Reviews - Books I Read - DRJG: August 2021

................................................................................................

The Juvenilia of Jane Austen

(Juvenilia #1-3) by Jane Austen

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA

................................................................................................

INTRODUCTION

JUVENILIA Volume 1

FREDERIC AND ELFRIDA (1787-1793)

JACK AND ALICE (1787-1793)

EDGAR AND EMMA (1787-1793)

HENRY AND ELIZA (1787-1793)

THE ADVENTURES OF MR. HARLEY (1787-1793)

SIR WILLIAM MOUNTAGUE (1787-1793)

MEMOIRS OF MR. CLIFFORD (1787-1793)

THE BEAUTIFUL CASSANDRA (1787-1793)

AMELIA WEBSTER (1787-1793)

THE VISIT (1797-1793)

THE MYSTERY (1787-1793)

THE THREE SISTERS (1787-1793)

DETACHED PIECES (1787-1793)

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 2

LOVE AND FREINDSHIP (1787-1793)

LESLEY CASTLE (1787-1793)

THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND (1787-1793)

A COLLECTION OF LETTERS (1787-1793)

SCRAPS (1787-1793)

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 3

EVELYN (1787-1793)

CATHARINE (1787-1793)

................................................................................................

Reviews

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 1

................................................................................................

Quoted from

INTRODUCTION

"Perhaps as early as 1787, Austen began to write poems, stories, and plays for her own and her family's amusement. Austen later compiled "fair copies" of 29 of these early works into three bound notebooks, now referred to as the Juvenilia, containing pieces originally written between 1787 and 1793. There is manuscript evidence that Austen continued to work on these pieces as late as the period 1809–1811, and that her niece and nephew, Anna and James Edward Austen, made further additions as late as 1814. Among these works are a satirical novel in letters titled Love and Freindship [sic], in which she mocked popular novels of sensibility, and The History of England, a manuscript of 34 pages accompanied by 13 watercolour miniatures by her sister Cassandra.

"Austen's History parodied popular historical writing, particularly Oliver Goldsmith's History of England (1764). Austen wrote, for example: "Henry the 4th ascended the throne of England much to his own satisfaction in the year 1399, after having prevailed on his cousin & predecessor Richard the 2nd, to resign it to him, & to retire for the rest of his life to Pomfret Castle, where he happened to be murdered." Austen's Juvenilia are often, according to scholar Richard Jenkyns, "boisterous" and "anarchic"; he compares them to the work of 18th-century novelist Laurence Sterne and the 20th century comedy group Monty Python."

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 1- Novel

................................................................................................

• Frederic and Elfrida

................................................................................................

Frederic & Elfrida, by Jane Austen,

Juliet McMaster (Illustrator), Victoria Kortes-Papp (Editor),

Sylvia Hunt (Editor).

................................................................................................

Jane Austen wrote these bits to amuse her family, and quite amusing they certainly are, from chuckle to hilarious through the collection termed juvenilia.

................................................................................................

"Dedication

"To Miss Lloyd

"My Dear Martha

"As a small testimony of the gratitude I feel for your late generosity to me in finishing my muslin cloak, I beg leave to offer you this little production of your sincere friend.

"The Author

................................................................................................

"The uncle of Elfrida was the father of Frederic; in other words, they were first cousins by the father's side."

Not always correct; the first part might be about Elfrieda's mother's brother, or an uncle by marriage, in which the latter case they wouldn't be related at all.

"They were exceedingly handsome and so much alike, that it was not everyone who knew them apart. Nay, even their most intimate friends had nothing to distinguish them by, but the shape of the face, the colour of the eye, the length of the nose, and the difference of the complexion."

Didn't people dress very differently those days, across gender gap? Or was cross dressing common?

................................................................................................

"On being shown into an elegant dressing room, ornamented with festoons of artificial flowers, they were struck with the engaging exterior and beautiful outside of Jezalinda, the eldest of the young ladies; but e'er they had been many minutes seated, the wit and charms which shone resplendent in the conversation of the amiable Rebecca enchanted them so much, that they all with one accord jumped up and exclaimed:

""Lovely and too charming fair one, not withstanding your forbidding squint, your greasy tresses and your swelling back, which are more frightful than imagination can paint or pen describe, I cannot refrain from expressing my raptures, at the engaging qualities of your mind, which so amply atone for the horror with which your first appearance must ever inspire the unwary visitor."

""Your sentiments so nobly expressed on the different excellencies of Indian and English muslins, and the judicious preference you give the former, have excited in me an admiration of which I can alone give an adequate idea, by assuring you it is nearly equal to what I feel for myself.""

How did "that they all with one accord jumped up and exclaimed" quite so much?

"From this period, the intimacy between the families of Fitzroy, Drummond, and Falknor daily increased, till at length it grew to such a pitch, that they did not scruple to kick one another out of the window on the slightest provocation."

"During this happy state of harmony, the eldest Miss Fitzroy ran off with the coachman and the amiable Rebecca was asked in marriage by Captain Roger of Buckinghamshire.

"Mrs. Fitzroy did not approve of the match on account of the tender years of the young couple, Rebecca being but thirty six and Captain Roger little more than sixty three. To remedy this objection, it was agreed that they should wait a little while till they were a good deal older."

................................................................................................

"Scarcely were they seated as usual, in the most affectionate manner in one chair, than the door suddenly opened and an aged gentleman with a sallow face and old pink coat, partly by intention and partly thro' weakness was at the feet of the lovely Charlotte, declaring his attachment to her and beseeching her pity in the most moving manner.

"Not being able to resolve to make anyone miserable, she consented to become his wife; where upon the gentleman left the room and all was quiet.

