Thursday, May 31, 2012

Letter #10, Post #26

Thursday 31 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "My father & I dined by ourselves-How strange!-He & John Bond are now very happy together, for I have just heard the heavy step of the latter along the passage." - Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798

So, dinner is done and John Bond has come to visit Reverend Austen. John Bond was Reverend Austen's farm bailiff. He was born c. 1738 and married Anne Naishon or Nation of Deane in 1772. They had four children, Hannah born in 1773; George born in 1776; John born in 1780; and Elizabeth born in 1782. John and Anne both died in 1825. John Bond would have been sixty years old at this point and maybe a heavy man. This is the first of nine times Jane Austen mentions him in her letters.


The duties of a farm bailiff as listed by Eve McLaughlin, the author of The McLaughlin Guides for Family Historians and the Secretary for Bucks Genealogical Society were, “To manage and organize (and normally participate in) the day to day work of one farm on behalf of a master who was a gentleman or just didn’t like getting his hands dirty. He could hire and fire ordinary labourers, but basic things, even sell  on his master’s behalf, but could only recommend major changes or purchases, and was liable to interference and criticism – and sudden dismissal – if anything went wrong. If the master was an absentee or owned a local big house, then he probably lived in the farmhouse. If the family were seriously rich, with several farm or estates, he would come under the Land Steward and might never see the master but once in a blue moon.”

For some reason this brings to mind Mr. Knightley and Robert Martin. I know the relationship was not the same, Robert Martin rented a farm from Mr. Knightley. This situation just made me think of them.

                             The Reverend George Austen about 1764.

I hope you enjoyed your day today!
Terrie

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Letter #10, Post #25

Tuesday 29 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "It is now saturday Eveng but I wrote the cheif of this in the morning.-My Mother has not been down at all today; the Laudanum made her sleep a good deal, & upon the whole I think she is better;-I shall be able to be more positive on this subject I hope tomorrow." - Jane Austen, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798

From reading these letters the first time I thought Mrs. Austen might have been a bit of a hypochondriac, but Jane Austen does seem really concerned about her at this time. It seems the way medicine was back then if you came down sick with anything it could take you out. It seems their only method of treatment for any illness was leeches, Laudanum and bleeding. I am just not sure I would have called for a doctor back then. Give me some dandelion tea, a little sympathy, and leave me alone.

Here is a quote from a letter Eliza de Feuillide, Jane Austen's cousin and Henry Austen's wife, wrote about her experience with leeches. This is from the book Jane Austen's 'Outlandish Cousin' The Life and Letters of Eliza de Feuillide by Deirdre Le Faye.

                                                          Eliza de Feuillide

Written 7 November 1796 to "My dear Cousin", whom she names at the end of the letter as Phillida, (Philadelphia Walter?)

"...At length the Doctor came, and the grave face which he put on sufficiently alarmed me - He told me the mercurial ointment did not agree with me, and desired I would immediately discontinue it, and that very evening apply four Leeches to the Swelling Not a moment he said was to be lost, for there was an unpleasant pulsation in the swelling which he trusted the Leeches would remove; at the same time however that his Looks and manner frightened me, his words afforded some Comfort for he said he made little doubt of curing me but that it was likely to be a tedious Business. A written Prescription for Draughts to be taken Night & Morning he also gave me and with this I set off to my Apothecarys in Pall Mall, both in order to bespeak the Leeches & have my Drugs made up-

"The idea of these Leeches was very terrible to me, but I mustered up what courage I could, and the odious Beasts were stuck on - They obligingly staid with me above two Hours, and Sr. Walter who saw me again the next day was well satisfied with their effect, tho' I could not see any apparent difference in the Swelling - He desired me to continue my Medicines, and in the course of a few days the Leeches were again applied. They then favored me with their Company still longer than the first time, but they had not been taken off ten minutes when the places where they had been applied, and indeed the whole side of my neck up to my ear, swelled and inflamed in so terrible a manner, that myself and those about me were exceedingly alarmed, and I accordingly dispatched an Express for my Doctor, who soon quieted our fears, by an assurance that what I experienced was a very common occurrence, for that it often happens, and there is no foreseeing or preventing the circumstance that the bite of the Leech is venomous. He ordered Bread & Milk Poultices, and after feeling for a week as if I had been stung by four Wasps, the consequences of this accident subsided." - Poor Eliza!

