Class Book t A^ \ 9. ex ~j copmiam deposit. / JANE AUSTEN LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN /^ . C72L::^i.'t^'ic^^^^^^ Frot)i a Piiiiiti)tg in t/w possession of the Rev. Morlaiid Kice, of Brambcy. PREFACE. The recent cult for Miss Austen, which has re- sulted in no less than ten new editions of her novels within a decade and three memoirs by dif- ferent hands within as many years, have made the facts of her life familiar to most readers. It was a short life, and an uneventful one as viewed from the standpoint of our modern times, when steam and electricity have linked together the ends of the earth, and the ver}' 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, con- tradicting the news of the morning, to be sure, but full of omens and augurieS of its own to strew our pillows with the seed of wakefulness. To us, publications come hot and hot from the press. Telegraphic wires like the intricate and incalculable zigzags of the lightning ramify above our heads; and who can tell at what moment their iv PEEFACE. 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 crealdng 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 Eevolu- tion; 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 Tra- falgar and the Eg^qjtian expedition, and generously remarks that she would read Southey's "Life of Nelson " if there was anything in it about her brother Frank I She honors Sir John Moore by PREFACE. V remarking after his deatli that liis mother would perhaps have preferred to have him less distin- guished 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 march- ings 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 tem- pest like the windless centre of a circular storm." The point of view of a woman with such an en- vironment must naturally be circumscribed and narrow; and in this Miss Austen's charm con- sists. Seeing little, she painted what she saw with absolute fidelity and a dexterity and perfec- tion unequalled. '• On her was bestowed, though in a humble form, the gift which had been bestowed on Homer, Shakespeare, Cervantes, Scott, and a few others, — the gift of creative power." Endowed with the keenest and most delicate insight and a vivid sense of humor, she depicted with exactitude what she observed and what she understood, giving VI PREFACE to each fact and emotion its precise shade and vahie. The things she did not see she did not attempt. Affectation was impossible to her, — most of all, af- fectation of knowledge or feeling not justly her own. '' She held the mirror up to her time " with an ex- quisite sincerity and fidelity; and the closeness of lier study brought her intimately near to those hid- den springs which underlie all human nature. This is the reason why, for all their skimp skirts, leg- of-mutton sleeves, and bygone impossible bonnets, her characters do not seem to us old-fashioned. Minds and hearts are made pretty much after the same pattern from centur^^ to centur}'; and given a modern di-ess and speech, Emma or Elizabeth or dear Anne Eliot could enter a drawing-room to-day, and excite no surprise except by so closely resem- bling the peo^ile 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 wi'se 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 j-ears of IVIiss Austen's life, when the refining touch of Eternity was already upon her, has always seemed to us the most per- fect of her novels; and Anne, with her excpii- PREFACE. vii site breeding and unselfish straightforwardness, just touched with the tender reserve of memory and regret, one of her best portraitures. But this is a matter of individual taste. Doubtless Elizabeth 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 char- acters which showed how real they were to her own mind, and made them equally real to other people. In 1813 she had the good luck to light upon a jjor- trait of Jane Bennet at an exhibition. " I was very well pleased (pray tell Fanny) with a small portrait of Mrs. Bingley, excessively Uke 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 like- ness. She is dressed in a white gown, with green or- naments, which convinces me of what I had always supposed, that green was a favorite color with her. I dure 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. " viii PKEFACE. The letters included in this series comprise about three quarters of the collection in two vol- umes published in 1884 by her great-nephew Lord Brabourne. The lightness, almost friskiness, of their tone cannot fail to strike the reader. Modern letters written by w^omen 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, litevar}' 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 nionths to get most books printed, and years to persuade anybody to read them. Further- more the letters, in all probability, are carefully chosen to reveal only the more superficial side of their writer. There are wide gaps of omission, covering important events such as Mr, Austen's death, the long illness through which Jane imrsed her brother Henry, and the anxieties and worries which his failure iu 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 interest- ing part of her personality is withheld from us. rREFACE. IX A good daugliter, a deliglitful 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 stj'le " stood between her thought and her readers. Her fame may justly be said to be almost en- tirely posthumous. She was read and praised to a moderate degree during her lifetime, but all her novels together brought her no more than seven hundred pounds; and her reputation, as it were, was in its close-sheathed bud wdien, at the early age of forty-one, she died. It would have excited in her an amused incredulity, no doubt, had any one predicted that two generations after her death the real recognition of her powers was to come. Time, which like desert sands has ef- faced the footprints of so many promising authors, has, with her, served as the desert wind, to blow aside those dusts of the commonplace which for a while concealed her true proportions. She is loved more than she ever hoped to be, and far more widely known. Mrs. Ritchie tells some- where an anecdote of a party of seven assembled at a dinner-table, where the question arose of the locality of one of Miss Austen's places, — Maple Grove, the residence of Mr. Suckling, if we are not mistaken, — and six of the persons present at once recognized the allusion, and had a formed opinion X PREFACE. on the subject. The seventh was a Frenchman who did not read English! Scott, Macaulay, Sir James Mackintosh, Miss Martinean, 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 inter- rupted with — "Never mind all that. Show me the exact spot where Louisa Musgrove fell!" Could non-historical verisimilitude go farther or mean more? S. c. Newport, June, 1892. J LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. Stevexton, Thursday (January 16, 1796). HAVE just received yours and Mary's I j^l 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 see- ing 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 attend- ance on her. Wliat 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! 12 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1796. I sent you a letter yesterday to Ibthorp, which I suppose you will not receive at Kintburj'-. 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 i-esemble 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 INIr. and Mrs. Fowle are pleased with you. I hope you will continue to give satisfaction. How impertinent you are to write to me about 1796.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 13 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 Many down, and are to be at Ashe to-morrow. I in- tended to call on the Miss Biggs yesterday had the weather been tolerable. Caroline, Anna, and I have just been devouring some cold souse, and it would be difficult to say which enjoyed it most. Tell Mary that I make over Mr. Heartley and 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 in- difference to me, that he actually drew that gen- tleman'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 v/ill be over. My tears flow as I write at the melancholy idea. Wm. Chute called here yesterday. I wonder what he means by Ticing so civil. There is a report that Tom is 14 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1706. going to he 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 iriorn (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 ^ and Frank '^ are both gone out to seek their fortunes; the latter is to return soon and ^ Miss Austen's second brother. 2 Francis, afterward Sir Frauds Austen, Senior Admiral of the Fleet, aud K. C. B. 1726.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 15 lielp us seek ours. The former we shall uever 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 in- tended avocation with success. God bless you ! I must leave off, for we are going out. Yours very affectionately, J. Austen. Everybody's love. III. Rowling, Monday (September 5). My dear Cassandra, — I shall be extremely anxious to hear the event of your ball, and shall hope to receive so long and minute an account of every particular that I shall be tired of reading it. Let me know how many, besides their fourteen selves and Mr. and Mrs. Wright, Michael will contrive to place about their coach, and how many of the gentlemen, musicians, and waiters he will have persuaded to come in their shooting-jackets. I hope John Lovett's accident will not prevent his attending the ball, a.-i you will otherwise be 16 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1796. obliged to dance with Mr. Tincton tlie whole eve- ning. Let me know how J. Harwood deports himself without the Miss Biggs, and which of the Maiys will carry the day with my brother James. We were at a ball on Saturday, I assure you. We dined at Goodnestoue, and in the evening danced two countrj^-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 sho 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 ex})ressed 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 rhe Goodnestone party begins to disperse and spread itself abroad. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Cage and George repair to Hythe. Lady AValtham, Miss Bridges, and Miss Mary Finch to Dover, for the health of the two former. I have never seen 1796.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 17 Marianne at all. On Thursday Mr. and Mrs. Bridges return to Danbury; Miss Harriet Hales accompanies tliem 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 Godmer- sham, which the two Mr. Harveys are to dine on to-morrow, and on Friday or Saturday the Good- nestone people are to finish their scraps. Henry went away on Friday, as he purposed, ivithout fayl. You will iiear from him soon, 1 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 1 shall give Bichis half a guinea or only five shillings when I go away. Counsel me, ami- able 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 wlio do, remember me 18 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1796. without bidding. Give my love to Mary Harri- son, and tell iier 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 deab. Cassandra, — We have been very gay since I wrote last; dining at Nackington, return- ing 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 tak- ing 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. "VVe 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 tlie dining-room, and the pictures of her three children in an ante-room, be- sides 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 1796.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 19 the two. She wore her purple muslin, which is pretty enough, though it does not hecome her com- plexion. There are two traits in her character which are pleasing, — namely, she admires Ca- milla, 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 writ- ing, as she desired me to do, hut 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 sup- pose Miss Fletcher means that a new set of offi- cers have arrived there. But this is a note of my own. Mrs. Milles, Mr. John Toke, and in short every- body 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 Good- 20 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1796. nestone, to meet my aunt Fielding from Margate and a Mr. Clayton, her professed admirer — at least, so I imagine. Lady Bridges has recei^'ed 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 re- ceive 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. Kichard 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 hear- ing from James very soon; he promised me an 179G.