"Their quiet however continued but a short time, for on a second opening of the door a young and handsome gentleman with a new blue coat entered and entreated from the lovely Charlotte, permission to pay to her his addresses.

"There was a something in the appearance of the second stranger, that influenced Charlotte in his favour, to the full as much as the appearance of the first: she could not account for it, but so it was.

"Having therefore, agreeable to that and the natural turn of her mind to make everyone happy, promised to become his wife the next morning, he took his leave and the two ladies sat down to supper on a young leveret, a brace of partridges, a leash of pheasants and a dozen of pigeons.

"It was not till the next morning that Charlotte recollected the double engagement she had entered into; but when she did, the reflection of her past folly operated so strongly on her mind, that she resolved to be guilty of a greater, and to that end threw herself into a deep stream which ran thro her aunt's pleasure grounds in Portland Place.

"She floated to Crankhumdunberry where she was picked up and buried; the following epitaph, composed by Frederic, Elfrida, and Rebecca, was placed on her tomb."

................................................................................................

................................................

August 17, 2021 - August 17, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 1- Novel

................................................................................................

• Jack and Alice

................................................................................................

Jack & Alice, by Jane Austen?

................................................................................................

"Dedication

"Jack and Alice

"A Novel Is respectfully inscribed to Francis William Austen Esq.

"Midshipman on board His Majesty's Ship The Perseverance

"By his obedient humble servant

"The Author

................................................................................................

Austen continues being amusing, from chuckling to hilarious.

................................................................................................

"Mr. and Mrs. Jones were both rather tall and very passionate, but were in other respects good tempered, well-behaved people. Charles Adams was an amiable, accomplished, and bewitching young man; of so dazzling a beauty that none but eagles could look him in the face.
"Miss Simpson was pleasing in her person, in her manners, and in her disposition; an unbounded ambition was her only fault. Her second sister Sukey was envious, spiteful, and malicious. Her person was short, fat and disagreeable. Cecilia (the youngest) was perfectly handsome, but too affected to be pleasing.
"In Lady Williams every virtue met. She was a widow with a handsome Jointure and the remains of a very handsome face. Tho' benevolent and candid, she was generous and sincere; tho' pious and good, she was religious and amiable, and tho elegant and agreeable, she was polished and entertaining.
"The Johnsons were a family of love, and though a little addicted to the bottle and the dice, had many good qualities.

"Such was the party assembled in the elegant drawing room of Johnson Court, amongst which the pleasing figure of a sultana was the most remarkable of the female masks. Of the males, a mask representing the sun was the most universally admired. The beams that darted from his eyes were like those of that glorious luminary, tho' infinitely superior. So strong were they that no one dared venture within half a mile of them; he had therefore the best part of the room to himself, its size not amounting to more than three quarters of a mile in length and half a one in breadth. The gentleman at last finding the fierceness of his beams to be very inconvenient to the concourse, by obliging them to crowd together in one corner of the room, half shut his eyes, by which means the company discovered him to be Charles Adams in his plain green coat, without any

mask at all."

................................................................................................

"For three months did the masquerade afford ample subject for conversation to the inhabitants of Pammydiddle; but no character at it was so fully expatiated on as Charles Adams. The singularity of his appearance, the beams which darted from his eyes, the brightness of his wit, and the whole tout ensemble of his person had subdued the hearts of so many of the young ladies, that of the six present at the masquerade but five had returned uncaptivated. Alice Johnson was the unhappy sixth whose heart had not been able to withstand the power of his charms. But as it may appear strange to my readers, that so much worth and excellence as he possessed should have conquered only hers, it will be necessary to inform them that the Miss Simpsons were defended from his power by ambition, envy, and self-admiration.

"Every wish of Caroline was centred in a titled husband; whilst in Sukey such superior excellence could only raise her envy not her love, and Cecilia was too tenderly attached to herself to be pleased with anyone besides. ... "

"One evening, Alice finding herself somewhat heated by wine (no very uncommon case) determined to seek a relief for her disordered head and love-sick heart in the conversation of the intelligent Lady Williams.

"She found her ladyship at home, as was in general the case, for she was not fond of going out, and like the great Sir Charles Grandison scorned to deny herself when at home, as she looked on that fashionable method of shutting out disagreeable visitors, as little less than downright bigamy."

................................................................................................

" ... Preserve yourself from a first love and you need not fear a second.""

................................................................................................

"“For” (said she) “he has often and often declared to me that his wife, whoever she might be, must possess youth, beauty, birth, wit, merit, and money. I have many a time” (she continued) “endeavoured to reason him out of his resolution and to convince him of the improbability of his ever meeting with such a lady; but my arguments have had no effect, and he continues as firm in his determination as ever.” You may imagine, Ladies, my distress on hearing this; for I was fearful that tho' possessed of youth, beauty, wit and merit, and tho' the probable heiress of my aunt's house and business, he might think me deficient in rank, and in being so, unworthy of his hand."

""However I was determined to make a bold push and therefore wrote him a very kind letter, offering him with great tenderness my hand and heart. To this I received an angry and peremptory refusal, but thinking it might be rather the effect of his modesty than anything else, I pressed him again on the subject. But he never answered any more of my letters and very soon afterwards left the country. As soon as I heard of his departure, I wrote to him here, informing him that I should shortly do myself the honour of waiting on him at Pammydiddle, to which I received no answer; therefore, choosing to take silence for consent, I left Wales, unknown to my aunt, and arrived here after a tedious journey this morning. On enquiring for his house, I was directed thro' this wood, to the one you there see. With a heart elated by the expected happiness of beholding him, I entered it, and had proceeded thus far in my progress thro' it, when I found myself suddenly seized by the leg and on examining the cause of it, found that I was caught in one of the steel traps so common in gentlemen's grounds."