There you have it, straight from someone who experienced it. OOOh and ouch, a little amoxicillin would have been greatly appreciated, would it not?

I hope you enjoy your day today!
Terrie

Monday, May 28, 2012

Letter #10, Post #24

Monday 28 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "Earle Harwood has been to Deane lately, as I think Mary wrote us word; & his family then told him that they would receive his wife, if she continued to behave well for another Year.-He was very grateful, as well he might; their behaviour throughout the whole affair has been particularly kind.-Earle and his wife live in the most private manner imaginable at Portsmouth, without keeping a servant of any kind.-What a prodigious innate love of virtue she must have, to marry under such circumstances!-." - Jane Austen, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798

Earle Harwood was born in 1773 and was the son of John Harwood VI and Anne. He joined the Royal Marines and became a Lieutenant in 1796. He married Sarah Scott on 2 August 1797 at Stoke Damerel, Devon. He was appointed to the prison ship HMS Prothee on 27 December 1798 and the HMS Gladiator in 1800. He served in the West Indies and took part in the capture of Curacao in 1805. In 1807 he was the commanding Officer of Fort Amsterdam and returned to England in 1809. At the time of his death in 1811 he was Captain of the Woolwich Division of Marines. He was buried at Deane. He and Sarah did not have any children.

The following link is to a discussion in 2001 about, among other things, this subject. There are some interesting observations.
http://lists.mcgill.ca/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind1102b&L=austen-l&P=2001

One thing is obvious, Earle Harwood was very successful in his career. While he was humbly asking his family to accept his wife, for whatever reason they had shunned her, his father was busy taking on so much debt that when he died in 1813 it seemed as though the estate could scarcely pay it's own liabilites.

Earle's oldest brother, Reverend John Harwood VII spent the rest of his life struggling to pay off his father's debt just to retain the family property and support his dependants. He could not even afford to marry; although that may have been a blessing in disguise. He had wanted to marry Elizabeth Bigg, but she married Reverend William Heathcote in 1802 instead. After Reverend William Heathcote died, it became understood amongst their friends that she would marry Reverend John Harwood VII once he came into his inheritance. I am not too sure how happy a circumstance that would have been.

As far as Sarah Scott Harwood goes, her virtue must have been at fault, why else would Jane Austen make this statement "What a prodigious innate love of virtue she must have". It sounds sarcastic does it not? Especially following the previous sentence, "Earle and his wife live in the most private manner imaginable at Portsmouth, without keeping a servant of any kind."

Perhaps they did not have any servants because they wanted privacy. Perhaps they were tired of the gossips. Do you remember Mrs. Smith's nurse in Persuasion? She knew everything that went on in Bath because she worked with the servants; just watch Downton Abby;) (Soon I hope!)



In any case, it seems to me that both Earle Harwood and his brother, Reverend John Harwood VII, had great honor in their character; Earle because he married Sarah no matter what her disapproving quality was and John for taking on the family debt and caring for his family at the expense of his own happiness.

I hope you enjoyed your day today and don't forget to "Ring the Bells for 1812"!
Terrie

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Letter #10, Post #23

Sunday 27 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "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." - Jane Austen, Saturday 27- Sunday 28 October 1798


Deane House in Hampshire, very close to the church. Photo copyright by Dr. Neil Clifton and licensed for reuse.

I am not sure what a scrub would do, but I am sure I would be intimidated by cleaning this house too.


We went to estate sales yesterday and I bought this picture. It just looks like an English country village to me. What do you think? Now, to find a place to hang it.

I hope you enjoy your day today!
Terrie

Friday, May 25, 2012

Letter #10, Post #22

Thursday 24 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "Dame Bushell washes for us only one week more, as Sukey has got a place.-John Steevens' wife undertakes our Purification; She does not look as if anything she touched would ever be clean, but who knows?-We do not seem likely to have any other maidservant at present, but Dame Staples will supply the place of one.-"

Dame Elizabeth Bushell of Oakley parish. The wife of Thomas Bushell of Steventon. Sukey was probably either her daughter or granddaughter.

