it in the papers, and one may as well be single if the wedding is not to be in print. r k Your affectionate aunt, 0, a. LXVI. 23 Hans Place, Wednesday (Nov. 30, 1814). I AM very much obliged to you, my dear Fanny, for your letter, and I hope you will write again soon, that I may know you to be all safe and happy at home. Our visit to Hendon will interest you, I am sure; but I need not enter into the particulars of it, as 1 Sisters to Mrs. Hi^l. I8I4.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 285 your papa will be able to answer almost every question. I certainly could describe her bedroom and her drawers and her closet better than he can, but I do not feel that I can stop to do it. I was rather sorry to hear that she is to have an in- strument; it seems throwing money away. They will wish the twenty-four guineas in the shape of sheets and towels six months hence ; and as to her playing, it never can be anything. Her purple pelisse rather surprised me."^ I thought we had known all paraphernalia of that sort. I do not mean to blame her; it looked very well, and I dare say she wanted it. I suspect nothing worse than its being got in secret, and not owned to anybody. I received a very kind note from her yesterday, to ask me to come again and stay a night with them. I cannot do it, but I was pleased to find that she had the power of doing so right a thing. My going was to give them both pleasure very properly. I just saw Mr. Hayter at the play, and think his face would please me on acquaintance. I was sorry he did not dine here. It seemed rather odd to me to be in the theatre with nobody to watch for. I was quite composed myself, at leisure for all the agitated Isabella could raise. Now, my dearest Fanny, I will begin a subject which comes in very naturally. You frighten me out of my wits by your reference. Your affection 286 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814 I I M gives me the highest pleasure, but indeed you must not let anything depend on my opinion; your own feelings, and none but your own, should determine such an important point. So far, however, as an- swering your question, I have no scruple. I am perfectly convinced that your present feelings, sup- posing you were to marry now, would be suffi- cient for his happiness ; but when I think how very, very far it is from a "now," and take everything that may be into consideration, I dare not say, "Determine to accept him;" the risk is too great for you, unless your own sentiments prompt it. You will think me perverse, perhaps; in my last letter I was urging everything in his favor, and now I am inclining the other way, but I cannot help it ; I am at present more impressed with the possible evil that may arise to you from engaging yourself to him — in word or mind — than with anything else. When I consider how few young men you have yet seen much of, how capable you are (yes, I do still think you very capable) of being really in love, and how full of temptation the next six or seven years of your life will pro- bably be (it is the very period of life for the strongest attachments to be formed), —I cannot wish you, with your present very cool feelings, to devote yourself in honor to him. It is very true that you never may attach another man his equal altogether; but if that other man has the power cf 1814.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 287 a attaching you more, he will be in your eyes the most perfect. I shall be glad if you can revive past feelings, and from y.ur unbiassed self resolve to go on as you have done, but this I do not expect; and with- out it I cannot wish you to be fettered. I should not be afraid of your marrying him; with all his worth you would soon love him enough for the happiness of both; but I should dread the con- tinuance of this sort of tacit engagement, with such an uncertainty as there is of when it may be completed. Years may pass before he is inde- pendent; you like him well enough to marry, but not well enough to wait; the unpleasantness of ap- pearing fickle is certainly great; but if you think you want punishment for past illusions, there it is, and nothing can be compared to the misery of being bound without love, —bound to one, and preferring another; that is a punishment which you do not deserve. I know you did not meet, or rather will not meet, to-day, as he called here yesterday; and I am glad of it. It does not seem very likely, at least, that he should be in time for a dinner visit sixty miles off. We did not see him, only found his card when we came home at four. Your Uncle H. merely observed that he was a day after "the fair." We asked your brother on Monday (when Mr. Hayter was talked of) why he did not 288 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. invite him too; saying, ''I know he is in town, for I met him the other day in Bond St." Ed- ward answered that he did not know where he was to be found. "Don't you know his cham- bers?" "No." I shall be most glad to hear from you again, my dearest Fanny, but it must not be later than Saturday, as we shall be off on Monday long be- fore the letters are delivered; and write something that may do to be read or told. I am to take the Miss Moores back on Saturday, and when I return I shall hope to find your pleasant little flowing scrawl on the table. It will be a relief to me after playing at ma'ams, for though I like Miss H. M. as much as one can at my time of life after a day's acquaintance, it is uphill work to be talking to those whom one knows so little. Only one comes back with me to-morrow, prob- ably Miss Eliza, and I rather dread it. We shall not have two ideas in common. She is young, pretty, chattering, and thinking chiefly, I pre- sume, of dress, company, and admiration. Mr. Sanford is to join us at dinner, which will be a comfort, and in the evening, while your uncle and Miss Eliza play chess, he shall tell me com- ical things and I will laugh at them, which will be a pleasure to both. I called in Keppel Street and saw them all, in- cluding dear Uncle Charles, who is to come and 1814.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 289 dine with us quietly to-day. Little Harriot sat in my lap, and seemed as gentle and affectionate as ever, and as pretty, except not being quite well. Fanny is a fine stout girl, talking inces- santly, with an interesting degree of lisp an;l indistinctness, and very likely may be the hand-' somest in time. Gassy did not show more pleas- ure in seeing me than her sisters, but I expected uo better. She does not shine in the tender feel- ings. She will never be a Miss O'Neil, more in the Mrs. Siddons line. Thank you, but it is not settled yet whether I do hazard a second edition. We are to see Eger- ton to-day, when it will probably be determined. People are more ready to borrow and praise than to buy, which I cannot wonder at; but though I like praise as well as anybody, I like what Edward calls "Pewter*' too. I 'hope he contin- ues careful of his eyes, and finds the good effect of it. I cannot suppose we differ in our ideas of the Christian religion. You have given an excellent ' description of it. We only affix a different mean- ing to the word evangelical. Yours most affectionately, Miss Knight, Godmershasi Park, Faversham, Kent. J. Austen. 19 IV ■ i Hi 290 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1815. LXVII. CiiAWTON, Friday (Sept. 29). My dear Anna, — We told Mr. B. Lefroy that if the weather did not prevent us we should certainly come and see you to-morrow and bring Cassy, trusting to your being good enough to give her a dinner about one o'clock, that we might be able to be with you the earlier and stay the longer. But on giving Cassy her choice between the Fair at Alton or Wyards, it must be confessed that she has preferred the former, which we trust will not greatly affront you; if it does, you may hope that some little Anne hereafter may revenge the insult by a similar preference of an Alton Fair to her Cousin Cassy. In the mean while we have determined to put off our visit to you until Mon- day, which we hope will be not less convenient. I wish the weather may not resolve on another put off. I must come to you before Wednesday if it be possible, for on that day I am going to London for a week or two with your Uncle Henry, who is expected here on Sunday. If Monday should appear too dirty for walking, and Mr. Lefroy would be so kind as to come and fetch me, I should be much obliged to him. Cassy might be of the party, and your Aunt Cassandra will take another opportunity. Yours very affectionately, my dear Anna, J. Austen. 