""Ah!” cried Lady Williams, “how fortunate we are to meet with you; since we might otherwise perhaps have shared the like misfortune —"

""It is indeed happy for you, Ladies, that I should have been a short time before you. I screamed, as you may easily imagine, till the woods resounded again and till one of the inhuman wretch's servants came to my assistance and released me from my dreadful prison, but not before one of my legs was entirely broken.""

"Lady Williams now interposed, and observed that the young lady's leg ought to be set without farther delay. After examining the fracture, therefore, she immediately began and performed the operation with great skill, which was the more wonderful on account of her having never performed such a one before. Lucy then arose from the ground, and finding that she could walk with the greatest ease, accompanied them to Lady Williams's house at her ladyship's particular request."

................................................................................................

"It may now be proper to return to the hero of this novel, the brother of Alice, of whom I believe I have scarcely ever had occasion to speak; which may perhaps be partly owing to his unfortunate propensity to liquor, which so completely deprived him of the use of those faculties nature had endowed him with, that he never did anything worth mentioning. His death happened a short time after Lucy's departure and was the natural consequence of this pernicious practice. By his decease, his sister became the sole inheritress of a very large fortune, which as it gave her fresh hopes of rendering herself acceptable as a wife to Charles Adams, could not fail of being most pleasing to her — and as the effect was joyful, the cause could scarcely be lamented."

""Sir, I may perhaps be expected to appear pleased at and grateful for the offer you have made me: but let me tell you that I consider it as an affront. I look upon myself to be, Sir, a perfect beauty — where would you see a finer figure or a more charming face. Then, Sir, I imagine my manners and address to be of the most polished kind; there is a certain elegance, a peculiar sweetness in them that I never saw equalled and cannot describe. Partiality aside, I am certainly more accomplished in every language, every science, every art and everything than any other person in Europe. My temper is even, my virtues innumerable, myself unparalleled. Since such, Sir, is my character, what do you mean by wishing me to marry your daughter? Let me give you a short sketch of yourself and of her. I look upon you, Sir, to be a very good sort of man in the main; a drunken old dog to be sure, but that's nothing to me. Your daughter Sir, is neither sufficiently beautiful, sufficiently amiable, sufficiently witty, nor sufficiently rich for me. — I expect nothing more in my wife than my wife will find in me — perfection. These, Sir, are my sentiments and I honour myself for having such. One friend I have, and glory in having but one. She is at present preparing my dinner, but if you choose to see her, she shall come and she will inform you that these have ever been my sentiments."

"Mr. Johnson was satisfied: and expressing himself to be much obliged to Mr. Adams for the characters he had favoured him with of himself and his daughter, took his leave.

"The unfortunate Alice, on receiving from her father the sad account of the ill success his visit had been attended with, could scarcely support the disappointment. — She flew to her bottle and it was soon forgot."

................................................................................................

"What might have been the effect of her ladyship's advice, had it ever been received by Lucy, is uncertain, as it reached Bath a few hours after she had breathed her last. She fell a sacrifice to the envy and malice of Sukey, who jealous of her superior charms, took her by poison from an admiring world at the age of seventeen."

"His Grace's affliction may likewise be easily accounted for, since he lost one for whom he had experienced, during the last ten days, a tender affection and sincere regard. He mourned her loss with unshaken constancy for the next fortnight, at the end of which time, he gratified the ambition of Caroline Simpson by raising her to the rank of a duchess. ... —The beautiful but affected Cecilia was too sensible of her own superior charms, not to imagine that if Caroline could engage a duke, she might without censure aspire to the affections of some prince — and knowing that those of her native country were chiefly engaged, she left England and I have since heard is at present the favourite Sultana of the great Mogul. —

"In the meantime, the inhabitants of Pammydiddle were in a state of the greatest astonishment and wonder, a report being circulated of the intended marriage of Charles Adams. The Lady's name was still a secret. Mr. and Mrs. Jones imagined it to be Miss Johnson; but she knew better; all her fears were centred in his cook, when to the astonishment of everyone, he was publicly united to Lady Williams —."

................................................................................................

................................................

August 17, 2021 - August 18, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 1 – Tale

................................................................................................

• Edgar and Emma

................................................................................................

Here we see a glimpse more of the Austen we know, peeping through the outrageously hilarious Juvenilia in general which are pieces written, while she was younger, mostly to amuse her family.

................................................................................................

"'I cannot imagine,' said Sir Godfrey to his lady, 'why we continue in such deplorable lodgings as these, in a paltry market-town, while we have three good houses of our own situated in some of the finest parts of England, and perfectly ready to receive us!'

"'I'm sure, Sir Godfrey,' replied Lady Marlow, 'it has been much against my inclination that we have stayed here so long; or why we should ever have come at all indeed, has been to me a wonder, as none of our houses have been in the least want of repair.'"

"As, after a few more speeches on both sides, they could not determine which was the most to blame, they prudently laid aside the debate, and having packed up their clothes and paid their rent, they set out the next morning with their two daughters for their seat in Sussex."

................................................................................................

"The news of their arrival being quickly spread throughout the country, brought them in a few days visits of congratulation from every family in it.

"Amongst the rest came the inhabitants of Willmot Lodge a beautiful villa not far from Marlhurst. Mr Willmot was the representative of a very ancient family and possessed besides his paternal estate, a considerable share in a lead mine and a ticket in the lottery. His lady was an agreeable woman. Their children were too numerous to be particularly described; it is sufficient to say that in general they were virtuously inclined and not given to any wicked ways. Their family being too large to accompany them in every visit, they took nine with them alternately. When their coach stopped at Sir Godfrey's door, the Miss Marlow's hearts throbbed in the eager expectation of once more beholding a family so dear to them. Emma the youngest (who was more particularly interested in their arrival, being attached to their eldest son) continued at her dressing-room window in anxious hopes of seeing young Edgar descend from the carriage."