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 21 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 noth- ing at all. They are out again to-day, and are not yet returned. Delightful sport! They are just come home, Edward with his tw^o 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, Ave may be with you. Frank had never any idea of going away before INIonday, 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, 1 want to go in a stage-coach, but Frank will not let 22 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEX. [1796. nie. As you are likel}^ to have the Williams and Lloyds witli you next week, jon would hardly find room for us then. If any one wants anj'thing in town, the}' must send their commissions to Frank, as I shall merely pass through it. Tlie tallow- chandler is Peulington, at the Crown and Beehive, Charles Street, Covent Garden. Miss Austen, Steventon, Overton, Hants. V. RoAVLiNG, 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 b}- 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 re- ceive an answer from her this morning, wliich would have rendered everything smooth and easy, and would have enabled us to leave this place to- 179G.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 23 morrow, as Frank, on first receiving liis appoint- ment, intended to do. He remains till Wednesday merel}'^ to accommodate me. I have written to her again 'to-day, and desired her to answer it by re- turn of post. On Tuesday, therefore, I shall posi- tively know whether they can receive me on Wednesday. If they cannot, Edward has been so good as to promise to take me to Greenwich on the Monday following, which was the day before fixed on, if that suits tliem better. If I have no an- swer 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, praj" 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 24 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1796. 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 waitiiig 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. Mar}' 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 agree- able inmates. Don't let the Lloyds go on any account before I return, unless Miss P. is of the party. How ill I have written! I begin to hate myself. Yours ever, J. AUSTEK. The ''Triton " is a new 32 frigate just launched at Deptford. Frank is much pleased with the pros- pect of having Captain Gore under his command. Miss Austen, Steventon, Overton, Hants. 1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 25 VI. " BcLL 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 de- termined to show my mother that Kentish drivers were not always tedious, and really drove as fast as Cax. Our next stage was not quite so expeditiously performed; the road was heavy, and our horses very indifferent. However, we were in such good time and my mother bore her journey so well, that ex- pedition was of little importance to us; and as it was, we were very little more than two hours and a half coming hither, and it was scarcely past four when we stopped at the inn. My mother took some of her bitters at Ospringe, and some 26 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEX. [1798. 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 m_y 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 Avere 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, 11., and my dear Harry's deputation. Mr. Nottley immediately de- spatched a man and Iiorse 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 aad by no means unhappy. Your watch- 1798.1 LETTEKS OF JANE AUSTEN. 27 fulness witJi regard to the weather on our accounts was very kind and very effectual. We had one heavy shower on leaving Sittingbourne, but after- wards 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 ittij Dordy will not forget me at least under a week. Kiss him for me. Miss Austen, Godmersham Park, Favershara. VII. Steventon, Saturday (October 27). My dear Cassandra, — Your letter was a most agreeable suri^rise 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 28 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. and second. Soon after I had finished my letter from Staines, my motlier began to suffer from the exercise or fatigue of travelling, and she was a good deal indisposed. She had not a vevy 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 ou us just as we were going to tea, and my mother was well enough to talk very cheer- fully to him before she went to bed. James seems to have taken to his old trick of coming to Steven- ton 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 1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 29 no narrow braces for children, and scarcely any netting silk; but Miss Wood, as usnal, is going to town very soon, and will lay in a fresh stock. I gave 2s. 3d. a yard for my flannel, and I fancy it is not very good, but it is so disgraceful and con- temptible an article in itself that its being com- paratively good or bad is of little importance. I bought some Japan ink likewise, 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; 1 hnd 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 ever^^thing was unpacked and put away last night. Nanny chose to do it, and I was not sorrj^ 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. You r letterwas 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 30 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. yesterday of a dead child, some weeks before she expected, owing to a fright. I suppose she hap- pened unawares to look at her husband. There has been a great deal of rain here for this last fortnight, much more than in Kent, and in- deed we found the roads all the way from Staines most disgracefully dirty. Steventon lane has its full share of it, and I don't know when I shall be able to get to Deane. I hear that Martha is in better looks and spirits than she has enjo3'ed 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 3'Our patients, little and great. My dear itty Dordy's remem- brance of me is very pleasing to me, — foolishly pleasing, because I know it will be over so soon. My attachment to him will be more durable. I shall think with tenderness and delight on his beautiful and smiling countenance and interesting manner until a few years have turned him into an ungovernable, ungracious fellow. The books from Winton are all unpacked and put away; the binding has compressed them most convenient!}'^, 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. 1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 31 Nanny was, I am sure. She confesses that it was very dull, and yet she had her child with her till last Sunday. I understand that 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 wovild 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 T think Mary wrote us word, and his family then told him that they would receive his wife, if she con- tinued 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 32 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. a servant of any kind. What a prodigious innate love of virtue slie 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-daj^, and I gave him his brother's deputation. Charles Harwood, too, has just called to ask how we are, in his way from Dummer, whither he has been conveying Miss Garrett, who is going to return to her former residence in Kent. I will leave off, or I shall not have room to add a word to-morrow. Sunday. — My mother has had a very good night, and feels much better to-day. I have received my aunt's letter, and thank you for your scrap. I will write to Charles soon. Pray give Fanny and Edward a kiss from me, and ask George if he has got a new song for me. 'T is really very kind of my aunt to ask us to Bath again; a kindness that deserves a better return than to profit b}' it. Yours ever, J. A. Miss xVuSTEN, Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. 1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 33 VIIT. Stkventon, 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 compre- hended letters for both of us, for Lord Spencer, jVL-. 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 eneiuies' ports; Minorca or Malta were conjectured to be the objects. Frank writes in good spirits, but saj^s that our correspondence cannot be so easily carried on in future as it has been, as the communication be- tween Cadiz and Lisbon is less frequent than formerl3% You and my mother, therefore, must 3 34 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. not alarm yourselves at the long intervals that may divide his letters. I address this advice to you two as being the most tender-hearted of the family. My mother made her entree into the dressing- room through crowds of admiring spectators yes- terday afternoon, and we all drank tea together for the first time these five weeks. She has had a tolerable night, and bids fair for a continuance in the same brilliant course of action to-day. . . . Mr. Lyford was here yesterday; he came \\hile ^ve were at dinner, and j^f^i'took of our elegant entertainment. I was not ashamed at asking liim 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 Avas very well, but does not gain bodily strength very fast. When I saw her so stout on the third and sixth days, I expected to have seen her as well as ever by the end of a fortnight. James went to Ibthorp yesterday to see his mother and child. Letty is with Mary ^ at present, of course exceedingly happ}^, and in raptures witli the child. Mary does not manage matters in such a way as to make me want to lay in myself. She is not tidy enongh in her appearance; she has no 1 Mrs. J.auies Austen. 1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 35 dressing-gown to sit up in; her curtains are all too thin, and things are not in that comfort and style about her which are necessary to make such a situation an enviable one. Elizabeth 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. Ko 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 paper- ing. I have had it cut lately by Mr. Butler. There is no reason to suppose that Miss Morgan is dead after all. Mr. Lyford gratitied us very much j^esterday by his praises of my father's mutton, which they all think the finest that was ever ate. John Bond begins to find himself grow old, which John Bonds ought not to do, and un- equal to much hard work; a man is therefore 36 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. lured to supply liis 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 ni}' mother's idea, who thought he would be proud to oblige a relation of Edward in return for Edward's accept- ing his money. He sent a very civil answer indeed, but has no house vacant at present. May expects to have an eniptj^ 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 iar 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 1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 37 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 ArsTEX, Godmersliam Park, Faversliam. 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. 38 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. I took the liberty a few days ago of asking your black velvet bonnet to lend me its cawl, which it very readily did, and by which I have been enabled to give a considerable improvement of dignity to cap, which was before too nidgetty to please me. I shall wear it on Thursday, but I hope you will not be offended with me for following your advice as to its ornaments only in part. I still venture to retain the narrow silver round it, put twice round without any bow, and instead of the black military feather shall put in the coquelicot one as being smarter, and besides coquelicot is to be all the fashion this winter. After the ball I shall prob- ably make it entirely black. I am sorry that our dear Charles begins to feel the dignity of ill-usage. My father will write to Admiral Gambler. He must have already re- ceived so much satisfactioii from his acquaintance and patronage of Frank, that he will be delighted, I dare say, to have another of the family intro- duced to him. I think it would be very right in Charles to address Sir Thomas on the occasion, though I cannot approve of your scheme of writing to him (which you communicated to me a few nights ago) to request him to come home and con- vey you to Steventon. To do you justice, how- ever, you had some doubts of the propriety of such a measure yourself. I am very much oldiged to my dear little George 1738.