1815.] LE'lTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 291 Note by Lord Brahourne. But before the week or two to which slie had limited her visit in Hans Place was at an end, her brother fell ill, and on October 22 he was in such danger that she wrote to Steventon to summon her fatlier to town. The letter was two days on the road, and reached him on Sunday the 24th. Even then he did not start immediately. In the evening he and his wife rode to Chawton, and it was not until the next day that he and Cassandra arrived in Hans Place. The malady from which Henry Austen was suffering was low fever, and he was for some days at death's door: but he rallied soon after his brother and sisters arrived, and recovered so quickly that the former was able to leave him at the end of the week. The great anxiety and fatigue which Jane under- went at this time was supposed by some of her family to have broken down her health. She was in a very feeble and exhausted condition when the bank in which her brother Henry was a partner broke, and he not only lost all that he possessed, but most of his relations suffered se- verely also. Jane was well enough to pay sev- eral visits with her sister in the summer of 1816 including one to Steventon, _ the last she ever paid to that home of her childhood. The last note which Mrs. Lefroy had preserved is dated, -^ i 'I ":| ■ ' 292 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1815. LXVIII. June 23, 1816. My dear Anxa, -Cassy desires her best thanks for the book. She was quite delighted to see it 1 do not know when 1 have seen her so much struck by anybody's kindness as on this occasion. Her sensibility seems to be opening to the percep- tion of great actions. These gloves having ap- peared on the pianoforte ever since you were here on Friday, we imagine they must be yours. Mrs. Digweed returned yesterday through all the after- noon's rain, and was of course wet through; but in speaking of it she never once said - it was beyond everything." which I am sure it must have been. Your mamma means to ride to Speen Hill o-mor- row to see the Mrs. Hulberts, who are both very indifferent. By all accounts they really are breaking now, - not so stout as the old jackass, v Yours affectionately, J- A. Chawton, Suuday, Juue 23. Uncle Charles's birthday. LXIX. Hans Place, Friday (Nov. 24, 1815). My dearest Cassandra, -I have the pleasure of sending you a much better account of my affairs, which I know will be a great delight to you. 1815] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEX. 293 1 wrote to Mr. Murray yesterday myself, and Henry wrote at the same time to Roworth. Be- fore the notes were out of the house, I received three slieets and an apology from R. We sent the notes, however, and I had a most civil one in reply from Mr. M. He is so very polite, indeed, that it is quite overcoming. The printers have been waiting for paper, — the blame is thrown upon the stationer; but he gives his word that I shall have no further cause f.^r dissatisfaction. He has lent us Miss Williams and Scott, and says that any book of his will always be at my service. In short, I am soothed and complimented into toler- able comfort. We had a visit yesterday from Edwd. Kuight, and Mr. .Alascall joined him here; and this morn- ing has brought Mr. Mascall's compliments and two pheasants. We have some hope of Edward's coming to dinner today; he will, if he can, I believe. He is looking extremely well. To-morrow Mr. Haden is to dine with us. There i£ happiness! We really grow so fond of Mr. Haden that I do not know what to expect. He and Mr. Tilsun and Mr. Philips made up our circle of wits last night. Fanny played, and he sat and listened and suggested improvements, till Richard came in to tell him that * Ma- lings. By the by, you may talk - of his wife's being better; I saw her yesterday, and uas sensible of her having gained ground m the last two days. ;.;.enm^.-We have had no Edward. Our ;.},cie is formed, -only Mr. Tilson and Mr. [1815. saion or r C.iptii. n I told *y. He ' it must las! can- ider that 8 getting gth, and w, I feel red since sunshiny ight have ill not de- n\ of the rst on the )use. He [one more suasion of 1815.J LETrERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 295 I thp Ma- Mr ' of erday, and iind in the vard. Our and Mr. Hadon. We are not so happy aa we were. A message came this afternoon from Mrs. Latouche and Miss East, offering thomaeives to drink tea nith us to-morrow, and, as it was accepted, here is an end of our extreme felicity in our din: er guest. I am heartily sorry they are coming; it will be an evening spoilt to Fanny and me. Another little disappointment: Mr. H. advises Henry's not venturing with us in the carriage to-morrow; if it were spring, he says, it would be a different thing. One would rather this had not been. He seems to think his going out to-day rather imprudent, though acknowledging at the same time that he is bett r than he was in the morning. Fanny has had a letter full of commissions from Goodnestone; we shall be busy about them and her own matters, I dare say, from twelve to four. Nothing, I trust, will kr.p us from Keppel Street. This day has brought a most friendly letter from Mr. Fowle, with a brace of pheasants. I did not know before that Henry had written to him a few days ago to ask for them. We shall live upon pheasants, — no bad life! I send you five one-pound notes, for fear you should be distressed for little money. Lizzy's work is charmingly done; shall you put it to your chintz? A shtot came in this moment; Ist and 3rd vols, are now at 144; 2nd at 48. 1 am sure i! 296 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1815. you will like particulars. We are not to have the trouble of returning the sheets to Mr. Murray any longer; the printer's hoys bring and carry. I hope Mary continues to get well fast, and I send my love to little Herbert. You will tell me more of Martha's plans, of course, when you write again. Remember me most kindly to everybody, and Miss Benn besides. Yours very affectionately, _^ ^^^^^^ I have been listening to dreadful insanity. It is Mr. Haden's firm belief that a person not musical is fit for every sort of wickedness. I ' ventured to assert a little on the other side, but wished the cause in abler hands. Mias AusTEK, Chawton. LXX. Hans Place, Sunday (Nov. 26). My dearest, -The parcel arrived safely, and I am much obliged to you for your trouble. It cost 2s. lOd., but as there is a certain saving of 2s 4irf. on the other side, I am sure it is well worth doing. I send four pair of silk stockings, but I do not want them washed at present. In the three neckhandkerchiefs I include the one sent down before. These things, perhaps, Edwd. may be able to bring, but even if he is not, I am ex- 1815.J LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 297 tremely pleased with his returning to you from Steventon. It is much better, far preferable. I did mention the P. R. in my note to Mr. Murray; it brought me a fine compliment in return. Whether it has done any other good I do not know, but Henry thought it worth trying. The printers continue to supply me very well. I am advanced in Vol. III. to my arm-root, upon which peculiar style of spelling there is a modest query in the margin. I will not forget Anna's arrowroot. I hope you have told Martha of my first resolution of letting nobody know that I might dedicate, etc., for fear of being obliged to do it, and that she is thoroughly convinced of my being influenced now by nothing but the most mercenary motives. I have paid nine shil- lings on her account to Miss Palmer; there was no more owing. Well, we were very busy all yesterday; from half-past eleven till four in the streets, working al- most entirely for other people, driving from place to place after a parcel for Sandling, which we could never find, and encountering the miseries