................................................................................................

"Emma had continued in the parlour some time before she could summon up sufficient courage to ask Mrs Willmot after the rest of her family; and when she did, it was in so low, so faltering a voice that no one knew she spoke. Dejected by the ill success of her first attempt she made no other, till on Mrs Willmot's desiring one of the little girls to ring the bell for their carriage, she stepped across the room and seizing the string said in a resolute manner.

"'Mrs Willmot, you do not stir from this house till you let me know how all the rest of your family do, particularly your eldest son.'

"They were all greatly surprised by such an unexpected address and the more so, on account of the manner in which it was spoken; but Emma, who would not be again disappointed, requesting an answer, Mrs Willmot made the following eloquent oration.

"'Our children are all extremely well but at present most of them from home. Amy is with my sister at Clayton. Sam at Eton. David with his uncle John. Jem and Will at Winchester. Kitty at Queen's Square. Ned with his grandmother. Hetty and Patty in a convent at Brussells. Edgar at college, Peter at Nurse, and all the rest (except the nine here) at home.'

"It was with difficulty that Emma could refrain from tears on hearing of the absence of Edgar; she remained however tolerably composed till the Willmots were gone when having no check to the overflowings of her grief, she gave free vent to them, and retiring to her own room, continued in tears the remainder of her life."

................................................................................................

................................................

August 18, 2021 - August 18, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 1- Novel

................................................................................................

• Henry and Eliza

................................................................................................

Henry And Eliza, by Jane Austen.

................................................................................................

"Is humbly dedicated to Miss Cooper by her obedient humble servant,

The Author"

................................................................................................

"As Sir George and Lady Harcourt were superintending the labours of their haymakers, rewarding the industry of some by smiles of approbation, and punishing the idleness of others by a cudgel, they perceived lying closely concealed beneath the thick foliage of a haycock, a beautiful little girl not more than three months old.

"Touched with the enchanting graces of her face and delighted with the infantine tho' sprightly answers she returned to their many questions, they resolved to take her home and, having no children of their own, to educate her with care and cost."

"Beloved by Lady Harcourt, adored by Sir George and admired by all the world, she lived in a continued course of uninterrupted happiness, till she had attained her eighteenth year, when happening one day to be detected in stealing a banknote of £50, she was turned out of doors by her inhuman benefactors. Such a transition, to one who did not possess so noble and exalted a mind as Eliza, would have been death, but she, happy in the conscious knowledge of her own excellence, amused herself as she sat beneath a tree with making and singing ... "
................................................................................................

"With every expression of regard did the duchess introduce her to Lady Harriet, who was so much pleased with her appearance that she besought her, to consider her as her sister, which Eliza with the greatest condescension promised to do.

"Mr Cecil, the lover of Lady Harriet, being often with the family was often with Eliza. A mutual love took place and Cecil having declared his first, prevailed on Eliza to consent to a private union, which was easy to be effected, as the duchess's chaplain being very much in love with Eliza himself, would, they were certain, do anything to oblige her."

................................................................................................

" ... Cecil and Eliza continued their flight to the continent, which they judged to be more secure than their native land, from the dreadful effects of the duchess's vengeance which they had so much reason to apprehend."

................................................................................................

"Her children were too small to get down the ladder by themselves, nor would it be possible for her to take them in her arms when she did. At last she determined to fling down all her clothes, of which she had a large quantity, and then having given them strict charge not to hurt themselves, threw her children after them. She herself with ease descended by the ladder, at the bottom of which she had the pleasure of finding her little boys in perfect health and fast asleep.

"Her wardrobe she now saw a fatal necessity of selling, both for the preservation of her children and herself. With tears in her eyes, she parted with these last relics of her former glory, and with the money she got for them, bought others more useful, some playthings for her boys, and a gold watch for herself.

"But scarcely was she provided with the above-mentioned necessaries, than she began to find herself rather hungry, and had reason to think, by their biting off two of her fingers, that her children were much in the same situation.

"To remedy these unavoidable misfortunes, she determined to return to her old friends, Sir George and Lady Harcourt, whose generosity she had so often experienced and hoped to experience as often again."

................................................................................................

""Our real child! What, Lady Harcourt, do you mean? You know you never even was with child. Explain yourself, I beseech you.""

""Four months after you were gone, I was delivered of this girl, but dreading your just resentment at her not proving the boy you wished, I took her to a Haycock and laid her down. A few weeks afterwards, you returned, and fortunately for me, made no enquiries on the subject. Satisfied within myself of the welfare of my child, I soon forgot I had one, insomuch that when we shortly after found her in the very haycock I had placed her, I had no more idea of her being my own, than you had, and nothing, I will venture to say, would have recalled the circumstance to my remembrance, but my thus accidentally hearing her voice, which now strikes me as being the very counterpart of my own child's."

""The rational and convincing account you have given of the whole affair," said Sir George, "leaves no doubt of her being our daughter and as such I freely forgive the robbery she was guilty of."

"A mutual reconciliation then took place, and Eliza, ascending the carriage with her two children, returned to that home from which she had been absent nearly four years.

"No sooner was she reinstated in her accustomed power at Harcourt Hall, than she raised an army, with which she entirely demolished the duchess's Newgate, snug as it was, and by that act, gained the blessings of thousands, and the applause of her own heart."

................................................................................................

................................................

August 18, 2021 - August 18, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 1 – Tale

................................................................................................

• The Adventures of Mr. Harley

................................................................................................

The Adventures of Mr. Harley, by Jane Austen.