John Steevens wife was probably a sister-in-law to Mary Tilbury Steevens who married John's brother William in 1789. It was her sister, Elizabeth 'Betty' Tilbury Smith, who's daughter, Charlotte Smith was baptized on 5 September 1798 at Steventon.

Dame Elizabeth Staples (1753-1828) lived in Steventon and was the wife of Thomas Staples. They had nine children. Jane Austen mentions Mary Steevens, Dame Staples and Hannah Staples in her giving to the poor the Christmas of 1798. Hannah Staples was the daughter of Thomas and Dame Elizabeth Staples. For some reason this reminded me of Miss Bates in Emma. I am not sure why.


This is something I did not know, Phyllida Law, who played Mrs. Bates, and Sophie Thompson, who played Miss Bates, really are mother and daughter; and Emma Thompson is Phyllida Law's daughter and Sophie Thompson's sister.

            Sophie Thompson as Sophie Thompson. I am always amazed how different actors look in real life.

I hope you enjoyed your day today!
and don't forget, "Ring the Bells for 1812".
Terrie

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Letter #10, Post #21

Wednesday 23 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "The Lace Man was here only a few days ago; how unfortunate for both of us that he came so soon!-" - Jane Austen, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798

They were at Godmersham when the lace man came! He must have been an anticipated peddler.

                                     The Peddler's Wares by Felix Schlesinger, a German painter (1833-1910)

I hope you enjoyed your day today!
Terrie

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Letter #10, Post #20

Tuesday 22 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "Dame Tilbury's daughter has lain-in-Shall I give her any of your Baby Cloathes?-" - Jane Austen, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798

The notes in the back of the Jane Austen's Letters by Deirdre Le Faye book says there were two families of Tilbury's in Steventon in Jane Austen's time. The family she is probably referring to here was Mathew (1718-1800) and Susannah (1732-1824). They "married in 1758 and had four children: Mary, Betty, William and Mathew... an Elizabeth Tilbury (presumably the 'Betty' above) married at Church Oakley 1793 George Smith of Dummer-their daughter Charlotte Smith was baptized at Steventon on 5 September 1798."

This may seem like a conflict of interest, but, I think maybe it is a related subject; I was on the Daughters of the War of 1812's website a couple of days ago and they posted a handbill. The Bicentennial for the War of 1812 will start at noon on June 18th and they would like people to ring a bell to commemorate the start of the bicentennial.

http://www.usdaughters1812.org/home.html

The line saying "Participate in celebrating 200 years of peace!" must refer to peace with Britain.

I hope you have a great day today!
Terrie

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Letter #10, Post #19

Sunday 20 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "[p. 4] I am quite angry with myself for not writing closer; why is my alphabet so much more sprawly than Yours?" - Jane Austen, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798

I found this interesting blog on the analysis of Jane Austen's handwriting.
http://strengthandsong.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/handwriting-analysis-of-jane-austen/

This is a very brief mention of what was said on this blog. She uses the letter below to explain how she came up with the handwriting traits on specific written letters. You should check this blog out.

She says of Jane Austen's personality that she had a:
1) "highly expressive nature. She shows her emotions, feels comfortable expressing herself and demonstrates compassion. She easily sympathizes with others."
2) had a "love for elegance, high art, fine dining, literature, and music."
3) her handwriting indicated "a high level of enthusiasm, especially with regards to her own interests. A common trait of very successful people."
4) shows independence, "prefers to get things done on their own... do not mind spending time alone."
5) Argumentativeness, "must argue for the fun of it and enjoy a good verbal banter."
6) Diplomacy, "ability to approach potentially sticky subjects with tact and grace... excellent social skills and good with people."


This interpretation sounds very much like the description of Jane Austen in A Memoir of Jane Austen by Her Nephew by James Edward Austen Leigh

Chapter 5
"As my memoir has now reached the period when I saw a great deal of my aunt, and was old enough to understand something of her value, I will here attempt a description of her person, mind, and habits. In person she was very attractive; her figure was rather tall and slender, her step light and firm, and her whole appearance expressive of health and animation. In complexion she was a clear brunette with a rich colour; she had full round cheeks, with mouth and nose small and well formed, bright hazel eyes, and brown hair forming natural curls close round her face. If not so regularly handsome as her sister, yet her countenance had a peculiar charm of its own to the eyes of most beholders. At the time of which I am now writing, she never was seen, either morning or evening, without a cap; I believe that she and her sister were generally thought to have taken to the garb of middle-age earlier than their years or their looks required; and that, though remarkably neat in their dress as in all their ways, they were scarcely sufficiently regardful of the fashionable, or the becoming.

