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diff --git a/42078-8.txt b/42078-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 91b3cec..0000000 --- a/42078-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8973 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Letters of Jane Austen, by Jane Austen - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Letters of Jane Austen - Selected from the compilation of her great nephew, Edward, - Lord Bradbourne - -Author: Jane Austen - -Editor: Sarah Chauncey Woolsey - -Release Date: February 12, 2013 [EBook #42078] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN *** - - - - -Produced by Suzanne Shell, Emmy and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - -[Transcriber's Note: letters that were superscripted in the original are -surrounded by brackets and preceded by a caret ^.] - - - -_JANE AUSTEN'S WORKS._ - - - SENSE AND SENSIBILITY 2 vols. - PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 2 vols. - MANSFIELD PARK 2 vols. - EMMA 2 vols. - NORTHANGER ABBEY 1 vol. - PERSUASION 1 vol. - LADY SUSAN--THE WATSONS WITH A MEMOIR 1 vol. - LETTERS 1 vol. - -[Illustration: J. Austen - -_From a Painting in the possession of the Rev. Morland Rice, of -Bramber._] - - - - -THE LETTERS - -OF - -JANE AUSTEN - -_Selected from the Compilation of her Great Nephew_ - -_EDWARD, LORD BRADBOURNE_ - -BY SARAH CHAUNCEY WOOLSEY - - - BOSTON - LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY - 1908 - - -[Transcriber's Note: While the title page gives credit to Lord -Bradbourne, the actual title of Edward was Lord Brabourne.] - - - - - _Copyright, 1892_, - BY ROBERTS BROTHERS. - - - Printers - S. J. PARKHILL & CO., BOSTON, U. S. A. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -THE recent cult for Miss Austen, which has resulted in no less than ten -new editions of her novels within a decade and three memoirs by -different 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 news, 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, contradicting -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 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 so -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 -Revolution; but there is scarcely an allusion to either in her letters. -She was interested 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 Trafalgar and the Egyptian -expedition, and generously remarks that she would read Southey's "Life -of Nelson" if there was anything in it about her brother Frank! She -honors Sir John Moore by remarking after his death that his mother -would perhaps have preferred to have him less distinguished and still -alive; further than that, the making of the gooseberry jam and a good -recipe for orange wine interests her more than all the marchings and -countermarchings, the manoeuvres and diplomacies, going on the world -over. In the midst of the universal 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 unruffled 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 -midst of the European tempest like the windless centre of a circular -storm." - -The point of view of a woman with such an environment must naturally be -circumscribed and narrow; and in this Miss Austen's charm consists. -Seeing little, she painted what she saw with absolute fidelity and a -dexterity and perfection 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 what she observed and what she -understood, giving 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, affectation of knowledge or feeling not -justly her own. "She held the mirror up to her time" with an exquisite -sincerity and fidelity; and the closeness of her study brought her -intimately near to those hidden 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 resembling 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 perfect of her novels; and Anne, with her exquisite -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 Bennet 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 characters 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 portrait of Jane -Bennet at an exhibition. - - "I was very well pleased (pray tell Fanny) with a - small portrait of Mrs. Bingley, excessively like her. - I went in hopes of seeing one of her sister, but there - was no Mrs. Darcy. Perhaps I may find her in the great - exhibition, 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 greater - likeness. She is dressed in a white 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." - -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 delicacy." - -The letters included in this series comprise about three quarters of the -collection in two volumes 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. Furthermore 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 spite of our suspicion that another and even more interesting -part of her personality is withheld from us. - -A good daughter, a delightful sister, the most perfect of aunts, what -better record could there be of a single woman? Her literary work never -stood in the way of her home duties, any more than her "quiet, limpid, -unimpassioned style" stood between her thought and her readers. - -Her fame may justly be said to be almost entirely 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 it 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 effaced 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 somewhere 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 not mistaken,--and six of the persons present at -once recognized the allusion, and had a formed opinion 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 host 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 interrupted 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. - - NEWPORT, June, 1892. - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. - - - - -I. - - - STEVENTON, Thursday (January 16, 1796). - -I HAVE just received yours and Mary's letter, 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 the sake of seeing you two days -earlier. We are extremely sorry for poor Eliza's illness. I trust, -however, that she has continued to recover since you wrote, and that you -will none of you be the worse for your attendance on her. What a -good-for-nothing fellow Charles is to bespeak the stockings! I hope he -will be too hot all the rest of his life for it! - -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 Tom, as if I had not -opportunities of hearing from him myself! The last letter that I -received from him 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 that day. By this time, therefore, they are at -Barbadoes, I suppose. The Rivers are still at Manydown, and are to be at -Ashe to-morrow. I intended 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 all his estate to her for -her sole use and benefit in future, 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 mean to confine myself in -future to Mr. Tom Lefroy, for whom I don't care sixpence. Assure her -also, as a last and indubitable proof of Warren's indifference to me, -that he actually drew that gentleman's 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. Wm. Chute called here yesterday. I -wonder what he means by being so civil. There is a report that Tom is -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's, Kintbury, Newbury - - - - -II. - - - CORK STREET, Tuesday morn (August, 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[1] and Frank[2] are both gone out to seek their fortunes; the -latter is to return soon and help us seek ours. The former we shall -never see again. We are to be at Astley'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 find him there on Thursday. - -I hope you are all alive after our melancholy parting yesterday, and -that you pursued your intended avocation with success. God bless you! I -must leave off, for we are going out. - - Yours very affectionately, - J. AUSTEN. - -Everybody's love. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] Miss Austen's second brother. - -[2] Francis, afterward Sir Francis Austen, Senior Admiral of the Fleet, -and K. C. B. - - - - -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 obliged to dance with Mr. -Tincton the whole evening. Let me know how J. Harwood deports 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 the 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 so 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 -the shade 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 the health of the two former. -I have never seen Marianne at all. On Thursday Mr. and Mrs. Bridges -return to Danbury; Miss Harriet Hales accompanies them to London on her -way to Dorsetshire. - -Farmer Claringbould died this morning, and I fancy Edward means to get -some of his farm, if he can cheat Sir Brook enough in the agreement. - -We have just got some venison from Godmersham, which the two Mr. Harveys -are to dine on to-morrow, and on Friday or Saturday the Goodnestone -people are to finish their scraps. Henry went away on Friday, as he -purposed, _without fayl_. You will hear from him soon, I imagine, as he -talked of writing to Steventon shortly. Mr. Richard Harvey is going to -be married; but as it is a great secret, and only known to half the -neighborhood, you must not mention it. The lady's name is Musgrave. - -I am in great distress. I cannot determine whether I shall give Richis -half a guinea or only five shillings when I go away. Counsel me, amiable -Miss Austen, and tell me which will be the most. - -We walked Frank last night to Crixhall Ruff, and he appeared much -edified. Little Edward was breeched yesterday for good and all, and was -whipped into the bargain. - -Pray remember me to everybody who does not inquire after me; those who -do, remember me without bidding. Give my love to Mary Harrison, and -tell her I wish, whenever she is attached to a young man, some -respectable Dr. Marchmont may keep them apart for five volumes. . . . - - - - -IV. - - - ROWLING, Thursday (September 15). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--We have been very gay since I wrote last; dining at -Nackington, returning by moonlight, and everything quite in style, not -to mention Mr. Claringbould's funeral which we saw go by on Sunday. I -believe I told you in a former letter that Edward had some idea of -taking the name of Claringbould; but that scheme is over, though it -would be a very eligible as well as a very pleasant plan, would any one -advance him money enough to begin on. We rather expected Mr. Milles to -have done so on Tuesday; but to our great surprise nothing was said on -the subject, and unless it is in your power to assist your brother with -five or six hundred pounds, he must entirely give up the idea. - -At Nackington we met Lady Sondes' picture over the mantelpiece in the -dining-room, and the pictures of her three children in an ante-room, -besides Mr. Scott, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Toke, Mr. J. Toke, and the -archdeacon Lynch. Miss Fletcher and I were very thick, but I am the -thinnest of the two. She wore her purple muslin, which is pretty -enough, though it does not become her complexion. There are two traits -in her character which are pleasing,--namely, she admires Camilla, and -drinks no cream in her tea. If you should ever see Lucy, you may tell -her that I scolded Miss Fletcher for her negligence in writing, as she -desired me to do, but without being able to bring her to any proper -sense of shame,--that Miss Fletcher says, in her defence, that as -everybody whom Lucy knew when she was in Canterbury has now left it, she -has nothing at all to write to her about. By _everybody_, I suppose Miss -Fletcher means that a new set of officers have arrived there. But this -is a note of my own. - -Mrs. Milles, Mr. John Toke, and in short everybody of any sensibility -inquired in tender strains after you, and I took an opportunity of -assuring Mr. J. T. that neither he nor his father need longer keep -themselves single for you. - -We went in our two carriages to Nackington; but how we divided I shall -leave you to surmise, merely observing that as Elizabeth and I were -without either hat or bonnet, it would not have been very convenient for -us to go in the chaise. We went by Bifrons, and I contemplated with a -melancholy pleasure the abode of him on whom I once fondly doated. We -dine to-day at Goodnestone, to meet my aunt Fielding from Margate and a -Mr. Clayton, her professed admirer--at least, so I imagine. Lady Bridges -has received very good accounts of Marianne, who is already certainly -the better for her bathing. - -So His Royal Highness Sir Thomas Williams has at length sailed; the -papers say "on a cruise." But I hope they are gone to Cork, or I shall -have written in vain. Give my love to Jane, as she arrived at Steventon -yesterday, I dare say. - -I sent a message to Mr. Digweed from Edward in a letter to Mary Lloyd -which she ought to receive to-day; but as I know that the Harwoods are -not very exact as to their letters, I may as well repeat it to you. Mr. -Digweed is to be informed that illness has prevented Seward's coming -over to look at the repairs intended at the farm, but that he will come -as soon as he can. Mr. Digweed may also be informed, if you think -proper, that Mr. and Mrs. Milles are to dine here to-morrow, and that -Mrs. Joan Knatchbull is to be asked to meet them. Mr. Richard Harvey's -match is put off till he has got a better Christian name, of which he -has great hopes. - -Mr. Children's two sons are both going to be married, John and George. -They are to have one wife between them, a Miss Holwell, who belongs to -the Black Hole at Calcutta. I depend on hearing from James very soon; he -promised me an account of the ball, and by this time he must have -collected his ideas enough after the fatigue of dancing to give me one. - -Edward and Fly went out yesterday very early in a couple of shooting -jackets, and came home like a couple of bad shots, for they killed -nothing 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 our 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 press 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, _I_ want to go in a -stage-coach, but Frank will not let 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 _I_ shall merely pass through it. The -tallow-chandler is Penlington, at the Crown and Beehive, Charles Street, -Covent Garden. - - Miss AUSTEN, Steventon, 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. Frank 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 of -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 receive an answer from her -this morning, which would have rendered everything smooth and easy, and -would have enabled us to leave this place to-morrow, as Frank, on first -receiving his appointment, intended to do. He remains till Wednesday -merely to accommodate me. I have written to her again to-day, and -desired her to answer it by return of post. On Tuesday, therefore, I -shall positively 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 answer 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 -disappointed if she does not take great care. From what I remember of -her picture, it is no great resemblance. - -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 I 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 boy,--both doing very well. I shall leave -you to guess what Mary I mean. Adieu, with best love to all your -agreeable 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 prospect of having Captain Gore under his command. - - Miss AUSTEN, Steventon, Overton, Hants. - - - - -VI. - - - "BULL AND GEORGE," DARTFORD, - Wednesday (October 24, 1798). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--You have already heard from Daniel, I conclude, in -what excellent time we reached and quitted Sittingbourne, 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 determined 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 expedition 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 Ospringe, -and some 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 have 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, 7_l._, and my dear Harry's -deputation. Mr. Nottley immediately despatched 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 -watchfulness with regard to the weather on our accounts was very kind -and very effectual. We had one heavy shower on leaving Sittingbourne, -but afterwards 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, which 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, - Godmersham Park, Faversham. - - - - -VII. - - - STEVENTON, Saturday (October 27). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--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 and second. Soon after I had finished my letter from Staines, 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 night at -Staines, but bore her journey better than I had expected, and at -Basingstoke, where we stopped more than half an hour, received much -comfort from a mess of broth and the sight of Mr. Lyford, who -recommended her to take twelve 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 cheerfully to him before she went to bed. James -seems to have taken to his old trick of coming to Steventon in 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 -no narrow braces for children, and scarcely any notting silk; but Miss -Wood, as usual, is going to town very soon, and will lay in a fresh -stock. I gave 2_s._ 3_d._ a yard for my flannel, and I fancy it is not -very good, but it is so disgraceful and contemptible an article in -itself that its being comparatively good or bad is of little importance. -I bought some Japan ink likewise, and 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. Cooke, in which she -says that "Battleridge" is not to come out before January, and she is so -little satisfied with Cawthorn's dilatoriness that she never means to -employ him again. - -Mrs. Hall, of Sherborne, was brought to bed yesterday of a dead child, -some weeks before she expected, owing to a fright. I suppose she -happened 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 indeed 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 to 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 remembrance 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 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 there are some grapes left, but I believe not many; they -must be 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 much more sprawly than yours? Dame Tilbury's daughter has lain in. -Shall I give 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 if -anything she touched would ever be clean, but who knows? We do not seem -likely to have any other maidservant at present, but Dame Staples will -supply the place of one. Mary has hired a young girl from Ashe who 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 think Mary wrote us word, -and his family then told him that they would receive his wife, if she -continued to behave well for another year. He was very grateful, as well -he might; their behavior throughout the whole affair has been -particularly kind. Earle and his wife live in the most private manner -imaginable at Portsmouth, without keeping a servant of any kind. What a -prodigious innate love of virtue she 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. 'Tis really very kind of my -aunt to ask us to Bath again; a kindness that deserves a better return -than to profit by it. - - Yours ever, J. A. - - Miss AUSTEN, - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - - - - -VIII. - - - STEVENTON, December 1. - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--I am so good as to write to you again thus speedily, -to let you know 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 long ago as when the "London" was at St. -Helen's. But his _raly_ latest intelligence of us was in one from 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, when he despatched this to me. It comprehended -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 fitting 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 in future as it has been, as the communication -between Cadiz and Lisbon is less frequent than formerly. You and my -mother, therefore, must 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 _entrée_ into the dressing-room through crowds of -admiring spectators yesterday 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[3] 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 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 was 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 with our impatience. She was -very well last Thursday. Who is 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 papering. 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 -unequal to much hard work; a man is therefore hired to supply his place -as to labor, and John himself is to have the care of the sheep. There -are not more people engaged than before, I believe; only men instead of -boys. I fancy so at least, but you know my stupidity as to such matters. -Lizzie 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 applied to Mr. May for an ale-house for Robert, at his -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 accepting 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 we are determined to like her, and -she will find it a hard matter to displease us. As yet, she 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 _his_ pigs, has had -pigstyes of a most elegant construction built for them, and visits them -every morning as soon as he rises. - - Affectionately yours, - J. A. - - Miss AUSTEN, - Godmersham Park, Faversham. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[3] Mrs. James Austen. - - - - -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 I 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. - -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 probably 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 Gambier. He must have already -received so much satisfaction from his acquaintance and patronage of -Frank, that he will be delighted, I dare say, to have another of the -family introduced 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 convey you to Steventon. To do you -justice, however, you had some doubts of the propriety of such a measure -yourself. - -I am very much obliged to my dear little George for his message,--for -his love at least; 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, however, that I ever was born, since it has been -the means of procuring him a dish of tea. Give my best love to him. . . . - -_Wednesday._--I 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 directions, and I think it -makes me look more like Lady Conyngham 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. A. - - Miss AUSTEN, - Godmersham Park, Faversham. - - - - -X. - - - STEVENTON, Monday night (December 24). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--I have got some pleasant news for you which I am -eager to communicate, and therefore begin my letter sooner, though I -shall not send it sooner than usual. - -Admiral Gambier, in reply to my father's application, writes as follows: -"As 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 -continued in the 'Scorpion;' but I have mentioned to the Board of -Admiralty his wish to be in a frigate, and when a proper opportunity -offers 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 now 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 so good as to say he -would include him in an arrangement 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 -after this. _Now_ I really think he will soon be made, and only wish we -could communicate our foreknowledge of the event to him whom it -principally concerns. My father has written to Daysh to desire 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 joyful heart he would make of yours! - -I have sent the same extract of the sweets of Gambier to Charles, who, -poor fellow, though he sinks into nothing but an humble attendant on the -hero of the piece, will, I hope, be contented with the prospect held out -to him. By what the Admiral 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, however, it will not be so long -on its road as our letters, 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 that we cannot help. I spent my time very quietly and very -pleasantly with Catherine. 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. - -Our ball was very thin, but by no means unpleasant. 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 and not of the 11th -Light Dragoons), Mr. Temple (not the horrid one of all), Mr. Wm. Orde -(cousin to the Kingsclere man), Mr. John Harwood, and Mr. Calland, who -appeared as usual with his hat in his hand, 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 rather 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 enjoyment of the Ashford -balls (as assemblies for dancing) I 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. . . . - -Poor Edward! It is very hard that he, who has everything else in the -world that he can wish for, should not have good health too. But I hope -with the assistance of stomach complaints, faintnesses, 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 unlikely, 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 he has written to Lord Spencer -himself to be removed. I am afraid his Serene Highness will be in a -passion, and order some of our heads 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 yesterday, 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, - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - - - - -XI. - - - STEVENTON, Friday (December 28). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--Frank is made. He was yesterday raised to the rank -of Commander, and appointed to the "Petterel" sloop, now at Gibraltar. A -letter from Daysh has just announced 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_ petition into -consideration,--this comes from Daysh,--and likewise that Lieutenant -Charles John 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 Charles 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 and 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. - -Mrs. Lefroy has just sent me word that Lady Dorchester meant to invite -me to her ball on January 8, which, though an humble blessing compared -with what the last page records, I do not consider as any calamity. - -I cannot write any more now, but I have written enough to make you very -happy, and therefore may safely conclude. - - Yours affectionately, JANE. - - Miss AUSTEN, Godmersham Park. - - - - -XII. - - - STEVENTON, Tuesday (January 8, 1799). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--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 of 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 way, 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 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 income 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. - -F---- has lost his election at B----, and perhaps they 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. Hulbert'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. Nurse 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 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. Roope's office at Eastwell next -summer; and I am sure of Elizabeth's recommendation, 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 invent 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 -moderation 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 congratulated 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. - -Mrs. Knight giving up the 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 introduced to me; but as he did not want -it 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, I suppose, is as far from being related to the bishop -of that diocese as it is possible to be, with G. Lefroy, and J. Harwood, -who, I think, takes to me rather more than he used to do. One of my -gayest actions 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 Charterises 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 quality; 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 Basingstoke, and Mr. French, chemist, of Reading. - -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 petticoat behind you. I have -long secretly wished it might be done, but had not courage to make the -request. - -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 pleasure 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, Faversham. - - - - -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. -Marshall could never charge you with 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 ballroom, injured them a good deal. I use them as little 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 directly, as there is no chance of her -going to the westward. Charles does not 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 then hope to get into a better 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 Daysh 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 -unpleasantness 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. - -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 him handsomer than Henry. He appears to far more advantage here -than he did at Godmersham, not surrounded by strangers and neither -oppressed by a pain in his face or powder in his hair. - -James christened Elizabeth Caroline on Saturday morning, and then came -home. Mary, Anna, and Edward have left us of course; 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. Staffordshire 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 140_l._ 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, and a third goes into Staffordshire. We -can learn nothing of the disposal of the other living. I have not the -smallest notion of Fulwar's having it. Lord Craven has probably other -connections and more intimate ones, in that line, than he now has with -the Kintbury family. - -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 morning at Winchester with 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. Russell. 