................................................................................................

"A short, but interesting tale, is with all imaginable respect inscribed to Mr. Francis William Austen, Midshipman on board His Majesty's Ship the Perseverance by his obedient servant,

"The Author."

................................................................................................

"Mr. Harley was one of many children. Destined by his father for the church and by his mother for the sea, desirous of pleasing both, he prevailed on Sir John to obtain for him a chaplaincy on board a Man of War. He accordingly cut his hair and sailed.

"In half a year he returned and set-off in the stage coach for Hogsworth Green, the seat of Emma. His fellow travellers were, a man without a hat, another with two, an old maid, and a young wife.

"This last appeared about seventeen, with fine dark eyes and an elegant shape; in short, Mr. Harley soon found out that she was his Emma and recollected he had married her a few weeks before he left England.

"FINIS"

................................................................................................

................................................

August 18, 2021 - August 18, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 1 – Tale

................................................................................................

• Sir William Mountague

................................................................................................

Sir William Mountague, by Jane Austen.

................................................................................................

"An unfinished performance is humbly dedicated to Charles John Austen Esq, By his most obedient humble servant

"The Author"

................................................................................................

"Sir William Mountague was the son of Sir Henry Mountague, who was the son of Sir John Mountague, a descendant of Sir Christopher Mountague, who was the nephew of Sir Edward Mountague, whose ancestor was Sir James Mountague a near relation of Sir Robert Mountague, who inherited the title and estate from Sir Frederic Mountague.

"Sir William was about seventeen when his father died, and left him a handsome fortune, an ancient house and a park well stocked with deer. Sir William had not been long in the possession of his estate before he fell in love with the three Miss Cliftons of Kilhoobery Park. These young ladies were all equally young, equally handsome, equally rich and equally amiable — Sir William was equally in love with them all, and knowing not which to prefer, he left the country and took lodgings in a small village near Dover.

"In this retreat, to which he had retired in the hope of finding a shelter from the pangs of love, he became enamoured of a young widow of quality, who came for change of air to the same village, after the death of a husband, whom she had always tenderly loved and now sincerely lamented.

"Lady Percival was young, accomplished and lovely. Sir William adored her and she consented to become his wife. Vehemently pressed by Sir William to name the day in which he might conduct her to the altar, she at length fixed on the following Monday, which was the first of September.

"Sir William was a shot and could not support the idea of losing such a day, even for such a cause. He begged her to delay the wedding a short time. Lady Percival was enraged and returned to London the next morning.

"Sir William was sorry to lose her, but as he knew that he should have been much more grieved by the loss of the first of September, his sorrow was not without a mixture of happiness, and his affliction was considerably lessened by his joy.

"After staying at the village a few weeks longer, he left it and went to a friend’s house in Surry. Mr Brudenell was a sensible man, and had a beautiful niece with whom Sir William soon fell in love. But Miss Arundel was cruel; she preferred a Mr Stanhope — Sir William shot Mr Stanhope; the lady had then no reason to refuse him; she accepted him, and they were to be married on the 27th of October. But on the 25th Sir William received a visit from Emma Stanhope, the sister of the unfortunate victim of his rage. She begged some recompense, some atonement for the cruel murder of her brother. Sir William bade her name her price. She fixed on 14s. Sir William offered her himself and fortune. They went to London the next day and were there privately married. For a fortnight Sir William was completely happy, but chancing one day to see a charming young woman entering a chariot in Brook Street, he became again most violently in love. On enquiring the name of this fair unknown, he found that she was the sister of his old friend Lady Percival, at which he was much rejoiced, as he hoped to have, by his acquaintance with her ladyship, free access to Miss Wentworth....

"FINIS"

................................................................................................

................................................

August 18, 2021 - August 18, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 1 – Tale

................................................................................................

• Memoirs of Mr. Clifford

................................................................................................

Memoirs of Mr. Clifford, by Jane Austen.

...............................................................................................

................................................................................................

"To Charles John Austen Esqre

"Sir,

"Your generous patronage of the unfinished tale, I have already taken the liberty of dedicating to you, encourages me to dedicate to you a second, as unfinished as the first.

"I am Sir with every expression of regard for you and your noble family,

"Your most obedient

"Andc. Andc.

"The Author"

................................................................................................

Rare, memoirs written in third person!

................................................................................................

"Mr Clifford lived at Bath; and having never seen London, set off one Monday morning determined to feast his eyes with a sight of that great metropolis. He travelled in his coach and four, for he was a very rich young man and kept a great many carriages of which I do not recollect half. I can only remember that he had a coach, a chariot, a chaise, a landeau, a landeaulet, a phaeton, a gig, a whisky, an Italian chair, a buggy, a curricle and a wheelbarrow. He had likewise an amazing fine stud of horses. To my knowledge he had six greys, four bays, eight blacks and a pony.

"In his coach and four bays Mr Clifford set forward about five o'clock on Monday morning the first of May for London. He always travelled remarkably expeditiously and contrived therefore to get to Devizes from Bath, which is no less than nineteen miles, the first day. To be sure he did not set in till eleven at night and pretty tight work, it was as you may imagine.

"However when he was once got to Devizes he was determined to comfort himself with a good hot supper and therefore ordered a whole egg to be boiled for him and his servants. The next morning he pursued his journey and in the course of three days hard labour reached Overton, where he was seized with a dangerous fever the consequence of too violent exercise.

"Five months did our hero remain in this celebrated city under the care of its no less celebrated physician, who at length completely cured him of his troublesome disease.

"As Mr Clifford still continued very weak, his first days journey carried him only to Dean Gate where he remained a few days and found himself much benefited by the change of air.