"She was not highly accomplished according to the present standard. Her sister drew well; Jane herself was fond of music, and had a sweet voice, both in singing and in conversation; in her youth she had received some instruction on the pianoforte; and at Chawton she practised daily, chiefly before breakfast. I believe she did so partly that she might not disturb the rest of the party who were less fond of music. In the evening she would sometimes sing, to her own accompaniment, some simple old songs, the words and airs of which, now never heard, still linger in my memory...
  
"I have collected some of the bright qualities which shone, as it were, on the surface of Jane Austen's character, and attracted most notice; but underneath them there lay the strong foundations of sound sense and judgment, rectitude of principle, and delicacy of feeling, qualifying her equally to advise, assist, or amuse. She was, in fact, as ready to comfort the unhappy, or to nurse the sick, as she was to laugh and jest with the light-hearted. Two of her nieces were grown up, and one of them was married, before she was taken away from them. As their minds became more matured, they were admitted into closer intimacy with her, and learned more of her graver thoughts; they know what a sympathising friend and judicious adviser they found her to be in many little difficulties and doubts of early womanhood."

Wow, it's late, or early, depending. I hope you had a good day yesterday and I hope you have a great day today!
Terrie



Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Letter #10, Post #18

Wednesday 16 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "I understand that there are some Grapes left, but I beleive not many;-they must be gathered as soon as possible, or this Rain will entirely rot them." - Jane Austen, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798


It must have been raining pretty hard. She mentions the rain a couple of times in this letter.

This is a link to a walking tour in Jane Austen Country, one in July and one in October. If nothing else click on it just to see the photo gallery and the walk itinerary. There are some beautiful pictures of the area. This would be such fun.


Just look at this picture of Chawton Great House. It was certainly not raining that day. It is such a beautiful estate.

There is not much else to say now that we have discussed the weather ;)

I hope you had a good day today!
Terrie

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Letter #10, Post #17

Tuesday 15 May 2012
Happy Birthday Amy!!!!!
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "I beleive the Servants were very glad to see us, Nanny was I am sure; she confesses that it was very dull, & yet she had her Child with her till last Sunday." - Jane Austen, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798

This is very great proof that the Austen's were amiable people; the people who worked for them were glad for their return.

For information on Nanny see letter #10, post #7.

On a completely unrelated subject, I was reading the history of Sunbonnet Sue today (I know, but I like to be crafty and I have always thought Sunbonnet Sue's are so sweet). Anyway, as I was reading it was mentioned that Kate Greenway first drew children in Regency dress and I thought, maybe that's why I like Sunbonnet Sue so much, and then I remembered the watercolor painting Cassandra did of Jane and I thought, she looks like a Sunbonnet Sue. Kate Greenway made her drawings in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Cassandra drew this picture in 1804, so I think that makes Cassandra Austen the originator of the Sunbonnet Sue image and Jane Austen the original Sunbonnet Sue. My husband thinks I have gone off the deep end and am drowning in Austenland. Oh well, it is a nice way to go.

                 Does anyone else see the resemblance?

I hope you enjoyed your day today!
Terrie

Monday, May 14, 2012

Letter #10, Post #16

Monday 14 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "The books from Winton are all unpacked and put away;-the Binding has compressed them most conveniently, & there is now very good room in the Bookcase for all that we wish to have there." - Jane Austen, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798

Some interesting information I found on this section is that Winton is an archaic name for Winchester, England.

As for book binding I found a few sets of first edition Pride and Prejudice's. The set below sells for $60,000.00.
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=6170167506&searchurl=an%3Djane%2Bausten%26fe%3Don%26sortby%3D2%26tn%3Dpride%2Band%2Bprejudice%26yrh%3D1813%26yrl%3D1813




Pride and Prejudice was first published on 28 January 1813. So, almost two hundred years later this book has sold over twenty million copies. It first sold for 18 shillings, 90 pence in our day. A pence is worth about 2 cents in U.S. money, so for $1.80 in 1813 you could buy a first edition Pride and Prejudice; a pretty good investment!