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 39 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, how- ever, 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 direc- tions, 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. Stevento\, Monday night (December 24). My dear Cassandra, — I have got some pleas- ant news for you which I am eager to communi- cate, and therefore begin my letter sooner, though I shall not send it sooner than usual. 40 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. Admiral Gambier, in reply to ray father's ap- plication, 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 the}' are more in the way of learning their duty, your son has been con- tinued 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 ar- rangement that he proposes making in a short time relative to some promotions in that quarter." There! I may now finish my letter and go and hang mj'self, for I am sure I can neither write nor do anything which will not appear insipid to jon after this. N'oiv I really think he will soon be made, and only wiyh we could communicate our fore- knowledge of the event to him whom it principally concerns. My father has written to Daysh to de- sire that he will inform us, if he can, when the commission is sent. Your chief wish is now ready to be accomplished; and could Lord Spencer give happiness to Martha at the same time, what a joy- ful heart he wuuld make of yours ! 1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 41 I have sent the same extract of the sweets of Gambier to Charles, who, poor fellow, though he sinks into nothing hut an humble attendant on the hero of the piece, will, I hope, be contented with the prospect held out to him. By what the Admi- ral says, it appears as if he had been designedly kept in the " Scorpion." But I will not torment myself with conjectures and suppositions; facts shall satisfy me. Frank had not heard from any of us for ten weeks when he wrote to me on November 12 in consequence of Lord St. Vincent being removed to Gibraltar. When his commission is sent, how- ever, it will not be so long on its road as our let- ters, because all the Government despatches are forwarded by land to his lordship from Lisbon with great regularity. I returned from Many down 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 Cathe- rine. Miss Blackford is agreeable enough. I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal. I found only Catherine and her when I got to Manydown on Thursday. We dined together, and went together to Worting to seek the protection of Mrs. Clarke, with whom were Lady Mildmay, her eldest son, and Mr. and Mrs. Hoare. 42 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. Our ball was very tliin, but by no means un- pleasant. There were thirty-one people, and only eleven ladies out of the number, and but five single women in the room. Of the gentlemen present you may have some idea from the list of mj' partners, — Mr. Wood, G. Lefroy, Eice, 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. Wra. 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 Calherine 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 enjoy- ment of the Ashford balls (as assemblies for danc- ing) T had not thought myself equal to it, but in cold weather and with few couples I fancy I could just as well dance for a week together as for half an hour. My black cap was openly admired by Mrs. Lefroy, and secretly I imagine by everybody else in the room. . . . 1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 43 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, faint- nesses, and sicknesses, he will soon be restored to that blessing likewise. If his nervous complaint proceeded from a suppression of something that ought to be thrown out, which does not seem un- likely, the first of these disorders may really be a remedy, and I sincerely wish it may, for I know no one more deserving of happiness without alloy than Edward is. . . . The Lords of the Admiralty will have enough of our applications at present, for I hear from Charles that he has written to Lord Spencer him- self to be removed. I am afraid his Serene High- ness will be in a passion, and order some of our 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 j^ou ! Yours affectionately, Jane Austen. Wednesday/. — The snow came to nothing yes- terday, so I did go to Deane, and returned home at nine o'clock at night in the little carriage, and without being very cold. Sliss Austen, Godmersham Park, Faversliam, Kent. 44 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. XI. Steventon, Friday (December 28). My dear Cassandka, — Franlv is made. He was yesterday raised to tlie rank of Commander, and appointed to the " Petterel " sloop, now at Gibraltar. A letter from Daysli has just an- nounced this, and as it is confirmed by a very friendly one from Mr. Mathew to the same effect, transcribing one from Admiral Gambier to the General, we have no reason to suspect the truth of it. As soon as you have cried a little for joy, you may go on, and learn further that the India House have taken Captain Austeu^s petition into con- sideration, — this comes from Daysh, — and like- wise 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 hojje 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. 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 45 Mrs. Lefroy has just sent rae word that Lady Dorche.-!,ter 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 1 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 oyQZ-^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. Cliarles 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 Baile}'', 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 46 LETTEKS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. Avhicli 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 ui^on always writing out all hers for her in future, if I were not punishing myself at the same time. I am tolerably glad to hear that Edward's in- come is so good a one, — as glad as I can be at anybody's being rich excejit 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-mtiking much better than I expected. My gown is made very much like my blue one, which you alwa^'s 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 jon that I dread the idea of going to Brighton as much as yoii do, but I am not without hopes that something may happen to prevent it. F has lost his election at B , and per- 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 47 haps they may not be able to see company for some time. Tliey talk of going to Bath, too, in the spring, and perhaps rhey may be overturned in their way down, and all laid up for the summer. Wednesday. — I have had a cold and weakness in one of my eyes for some days, which makes writing neither very pleasant nor very profitable, and which will probably prevent my finishing this letter myself. My mother has undertaken to do it for me, and I shall leave the Kempshott ball for her. You express so little anxiety about my being murdered under Ash Park Copse by Mrs. Hul- bert's servant, that I have a great mind not to tell you whether I was or not, and shall only say that I did not return home that night or the next, as Martha kindly made room for me in her bed, which was the shut-up one in the new nursery. 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 Tie 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 48 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. be derived from it, for I shall be sucli a proficient in music by the time I have got rid of my cold, that I shall be perfectly qualified in that science at least to take Mr. Eoope's office at Eastwell next summer; and I am sure of Elizabeth's recommen- dation, be it only on Harriet's account. Of my talent in drawing I have given specimens in my letters to you, and I have nothing to do but to in- vent a few hard names for the stars. Mary grows rather more reasonable about her child's beauty, and sa3^s that she does not think him really handsome; but I suspect her modera- tion to be something like that of W W 's mamma. Perhaps Mary has told you that they are going to enter more into dinner-parties; the Biggs and Mr. Holder dine there to-morrow, and I am to meet them. I shall sleep there. Catherine has the honor of giving her name to a set, which will be composed of two Withers, two Heathcotes, a Blackford, and no Bigg except herself. She con- gratulated me last night on Frank's promotion, as if she really felt the joy she talked of. My sweet little George ! I am delighted to hear that he has such an inventive genius as to face- making. I admired his yellow wafer \evy 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. 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 49 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. INIrs. 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 intro- 4 / 50 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. \ duced to me; but as he did not want it quite 1 enough to take much trouble in elifecting 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 sup- pose, 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 ac- tions was sitting down two dances in j)reference 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 Cliarles! I suppose he could not get superseded in time. Miss Debary has replaced your two sheets of drawing-paper with two of superior size and qual- ity; so I do not grudge her having taken them at all now. INIr. Ludlow and Miss Pugh of Andover are lately married, and so is Mrs. Skeete of Basing- stoke, 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 petti- coat behind you. I have long secretly wished it might be done, but had not courage to make the request. 1799] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 51 Pray mention the name of Maria Montresor's lover when you write next. My mother wants to know it, and I have not courage to look back into your letters to find it out. I shall not be able to send this till to-morrow, and you will be disappointed on Friday; I am very sorry for it, but I cannot help it. The partnership between Jeffereys, Toomer, and Legge is dissolved; the two latter are melted away into nothing, and it is to be hoped that Jeffereys will soon break, for the sake of a few heroines whose money he may have. I wish you joy of your birthday twenty times over. I shall be able to send this to the post to-day, which exalts me to the utmost pinnacle of human felicity, and makes me bask in the sunshine of prosperity or gives me any other sensation of plea- sure in studied language which you may prefer. Do not be angry with me for not filling my sheet, and believe me yours affectionately, J. A. Mis3 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 52 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. the postage. My eyes liave been very indifferent since it was written, but are now getting better once more; keeping tliem so many hours open on Thursday night, as well as the dust of the ball- room, injured them a good deal. I use them as lit- tle as I can, but you know, and Elizabeth knows, and everybody who ever had weak eyes knows, how delightful it is to hurt them by employment, against the advice and entreaty of all one's friends, Charles leaves us to-night. The " Tamar" is in the Downs, and Mr. Daysh advises him to join her there 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 Eowling, but the un- pleasantness of returning by myself deters me. I should like to go as far as Ospringe with him very much indeed, that I might sur^irise you at Godmersham. 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 53 Martha writes me word that Cliarles was very much admired at Kintbury, and Mrs. Lefroy never saw any one so much improved in her life, and thinks liira handsomer tlian Henry. He appears to far more advantage here than he did at God- mersham, not surrounded by strangers and neither oppressed by a pain in his face or powder in his hair. James christened Elizabeth Caroline on Satur- day morning, 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. Stafford- shire is a good way off; so we shall see nothing more of them till, some fifteen years hence, the Miss Coopers are presented to us, fine, jolly, handsome, ignorant girls. The living is valued at 140Z. 