"In easy stages he proceeded to Basingstoke. One day carrying him to Clarkengreen, the next to Worting, the third to the bottom of Basingstoke Hill, and the fourth, to Mr Robins's....

"FINIS"

................................................................................................

................................................

August 18, 2021 - August 18, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 1 – Novel in 12 chapters

................................................................................................

• The Beautiful Cassandra

................................................................................................

"Dedicated by permission to Miss Austen.

"Dedication,

"Madam,

"You are a phoenix. Your taste is refined, your sentiments are noble, and your virtues innumerable. Your person is lovely, your figure, elegant, and your form, majestic. Your manners are polished, your conversation is rational and your appearance singular. If, therefore, the following tale will afford one moment's amusement to you, every wish will be gratified of

"Your most obedient

"Humble servant

"The Author"

................................................................................................

"Chapter the First

"Cassandra was the daughter and the only daughter of a celebrated milliner in Bond Street. Her father was of noble birth, being the near relation of the Duchess of ***'s butler.

"Chapter the Second

"When Cassandra had attained her 16th year, she was lovely and amiable, and chancing to fall in love with an elegant bonnet her mother had just completed, bespoke by the Countess of ***, she placed it on her gentle head and walked from her mother's shop to make her fortune.

"Chapter the Third

"The first person she met, was the Viscount of ***, a young man, no less celebrated for his accomplishments and virtues, than for his elegance and beauty. She curtseyed and walked on.

"Chapter the 4th

"She then proceeded to a pastry-cook's, where she devoured six ices, refused to pay for them, knocked down the pastry cook and walked away.

"Chapter the 5th

"She next ascended a hackney coach and ordered it to Hampstead, where she was no sooner arrived than she ordered the coachman to turn round and drive her back again.

"Chapter the 6th

"Being returned to the same spot of the same street she had set out from, the coachman demanded his pay.

"Chapter the 7th

"She searched her pockets over again and again; but every search was unsuccessful. No money could she find. The man grew peremptory. She placed her bonnet on his head and ran away.

"Chapter the 8th

"Thro’ many a street she then proceeded and met in none the least adventure, till on turning a corner of Bloomsbury Square, she met Maria.

"Chapter the 9th

"Cassandra started and Maria seemed surprised; they trembled, blushed, turned pale and passed each other in a mutual silence.

"Chapter the 10th

"Cassandra was next accosted by her friend the widow, who squeezing out her little head thro' her less window, asked her how she did? Cassandra curtseyed and went on.

"Chapter the 11th

"A quarter of a mile brought her to her paternal roof in Bond Street, from which she had now been absent nearly seven hours.

"Chapter the 12th

"She entered it and was pressed to her mother's bosom by that worthy woman. Cassandra smiled and whispered to herself "This is a day well spent."

"FINIS"

................................................................................................

................................................

August 18, 2021 - August 18, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 1 – Tale

................................................................................................

• Amelia Webster

................................................................................................

Quite a round robin of letters, until suddenly it's neatly braided together as a triple wedding!

................................................................................................

"An interesting and well-written tale is dedicated by permission to Mrs Austen.

"By her humble servant,

"The Author"

"Letter the First

"To Miss Webster

"My dear Amelia

"You will rejoice to hear of the return of my amiable brother from abroad. He arrived on Thursday, and never did I see a finer form, save that of your sincere friend.

"Matilda Hervey

"Letter the Second

"To H. Beverley Esqre.

"Dear Beverley

"I arrived here last Thursday and met with a hearty reception from my father, mother, and sisters. The latter are both fine girls — particularly Maud, who I think would suit you as a wife well enough. What say you to this? She will have two thousand pounds and as much more as you can get. If you don't marry her you will mortally offend, George Hervey

"Letter the Third

"To

"Miss Hervey

"Dear Maud

"Believe me, I'm happy to hear of your brother's arrival. I have a thousand things to tell you, but my paper will only permit me to add that I am yr. affect. friend,

"Amelia Webster

"Letter the Fourth

"To

"Miss S. Hervey

"Dear Sally

"I have found a very convenient old hollow oak to put our letters in; for you know we have long maintained a private correspondence. It is about a mile from my house and seven from yours. You may perhaps imagine that I might have made choice of a tree which would have divided the distance more equally — I was sensible of this at the time, but as I considered that the walk would be of benefit to you in your weak and uncertain state of health, I preferred it to one nearer your house, and am yr. faithful,

"Benjamin Bar

"Letter the Fifth

"To

"Miss Hervey

"Dear Maud

"I write now to inform you that I did not stop at your house on my way to Bath last Monday. – I have many things to inform you of besides; but my paper reminds me of concluding; and believe me yrs. ever etc.

"Amelia Webster

"Letter the Sixth

"To Miss Webster

"Saturday

"Madam

"A humble admirer now addresses you — I saw you, lovely fair one, as you passed on Monday last, before our house on your way to Bath. I saw you thro' a telescope, and was so struck by your charms that from that time to this I have not tasted human food.

"George Hervey

"Letter the Seventh

"To Jack

"As I was this morning at breakfast the newspaper was brought me, and in the list of marriages I read the following.

""George Hervey Esqre. to Miss Amelia Webster"

""Henry Beverley Esqre. to Miss Hervey"

"And "Benjamin Bar Esqre. to Miss Sarah Hervey".

"Yours, Tom

"FINIS"

................................................................................................

................................................

August 18, 2021 - August 18, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 1 – Comedy in two acts

................................................................................................

• The Visit

................................................................................................

The Visit,

by Jane Austen.

................................................................................................

"To the Revd. James Austen

"Sir,

"The following drama, which I humbly recommend to your protection and patronage, tho' inferior to those celebrated comedies called "The School for Jealousy" and "The Travelled Man", will I hope afford some amusement to so respectable a curate as yourself; which was the end in view when it was first composed by your,

"Humble Servant

"The Author."