of Grafton House to get a purple frock for Eleanor Bridges. We got to Keppel St., however, which was all I cared for; and though we could stay only a quarter of an hour, Fanny's calling gave great pleasure, and her sensibility still greater, for she was very much al^ected at the sight of the chil- 298 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1815. dren. Poor little F. looked heavy. We saw the whole party. Aunt Harriet hopes Cassy will not forget to make a pincushion for Mrs. Kelly, as she has spoken of its heing promised her several times. I hope we shall see Aunt H. and the dear little girls here on Thursday. So much for the morning. Then came the din- ner and Mr. Haden, who brought good manners and clever conversation. From seven to eight the harp; at eight Mrs. L. and Miss E. arrived, and for the rest of the evening the drawing-room was thus arranged: on the sofa side the two ladies, Henry, and myself making the best of it; on the opposite side Fanny and Mr. Haden, in two chairs (I believe, at least, they haJ two chairs), talking together uninterruptedly. Fancy the scene! And what is to be fancied next? Why, that Mr. H. dines here again to-morrow. To-day we are to have Mr. Barlow. Mr. H. is reading " Mansfield Park" for the first time, and prefers it to P. and P. A hare and four rabbits from Gm. yesterday, so that we are stocked for nearly a week. Poor Farmer Andrews! I am very sorry for him, and sincerely wish his recovery. A better account of the sugar than T could have expected. I should like to help you break some more. I am glad you cannot wake early ; I am sure you must have been under great arrears of rest. [1815. saw the )rget to 8 spoken I hope iris here the din- manners light the , and for was thus , Henry, opposite I believe, together nd what H. dines have Mr. Park" for jresterday, 3k. Poor him, and jould have reak some I am sure )f rest. 1815.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 299 Fanny and I have been to B. Chapel, and walked back with Maria Cuthbert. We have been very little plagued with visitors this last week. I remember only Miss Herries, the aunt, but I am m terror for to-day, a fine bright Sundayj plenty of mortar, and nothing to do. Henry gets out in his garden every day, but at present his inclination for doing more seems over, nor has he now any plan for leaving London before Dec. 18, when he thinks of going to Oxford for a few days; to-day, indeed, his feelings are for continuing where he is through the next two months. One knows the uncertainty of all this; but should it be so, we must think the best, and hope the best, and do the best; and my idea in that case IS, that when he goes to Oxford I should go home, and have nearly a week of you before you take my place. This is only a silent project, you know, to be gladly given up if better things occur. Henry calls himself stronger every day, and Mr. H. keeps on approving his pulse, which seems generally better than ever, but still they will not let him be well. Perhaps when Fanny is gone he will be allowed to recover faster. I am not disappointed: I never thought the little girl at Wyards very pretty, but she will have a fine complexion and curly hair, and pass for a beauty. We are glad the mamma's cold has 300 LETTERS OF JANE ADSTEN. [1815. not been wo«e, and .end her »« love and 8^^ . wishes by every <=°"-"«°* "I"^*"'"' .X^ amiable Frank! why *- "= l-^:! /„f ^Jf^ Like Captain Mirvan to Mr. Daval,« I wish ^rn^t'hrrdanthatlhavesaidtoyon ab^t herself and Mr. H. Thank you very much "„"he sight o« dearest Charles's letter to yon«e«^ Howplelntly and how natnrally he wr.tes land ^w ^rfeot a picture o! his disposition and feehn^ hU Ttylo conveys! Poor dear fellowl Not a •^Thl a great mind to send him all the twelve cop irwhich were to have been dispersed amo^ig ravnear connections, beginnmg with the P. K. Jd ending with Countess Money Adieu. Yours affectionately, J. Austen. Give my love to Cassy and Mary Jane. Caro- line will be gone when this reaches you. Miss Austen. LXXI. Hans Place, Saturday (Dec 2). MY DKAB CAS8ANDBA,-Henry came back yelday,andxnight have returned the day before 1 Characters in Miss Burney's "Evelina." 3 Prince Regent. [1815. nd good Sweet, old too? wish it d to you ery much yourself, rites! and d feelings 1 Not a the twelve ed among he P. R.' ieu. r. Austen. me. Caro- 1815] LETTERS OP JANE AUSTEN. 301 lay (Dec. 2). came hack le day hefore ina." if he had known as much in time. I had the pleasure of hearing from Mr. T. on Wednesday night that Mr. Seymour tliought there was not the least occasion for his absenting himself any longer. I had also the comfort of a few lines on Wednes- day morning from Henry himself, just after your letter was gone, giving so good an account of his feelings as made me perfectly easy. He met with the utmost care and attention at Hanwell, spent his two days there very quietly and pleasantly, and being certainly in no respect the worse for going, we may believe that he must be better, as he is quite sure of being himself. To make his return a complete gala, Mr. Haden was secured for dinner. I need not say that our evening was agreeable. But you seem to be under a mistake as to Mr. H. You call him an apothecary. He is no apothecary; he has never been an apothecary; there is not an apothecary in this neighborhood, —the only incon- venieuce of the situation, perhaps, —but so it is; we have not a medical man within reach. He is a Haden, nothing but a Haden, a sort of wonderful nondescript creature on two legs, something be- tween a man and an angel, but without the least spice of an apothecary. He is, perhaps, the only person not an apothecary hereabouts. He has never sung to us. He will not sing without a pianoforte accompaniment. Mr. Meyers gives his three lessons a week, al- 302 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1815. tering his days and his hours, however, just as he v chooses, never very punctual, and never giving good measure. I have not Fanny's fondness for masters, and Mr. Meyers does not give me any longing after them. The truth is, I think, that they are all, at least music-masters, made of too much consequence, and allowed to take too many liberties with their scholars' time. We shall be delighted to see Edward on Mon- day, only sorry that you must be losing him. A turkey will be equally welcome with himself. He must prepare for his own proper bedchamber here, as Henry moved down to the one below last week; he found the other cold. I am sorry my mother has been suffering, and am afraid this exquisite weather is too good to agree with her. I enjoy it all over me, from top ^ to toe, from right to left, longitudinally, perpen- dicularly, diagonally; an4 I cannot but selfishly hope we are to have it last till Christmas, - nice, unwholesome, unseasonable, relaxing, close, muggy weather. Oh, thank you very much for your long letter; it did me a great deal of good. Henry accepts your offer of making his nine gallon of mead thankfully. The mistake of the dogs rather vexed him for a moment, but he has not thought of it since To-day he makes a third attempt at his strengthening plaister, and as I am sure he will 1815.