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, 54 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. and a third goes into Staffordshire. We can learn nothing of the disposal of the other living. I have not the smallest notion of Fulwar's having it. Lord Craven has probahly other connections and more intimate ones, in that line, than he now has with the Kintbury family. Our hall on Thursday was a very poor one, only eight couple and but twenty-three people in the room; but it was not the ball's fault, for we were deprived of two or three families by the sudden illness of Mr. Wither, who was seized that morn- ing at Winchester with a return of liis former alarming complaint. An express was sent off from thence to the family; Catherine and Miss Blackford were dining with ]\Irs. Eussell. 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 lie is now rapidly recovering, and will be well enough to re- turn to Manydown, I fancy, in a few days. It was a fine thing for conversation at the ball. But it deprived us not only of the Biggs, but of Mrs. Eussell 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 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 55 useful, his character so respectable and worthy, that I really believe there was a good deal of sincerity in the general 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 nois^^ I had an odd set of part- ners : Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Street, Colonel Jervoise, James Digweed, J. Lyford, and Mr. Briggs, a friend of the latter. I had a very pleasant even- ing, however, though you will probably find out that there was no particular reason for it; but I do not think it worth while to wait for enjoyment until there is some real opportunity for it. Mary behaved very well, and was not at all lidgetty. For the history of her adventures at the ball I refer you to Anna's letter. When you come home you will have some shirts to make up for Charles. Mrs. Davies frightened him into buying a piece of Irish when we were in Basingstoke. Mr. Daysh supposes that Captain Aus- ten's commission has reached him by this time. Tuesday. — Your letter has pleased and amused me very much. Your essay on happy fortnights is highly ingenious, and the talobert skin made me laugh a good deal. Whenever I fall into mis- fi>rtune, how many jokes it ought to furnish to my acijuaiutance in general, or I shall die dreadfully in their debt for entertainment. It began to occur to me before vou mentioned it 56 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. that I had been somewhat silent as to my mother's health for some time, hut 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 bu^'ing 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 j^our progress in netting, for I am still without silk. You must get me some in town or in Canterburj-; it should be finer than yours. I thought Edward would not approve of Charles being a crop, and rather wished you to conceal it from him at present, lest it might fall on his spirits and retard his recovery. My father fur- nishes him with a pig from Cheesedown; it is al- ready killed and cut up, but it is not to weigh more than nine stone; the season is too far ad- vanced to get him a larger one. jMy mother means to pay herself for the salt and the trouble of oi'dering it to be cured by the spareribs, the souse, and the lard. We have had one dead lamb. 1790.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 57 I congratulate yoa 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 he very tired of answering people's questions on that subject, and independent of that, I shall be very glad to see jon at home again, and then if we can get Martha and shirk . . . Avho will be so happy as we? I think of going to Ibtliorp in about a fortnight. My eyes are pretty well, I thank you, if you please. Wednesday, 2od. — 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 doU's-beds. I have just heard from Charles, who is by this time at Deal. He is to be second liei;tenant, which pleases him very well. The " Endymion " is come into the Downs, which pleases him like- wise. He expects to be ordered to Sheerness shortly, as the " Tamar " has never been refitted. My father and mother made the same match for you last night, and are very much pleased with it. lie is a beauty of mj^ mother's. Yours affectionately, Jane. Miss Austen, Godmersliam Park, Faversham, Kent. 58 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. XIV. 13 Queen's Square, Friday (May 17). My dearest Cassandra, — Our journey yester- day went off exceedingly well ; nothing occurred to alarm or dela^^ us. We found tlie roads in excel- lent order, had very good horses all the waj', and reached Devizes with ease by four o'clock. I sup- pose John has told you in what manner we were divided when we left Andover, and no alteration was afterwards made. At Devizes we had com- fortahle rooms and a good dinner, to which we sat down about five; amongst other things Ave 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 man\' things equally important, that I know not on which to decide at present, and shall therefore go and eat with the children. 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 59 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 a:id Eebecca 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 Ando- ver with my own hand. We are exceedingly pleased with the house; the rooms are quite as large as we expected. Mrs. Brom- 60 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. ley is a fat woman in mourning, and a little black kitten runs about the staircase. Elizabeth has the apartment within the drawing-room; she wanted my mother to have it, but as there Avas 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 apart- ment, as I ought to have; which is quite as large as our bedroom at home, and my mother's is not materially less. The beds are both as large as any at Steventon, and I have a very nice chest of drawers and a closet full of shelves, — so full in- deed that there is nothing else in it, and it should therefore be called a cu})board rather than a closet, I suppose. Tell Mary that there were some carjienters 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. Wheii 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 ratlicr fagged last night, and 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. Gl 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 immedi- ately 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 clos- ing my eyes. I like our situation very much; it is far more cheerful than Paragon, and the j)rospect from the drawing-room window, at which I now write, is rather picturesque, as it commands a pro- spective view of the left side of Brock Street, broken by three Lombardy poplars in the garden of tlie 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 daj^s before Frances can get through the trunk. In the mean time I am, with many thanks for 3'our trouble in making it, as well as marking my silk stockings. Yours very affectionately, Jan^e. A great deal of love from everybody. Miss Austen, Steventon, Overton, Hants. 62 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. XV. 13 Queen Square, Simtlay (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 receijit of yours yesterday, wlien the pigeon- basket was examined, and I received my due. As I have written to her since the time which ought to have brought me hers, I suppose she will con- sider herself, as I choose to consider her, still in my debt. I will lay out all the little judgment I have in endeavoring to get such stockings for Anna as she will approve; but I do not know that I shall execute Martha's commission at all, for I am not fond of ordering shoes; and, at any rate, they shall all 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 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 63 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 4cZ. 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 straw- berries, 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 G4 LETTERS OF JxVNE AUSTEN. [1799. straw, half of it is naiTow 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 explana- tions as to give a clear one on any occasion my- self! 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, Avhich 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, consider- ing 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 sjiectacles, 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 even- ing in Sydne}' Gardens, a concert, with illumina- tions and fireworks. To the latter Elizabeth and I look forward with pleasure, and even the concert 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 65 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 commence- ment, we think of going to . . . I am qiiite 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 for- get to write to Franlc. 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 fre- quency of our corres^Tondence from Martha's uncle, we will not fear our own. Miss Austen, Steveuton. XVI. 13 QcEEN Square, Tuesday (June 11). My dear Cassaxdba, — Your letter yesterday made me very happy. I am heartily glad that you have escaped any share in the impurities of 5 66 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. Deane, and not sorry, as it turns ont, that our stay- here lias been lengthened. I feel tolerably secure of our getting away next week, though it is cer- tainlj" possible that we may remain till Thursday the 27th. I wonder what we shall do with all oxir intended visits this summer! I should like to make a compromise with Adlestrop, Harden, and Bookham, that IMartha'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, Ave are inclined to hope that he will derive advantage from them in the end. Every- body encourages us in this expectation, for they all say that the effect of the waters cannot be nega- tive, and many are the instances in which their benefit is felt afterwards more than on the spot. He is more comfortable here than 1 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 some- how. So much for Mrs. Piozzi. I had some thoughts of Avriting the whole of my letter in her style, but I believe I shall not. Though you haA^e giA'^en me unlimited powers concerning yoxar sprig, I cannot determine Avhat to do about it, and shall therefore in this and in cA'ery other future letter continue to ask your further 1799] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 67 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 Impres- sions " ^ 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 put- ting it down. My mother saw him the other day, but without making herself known to him. 1 The title first chosen for " Pride and Prejudice." 68 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. I am very glad you liked my lace, and so are you, and so is Martha, and we are all glad to- gether. 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 3'ou 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 extra- ordinary rate, by dining out, had it not so hapjiened 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 indis- 1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 69 posed yesterday, is worse to-day, and we are put off. It is rather impertinent to suggest any house- hold 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 remem- bered. Edward desires his love to 3'ou, to grand- papa, 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. JSTow I will give you the history of Mary's veil, in the purchase of which I have so considerably involved 3^ou 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, 70 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1£00 I thought myself lucky in getting a black lace one for sixteen shillings. I hope the half of that sum will not greatl}' exceed what you had in- tended to offer upon the altar of sister-in-law affection. Yours affectionately, Jaxe. 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 com- pany when they can. Miss Austen, Steventou, Overton, Hauts. XVII. Steventon, Thursday (November 20, 1800). My dear Cassandra, — Your letter took me quite by surprise this morning; you are very wel- come, however, and I am very much obliged to yo*i. 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 indis- tinctness of writing, by attributing it to this venial error. Naughty Charles did not come on Tuesda}', but good Charles came yesterday morning. About two o'clock he walked in on a Gosport hack. His 1800.