................................................................................................

Austen seems fond of the name Willoughby! This is the third time it's cropped up in her works!

This work seems most normal, unlike mist of the Juvenilia - until, in three pages flat and bordering most normal conversation, suddenly we have three couples get engaged, and it's over before it has begun!

................................................................................................

................................................

August 18, 2021 - August 18, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 1 – Unfinished comedy

................................................................................................

• The Mystery

................................................................................................

The Mystery

................................................................................................

"To the Revd George Austen

"Sir,

"I humbly solicit your patronage to the following comedy, which tho' an unfinished one, is I flatter myself as complete a mystery as any of its kind.

"I am Sir your most

"Humble servant

"The Author"

................................................................................................

Mystery indeed! Three scenes of one act, and dialogue barely enough for a conversation, but the reader or the audience kept totally out of what it was about!

Amazing, Jane Austen!

................................................................................................

................................................

August 18, 2021 - August 18, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 1 – Unfinished novel

................................................................................................

• The Three Sisters

................................................................................................

The Three Sisters, by Jane Austen.

................................................................................................

"To Edward Austen Esqre

"The following unfinished novel is respectfully inscribed by

"His obedient humble servant

"The Author"

................................................................................................

Very unlike the rest of Juvenilia pieces, thus one is so close to Pride And Prejudice in its storyline perfection that one wonders if Jane Austen wrote her best known work to improve upon this one, but left this one undestroyed for being too good to do so, and incorporated some of it nevertheless in the episode with Mrs Bennett being upset about Elizabeth refusing the cousin to whom the house was entailed.

One cannot quote any small bit without the rest, and it isn't small enough, so it's only possible to say, one has to read it to believe how well Austen has done the job of describing what goes on when a man proposes without being either in love or lovable, but has fortune too good to refuse! It's amusing, atrocious, all too real, dismaying, and more.

If only she'd seen her way to write up and complete this one, as well!

................................................................................................

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 1

................................................................................................

• Detached Pieces

................................................................................................

Detached Pieces

................................................................................................

It's unclear why these pieces, bundled together, are named detached pieces; all of Juvenilia is, after all, detached pieces.

................................................................................................

"My dear Niece

"Though you are at this period not many degrees removed from infancy, yet trusting that you will in time be older, and that through the care of your excellent parents, you will one day or another be able to read written hand, I dedicate to you the following miscellaneous morsels, convinced that if you seriously attend to them, you will derive from them very important instructions, with regard to your conduct in life. — If such my hopes should hereafter be realised, never shall I regret the days and nights that have been spent in composing these treatises for your benefit. I am my dear niece, Your very affectionate aunt,

"The Author

"June 2nd 1793"

................................................................................................

"A Beautiful Description of the Different Effects of Sensibility on Different Minds

"I am but just returned from Melissa's Bedside, and in my life tho' it has been a pretty long one, and I have during the course of it been at many bedsides, I never saw so affecting an object as she exhibits. She lies wrapped in a book muslin bed gown, a chambray gauze shift, and a French net nightcap. Sir William is constantly at her bedside. The only repose he takes is on the sofa in the drawing room, where for five minutes every fortnight he remains in an imperfect slumber, starting up every moment and exclaiming 'Oh! Melissa, Ah! Melissa,' then sinking down again, raises his left arm and scratches his head. Poor Mrs Burnaby is beyond measure afflicted. She sighs every now and then, that is about once a week; while the melancholy Charles says every moment 'Melissa, how are you?' The lovely sisters are much to be pitied. Julia is ever lamenting the situation of her friend, while lying behind her pillow and supporting her head — Maria more mild in her grief talks of going to town next week, and Anna is always recurring to the pleasures we once enjoyed when Melissa was well. — I am usually at the fire cooking some little delicacy for the unhappy invalid. — Perhaps hashing up the remains of an old duck, toasting some cheese or making a curry which are the favourite dishes of our poor friend. — ... "

................................................................................................

"The Generous Curate

"A moral tale, setting forth the advantages of being generous and a curate. In a part little known of the County of Warwick, a very worthy clergyman lately resided. The income of his living which amounted to about two hundred pound, and the interest of his wife's fortune which was nothing at all, was entirely sufficient for the wants and wishes of a family who neither wanted or wished for anything beyond what their income afforded them. Mr Williams had been in possession of his living above twenty years, when this history commences, and his marriage which had taken place soon after his presentation to it, had made him the father of six very fine children. The eldest had been placed at the Royal Academy for Seamen at Portsmouth when about thirteen years old, and from thence had been discharged on board of one of the vessels of a small fleet destined for Newfoundland, where his promising and amiable disposition had procured him many friends among the natives, and from whence he regularly sent home a large Newfoundland dog every month to his family. The second, who was also a son, had been adopted by a neighbouring clergyman with the intention of educating him at his own expense, which would have been a very desirable circumstance had the gentleman's fortune been equal to his generosity, but as he had nothing to support himself and a very large family but a curacy of fifty pound a year, young Williams knew nothing more at the age of 18 than what a two-penny Dame's School in the village could teach him. ... "

................................................................................................

................................................

August 18, 2021 - August 18, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 2

................................................................................................

• Love and Friendship

................................................................................................

Love and Friendship

................................................................................................

In one word, hilarious! When it isn't surprising, even shocking, considering this was written by the sober, sensible, prudent Jane Austen, the author of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, ....

................................................................................................

"My Father was a native of Ireland and an inhabitant of Wales; my Mother was the natural Daughter of a Scotch Peer by an italian Opera-girl—I was born in Spain and received my Education at a Convent in France.