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 303 now be getting out a great deal, it is to be wished that he may be able to keep it on. He sets off this morning by the Chelsea coach to sign bonds and visit Henrietta St., and I have no doubt will be going every day to Henrietta St. Fanny and I were very snug by ourselves as soon as we were satisfied about our invalid's being safe at Hanwell. By manoeuvring and good luck we foiled all the Malings' attempts upon us. Hap- pily I caught a little cold on Wednesday, the morning we were in town, which we made very useful, and we saw nobody but our precious * and Mr. Tilson. This evening the Malings are allowed to drink tea with us. We are in hopes — that is, we wish — Miss Palmer and the little girls may come this morning. You know, of course, that she could not come on Thursday, and she will not attempt to name any other day. God bless you. Excuse the shortness of this, but I must finish it now, that I may save you 2d. Best love. Yours affectionately, J. A. It strikes me that I have no business to give the P. R. a binding, but we will take counsel upon the question. I am glad you have put the flounce on your * Probably a playful allusion to Mr. Haden. ■on ! \\ LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [I81«. chintz-, I am 8«re it m«8t look particularly well, and it is what I had thought ot Miss Austen, Chawton, Alton, Hants. IXXII. Cbawtod (Fell. 20, 1816). Mr I.EARE8T Fasnv, - You are inimitable, irre- sistible. You are the delight ot my life. Such letters, such entertaining letter., as you have lately sent! such a description of yoor queer little heartl such a lovely display of what .mag- nation does! You are worth your weight ,n gold, or even in the new silver coinage. I cannot ex- press to you what I have felt in reading your h tory ot yourself, -how full of p.ty and con- : „,ld almiration and amusement have been! You are the paragon of all that is s, ly and sensi- ble, commonplace and eccentric, sad and lively, proUking and interesting. Who can keep pace 'Xthe fluctuations of your fancy the cappnzios Tf your taste, the contradictions of your feehn^? You are so odd, and all the time so perfe ty I:tu,Il!-sopeculiarinyourself,audyetsolike 'T!:tL;!ty gratifying to me to know you so intimately. You can hardly think what a plea.- „re it is to me to have such thorough pictures of 1816.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 305 your heart. Oh, what a loss it will be when you are married! You are too agreeable in your single state, —too agreeable as a niece. I shall hate you when your delicious play of mind is all settled down into conjugal and maternal affections. ^^' ^ frightens me. He will have you. I see you at the altar. I have some faith in Mrs. C. Cage's observation, and still more in Lizzy's; and beside.), I know it must be so. He must be wish- ing to attach you. It would be too stupid and too shameful in him to be otherwise; and all the family are seeking your ac(iuaintance. Do not imagine that I have any real objection; I have rather taken a fancy to him than not, and I like the house for you. I only do not like you should marry anybody. And yet I do wish you to marry very much, because I know you will never be happy till you are; but the loss of a Fanny Knight will be never made up to me. My '' affec. niece F. C. B " will be but a poor substitute. I do not like your being nervous, and so apt to cry, —it is a sign you are not quite well; but I hope Mr. Scud — as you always write his name (your Mr. Scuds amuse me very much) — will do you good. What a comfort that Cassandra should be so recovered! It was more than we had expected. I can easily believe she was very patient and very good. I always loved Cassandra for her fine dark 20 1 (f 306 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [in«. eyes and sweet temper. I um almost entirely , Tred of my rheumatism, - j»st a little pa.n ,. my knee now and then, to make me remember what .t was, and keep on flannel. Aunt Cassandra nursed me so beautifully. i v. . I enjoy your visit to Goodnestone, .t must be a great pleasure to you, you have not seen Fanny Cage in comfort so long. I hope she represents J remonstrate, and reasons with you prope.ly. my should you be living in dre^ of h,s marrymg somebody else? (Yet how natural!) You d.d not 7Z to have him yourself, why not allow h.m to Uke comfort where he can? In your co„sc.enc« yon know that he could uot fc^r a compan.on with a more animated character. You cannot forget how you felt under the idea of rts hav,ng been possible that he might have dined m Hans ^ Mv dearest Fanny, I cannot bear you should be unhappy about him. Think of his pnne.ples; think of his father's objection, of want of money etc., etc. But I am doing no good; no, all that I urgl against him will rather make you take h« part more, -sweet, perverse Fanny. And now I will tell you that we like your Henry to the utmost, to the very top of the glass, quite brimful. He is a very pleasing young man. i do not see how he could be mended. He does ,e,iw Wd fair to be everything his father and sister [1816. entirely in in my f what it ■a nursed lUst be a n Fanny •eprescnta pro]t)eily. marrying 3U did not ow him to conscience companion ou cannot its having id in Hans jrou should principles ; ; of money, ), all that I ju take his 3 like your )f the glass, young man. d. He does ler and sister 1816.] LETFERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 307 could wish; and W"'uni I love very much indeed, and so we do all; he is quite our own William. In short, we are very comfortable together; that is, we can answer for our.selves. Mrs. Deedes is as welcome as May to all our benevolence to her son; we only lamented that we could not do more, and that the 50/. note we slipped into his hand at parting was necessarily the limit of our offering. Good Mrs. Deedes ! Scandal and gossip; yes, I dare say you are well stocked, but I am very fond of Mrs. for reasons good. Thank you for mentioning her praise of "Emma," etc. I have contributed the marking to Uncle H.'s shirts, and now they are a complete memorial of the tender regard of many. Friday. — I had no idea when I began this yes- terday of sending it before your brother went back, . but I have written away my foolish thoughts at such a rate that I will not keep them many hours longer to stare me in the face. Much obliged for the quadrilles, which I am grown to think pretty enough, though of course they are very inferior to the cotillons of my own day. Ben and Anna walked here last Sunday to hear Uncle Henry, and she looked so pretty, it was quite a pleasure to see her, so young and so blooming and so innocent, as if she had never had a wicked 308 LEITEUS OF JANE AUSTEN. [!••«■ , ■ 1 i;f. «l,icli vet one hns some reason thought ... l.er l.te, «^'"' > ^^ Relieve the .„ appose she „.u.t have .,f J ^^.^^ ^^^^.^. d„ctri..e of or.g...al «.»■ 1 ' "1" "J ' . her pUy very kindly arranged tor her Henry , tneraUy thought very good-looking, bu not so handTonfe as Edward. I think I prefer his a e. ;r s in excellent looks, has a «..e appet.te and »e ...s perfectly well. You will Lave a g^^ breakup at God,nershan. in the spr.ng^ You u^^u . 1 tZ\r all aoinir. It >a very right, however! Pot Miss C.!' I sl.aU pity ker when she heg,n, to understand herself. , ,. . . 4 ^^ Your objection to the quadrille, del.ghted ™e exceedingly. Pretty »ell,£or a lady .rrecoverably attled to one perso,.! Sweet Fanny, beheve no ^^thing of yourself, spread no - -'-- slander upon your understanding within the pre cincts of your imagination. Do not speak .11 of "sense merely for the gratiacation of your Ley; your, is sense which deserves more honor- aWe treatment. You are not in love with h.m, you never have been really ip love w.th h.m. Yours very affectionately, J. Austen. Mies Khioht, Godmersham Park, Faversham, Keat r-V^ 1816.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 309 LXXIII. Chawton, Thursday (March 13). As to making any adequate return for such a letter as yours, my dearest Fanny, it is absolutely impossible. If I were to labor at it all the rest of my life, and live to the age of Methuselah, I could never accomplish anything so long and so perfect; but I cannot let William go without a few lines of acknowledgment and reply. I have pretty well done with Mr. . By your description, he cannot be in love with you, however he may try at it; and I could not wish the ma<-ch unless there were a great deal of love on his side. I do not know what to do about Jemima Branfill. What does her dancing away with so much spirit mean? That she does not care for him, or only wishes to appear not to care for him? Who can understand a young lady? Poor Mrs. C. Milles, that she should die on the wrong day at last, after being about it so long! It was unlucky that the Goodnestone party could not meet you; and I hope her friendly, obliging, social spirit, which delighted in drawing people together, was not conscious of the division and disappointment she was occasioning. I am sorry and surprised that you speak of her as having little to leave, and must feel for Miss Milles, though she ff^'** ill! I I! I 310 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1816. is Molly, if a material loss of income is to attend » her other loss. Single