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 71 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 morn- ing after they hajipen, 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 con- science reproaches him with being now perfectly in.different, 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 %vant of a partner. We began at ten, supped at one, and were at Deane before five. There were but fifty i^eople 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 1 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 Ire monger did not look well, and Mrs. Blount was the only 72 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1800. one mucli admired. She appeared exactly as she did in September, with the same broad face, dia- mond 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 con- strained to think a very fine young woman, which I much regret. She danced away with great ac- tivity. Her husband is ugly enough, uglier even than liis cousin John ; but he does not look so vcrij old. The Miss Maitlands are both prettyish, very like Anne, with brown skins, large dark eyes, and a good deal of nose. Tlie General has got the gout, and Mrs. Maitland the jaundice. Miss Debar^^, 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 Avore 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 1800] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 73 improper, you may take the worst yourself. He Avill write to you when he gets back to his ship, and ill the mean time desires that you will consider me as Your affectionate sister, J. A. Friday. — I have determined to go on Thurs- day, 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 j^romotion, 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 conies to-morrow, for one night only. My mother has heard from Mrs. E. Leigh. Lady Saye and Seale and her daughter are going to re- move to Bath. Mr... Estwick is married again to 74 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1801. a Mr. Sloane, a j^oung man under age, witliout the knowledge of either famil}'. He bears a good charactet, however. Miss Austen, Godmersliam Park, Faversliain, Kent. XVIII. Steventon, Saturday (January .3, 1801). My dear Cassandra, — As you have by this time received my last letter, it is tit that I should begin another; and I begin witli 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 Parle, last Wednesday, went off in a come-cd wa}^ We met Mr. Lefroy and Tom Chute, played at cards, and came home again. James and Maiy dined here on the following daj-, and at night Henry set off in the mail for London. He was as agreeable as ever during his visit, and has not lost an3'thing in Miss Lloyd's estimation. Yesterday we were quite alone — only our four selves; but to-day the scene is agreeably varied by Mar3''s driving Martha to Basingstoke, and Martha's afterwards dining at Deane. My motlier looks forward with as much cer- tainty as you can do to our keeping two maids; my father is the only one not in the secret. We 1801.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 75 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 street-s leading from Laura Place or Pulteney Street. Westgate Buildings, thougli quite in the lower part of the town, are not badly situated them- selves. The street is broad, and has rather a good appearance. Charles Street, however, I think is preferable. The buildings are new, and its near- ness 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 jirice. Gay Street 76 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1801. would be too high, except only the lower house on the left-hand side as you ascend. Towards that my mother has no disinclination; it used to be lower rented than any other house in the row, from some inferiority in the apartments. But above all others her wishes are at present fixed on the corner house in Chapel 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 yoii that she will do everything in her power to avoid Trim Street, although you have not ex- pressed the fearful presentiment of it which was rather expected. We know that Mrs. Perrot will want to get us into Oxford Buildings, but we all unite in par- ticular dislike of that part of the town, and there- fore hope to escape. Upon all these different situations you and Edward may confer together, and your opinion of each will be exj^ected 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 1801.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 77 in the best bedroom were given by Edward to his two sisters. Do you or he know anything about it? She has written to my aunt, and we are all im- patient for the answer. I do not know how to give up the idea of our both going to Paragon in May. Your going I consider as indispensably necessary, and I shall not like being left behind; there 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 diffi- culty of finding in all Bath such a bed as their own, have resolved on taking it with them; all the beds, indeed, that we shall want are to be removed, — namely, besides theirs, our own two, the best for a spare one, and two for servants; and these 78 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1801. necessary articles will probably be the only ma- terial ones that it would answer to send down. I do not think it will be worth while to remove any of our chests of drawers ; we shall be able to get some of a much more commodious sort, made of deal, and painted to look very neat; and I flatter myself that for little comforts of all kinds our apartment will be one of the most complete things of the sort all over Bath, Bristol included. We have thought at times of removing the side- board, or a Pembroke table, or some other piece of furniture, but, upon the whole, it has ended in thinking that the trouble and risk of the removal would be more than the advantage of having them at a place where everj'thing may be purcliased. Pray send j^our opinion. Martha has as good as promised to come to us again in March. Her spirits are better than they were. . . . My mother bargains for having no trouble at all in furnishing our house in Bath, and I have en- gaged for 3^our willingly nndertaking to do it all. I get more and more reconciled to the idea of our removal. We have lived long enough in this neighborhood: the Basingstoke balls are certainly on the decline, there is something interesting in the bustle of going away, and the prospect of spending future summers by the sea or in Wales is very delightful. For a time we shall now pos- ISOl ] LETTEES OF JANE AUSTEN. 79 sess many of tlie advantages which I have often thought of with envy in tlie wives of sailors or sol- diers. It must not be generally known, however, that I am not sacrificing a great deal in quitting the country, or I can expect to inspire no tender- ness, no interest, in those we leave behind. . . . Yours affectionately, J. A. Miss Austen, Godinersham Park, Faversliam, Kent. XIX. Steventon, Thursday (Jainiary 8). My dear Cassandka, — The "perhaps" which concluded my last letter being only a "perhaps," will not occasion your being overpowered with surprise, I dare say, if you should receive this be- fore Tuesday, which, unless circumstances are very perverse, will be the case. I received yours with much general philanthropy, and still more pecu- liar good-will, two days ago; and I suppose I need not tell you that it was very long, being written on a foolscap sheet, and very entertaining, being- written by you. Mr. Payne has been dead long enough for Henry to be 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 80 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1801. a ball, and hope you will not fail to benefit both 3'ourself and me by la^-ing out a few kisses in the purchase of a frank. 1 believe you are right in proposing to delay the cambric muslin, and I sub- mit with a kind of voluntary reluctance. Mr. Peter Debary has declined Deane curacy; he wishes to be settled near London. A foolish reason! as if Deane were not near London in com- parison of Exeter or York. Take the 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 Glenooe or Lake Katherine? I feel rather indignant that any possible objec- tion should be raised against so valuable a piece of preferment, so delightful a situation! — that Deane should not be universally allowed to be as near the metropolis as any other country villages. As this is the case, however, as Mr. Peter Debary has shown himself a Peter in the blackest sense of the word, we are obliged to look elsewhere for an heir; and my father has thought it a necessary compli- ment to James Digweed to oft'er the curacy to him, though without considering it as either a desirable or an eligible situation for him. Unless he is in love with Miss Lyford, I think he had better not be settled exactly in this neighborhood; and un- less he is very much in love with her indeed, he is not likely to think a salary of 50^. equal in value or efficiencv to one of 7ol. 1801.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 81 Were you indeed to be considered as one of the fixtures of the house ! — but you were never actu- ally erected in it either by Mr. Egerton Brydges or Mrs. Lloyd. . . . You are vevy 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 generosit}" 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, tliough undesired, was not wholly unexpected, being purposely effected, has made the immediate possession of the mare very convenieiit, 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 AusTEx, Godmersliam Park, Favershain, Kent. 82 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [ISOl. XX. Steventon, Weduesday (January U). Poor Miss Ansten! 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 ofiRcer who was struck with your appear- ance as soon as you entered the room? Martha left you her best love. She will write to you herself in a short time; but trusting to my memory rather than her own, she has nevertheless desired me to ask you to purchase for her two bottles of Steele's lavender water when you are in town, provided you should go to the shop on your OAvn account, otherwise you may be sure that she would not have you recollect the request. 1801.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 83 James dined with us yesterday, wrote to Edward in the evening, filled three sides of paper, every line inclining too much towards the northeast, and the very first line of all scratched out, and this morning he joins his lady in the fields of Elysium and Ibthorp. Last Eriday was a very busy day with us. We were visited by Miss Lyford and Mr. Bayle. The latter began his operations in the house, but had only time to finish the four sitting-rooms; the rest is deferred till the spring is more advanced and the days longer. He took his paper of appraise- ment away with him, and therefore w^e 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 be- fore, has now ceased to think of it entirely. At present the environs of Laura Place seem to be 84 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1801. his choice. His views on the subject are much advanced since I came home; he grows tpite ambi- tious, and actually requires now a comfortable and a creditable-looking house. On Saturday Miss Lj'ford 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: yesterda}^ came Mrs. Bram- stone, 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 a lul. . . . XXL Steventon, Wednesday (January 21). Expect a most agreeable letter, for not being overburdened with subject (having nothing at all to say), I shall have no check to my genius from beginning to end. Well, and so Frank's letter has made j'ou 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 1801.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 85 merchantman. Poor fellow! to wait from the middle of November to the end of December, and perhaps even longer, it must be sad work; espe- cially 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 certainl}^ 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 cap- tains were to be sent into lin,e-i)f-battle ships were to be promoted to the rank of commanders. If it be true, Mr. Valentine may afford himself a fine Valentine's knot, and Charles may perhaps become first of the "Endymion, " though I suppose Cap- tain Durham is too likely- to bring a villain with him under that denomination. . . . The neighborhood have quite recovered the death of Mrs. Rider, — so much so, that I think they are 86 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1807. rather rejoiced at it now; her things were so very dear! and Mrs. Rogers is to he all that is desi- rable. 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 miich their pleasure as it seems their avocation to be subjects of general entertainment. 1 have a great mind not to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, Avhich 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 hojDe I have no reason to hang myself. . . . AVhy 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, Godmershani Park, Faveisham, Kent. XXII. SouTHAMPTOx, Wedjiesclaj (January 7, 1807). My dear Cassandra, — You were mistaken in supposing I should expect 3^our letter on Sun- day; I had no idea of hearing from you before Tuesday, and my pleasure yesterda}^ was therefore unhurt by an}' previous disappointment. I thank 1S07.