On 29 October 2010 a first edition set of Pride and Prejudice sold at auction for 140,000 pounds! A mere $225,217.7659 in U.S. dollars.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1325055/Early-edition-Jane-Austens-Pride-Prejudice-auctioned-140-000.html

Well done, Jane, well done!

I hope you enjoyed your day today!
Terrie

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Letter #10, Post #15

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Sunday 13 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "My dear itty Dordy's remembrance of me is very pleasing to me; foolishly pleasing, because I know it will be over so soon. My attachment to him will be more durable; I shall think with tenderness & delight on his beautiful & smiling Countenance & interesting Manners, till a few years have turned him into an ungovernable, ungracious fellow." - Jane Austen, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798

Itty Dordy must have been George-Thomas Austen Knight, esq., possibly a play on little Georgie? He was born at Rowling 22 November 1795 as Edward and Elizabeth's second son. He married Lady Hilaire Barlow Nelson Knight in 1837. Her second husband was Reverend William Nelson, 1st Earl, Lord Nelson's brother. George Knight was her third husband.

Lady Hilaire Barlow Nelson Knight died in Paris, France on 22 December 1857. George-Thomas Austen Knight, esq. died 25 August 1867 in Moorfields, Herefordshire.

George-Thomas was not quite three years old when she wrote this letter. It seems Jane Austen had a pretty good understanding of the stages of childhood. And, I must admit, we have all enjoyed the company of her children, Northanger, S & S,  P & P, Mansfield Park, Emma and Persuasion.

Thank you Jane and Happy Mother's Day. Your children are greatly loved.

                            The first of our roses!

I hope you enjoy your day today!
Terrie

Friday, May 11, 2012

Letter #10, Post #14

Friday 11 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "We are very glad to hear such a good account of your Patients, little & great." - Jane Austen, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798

Cassandra's patients would have been Elizabeth, Edward's wife and their newest baby, William, who was born on the 10th of October 1798. William was the Reverend George Austen's father's name. So little William would have been named after his great-grandfather, and of course, Frank's name was Francis William Austen.

Godmersham Park, where Cassandra, Elizabeth and baby William were currently residing; such a grand estate.

I re-watched Sense and Sensibility yesterday and enjoyed just as much as the first time, second time, third..., on and on.

I know it is quirky, but I am looking forward to seeing Dark Shadows this weekend. I admit I used to watch it when I was in the sixth grade. Recently I discovered it on Netflix and started watching it again. Funny how things change; it's not quite like I remembered it; but, I have seen trailers for the new movie with Johnny Depp and it looks amusing, and, if nothing else, there is always Johnny Depp, right?

I hope you enjoy your day today!
Terrie

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Letter #10, Post #13

Tuesday 8 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "-The Spectacles which Molly found are my Mother's, the Scissors my father's." - Jane Austen, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798

This is a picture of Mrs. Austen's spectacles! They have been donated to The Philpott Museum Lyme Regis by Diana Shervington, a descendant of Edward Austen Knight, Jane Austen's brother.
http://austenonly.com/category/dorset/

Mrs. Austen's spectacles and their case, Spilkins (seems like pick-up sticks), a set of bone counters (they look like Scrabble tiles), and gaming fish.

I have thought it would be fun to learn to play Whist and the other games Jane Austen mentions. It would just be something unique to know. I have a book (somewhere) with the instructions for Whist. I should look for that; just thinking out loud.

I hope you had a good day!
Terrie

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Letter #10, Post #12

Thursday 3 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "-I hear that Martha is in better looks & Spirits than she has enjoyed for a long time; & I flatter myself she will now be able to jest openly about Mr W."-Jane Austen, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798

Martha Lloyd was a close friend to Jane Austen. Even though she was ten years older than Jane they got along quite well.

Mr. W, humm, Willoughby, Wickham...?