women have a dreadful propensity for heing poor, which is one very strong argument in favor of matrimony; but I need not dwell on such arguments with you, pretty dear. To you I shall say, as I have often said before, Do not be in a hurry, the right man will come at last; you will in the course of the next two or three years meet with somebody more generally unexceptionable than any one you have yet known, who will love you as warmly as possible, and who will so completely attract you that you will feel you never really loved before. Do none of the A.'s ever come to balls now? You have never mentioned them as being at any. And what do you hear of the Gipps, or of Fanny and her husband ? Aunt Cassandra walked to Wyards yesterday with Mrs. Digweed. Anna has had a bad cold, and looks pale. She has just weaned Julia. I have also heard lately from your Aunt Har- riot, and cannot understand their plans in parting with Miss S., whom she seems very much to value now that Harriot and Eleanor are both of an age for a governess to be so useful to, especially as, when Caroline was sent to school some years. Miss Bell was still retained, though the others even then were nursery children. They have some good reason, I dare say, though I cannot penetrate 1816.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 311 it; and till I know what it is I shall invent a bad one, and amuse myself with accounting for the difference of measures by supposing Miss S. to be a superior sort of woman^ who has never stooped to recommend herself to the master of the family by flattery, as Miss Bell did. I will answer your kind questions more than you expect. <'Miss Catherine" is put upon the shelf for the present, and I do not know that she will ever come out; but I have a something ready for publication, which may, perhaps, appear about . a twelvemonth hence. It is short, —about the length of ''Catherino." This is for yourself alone. Neither Mr. Salusbury nor Mr. Wildman is to know of it. 1 am got tolerably well again, quite equal to walking about and enjoying the air, and by sit- ting down and resting a good while between my walks I get exercise enough. I have a scheme, however, for accomplishing more, as the weather grows spring-like. I mean to take to riding the donkey; it will be more independent and less troublesome than the use of the carriage, and I shall be able to go about with Aunt Cassandra in her walks to Alton and Wyards. I hope you will think Wm. looking well; he was bilious the other day, and At. Cass, supplied him with a dose at his own request. I am sure you would have approved it. Wm. and I are the 312 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN, [1816. best of friends. I love him very much. Every- thing is so natural about him, —his affections, his manners, and his drollery. He entertains and interests us extremely. Mat. Hammond and A. M. Shaw are people whom I cannot care for in themselves, but I enter into their situation, and am glad they are so happy. If I were the Duchess of Richmond, I should be very miserable about my son's choice. Our fears increase for poor little Harriot; the latest account is that Sir Ev. Home is confirmed in his opinion of there being water on the brain. I hope Heaven, in its mercy, will take her soon. Her poor father will be quite worn out by his feel- ings for her; he cannot spare Gassy at present, she is an occupation and a comfort to him. LXXIV. Chawton, Sunday (March 23). I AM very much obliged to you, my dearest Fanny, for sending me Mr. W.'s conversation; I had great amusement in reading it, and I hope I am not affronted, and do not think the worse of him for having a brain so very different from mine; but my strongest sensation of all is aston- ishment at your being able to press him on the subject so perseveringly; and I agree with your [1816. Every- ffections, tains and re people lit I enter !y are so hmond, I choice, rriot; the confirmed :he brain, her soon. »y his feel- resent, she Match 23). ay dearest srsation; I ind I hope the worse 'erent from 1,11 is aston- lim on the with your 1816.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 313 papa that it was not fair. When he knows the truth, he will be uncomfortable. You are the oddest creature! Nervous enough in some respects, but in others perfectly without nerves! Quite unrepulsable, hardened, and im- pudent. Do not oblige him to read any more. Have mercy on him, tell him the truth, and make him an apology. He and I should not in the least agree, of course, in our ideas of novels and hero- ines. Pictures of perfection, as you know, make me sick and wicked; but there is some very good sense in what he says, and I particularly respect him for wishing to think well of all young ladies; it shows an amiable and a delicate mind. And he deserves better treatment than to be obliged to read any more of my works. Do not be surprised at finding Uncle Henry ac- quainted with my having another ready for publi- cation. I could not say No when he asked me, but he knows nothing more of it. You will not like it, so you need not be impatient. You may perhaps like the heroine, as she is almost too good for me. Many thanks for your kind care for my health; I certainly have not been well for many weeks, and about a week ago I was very poorly. I have had a good deal of fever at times, and indifferent nights; but I am considerably better now, and am recovering my looks a little, which have been bad i^ i 314 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1816. enough, — black and white, and every wrong color. ^ I must not depend upon being ever very blooming again. Sickness is a dangerous indulgence at my time of life. Thank you for everything you tell me. I do not feel worthy of it by anything that I can say in return, but I assure you my pleasure in your letters is quite as great as ever, and I am interested and amused just as you could wish me. If there is a Miss Marsden, I perceive whom she will marry. Evening. -I was languid and dull and very bad company when I wrote the above; I am better now, to my own feelings at least, and wish I may be more agreeable. We are going to have rain, and after that very pleasant genial weather, which ^\\\ exactly do for me, as my saddle will then be completed, and air and exercise is what I want. Indeed, I shall be very glad when the event at Scarlets is over, the expectation of it keeps us in a worry, your grandmamma especially; she sits brooding over evils which cannot be remedied, and conduct impossible to be understood. Now the reports from Keppel St. are rather better; little Harriot's headaches are abated, and Sir Evd. is satisfied with the effect of the mercury, and does not despair of a cure. The complaint I find is not considered incurable nowadays, provided the patient be young enough not to have the head hardened. The water in that case may be drawn [1816. rong color. ^ J blooming ence at my ig you tell thing that ny pleasure , and I am Id wish me. I whom she nd very bad '. am better wish I may have rain, ither, which vill then be hat I want, the event at it keeps us ,lly; she sits smedied, and . are rather ; abated, and the mercury, complaint I ays, provided lave the head aay be drawn 1816.