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 87 3-011 for writing so much; 3-ou must really have sent me the value of two letters in one. We are extremely glad to hear that Elizabeth is so much better, and hope you will be sensible of still further amendment in her when you return from Canterbury. Of your visit there I must now speak " inces- santl}'^; " it surprises, but pleases me more, and I consider it as a very just and honorable distinc- tion of you, and not less to the credit of Mrs. Knight. I have no doubt of your spending your time with her most pleasantly in quiet and rational conversation, and am so far from thinking her ex- pectations of you will be deceived, that my only fear is of your being so agreeable, so much to her taste, as to make her wish to keep you with her forever. If that should be the case, we must re- move to Canterbur}^, 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 com- fortable disposal of my time, to ease of mind from the torments of rice puddings and apple dump- lings, and probably to regret that I did not take more pains to please them all. Mrs. J. Austen has asked mo to return with her to Steventon; I need not give my answer; and she has invited my mother t) spend there the time of Mrs. F. A.'s confinement, which she seems half inclined to do. 88 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1807. A few daj^s 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 pro- ceeded from resentment of her not haviiig written to inquire particularly after my liooj)ing-cough, etc. She is a funny one. I have answered her letter, and have endeavored to give something like the truth with as little incivilit_y as I could, by placing my silence to the w^ant of subject in the very qiiiet 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 j^ost, as I intended to tell 3^ou in my last. Two or three things I recollected when it was too late, that I might have told 3'ou; one is that the AVelbys have lost their eldest son by a putrid fever at Eton, and another that Tom Chute is go- ing to settle in N^orfolk. You have scarcely ever mentioned Lizzy since your being at Grodmersham. I hope it is not be- cause 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 ex- pect a good one, as Captain Foote is a professed adversary to all but the plainest; he likes only 1807.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 89 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 dis- like 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 cor- dial 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 15ath again, to be out of the wa}^ of further altera- tions at Brooklands. Mrs. F. A. has had a very agreeable letter from Mrs. Dickson, who was delighted with the pui-se, and desires her not to provide herself with a chris- tening dress, which is exactly what her young correspondent wanted; and she means to defer making any of the caps as long as she can, in hope of having Mrs. D.'s present in time to be service- able as a pattern. She desires me to tell 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 continiu^, and of course are cut out to admiration. 90 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1807. *' Alpliousine " did not do. We were dis- gusted in twenty pages, as, independent of a bad translation, it lias indelicacies wliicli 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. r. A., to whom it is new, enjoys it as one could wish; the other Mary, I believe, has little pleasure from that or any other book. My mother does not seem at all more disap- pointed than ourselves at the termination of the family treaty; she thinks less of that just now than of the comfortable state of her own finances, which she finds on closing her year's accounts bej'ond her expectation, as she begins the new year with a balance of 30^. in her favor; and when she has written her answer to my aunt, which you know always hangs a little upon her mind, she will be above the world entirel3^ You will have a great deal of unreserved discourse with Mrs. K., I dare say, upon this subject, as svell as upon many other of our family matters. Abuse everj^- body but me. Thursday. — We expected James yesterday, but he did not come; if he comes at all now, his visit will be a very short one, as he must return to-morrow, that Ajax and the chair may be sent to Winchester on Saturday. Caroline's new pelisse 1807.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 91 depended upon lier 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;. she begins 1807 with 99^., and this after 321. purchase of stock. Frank too has been settling his accounts and making calculations, and each party feels quite equal to our present ex- penses; but much inci-ease of house-rent would not do for either. Frank limits himself, I believe, to four hundred a year. You wall 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 wdrole of our friends being with us, for though the inconve- nience has not been nothing, I should have feared 92 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1807. 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 7iot take our walk on Friday, it was too dirty, nor have we yet done it; we may perhaps do something like it to-day, as after seeing Frank skate, which he hopes to do in the meadows by the beech, we are to treat ourselves with a passage over the ferry. It is one of the pleasantest frosts I ever knew, so very quiet. I hope it will last some time longer for Frank's sake, who is quite anxious to get some skating; he tried yesterday, but it would not do. Our acquaintance increase too fast. He was recognized lately by Admiral Bertie, and a few days since arrived the Admiral and his daughter Catherine to wait upon us. There was nothing to like or dislike in either. To the Berties are to be added the Lances, with whose cards we have been endowed, and whose visit Frank and I returned yesterday. They live al)out a mile and three- quarters from S. to the right of the new road to Portsmouth, and I believe their house is one of those which are to be seen almost anywhere among the woods on the other side of the Itchen. It is a handsome building, stands high, and in a very beautiful situation. We found only Mrs. Lance at home, and whether 1807] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 93 she boasts any offspring besides a grand piano- forte did not appear. She was civil and chatty enough, and offered to introduce ns to some ac- quaintance in Southam[»ton, which we gratefully declined. I suppose tliey 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 there- fore that we are not worth her acquaintance. You must have heard from Martha by this time. We have had no accounts of Kintbury since her letter to me. Mrs. F. A. has had one fainting fit lately; it 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, Faversliaiii, Keut. 94 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [lt^o7. 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 011I3' 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 cleariiig away to receive currants and goose- berry bushes, and a spot is found very proper for raspberries. The alterations and improvements within doors, too, advance very properly, and the offices will be made very convenient indeed. Our dressing-table is constructing on the spot, out of a large kitchen table belonging to the house, for doing which we have the permission of Mr. Husket, Lord Lans- down's painter, — domestic painter, I should call him, for he lives in the castle. Domestic chaplains have given way to this more necessary office, and I suppose whenever the walls want no touching up he is employed about my lady's face. The morning was so wet that I was afraid we 1807.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 95 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 ise. something like lier 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 Avay to confidence and paralytic complaints, . . . Evening. — Our little visitor has just left us, and left us highly pleased with her; she is a nice, nat- ural, open-hearted, affectionate girl, with all the ready civility which one sees in the best children in the present day; so unlike anything that I was myself at her age, that I am often all astonishment 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 96 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1807. last she called here while we were out. Mary found, on our return, her card with only her name on it, and she 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 douht of her being actually staying with the only family in the place whom we cannot visit. Wliat a contretemps ! in the language of France. What an unluckiness ! in that of Madame Duval. The black gentleman has certainly employed one of his menial imps to bring about this complete, though trifling mischief. Miss F. has never called again, but we are in daily expectation of it. Miss P. has, of course, given her a proper under- standing of the business. It is evident that Miss F. did not expect or wish to have the visit re- turned, and Frank is quite as much on his guard for his wife as we could desire for her sake or our own. We shall rejoice in being so near Winchester when Edward beloiigs to it, and can never have our spare bed filled more to our satisfaction than by him. Does he leave Eltham at Easter? We are reading " Clarentine," and are surprised 1807.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 97 to find how foolish it is. I remember liking it much less on a second reading than at the first, and it does not bear a third at all. It is full of unnatural conduct and forced difficulties, without striking merit of any kind. Miss Harrison is going into Devonshire, to at- tend 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 acquaint- ance. He conunands 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 vis- ited by James again this week; he gave us reason 98 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [180S. to expect him soon, and if tliey 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 hoj^e your cough is gone, and that you are otherwise well, and remain, with love, Yours affectionately, J, A. Miss Austen, Godmersham Park, Eaversliain, 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, wliich we reached within tlie two hours and three-quarters, we went to the Bull, the same 1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 99 inn at which we breakfasted in that said jonrney, and on the present occasion had about the same bad butter. At half-past ten we were again off, and, travel- ling on without any adventure reached Sitting- bourne by three. Daniel was watching for us at the door of the George, and I was acknowledged very 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 min- utes, 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. Fann}- and Lizzy met us in the Hall with a great deal of pleasant joy; we went for a few minutes into the breakfast-parlor, and then proceeded to our rooms. Mary has the Hall chamber. I am in the Yellow room — very literally — for I am writing in it at this moment. It seems odd to me to have such a great place all to myself, and to be at Godmersham without you is also odd. You are wished for, I assure you: Fanny, who came to me as soon as she had seen her Aunt James to her room, and stayed while I dressed, was as energetic as usual in her longings for you. She is grown both in height and size since last year, but not immoderately, looks very well, and 100 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. seems as to conduct and manner just what slie was and what one could wish her to continue. Elizabeth,! yfiiQ -^yas dressing wdien we arrived, came to me for a minute attended by Marianne, Charles, and Louisa, and, you will not doubt, gave me a very affectionate welcome. That I had re- ceived such from Edward also I need not mention ; but I do, you see, because it is a pleasure. I never saw him look in better health, and Fanny says he is perfectly well. I cannot praise Elizabeth's looks, but they are probably affected by a cold. Her little namesake has gained in beauty in the last three years, though not all that Marianne has lost. Charles is not quite so lovely as he was. Louisa is much as I expected, and Cassandra I find handsomer than I expected, though at present dis- guised by such a violent breaking-out that she does not come down after dinner. She has charm- ing eyes and a nice open countenance, and seems likely to be very lovable. Her size is magnificent. I was agreeabl}^ 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 ; Fanu}^, of course, belonging to it, and little Edward, for that day. He was almost too happy, his happiness at least made him too talkative. 