In an article from The Jane Austen Society of Australia

http://www.jasa.net.au/japeople/marthalloyd.htm

The people in Jane Austen's life - The best friend: Martha Lloyd by Lorraine Lock, she quotes Park Honan, the writer of Jane Austen Her Life: 

"Park Honan does provide some insights into Martha’s romance and possible faults: …"
'once she had suffered in a broken romance, and recovered slowly: ‘I hear Martha.’ Jane had told her sister, ‘is in better looks and spirits than she has enjoyed for a long time & I flatter myself she will now be able to jest openly about Mr W’. But it seems Mr W had left a mark and Martha had become more receptive and self-effacing. Her one fault lay in her goodness or in a slavish running off to those in need, such as to Mrs Dundas, her invalid friend at Barton Court in Kintbury … She took cues in humour from Jane while meeting Mrs Austen’s standards, so seemed an ideal companion. ‘With Martha Lloyd’ Jane once wrote, ‘who will be so happy as we?’"
                        A Daguerreotype of Martha in old age on show at the Museum

http://janeaustenshousemuseumblog.com/2012/03/25/martha-lloyds-household-book/


                This is a clearer picture, but it does not show the framed case of the original.

Maybe Martha was like many of us. Jane wrote a letter to Cassandra on Tuesday 11 June 1799 and jokingly wrote, "I would not let Martha read First Impressions again upon any account, & am very glad that I did not leave it in your power.-She is very cunning, but I see through her design;-she means to publish it from Memory, & one more perusal must enable her to do it."

How many times have you read Pride and Prejudice (First Impressions became Pride and Prejudice) and still enjoyed it as much as you did the first time? Have you ever seen Lost In Austen? I recommend it. It is worth your time.

I hope you enjoyed your day today!
Terrie

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Letter #10, Post #11

Wednesday 2 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "-There has been a great deal of rain here for this last fortnight, much more than in Kent; & indeed we found the roads all the way from Staines most disgracefully dirty.-Steventon lane has its full share of it, & I donot know when I shall be able to get to Deane." - Jane Austen, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798

Deane, Hants. is a village just 2 miles north of Steventon. Reverend George Austen was the rector there from 1773 until his death in 1805.

The following is from Jane Austen, Her Homes and Her Friends by Constance Hill

http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/hill/austen/homes07.html


"The old Manor House of Deane, the home of the Harwoods, has already been spoken of. It is built of dark red brick and has white window frames and a white porch. Deane Lane divides its beautiful grounds from those of the old rectory which formerly stood at a little distance behind a thatched mud wall. The mud wall is still standing and behind it lies a sunny fruit and flower garden, but the old rectory, the home for seven years of Mr. and Mrs. George Austen, has long since [Page 67]  disappeared. At the time we are writing of, it was inhabited by Jane Austen's eldest brother James and his family.

"Early in January 1796, a ball was given at Deane House, which Jane describes in a letter to her sister. We have seen the room where the dancing must have taken place. Its walls are

DEANE HOUSE
panelled and painted white and it has a grand Jacobean chimney-piece which reaches to the ceiling. The floor is of polished wood. Two windows, deeply recessed in the thickness of the wall, look out on to the park with its waving trees.

"At the "Harwood's ball" Jane was somewhat in the position of her own Catherine Morland at the Cotillion ball in Bath, desirous [Page 68]  to escape from one gentleman and to be free to dance with another. "To my inexpressible astonishment," she writes, "I entirely escaped


THE PANELLED ROOM IN DEANE HOUSE
John Lyford. I was forced to fight hard for it, however." Was John Lyford, we wonder, borne away from Jane, as his namesake was borne away from Catherine, "by the resistless pressure of a long string of passing ladies"? [Page 69] 

"The attractive gentleman on this occasion was a Mr. Tom Lefroy, a nephew of the Rector of Ashe."

I am for bed. I am tired tonight. I hope you enjoyed your day!
Terrie



Letter #10, Post #10

Tuesday 1 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "Mrs Hall of Sherbourn was brought to bed yesterday of a dead child, some weeks before she expected, oweing to a fright.-I suppose she happened unawares to look at her husband." - Jane Austen, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798

Monk Sherborne is a hamlet 1 mile northwest of Sherborne St John. The Revd Dr Henry Hall was vicar here from 1793 to 1829. James Austen was the vicar of Sherborne St John.

This seems rather mean. This is a reminder that she was writing to Cassandra, who knew her well, and not for the world's consumption.

                                      Donald Sutherland as Mr. Bennett 2005 P & P

What was it Mr. Bennett said, "For what do we live, but to make sport of our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?" - Pride and Prejudice, chapter 57

I hope you enjoy your day today!
Terrie