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 315 off by mercury. But though this is a new idea to us, perhaps it may have been long familiar to you through your friend Mr. Scud. I hope his high renown is sustained by driving away William's cough. Tell Wm. that Triggs is as beautiful and con- descending as ever, and was so good as to dine with us to-day, and tell him that I often play at nines and think of him. The Papillons came back on Friday night, but I have not seen them yet, as I do not venture to church. I cannot hear, however, but that they are the same Mr. P. and his sister they used to be. She has engaged a new maidservant in Mrs. Calker's room, whom she means to make also housekeeper under herself. Old Philmore was buried yesterday, and I, by way of saying something to Triggs, observed that it had been a very handsome funeral; but his manner of reply made me suppose that it was not generally esteemed so. I can only be sure of one part being very handsome, — Triggs himself, walk- ing behind in his green coat. Mrs. Philmore attended as chief mourner, in bombazine, made very short, and flounced with crape. Tuesday. — I have had various plans as to this letter, but at last I have determined that Uncle Henry shall forward it from London. I want to see how Canterbury looks in the direction. When i I < ill i 316 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1816. once Uncle H. has left us, I shall wish him with ^ you. London has become a hateful place to him, and he is always depressed by the idea of it. i hope he will be in time for your sick. I am sure he must do that part of his duty as excellently as all the rest. He returned yesterday from Steven- ton, and was with us by breakfast, bringing Edward with him, only that Edwd. stayed to breakfast at Wyards. We had a pleasant family day for the Altons dined with us, the last visit of the kind probably which she will be able to pay us for many a month. I hope your own Henry is in Erance, and that vou have heard from him; the passage once over, he will feel all happiness. I took my first r.de yesterday, and liked it very much. I went up Mounter's Lane and round by where the new cottages are to be, and found the exercise and everything very pleasant; and I had the advantage of agreeable companions, as At. Cass, and Edward talked by my side. At. Cass, is such an excellent nurse, so assiduous and unwearied! But you know all that already. Very affectionately yours, ^ ^^^^^^ Miss Knight, Godmersham Park, Canterbury. 1816.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN, 317 LXXV. CiiAWToy, Sunday (Sept. 8, 1816), My dearest Cassandra, — I have borne the arrival of your letter to-day extremely well; any- body might have thought it was giving me pleas- ure. I am very glad you find so much to be satisfied with at Cheltenham. While the waters agree, everything else is trifling. A letter arrived for you from Charles last Thurs- day. They are all safe and pretty well in Keppel St., the children decidedly better for Broadstairs; and he writes principally to ask when it will be convenient to us to receive Miss P., the little girls, and himself. They would be ready to set off m ten days from the time of his writing, to pay their visits in Hampshire and Berkshire, and he would prefer coming to Chawton first. I have answered him, and said that we hoped it might suit them to wait till the last week in Septr., as we could not ask them sooner, either on your account or the want of room, I mentioned the 23rd as the probable day of your return. When you have once left Cheltenham, I shall gnidge every half-day wasted on the road. If there were but a coach from Hungerford to Chawton! I have desired him to let me hear again soon. He does not incl ude a maid in the list to be 318 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1816. accommodated; but if they bring one, is I suppose they will, we shall have no bed in the house even then for Charles himself, —let alone Henry. But what can we do? We shall have the Gt. House quite at our com- mand; it is to be cleared of the Papillons' ser- vants in a day or two. They themselves have been hurried off into Essex to take possession, — not of a large estate kft them by an uncle, but to scrape together all they can, I suppose, of the effects of a Mrs. Rawstorn, a rich old friend and cousin suddenly deceased, to whom they are joint executors. So there is a happy end of the Kent- ish Papillons coming here. No morning service to-day, wherefore I am writing between twelve und one o'clock. Mr. Benn in the afternoon, and likewise more rain again, by the look and the sound of things. You left us in doubt of Mrs. Benn's situation, but she has bespoke her nurse. . . . The F. A.'s dined with us yesterday, and had fine weather both for coming and going home, which has hardly ever happened to them before. She is still unprovided with a housemaid. Our day at Alton was very pleasant, venison quite right, children well behaved, and Mr. and Mrs. Digweed taking kindly to our charades and other games. I must also observe, for his mother's satisfaction, that Edward at my suggestion de- [1816. 1 1 suppose house even jury. But it our com- illons' ser- elves have jsession, — uncle, but )ose, of the friend and ly are joint the Kent- Eore I am ilock. Mr. more rain ings. You on, but she 3 dined with for coming r happened ded with a ,nt, venison id Mr. and liarades and his mother's Tgestion de- 1816 j LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 319 / voted himself very properly to the entertainment of Miss S. Gibson. Nothing was wanting except Mr. Sweeney; but he, alas! had been ordered away to London tlie day before. We had a beau- tiful walk home by moonlight. Thank you, my back has given me scarcely any pain for many days. I have an idea that agita- tion does it as much harm as fatigue, and that I was ill at the time of your going from the very circumstance of your going. I am nursing my- self up now into as beautiful a state as I can, because I hear that Dr. White means to call on me before he leaves the country. Eoening. — Frank and Mary and the children visited us this morning. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson are to come on the 23rd, and there is too much reason to fear they will stay above a week. Little George could tell me where you were gone to, as well as what you were to bring him, when I asked him the other day. Sir Tho. Miller is dead. I treat you with a dead baronet in almost every letter. So you have C. Craven among you, as well as the Duke of Orleans and Mr. Pocock. But it mortifies me that you have not added one to the stock of common acquaintance. Do pray meet with somebody belonging to yourself. I am quite weary of your knowing nobody. Mrs. Digweed parts with both Hannah and old Il II fi ii iV I ^ii I LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1816. cook: the former will not give up her lover, who is a man of bad character; the latter is guilty only of being unequal to anything. Miss Terry was to have spent this weelc with her sister, but as usual it is put off. My amiable friend knows the value of her company. I have not seen Anna since the day you left us; her father and brother visited her most days. Edward and Ben called here oa Thursday. Edward was in his way to Selborae. We found him very agreeable. He is come back from France, think- ing of the French as one could wish, —disap- pointed in everything. He did not go beyond Paris. I have a letter from Mrs. Perigord; she and her mother are in London again. She speaks of France as a scene of general poverty and misery; no money, no trade, nothing to be got but by the innkeepers, and as to her own present pros- pects she is not much less melancholy than before. I have also a letter from Miss Sharp, quite one of her letters; she has been again obliged to exert herself more than ever, in a more distress- ing, more harassed state, and has met with an- other excellent old physician and his wife, with every virtue under heaven, who takes to her and cures her from pure love and benevolence. Dr. and Mrs. Storer are their Mrs. and Mis:i Palmer — for they are at Bridlington. I am happy to say. f. [1816. lover, who r is guilty weelc with Mj' amiable ly. I have }ft us; her 's. Edward Edward was I him very •ance, think- ish, — disap- ; go beyond »rd; she aud »he speaks of and misery; got but by present pros- than before, irp, quite one II obliged to nore distress- met with an- lis wife, with es to her and vole nee. Dr. iisu Palmer — happy to say, 1816.