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 -rapidly recovering, and will be well enough to return 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 mean Mr. Wither--his life is so -useful, his character so respectable and worthy, that I really believe -there was a good deal of sincerity in the general concern 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 -partners: Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Street, Colonel Jervoise, James Digweed, J. -Lyford, and Mr. Briggs, a friend of the latter. I had a very pleasant -evening, 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 Austen'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 misfortune, 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 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 state,--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 I 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 notting, 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 furnishes him with a pig from -Cheesedown; it is already killed and cut up, but it is not to weigh more -than nine stone; the season is too far advanced 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. - -I congratulate you on Mr. E. Hatton'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 expect your return in? I begin to be very -tired of answering people'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 so happy as we? - -I think of going to Ibthorp in about a fortnight. My eyes are pretty -well, I 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 doll'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 likewise. He expects to be ordered to -Sheerness shortly, as the "Tamar" has never been refitted. - -My father and mother made the same match for you last night, and are -very much pleased with it. _He_ is a beauty of my mother's. - - Yours affectionately, - JANE. - - Miss AUSTEN, - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - - - - -XIV. - - - 13 QUEEN'S SQUARE, Friday (May 17). - -MY DEAREST CASSANDRA,--Our journey yesterday went off exceedingly well; -nothing occurred to alarm or delay us. We found the roads in excellent -order, had very good horses all the way, and reached Devizes with ease -by four o'clock. I suppose John has told you in what manner we were -divided when we left Andover, and no alteration was afterwards made. At -Devizes we had comfortable rooms and a good dinner, to which we sat down -about five; amongst other things we had asparagus and a lobster, which -made me wish for you, and some cheesecakes, on which the children made -so delightful a supper as to endear the town of Devizes to them for a -long time. - -Well, here we are at Bath; we got here about one o'clock, and have been -arrived just long enough to go over the house, fix on our rooms, and be -very well pleased with the whole of it. Poor Elizabeth has had a dismal -ride of it from Devizes, for it has rained almost all the way, and our -first view of Bath has been just as gloomy as it was last November -twelvemonth. - -I have got so many things to say, so many things equally important, that -I know not on which to decide at present, and shall therefore go and eat -with the children. - -We stopped in Paragon as we came along, but as it was too wet and dirty -for us to get out, we could only see Frank, who told us that his master -was very indifferent, but had had a better night last night than usual. -In Paragon we met Mrs. Foley and Mrs. Dowdeswell with her yellow shawl -airing out, and at the bottom of Kingsdown Hill we met a gentleman in a -buggy, who, on minute examination, turned out to be Dr. Hall--and Dr. -Hall in such very deep mourning that 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 Rebecca 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 this 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 Andover with my own hand. - -We are exceedingly pleased with the house; the rooms are quite as large -as we expected. Mrs. Bromley 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 -ascent, 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 apartment, 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 indeed 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 will 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 not very -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 immediately dread absolute solitude; and there is a -public breakfast in Sydney Gardens every 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 -closing 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 prospective 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, - JANE. - -A great deal of love from everybody. - - Miss AUSTEN, Steventon, Overton, Hants. - - - - -XV. - - - 13 QUEEN SQUARE, Sunday (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 consider 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 have flat heels. - -What must I tell you of Edward? Truth or falsehood? I will try the -former, and you may choose 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, who made no objection to it, but I fancy we are -all unanimous in expecting no advantage from it. At present I have no -great notion of our staying here beyond the month. - -I heard from Charles last week; 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_d._ a yard, but they were not so good or so pretty -as mine. Flowers are very much worn, and fruit is still more the thing. -Elizabeth has a bunch of strawberries, and I have seen grapes, cherries, -plums, and apricots. There are likewise almonds and raisins, French -plums, and tamarinds at the grocers', but I have never seen any of them -in hats. A plum or greengage would cost three shillings; cherries and -grapes about five, I believe, but this is at some of the dearest shops. -My aunt has told me of a very cheap one, near Walcot Church, to which I -shall go in quest of something for you. I have never seen an old woman -at the pump-room. - -Elizabeth has given me a hat, and it is not only a pretty hat, but a -pretty style of hat too. It is something like Eliza's, only, instead of -being all straw, half of it is narrow purple ribbon. I flatter myself, -however, that you can understand very little of it from this -description. Heaven forbid that I should ever offer such encouragement -to explanations as to give a clear one on any occasion myself! But I -must write no more of this. . . . - -I spent Friday evening with the Mapletons, and was obliged to submit to -being pleased in spite of my inclination. We took a very charming walk -from six to eight up Beacon Hill, and across some fields, to the village -of Charlecombe, which is sweetly situated in a little green valley, as a -village with such a name ought to be. Marianne is sensible and -intelligent; and even Jane, considering how fair she is, is not -unpleasant. We had a Miss North and a Mr. Gould of our party; the latter -walked home with me after tea. He is a very young man, just entered -Oxford, wears spectacles, and has heard that "Evelina" was written by -Dr. Johnson. - -I am afraid I cannot undertake to carry Martha's shoes home, for, though -we had plenty of room in our trunks when we came, we shall have many -more things to take back, and I must allow besides for my packing. - -There is to be a grand gala on Tuesday evening in Sydney Gardens, a -concert, with illuminations and fireworks. To the latter Elizabeth and I -look forward with pleasure, and even the concert will have more than -its usual charm for me, as the gardens are large enough for me to get -pretty well beyond the reach of its sound. In the morning Lady -Willoughby is to present the colors to some corps, or Yeomanry, or -other, in the Crescent, and that such festivities may have a proper -commencement, we think of going to. . . . - -I am quite pleased with Martha and Mrs. Lefroy for wanting the pattern -of our caps, but I am not so well pleased with your giving it to them. -Some wish, some prevailing wish, is necessary to the animation of -everybody's mind, and in gratifying this you leave them to form some -other which will not probably be half so innocent. I shall not forget to -write to Frank. Duty and love, etc. - - Yours affectionately, JANE. - -My uncle is quite surprised at my hearing from you so often; but as long -as we can keep the frequency of our correspondence from Martha's uncle, -we will not fear our own. - - Miss AUSTEN, Steventon. - - - - -XVI. - - - 13 QUEEN SQUARE, Tuesday (June 11). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--Your letter yesterday made me very happy. I am -heartily glad that you have escaped any share in the impurities of -Deane, and not sorry, as it turns out, that our stay here has been -lengthened. I feel tolerably secure of our getting away next week, -though it is certainly possible that we may remain till Thursday the -27th. I wonder what we shall do with all our intended visits this -summer! I should like to make a compromise with Adlestrop, Harden, and -Bookham, that Martha's spending the summer at Steventon should be -considered as our respective visits to them all. - -Edward has been pretty well for this last week, and as the waters have -never disagreed with him in any respect, we are inclined to hope that he -will derive advantage from them in the end. Everybody encourages us in -this expectation, for they all say that the effect of the waters cannot -be negative, and many are the instances in which their benefit is felt -afterwards more than on the spot. He is more comfortable here than I -thought he would be, and so is Elizabeth, though they will both, I -believe, be very glad to get away--the latter especially, which one -can't wonder at somehow. So much for Mrs. Piozzi. I had some thoughts of -writing the whole of my letter in her style, but I believe I shall not. - -Though you have given me unlimited powers concerning your sprig, I -cannot determine what to do about it, and shall therefore in this and in -every other future letter continue to ask your further directions. We -have been to the cheap shop, and very cheap we found it, but there are -only flowers made there, no fruit; and as I could get four or five very -pretty sprigs of the former for the same money which would procure only -one Orleans plum--in short, could get more for three or four shillings -than I could have means of bringing home--I cannot decide on the fruit -till I hear from you again. Besides, I cannot help thinking that it is -more natural to have flowers grow out of the head than fruit. What do -you think on that subject? - -I would not let Martha read "First Impressions"[4] again upon any -account, and am very glad that I did not leave it in your power. She is -very cunning, but I saw through her design; she means to publish it from -memory, and one more perusal must enable her to do it. As for -"Fitzalbini," when I get home she shall have it, as soon as ever she -will own that Mr. Elliott is handsomer than Mr. Lance, that fair men are -preferable to black; for I mean to take every opportunity of rooting out -her prejudices. - -Benjamin Portal is here. How charming that is! I do not exactly know -why, but the phrase followed so naturally that I could not help putting -it down. My mother saw him the other day, but without making herself -known to him. - -I am very glad you liked my lace, and so are you, and so is Martha, and -we are all glad together. I have got your cloak home, which is quite -delightful,--as delightful at least as half the circumstances which are -called so. - -I do not know what is the matter with me to-day, but I cannot write -quietly; I am always wandering away into some exclamation or other. -Fortunately I have nothing very particular to say. - -We walked to Weston one evening last week, and liked it very much. Liked -what very much? Weston? No, walking to Weston. I have not expressed -myself properly, but I hope you will understand me. - -We have not been to any public place lately, nor performed anything out -of the common daily routine of No. 13 Queen Square, Bath. But to-day we -were to have dashed away at a very extraordinary rate, by dining out, -had it not so happened that we did not go. - -Edward renewed his acquaintance lately with Mr. Evelyn, who lives in the -Queen's Parade, and was invited to a family dinner, which I believe at -first Elizabeth was rather sorry at his accepting; but yesterday Mrs. -Evelyn called on us, and her manners were so pleasing that we liked the -idea of going very much. The Biggs would call her a nice woman. But Mr. -Evelyn, who was indisposed yesterday, is worse to-day, and we are put -off. - -It is rather impertinent to suggest any household care to a housekeeper, -but I just venture to say that the coffee-mill will be wanted every day -while Edward is at Steventon, as he always drinks coffee for breakfast. - -Fanny desires her love to you, her love to grandpapa, her love to Anna, -and her love to Hannah; the latter is particularly to be remembered. -Edward desires his love to you, to grandpapa, to Anna, to little Edward, -to Aunt James and Uncle James, and he hopes all your turkeys and ducks -and chicken and guinea fowls are very well; and he wishes you very much -to send him a printed letter, and so does Fanny--and they both rather -think they shall answer it. . . . - -Dr. Gardiner was married yesterday to Mrs. Percy and her three -daughters. - -Now I will give you the history of Mary's veil, in the purchase of which -I have so considerably involved you that it is my duty to economize for -you in the flowers. I had no difficulty in getting a muslin veil for -half a guinea, and not much more in discovering afterwards that the -muslin was thick, dirty, and ragged, and therefore would by no means do -for a united gift. I changed it consequently as soon as I could, and, -considering what a state my imprudence had reduced me to, I thought -myself lucky in getting a black lace one for sixteen shillings. I hope -the half of that sum will not greatly exceed what you had intended to -offer upon the altar of sister-in-law affection. - - Yours affectionately, JANE. - -They do not seem to trouble you much from Manydown. I have long wanted -to quarrel with them, and I believe I shall take this opportunity. There -is no denying that they are very capricious--for they like to enjoy -their elder sister's company when they can. - - Miss AUSTEN, Steventon, Overton, Hants. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[4] The title first chosen for "Pride and Prejudice." - - - - -XVII. - - - STEVENTON, Thursday (November 20, 1800). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--Your letter took me quite by surprise this morning; -you are very welcome, however, and I am very much obliged to you. I -believe I drank too much wine last night at Hurstbourne; I know not how -else to account for the shaking of my hand to-day. You will kindly make -allowance therefore for any indistinctness of writing, by attributing it -to this venial error. - -Naughty Charles did not come on Tuesday, but good Charles came yesterday -morning. About two o'clock he walked in on a Gosport hack. His feeling -equal to such a fatigue is a good sign, and his feeling no fatigue in it -a still better. He walked down to Deane to dinner; he danced the whole -evening, and to-day is no more tired than a gentleman ought to be. - -Your desiring to hear from me on Sunday will, perhaps, bring you a more -particular account of the ball than you may care for, because one is -prone to think much more of such things the morning after they happen, -than when time has entirely driven them out of one's recollection. - -It was a pleasant evening; Charles found it remarkably so, but I cannot -tell why, unless the absence of Miss Terry, towards whom his conscience -reproaches him with being now perfectly indifferent, was a relief to -him. There were only twelve dances, of which I danced nine, and was -merely prevented from dancing the rest by the want of a partner. We -began at ten, supped at one, and were at Deane before five. There were -but fifty people in the room; very few families indeed from our side of -the county, and not many more from the other. My partners were the two -St. Johns, Hooper, Holder, and a very prodigious Mr. Mathew, with whom I -called the last, and whom I liked the best of my little stock. - -There were very few beauties, and such as there were were not very -handsome. Miss Iremonger did not look well, and Mrs. Blount was the -only one much admired. She appeared exactly as she did in September, -with the same broad face, diamond bandeau, white shoes, pink husband, -and fat neck. The two Miss Coxes were there; I traced in one the remains -of the vulgar, broad-featured girl who danced at Enham eight years ago; -the other is refined into a nice, composed-looking girl, like Catherine -Bigg. I looked at Sir Thomas Champneys, and thought of poor Rosalie; I -looked at his daughter, and thought her a queer animal with a white -neck. Mrs. Warren I was constrained to think a very fine young woman, -which I much regret. She danced away with great activity. Her husband is -ugly enough, uglier even than his cousin John; but he does not look so -_very_ old. The Miss Maitlands are both prettyish, very like Anne, with -brown skins, large dark eyes, and a good deal of nose. The General has -got the gout, and Mrs. Maitland the jaundice. Miss Debary, Susan, and -Sally, all in black, but without any statues, made their appearance, and -I was as civil to them as circumstances would allow me. . . . - -Mary said that I looked very well last night. I wore my aunt's gown and -handkerchief, and my hair was at least tidy, which was all my ambition. -I will now have done with the ball, and I will moreover go and dress for -dinner. . . . - -Farewell; Charles sends you his best love, and Edward his worst. If you -think the distinction improper, you may take the worst yourself. He -will write to you when he gets back to his ship, and in the mean time -desires that you will consider me as - - Your affectionate sister, J. A. - -_Friday._--I have determined to go on Thursday, but of course not before -the post comes in. Charles is in very good looks indeed. I had the -comfort of finding out the other evening who all the fat girls with long -noses were that disturbed me at the First H. ball. They all proved to be -Miss Atkinsons of En--[_illegible_]. - -I rejoice to say that we have just had another letter from our dear -Frank. It is to you, very short, written from Larnica in Cyprus, and so -lately as October 2. He came from Alexandria, and was to return there in -three or four days, knew nothing of his promotion, and does not write -above twenty lines, from a doubt of the letter's ever reaching you, and -an idea of all letters being opened at Vienna. He wrote a few days -before to you from Alexandria by the "Mercury," sent with despatches to -Lord Keith. Another letter must be owing to us besides this, one if not -two; because none of these are to me. Henry comes to-morrow, for one -night only. - -My mother has heard from Mrs. E. Leigh. Lady Saye and Seale and her -daughter are going to remove to Bath. Mrs. Estwick is married again to -a Mr. Sloane, a young man under age, without the knowledge of either -family. He bears a good character, however. - - Miss AUSTEN, - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - - - - -XVIII. - - - STEVENTON, Saturday (January 3, 1801). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--As you have by this time received my last letter, it -is fit that I should begin another; and I begin with the hope, which is -at present uppermost in my mind, that you often wore a white gown in the -morning at the time of all the gay parties being with you. - -Our visit at Ash Park, last Wednesday, went off in a _come-cá_ way. We -met Mr. Lefroy and Tom Chute, played at cards, and came home again. -James and Mary dined here on the following day, and at night Henry set -off in the mail for London. He was as agreeable as ever during his -visit, and has not lost anything in Miss Lloyd's estimation. - -Yesterday we were quite alone--only our four selves; but to-day the -scene is agreeably varied by Mary's driving Martha to Basingstoke, and -Martha's afterwards dining at Deane. - -My mother looks forward with as much certainty as you can do to our -keeping two maids; my father is the only one not in the secret. We plan -having a steady cook and a young giddy housemaid, with a sedate, -middle-aged man, who is to undertake the double office of husband to the -former and sweetheart to the latter. No children of course to be allowed -on either side. - -You feel more for John Bond than John Bond deserves. I am sorry to lower -his character, but he is not ashamed to own himself that he has no doubt -at all of getting a good place, and that he had even an offer many years -ago from a Farmer Paine of taking him into his service whenever he might -quit my father's. - -There are three parts of Bath which we have thought of as likely to have -houses in them,--Westgate Buildings, Charles Street, and some of the -short streets leading from Laura Place or Pulteney Street. - -Westgate Buildings, though quite in the lower part of the town, are not -badly situated themselves. The street is broad, and has rather a good -appearance. Charles Street, however, I think is preferable. The -buildings are new, and its nearness to Kingsmead Fields would be a -pleasant circumstance. Perhaps you may remember, or perhaps you may -forget, that Charles Street leads from the Queen Square Chapel to the -two Green Park Streets. - -The houses in the streets near Laura Place I should expect to be above -our price. Gay Street 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 Row, 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 expressed 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 particular dislike of that part of the town, and -therefore 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 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 impatient 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 is 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 difficulty 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 servants; and -these necessary articles will probably be the only material 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 sideboard, 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 engaged 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 possess many of the advantages -which I have often thought of with envy in the wives of sailors or -soldiers. 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 tenderness, no interest, in those we leave behind. . . . - - Yours affectionately, J. A. - - Miss AUSTEN, - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - - - - -XIX. - - - STEVENTON, Thursday (January 8). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--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 before Tuesday, which, -unless circumstances are very perverse, will be the case. I received -yours with much general philanthropy, and still more peculiar 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 out of mourning for -him before his last visit, though we knew nothing of it till about that -time. Why he died, or of what complaint, or to what noblemen he -bequeathed his four daughters in marriage, we have not heard. - -I am glad that the Wildmans are going to give a ball, and hope you will -not fail to benefit both yourself and me by laying out a few kisses in -the purchase of a frank. I believe you are right in proposing to delay -the cambric muslin, and I submit 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 comparison -of Exeter or York. Take the whole 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 objection 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 compliment 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 -unless he is very much in love with her indeed, he is not likely to -think a salary of 50_l._ equal in value or efficiency to one of 75_l._ - -Were you indeed to be considered as one of the fixtures of the -house!--but you were never actually 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 the 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 AUSTEN, - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - - - - -XX. - - - STEVENTON, Wednesday (January 14). - -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 appearance 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. - -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 -appraisement 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 Row before, has now -ceased to think of it entirely. At present the environs of Laura Place -seem to be his choice. His views on the subject are much advanced since -I came home; he grows quite ambitious, and actually requires now a -comfortable 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 vehicle, their heads full of Bantam cocks -and Galinies, entered the house,--Mrs. Heathcote, Mrs. Harwood, Mrs. -James Austen, Miss Bigg, Miss Jane Blachford. - -Hardly a day passes in which we do not have some visitor or other: -yesterday came Mrs. Bramstone, who is very sorry that she is to lose us, -and afterwards Mr. Holder, who was shut up for an hour with my father -and James in a most awful manner. John Bond _est à lui_. . . . - - - - -XXI. - - - 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 Prank'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 merchantman. Poor fellow! to wait -from the middle of November to the end of December, and perhaps even -longer, it must be sad work; especially in a place where the ink is so -abominably pale. What a surprise to him it must have been on October 20, -to be visited, collared, and thrust out of the "Petterel" by Captain -Inglis. He kindly passes over the poignancy of his feelings in quitting -his ship, his officers, and 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 have 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 captains 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 Captain Durham -is too likely to bring a villain with him under that denomination. . . . - -The neighborhood have quite recovered the death of Mrs. Rider,--so much -so, that I think they are rather rejoiced at it now; her things were so -very dear! and Mrs. Rogers is to be all that is desirable. Not even -death itself can fix the friendship of the world. . . . - -The Wylmots being robbed must 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. - -I 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. . . . - - Miss AUSTEN, - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - - - - -XXII. - - - SOUTHAMPTON, Wednesday (January 7, 1807). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--You were mistaken in supposing I should expect your -letter on Sunday; I had no idea of hearing from you before Tuesday, and -my pleasure yesterday was therefore unhurt by any previous -disappointment. I thank you 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 "incessantly;" it surprises, but -pleases me more, and I consider it as a very just and honorable -distinction 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 expectations 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 remove 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 shall -be left to the comfortable disposal of my time, to ease of mind from the -torments of rice puddings and apple dumplings, 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. - -A few days ago I had 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 proceeded 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. Phebe 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 I recollected when it was too late, that I might -have told you; one is that the Welbys have lost their eldest son by a -putrid fever at Eton, and another that Tom Chute is going to settle in -Norfolk. - -You have scarcely ever mentioned Lizzy since your being at Godmersham. I -hope it is not because she is altered for the worse. - -I cannot yet satisfy Fanny as to Mrs. Foote's baby's name, and I must -not encourage her to expect a good one, as Captain Foote is a professed -adversary to all but the plainest; he likes only Mary, Elizabeth, Anne, -etc. Our best chance is of "Caroline," which in compliment to a sister -seems the only exception. - -He dined 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 particular dislike to underdone -mutton; but he was so good-humored and pleasant that I did not much mind -his being starved. He gives us all the most cordial invitation to his -house in the country, saying just what the Williams 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 Bath again, to be out of the way of further -alterations 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 -christening 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 serviceable as a pattern. -She desires me to tell you that the gowns were cut out before your -letter arrived, but that they are long enough for Caroline. The _Beds_, -as I believe they are called, have fallen to Frank's share to continue, -and of course are cut out to admiration. - -"Alphonsine" did not do. We were disgusted in twenty pages, as, -independent of a bad translation, it has indelicacies which disgrace a -pen hitherto so pure; and we changed it for the "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 disappointed 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_l._ 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 everybody 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-morrow, that Ajax and the chair may be sent to Winchester on -Saturday. Caroline's new pelisse depended upon her mother's being able -or not to come so 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_l._ she begins 1807 with 99_l._, and -this after 32_l._ purchase of stock. Frank too has been settling his -accounts and making calculations, and each party feels quite equal to -our present expenses; 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 -inconvenience has not been nothing, I should have feared still more. -Our dinners have certainly suffered not a little by having only Molly's -head and Molly's hands to conduct them; she fries better than she did, -but not like Jenny. - -We did _not_ 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 she boasts any offspring -besides a grand pianoforte did not appear. She was civil and chatty -enough, and offered to introduce us to some acquaintance in Southampton, -which we gratefully declined. - -I suppose they must be acting by the orders of Mr. Lance of Netherton in -this civility, as there seems no other reason for their coming near us. -They will not come often, I 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 therefore -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 came on as usual after -eating a hearty 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, Faversham, Kent. - - - - -XXIII. - - - SOUTHAMPTON, February 8. - -. . . OUR garden is putting in order by a man who bears a remarkably -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 gooseberry 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 Lansdown'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 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 believe. Not at -all shy, of course. Her name is Catherine, and her sister's Caroline. -She is something like her brother, and as short for her age, but not so -well-looking. - -What is become of all the shyness in the world? Moral as well as natural -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 left us highly -pleased with her; she is a nice, natural, 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 and shame. Half her time was spent at -spillikins, which I consider as a very valuable part of our household -furniture, and as not the least important benefaction 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 as such -to Mary. On Thursday last she called here while we were out. Mary -found, on our return, her card with only her name on it, and she had -left word that she would call again. The particularity of this made us -talk, and, among other conjectures, Frank said in joke, "I dare say she -is staying with the Pearsons." The connection of the names struck Mary, -and she immediately recollected Miss Fowler's having been very intimate -with persons 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 understanding of the -business. It is evident that Miss F. did not expect or wish to have the -visit returned, 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 Winchester 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 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 forced difficulties, without striking merit of any kind. - -Miss Harrison is going into Devonshire, to attend Mrs. Dusantoy, as -usual. Miss J. is married to young Mr. G., and is to be very unhappy. He -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 acquaintance. He commands the Sea -Fencibles 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 have -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 visited by James again this -week; he gave us reason to expect him soon, and if they go to Eversley -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 AUSTEN, - 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 inn at -which we breakfasted in that said journey, and on the present occasion -had about the same bad butter. - -At half-past ten we were again off, and, travelling on without any -adventure reached Sittingbourne by three. Daniel was watching for us at -the door of the George, and I was acknowledged very kindly by Mr. and -Mrs. Marshall, to the latter of whom I devoted my conversation, while -Mary went out to buy some gloves. A few minutes, of course, did for -Sittingbourne; and so off we drove, drove, drove, and by six o'clock -were at Godmersham. - -Our two brothers were walking before the house 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 -seems as to conduct and manner just what she was and what one could wish -her to continue. - -Elizabeth,[5] who was 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 received 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 disguised by such a violent -breaking-out that she does not come down after dinner. She has charming -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. - -It has struck ten; I must go to breakfast. - -Since breakfast I have had a _tête-à-tête_ 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 probably 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 conveyance 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 yourself, 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. - -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 I believe very hearty, consent -dissolved. - -The country is very beautiful. I saw as much as ever to admire in my -yesterday's journey. . . . - -FOOTNOTE: - -[5] Mrs. Edward Austen. - - - - -XXV. - - - CASTLE SQUARE, October 13. - -MY DEAREST CASSANDRA,--I have received your letter, and with most -melancholy anxiety was it expected, for the sad news[6] reached us last -night, but without any particulars. 