1 Mrs. Edward Austen. 1803.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 10 i It has struck teu; I must go to breakfast. Since breakfast I have liad a tete-a-tete with Edward in his room; he wanted to know James's j)lans and mine, and from what his own now are I think it already nearly certain tliat I shall return when they do, though not with them. Edward will be going about the same time to Alton, where he has business with Mr. Trimmer, and where he means his son should join him; and I shall prob- ably be his companion to that place, and get on afterwards somehow or other. I should have preferred a rather longer stay here certainly, but there is no prospect of any later con- veyance for me, as he does not mean to accompany Edward on his return to Winchester, from a very natural unwillingness to leave Elizabeth at that time. I shall at any rate be glad not to be obliged to be an incumbrance on those who have brought me here, for, as James has no horse, I must feel in their carriage that I am taking his place. We were rather crowded yesterday, though it does not become me to say so, as I and my boa were of the party, and it is not to be supposed but that a child of three years of age was fidgety. I need scarcely beg you to keep all this to your- self, lest it should get round by Anna's means. She is very kindly inquired after by her friends here, who all regret her not coming with her father and mother. 102 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. I left Hemy, I hope, free from liis 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 dis- solved. The country is very beautiful. I saw as much as ever to admire in my 3'esterday's journey. . . . XXY. Castle Square, October 13. My dearest Cassandra, — 1 have received your letter, and with most melancholy anxiety was it expected, for the sad news^ reached us last night, but without any 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. 1 Tlie death of Mrs Edward Austen. 1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN, 103 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 bo3'S 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 i;pon poor Harriot; and as for Lady B., but that her fortitude does seem truly great, I should fear the effect of such a blow, aud so unlooked for. I long to hear more of you all. Of Henry's anguish I think with grief and solicitude; but he will ex- ert liimself to be of use and comfort. With what true sympathy our feelings are shared by Martha you need not be told; she is the friend and sister under every circumstance. 104 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808 We need not enter into a panegyric on the departed, but it is sweet to think of her great worth, of her solid principles, of her true devo- tion, her excellence in every relation of life. It is also consolatory to reflect on the shortness of the sufferings which led her from this world to a better. Farewell for the present, my dearest sister. Tell Edward that we feel for him and pray for him. Yours affectionately, J. Austen. I will write to Catherine. Perliajjs you can give me some directions about mourning. Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., Godmersliam Park, Faversham, Kent. 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 Fannj^'s sense of duty to that beloved father will rouse her to exertion. For his sake, 1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 105 and as the most acceptable proof of love to tlie 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 106 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. of its doing something of the same for yon, though I believe your pelisse is in better repair than mine. One Miss Baker makes my gown and tlie 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 Many- down in the course of the ensuing week. We are desired by Mrs. Harrison and Miss Austen to say everything proper for them to your- self 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 Gooduestone 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 Avas 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? 1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 107 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 for- warded 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 direc- tions to them on that subject from yourselves. I shall certainly make use of the opportunity of addressing our nejDhew on the most serious of all concerns, as I naturally did in my letter to him before. The poor boys are, perhaps, more com- fortable at Steventon than they could be here, but you will understand my feelings with espect to it. To-morrow will be a dreadful day for you all. Mr. Whitfield's will be a severe duty.^ Glad shall I be to hear that it is over. That you are forever in our thoughts you will not doubt. I see your mournful party m my 1 Mr. Whitfield was the Rector of Godmershaiu at tliis time, liaviny come there iu 1778. 108 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [180S. mind's eye under every varying circumstance of the day; and in tlie evening especially figure to myself its sad gloom: the efforts to talk, the fre- quent summons to melancholy orders and cares, and poor Edward, restless in misery, going from one room to another, and perhaps not seldom up- stairs, to see all that remains of his Elizabeth. Dearest Eauny 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 1ms lost. This con- sideration will elevate and clieer her. Adieu. You cannot write too often, as I said before. We are heartily rejoiced that the poor baby gives you no particular anxiety. Kiss dear Lizzy for us. Tell Fanny that I sliall write in a day or two to Miss Sharpe. My mother is not ill. Yours most trul}', J. Austen. Tell Henrj^ that a hamper of apples is gone to him from Kintbury, and that Mr. Eowle intended writing on Eriday (supposing him in London) to beg that the charts, etc., may be consigned to the care of the Palmers. Mrs. Eowle has also written to Miss Palmer to beg she will send for them. Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., Godmersham Park, Faversham, Keut. 180S.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 109 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 clioice 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 hap- pened. Miss Lloyd, who is a more impartial judge than I can be, is exceedingly pleased with them. George is almost a new ac(juaintance 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 watch- 110 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. ing 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 fa- mous for tailoring, I hope it will prove itself better than Basingstoke. Edward has an old black coat, which will save his having a second new one; but I find that black pantaloons are considered by them as necessary, and of course one would not have them made uncomfortable by the want of what is usual on such occasions. Fanny's letter was received with great 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 verj^ 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 1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN". Ill our plans to ourselves. We have been obliged to explain them to our young visitors, in consequence of Fanny's lettc;^ 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 talk- ing of a house at W^^e. 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. Phi Hot to Lady Fran- ces St. Lawrence. She wanted to have a husband, I suppose, once in her life, and he a Lady Frances. I hope 3^our sorrowing party were at church yes- terday, 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 sup- posed 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 sub- 112 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. jt'ct of it. The weather did not allow us after- wards to get farther than the quay, where George was very haj)py 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 thej were very at- tentive; but you will not ex})ect to hear that they did not retvirn to conundrums the moment it was over. Their aunt has written pleasantly of them, Avhich was more than I hoped. While I write now, George is most industriously /nalving and naming paper ships, at which he after- wards shoots with horse-chestnuts, brought from Steventon on purpose; and Edward equally intent over the ''Lake of Killarney," twisting himself about in one of our great chairs. 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 sup- pose I like it. All that you sa}^ of Edward is truly comforta- ble; I began to fear that when the bustle of the first week was over, his spirits might for a time be more depressed; and perhaps one must still expect something of the kind. If you escape a bilious at- tack, I shall wonder almost as much as rejoice, I 1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 113 am glad you mentioned where Catlierine goes to- day; it is a good plan, but sensible people may generally be trusted to form such. The day began cheerfully, but it is not likely to continue what it should, for them or for us. We had a little water-party yesterday; I and my two nephews went from the Itchen Ferry up to Northam, where we landed, looked into the 74, and walked home, and it was so much enjoyed that I had intended to take them to Netley to-day; the tide is just right for our going im- mediately after moonshine, but I am afraid there will be rain; if we cannot get so far, how- ever, we may perhaps go round from the ferry to the quay. I had not proposed doing more than cross the Itchen yesterday, but it proved so pleasant, and 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 w^ay: I introduced speculation, and it was so much ap- proved that we hardly knew how to leave off. Your idea of an early dinner to-morrow is ex- 114 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. actly what we propose, for, after writing the first part of this letter, it came into my head that at this time of year we liave not summer evenings. We shall watch the light to-day, that we may not give them a dark drive to-morrow. They send their best love to papa and every- body, with George's thanks for the letter brought by this post. Martha begs my brother may be assured of her interest in everything relating to him and his family, and of her sincerely partaking our pleasure in the receipt of 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 solici- tude on such an occasion you will be able to do justice to, and to express it as she wishes to my brother. Concerning you, she says: "Cassandra wall, I know, excuse my writing to her; it is not to save myself but her that T omit so doing. Give my best, my kindest love to her, and tell her I feel for her as I know she would for me on the same occasion, and that I most sincerely hope her health will not suffer," 1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 115 We have just had two hampers of apples from Kintbury, and the floor of our little garret is almost covered. Love to all. Yours very affectionately, J. A. Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., Godmersham Park, Faversliam, Keut. XXVIII. Castle Square, Sunday (November 21). Your letter, my dear Cassandra, obliges me to write immediately, that yoii 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, 116 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808 and that your arrangements with Goodnestone may admit of suitable alteration. Your news of Edward Bridges was quite news, for I have had no letter from Wrotham. I wish him happy with all my heart, and hoj)e his choice may turn out according to his own expectations, and beyond those of his family ; and I dare say it will. Marriage is a great improver, and in a similar situation Harriet may be as amiable as Eleanor. As to money, that will come, you may be sure, because they cannot do without it. When you see him again, pray give him our congratu- lations and best wishes. This match will certainly set John and Lucy going. There are six bedchambers at Chawton; Henry wrote to my mother the other day, and luckily mentioned the number, which is just what we wanted to be assured of. He speaks also of gar- rets for store-places, one of which she immediately planned fitting up for Edward's man-servant ; and now perhaps it must be for 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, j'ou will have heard that Miss Sawbridge is married. It took place, I believe, on Thursday. Mrs. Fovvle has for some time been in the secret, ^>ut the neighborhood in 1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 117 general were quite unsu.spicious. Mr. Maxwell was tutor to the young Gregor3- s, — consequently, they must be one of the happiest couples in the Avorld, 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 spokeji of. They continue for tlie present at Sj)een 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 regu- larly informed of it, though the news had reached us on Monday evening by way of Steventon. My aunt says as little as may be on the subject by way of information, and nothing at all by way of satis- faction. She reflects on Mr. T. Leigh's dilatori- ness, and looks about with great diligence and success for inconvenience and evil, among which she ingeniously places the danger of her new house- maids catching cold on the outside of the coach, when she goes down to Bath, for a carriage makes her sick. John Binns has been offered their place, but declines it; as she supposes, because he will not wear a livery. Whatever be the cause, I like the effect. 118 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. In spite of all my mother's long and intimate knowledge of the writer, she was not up to the ex- pectation of such a letter as this; the discontented- ness of it shocked and surprised her — but I see nothing in it out of nature, though a sad nature. She does not forget to wish for Chambers, you may be sure. No particulars are given, not a word of arrears mentioned, thougli in her letter to James they were in a general way spoken of. The amount (f 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 wliat was intended last July, and have therefore only said tliat if we could see Henry we might hear many particulars, as I had under- stood that some confidential conversation had passed between him and Mr. T. L. at Stoneleigh. We have been as quiet as usual since Frank and Mary left us; Mr. Criswick called on Martha that very morning on his way home again from Ports- moutli, and we have had no visitor since. We called on the Miss Lyells one day, and heard a good account of Mr. Heathcote's canvass, the success of which, of course, exceeds his expec- tations. Alethea in her letter hopes for my inter- est, which I conclude means Edward's, and I take 1803] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEX. 119 tliis opportunity, therefore, of requesting that he will bring in Mr. Heathcote. Mr. Lane told us yesterday that Mr. H. had behaved very hand- somely, and waited on Mr. Thistlethwaite, to say that if he (Mr. T.) would stand, he (Mr. H.) would not oppose him; but Mr. T. declined it, acknowl- edging himself still smarting under the payment of late electioneering costs. The Mrs. Hulberts, we learn from Kintbury, come to Steventon this week, and bring Mary Jane Fowle with them on her way to Mrs. 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-mor- row, and we shall take it in our usual walk, if the weather be favorable. How could you have a wet day on Thursday? With us it was a prince of da3"S, the most delight- ful we have had for weeks ; soft, bright, with a brisk wind from the southwest; everybody was out and talking of spring, and Martha and I did not know how to turn back. On Friday evening we had some very blowing weather, — from six to nine; I think we never heard it worse, even here. And 120 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. one night we bad 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 Poote; 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! remem- ber me affectionately to everybody, and believe me, Ever yours, J. A. Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., Godmersham Park, Favershain, Keut. XXIX. Castle Square, Friday (December 9). Many thanks, my dear Cassandra, to you and Mr, Deedes for your joint and agreeable composi- tion, which took me by surj^rise this morning. He has certainly great merit as a writer; he does am- ple justice to his subject, and without being dif- fuse is clear and correct; and though I do nut 1808] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 121 mean to compare his epistolary powers with yours, or to give him the same portion of my gratitude, he certainly has a very pleasing way of winding up a whole, and speeding truth into the world. ''But all this," as my dear Mrs. Piozzi says, ''is flight and fancy and nonsense, for my master has his great casks to mind and I have my little children." It is you, however, in this instance, that have the little children, and I that have the great cask, for we are brewing spruce beer again; but my meaning really is, that I am extremely foolish in writing all this unnecessary stuff when I 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 along and happy abode there. Here she would probably be dull, and I am sure she would be troublesome. The bracelets are in my possession, and every- thing I could wish them to be. They came with Martha's pelisse, which likewise gives great satisfaction. Soon after I had closed my last letter to you we were visited by Mrs. Dickens and her sister-in- law, Mrs. Bertie, the wife of a lately made Admiral. Mrs. F. A.,^ I believe, was their first object, but 1 Frank Austeu. 122 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. tlie_y put up with us very kindl}', and Mrs. D., finding in Miss Lloj'd 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 ap- proaching removal. Yes, I mean to go to as many balls as possible, that I may have a good bargain. Everybody is very much concerned at our going away, and everybody is acquainted 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 tliat I will marry Mr. Papillon, whatever may be his reluctance or my own. I owe her much more than such a trilling sacrifice. Our ball was rather more amusing than I ex- pected. Martha liked it very much, and I did not gape till the last quarter of an hour. It was past nine before we were sent for, aiid not twelve when we returned. The room was tolerably full, and there were, perhaps, thirty couple of dancers. The 1803.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 123 melancholy part was to see so many dozen young women standing by without j^artners, and each of them with two ugly naked shoulders. It was the same room in which we danced fifteen 3'ears ago. I thought it all over, and in spite of the shame of being so much older, felt with thank- fulness that I was quite as happy now as then. We paid an additional shilling for our tea, which we took as we chose in an adjoining and very com- fortable room. There were only four dances, and it went to my lieart 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 w:as — 'by the gentleman whom we met thafSunday 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. 124 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. 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 Milliard, 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 satisfac- tion. 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 m 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 i are going to allow James 1001. 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 kind- ness, and intended as a comj)ensation for his loss 1 Mr. and Mrs Leio-h I'errot. 1803.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 125 in the conscientious refusal of Hampstead living; 100/. a year being all that he had at the time called its worth, a.s 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 to- gether 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 b}^ 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 j^ou again; with him and the boys you cannot but have a cheerful, and at times even a merry, Christmas. Martha is so \^3fSS. 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 tak- ing 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 126 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. gone to ChLswell, and in the course of the visit asked her whether she knew anything of a clergy- man's family of the name of Alford, who had re- sided in our part of Hampshire. Mr.s. 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 Hamp- shire, and who now wishes to convey to the Miss Alfords some work or trimming which slie 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 oc- curred to us, and it had previously struck herself . . . what makes it more likely, and even indis- pensably to be us, is that she mentioned Mr. Ham- mond 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 Austex's, E.sq., Godnieroham Park, Eaversham, Kent. 1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 127 XXX. Castle Square, Tuesday (December 27). My dear Cassandra, — I can now write at leisure and make the most of my subjects, which is luck}^, as they are not numerous this week. Our house was cleared by half-past eleven on Saturday, and we had the satisfaction of hearing yestei'day that the party reached home in safety soon after five, I was very glad of your letter this morning; for, mj^ 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 niucli that gives me pleasure, but I think not much to answer. I wish I could help you in your needle- work. 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 affec- tion, 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 tete- a-tite with Sir B. makes any change in our ex- pectations here; he could not be really reading, 128 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1S08 though lie held tlie 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 yesterda}-, and as I am to send them more clothes, they cannot he expecting a very early return to us. Mary's face is pretty well, hut she must have suffered a great deal with it; an abscess was formed and opened. Our evening party on Thursday produced noth- ing 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 INlary were here, and proved not at all what it ought to be; it was neither solid nor en- tirely sweet, and on seeing it, Eliza remembered that Miss Austen liad said she did not think it had been boiled enough. It was made, you know, when we were absent. Such being the event of 1808] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 129 the first pot, I would not save the second, and we therefore ate it in unpretending privacj^; and though not what it ought to be, part of it was very good. James means to keep three horses on this in- crease of income ; at present he has but one. Mary wislies 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 in- come to be eleven hundred pounds, curate paid, wliich makes us ver^- happy, — the ascertainment as well as the income. Mary does not talk of the garden; it may w^ell 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 de- grees, not at the expense which trenching the other amounted to. I was happy to hear, chieflj'' for Anna's sake, that a ball at Manydown was once more in agita- tion; 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. 9 130 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. I forgot in my last to tell jou that we hear, by way of Kinthury ami the Palmers, that they were all well at Bermuda in the beginning of Nov. Wednesday. — Yesterday must have been a day of sad remembrance at Gm.^ I am glad it is over. We spent Friday evening with our friends at the boarding-house, and our curiositj^ 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 j^oung 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. Hooke^'. 1 Godmersham, Edward Austen's place. 1808.] LETTERS OE JANE AUSTEN. 131 I cannot say that I am in any hurry for the con- clusion 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 posses- sions in plate, — a whole tablespoon and a whole dessert-spoon, and six whole teaspoons, — which makes our sideboard border on the magnificeut. They were mostly the produce of old or useless sil- A'er. I have turned the lis. in the list into 12s., and the card looks all the better; a silver tea-ladle is also added, which will at least answer the pur- pose 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 anj^thing more of Wm. Dig- weed's china, as your silence on the subject makes you unworth}^ of it. Mrs. H. Digweed looks for- ward with great satisfaction to our being her 132 LETTEKS OF JANE AUSTEX. [1808. neiglibors. I would have her enjoy the idea to the utmost, as I suspect there will uot be much in the reality. Witli e