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN 321 however, that the sum of the account is better than usual. Sir William is returned; from Bridlington they go to Chevet, and she is to have H young governess under her. I enjoyed Edward's company very much, as I said before, and yet I was not sorry when Friday came. It had been a busy week, and I wanted a few days' quiet and exemption from the thought and contrivancy which any sort of company gives. I often wonder how you can find time for what you do, in addition to the care of the house; and how god Mrs. West could have written such books and collected so many hard words, with all her family cares, is still more a matter of astonishment. Composition seems to me impossi- ble with a head full of joints of mutton and doses of rhubarb. Monday. - Here is a sad morning. I fear you may not have been able to get to the Pump. The two last days were very pleasant. I enjoyed them the more for your sake. But to-day it is really bad enough to make you all cross. I hope Mary will change her lodgings at the fortnight's end; I am sure, if you looked about well, you would find others in some odd corner to suit you bet- ter. Mrs. Potter charges for the name of the High St. Success to the pianoforte! I trust it will drive you away. We hear now that there is to be no 21 822 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1817. honey this year. Bad news for us. We must hus- band our present stock of mead, and I am sorry to perceive that our twenty gallons is very nearly out. I cannot comprehend how the fourteen gal- lons could last so long. We do not much like Mr. Cooper's new sermons. They are fuller of regeneration and conversion than ever, with the addition of his zeal in the cause of the Bible Society. Martha's love to Mary and Caroline, and she is extremely glad to find they like the pelisse. The Debarys are indeed odious! We are to see my brother to-morrow, but for only one night. I had no idea that he would care for the races without Edward. Remember me to all. Yours very affectionately, Miss Austen, Post-OflSce, Cheltenham. J. Austen. Note {■!/ Lord Braboiirne. I insert here a letter of Jane Austen's written backwards, addressed to hev niece "Gassy," daughter of Captain Charles Austen (afterwards Admiral) when a little girl. LXXVI. Ym raed Yssac, — I hsiw uoy a yppah wen raey. Ruoy xis snisuoc emac ereh yadretsey, dna dah hcae a eceip fo ekac. Siht si elttil Yssac's 181 7.J LETTEHS OF JANE AUSTEN, 82C yadhtrib, dna ehs si eerht sraey dlo. Knarf sah "ugeb g.iinrael Nital ew deef eht Nibor yreve gniiirom. Yllas netfo seriuqne rotfa uoy. Yllas Mahneb sah tog a wen neerg nwog. Teirrah TJigink semoc yreve yad ot daer ot Tnua Ardnas- sac. Doog cyb ym raed Yssac. Tnua Ardnassac sdnes reh tseb evol, dna os ew od 11a. Euoy etanoitceifa tnua, xr XT . En A J Netsua. NoTWAHc, Naj. 8. J. Austen. til Yssac's Note by Lord JBrahourne. In January, 1817, she wrote of herself as better and able to walk into Alton, and hoped in the summer she shouW ' able to walk back. In April her father iu « note to Mrs. Lefroy says: •'I was happy to have a good account of herself written by her own hand, in a letter from your Aunt Jane; but all who love, and that is all who know her, must be anxious on her account." We all knov,' how well grounded that anxiety was, and how soon her relations had to lament over the loss of the dearest and brightest member of their family. And now I come to the saddest letters of dl, those which tell us of the end of that bright life' cut short just at the time when the world might have hoped that unabated intellectual vigor, sup- plemented by the experience brought by maturer 324 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1817. years, would have produced works if possible even more fascinating than those with which she had already embellished the literature of her country. But it was not to be. The fiat had gone forth, — the ties which bound that sweet spirit to earth were to be severed, and a blank left, never to be filled in the family which her loved and loving presence had blessed, and where she had been so well and fondly appreciated. In the early spring of 1817 the unfavorable symptoms increased, and the failure of her health was too visible to be neglected. Still no apprehensions of immediate danger were entertained, and it is probable that when she left Chawton for Winchester in Maj^, she did not recognize the fact that she was bidding a last farewell to "Home." Happy for her if it was so, for there are few things more melancholy than to look upon any beloved place or person with the knowledge that it is for **the last time." In all probability this grief was spared to Jane, for even after her arrival at Winchester she spoke and wrote as if recovery was hopeful; and I fancy that her relations were by no means aware that the end was so near. Note by Lord Brahoume. Cassandra's letters tell the tale of the event in words that require no addition from me. They are simple and affecting, — the words of one who had N. [1817. ossible even ich slie had ler country, ne forth, — rit to earth never to be and loving liad been so early spring jreased, and isible to be ' immediate rabable that er in May, as bidding a ar her if it melancholy B or person last time." ed to Jane, ;r she spoke and I fancy aware that he event in . They are ine who luii 1817.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 325 been stricken by a great grief, but whose religion stood her in good stead, and enabled her to bear it with fortitude. The firm and loving bond of union which had ever united the Austen family, natu- rally intensified their sorrow at the loss of one of their number, and that the one of whom they had been so proud as well as so fond. They laid her within the walls of the old cathedral which she had loved so much, and went sorrowfully back to their homes, with the feeling that nothing could replace to them the treasure they had lost. And most heavily of all must the blow have fallen upon the only sister, the correspondent, the companion, the other self of Jane, who had to return alone to the desolate home, and to the mother to whose comforts the two had hitherto ministered together, but who would henceforward have her alone on whom to rely. . . . Letters from Misj Cassandra Austen to her niece Miss KnirjJd, after the death of her sister Jane, July 18, 1817. LXXVII. Winchester, Sunday. My dearest Fanny, -Doubly dear to me now for her dear sake whom we have lost. She did love you most sincerely, and never shall I forget the proofs of love you gave her during her ilL iuess ill h< 326 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1817. in writing those kind, amusing letters at a time when I know your feelings would have dictated so different a style. Take the only reward I can give vou in the assurance that your benevolent pur- pose was answered; you did contribute to her enjoyment. Even your last letter afforded pleasure. I merely cut the seal and gave it to her; she opened it and read it herself, afterwards she gave it to me to read, and then talked to me a little and not un- cheerfully of its contents, but there was then a languor about her which prevented her taking the same interest in anything she had been used to do. Since Tuesday evening, when her complaint re- turned, there was a visible change, she slept more and much more comfortably; indeed, during the last eight-and-forty hours she was more asleep than awake. Her looks altered and she fell away, but I perceived no material diminution of strength, and though I was then hopeless of a recovery, I had no suspicion how rapidly my loss was approaching. I have lost a treasure, such a sister, such a friend as never can have been surpassed. She was the sun of my life, the gilder of every pleasure, the soother of every sorrow; I had not a thought concealed from her, and it is as if I had lost a part of myself. I loved her only too well, —not better than she deserved, but I am conscious that my [1817. at a time dictated so I can give '■olent pur- ite to her easure. I she opened ,ve it to me md not un- (vras then a taking the used to do. mplaint re- slept more during the asleep than I away, but if strength, recovery, I loss was ter, such a I. She was py pleasure, >t a thought i lost a part — not better us that my 1817.