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. - -My dear, dear Fanny, I am 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 exert himself to -be of use and comfort. - -With what true sympathy our feelings are shared by Martha you need not -be told; she is the friend and sister under every circumstance. - -We need not enter into a panegyric on the departed, but it is sweet to -think of her great worth, of her solid principles, of her true devotion, -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, - J. AUSTEN. - -I will write to Catherine. - -Perhaps you can give me some directions about mourning. - - Miss AUSTEN, EDWARD AUSTEN'S, Esq., - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[6] The death of Mrs. Edward 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, and as the most acceptable proof of love -to the spirit of her departed mother, she will try to be tranquil and -resigned. Does she feel you to be a comfort to her, or is she too much -overpowered for anything but solitude? - -Your account of Lizzy is very interesting. Poor child! One must hope the -impression will be strong, and yet one's heart aches for a dejected mind -of eight years old. - -I suppose you see the corpse? How does it 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 of its doing something of the same -for you, though I believe your pelisse is in better repair than mine. -One Miss Baker makes my gown and the other my bonnet, which is to be -silk covered 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 Bigg, in reply to a letter from her. She tells us in confidence -that Catherine is to be married on Tuesday se'nnight. Mr. Hill is -expected at Manydown in the course of the ensuing week. - -We are desired by Mrs. Harrison and Miss Austen to say everything proper -for them to yourself and Edward on this sad occasion, especially that -nothing but a wish of not giving additional trouble where so much is -inevitable prevents their writing themselves to express their concern. -They 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? - -_Sunday._--As Edward's letter to his son is not come here, we know that -you must have been informed as early as Friday of the boys being at -Steventon, which I am glad of. - -Upon your letter to Dr. Goddard's being forwarded to them, Mary wrote to -ask whether my mother wished to have her grandsons sent to her. We -decided on their remaining where they were, which I hope my brother will -approve of. I am sure he will do us the justice of believing that in -such a decision we sacrificed inclination to what we thought best. - -I shall write by the coach to-morrow to Mrs. J. A., and to Edward, about -their mourning, though this day's post will probably bring directions to -them on that subject from yourselves. I shall certainly make use of the -opportunity of addressing our nephew on the most serious of all -concerns, as I naturally did in my letter to him before. The poor boys -are, perhaps, more comfortable at Steventon than they could be here, but -you will understand my feelings with respect to it. - -To-morrow will be a dreadful day for you all. Mr. Whitfield's will be a -severe duty.[7] Glad shall I be to hear that it is over. - -That you are forever in our thoughts you will not doubt. I see your -mournful party in my mind's eye under every varying circumstance of the -day; and in the evening especially figure to myself its sad gloom: the -efforts to talk, the frequent summons to melancholy orders and cares, -and poor Edward, restless in misery, going from one room to another, and -perhaps not seldom upstairs, 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 consideration 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 for -them. - - Miss AUSTEN, EDWARD AUSTEN'S, Esq., - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[7] Mr. Whitfield was the Rector of Godmersham at this time, having come -there in 1778. - - - - -XXVII. - - CASTLE SQUARE, Monday (October 24). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--Edward and George came to us soon after seven on -Saturday, very well, but very cold, having by choice travelled on the -outside, and with no greatcoat but what Mr. Wise, the coachman, -good-naturedly spared them of his, as they sat by his side. They were so -much chilled when they 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 happened. Miss Lloyd, who is a more -impartial judge than I can be, is exceedingly pleased with them. - -George is almost a new acquaintance to me, and I find him in a different -way as engaging as Edward. - -We do not want amusement: bilbocatch, at which George is indefatigable, -spillikins, paper ships, riddles, conundrums, and cards, with watching -the flow and ebb of the river, and now and then a stroll out, keep us -well employed; and we mean to avail ourselves of our kind papa's -consideration, by not returning to Winchester till quite the evening of -Wednesday. - -Mrs. J. A. had not time to get them more than one suit of clothes; their -others are making here, and though I do not believe Southampton is -famous 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 pleasure yesterday, and her -brother sends his thanks and will answer it soon. We all saw what she -wrote, and were very much pleased with it. - -To-morrow I hope to hear from you, and to-morrow we must think of poor -Catherine. To-day Lady Bridges is the heroine of our thoughts, and glad -shall we be when we can fancy the meeting over. There will then be -nothing so very bad for Edward to undergo. - -The "St. Albans," I find, sailed on the very day of my letters reaching -Yarmouth, so that we must not expect an answer at present; we scarcely -feel, however, to be in suspense, or only enough to keep our plans to -ourselves. We have been obliged to explain them to our young visitors, -in consequence of Fanny's letter, but we have not yet mentioned them to -Steventon. We are all quite familiarized to the idea ourselves; my -mother only wants Mrs. Seward to go out at midsummer. - -What sort of a kitchen garden is there? Mrs. J. A. expresses her fear of -our settling in Kent, and, till this proposal was made, we began to look -forward to it here; my mother was actually talking of a house at Wye. It -will be best, however, as it is. - -Anne has just given her mistress warning; she is going to be married; I -wish she would stay her year. - -On the subject of matrimony, I must notice a wedding in the Salisbury -paper, which has amused me very much, Dr. Phillot to Lady Frances St. -Lawrence. She wanted to have a husband, I suppose, once in her life, and -he a Lady Frances. - -I hope your sorrowing party were at church yesterday, and have no longer -that to dread. Martha was kept at home by a cold, but I went with my two -nephews, and I saw Edward was much affected by the sermon, which, -indeed, I could have supposed purposely addressed to the afflicted, if -the text had not naturally come in the course of Dr. Mant's observations -on the Litany: 'All that are in danger, necessity, or tribulation,' was -the subject of it. The weather did not allow us afterwards to get -farther than the quay, where George was very happy as long as we could -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 attentive; 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 making and naming paper -ships, at which he afterwards 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. - -_Tuesday._--Your close-written letter makes me quite ashamed of my wide -lines; you have sent me a great deal of matter, most of it very welcome. -As to your lengthened stay, it is no more than I expected, and what must -be, but you cannot suppose I like it. - -All that you say of Edward is truly comfortable; 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 attack, I shall wonder almost as much as -rejoice. I am glad you mentioned where Catherine goes to-day; it is a -good plan, but sensible people may generally be trusted to form such. - -The day began cheerfully, but it is not likely to continue 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 immediately after moonshine, but I am afraid there -will be rain; if we cannot get so far, however, we may perhaps go round -from the ferry to the quay. - -I had not proposed doing more than cross the Itchen yesterday, but it -proved so pleasant, and so much to the satisfaction of all, 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 in everything reminds me often -of his uncle Henry. - -Our evening was equally agreeable in its way: I introduced speculation, -and it was so much approved that we hardly knew how to leave off. - -Your idea of an early dinner to-morrow is exactly what we propose, for, -after writing the first part of this letter, it came into my head that -at this time of year we have not summer evenings. We shall watch the -light to-day, that we may not give them a dark drive to-morrow. - -They send their best love to papa and everybody, with George's thanks -for the letter brought by this post. Martha begs my brother may be -assured of her interest in everything relating to him and his family, -and of her sincerely partaking our pleasure in the receipt of 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 my 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 solicitude on such an occasion you will be able to -do justice to, and to express it as she wishes to my brother. Concerning -you, she says: "Cassandra will, I know, excuse my writing to her; it is -not to save myself but her that I omit so doing. Give my best, my -kindest love to her, and tell her I feel for her as I know she would for -me on the same occasion, and that I most sincerely hope her health will -not suffer." - -We have just had two hampers of apples from Kintbury, and the floor of -our little garret is almost covered. Love to all. - - Yours very affectionately, J. A. - - Miss AUSTEN, EDWARD AUSTEN'S, Esq., - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - - - - -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. Now, however, I must -give it, and now perhaps he may be giving it himself; for I am just in -the hateful predicament of being 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 you; and he -considered his chance of succeeding by no means bad. I hope it will take -place as he planned, 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 congratulations and best wishes. -This match will certainly set John and Lucy going. - -There are six bedchambers at Chawton; Henry wrote to my mother the other -day, and luckily mentioned the number, which is just what we wanted to -be assured of. He speaks also of garrets for store-places, one of which -she immediately planned fitting up for Edward's man-servant; and now -perhaps it must be for our own; for she is already quite reconciled to -our keeping one. The difficulty of doing without one had been thought of -before. His name shall be 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 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 return for your Kentish one, Captain G. -Heathcote and Miss A. Lyell. I have it from Alethea, and like it, -because I had made it before. - -Yes, the Stoneleigh business is concluded, but it was not till yesterday -that my mother was regularly 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 -satisfaction. She reflects on Mr. T. Leigh's dilatoriness, and looks -about with great diligence and success for inconvenience and evil, among -which she ingeniously places the danger of her new housemaids 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 effect. - -In spite of all my mother's long and intimate knowledge of the writer, -she was not up to the expectation of such a letter as this; the -discontentedness 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 neither agrees -with that period nor any other. I did not like to own our previous -information of what was intended last July, and have therefore only said -that if we could see Henry we might hear many particulars, as I had -understood 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 -Portsmouth, 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 -expectations. Alethea in her letter hopes for my interest, which I -conclude means Edward's, and I take this opportunity, therefore, of -requesting that he will bring in Mr. Heathcote. Mr. Lane told us -yesterday that Mr. H. had behaved very handsomely, 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, acknowledging 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. Nune'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-morrow, 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 delightful 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 one night we had so much rain that it forced its -way again into the store-closet; and though the evil was comparatively -slight and the mischief nothing, I had some employment the next day in -drying parcels, etc. I have now moved still more out of the way. - -Martha sends her best love, and thanks you for admitting her to the -knowledge of the pros and cons about Harriet Foote; she has an interest -in all such matters. I am also to say that she wants to see you. Mary -Jane missed her papa and mamma a good deal at first, but now does very -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! remember me -affectionately to everybody, and believe me, - - Ever yours, J. A. - - Miss AUSTEN, EDWARD AUSTEN'S, Esq., - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - - - - -XXIX. - - - CASTLE SQUARE, Friday (December 9). - -MANY thanks, my dear Cassandra, to you and Mr. Deedes for your joint and -agreeable composition, which took me by surprise this morning. He has -certainly great merit as a writer; he does ample justice to his subject, -and without being diffuse is clear and correct; and though I do not -mean to compare his epistolary powers with yours, or to give him the -same portion of my gratitude, he certainly has a very pleasing way of -winding up a whole, and speeding truth into the world. - -"But all this," as my dear Mrs. Piozzi says, "is flight and fancy and -nonsense, for my master has his great casks to mind and I have my little -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 have so many matters to write about -that my paper will hardly hold it all. Little matters they are, to be -sure, but highly important. - -In the first place, Miss Curling is actually at Portsmouth, which I was -always in hopes would not happen. I wish her no worse, however, than a -long and happy abode there. Here she would probably be dull, and I am -sure she would be troublesome. - -The bracelets are in my possession, and everything I could wish 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.,[8] I believe, was their first object, but they put -up with us very kindly, and Mrs. D., finding in Miss Lloyd a friend of -Mrs. Dundas, had another motive for the acquaintance. She seems a really -agreeable woman,--that is, her manners are gentle, and she knows a great -many of our connections in West Kent. Mrs. Bertie lives in the Polygon, -and was out when we returned her visit, which are her two virtues. - -A larger circle of acquaintance, and an increase of amusement, is quite -in character with our approaching removal. Yes, I mean to go to as many -balls as possible, that I may have a good bargain. Everybody is very -much concerned at our going away, and everybody is acquainted with -Chawton, and speaks of it as a remarkably pretty village, and everybody -knows the house we describe, but 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 expected. Martha liked it very -much, and I did not gape till the last quarter of an hour. It was past -nine before we were sent for, and not twelve when we returned. The room -was tolerably full, and there were, perhaps, thirty couple of dancers. -The melancholy part was to see so many dozen young women standing by -without partners, and each of them with two ugly naked shoulders. - -It was the same room in which we danced fifteen years ago. I thought it -all over, and in spite of the shame of being so much older, felt with -thankfulness that I was quite as happy now as then. We paid an -additional shilling for our tea, which we took as we chose in an -adjoining and very comfortable room. - -There were only four dances, and it went to my heart that the Miss -Lances (one of them, too, named Emma) should have partners only for two. -You will not expect to 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 very 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. - -Edward must have enjoyed the last two days. You, I presume, had a cool -drive to Canterbury. Kitty Foote came on Wednesday; and her evening -visit began early enough for the last part, the apple-pie, of our -dinner, for we never dine now till five. - -Yesterday I--or rather, you--had a letter from Nanny Hilliard, the -object of which is that she would be very much obliged to us if we would -get Hannah a place. I am sorry that I cannot assist her; if you can, let -me know, as I shall not answer the letter immediately. Mr. Sloper is -married again, not much to Nanny's, or anybody's satisfaction. The lady -was governess to Sir Robert's natural children, and seems to have -nothing to recommend her. I do not find, however, that Nanny is likely -to lose her place in consequence. She says not a word of what service -she wishes for Hannah, or what Hannah can do; but a nursery, I suppose, -or something of that kind, must be the thing. - -Having now cleared away my smaller articles of news, I come to a -communication of some weight; no less than that my uncle and aunt[9] are -going to allow James 100_l._ a year. We hear of it through Steventon. -Mary sent us the other day an extract from my aunt's letter on the -subject, in which the donation is made with the greatest kindness, and -intended as a compensation for his loss in the conscientious refusal of -Hampstead living; 100_l._ a year being all that he had at the time -called its worth, as I find it was always intended at Steventon to -divide the real income with Kintbury. - -Nothing can be more affectionate than my aunt's language in making the -present, and likewise in expressing her hope of their being much more -together in future than, to her great regret, they have of late years -been. My expectations for my mother do not rise with this event. We will -allow a little more time, however, before we fly out. - -If not prevented by parish business, James comes to us on Monday. The -Mrs. Hulberts and Miss Murden are their guests at present, and likely to -continue such till Christmas. Anna comes home on the 19th. The hundred a -year begins next Lady-day. - -I am glad you are to have Henry with you again; with him and the boys -you cannot but have a cheerful, and at times even a merry, Christmas. -Martha is so [_MSS. torn_]. . . . We want to be settled at Chawton in time -for Henry to come to us for some shooting in October, at least, or a -little earlier, and Edward may visit us after taking his boys back to -Winchester. Suppose we name the 4th of September. Will not that do? - -I have but one thing more to tell you. Mrs. Hill called on my mother -yesterday while we were gone to Chiswell, and in the course of the -visit asked her whether she knew anything of a clergyman's family of the -name of Alford, who had resided in our part of Hampshire. Mrs. Hill had -been applied to as likely to give some information of them on account of -their probable vicinity to Dr. Hill's living by a lady, or for a lady, -who had known Mrs. and the two Miss Alfords in Bath, whither they had -removed it seems from Hampshire, and who now wishes to convey to the -Miss Alfords some work or trimming which she has been doing for them; -but the mother and daughters have left Bath, and the lady cannot learn -where they are gone to. While my mother gave us the account, the -probability of its being ourselves occurred to us, and it had previously -struck herself . . . what makes it more likely, and even indispensably -to be us, is that she mentioned Mr. Hammond as now having the living or -curacy which the father had had. I cannot think who our kind lady can -be, but I dare say we shall not like the work. - -Distribute the affectionate love of a heart not so tired as the right -hand belonging to it. - - Yours ever sincerely, J. A. - - Miss AUSTEN, EDWARD AUSTEN'S, Esq., - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[8] Frank Austen. - -[9] Mr. and Mrs. Leigh Perrot. - - - - -XXX. - - - CASTLE SQUARE, Tuesday (December 27). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--I can now write at leisure and make the most of my -subjects, which is lucky, as they are not numerous this week. - -Our house was cleared by half-past eleven on Saturday, and we had the -satisfaction of hearing yesterday that the party reached home in safety -soon after five. - -I was very glad of your letter this morning; for, my mother taking -medicine, Eliza keeping her bed with a cold, and Choles not coming, made -us rather dull and dependent on the post. You tell me much that gives me -pleasure, but I think not much to answer. I wish I could help you in -your needlework. I have two hands and a new thimble that lead a very -easy life. - -Lady Sondes' match surprises, but does not offend me; had her first -marriage been of affection, or had there been a grown-up single -daughter, I should not have forgiven her; but I consider everybody as -having a right to marry once in their lives for love, if they can, and -provided she will now leave off having bad headaches and being pathetic, -I can allow her, I can wish her, to be happy. - -Do not imagine that your picture of your _tête-à-tête_ with Sir B. makes -any change in our expectations here; he could not be really reading, -though he held the newspaper in his hand; he was making up his mind to -the deed, and the manner of it. I think you will have a letter from him -soon. - -I heard from Portsmouth yesterday, and as I am to send them more -clothes, they cannot be expecting a very early return to us. Mary's face -is pretty well, but she must have suffered a great deal with it; an -abscess was formed and opened. - -Our evening party on Thursday produced nothing more remarkable than Miss -Murden's coming too, though she had declined it absolutely in the -morning, and sitting very ungracious and very silent with us from seven -o'clock till half after eleven, for so late was it, owing to the -chairmen, before we got rid of them. - -The last hour, spent in yawning and shivering in a wide circle round the -fire, was dull enough, but the tray had admirable success. The widgeon -and the preserved ginger were as delicious as one could wish. But as to -our black butter, do not decoy anybody to Southampton by such a lure, -for it is all gone. The first pot was opened when Frank and Mary were -here, and proved not at all what it ought to be; it was neither solid -nor entirely sweet, and on seeing it, Eliza remembered that Miss Austen -had said she did not think it had been boiled enough. It was made, you -know, when we were absent. Such being the event of the first pot, I -would not save the second, and we therefore ate it in unpretending -privacy; and though not what it ought to be, part of it was very good. - -James means to keep three horses on this increase of income; at present -he has but one. Mary wishes the other two to be fit to carry women, and -in the purchase of one Edward will probably be called upon to fulfil his -promise to his godson. We have now pretty well ascertained James's -income to be eleven hundred pounds, curate paid, which makes us very -happy,--the ascertainment as well as the income. - -Mary does not talk of the garden; it may well be a disagreeable subject -to her, but her husband is persuaded that nothing is wanting to make the -first new one good but trenching, which is to be done by his own -servants and John Bond, by degrees, not at the expense which trenching -the other amounted to. - -I was happy to hear, chiefly for Anna's sake, that a ball at Manydown -was once more in agitation; it is called a child's ball, and given by -Mrs. Heathcote to Wm. Such was its beginning at least, but it will -probably swell into something more. Edward was invited during his stay -at Manydown, and it is to take place between this and Twelfth-day. Mrs. -Hulbert has taken Anna a pair of white shoes on the occasion. - -I forgot in my last to tell you that we hear, by way of Kintbury and the -Palmers, that they were all well at Bermuda in the beginning of Nov. - -_Wednesday._--Yesterday must have been a day of sad remembrance at -Gm.[10] I am glad it is over. We spent Friday evening with our friends at -the boarding-house, and our curiosity was gratified by the sight of -their fellow-inmates, Mrs. Drew and Miss Hook, Mr. Wynne and Mr. -Fitzhugh; the latter is brother to Mrs. Lance, and very much the -gentleman. He has lived in that house more than twenty years, and, poor -man! is so totally deaf that they say he could not hear a cannon, were -it fired close to him; having no cannon at hand to make the experiment, -I took it for granted, and talked to him a little with my fingers, which -was funny enough. I recommended him to read "Corinna." - -Miss Hook is a well-behaved, genteelish woman; Mrs. Drew well behaved, -without being at all genteel. Mr. Wynne seems a chatty and rather -familiar young man. Miss Murden was quite a different creature this last -evening from what she had been before, owing to her having with Martha's -help found a situation in the morning, which bids very fair for comfort. -When she leaves Steventon, she comes to board and lodge with Mrs. -Hookey, the chemist--for there is no Mr. Hookey. I cannot say that I am -in any hurry for the conclusion of her present visit, but I was truly -glad to see her comfortable in mind and spirits; at her age, perhaps, -one may be as friendless oneself, and in similar circumstances quite as -captious. - -My mother has been lately adding to her possessions in plate,--a whole -tablespoon and a whole dessert-spoon, and six whole teaspoons,--which -makes our sideboard border on the magnificent. They were mostly the -produce of old or useless silver. I have turned the 11_s._ in the list -into 12_s._, and the card looks all the better; a silver tea-ladle is -also added, which will at least answer the purpose of making us -sometimes think of John Warren. - -I have laid Lady Sondes' case before Martha, who does not make the least -objection to it, and is particularly pleased with the name of Montresor. -I do not agree with her there, but I like his rank very much, and always -affix the ideas of strong sense and highly elegant manners to a general. - -I must write to Charles next week. You may guess in what extravagant -terms of praise Earle Harwood speaks of him. He is looked up to by -everybody in all America. - -I shall not tell you anything more of Wm. Digweed's china, as your -silence on the subject makes you unworthy of it. Mrs. H. Digweed looks -forward with great satisfaction to our being her neighbors. I would -have her enjoy the idea to the utmost, as I suspect there will not be -much in the reality. With equal pleasure we anticipate an intimacy with -her husband's bailiff and his wife, who live close by us, and are said -to be remarkably good sort of people. - -Yes, yes, we will have a pianoforte, as good a one as can be got for -thirty guineas, and I will practise country dances, that we may have -some amusement for our nephews and nieces, when we have the pleasure of -their company. - -Martha sends her love to Henry, and tells him that he will soon have a -bill of Miss Chaplin's, about 14_l._, to pay on her account; but the -bill shall not be sent in till his return to town. I hope he comes to -you in good health, and in spirits as good as a first return to -Godmersham can allow. With his nephews he will force himself to be -cheerful, till he really is so. Send me some intelligence of Eliza; it -is a long while since I have heard of her. - -We have had snow on the ground here almost a week; it is now going, but -Southampton must boast no longer. We all send our love to Edward junior -and his brothers, and I hope Speculation is generally liked. - -Fare you well. - - Yours affectionately, - J. AUSTEN. - -My mother has not been out of doors this week, but she keeps pretty -well. We have received through Bookham an indifferent account of your -godmother. - - Miss AUSTEN, EDWARD AUSTEN'S, Esq., - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[10] Godmersham, Edward Austen's place. - - - - -XXXI. - - - CASTLE SQUARE, Tuesday (January 10, 1809). - -I AM not surprised, my dear Cassandra, that you did not find my last -letter very full of matter, and I wish this may not have the same -deficiency; but we are doing nothing ourselves to write about, and I am -therefore quite dependent upon the communications of our friends, or my -own wits. - -This post brought me two interesting letters, yours and one from -Bookham, in answer to an inquiry of mine about your good godmother, of -whom we had lately received a very alarming account from Paragon. Miss -Arnold was the informant then, and she spoke of Mrs. E. L. having been -very dangerously ill, and attended by a physician from Oxford. - -Your letter to Adlestrop may perhaps bring you information from the -spot, but in case it should not, I must tell you that she is better; -though Dr. Bourne cannot yet call her out of danger; such was the case -last Wednesday, and Mrs. Cooke's having had no later account is a -favorable sign. I am to hear again from the latter next week, but not -this, if everything goes on well. - -Her disorder is an inflammation on the lungs, arising from a severe -chill taken in church last Sunday three weeks; her mind all pious -composure, as may be supposed. George Cooke was there when her illness -began; his brother has now taken his place. Her age and feebleness -considered, one's fears cannot but preponderate, though her amendment -has already surpassed the expectation of the physician at the beginning. -I am sorry to add that Becky is laid up with a complaint of the same -kind. - -I am very glad to have the time of your return at all fixed; we all -rejoice in it, and it will not be later than I had expected. I dare not -hope that Mary and Miss Curling may be detained at Portsmouth so long or -half so long; but it would be worth twopence to have it so. - -The "St. Albans" perhaps may soon be off to help bring home what may -remain by this time of our poor army, whose state seems dreadfully -critical. The "Regency" seems to have been heard of only here; my most -political correspondents make no mention of it. Unlucky that I should -have wasted so much reflection on the subject. - -I can now answer your question to my mother more at large, and likewise -more at small--with equal perspicuity and minuteness; for the very day -of our leaving Southampton is fixed; and if the knowledge is of no use -to Edward, I am sure it will give him pleasure. Easter Monday, April 3, -is the day; we are to sleep that night at Alton, and be with our friends -at Bookham the next, if they are then at home; there we remain till the -following Monday, and on Tuesday, April 11, hope to be at Godmersham. If -the Cookes are absent, we shall finish our journey on the 5th. These -plans depend of course upon the weather, but I hope there will be no -settled cold to delay us materially. - -To make you amends for being at Bookham, it is in contemplation to spend -a few days at Baiton Lodge in our way out of Kent. The hint of such a -visit is most affectionately welcomed by Mrs. Birch, in one of her odd -pleasant letters lately, in which she speaks of us with the usual -distinguished kindness, declaring that she shall not be at all satisfied -unless a very handsome present is made us immediately from one quarter. - -Fanny's not coming with you is no more than we expected; and as we have -not the hope of a bed for her, and shall see her so soon afterwards at -Godmersham, we cannot wish it otherwise. - -William will be quite recovered, I trust, by the time you receive this. -What a comfort his cross-stitch must have been! Pray tell him that I -should like to see his work very much. I hope our answers this morning -have given satisfaction; we had great pleasure in Uncle Deedes' packet; -and pray let Marianne know, in private, that I think she is quite right -to work a rug for Uncle John's coffee urn, and that I am sure it must -give great pleasure to herself now, and to him when he receives it. - -The preference of Brag over Speculation does not greatly surprise me, I -believe, because I feel the same myself; but it mortifies me deeply, -because Speculation was under my patronage; and, after all, what is -there so delightful in a pair royal of Braggers? It is but three nines -or three knaves, or a mixture of them. When one comes to reason upon it, -it cannot stand its ground against Speculation,--of which I hope Edward -is now convinced. Give my love to him if he is. - -The letter from Paragon before mentioned was much like those which had -preceded it, as to the felicity of its writer. They found their house so -dirty and so damp that they were obliged to be a week at an inn. John -Binns had behaved most unhandsomely, and engaged himself elsewhere. They -have a man, however, on the same footing, which my aunt does not like, -and she finds both him and the new maid-servant very, very inferior to -Robert and Martha. Whether they mean to have any other domestics does -not appear, nor whether they are to have a carriage while they are in -Bath. - -The Holders are as usual, though I believe it is not very usual for them -to be happy, which they now are at a great rate, in Hooper's marriage. -The Irvines are not mentioned. The American lady improved as we went on; -but still the same faults in part recurred. - -We are now in Margiana, and like it very well indeed. We are just going -to set off for Northumberland to be shut up in Widdrington Tower, where -there must be two or three sets of victims already immured under a very -fine villain. - -_Wednesday._--Your report of Eliza's health gives me great pleasure, and -the progress of the bank is a constant source of satisfaction. With such -increasing profits, tell Henry that I hope he will not work poor -High-Diddle so hard as he used to do. - -Has your newspaper given a sad story of a Mrs. Middleton, wife of a -farmer in Yorkshire, her sister, and servant, being almost frozen to -death in the late weather, her little child quite so? I hope the sister -is not our friend Miss Woodd, and I rather think her brother-in-law had -moved into Lincolnshire, but their name and station accord too well. -Mrs. M. and the maid are said to be tolerably recovered, but the sister -is likely to lose the use of her limbs. - -Charles's rug will be finished to-day, and sent to-morrow to Frank, to -be consigned by him to Mr. Turner's care; and I am going to send Marmion -out with it,--very generous in me, I think. - -As we have no letter from Adlestrop, we may suppose the good woman was -alive on Monday, but I cannot help expecting bad news from thence or -Bookham in a few days. Do you continue quite well? - -Have you nothing to say of your little namesake? We join in love and -many happy returns. - - Yours affectionately, J. AUSTEN. - -The Manydown ball was a smaller thing than I expected, but it seems to -have made Anna very happy. At her age it would not have done for me. - - Miss AUSTEN, EDWARD AUSTEN'S, Esq., - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - - - - -XXXII. - - - CASTLE SQUARE, Tuesday (January 17). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--I am happy to say that we had no second letter from -Bookham last week. Yours has brought its usual measure of satisfaction -and amusement, and I beg your acceptance of all the thanks due on the -occasion. Your offer of cravats is very kind, and happens to be -particularly adapted to my wants, but it was an odd thing to occur to -you. - -Yes, we have got another fall of snow, and are very dreadful; everything -seems to turn to snow this winter. - -I hope you have had no more illness among you, and that William will be -soon as well as ever. His working a footstool for Chawton is a most -agreeable surprise to me, and I am sure his grandmamma will value it -very much as a proof of his affection and industry, but we shall never -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 respecting our journey, -which, I must own with some 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 disappointed, for we have already determined to go -the Croydon road on leaving Bookham and sleep at Dartford. Will not that -do? There certainly does seem no convenient resting-place on the other -road. - -Anna went to Clanville last Friday, and I have hopes of her new aunt's -being really worth her knowing. Perhaps you may never have heard that -James and Mary paid a morning visit there in form some weeks ago, and -Mary, though by no means disposed to like her, was very much pleased -with her indeed. Her praise, to be sure, proves nothing more than Mrs. -M.'s being civil and attentive to them, but her being so is in favor of -her having good sense. Mary writes of Anna as improved in person, but -gives her no other commendation. 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. I have pretty well -arranged 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. - -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 seems 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. - -_Evening._--I have done them both, the first very often. We found our -friend as comfortable as she can ever allow herself to be in cold -weather. There is a very neat parlor behind the shop for her to sit in, -not very light indeed, being _à la_ Southampton, the middle of three -deep, but very lively from the frequent sound of the 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 N.E. 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 sermons, from Hamstall, just -published, and which we are to like better than the two others; they are -professedly practical, and for the use of country congregations. I have -just received some verses in an unknown hand, and am desired to forward -them to my nephew Edward at Godmersham. - - Alas! poor Brag, thou boastful game! - What now avails thine empty name? - Where now thy more distinguished fame? - My day is o'er, and thine the same, - For thou, like me, art thrown aside - At Godmersham, this Christmastide; - And now across the table wide - Each game save brag or spec. is tried. - Such is the mild ejaculation - Of tender-hearted speculation. - -_Wednesday._--I expected to have a letter from somebody to-day, but I -have not. Twice every day I think of a letter from Portsmouth. - -Miss Murden has been sitting with us this morning. As yet she seems very -well pleased with her situation. The worst part of her being in -Southampton will be the necessity of one walking with her now and then, -for she talks so loud that one is quite ashamed; but our dining hours -are luckily very different, which we shall take all reasonable advantage -of. - -The Queen's birthday moves the assembly to this night instead of last, -and as it is always fully attended, Martha and I expect an amusing show. -We were in hopes of being independent of other companions by having the -attendance of Mr. Austen and Captain Harwood; but as they fail us, we -are obliged to look out for other help, and have fixed on the Wallops as -least likely to be troublesome. I have called on them this morning and -found them very willing, and I am sorry that you must wait a whole week -for the particulars of the evening. I propose being asked to dance by -our acquaintance Mr. Smith, now _Captain_ Smith, who has lately -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 Southampton. 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 AUSTEN, EDWARD AUSTEN'S, Esq., - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - - - - -XXXIII. - - - CASTLE SQUARE, Tuesday (January 24). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--I will give you the indulgence of a letter on -Thursday this week, instead of Friday, but I do not require you to write -again before Sunday, 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.[11] - -I had the happiness yesterday of a letter from Charles, but I shall say -as little about it as possible, because I know that excruciating Henry -will have had a letter 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 -weather parted them, and she had not yet been heard of. His cruise ended -December 1st. My September letter was the latest he had received. - -This day three weeks you are to be in London, and I wish you better -weather; not but that you may have worse, for we have now nothing but -ceaseless snow or rain and insufferable dirt to complain of; no -tempestuous winds nor severity of cold. Since I wrote last we have had -something 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 giving a final "e" to -"invalid," thereby putting it out of one's power to suppose Mrs. E. -Leigh, even for a moment, a veteran soldier. She, good woman, is, I -hope, destined for some further placid enjoyment of her own excellence -in this world, for her recovery advances exceedingly well. - -I had this pleasant news in a letter from Bookham last Thursday; but as -the letter was from Mary instead of her mother, you will guess her -account was not equally good from home. Mrs. Cooke had been confined to -her bed some days by illness, but was then better, and Mary wrote in -confidence of her continuing to mend. I have desired to hear again soon. - -You rejoice me by what you say of Fanny.[12] I hope she will not turn -good-for-nothing this ever so long. We thought of and talked of her -yesterday with sincere affection, and wished her a long enjoyment of all -the happiness to which she seems born. While she gives happiness to -those about her she is pretty sure of her own share. - -I am gratified by her having pleasure in what I write, but I wish the -knowledge of my being exposed to her discerning criticism may not hurt -my style, by inducing too great a solicitude. I begin already to weigh -my words and sentences more than I did, and am looking about for a -sentiment, an illustration, or a metaphor in every corner of the room. -Could my ideas flow as fast as the rain in the store-closet, it would be -charming. - -We have been in two or three dreadful states within the last week, from -the melting of the snow, 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 disinclination -for it before was affected, but now it is real. I do not like the -evangelicals. Of course I shall be delighted when I read it, like other -people; but till I do I dislike it. - -I 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 Propria que Maribus. - -I had a nice brotherly letter from Frank the other day, which, after an -interval of nearly three weeks, was very welcome. No orders were come on -Friday, and none were come yesterday, or we should have heard to-day. I -had supposed Miss C. would share her cousin's room here, but a message -in this letter proves the contrary. I will make the garret as -comfortable as I can, but the possibilities of that apartment are not -great. - -My mother has been talking to Eliza about our future home, and she, -making no difficulty at all of the sweetheart, is perfectly disposed to -continue with us, but till she has written home for mother's approbation -cannot quite decide. Mother does not like to have her so far off. At -Chawton she will be nine or ten miles nearer, 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 subject of our ball makes me suppose your curiosity -too great for words. We were very well entertained, and could have -stayed longer but for the arrival of my list shoes to convey me home, -and I did not like to keep them waiting in the cold. The room was -tolerably full, and the ball opened by Miss Glyn. The Miss Lances had -partners, Captain Dauvergne's friend appeared in regimentals, Caroline -Maitland had an officer to flirt with, and Mr. John Harrison was deputed -by Captain Smith, being himself absent, to ask me to dance. Everything -went well, you see, especially after we had tucked Mrs. Lance's -neckerchief in behind and fastened it with a pin. - -We had a very full and agreeable account of Mr. Hammond's ball from Anna -last night; the same fluent pen has sent similar information, I know, -into Kent. She seems to 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 -performance, but that sad cropped head must have injured the former. - -Martha 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, moreover, 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 clergyman, their -attachment, however immoral, has a decorous air. Adieu, sweet You. This -is grievous news from Spain. It is well that Dr. Moore was spared the -knowledge of such a son's death. - - Yours affectionately, J. 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 Marianne in particular. - -The Portsmouth paper gave a melancholy history of a poor mad woman, -escaped from confinement, who said her husband and daughter, of the name -of Payne, lived at Ashford, in Kent. Do you own them? - - Miss AUSTEN, EDWARD AUSTEN'S, Esq., - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[11] "Cecilia" Beverley, the heroine of Miss Burney's novel. - -[12] Fanny Austen, afterward Lady Edward Knatchbull. - - - - -XXXIV. - - - CASTLE SQUARE, Monday (January 30). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--I was not much surprised yesterday by the agreeable -surprise of your letter, and extremely glad to receive the assurance of -your finger being well again. - -Here is such a wet day as never was seen. I wish the poor little girls -had better weather for their journey; they must amuse themselves with -watching the raindrops down the windows. Sackree, I suppose, feels quite -broken-hearted. I cannot have done with the weather without observing -how delightfully mild it is; I am sure Fanny must enjoy it with us. -Yesterday was a very blowing day; we got to church, however, which 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, but -knowing how fond you were of adding a vowel wherever you could, I -attributed it to that alone, and the knowledge of the truth does the -book no service; the only merit it could have was in the name of Caleb, -which has an honest, unpretending sound, but in Coelebs there is -pedantry and affectation. Is it written only to classical scholars? - -I shall now try to say only what is necessary, I am weary of meandering; -so expect a vast deal of small matter, concisely told, in the next two -pages. - -Mrs. Cooke has been very dangerously ill, but is now, I hope, safe. I -had a letter last week from George, Mary being too busy to write, and at -that time the disorder was called of the typhus kind, and their alarm -considerable, but yesterday brought me a much better account from Mary, -the origin of the complaint being now ascertained to be bilious, and the -strong medicines requisite promising to be effectual. Mrs. E. L. is so -much recovered as to get into the dressing-room every day. - -A letter from Hamstall gives us the history of Sir Tho. Williams's -return. The Admiral, whoever he might he, took a fancy to the "Neptune," -and having only a worn-out 74 to offer in lieu of it, Sir Tho. declined -such a command, and is come home passenger. Lucky man! to have so fair -an opportunity of escape. I hope his wife allows herself to be happy on -the occasion, and does not 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 happiness may last, but it will be a great change to become a -raw school-boy from being a pompous sermon-writer and a domineering -brother. It will do him good, I dare say. - -Caroline has had a great escape from being burnt to death lately. As her -husband gives the account, we must believe it true. Miss Murden is -gone,--called away by the critical state of Mrs. Pottinger who has had -another severe stroke, and is without sense or speech. Miss Murden -wishes to return to Southampton if circumstances suit, but it must be -very doubtful. - -We have been obliged to turn away Cholles, he grew so very drunken and -negligent, and we have a man in his place called Thomas. - -Martha desires me to communicate something concerning herself which she -knows will give you pleasure, as affording her very particular -satisfaction,--it is that she is to be in town this spring with Mrs. -Dundas. I need not dilate on the subject. You understand enough of the -whys and wherefores to enter into her feelings, and to be conscious that -of all possible arrangements it is the one most acceptable to her. She -goes to Barton on leaving us, and the family remove to town in April. - -What you tell me of Miss Sharpe is quite new, and surprises me a little; -I feel, however, as you do. She is born, poor thing! to struggle with -evil, and her continuing with Miss B. is, I hope, a proof that matters -are not always so very bad between 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 respectable name she now bears. - -Your plan for Miss Curling is uncommonly considerate and friendly, and -such as she must surely jump at. Edward's going round by Steventon, as I -understand he promises to do, can be no reasonable objection; Mrs. J. -Austen's hospitality is just of the kind to enjoy such a visitor. - -We were very glad to know Aunt Fanny was in the country when we read of -the fire. Pray give my best compliments to the Mrs. Finches, if they are -at Gm. I am sorry to find that Sir J. Moore has a mother 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 particularly -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 same enjoyment, -and apparently the same strength, as hitherto. She hopes you will not -omit begging Mrs. Seward to get the garden cropped for us, supposing 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 she pretends never to have married before, and wonders -how her father and mother came to have her christened Lady Sondes. - -The store-closet, I hope, will never do so again, for much of the evil -is proved to have proceeded from the gutter being choked up, and we have -had it cleared. We had reason to rejoice in the child's absence at the -time of the thaw, for the nursery was not habitable. We hear of similar -disasters from almost everybody. - -No news from Portsmouth. We are very patient. Mrs. Charles Fowle desires -to be kindly remembered to you. She is warmly interested in my brother -and his family. - - Yours very affectionately, - J. AUSTEN. - - Miss AUSTEN, EDWARD AUSTEN'S, Esq., - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - - - - -XXXV. - - - SLOANE ST., Thursday (April 18, 1811). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--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 Rolles paid a visit while I was there, -and Sam Arnold dropped in to tea. - -The badness of the weather disconcerted an excellent plan of mine,--that -of calling on Miss Beckford again; but from the middle of the day it -rained incessantly. Mary and I, after disposing of her father and -mother, went to the Liverpool Museum and the 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 blunder among the servants, for she did not know of -our visit till we were gone. She seems tolerably well, but the nervous -part of her complaint, I fear, increases, and makes her more and more -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 impossible; -unless a brother can be at home at that time, it certainly must. George -comes to them to-day. - -I did not see Theo. till late on Tuesday; he was gone to Ilford, but he -came back in time to show his usual nothing-meaning, harmless, 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 -quarter of an hour, put himself and his sister into a hackney coach. - -I bless my stars that I have done with Tuesday. But, alas! Wednesday was -likewise a day of great 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 extravagant, and spending -all my money, and, what is worse for you, I have been spending yours -too; for in a linendraper's shop to which I went for checked muslin, and -for which I was obliged to give seven shillings a yard, I was tempted by -a pretty-colored muslin, and bought ten yards of it on the chance of -your liking it; but at the same time, if it should not suit you, you -must not think yourself at all obliged to take it; it is only 3_s._ -6_d._ per yard, and I should not in the least mind keeping the whole. In -texture it is just what we prefer, but its resemblance to green crewels, -I must own, is not great, for the pattern is a small red spot. And now I -believe I have done all my commissions except Wedgwood. - -I liked my walk very much; it was shorter than I had expected, and the -weather was 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 -before we could be attended to. When we were served, however, I was -very well satisfied with my purchases,--my bugle trimming at 2_s._ 4_d._ -and three pair silk stockings for a little less than 12_s._ 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 now nothing can -satisfy me but I must have a straw hat, of the riding-hat shape, like -Mrs. Tilson's; and a young woman in this neighborhood is actually making -me one. I am really very shocking, but it will not be dear at a guinea. -Our pelisses are 17_s._ each; she charges only 8_s._ for the making, but -the buttons seem expensive,--are expensive, I might have said, for the -fact is plain enough. - -We drank tea again yesterday with the Tilsons, and met the Smiths. I -find all these little parties very pleasant. I like Mrs. S.; Miss Beaty -is good-humor itself, and does not seem much besides. We spend to-morrow -evening with them, and are to meet the Coln. and Mrs. Cantelo Smith you -have been used to hear of, and, if she is in good humor, are likely to -have excellent singing. - -To-night I might have been at the play; Henry had kindly planned our -going together to the Lyceum, but I have a cold which I should not like -to make worse before Saturday, so I stay within all this day. - -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 -eighty people are invited for next Tuesday evening, and there is to be -some 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 really supply -a far more lasting interest,--the society in which you are; but I do -think of you all, I assure you, and want to know all about everybody, -and especially about your visit to the W. Friars; _mais le moyen_ not to -be occupied by one's own concerns? - -_Saturday._--Frank is superseded in the "Caledonia." Henry brought us -this news yesterday from Mr. Daysh, and he heard at the same time that -Charles may be in England in the course of a month. Sir Edward Pollen -succeeds Lord Gambier in his command, and some captain of his succeeds -Frank; and I believe the order is already gone out. Henry means to -inquire further to-day. He wrote to Mary on the occasion. This is -something to think of. Henry is convinced that he will have the offer of -something else, but does not think it will be at all incumbent on him to -accept it; and then follows, what will he do? and where will he live? - -I hope to hear from you to-day. How are you as to health, strength, -looks, etc.? I had a very comfortable account from Chawton yesterday. - -If the weather permits, Eliza and I walk into London this morning. She -is in want of chimney lights for Tuesday, and I of an ounce of -darning-cotton. She has resolved not to venture to the play to-night. -The D'Entraigues and 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 -satisfactory answer. Any time the first week in May exactly suits her, -and therefore I consider my going as tolerably fixed. I shall leave -Sloane Street on the 1st or 2d, and be ready for James on the 9th, and, -if his plan alters, I can take care of myself. I have explained my views -here, and everything is smooth and pleasant; and Eliza talks kindly of -conveying me to Streatham. - -We met the Tilsons yesterday evening, but the singing Smiths sent an -excuse, which put our Mrs. Smith out of 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, - JANE. - - Miss AUSTEN, EDWARD AUSTEN'S, Esq., - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - - - - -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 suppose, since it was so -hot with you, but I have not suffered from it at all, nor felt it in -such a degree as to make me imagine it would be anything 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. - -No, indeed, I am never too busy to think of S. and S.[13] 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 -the last only brings us to Willoughby's first appearance. Mrs. K. -regrets in the most flattering manner that she must wait till May, but I -have scarcely a hope of its being out in June. Henry does not neglect -it; he has hurried the printer, and says he will see him again to-day. -It will not stand still during his absence, it will be sent to Eliza. - -The Incomes remain as they were, but I will get them altered if I can. I -am very much gratified by Mrs. K.'s interest in it; and whatever may be -the event of it as to my credit with her, sincerely 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 went off extremely well. There were many solicitudes, alarms, -and vexations beforehand, of course, but at last everything was quite -right. The rooms were dressed up with flowers, 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. - -Yes, Mr. Walter--for he postponed his leaving London on purpose--which -did not give much pleasure at the time, any more than the circumstance -from which it rose,--his calling 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 well. - -At half-past seven arrived the musicians in two hackney coaches, and by -eight the lordly company began to appear. Among the earliest were George -and Mary Cooke, and I spent the greatest part of the evening very -pleasantly with them. The drawing-room being soon hotter than we liked, -we placed ourselves in the connecting passage, which was comparatively -cool, and gave us all the advantage of the music at a pleasant distance, -as well as that of the first view of every new-comer. - -I was quite surrounded by acquaintance, especially gentlemen; and what -with Mr. Hampson, Mr. Seymour, Mr. W. Knatchbull, Mr. Guillemarde, Mr. -Cure, a Captain Simpson, brother to _the_ Captain Simpson, besides Mr. -Walter and Mr. Egerton, in addition to the Cookes, and Miss Beckford, -and Miss Middleton, I had quite as much upon my hands as I could do. - -Poor Miss B. has been suffering again from her old complaint, and looks -thinner than ever. She certainly goes to Cheltenham the beginning of -June. We were all delight and cordiality, of course. Miss M. seems very -happy, but has not beauty enough to figure in London. - -Including everybody we were sixty-six,--which was considerably more than -Eliza had expected, and quite enough to fill the back drawing-room and -leave a few to be scattered about in the other and in the passage. - -The music was extremely good. It opened (tell Fanny) with "Poike de Parp -pirs praise pof Prapela;" and of the other glees I remember, "In peace -love tunes," "Rosabelle," "The Red Cross Knight," and "Poor Insect." -Between the songs were lessons on the harp, or harp and pianoforte -together; and the harp-player was Wiepart, whose name seems famous, -though new to me. There was one female singer, a short Miss Davis, all -in blue, bringing up for the public line, whose voice was said to be -very fine indeed; and all the performers gave great satisfaction by -doing what they were paid for, and giving themselves no airs. No amateur -could be persuaded to do anything. - -The house was not clear till after twelve. If you wish to hear more of -it, you must put your questions, but I seem rather to have exhausted -than spared the subject. - -This said Captain Simpson told us, on the authority of some other -Captain just arrived from Halifax, that Charles was bringing the -"Cleopatra" home, and that she was probably by this time in the -Channel; but as Captain S. was certainly in liquor, we must not quite -depend on it. It must give one a sort of expectation, however, and will -prevent my writing to him any more. I would rather he should not reach -England till I am at home, and the Steventon party gone. - -My mother and Martha both write with great satisfaction of Anna's -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 simple and pretty. - -Your lilacs are in leaf, ours are in bloom. The horse-chestnuts are -quite out, and the elms almost. I had a pleasant walk in Kensington -Gardens on Sunday with Henry, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Tilson; everything was -fresh and beautiful. - -We did go to the play, after all, on Saturday. We went to the Lyceum, -and saw the "Hypocrite," an old play taken from Molière's "Tartuffe," -and were well entertained. Dowton and Mathews were the good actors; Mrs. -Edwin was the heroine, and her performance is just what it used to be. I -have no chance of seeing Mrs. Siddons; she did act on Monday, but as -Henry was told by the box-keeper that he did not think she would, the -plans, and all thought of it, were given up. I should particularly have -liked seeing her in "Constance," and could swear at her with little -effort for disappointing me. - -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 Sunday 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 herself, and I hope it may -not last long. - -This engagement prevented Mr. Walter's staying late,--he had his coffee -and went away. Eliza enjoyed her evening very much, and means to -cultivate the acquaintance; and I see nothing to dislike in them but -their taking quantities of snuff. Monsieur, the old Count, is a very -fine-looking man, with quiet manners, good enough for an Englishman, -and, I believe, is a man of great information and taste. He has some -fine paintings, which delighted Henry as much as the son's music -gratified Eliza; and among them a miniature of 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 -spoken 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 -advisable. Her party is mentioned in this morning's paper. I am sorry to -hear of poor Fanny's state. From that quarter, I suppose, is to be the -alloy of 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., - Godmersham Park, Faversham. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[13] "Sense and Sensibility." - - - - -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 without 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 depended 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 continued a few years longer! - -It gives me sincere pleasure to hear of Mrs. Knight's having had a -tolerable night at last, but upon this occasion I wish she had another -name, for the two _nights_ 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 clever, and of finding my own story and my own people all -forestalled. - -Eliza has just received a few lines from Henry to assure her of the good -conduct of his mare. He slept at Uxbridge on Sunday, and wrote from -Wheatfield. - -We were not claimed by Hans Place yesterday, but are to dine there -to-day. 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 staying 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. - - 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. I am afraid I shall not -have any for you. - -I forgot to tell you in my last that our cousin Miss Payne called in on -Saturday, and was persuaded 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 bringing 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, besides two whole breadths. - -Eliza has not yet quite resolved on inviting Anna, but I think she will. - - Yours very affectionately, - JANE. - - - - -XXXVIII. - - - CHAWTON, Wednesday (May 29). - -IT was a mistake of mine, my dear Cassandra, to talk of a tenth child at -Hamstall. I had forgot there were but eight already. - -Your inquiry after my uncle and aunt were most happily timed, for the -very same post brought an account of them. They are again at Gloucester -House enjoying fresh air, which they seem to have felt the want of in -Bath, and are tolerably well, but not more than tolerable. My aunt does -not enter into particulars, but she does not write in spirits, and we -imagine that she has never entirely got the better of her disorder in -the winter. Mrs. Welby takes her out airing in her barouche, which gives -her a headache,--a comfortable proof, I suppose, of the uselessness of -the new carriage when they have got it. - -You certainly must have heard before I can tell you that Col. Orde has -married our cousin Margt. Beckford, the Marchess. of Douglas's sister. -The papers say that her father disinherits her, but I think too well of -an Orde to suppose that she has not a handsome independence of her own. - -[Illustration: _Chawton Cottage, from the Garden_ - -LETTERS, 172] - -The chickens are all alive and fit for the table, but we save them for -something grand. Some of the flower seeds are coming up very well, but -your mignonette makes a wretched appearance. Miss Benn has been -equally unlucky as to hers. She had seed from four different people, and -none of it comes up. Our young piony at the foot of 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 addition -to the 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. - -I must not venture to press Miss Sharpe's coming 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, on 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 engagement to -Maria M. this evening, when I suppose she will make it worse. - -She did not return from Faringdon till Sunday, when H. B. walked home -with her, and drank tea here. She was with the Prowtings almost all -Monday. She went to learn to make feather 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 Digweeds; and though -Anna was of course invited too, I think it always safest to keep her -away from the family, lest she should be doing too little or too much. - -Mrs. Terry, Mary, and Robert, with my aunt Harding and her daughter, -came from Dummer for a day and a night,--all very agreeable and very -much delighted with the new house and with Chawton in general. - -We sat upstairs, and had thunder and lightning as usual. I never knew -such a spring for thunderstorms as it has been. Thank God! we have had -no bad ones here. I thought myself in luck to have my uncomfortable -feelings shared by the mistress of the house, as that procured blinds -and candles. It had been excessively hot the whole day. Mrs. Harding is -a good-looking woman, 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 H. 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 at Godington four or five years ago. My cousin Flora Long was -there last year. - -My name is Diana. How does Fanny like it? What a change in the weather! -We have a fire again now. - -Harriet Benn sleeps at the Great House to-night, and spends to-morrow -with us; and the plan is that we should all walk with her to drink tea -at Faringdon, for her mother is now recovered; but the state of the -weather is not very promising at present. - -Miss Benn has been returned to her cottage since the beginning of last -week, and has now just got another girl; she comes from Alton. For many -days Miss B. had nobody with her but her niece Elizabeth, who was -delighted to be her visitor and her maid. They both dined here on -Saturday while Anna was at 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, JANE AUSTEN. - -The chimneys at the Great House are done. Mr. Prowting has opened a -gravel-pit, very conveniently for my mother, just at the mouth of the -approach to his house; but it looks a little as if he meant to catch all -his company. Tolerable gravel. - - Miss AUSTEN, - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - - - - -XXXIX. - - - CHAWTON, Thursday (June 6). - -BY this time, my dearest Cassandra, you know Martha's plans. I was -rather disappointed, I confess, to find that she could not leave town -till after ye 24th, as I had hoped to see you here the week before. The -delay, however, is not great, and everything seems generally arranging -itself for your return very comfortably. - -I found Henry perfectly 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 -suppose, about a week for Sloane Street. He travels in his gig, and -should the weather be tolerable I think you must have a delightful -journey. - -I have given up all idea of Miss Sharpe's travelling with you and -Martha, for though you are both all compliance with my scheme, yet as -you knock off a week from the end of her visit, and Martha 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. - -Give my love and thanks to Harriot, who has written me charming things -of your looks, and diverted me very much by poor Mrs. C. Milles's -continued perplexity. - -I had a few lines from Henry on Tuesday to prepare us for himself and -his friend, and by the time that I had made the sumptuous provision of a -neck of 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 -after dinner we all three walked to Chawton Park,[14] meaning to go into -it, but it was too dirty, and we were obliged to keep on the outside. -Mr. Tilson admired the trees very much, but grieved that they should not -be turned into money. - -My mother's cold is better, and I believe she only wants dry weather to -be very well. It was a great distress to her that Anna should be absent -during her uncle's visit, a distress which I could not share. She does -not return from Faringdon till this evening, and I doubt not has had -plenty of the miscellaneous, unsettled sort of happiness which seems to -suit her best. We hear from Miss Benn, who was on the Common with the -Prowtings, that she was very much admired by the gentlemen in general. - -I like your new bonnets exceedingly; yours is a shape which always looks -well, and I think Fanny's particularly becoming to her. - -On Monday I had the pleasure of receiving, unpacking, and approving our -Wedgwood ware. It all came very safely, and upon the whole is a 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 Birmingham must be blighted. There was no bill with -the goods, but that shall not screen them from being paid. I mean to ask -Martha to settle the account. It will be quite in her way, for she is -just now sending my mother a breakfast-set from the same place. - -I hope it 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 considerable dealings with the wagons at present: a hamper of port -and 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. - -We began pease on Sunday, but our gatherings are very small, not at all -like the gathering in the "Lady of the Lake." Yesterday I had the -agreeable surprise of finding several scarlet strawberries quite ripe; -had you been at 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 Stephen Terrys at Southampton, and -catch the King's birthday at Portsmouth. Miss Papillon called on us -yesterday, looking handsomer than ever. Maria Middleton and Miss Benn -dine here to-morrow. - -We are not to enclose any more letters to Abingdon Street, as perhaps -Martha has told you. - -I had just left off writing and put on my things for walking to Alton, -when Anna and her friend Harriot called in their way thither; so we went -together. Their business was to provide mourning against the King's -death, and my mother has had a 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 morning. She has written I find -to Fanny, but there does not seem to be a great deal to relate of -Tuesday. I had hoped there might be dancing. - -Mrs. Budd died on Sunday evening. I saw her two days before her death, -and thought it must happen soon. She suffered much from weakness and -restlessness almost to 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. - - Miss AUSTEN, EDWARD AUSTEN'S, Esq., - Godmersham Park, Faversham. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[14] A large beech wood extending for a long distance upon a hill about -a mile from Chawton: the trees are magnificent. - - - - -XL. - - - CHAWTON, Friday (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[15] 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_s._ He shall ask 1_l._ 1_s._ for my two next, and 1_l._ 8_s._ -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 Henry that -such a work would soon appear, we had desired him to send it whenever it -came out, and I believe it passed with her unsuspected. She was amused, -poor soul! _That_ she could not help, you know, with two such people to -lead the way; 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 I 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 volume 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 in that part. I have lop't and crop't so -successfully, however, that I imagine it must be rather shorter than -"Sense and Sensibility" altogether. Now I will try and write of -something else. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[15] "Pride and Prejudice." - - - - -XLI. - - - CHAWTON, Thursday (February 4). - -MY DEAR 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 reading to Miss B. had not -pleased me so well, but I believe something 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 quite 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 essay 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 might as well be no suppers at -Longbourn; but I suppose it was the remains of Mrs. Bennet's old Meryton -habits. - - - - -XLII. - - - FEBRUARY. - -THIS will be a quick return for yours, my dear Cassandra. I doubt its -having much else to recommend it; but there is no saying: it may turn -out to be a very long and delightful letter. I am exceedingly pleased -that you can say what you do, after having gone through the whole work, -and Fanny's praise is very gratifying. My hopes were tolerably strong of -her, but nothing like a certainty. Her liking Darcy and Elizabeth is -enough. She might hate all the others, if she would. I have her opinion -under her own hand this morning; but your transcript of it, which I read -first, was not, and is not, the less acceptable. To me it is of course -all praise, but the more exact truth which she sends you is good -enough. . . . Our party on 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 -addresses to Mrs. H., I began talking to her a little about them, and -expressed my hope of their having amused her. Her answer was, "Oh 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.[16] 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 no other work. -We quite run over with books. She has got Sir John 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 which I protested against at first, but which upon -trial I find delightfully written and highly entertaining. I am as much -in love with the author as I ever was with Clarkson 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, moreover, -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 -fortnight, 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 always -sees in the breakfast-parlor there must be acquainted with everything -in the world. I detest a quarto. Captain Pasley's book is too good for -their society. They will not understand a man who condenses his thoughts -into an octavo. I have learned from Sir J. Carr that there is no -Government House at Gibraltar. I must alter it to the Commissioner's. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[16] At this time, February, 1813, "Mansfield Park" was nearly finished. - - - - -XLIII. - - - SLOANE STREET, Thursday, May 20. - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--Before I say anything else, I claim a paper full of -halfpence 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 consequence. The head of the -curricle was put half up three or four times, but our share of the -showers was very trifling, though 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 for 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 had -to do there; that is, eating a long and comfortable breakfast, watching -the carriages, paying Mr. Harrington, and taking a little stroll -afterwards. From some views which that stroll gave us, I think most -highly of the situation of Guildford. We wanted all our brothers and -sisters to be standing with us in the 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 look very well. We left Guildford at -twenty minutes before twelve (I hope somebody cares for these minutiæ), -and were at Esher in about two hours more. 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 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 overtake 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 of it does me good. I have contrived 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.[17] She -looks very well, and her hair is done up with an elegance to do credit -to any education. Her manners are as unaffected and pleasing as ever. -She had heard from her mother to-day. Mrs. Craven spends another -fortnight at Chilton. I saw nobody but Charlotte, which pleased me best. -I was shown upstairs into a drawing-room, where 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^{tly}, - J. A. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[17] The present Lady Pollen, of Redenham, near Andover, then at a -school in London. - - - - -XLIV. - - - SLOANE STREET, Monday (May 24). - -MY DEAREST CASSANDRA,--I am very much obliged to you for writing to me. -You must have hated it after a worrying morning. Your letter came just -in time to save my going to Remnant's, and fit me for Christian's, where -I bought Fanny's dimity. - -I went the day before (Friday) to Layton's as I proposed, and got my -mother's gown,--seven yards at 6_s._ 6_d._ 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 Mrs. Bingley,[1] excessively like her. - -I went in hopes of seeing one of her sister, but there was no Mrs. -Darcy.[18] 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 paintings, which is now showing in -Pall Mall, and which we are also to visit. - -Mrs. Bingley's is exactly herself,--size, shaped face, features, and -sweetness; there never was a greater likeness. She is dressed in a white -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 2_s._ 6_d._ for the dimity. I do not boast of any bargains, but -think both the sarsenet and dimity good of their sort. - -I have bought your locket, but was obliged to give 18_s._ for it, which -must be rather more than you intended. It is neat and plain, set in -gold. - -We were to have gone to the Somerset House Exhibition on Saturday, but -when I reached Henrietta 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 Miss Burdett has a cough and -will not go. My cousin Caroline is her sole dependence. - -The events of yesterday were, our going to Belgrave Chapel in 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. Tilson's coming in the evening _à l'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 Hampstead, 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 London, 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 my clothes; perhaps -there may be only my trunk to send by the coach, or there may be a -band-box with it. I have taken your gentle hint, and written to Mrs. -Hill. - -The Hoblyns want us to dine with them, 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 gentleman'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 indifferent as to the -which. - -Get us the best weather you can for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. We -are to go to Windsor 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 have mentioned it. I -shall not write again unless I have any unexpected communication or -opportunity 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.[19] would -write. I hope Miss Benn is got well again, and will have a comfortable -dinner with you to-day. - -_Monday Evening._--We have been both to the exhibition and Sir J. -Reynolds's, and I am disappointed, for there was nothing like Mrs. D. at -either. I can only imagine that Mr. D. prizes any picture of her too -much to like it should be exposed to the public eye. I can imagine 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 just bought three dozen of -claret for him (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 Steventon only to a reasonable dinner-hour the -next day; but whatever I may write or you may imagine, we know it will -be something different. I shall be quiet to-morrow morning; all my -business is done, and I shall only call again upon Mrs. Hoblyn, etc. - -Love to your much . . . party. - - Yours affectionately, - J. AUSTEN. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[18] _Vide_ "Pride and Prejudice." - -[19] Miss Darcy. - - - - -XLV. - - - HENRIETTA ST., Wednesday (Sept. 15, ½ 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 1_s._ 6_d._, 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 for Lizzy, who was to have gone -her last stage there as she did the first; consequently we were all -four within, which was a little crowded. - -We arrived at a quarter-past four, and were kindly welcomed by the -coachman, and then by his master, and then by William, and then by Mrs. -Pengird, who all met us before we reached the foot of the stairs. Mde. -Bigion was below dressing us a most comfortable dinner of soup, fish, -bouillée, partridges, and an apple tart, which we sat down to soon after -five, after cleaning and dressing ourselves, and feeling that we were -most commodiously disposed of. The little adjoining dressing-room to our -apartment makes Fanny and myself very well off indeed, and as we have -poor Eliza's[20] bed our space is ample every way. - -Sace arrived safely about half-past six. At seven we set off in a coach -for the Lyceum; were at home again in about four hours and a half; had -soup and wine and water, and then went to our holes. - -Edward finds his quarters very snug and quiet. I must get a softer pen. -This is harder. I am in agonies. I have not yet seen Mr. Crabbe. -Martha's letter is gone to the post. - -I am going to write nothing but short sentences. There shall be two full -stops in every line. Layton and Shear's is Bedford House. We mean to -get there before breakfast if it's possible; for we feel more and more -how much we have to do and 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 -beginning 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.,[21] 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 delighted -with what such a man writes about it. Henry sent him the books after his -return from Daylesford, 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 directly on -the stage. One is infinitely less fatigued than in the common way. But -Henry's plans are not what one could wish. He does not mean to be at -Chawton till 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 return directly. -His wish was to bring you back with him. I have told him your scruples. -He wishes you to suit yourself as to time, and if you cannot come till -later, will send for you at any time as far as Bagshot. He presumed you -would 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 cannot 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 -me the best plan, and the maid will be most conveniently 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_s._ 3_d._; -Irish, ditto at 6_s._; 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.[22] They revelled last night in "Don Juan," whom -we left in hell at half-past eleven. We had scaramouch and a ghost, and -were delighted. I speak of them; my delight was very tranquil, and the -rest of us were sober-minded. "Don Juan" was the last of three musical -things. "Five Hours at Brighton," in three acts,--of which one was over -before we arrived, none the worse,--and the "Beehive," rather less flat -and trumpery. - -I have this moment received 5_l._ from kind, beautiful Edward. Fanny has -a similar gift. I shall save what I can of it for your better leisure in -this place. My letter was from Miss Sharpe,--nothing particular. A -letter from Fanny Cage this morning. - -_Four o'clock._--We are just come back from doing 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. - -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 1_l._ 16_s._ My gown is to -be trimmed everywhere with white ribbon plaited on somehow or other. She -says it will look well. I am not sanguine. They trim with 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 -unbecoming, 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 afterwards at -three; papa with us each time; and, alas! we are to go again to-morrow. -Lizzy is not finished 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 particularly 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._--Up and dressed and downstairs in -order to finish my letter in time for the parcel. At eight I have an -appointment with Madame B., who wants to show me something downstairs. -At nine we are to set off for Grafton House, and get that over before -breakfast. Edward is so kind as to walk there with us. We are to be at -Mr. Spence's again at 11.5: 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 boxes were fitted up with crimson velvet. The new Mr. Terry -was Lord Ogleby, and Henry thinks he may do; but there was no acting -more than moderate, and I was as much amused by the remembrances -connected with "Midas" as with any part of it. The girls were very much -delighted, but still prefer "Don Juan;" and I must say that I have seen -nobody on the stage who has been a more interesting character than that -compound of cruelty and lust. - -It was not possible for me to get the worsteds yesterday. I heard Edward -last night pressing Henry to come to you, and I think Henry engaged to -go there after his November collection. Nothing has been done as to S. -and S.[23] The books came to hand too late for him to have time for it -before he went. Mr. Hastings never hinted at Eliza in the smallest -degree. Henry knew nothing of Mr. Trimmer's death. I tell you these -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 Williamses of Grosvenor Place. - -I long to have you hear Mr. H.'s opinion of P. and P. His admiring my -Elizabeth so much is particularly welcome to me. - -Instead of saving my superfluous wealth for you to spend, I am going to -treat myself with spending it myself. I hope, at least, that I shall -find some poplin at Layton and Shear's that will tempt me to buy it. If -I do, it shall be sent to Chawton, as half will be for you; for I depend -upon your being so kind as to accept it, being the main point. It will -be a great pleasure to me. Don't say a word. I only wish you could -choose too. I shall send twenty yards. - -Now for Bath. Poor F. Cage has suffered a good deal from her accident. -The noise of the White Hart was terrible to her. They will keep her -quiet, I dare say. She is not so much delighted with the place as the -rest of 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 so gay as she expected. -They are at No. 1 Henrietta 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 restricted 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 travellers, and everybody. You -will take your walk this afternoon, and . . . - - Henrietta Street, the autumn of 1813. - Miss AUSTEN, Chawton. - By favor of Mr. Gray. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[20] Eliza, Henry Austen's first wife, who had died in the earlier part -of this year. - -[21] "Pride and Prejudice." - -[22] Lizzy and Marianne. - -[23] "Sense and Sensibility." - - - - -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 has found -you all well, and my mother no more in need of leeches. Whether this -will be delivered to you by Henry on Saturday evening, or by the postman -on Sunday morning, I know not, as he has lately recollected something of -an engagement for Saturday, 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 immediate attendance -and went on very comfortably. I only forgot the one particular thing -which I had always resolved to buy there,--a white silk -handkerchief,--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 our letters, while 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 it very much. Fanny has one also; hers -is white sarsenet and lace, of a different shape from mine, more fit for -morning 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 time for breakfast, and had -scarcely finished breakfast 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. Tilson 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 bought 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 6_s._ -and the other 4_s._ 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 4_s._, 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 12_s._, cotton at 4_s._ 3_d._ 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 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 House, Edward -sitting by all the time with wonderful patience. There Fanny bought the -net for Anna's gown, and a beautiful square veil for herself. The edging -there is very cheap. I was tempted by some, and I bought some very nice -plaiting lace at 3_s._ 4_d._ - -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 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. AUSTEN. - - 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 well. Her sister in Lucina, Mrs. H. Gipps, does too -well, we think. Mary P. wrote on Sunday that she had been three days on -the sofa. Sackree does not approve it. - -Well, there is some comfort in the Mrs. Hulbart's not coming to you, and -I am happy to hear of the honey. I was thinking of it the other day. Let -me know when you begin the new tea and the new 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 out of conceit with hers -already; she finds that she has been buying a new cap without having a -new pattern, which is true enough. She is rather out of luck to like -neither her gown nor her cap, but I do not much mind it, because besides -that I like them both myself, I consider it as a thing of course at her -time of life,--one of the sweet taxes of youth to choose in a hurry and -make bad bargains. - -I wrote to Charles yesterday, and Fanny has had a letter from him -to-day, principally to make inquiries about the time of their visit -here, to 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[24] came a -little before dinner on Monday, and Edward went to the church with the -two seniors, but there is no inscription yet drawn up. They are very -good-natured, you know, and civil, and all that, but are not -particularly 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 forwards with his -breeches from the little chintz to the white room before we went to bed, -in the greatest of frights lest he should come upon us before we had -done it all. There had been a mistake in the 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 shooting or hunting with the two others all the -morning, and plays at whist and makes queer faces in the evening. . . . - -FOOTNOTE: - -[24] Knatchbulls. - - - - -XLVIII. - - - GODMERSHAM 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 interfere with mine, but I do not think there is -much for anybody to send at present. - -We had our dinner-party on Wednesday, with the addition of Mrs. and Miss -Milles, who were under a promise of dining here in their return from -Eastwell, whenever they paid their visit of duty there, and it happened -to be paid on that day. Both mother and daughter are much as I have -always found them. I 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 hundred young ladies -will come here for the ball. I do not much expect any. - -The Deedes cannot meet us; they have engagements 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 Royal, last -Saturday; but perfectly approve her going, and only regret they should -all go so 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 letter 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 tone. Your letter gave pleasure to all of us; we had all the -reading of it of course,--I three times, as I undertook, to the great -relief of Lizzy, to read it to Sackree, and afterwards 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 -rather reproving her for taking anything seriously about nuts which they -said to her, it might be of use. This, of course, is between our three -discreet selves, a scene of triennial bliss. - -Mrs. Breton called 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. Edward 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 -supposed will end in his staying dinner. - -On Thursday, Mr. Lushington, M.P. for Canterbury, 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 suppose the Ashford ball will furnish -something. - -As I wrote of my nephews with a little bitterness 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 Sacrament yesterday. After -having much praised or much blamed anybody, one is generally sensible of -something just the reverse soon afterwards. Now these two boys who are -out with the foxhounds will come home and disgust me again by some habit -of luxury or some proof of sporting mania, unless I keep it off by this -prediction. They amuse themselves very comfortably in the evening by -netting; they are each about a rabbit net, and sit as deedily to it, -side by side, as any two Uncle Franks could do. - -I am looking over "Self-Control" again, and my opinion is confirmed of -its being an excellently meant, elegantly written work, 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-day thing she ever does. - -_Tuesday._--Dear me! what is to become of me? Such a long letter! -Two-and-forty lines in the second page. Like Harriot Byron, I ask, what -am I to do with my gratitude? I can do nothing but thank you and go on. -A few of your inquiries, I think, are replied to _en avance_. - -The name of F. Cage's drawing-master is O'Neil. We are exceedingly -amused with your Shalden news, and your self-reproach on the subject of -Mrs. Stockwell made me laugh heartily. I rather wondered that -Johncock,[25] 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 building, 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 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. Rob. Mascall breakfasted here; he eats a great deal of butter. I -dined upon goose yesterday, which, I hope, will secure a good sale of my -second edition. Have you any tomatas? Fanny and I regale on them every -day. - -Disastrous letters from the Plumptres and Oxendens. Refusals -everywhere--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 we hear at Chilham Castle this morning, for we -are going to pay 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 the 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 other. The appearance 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 indispensable 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 affectionately, J. AUSTEN. - - Miss AUSTEN, Chawton, Alton, Hants. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[25] The butler at Godmersham. - - - - -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 surprised 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 bargain. I never saw so plain a -family,--five sisters so very plain! They are as plain as the Foresters, -or the Franfraddops, or the Seagraves, or the Rivers, excluding Sophy. -Miss Sally Fagg has a pretty figure, and that comprises all the good -looks of the family. - -It was stupidish; Fanny did her part very well, but there was a lack of -talk altogether, and the three friends in the house only sat by and -looked at us. However, Miss Chapman's name is Laura, and she had a -double flounce to 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 -mercantile, 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. persuaded 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, but very silent. They say his name is Henry, a proof how -unequally the gifts of fortune are bestowed. I have seen many a John and -Thomas much more agreeable. - -We have got rid of Mr. R. Mascall, however. I did not like him, either. -He talks too much, and is conceited, besides having a vulgarly shaped -mouth. He slept here on Tuesday, so that yesterday Fanny and I sat down -to breakfast with six gentlemen to admire us. - -We did not go to the ball. It was left to her to decide, and at last she -determined against it. She knew that it would be a sacrifice on the part -of her father and brothers if they went, and I hope it will prove that -she has not sacrificed much. It is not likely that there should have -been anybody there whom she would care for. 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 yesterday, 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. continues very well, and Dr. -Parry's opinion is, that while the water agrees with her she ought to -remain there, which throws their coming away at a greater uncertainty -than we had supposed. It will end, perhaps, in a fit of the gout, which -may prevent her coming away. Louisa thinks her mother's being so well -may be quite as much 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 compliments 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 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, which gives us reason -to suppose they may come here to-day. It depends upon the weather, and -the weather now is very fine. No difficulties are made, however, and, -indeed, there will be no want of room; but I wish there were no Wigrams -and Lushingtons in the way to fill up the table and make us such a -motley set. I cannot spare Mr. Lushington either, because of his frank, -but Mr. Wigram does no good to anybody. I cannot imagine how a man can -have the impudence to come into a family party for three days, where he -is quite a stranger, unless he knows himself to be agreeable on -undoubted authority. He and Edw. B. are going to ride to Eastwell, and -as the boys are hunting, and my brother is gone to Canty., Fanny and I -have a quiet morning before us. - -Edward has driven off poor Mrs. Salkeld. It was thought a good -opportunity of doing something towards clearing the house. By her own -desire Mrs. Fanny[26] 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 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 report 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 arrangements 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 2_s._ 6_d._? -Mary's blue gown! My mother must be in agonies. I have a great mind to -have my blue gown dyed some time or other. I proposed it once to you, -and you made some objection, I forget what. It is the fashion of -flounces that gives it particular expediency. - -Mrs. and Miss Wildman have just been here. Miss is very plain. I wish -Lady B. may be returned before we leave Gm., that Fanny may spend the -time of her father's absence at Goodnestone, 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 seemed to recollect me in the same way. - -It was quite an evening of confusion, as you may suppose. At first we -were all walking about from one part of the house to the other; then -came a fresh dinner in the breakfast-room for Charles and his wife, -which Fanny and I attended; then we moved into the library, were joined -by the dining-room people, were introduced, and so forth; and then we -had tea and coffee, which was not over till past ten. Billiards again -drew all the odd ones away; and Edward, Charles, the two Fannies, and I -sat snugly talking. I shall be glad to have our numbers a little -reduced, and by the time you receive this we shall be only a family, -though a large family, party. Mr. Lushington goes to-morrow. - -Now I must speak of him, and I like him very much. I am sure he is -clever, and a man of taste. He got a volume of Milton last night, and -spoke of it with warmth. He is quite an M. P., very smiling, with an -exceeding good address and readiness of language. I am rather in love -with him. I dare say he is ambitious and insincere. He puts me in mind -of Mr. Dundas. He has a wide smiling mouth, and very good teeth, and -something the same complexion and nose. He is a much shorter man, with -Martha's leave. Does Martha never hear from Mrs. Craven? Is Mrs. Craven -never at home? - -We breakfasted in the dining-room to-day, and are now all pretty well -dispersed and quiet. Charles and George are gone out shooting together, -to Winnigates and Seaton Wood. I asked on purpose to tell Henry. Mr. -Lushington and Edwd. are gone some other way. I wish Charles may kill -something; but this high wind is against their sport. - -Lady Williams is living at the Rose at Sittingbourne; they called upon -her yesterday; she cannot live at Sheerness, and as soon as she gets to -Sittingbourne is quite well. In return for all your matches, I announce -that her brother William is going 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, indeed 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 inclined to part with her. I do not know how it will end, or what -is to determine it. He desires 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 in the morning. - -This cold weather comes very fortunately for Edward's nerves, with such -a house full; it suits him exactly; he is all alive and cheerful. Poor -James, on the contrary, must be running his toes into the fire. I find -that Mary Jane Fowle was very near returning with her brother and paying -them a visit on board. I forget exactly what hindered her; I believe the -Cheltenham scheme. I am glad something did. They are to go to Cheltenham -on Monday se'nnight. I don't 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 reply. Infinities of love. I must distinguish -that of Fanny, senior, who particularly desires to be remembered to you -all. - - Yours very affectionately, - J. AUSTEN. - - FAVERSHAM, Oct. 15, 1813. - Miss AUSTEN, Chawton, Alton, Hants. - Per S. R. LUSHINGTON. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[26] Mrs. Charles Austen, _née_ Fanny Palmer. - - - - -L. - - - 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 _Pondy House_; I -don't wonder that Mary Doe is very sorry it is dead, because we promised -her that if it was alive when we came back to Chawton, we would reward -her for her trouble. - -Papa is much obliged to you for ordering the scrubby firs to be cut -down; I think he was rather frightened at first about the great oak. -Fanny quite believed it, for she exclaimed, "Dear me, what a pity, how -could they be so stupid!" I hope by this time they have put up some -hurdles for the sheep, or turned out the cart-horses from the lawn. - -Pray tell grandmamma that we have begun getting seeds for her; I hope we -shall be able to get her a nice collection, but I am afraid this wet -weather is very much against them. How glad I am to hear she has had -such good success with her chickens, but I wish there had been more -bantams amongst them. I am very sorry to hear of poor Lizzie's fate. - -I must now tell you something about our poor people. I believe you know -old Mary Croucher; she gets _maderer_ and _maderer_ every day. Aunt Jane -has been to see her, but it was on one of her rational days. Poor Will -Amos hopes your skewers are doing well; he has left his house in the -poor Row, and lives in a barn at Builting. We asked him why he went -away, and he said the fleas were so starved 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! 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 believe. I hope Cook is better; -she was very unwell the day we went away. Papa has given me -half-a-dozen new pencils, which are very good ones indeed; I draw every -other day. I hope you go and whip Lucy Chalcraft every night. - -Miss Clewes begs me to give her very best respects 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 remain, my dear Aunt Cassandra, -your very affectionate niece, - - ELIZTH. KNIGHT. - -_Thursday._--I think Lizzy's letter will entertain you. Thank you for -yours just received. To-morrow shall be fine if possible. You will be at -Guildford before our party set off. They only go to Key Street, as Mr. -Street the Purser lives there, and they have promised to dine and sleep -with him. - -Cassy's looks are much mended. 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 message, 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 upstairs, and made him get ready to go out shooting, and -not keep Mr. Moore waiting any longer. - -Mr. and Mrs. Sherer and Joseph dined here yesterday very prettily. Edw. -and Geo. were absent,--gone for a night to Eastling. The two Fannies -went to Canty. in the morning, and took Lou. and Cass. to try on new -stays. Harriet and I had a comfortable walk together. She desires her -best love to you and kind remembrance to Henry. Fanny's best love also. -I fancy there is to be another party to Canty. to-morrow,--Mr. and Mrs. -Moore and me. - -Edward thanks Henry for his letter. We are most happy to hear he is so -much better. I depend upon you for letting me know what he wishes as to -my staying with him or not; you will be able to find out, I dare say. I -had intended to beg you would bring one of my nightcaps with you, in -case of my staying, but forgot it when I wrote on Tuesday. Edward is -much concerned about his pond; he cannot now doubt the fact of its -running out, which he was resolved to do as long as possible. - -I suppose my 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 -almost ridiculous. Poor woman! 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. - -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 afterwards at Fredville. It -will really be a good opportunity, 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. - - Miss AUSTEN, - 10 Henrietta St., Covent Garden, London. - - - - -LI. - - - GODMERSHAM PARK, Wednesday (Nov. 3). - -MY DEAREST CASSANDRA,--I will keep this celebrated birthday by writing -to you; and as my pen seems inclined to write large, I will 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 minutiæ of Edward's plans? See, -here they are: To go to Wrotham on Saturday the 13th, spend Sunday -there, and be in town on Monday to dinner, and if agreeable to Henry, -spend one whole day with him, which day is likely to be Tuesday, and so -go down to Chawton on Wednesday. - -But now I cannot be quite easy without staying a 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 day -may do for her; she is gone to Canty. with Miss Clewes, Liz., and -Ma^{rnne}, and it is but roughish 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 concert ticket and a sprig of flowers for my old -age. - -To vary the subject from gay to grave with inimitable address, I shall -now tell 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 Edward's going down to Bath, if they have not left it when he -is in Hampshire; if he does, he will go on from Steventon, and then -return direct to London, without coming back to Chawton. This detention -does not suit his feelings. It may be rather a good thing, 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 everywhere; 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 _bru_ 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 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.[27] 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 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 of 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 mean to eat, but Mr. Johncock has brought in the tray, so I -must. I am all alone. Edward is gone into his woods. At this present -time I have five tables, eight-and-twenty chairs, and two fires all to -myself. - -Miss Clewes is to be invited to go to the concert 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 Milgate that very day, to -consult about a proposed alteration 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 -will be no great evil to the Squire. We shall be a party of three ladies -therefore, and to meet three ladies. - -What a convenient carriage Henry's is, to his friends in general! Who -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 am 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. - -Fanny has set her heart upon its being a Mr. Brett who is going to marry -a Miss Dora Best, of this country. I dare say Henry has no objection. -Pray, where did the boys sleep? - -The Deedes come here on Monday to stay till Friday, so that we shall end -with a flourish the last canto. They bring Isabella and one of the -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. - -Edward does not write to Henry, because of my writing so often. God -bless you. I shall be so glad to see you again, and I wish you many -happy returns of this day. Poor Lord Howard! How he does cry about it! - - Yours very truly, J. A. - - Miss AUSTEN, - 10 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[27] I cannot pass this paragraph over without remarking that it is -hardly possible to imagine anything neater or prettier than Jane's own -hand. Most of her letters are beautifully written, and the MS. of her -"Lady Susan" remarkably so.--_Note by Lord_ BRABOURNE. - - - - -LII. - - - GODMERSHAM 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, besides a Mr. and Mrs. -Osborne and a Miss Lee staying in the house, and were only fourteen -altogether. My brother and Fanny thought it the pleasantest party they -had ever known there, and I was very well entertained by bits and -scraps. I had long wanted to see Dr. Breton, and his wife amuses me very -much with her affected refinement and 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_ in -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 listened, or -pretended to listen. - -Yesterday was a day of dissipation all through: first came Sir Brook to -dissipate us before breakfast; then there was a call from Mr. Sherer, -then a regular morning visit from Lady Honeywood in her way home from -Eastwell; then Sir Brook and Edward set off; then we dined (five in -number) at half-past four; then we had coffee; and at six Miss Clewes, -Fanny, and I drove away. We had a beautiful night for our frisks. We -were earlier than we need have been, but after a time Lady B. and her -two companions appeared,--we had kept places for them; and there we sat, -all six in a row, under a side wall, I between Lucy Foote and Miss -Clewes. - -Lady B. was much what I expected; I could not determine whether she was -rather handsome or very plain. I liked her for being in a hurry to have -the concert over and get away, and for getting away at last with a great -deal of decision and promptness, not waiting to compliment and dawdle -and fuss about seeing dear Fanny, who was half the evening in another -part of the room with her friends the Plumptres. I am growing too -minute, so I will go to breakfast. - -When the concert was over, Mrs. Harrison and I found each other out, and -had a very comfortable little complimentary friendly chat. She is a -sweet woman,--still quite a sweet woman in herself, and so like her -sister! I could almost have thought I was speaking to Mrs. Lefroy. She -introduced me to her daughter, whom I think pretty, but most dutifully -inferior to _la Mère Beauté_. The Faggs and the Hammonds were -there,--Wm. Hammond the only young man of renown. Miss looked very -handsome, but I prefer her little smiling flirting sister Julia. - -I was just introduced at last to Mary Plumptre, but I should hardly know -her again. She was delighted with me, however, good enthusiastic soul! -And Lady B. found me handsomer than she expected, so you see I am not so -very bad as you might think for. - -It was twelve before we reached home. We were all dog-tired, but pretty -well to-day: Miss Clewes says she has not caught cold, and Fanny's does -not seem worse. I was so tired that I began to wonder how I should get -through the ball next Thursday; but there will be so much more variety -then in walking about, and probably so much less heat, that perhaps I -may not feel it more. My china crape is still kept for the ball. Enough -of the concert. - -I had a letter from Mary yesterday. They travelled down to Cheltenham -last Monday very safely, and are certainly to be there a month. Bath is -still Bath. The H. Bridges must quit them early next week, and Louisa -seems not quite to despair of their all moving together, but to those -who see at a distance there appears no chance of it. Dr. Parry does not -want to keep Lady B. at Bath when she can once move. That is lucky. You -will see poor Mr. Evelyn's death. - -Since I wrote last, my 2nd edit. has stared me in the face. Mary tells -me that Eliza means to buy it. I wish she may. It can hardly depend upon -any more Fyfield Estates. I cannot help hoping that many will feel -themselves obliged to buy it. I shall not mind imagining it a -disagreeable duty to them, so as they do it. Mary heard before she left -home that it was very much admired at Cheltenham, and that it was given -to Miss Hamilton. It is pleasant to have such a respectable writer -named. I cannot tire you, I am sure, on this subject, or I would -apologize. - -What weather, and what news! We have enough to do to admire them both. I -hope you derive your full share of enjoyment from each. - -I have extended my lights and increased my acquaintance a good deal -within these two days. Lady Honeywood you know; I did not sit near -enough to be a perfect judge, but I thought her extremely pretty, and -her manners have all the recommendations of ease and good-humor and -unaffectedness; and going about with four horses and nicely dressed -herself, she is altogether a perfect sort of woman. - -Oh, and I saw Mr. Gipps last night,--the useful Mr. Gipps, whose -attentions came in as acceptably to us in handing us to the carriage, -for want of a better man, as they did to Emma Plumptre. I thought him -rather a good-looking little man. - -I long for your letter to-morrow, particularly that I may know my fate -as to London. My first wish is that Henry should really choose what he -likes best; I shall certainly not be sorry if he does not want me. -Morning church to-morrow; I shall come back with impatient feelings. - -The Sherers are gone, but the Pagets are not come: we shall therefore -have Mr. S. again. Mr. Paget acts like an unsteady man. Dr. Hant, -however, gives him a very good character; what is wrong is to be imputed -to the lady. I dare say the house likes female government. - -I have a nice long black and red letter from Charles, but not -communicating much that I did not know. - -There is some chance of a good ball next week, as far as females go. -Lady Bridges may perhaps be there with some Knatchbulls. Mrs. Harrison -perhaps, with Miss Oxenden and the Miss Papillons; and if Mrs. Harrison, -then Lady Fagg will come. - -The shades of evening are descending, and I resume my interesting -narrative. Sir Brook and my brother came back about four, and Sir Brook -almost immediately set forward again to Goodnestone. We are to have -Edwd. B. to-morrow, to pay us another Sunday's visit,--the last, for -more reasons than one; they all come home on the same day that we go. -The Deedes do not come till Tuesday; Sophia is to be the comer. She is a -disputable beauty that I want much to see. Lady Eliz. Hatton and -Annamaria called here this morning. Yes, they called; but I do not think -I can say anything more about them. They came, and they sat, and they -went. - -_Sunday._--Dearest Henry! What a turn he has for being ill, and what a -thing bile is! This attack has probably been brought on in part by his -previous confinement and anxiety; but, however it came, I hope it is -going fast, and that you will be able to send a very good account of him -on Tuesday. As I hear on Wednesday, of course I shall not expect to hear -again on Friday. Perhaps a letter to Wrotham would not have an ill -effect. - -We are to be off on Saturday before the post comes in, as Edward takes -his own horses all the way. He talks of nine o'clock. We shall bait at -Lenham. - -Excellent sweetness of you to send me such a nice long letter; it made -its appearance, with one from my mother, soon after I and my impatient -feelings walked in. How glad I am that I did what I did! I was only -afraid that you might think the offer superfluous, but you have set my -heart at ease. Tell Henry that I will stay with him, let it be ever so -disagreeable to him. - -Oh, dear me! I have not time on paper for half that I want to say. There -have been two letters from Oxford,--one from George yesterday. They got -there very safely,--Edwd. two hours behind the coach, having lost his -way in leaving London. George writes cheerfully and quietly; hopes to -have Utterson's rooms soon; went to lecture on Wednesday, states some of -his expenses, and concludes with saying, "I am afraid I shall be poor." -I am glad he thinks about it so soon. I believe there is no private -tutor yet chosen, but my brother is to hear from Edwd. on the subject -shortly. - -You, and Mrs. H., and Catherine, and Alethea going about together in -Henry's carriage seeing sights--I am not used to the idea of it yet. All -that you are to see of Streatham, seen already! Your Streatham and my -Bookham may go hang. The prospect of being taken down to Chawton by -Henry perfects the plan to me. I was in hopes of your seeing some -illuminations, and you have seen them. "I thought you would come, and -you did come." I am sorry he is not to come from the Baltic sooner. Poor -Mary! - -My brother has a letter from Louisa to-day of an unwelcome nature; they -are to spend the winter at Bath. It was just decided on. Dr. Parry -wished it, not from thinking the water necessary to Lady B., but that he -might be better able to judge how far his treatment of her, which is -totally different from anything she had been used to, is right; and I -suppose he will not mind having a few more of her Ladyship's guineas. -His system is a lowering one. He took twelve ounces of blood from her -when the gout appeared, and forbids wine, etc. Hitherto the plan agrees -with her. She is very well satisfied to stay, but it is a sore -disappointment to Louisa and Fanny. - -The H. Bridges leave them on Tuesday, and they mean to move into a -smaller house; you may guess how Edward feels. There can be no doubt of -his going to Bath now; I should not wonder if he brought Fanny Cage back -with him. - -You shall hear from me once more, some day or other. - - Yours very affectionately, J. A. - -We do not like Mr. Hampson's scheme. - - Miss AUSTEN, - 10 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London. - - - - -LIII. - - - HENRIETTA ST., Wednesday (March 2, 1814). - -We had altogether a very good journey, and everything at Cobham was -comfortable. I could not pay Mr. Harrington! That was the only alas! of -the business. I shall therefore return his bill, and my mother's 2_l._, -that you may try your luck. We did not begin reading till Bentley Green. -Henry's approbation is hitherto even equal to my wishes. He says it is -different from the other two, but does not appear to think it at all -inferior. He has only married Mrs. R.[28] I am afraid he has gone through -the most entertaining part. He took to Lady B. and Mrs. N.[29] most -kindly, and gives great praise to the drawing of the characters. He -understands them all, likes Fanny, and, I think, foresees how it will -all be. I finished the "Heroine" last night, and was very much amused by -it. I wonder James did not like it better. It diverted me exceedingly. -We went to bed at ten. I was very tired, but slept to a miracle, and am -lovely to-day, and at present Henry seems to have no complaint. We left -Cobham at half-past eight, stopped to bait and breakfast at Kingston, -and were in this house considerably before two. Nice smiling Mr. Barlowe -met us at the door, and, in reply to inquiries after news, said that -peace was generally expected. I have taken possession of my bedroom, -unpacked my bandbox, sent Miss P.'s two letters to the twopenny post, -been visited by M^{d.} B., and am now writing by myself at the new table -in the front room. It is snowing. We had some snowstorms yesterday, and -a smart frost at night, which gave us a hard road from Cobham to -Kingston; but as it was then getting dirty and heavy, Henry had a pair -of leaders put on to the bottom of Sloane St. His own horses, therefore, -cannot have had hard work. I watched for veils as we drove through the -streets, and had the pleasure of seeing several upon vulgar heads. And -now, how do you all do?--you in particular, after the worry of yesterday -and the day before. I hope Martha had a pleasant visit again, and that -you and my mother could eat your beef-pudding. Depend upon my thinking -of the chimney-sweeper as soon as I wake to-morrow. Places are secured -at Drury Lane for Saturday, but so great is the rage for seeing Kean -that only a third and fourth row could be got; as it is in a front box, -however, I hope we shall do pretty well--Shylock, a good play for -Fanny--she cannot be much affected, I think. Mrs. Perigord has just been -here. She tells me that we owe her master for the silk-dyeing. My poor -old muslin has never been dyed yet. It has been promised to be done -several times. What wicked people dyers are! They begin with dipping -their own souls in scarlet sin. It is evening. We have drank tea, and I -have torn through the third vol. of the "Heroine." I do not think it -falls off. It is a delightful burlesque, particularly on the Radcliffe -style. Henry is going on with "Mansfield Park." He admires H. Crawford: -I mean properly, as a clever, pleasant man. I tell you all the good I -can, as I know how much you will enjoy it. We hear that Mr. Kean is more -admired than ever. There are no good places to be got in Drury Lane for -the next fortnight, but Henry means to secure some for Saturday -fortnight, when you are reckoned upon. Give my love to little Cass. I -hope she found my bed comfortable last night. I have seen nobody in -London yet with such a long chin as Dr. Syntax, nor anybody quite so -large as Gogmagolicus. - - Yours aff^{ly}, J. AUSTEN. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[28] Mrs. Rushworth in "Mansfield Park." - -[29] Lady Bertram and Mrs. Norris. - - - - -LIV. - - - HENRIETTA ST., Wednesday (March 9). - -WELL, we went to the play again last night, and as we were out a great -part of the morning too, shopping, and seeing the Indian jugglers, I am -very glad to be quiet now till dressing-time. We are to dine at the -Tilsons', and to-morrow at Mr. Spencer's. - -We had not done breakfast yesterday when Mr. J. Plumptre appeared to say -that he had secured a box. Henry asked him to dine here, which I fancy -he was very happy to do, and so at five o'clock we four sat down to -table together, while the master of the house was preparing for going -out himself. The "Farmer's Wife" is a musical thing in three acts, and -as Edward was steady in not staying for anything more, we were at home -before ten. - -Fanny and Mr. J. P. are delighted with Miss S., and her merit in singing -is, I dare say, very great; that she gave me no pleasure is no -reflection upon her, nor, I hope, upon myself, being what Nature made me -on that article. All that I am sensible of in Miss S. is a pleasing -person and no skill in acting. We had Mathews, Liston, and Emery; of -course, some amusement. - -Our friends were off before half-past eight this morning, and had the -prospect of a heavy cold journey before them. I think they both liked -their visit very much. I am sure Fanny did. Henry sees decided -attachment between her and his new acquaintance. - -I have a cold, too, as well as my mother and Martha. Let it be a -generous emulation between us which can get rid of it first. - -I wear my gauze gown to-day, long sleeves and all. I shall see how they -succeed, but as yet I have no reason to suppose long sleeves are -allowable. I have lowered the bosom, especially at the corners, and -plaited black satin ribbon round the top. Such will be my costume of -vine-leaves and paste. - -Prepare for a play the very first evening, I rather think Covent Garden, -to see Young in "Richard." I have answered for your little companion's -being conveyed to Keppel St. immediately. I have never yet been able to -get there myself, but hope I shall soon. - -What cruel weather this is! and here is Lord Portsmouth married, too, to -Miss Hanson.[30] - -Henry has finished "Mansfield Park," and his approbation has not -lessened. He found the last half of the last volume extremely -interesting. - -I suppose my mother recollects that she gave me no money for paying -Brecknell and Twining, and my funds will not supply enough. - -We are home in such good time that I can finish my letter to-night, -which will be better than getting up to do it to-morrow, especially as, -on account of my cold, which has been very heavy in my head this -evening, I rather think of lying in bed later than usual. I would not -but be well enough to go to Hertford St. on any account. - -We met only Genl. Chowne to-day, who has not much to say for himself. I -was ready to laugh at the remembrance of Frederick, and such a different -Frederick as we chose to fancy him to the real Christopher! - -Mrs. Tilson had long sleeves, too, and she assured me that they are worn -in the evening by many. I was glad to hear this. She dines here, I -believe, next Tuesday. - -On Friday we are to be snug with only Mr. Barlowe and an evening of -business. I am so pleased that the mead is brewed. Love to all. I have -written to Mrs. Hill, and care for nobody. - - Yours affectionately, J. AUSTEN. - - Miss AUSTEN, Chawton. - By favor of Mr. GRAY. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[30] His second wife. He died in 1853, and was succeeded by his brother, -the father of the present earl. - - - - -LV. - - - CHAWTON, Tuesday (June 13). - -MY DEAREST CASSANDRA,--Fanny takes my mother to Alton this morning, -which gives me an opportunity of sending you a few lines without any -other trouble than that of writing them. - -This is a delightful day in the country, and I hope not much too hot for -town. Well, you had a good journey, I trust, and all that, and not rain -enough to spoil your bonnet. It appeared so likely to be a wet evening -that I went up to the Gt. House between three and four, and dawdled away -an hour very comfortably, though Edwd. was not very brisk. The air was -clearer in the evening, and he was better. We all five walked together -into the kitchen garden and along the Gosport road, and they drank tea -with us. - -You will be glad to hear that G. Turner has another situation, something -in the cow line, near Rumsey, and he wishes to move immediately, which -is not likely to be inconvenient to anybody. - -The new nurseryman at Alton comes this morning to value the crops in the -garden. - -The only letter to-day is from Mrs. Cooke to me. They do not leave home -till July, and want me to come to them, according to my promise. And, -after considering everything, I have resolved on going. My companions -promote it. I will not go, however, till after Edward is gone, that he -may feel he has a somebody to give memorandums to, to the last. I must -give up all help from his carriage, of course. And, at any rate, it must -be such an excess of expense that I have quite made up my mind to it, -and do not mean to care. - -I have been thinking of Triggs and the chair, you may be sure, but I -know it will end in posting. They will meet me at Guildford. - -In addition to their standing claims on me they admire "Mansfield Park" -exceedingly. Mr. Cooke says "it is the most sensible novel he ever -read," and the manner in which I treat the clergy delights them very -much. Altogether, I must go, and I want you to join me there when your -visit in Henrietta St. is over. Put this into your capacious head. - -Take care of yourself, and do not be trampled to death in running after -the Emperor. The report in Alton yesterday was that they would certainly -travel this road either to or from Portsmouth. I long to know what this -bow of the Prince's will produce. - -I saw Mrs. Andrews yesterday. Mrs. Browning had seen her before. She is -very glad to send an Elizabeth. - -Miss Benn continues the same. Mr. Curtis, however, saw her yesterday, -and said her hand was going on as well as possible. Accept our best -love. - - Yours very affectionately, - J. AUSTEN. - - Miss AUSTEN, 10 Henrietta Street, - By favor of Mr. GRAY. - - - - -LVI. - - - THURSDAY (June 23). - -DEAREST CASSANDRA,--I received your pretty letter while the children -were drinking tea with us, as Mr. Louch was so obliging as to walk over -with it. Your good account of everybody made us very happy. - -I heard yesterday from Frank. When he began his letter he hoped to be -here on Monday, but before it was ended he had been told that the naval -review would not take place till Friday, which would probably occasion -him some delay, as he cannot get some necessary business of his own -attended to while Portsmouth is in such a bustle. I hope Fanny has seen -the Emperor, and then I may fairly wish them all away. I go to-morrow, -and hope for some delays and adventures. - -My mother's wood is brought in, but, by some mistake, no bavins. She -must therefore buy some. - -Henry at White's! Oh, what a Henry! I do not know what to wish as to -Miss B., so I will hold my tongue and my wishes. - -Sackree and the children set off yesterday, and have not been returned -back upon us. They were all very well the evening before. We had -handsome presents from the Gt. House yesterday,--a ham and the four -leeches. Sackree has left some shirts of her master's at the school, -which, finished or unfinished, she begs to have sent by Henry and Wm. -Mr. Hinton is expected home soon, which is a good thing for the shirts. - -We have called upon Miss Dusantoy and Miss Papillon, and been very -pretty. Miss D. has a great idea of being Fanny Price,--she and her -youngest sister together, who is named Fanny. - -Miss Benn has drank tea with the Prowtings, and, I believe, comes to us -this evening. She has still a swelling about the forefinger and a little -discharge, and does not seem to be on the point of a perfect cure, but -her spirits are good, and she will be most happy, I believe, to accept -any invitation. The Clements are gone to Petersfield to look. - -Only think of the Marquis of Granby being dead. I hope, if it please -Heaven there should be another son, they will have better sponsors and -less parade. - -I certainly do not wish that Henry should think again of getting me to -town. I would rather return straight from Bookham; but if he really does -propose it, I cannot say No to what will be so kindly intended. It could -be but for a few days, however, as my mother would be quite disappointed -by my exceeding the fortnight which I now talk of as the outside--at -least, we could not both remain longer away comfortably. - -The middle of July is Martha's time, as far as she has any time. She has -left it to Mrs. Craven to fix the day. I wish she could get her money -paid, for I fear her going at all depends upon that. - -Instead of Bath the Deans Dundases have taken a house at -Clifton--Richmond Terrace--and she is as glad of the change as even you -and I should be, or almost. She will now be able to go on from Berks and -visit them without any fears from heat. - -This post has brought me a letter from Miss Sharpe. Poor thing! she has -been suffering indeed, but is now in a comparative state of comfort. She -is at Sir W. P.'s, in Yorkshire, with the children, and there is no -appearance of her quitting them. Of course we lose the pleasure of -seeing her here. She writes highly of Sir Wm. I do so want him to marry -her. There is a Dow. Lady P. presiding there to make it all right. The -Man is the same; but she does not mention what he is by profession or -trade. She does not think Lady P. was privy to his scheme on her, but, -on being in his power, yielded. Oh, Sir Wm.! Sir Wm.! how I will love -you if you will love Miss Sharpe! - -Mrs. Driver, etc., are off by Collier, but so near being too late that -she had not time to call and leave the keys herself. I have them, -however. I suppose one is the key of the linen-press, but I do not know -what to guess the other. - -The coach was stopped at the blacksmith's, and they came running down -with Triggs and Browning, and trunks, and birdcages. Quite amusing. - -My mother desires her love, and hopes to hear from you. - - Yours very affectionately, - J. AUSTEN. - -Frank and Mary are to have Mary Goodchild to help as _Under_ till they -can get a cook. She is delighted to go. - -Best love at Streatham. - - Miss AUSTEN, Henrietta St. - By favor of Mr. GRAY. - - - - -LVII. - - - 23 HANS PLACE, Tuesday morning (August, 1814). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--I had a very good journey, not crowded, two of the -three taken up at Bentley being children, the others of a reasonable -size; and they were all very quiet and civil. We were late in London, -from being a great load, and from changing coaches at Farnham; it was -nearly four, I believe, when we reached Sloane Street. Henry himself met -me, and as soon as my trunk and basket could be routed out from all the -other trunks and baskets in the world, we were on our way to Hans Place -in the luxury of a nice, large, cool, dirty hackney coach. - -There were four in the kitchen part of Yalden, and I was told fifteen at -top, among them Percy Benn. We met in the same room at Egham, but poor -Percy was not in his usual spirits. He would be more chatty, I dare say, -in his way from Woolwich. We took up a young Gibson at Holybourn, and, -in short, everybody either did come up by Yalden yesterday, or wanted to -come up. It put me in mind of my own coach between Edinburgh and -Stirling. - -Henry is very well, and has given me an account of the Canterbury races, -which seem to have been as pleasant as one could wish. Everything went -well. Fanny had good partners, Mr. ---- was her second on Thursday, but -he did not dance with her any more. - -This will content you for the present. I must just add, however, that -there were no Lady Charlottes, they were gone off to Kirby, and that -Mary Oxenden, instead of dying, is going to marry Wm. Hammond. - -No James and Edward yet. Our evening yesterday was perfectly quiet; we -only talked a little to Mr. Tilson across the intermediate gardens; she -was gone out airing with Miss Burdett. It is a delightful place,--more -than answers my expectation. Having got rid of my unreasonable ideas, I -find more space and comfort in the rooms than I had supposed, and the -garden is quite a love. I am in the front attic, which is the bedchamber -to be preferred. - -Henry wants you to see it all, and asked whether you would return with -him from Hampshire; I encouraged him to think you would. He breakfasts -here early, and then rides to Henrietta St. If it continues fine, John -is to drive me there by and by, and we shall take an airing together; -and I do not mean to take any other exercise, for I feel a little tired -after my long jumble. I live in his room downstairs; it is particularly -pleasant from opening upon the garden. I go and refresh myself every now -and then, and then come back to solitary coolness. There is one -maidservant only, a very creditable, clean-looking young woman. Richard -remains for the present. - -_Wednesday morning._--My brother and Edwd. arrived last night. They -could not get places the day before. Their business is about teeth and -wigs, and they are going after breakfast to Scarman's and Tavistock St., -and they are to return to go with me afterwards in the barouche. I hope -to do some of my errands to-day. - -I got the willow yesterday, as Henry was not quite ready when I reached -Hena. St. I saw Mr. Hampson there for a moment. He dines here to-morrow, -and proposed bringing his son; so I must submit to seeing George -Hampson, though I had hoped to go through life without it. It was one of -my vanities, like your not reading "Patronage." - -After leaving H. St. we drove to Mrs. Latouche's; they are always at -home, and they are to dine here on Friday. We could do no more, as it -began to rain. - -We dine at half-past four to-day, that our visitors may go to the play, -and Henry and I are to spend the evening with the Tilsons, to meet Miss -Burnett, who leaves town to-morrow. Mrs. T. called on me yesterday. - -Is not this all that can have happened or been arranged? Not quite. -Henry wants me to see more of his Hanwell favorite, and has written to -invite her to spend a day or two here with me. His scheme is to fetch -her on Saturday. I am more and more convinced that he will marry again -soon, and like the idea of her better than of anybody else at hand. - -Now I have breakfasted and have the room to myself again. It is likely -to be a fine day. How do you all do? - -Henry talks of being at Chawton about the 1st of Sept. He has once -mentioned a scheme which I should rather like,--calling on the Birches -and the Crutchleys in our way. It may never come to anything, but I must -provide for the possibility by troubling you to send up my silk pelisse -by Collier on Saturday. I feel it would be necessary on such an -occasion; and be so good as to put up a clean dressing-gown which will -come from the wash on Friday. You need not direct it to be left -anywhere. It may take its chance. - -We are to call for Henry between three and four, and I must finish this -and carry it with me, as he is not always there in the morning before -the parcel is made up. And before I set off, I must return Mrs. Tilson's -visit. I hear nothing of the Hoblyns, and abstain from all inquiry. - -I hope Mary Jane and Frank's gardens go on well. Give my love to them -all--Nunna Hat's love to George. A great many people wanted to run up in -the Poach as well as me. The wheat looked very well all the way, and -James says the same of _his_ road. - -The same good account of Mrs. C.'s health continues, and her -circumstances mend. She gets farther and farther from poverty. What a -comfort! Good-by to you. - - Yours very truly and affectionately, - JANE. - -All well at Steventon. I hear nothing particular of Ben, except that -Edward is to get him some pencils. - - Miss AUSTEN, Chawton. - By favor of Mr. GRAY. - - - - -LVIII. - - -MY DEAR ANNA,[31]--I am very much obliged to you for sending your MS. It -has entertained me extremely; indeed all of us. I read it aloud to your -grandmamma and Aunt Cass, and we were all very much pleased. The spirit -does not droop at all. Sir Thos., Lady Helen, and St. Julian are very -well done, and Cecilia continues to be interesting in spite of her being -so amiable. It was very fit you should advance her age. I like the -beginning of Devereux Forester very much, a great deal better than if he -had been very good or very bad. A few verbal corrections are all that I -felt tempted to make; the principal of them is a speech of St. Julian to -Lady Helen, which you see I have presumed to alter. As Lady H. is -Cecilia's superior, it would not be correct to talk of her being -introduced. It is Cecilia who must be introduced. And I do not like a -lover speaking in the 3rd person; it is too much like the part of Lord -Overtley, and I think it not natural. If you think differently, however, -you need not mind me. I am impatient for more, and only wait for a safe -conveyance to return this. - - Yours affectionately, - J. A. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[31] Miss Anna Austen, at this time engaged to Mr. Lefroy, was writing a -novel which she sent to her aunt for criticism. - - - - -LIX. - - - AUGUST 10, 1814. - -MY DEAR ANNA,--I am quite ashamed to find that I have never answered -some question of yours in a former note. I kept it on purpose to refer -to it at a proper time, and then forgot it. I like the name "Which is -the Heroine" very well, and I dare say shall grow to like it very much -in time; but "Enthusiasm" was something so very superior that my common -title must appear to disadvantage. I am not sensible of any blunders -about Dawlish; the library was pitiful and wretched twelve years ago, -and not likely to have anybody's publications. There is no such title as -Desborough, either among dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, or barons. -These were your inquiries. I will now thank you for your envelope -received this morning. Your Aunt Cass is as well pleased with St. Julian -as ever, and I am delighted with the idea of seeing Progillian again. - -_Wednesday_, 17.--We have now just finished the first of the three books -I had the pleasure of receiving yesterday. I read it aloud, and we are -all very much amused, and like the work quite as well as ever. I depend -on getting through another book before dinner, but there is really a -good deal of respectable reading in your forty-eight pages. I have no -doubt six would make a very good-sized volume. You must have been quite -pleased to have accomplished so much. I like Lord Portman and his -brother very much. I am only afraid that Lord P.'s good nature will make -most people like him better than he deserves. The whole family are very -good; and Lady Anne, who was your great dread, you have succeeded -particularly well with. Bell Griffin is just what she should be. My -corrections have not been more important than before; here and there we -have thought the sense could be expressed in fewer words, and I have -scratched out Sir Thos. from walking with the others to the stables, -etc. the very day after breaking his arm; for though I find your papa -did walk out immediately after his arm was set, I think it can be so -little usual as to appear unnatural in a book. Lynn will not do. Lynn is -towards forty miles from Dawlish and would not be talked of there. I -have put Starcross instead. If you prefer Easton, that must be always -safe. - -I have also scratched out the introduction between Lord Portman and his -brother and Mr. Griffin. A country surgeon (don't tell Mr. C. Lyford) -would not be introduced to men of their rank; and when Mr. P. is first -brought in, he would not be introduced as the Honorable. That -distinction is never mentioned at such times; at least, I believe not. -Now we have finished the second book, or rather the fifth. I do think -you had better omit Lady Helena's postscript. To those that are -acquainted with "Pride and Prejudice" it will seem an imitation. And -your Aunt C. and I both recommend your making a little alteration in the -last scene between Devereux F. and Lady Clanmurray and her daughter. We -think they press him too much, more than sensible or well-bred women -would do; Lady C., at least, should have discretion enough to be sooner -satisfied with his determination of not going with them. I am very much -pleased with Egerton as yet. I did not expect to like him, but I do, and -Susan is a very nice little animated creature; but St. Julian is the -delight of our lives. He is quite interesting. The whole of his -break-off with Lady Helena is very well done. Yes; Russell Square is a -very proper distance from Berkeley Square. We are reading the last book. -They must be two days going from Dawlish to Bath. They are nearly one -hundred miles apart. - -_Thursday._--We finished it last night after our return from drinking -tea at the Great House. The last chapter does not please us quite so -well; we do not thoroughly like the play, perhaps from having had too -much of plays in that way lately (_vide_ "Mansfield Park"), and we think -you had better not leave England. Let the Portmans go to Ireland; but as -you know nothing of the manners there, you had better not go with them. -You will be in danger of giving false representations. Stick to Bath and -the Foresters. There you will be quite at home. - -Your Aunt C. does not like desultory novels, and is rather afraid yours -will be too much so, that there will be too frequently a change from one -set of people to another, and that circumstances will be introduced of -apparent consequence which will lead to nothing. It will not be so great -an objection to me if it does. I allow much more latitude than she does, -and think Nature and spirit cover many sins of a wandering story, and -people in general do not care so much about it for your comfort. - -I should like to have had more of Devereux. I do not feel enough -acquainted with him. You were afraid of meddling with him, I dare say. I -like your sketch of Lord Clanmurray, and your picture of the two young -girls' enjoyment is very good. I have not noticed St. Julian's serious -conversation with Cecilia, but I like it exceedingly. What he says about -the madness of otherwise sensible women on the subject of their -daughters coming out is worth its weight in gold. - -I do not perceive that the language sinks. Pray go on. - - - - -LX. - - - CHAWTON, Sept. 9. - -MY DEAR ANNA,--We have been very much amused by your three books, but I -have a good many criticisms to make, more than you will like. We are not -satisfied with Mrs. Forester settling herself as tenant and near -neighbor to such a man as Sir Thomas, without having some other -inducement to go there. She ought to have some friend living thereabouts -to tempt her. A woman going with two girls just growing up into a -neighborhood where she knows nobody but one man of not very good -character, is an awkwardness which so prudent a woman as Mrs. F. would -not be likely to fall into. Remember she is very prudent. You must not -let her act inconsistently. Give her a friend, and let that friend be -invited by Sir Thomas H. to meet her, and we shall have no objection to -her dining at the Priory as she does; but otherwise a woman in her -situation would hardly go there before she had been visited by other -families. I like the scene itself, the Miss Leslie, Lady Anne, and the -music very much. Leslie is a noble name. Sir Thomas H. you always do -very well. I have only taken the liberty of expunging one phrase of his -which would not be allowable,--"Bless my heart!" It is too familiar and -inelegant. Your grandmother is more disturbed at Mrs. Forester's not -returning the Egertons' visit sooner than by anything else. They ought -to have called at the Parsonage before Sunday. You describe a sweet -place, but your descriptions are often more minute than will be liked. -You give too many particulars of right hand and left. Mrs. Forester is -not careful enough of Susan's health. Susan ought not to be walking out -so soon after heavy rains, taking long walks in the dirt. An anxious -mother would not suffer it. I like your Susan very much; she is a sweet -creature, her playfulness of fancy is very delightful. I like her as she -is now exceedingly, but I am not quite so well satisfied with her -behavior to George R. At first she seems all over attachment and -feeling, and afterwards to have none at all; she is so extremely -confused at the ball, and so well satisfied apparently with Mr. Morgan. -She seems to have changed her character. - -You are now collecting your people delightfully, getting them exactly -into such a spot as is the delight of my life. Three or four families in -a country village is the very thing to work on, and I hope you will do a -great deal more, and make full use of them while they are so very -favorably arranged. - -You are but now coming to the heart and beauty of your story. Until the -heroine grows up the fun must be imperfect, but I expect a great deal of -entertainment from the next three or four books, and I hope you will not -resent these remarks by sending me no more. We like the Egertons very -well. We see no blue pantaloons or cocks or hens. There is nothing to -enchant one certainly in Mr. L. L., but we make no objection to him, and -his inclination to like Susan is pleasing. The sister is a good -contrast, but the name of Rachel is as much as I can bear. They are not -so much like the Papillons as I expected. Your last chapter is very -entertaining, the conversation on genius, etc.; Mr. St. Julian and Susan -both talk in character, and very well. In some former parts Cecilia is -perhaps a little too solemn and good, but upon the whole her disposition -is very well opposed to Susan's, her want of imagination is very -natural. I wish you could make Mrs. Forester talk more; but she must be -difficult to manage and make entertaining, because there is so much good -sense and propriety about her that nothing can be made very broad. Her -economy and her ambition must not be staring. The papers left by Mrs. -Fisher are very good. Of course one guesses something. I hope when you -have written a great deal more, you will be equal to scratching out some -of the past. The scene with Mrs. Mellish I should condemn; it is prosy -and nothing to the purpose, and indeed the more you can find in your -heart to curtail between Dawlish and Newton Priors, the better I think -it will be,--one does not care for girls until they are grown up. Your -Aunt C. quite understands the exquisiteness of that name,--Newton Priors -is really a nonpareil. Milton would have given his eyes to have thought -of it. Is not the cottage taken from Tollard Royal? - -[Thus far the letter was written on the 9th, but before it was finished -news arrived at Chawton of the death of Mrs. Charles Austen. She died in -her confinement, and the baby died also. She left three little -girls,--Cassie, Harriet, and Fanny. It was not until the 18th that Jane -resumed her letter as follows:[32]] - -_Sunday._--I am very glad, dear Anna, that I wrote as I did before this -sad event occurred. I have only to add that your grandmamma does not -seem the worse now for the shock. - -I shall be very happy to receive more of your work if more is ready; and -you write so fast that I have great hopes Mr. Digweed will come back -freighted with such a cargo as not all his hops or his sheep could equal -the value of. - -Your grandmamma desires me to say that she will have finished your shoes -to-morrow, and thinks they will look very well. And that she depends -upon seeing you, as you promise, before you quit the country, and hopes -you will give her more than a day. - - Yours affectionately. J. AUSTEN. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[32] Note by Lord Brabourne. - - - - -LXI. - - - CHAWTON, Wednesday (Sept. 28). - -MY DEAR ANNA,--I hope you do not depend on having your book again -immediately. I kept it that your grandmamma may hear it, for it has not -been possible yet to have any public reading. I have read it to your -Aunt Cassandra, however, in our own room at night, while we undressed, -and with a great deal of pleasure. We like the first chapter extremely, -with only a little doubt whether Lady Helena is not almost too foolish. -The matrimonial dialogue is very good certainly. I like Susan as well as -ever, and begin now not to care at all about Cecilia; she may stay at -Easton Court as long as she likes. Henry Mellish will be, I am afraid, -too much in the common novel style,--a handsome, amiable, -unexceptionable young man (such as do not much abound in real life), -desperately in love and all in vain. But I have no business to judge him -so early Jane Egerton is a very natural, comprehensible girl, and the -whole of her acquaintance with Susan and Susan's letter to Cecilia are -very pleasing and quite in character. But Miss Egerton does not entirely -satisfy us. She is too formal and solemn, we think, in her advice to her -brother not to fall in love; and it is hardly like a sensible woman,--it -is putting it into his head. We should like a few hints from her better. -We feel really obliged to you for introducing a Lady Kenrick; it will -remove the greatest fault in the work, and I give you credit for -considerable forbearance as an author in adopting so much of our -opinion. I expect high fun about Mrs. Fisher and Sir Thomas. You have -been perfectly right in telling Ben. Lefroy of your work, and I am very -glad to hear how much he likes it. His encouragement and approbation -must be "quite beyond everything."[33] I do not at all wonder at his not -expecting to like anybody so well as Cecilia at first, but I shall be -surprised if he does not become a Susanite in time. Devereux Forester's -being ruined by his vanity is extremely good, but I wish you would not -let him plunge into a "vortex of dissipation." I do not object to the -thing, but I cannot bear the expression; it is such thorough novel -slang, and so old that I dare say Adam met with it in the first novel -he opened. Indeed, I did very much like to know Ben's opinion. I hope he -will continue to be pleased with it, and I think he must, but I cannot -flatter him with there being much incident. We have no great right to -wonder at his not valuing the name of Progillian. That is a source of -delight which even he can hardly be quite competent to. - -Walter Scott has no business to write novels, especially good ones. It -is not fair. He has fame and profit enough as a poet, and should not be -taking the bread out of the mouths of other people. - -I do not like him, and do not mean to like "Waverley" if I can help it, -but fear I must. - -I am quite determined, however, not to be pleased with Mrs. West's -"Alicia De Lacy," should I ever meet with it, which I hope I shall not. -I think I can be stout against anything written by Mrs. West. I have -made up my mind to like no novels really but Miss Edgeworth's, yours, -and my own. - -What can you do with Egerton to increase the interest for him? I wish -you could contrive something, some family occurrence to bring out his -good qualities more. Some distress among brothers and sisters to relieve -by the sale of his curacy! Something to carry him mysteriously away, and -then be heard of at York or Edinburgh in an old greatcoat. I would not -seriously recommend anything improbable, but if you could invent -something spirited for him, it would have a good effect. He might lend -all his money to Captain Morris, but then he would be a great fool if he -did. Cannot the Morrises quarrel and he reconcile them? Excuse the -liberty I take in these suggestions. - -Your Aunt Frank's nursemaid has just given her warning, but whether she -is worth your having, or would take your place, I know not. She was Mrs. -Webb's maid before she went to the Great House. She leaves your aunt -because she cannot agree with the other servants. She is in love with -the man, and her head seems rather turned. He returns her affection, but -she fancies every one else is wanting him and envying her. Her previous -service must have fitted her for such a place as yours, and she is very -active and cleanly. The Webbs are really gone! When I saw the wagons at -the door, and thought of all the trouble they must have in moving, I -began to reproach myself for not having liked them better; but since the -wagons have disappeared my conscience has been closed again, and I am -excessively glad they are gone. - -I am very fond of Sherlock's sermons, and prefer them to almost any. - - Your affectionate aunt, J. AUSTEN. - -If you wish me to speak to the maid, let me know. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[33] A phrase always in the mouth of one of the Chawton neighbors, Mrs. -H. Digweed. - - - - -LXII. - - _To Miss Frances Austen._ - - - CHAWTON, Friday (Nov. 18, 1814). - -I FEEL quite as doubtful as you could be, my dearest Fanny, as to when -my letter may be finished, for I can command very little quiet time at -present; but yet I must begin, for I know you will be glad to hear as -soon as possible, and I really am impatient myself to be writing -something on so very interesting a subject, though I have no hope of -writing anything to the purpose. I shall do very little more, I dare -say, than say over again what you have said before. - -I was certainly a good deal surprised at first, as I had no suspicion of -any change in your feelings, and I have no scruple in saying that you -cannot be in love. My dear Fanny, I am ready to laugh at the idea, and -yet it is no laughing matter to have had you so mistaken as to your own -feelings. And with all my heart I wish I had cautioned you on that point -when first you spoke to me; but though I did not think you then much in -love, I did consider you as being attached in a degree quite -sufficiently for happiness, as I had no doubt it would increase with -opportunity, and from the time of our being in London together I thought -you really very much in love. But you certainly are not at all--there is -no concealing it. - -What strange creatures we are! It seems as if your being secure of him -had made you indifferent. There was a little disgust, I suspect, at the -races, and I do not wonder at it. His expressions then would not do for -one who had rather more acuteness, penetration, and taste, than love, -which was your case. And yet, after all, I am surprised that the change -in your feelings should be so great. He is just what he ever was, only -more evidently and uniformly devoted to you. This is all the difference. -How shall we account for it? - -My dearest Fanny, I am writing what will not be of the smallest use to -you. I am feeling differently every moment, and shall not be able to -suggest a single thing that can assist your mind. I could lament in one -sentence and laugh in the next, but as to opinion or counsel I am sure -that none will be extracted worth having from this letter. - -I read yours through the very evening I received it, getting away by -myself. I could not bear to leave off when I had once begun. I was full -of curiosity and concern. Luckily your At. C. dined at the other house; -therefore I had not to manoeuvre away from her, and as to anybody else, -I do not care. - -Poor dear Mr. A.! Oh, dear Fanny! your mistake has been one that -thousands of women fall into. He was the first young man who attached -himself to you. That was the charm, and most powerful it is. Among the -multitudes, however, that make the same mistake with yourself, there can -be few indeed who have so little reason to regret it; his character and -his attachment leave you nothing to be ashamed of. - -Upon the whole, what is to be done? You have no inclination for any -other person. His situation in life, family, friends, and, above all, -his character, his uncommonly amiable mind, strict principles, just -notions, good habits, all that you know so well how to value, all that -is really of the first importance,--everything of this nature pleads his -cause most strongly. You have no doubt of his having superior abilities, -he has proved it at the University; he is, I dare say, such a scholar as -your agreeable, idle brothers would ill bear a comparison with. - -Oh, my dear Fanny! the more I write about him the warmer my feelings -become,--the more strongly I feel the sterling worth of such a young -man, and the desirableness of your growing in love with him again. I -recommend this most thoroughly. There are such beings in the world, -perhaps one in a thousand, as the creature you and I should think -perfection, where grace and spirit are united to worth, where the -manners are equal to the heart and understanding; but such a person may -not come in your way, or, if he does, he may not be the eldest son of a -man of fortune, the near relation of your particular friend, and -belonging to your own county. - -Think of all this, Fanny. Mr. A. has advantages which we do not often -meet in one person. His only fault, indeed, seems modesty. If he were -less modest, he would be more agreeable, speak louder, and look -impudenter; and is not it a fine character of which modesty is the only -defect? I have no doubt he will get more lively and more like yourselves -as he is more with you; he will catch your ways if he belongs to you. -And as to there being any objection from his goodness, from the danger -of his becoming even evangelical, I cannot admit that. I am by no means -convinced that we ought not all to be evangelicals, and am at least -persuaded that they who are so from reason and feeling must be happiest -and safest. Do not be frightened from the connection by your brothers -having most wit,--wisdom is better than wit, and in the long run will -certainly have the laugh on her side; and don't be frightened by the -idea of his acting more strictly up to the precepts of the New Testament -than others. - -And now, my dear Fanny, having written so much on one side of the -question, I shall turn round and entreat you not to commit yourself -farther, and not to think of accepting him unless you really do like -him. Anything is to be preferred or endured rather than marrying -without affection; and if his deficiencies of manner, etc., etc., -strike you more than all his good qualities, if you continue to think -strongly of them, give him up at once. Things are now in such a state -that you must resolve upon one or the other,--either to allow him to go -on as he has done, or whenever you are together behave with a coldness -which may convince him that he has been deceiving himself. I have no -doubt of his suffering a good deal for a time,--a great deal when he -feels that he must give you up; but it is no creed of mine, as you must -be well aware, that such sort of disappointments kill anybody. - -Your sending the music was an admirable device, it made everything easy, -and I do not know how I could have accounted for the parcel otherwise; -for though your dear papa most conscientiously hunted about till he -found me alone in the dining-parlor, your Aunt C. had seen that he had a -parcel to deliver. As it was, however, I do not think anything was -suspected. - -We have heard nothing fresh from Anna. I trust she is very comfortable -in her new home. Her letters have been very sensible and satisfactory, -with no parade of happiness, which I liked them the better for. I have -often known young married women write in a way I did not like in that -respect. - -You will be glad to hear that the first edition of M. P.[34] is all -sold. Your Uncle Henry is rather wanting me to come to town to settle -about a second edition; but as I could not very conveniently leave home -now, I have written him my will and pleasure and unless he still urges -it, shall not go. I am very greedy and want to make the most of it; but -as you are much above caring about money, I shall not plague you with -any particulars. The pleasures of vanity are more within your -comprehension, and you will enter into mine at receiving 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 Cass. and I dine at the Great House to-day. -We shall be a snug half-dozen. Miss Lloyd came, as we expected, -yesterday, and desires her love. She is very happy to hear of your -learning the harp. I do not mean to send you what I owe Miss Hare, -because I think you would rather not be paid beforehand. - - Yours very affectionately, - JANE AUSTEN. - - Miss KNIGHT, - Goodnestone Farm, Wingham, Kent. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[34] "Mansfield Park." - - - - -LXIII. - - - CHAWTON, Nov. 21, 1814. - -MY DEAR ANNA,--I met Harriet Benn yesterday. She gave me her -congratulations, and desired they might be forwarded to you, and there -they are. The chief news from this country is the death of old Mrs. -Dormer. Mrs. Clement walks about in a new black velvet pelisse lined -with yellow, and a white bobbin net veil, and looks remarkably well in -them. - -I 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. - - - - -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 and 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 -something more than can be. I took two pocket-handkerchiefs, 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; mine I can honestly give, and remain - - Your affectionate aunt, - J. AUSTEN. - - - - -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 was 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 Newton 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 and 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 objection 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 aunt or another. -I dare say Ben was in love with me once, and would never have thought of -you if he had not supposed me dead of scarlet fever. Yes, I was in a -mistake as to the number of books. I thought I had read three before the -three at Chawton, but fewer than six will not do. I want to see dear -Bell Griffin again; and had you not better give some hint of St. -Julian's early history in the 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 be with her. Mrs. -Heathcote and Miss Bigg[35] 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. - - Your affectionate aunt, J. 