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 327 affection for her made me sometimes unjust to and negligent of others; and I can acknowledge, more than as a general principle, the justice of the Hand which has struck this blow. You know me too well to be at all afraid that I should suffer materially from my feelings; I am perfectly conscious of the extent of my irreparable loss, but I am not at all overpowered and very lit- tle indisposed, — nothing but what a short time, with rest nnd change of air, will remove. T thank God 1 was enabled to attend her to the last, am ' agst my many causes of self-reproach I have not to add any wilful neglect of her comfort. She felt herself to be dying about half an hour before she became tranquil and apparently uncon- scious. During that half-hour was her struggle, poor soul ! She said she could not tell us what she suffered, though she complained of little fixed pain. When I asked her if there was anything she wanted, her answer was she wanted nothing but death, and some of her words were: "God " grant me patience, pray for me, oh, pray for me! " Her voice was affected, but as long as she spoke she was intelligible. I hope I do not break your heart, my dearest Fanny, by these particulars; I mean to afford you gratification whilst I am relieving my own feelings. I could not write so to anybody else; indeed you arc the only person I have written to at all, except ;28 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1817. ing your grandmamma, — it was to her, not your Uncle Charles, I wrote on Friday. Immediately after dinner on Thursday I went into the town to do an errand which your dear aunt was anxious about. I returned about a quar- ter before six, and found her recovering from faint- ness and oppression ; she got so well as to be able to give me a minute account of her seizure, and when the clock struck six she was talking quietly to me. I cannot say how soon afterwards she was seized again with the same faintness, which was followed by the sufferings she could not describe; but Mr. Lyford had been sent for, had applied something to give her ease, and she was in a state of quiet insensibility by seven o'clock at the latest. From that time till half-past four, when she ceased to breathe, she scarcely moved a limb, so that we have every reason to think, with gratitude to the Al- mighty, that her sufferings were over. A slight motion of the head with every breath remained till almost the last. I sat close to her with a pillow in my lap to assist in supporting her head, which was almost off the bed, for six hours; fatigue made me then resign ray place to Mrs. J. A. for two hours and a half, when I took it again, and in about an hour more she breathed her last. I was able to close her eyes myself, and it was a great gratification to me to render her those last 1817.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEX. 329 services. There was nothing convulsed which gave the idea of pain in her look; on the con- trary, but for the continual motion of the head she gave one the idea of a beautiful statue, and even now, in her coffin, there is such a sweet, serene air over her countenance as is quite pleas- ant to contemplate. This day, my dearest Fanny, you have had the melancholy intelligence, and I know you suffer severely, but I likewise know that you will apply to the fountain-head for consolation, and that our merciful God is never deaf to such prayers as you will offer. *^ The last sad ceremony is to take place on Thurs- day morning; her dear remain.; are to be deposited in the cathedral. It is a satisfaction to me to thmk that they are to lie in a building she admired so much; her precious soul, I presume to hope reposes m a far superior mansion. May mine one day be reunited to it! nnJT/r r'' ^'"' ^"^'^ ^^"^^' '^^'^ Frank and Edwd. Austen, instead of his father, will attend I hope they will none of them suffer last- ingly from their pious exertions. The ceremony must be over before ten o'clock, as the cathedral service begins at that hour, so that we shall be at home early in the day, for there will be nothing to keep us here afterwards. Ynur Uncle Tames came to us yesterday, and is m m 330 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1817. gone home to-day. Uncle H. goes to Chawtou to- morrow morning; he has given every necessary direction here, and I think his company there will do good. He returns to us again on Tuesday evening. X did not thiixk to have written a long letter when I began, but I have found the employment draw me on, and I hope I shall have been giving you more pleasure than pain. Remember me kindly to Mrs. J. Bridges (I am so glad she is with you now), aid give my best love to Lizzie and all the others. I am, my dear st Fanny. Most affectionate" y yours, Cass. Eliz. Auste>\ I have said nothing a>>out those at Chawton, because I am sure you hear from your papa. LXXVIII. Chawton, Tuesdiy (July 29, 1817). My dearest Fanny, — I have just read your letter for the third time, and thank you most sin- cerely for every kind expression to myself, and still more warmly for your praises of her who I believe was better known to you than to any human being besides myself. Nothing of the sort could have been more gratifying to me than the manner in which yon write of her; and if the dear angel is [1817. Iiawton to- necessary there will I Tuesday ong letter nployment en giving ember xne he is with iie and all urs, . AUSTEX. Chawton, papa. 29, 1817). read your L most siu- yself, and her who I ;iny human sort could he manner ar angel is 1817.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 331 conscious of what passes here, and is not above all earthly feelings, she may perhaps receive pleasure in being so mourned. Had she been the survivor, I can fancy her speaking of you in almost the same terms. There are certainly many points of strong resemblance in your characters; in your intimate acqua ntance with e;;ch other, and your mutual strong affection, you were counterparts. Thursday was not so dreadful a day to me as you imagined. There was ro much necessary to be done that there wa. no time for additional misery. Everything was conducted with the greatest tran- quilhty, and but that I wag determined I would see the last, and therefore was upon the listen, I should not have known when they left the house. I watched the little mournful procession the length of the street; and when it turned from my sight, and I had lost her forever, even then I was not overpowered, nor so much agitated as I am now in writing of it. Never was human being more sin- cerely mourned by those who attended her remains than was this dear creature. May the sorrow with which she is parted with on earth be a prognostic ot the joy with which she is hailed in heaven! I continue very tolerably well, -much better than any one could have supposed possible, because certainly have had considerable fatigue of body as well as anguish of mind for months back; but I really am well, and I hope T am properly grate- 332 LETlEttS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1817. ful to the Almighty for having been so supported. Your grandmainma, too, is much better than when s I came home. I did not think your dear papa apneared unwell, and I understand that he seemed much more com- fortable after his return from Winchester than he had done before. I neeu not tell you that he was a great comfort to me; indeed, I can never say enough of the kindness I have received from him and from every other friend. I get out of doors a good deal, and am able to employ myself. Of course those employments suit me best which leave n > most at leisure to think of her I have lost, and I do think of her in every variety of circumstance, - in our happy hours of confidential intercourse, in the cheerful family party which she so ornamented, in her sick-room, on her death-bed, and as (I hope) an inhabitant of heaven. Oh, if I may one day be reunited to her there ! I know the time must come when my mmd will be less engrossed by her idea, but I do not like to think of it. If I think of her less as on earth, God grant that I may never cease to reflect on her as inhabiting heaven, and never cease my humble endeavors (when it shall please God) to join her there. In looking at a few of the precious papers which are now my property I have found some memo- randums, amongst which she desires that on€ of 1817.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 333 her gold chains may be given to her god-daughter Louisa, and a lock of her hair be set for you. You can need no assurance, my dearest Fanny, that every request of your beloved aunt will be sacred with me. Be so good as to say whether you prefer a brooch or ring. God bless you, my dearest i^anny. Believe me, most affectionately yours, Cas8. Elizth. Austen. MiBs Knight, Godmersbam Park, Canterbury. THE END.