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 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 instrument; 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 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 answering -your question, I have no scruple. I am perfectly convinced that your -present feelings, supposing that you were to marry now, would be -sufficient 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 probably 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 of attaching you -more, he will be in your eyes the most perfect. - -I shall be glad if you can revive past feelings, and from your unbiassed -self resolve to go on as you have done, but this I do not expect; and -without 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 continuance 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 independent; you like him well -enough to marry, but not well enough to wait; the unpleasantness of -appearing 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 -invite him too; saying, "I know he is in town, for I met him the other -day in Bond St." Edward answered that he did not know where he was to be -found. "Don't you know his chambers?" "No." - -I shall be most glad to hear from you again, my dearest Fanny, but it -must not be later than Saturday, as we shall be off on Monday long -before the letters are delivered; and write something that may do to be -read or told. I am to take the Miss Moores back on Saturday, and when I -return I shall hope to find your pleasant little flowing 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, probably Miss Eliza, and I rather -dread it. We shall not have two ideas in common. She is young, pretty, -chattering, and thinking chiefly, I presume, 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 comical things and I will laugh at them, which will be -a pleasure to both. - -I called in Keppel Street and saw them all, including dear Uncle -Charles, who is to come and 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 -incessantly, with an interesting degree of lisp and indistinctness, and -very likely may be the handsomest in time. Cassy did not show more -pleasure in seeing me than her sisters, but I expected no better. She -does not shine in the tender feelings. She will never be a Miss O'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 Egerton to-day, when it will probably be -determined. People are more ready to borrow and praise than to buy, -which I cannot wonder at; but though I like praise as well as anybody, I -like what Edward calls "Pewter" too. I hope he continues careful of 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 meaning to the word _evangelical_. - - Yours most affectionately, - J. AUSTEN. - - Miss KNIGHT, - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[35] Sisters to Mrs. Hall. - - - - -LXVII. - - - CHAWTON, Friday (Sept. 29). - -MY DEAR ANNA,--We told Mr. B. Lefroy that if the weather did not prevent -us we should certainly come and see you to-morrow and bring Cassy, -trusting to your 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 Monday, 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. - - -_Note by Lord Brabourne._ - -But before the week or two to which she 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 father to town. -The letter was two days on the road, and reached him on Sunday the 24th. -Even then he did not start immediately. In the evening he and his wife -rode to Chawton, and it was not until the next day that he and Cassandra -arrived in Hans Place. The malady from which Henry Austen was suffering -was low fever, and he was for some days at death's door: but 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 underwent 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 severely also. Jane was well enough to -pay several visits with her sister in the summer of 1816, including one -to Steventon,--the last she ever paid to that home of her childhood. The -last note which Mrs. Lefroy had preserved is dated,-- - - - - -LXVIII. - - - JUNE 23, 1816. - -MY DEAR ANNA,--Cassy desires her best thanks for the book. She was quite -delighted to see it. I do not know when I have seen her so much struck -by anybody's kindness as on this occasion. Her sensibility seems to be -opening to the perception of great actions. These gloves having appeared -on the pianoforte ever since you were here on Friday, we imagine they -must be yours. Mrs. Digweed returned yesterday through all the -afternoon'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 to-morrow 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. - - Yours affectionately, J. A. - - CHAWTON, Sunday, June 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. - -I wrote to Mr. Murray yesterday myself, and Henry wrote at the same time -to Roworth. Before the notes were out of the house, I received three -sheets 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 for 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 tolerable comfort. - -We had a visit yesterday from Edwd. Knight, and Mr. Mascall joined him -here; and this morning has brought Mr. Mascall's compliments and two -pheasants. We have some hope of Edward's coming to dinner to-day; he -will, if he can, I believe. He is looking extremely well. - -To-morrow Mr. Haden is to dine with us. There is happiness! We really -grow so fond of Mr. Haden that I do not know what to expect. He and Mr. -Tilson and Mr. 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 "the doctor was waiting for him at Captn. -Blake's;" and then he was off with a speed that you can imagine. He -never does appear in the least above his profession or out of humor -with it, or I should think poor Captn. Blake, whoever he is, in a very -bad way. - -I must have misunderstood Henry when I told you that you were to hear -from him to-day. He read me what he wrote to Edward: part of it must -have amused him, I am sure one part, alas! cannot be very amusing to -anybody. I wonder that with such business to worry him he can be getting -better; but he certainly does gain strength, and if you and Edwd. were -to see him now, I feel sure that you would think him improved since -Monday. - -He was out yesterday; it was a fine sunshiny day here (in the country -perhaps you might have clouds and fogs. Dare I say so? I shall not -deceive you, if I do, as to my estimation of the climate of London), and -he ventured first on the balcony and then as far as the greenhouse. He -caught no cold, and therefore has done more to-day, with great delight -and self-persuasion of improvement. - -He has been to see Mrs. Tilson and the Malings. By the by, you may talk -to Mr. T. of his wife's being better; I saw her yesterday, and was -sensible of her having gained ground in the last two days. - -_Evening._--We have had no Edward. Our circle is formed,--only Mr. -Tilson and Mr. Haden. We are not so happy as we were. A message came -this afternoon from Mrs. Latouche and Miss East, offering themselves to -drink tea with us to-morrow, and, as it was accepted, here is an end of -our extreme felicity in our dinner guest. I am heartily sorry they are -coming; it will be an evening spoilt to Fanny and me. - -Another little disappointment: Mr. H. advises Henry's not venturing with -us in the carriage to-morrow; if it were spring, he says, it would be a -different thing. One would rather this had not been. He seems to think -his going out to-day rather imprudent, though acknowledging at the same -time that he is better than he was in the 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 keep us from Keppel Street. - -This day has brought a most friendly letter from Mr. Fowle, with a brace -of pheasants. I did not know before that Henry had written to 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 sheet came in this moment; 1st and 3rd vols. are now at 144; -2nd at 48. I am sure you will like particulars. We are not to have the -trouble of returning the sheets to Mr. Murray any longer; the printer's -boys bring and carry. - -I hope Mary continues to get well fast, and I send my love to little -Herbert. You will tell me more of Martha's plans, of course, when you -write again. Remember me most kindly to everybody, and Miss Benn -besides. - - Yours very affectionately, - J. AUSTEN. - -I have been listening to dreadful insanity. It is Mr. Haden's firm -belief that a person not musical is fit for every sort of wickedness. I -ventured to assert a little on the other side, but wished the cause in -abler hands. - - Miss AUSTEN, 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 2_s._ 10_d._, but as there is a certain saving of -2_s._ 4½_d._ 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 -extremely 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 _arra_-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 shillings 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 almost 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 affected at the sight of the children. 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 being promised her several times. I hope -we shall see Aunt H. and the dear little girls here on Thursday. - -So much for the morning. Then came the dinner and Mr. Haden, 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 had two chairs), talking -together uninterruptedly. Fancy the scene! And what is to be fancied -next? Why, that Mr. H. dines here again to-morrow. To-day we are to have -Mr. Barlow. Mr. H. is reading "Mansfield Park" for the first time, and -prefers it to P. and P. - -A hare and four rabbits from Gm. yesterday, so that we are stocked for -nearly a week. Poor Farmer Andrews! I am very sorry for him, and -sincerely wish his recovery. - -A better account of the sugar than I could have expected. I should like -to help you break some more. I am glad you cannot wake early; I am sure -you must have been under great arrears of rest. - -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 in terror for to-day, a -fine bright Sunday; 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 not been worse, and send her -our love and good wishes by every convenient opportunity. Sweet, amiable -Frank! why does he have a cold too? Like Captain Mirvan to Mr. Duval,[36] -"I wish it well over with him." - -Fanny has heard all that I have said to you about herself and Mr. H. -Thank you very much for the sight of dearest Charles's letter to -yourself. How pleasantly and how naturally he writes! and how perfect a -picture of his disposition and feelings his style conveys! Poor dear -fellow! Not a present! - -I have a great mind to send him all the twelve copies which were to have -been dispersed among my near connections, beginning with the P. R.[2] -and ending with Countess Morley. Adieu. - - Yours affectionately, - J. AUSTEN. - -Give my love to Cassy and Mary Jane. Caroline will be gone when this -reaches you. - - Miss AUSTEN. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[36] Characters in Miss Burney's "Evelina." - -[37] Prince Regent. - - - - -LXXI. - - - HANS PLACE, Saturday (Dec. 2). - -MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--Henry came back yesterday, and might have returned -the day before if he had known as much in time. I had the pleasure of -hearing from Mr. T. on Wednesday night that Mr. Seymour thought there -was not the least occasion for his absenting himself any longer. - -I had also the comfort of a few lines on Wednesday morning from Henry -himself, just after your letter was gone, giving so good an account of -his feelings as made me perfectly 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 inconvenience of -the situation, perhaps,--but so it is; we have not a medical man within -reach. He is a Haden, nothing but a Haden, a sort of wonderful -nondescript creature on two legs, something between a man and an angel, -but without the least spice of an apothecary. He is, perhaps, the only -person not an apothecary hereabouts. He has never sung to us. He will -not sing without a pianoforte accompaniment. - -Mr. Meyers gives his three lessons a week, altering his days and his -hours, however, just as he chooses, never very punctual, and never -giving good measure. I have not Fanny's fondness for masters, and Mr. -Meyers does not give me any longing after them. The truth is, I think, -that they are all, at least music-masters, made of too much consequence, -and allowed to take too many liberties with their scholars' time. - -We shall be delighted to see Edward on Monday, 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, perpendicularly, diagonally; -and 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 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. Happily 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[38] 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 2_d._ 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 chintz; I am sure it must -look particularly well, and it is what I had thought of. - - Miss AUSTEN, - Chawton, Alton, Hants. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[38] Probably a playful allusion to Mr. Haden. - - - - -LXXII. - - - CHAWTON (Feb. 20, 1816). - -MY DEAREST FANNY,--You are inimitable, irresistible. You are the delight -of my life. Such letters, such entertaining letters, as you have lately -sent! such a description of your queer little heart! such a lovely -display of what imagination does! You are worth your weight in gold, or -even in the new silver coinage. I cannot express to you what I have felt -in reading your history of yourself,--how full of pity and concern, and -admiration and amusement I have been! You are the paragon of all that is -silly and sensible, commonplace and eccentric, sad and lively, provoking -and interesting. Who can keep pace with the fluctuations of your fancy, -the capprizios of your taste, the contradictions of your feelings? You -are so odd, and all the time so perfectly natural!--so peculiar in -yourself, and yet so like everybody else! - -It is very, very gratifying to me to know you so intimately. You can -hardly think what a pleasure it is to me to have such thorough pictures -of 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. - -Mr. B---- frightens me. He will have you. I see you at the altar. I have -some faith in Mrs. C. Cage's observation, and still more in Lizzy's; and -besides, I know it must be so. He must be wishing to attach you. It -would be too stupid and too shameful in him to be otherwise; and all the -family are seeking your acquaintance. - -Do not imagine that I have any real objection; I have rather taken a -fancy to him than not, and I like the house for you. I only do not like -you should marry anybody. And yet I do wish you to marry very much, -because I know you will never be happy till you are; but the loss of a -Fanny Knight will be never made up to me. My "affec. niece F. 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 eyes and sweet temper. -I am almost entirely cured of my rheumatism,--just a little pain in my -knee now and then, to make me remember what it was, and keep on flannel. -Aunt Cassandra nursed me so beautifully. - -I enjoy your visit to Goodnestone, it must be a great pleasure to you; -you have not seen Fanny Cage in comfort so long. I hope she represents -and remonstrates and reasons with you properly. Why should you be living -in dread of his marrying somebody else? (Yet how natural!) You did not -choose to have him yourself, why not allow him to take comfort where he -can? In your conscience you know that he could not bear a companion with -a more animated character. You cannot forget how you felt under the idea -of its having been possible that he might have dined in Hans Place. - -My dearest Fanny, I cannot bear you should be unhappy about him. Think -of his principles; think of his father's objection, of want of money, -etc., etc. But I am doing no good; no, all that I urge against him will -rather make you take his part more,--sweet, perverse Fanny. - -And now I will tell you that we like your Henry to the utmost, to the -very top of the glass, quite brimful. He is a very pleasing young man. I -do not see how he could be mended. He does really bid fair to be -everything his father and sister could wish; and William 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 ourselves. - -Mrs. Deedes is as welcome as May to all our benevolence to her son; we -only lamented that we could not do more, and that the 50_l._ 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 yesterday 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 thought in her life, -which yet one has some reason to suppose she must have had, if we -believe the doctrine of original sin. I hope Lizzy will have her play -very kindly arranged for her. Henry is generally thought very -good-looking, but not so handsome as Edward. I think I prefer his face. -Wm. is in excellent looks, has a fine appetite, and seems perfectly -well. You will have a great break up at Godmersham in the spring. You -must feel their all going. It is very right, however! Poor Miss C.! I -shall pity her when she begins to understand herself. - -Your objection to the quadrilles delighted me exceedingly. Pretty well, -for a lady irrecoverably attached to one person! Sweet Fanny, believe no -such thing of yourself, spread no such malicious slander upon your -understanding within the precincts of your imagination. Do not speak ill -of your sense merely for the gratification of your fancy; yours is sense -which deserves more honorable treatment. You are not in love with him; -you never have been really in love with him. - - Yours very affectionately, - J. AUSTEN. - - Miss KNIGHT, - Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. - - - - -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 -match 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 is Molly, if a material loss of income is to attend -her other loss. Single women have a dreadful propensity for being poor, -which is one very strong argument in 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 Gripps, 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 Harriot, 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 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 "Catherine." This is for yourself alone. Neither Mr. Salusbury -nor Mr. Wildman is to know of it. - -I am got tolerably well again, quite equal to walking about and enjoying -the air, and by sitting down and resting a good while between my walks I -get exercise enough. I 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 best of friends. I love him -very much. Everything is so natural about him,--his affections, his -manners, and his drollery. He entertains and interests us extremely. - -Mat. Hammond and A. M. Shaw are 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 feelings for her; he cannot spare Cassy 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 astonishment -at your being able to press him on the subject so perseveringly; and I -agree with your 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 -impudent. 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 heroines. Pictures of -perfection, as you know, make me sick and wicked; but there is some very -good sense in what he says, and I particularly respect him for wishing -to think well of all young ladies; it shows an amiable and a delicate -mind. And he deserves better treatment than to be obliged to read any -more of my works. - -Do not be surprised at finding Uncle Henry acquainted with my having -another ready for publication. 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 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 will exactly do for me, as my saddle will then be -completed, and air and exercise is what I want. Indeed, I shall be very -glad when the event at Scarlets is over, the 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 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 condescending 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, -walking 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 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 Steventon, 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 France, and that you have heard from him; -the passage once over, he will feel all happiness. I took my first ride -yesterday, and liked it very much. I went up Mounter's Lane and round by -where the new cottages are to be, and found the exercise and everything -very pleasant; and I had the advantage of agreeable companions, as At. -Cass. and Edward walked by my side. At. Cass. is such an excellent -nurse, so assiduous and unwearied! But you know all that already. - - Very affectionately yours, - J. AUSTEN. - - Miss KNIGHT, - Godmersham Park, Canterbury. - - - - -LXXV. - - - CHAWTON, Sunday (Sept. 8, 1816). - -MY DEAREST CASSANDRA,--I have borne the arrival of your letter to-day -extremely well; anybody might have thought it was giving me pleasure. I -am very glad you find so much to be satisfied with at Cheltenham. While -the waters agree, everything else is trifling. - -A letter arrived for you from Charles last Thursday. They are all safe -and pretty well in Keppel St., the children decidedly better for -Broadstairs; and he writes principally to ask when it will be convenient -to us to receive Miss P., the little girls, and himself. They would be -ready to set off in ten days from the time of his writing, 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 grudge -every half-day wasted on the road. If there were but a coach from -Hungerford to Chawton! I have desired him to let me hear again soon. - -He does not include a maid in the list to be accommodated; but if they -bring one, as I suppose they will, we shall have no bed in the house -even then for Charles himself,--let alone Henry. But what can we do? - -We shall have the Gt. House quite at our command; it is to be cleared of -the Papillons' servants in a day or two. They themselves have been -hurried off into Essex to take possession,--not of a large estate left -them by an uncle, but to scrape together all they can, I suppose, of the -effects of a Mrs. Rawstorn, a rich old friend and cousin suddenly -deceased, to whom they are joint executors. So there is a happy end of -the Kentish Papillons coming here. - -No morning service to-day, wherefore I am writing between twelve and one -o'clock. 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 devoted 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 the day before. We had a -beautiful walk home by moonlight. - -Thank you, my back has given me scarcely any pain for many days. I have -an idea that agitation does it as much harm as fatigue, and that I was -ill at the time of your going from the very circumstance of your going. -I am nursing myself up now into as beautiful a state as I can, because I -hear that Dr. White means to call on me before he leaves the country. - -_Evening._--Frank and Mary and the children visited us this morning. Mr. -and Mrs. Gibson are to come on the 23rd, and there is too much reason to -fear they will stay above a week. Little George 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 cook: the former will not -give up her lover, who is a man of bad character; the latter is guilty -only of being unequal to anything. - -Miss Terry was to have spent this week with her sister, but as usual it -is put 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 on Thursday. Edward was in his way -to Selborne. We found him very agreeable. He is come back from France, -thinking of the French as one could wish,--disappointed 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 prospects 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 -distressing, more harassed state, and has met with another excellent old -physician and his wife, with every virtue under heaven, who takes to her -and cures her from pure love and benevolence. Dr. and Mrs. Storer are -their Mrs. and Miss Palmer--for they are at Bridlington. I am happy to -say, however, that the sum of the account is better than usual. Sir -William is returned; from Bridlington they go to Chevet, and she is to -have a young governess under her. - -I enjoyed Edward's company very much, as I said before, and yet I was -not sorry when Friday came. It had been a busy week, and I wanted a few -days' quiet and exemption from 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 good 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 impossible 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 better. 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 honey this year. Bad news for us. We must -husband our present stock of mead, and I am sorry to perceive that our -twenty gallons is very nearly out. I cannot comprehend how the fourteen -gallons could last so long. - -We do not much like Mr. Cooper's new sermons. They are fuller of -regeneration and conversion than ever, with the addition of his zeal in -the cause of the Bible Society. - -Martha's love to Mary and Caroline, and she is extremely glad to find -they like the pelisse. The 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, - J. AUSTEN. - - Miss AUSTEN, Post-Office, Cheltenham. - - - - -_Note by Lord Brabourne._ - -I insert here a letter of Jane Austen's written backwards, addressed to -her niece "Cassy," 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 -yadhtrib, dna ehs si eerht sraey dlo. Knarf sah nugeb gninrael Nital ew -deef eht Nibor yreve gninrom. Yllas netfo seriuqne retfa uoy. Yllas -Mahneb sah tog a wen neerg nwog. Teirrah Thgink semoc yreve yad ot daer -ot Tnua Ardnassac. Doog eyb ym raed Yssac. - -Tnua Ardnassac sdnes reh tseb evol, dna os ew od lla. - - Ruoy etanoitceffa tnua, - ENAJ NETSUA. - - NOTWAHC, Naj. 8. - - - - -_Note by Lord Brabourne._ - - -In January, 1817, she wrote of herself as better and able to walk into -Alton, and hoped in the summer she should be able to walk back. In April -her father in a note to Mrs. Lefroy says: "I was happy to have a good -account of herself written by her own hand, in a letter from your Aunt -Jane; but all who love, and that is all who know her, must be anxious on -her account." We all know how well grounded that anxiety was, and how -soon her relations had to lament over the loss of the dearest and -brightest member of their family. - -And now I come to the saddest letters of all, those which tell us of the -end of that bright life, cut short just at the time when the world might -have hoped that unabated intellectual vigor, supplemented by the -experience brought by maturer 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 May, 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 Brabourne._ - -Cassandra's letters tell the tale of the event in words that require no -addition from me. They are simple and affecting,--the words of one who -had been stricken by a great grief, but whose religion stood her in -good stead, and enabled her to bear it with fortitude. The firm and -loving bond of union which had ever united the Austen family, naturally -intensified their sorrow at the loss of one of their number, and that -the one of whom they had been so proud as well as so fond. They laid her -within the walls of the old cathedral which she had loved so much, and -went sorrowfully back to their homes, with the feeling that nothing -could replace to them the treasure they had lost. And most heavily of -all must the blow have fallen upon the only sister, the correspondent, -the 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 Miss Cassandra Austen to her niece Miss - Knight, 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 illness in writing those kind, -amusing letters at a time when I know your feelings would have dictated -so different a style. Take the only reward I can give you in the -assurance that your benevolent purpose 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 uncheerfully 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 returned, 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 -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 little -indisposed,--nothing but what a short time, with rest and change of air, -will remove. I thank God that I was enabled to attend her to the last, -and amongst 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 unconscious. 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 are the -only person I have written to at all, excepting your grandmamma,--it -was to her, not your Uncle Charles, I wrote on Friday. - -Immediately after dinner on Thursday I went into the town to do an -errand which your dear aunt was anxious about. I returned about a -quarter before six, and found her recovering from faintness and -oppression; she got so well as to be able to give me a minute account of -her seizure, and when the clock struck six she was talking quietly to -me. - -I cannot say how soon afterwards she was 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 Almighty, 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 my place to Mrs. J. A. for two hours and a half, when I took -it again, and in about an hour more she breathed her last. - -I was able to close her eyes myself, and it was a great gratification to -me to render her those last services. There was nothing convulsed which -gave the idea of pain in her look; on the contrary, 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 pleasant 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 Thursday morning; her dear -remains are to be deposited in the cathedral. It is a satisfaction to me -to think that they are to lie in a building she admired so much; her -precious soul, I presume to hope, reposes in a far superior mansion. May -mine one day be reunited to it! - -Your dear papa, your Uncle Henry, and Frank and Edwd. Austen, instead of -his father, will attend. I hope they will none of them suffer lastingly -from their pious exertions. 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. - -Your Uncle James came to us yesterday, and is gone home to-day. Uncle -H. goes to Chawton to-morrow morning; he has given every necessary -direction here, and I think his company there will do good. He returns -to us again on Tuesday evening. - -I did not think to have written a long letter when I began, but I have -found the employment draw me on, and I hope I shall have been giving you -more pleasure than pain. Remember me kindly to Mrs. J. Bridges (I am so -glad she is with you now), and give my best love to Lizzie and all the -others. - - I am, my dearest Fanny, - Most affectionately yours, - CASS. ELIZ. AUSTEN. - -I have said nothing about those at Chawton, because I am sure you hear -from your papa. - - - - -LXXVIII. - - - CHAWTON, Tuesday (July 29, 1817). - -MY DEAREST FANNY,--I have just read your letter for the third time, and -thank you most sincerely for every kind expression to myself, and still -more warmly for your praises of her who I believe was better known to -you than to any human being besides myself. Nothing of the sort could -have been more gratifying to me than the manner in which you write of -her; and if the dear angel is 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 acquaintance with each -other, and your mutual strong affection, you were counterparts. - -Thursday was not so dreadful a day to me as you imagined. There was so -much necessary to be done that there was no time for additional misery. -Everything was conducted with the greatest tranquillity, and but that I -was 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 sincerely 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 of the joy with which she is hailed in heaven! - -I continue very tolerably well,--much better than any one could have -supposed possible, because I certainly have had considerable fatigue of -body as well as anguish of mind for months back; but I really am well, -and I hope I am properly grateful to the Almighty for having been so -supported. Your grandmamma, too, is much better than when I came home. - -I did not think your dear papa appeared unwell, and I understand that he -seemed much more comfortable after his return from Winchester than he -had done before. I need not tell you that he was a great comfort to me; -indeed, I can never say enough of the kindness I have received from him -and from every other friend. - -I get out of doors a good deal, and am able to employ myself. Of course -those employments suit me best which leave me most at leisure to think -of her I have lost, and I do think of her in every variety of -circumstance,--in our happy hours of confidential intercourse, in the -cheerful family party which she so ornamented, in her sick-room, on her -death-bed, and as (I hope) an inhabitant of heaven. Oh, if I may one day -be reunited to her there! I know the time must come when my mind will be -less engrossed by her idea, but I do not like to think of it. If I think -of her less as on earth, God grant that I may never cease to reflect on -her as inhabiting heaven, and never cease my 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 memorandums, amongst which she desires that one of her -gold chains may be given to her god-daughter Louisa, and a lock of her -hair be set for you. You can need no assurance, my dearest 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 -Fanny. - - Believe me, most affectionately yours, - CASS. ELIZTH. AUSTEN. - - Miss KNIGHT, - Godmersham Park, Canterbury. - - -THE END. - - * * * * * - -Transcriber's Notes: - -Page 38, "I" did not print in the text and has been added. The space was -there but the ink was not. (I dare say, to have another) - -Page 47, period added to end of sentence. As above, the space was in the -text but the character was not. (confusion and great comfort.) - -Page 107, another letter missing, "r" added to text for "respect" -(feelings with respect to it) - -Page 127, footnote 9, period added to abbreviation (Mrs. Leigh Perrot) - -Page 137, "leat" changed to "late" (in the late weather) - -Page 145, period added to end of footnote 11 (heroine of Miss Burney's -novel.) - -Page 150, "Miss" at bottom of letter's address was originally in small -capitals. As the rest of the text does not use small capitals this was -changed to follow the rest of the text's format. (Miss Austen, Edward -Austen's, Esq.) - -Page 166, repeated word "not" removed from text. Original read: (he did -not not think she would) - -Page 331, "i" did not print in "acquaintance" (acquaintaqnce with each -other) - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Letters of Jane Austen, by Jane Austen - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN *** - -***** This file should be named 42078-8.txt or 42078-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/0/7/42078/ - -Produced by Suzanne Shell, Emmy and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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