"When I had reached my eighteenth Year I was recalled by my Parents to my paternal roof in Wales. Our mansion was situated in one of the most romantic parts of the Vale of Uske. ... "

"Isabel had seen the World. She had passed 2 Years at one of the first Boarding-schools in London; had spent a fortnight in Bath and had supped one night in Southampton.

"“Beware my Laura (she would often say) Beware of the insipid Vanities and idle Dissipations of the Metropolis of England; Beware of the unmeaning Luxuries of Bath and of the stinking fish of Southampton.”

"“Alas! (exclaimed I) how am I to avoid those evils I shall never be exposed to? What probability is there of my ever tasting the Dissipations of London, the Luxuries of Bath, or the stinking Fish of Southampton? I who am doomed to waste my Days of Youth and Beauty in an humble Cottage in the Vale of Uske.”

................................................................................................

"“My Father’s house is situated in Bedfordshire, my Aunt’s in Middlesex, and tho’ I flatter myself with being a tolerable proficient in Geography, I know not how it happened, but I found myself entering this beautifull Vale which I find is in South Wales, when I had expected to have reached my Aunts.”"

Very familiar, getting lost in England - and while following road signs too! In Germany its almost impossible, no matter where one is, unless one is new to Germany and used to following maps rather than road signs. Then it's not just easy, either.

................................................................................................

"Towards the close of the day we received the following Letter from Philippa.

"“Sir Edward is greatly incensed by your abrupt departure; he has taken back Augusta to Bedfordshire. Much as I wish to enjoy again your charming society, I cannot determine to snatch you from that, of such dear and deserving Freinds—When your Visit to them is terminated, I trust you will return to the arms of your” “Philippa.”

"We returned a suitable answer to this affectionate Note and after thanking her for her kind invitation assured her that we would certainly avail ourselves of it, whenever we might have no other place to go to. Tho’ certainly nothing could to any reasonable Being, have appeared more satisfactory, than so gratefull a reply to her invitation, yet I know not how it was, but she was certainly capricious enough to be displeased with our behaviour and in a few weeks after, either to revenge our Conduct, or releive her own solitude, married a young and illiterate Fortune- hunter. This imprudent step (tho’ we were sensible that it would probably deprive us of that fortune which Philippa had ever taught us to expect) could not on our own accounts, excite from our exalted minds a single sigh; yet fearfull lest it might prove a source of endless misery to the deluded Bride, our trembling Sensibility was greatly affected when we were first informed of the Event.The affectionate Entreaties of Augustus and Sophia that we would for ever consider their House as our Home, easily prevailed on us to determine never more to leave them, In the society of my Edward and this Amiable Pair, I passed the happiest moments of my Life; Our time was most delightfully spent, in mutual Protestations of Freindship, and in vows of unalterable Love, in which we were secure from being interrupted, by intruding and disagreable Visitors, as Augustus and Sophia had on their first Entrance in the Neighbourhood, taken due care to inform the surrounding Families, that as their happiness centered wholly in themselves, they wished for no other society. But alas! my Dear Marianne such Happiness as I then enjoyed was too perfect to be lasting. A most severe and unexpected Blow at once destroyed every sensation of Pleasure. Convinced as you must be from what I have already told you concerning Augustus and Sophia, that there never were a happier Couple, I need not I imagine, inform you that their union had been contrary to the inclinations of their Cruel and Mercenery Parents; who had vainly endeavoured with obstinate Perseverance to force them into a Marriage with those whom they had ever abhorred; but with a Heroic Fortitude worthy to be related and admired, they had both, constantly refused to submit to such despotic Power.

"After having so nobly disentangled themselves from the shackles of Parental Authority, by a Clandestine Marriage, they were determined never to forfeit the good opinion they had gained in the World, in so doing, by accepting any proposals of reconciliation that might be offered them by their Fathers—to this farther tryal of their noble independance however they never were exposed.

"They had been married but a few months when our visit to them commenced during which time they had been amply supported by a considerable sum of money which Augustus had gracefully purloined from his unworthy father’s Escritoire, a few days before his union with Sophia.

"By our arrival their Expenses were considerably encreased tho’ their means for supplying them were then nearly exhausted. But they, Exalted Creatures! scorned to reflect a moment on their pecuniary Distresses and would have blushed at the idea of paying their Debts.—Alas! what was their Reward for such disinterested Behaviour! The beautifull Augustus was arrested and we were all undone. Such perfidious Treachery in the merciless perpetrators of the Deed will shock your gentle nature Dearest Marianne as much as it then affected the Delicate sensibility of Edward, Sophia, your Laura, and of Augustus himself. To compleat such unparalelled Barbarity we were informed that an Execution in the House would shortly take place. Ah! what could we do but what we did! We sighed and fainted on the sofa."

................................................................................................

"Beware of swoons Dear Laura. . . . A frenzy fit is not one quarter so pernicious; it is an exercise to the Body and if not too violent, is I dare say conducive to Health in its consequences—Run mad as often as you chuse; but do not faint—”"

................................................................................................

"“We are the sons as you already know, of the two youngest Daughters which Lord St Clair had by Laurina an italian opera girl. Our mothers could neither of them exactly ascertain who were our Father, though it is generally beleived that Philander, is the son of one Philip Jones a Bricklayer and that my Father was one Gregory Staves a Staymaker of Edinburgh. This is however of little consequence for as our Mothers were certainly never married to either of them it reflects no Dishonour on our Blood, which is of a most ancient and unpolluted kind. Bertha (the Mother of Philander) and Agatha (my own Mother) always lived together. They were neither of them very rich; their united fortunes had originally amounted to nine thousand Pounds, but as they had always lived on the principal of it, when we were fifteen it was diminished to nine Hundred. This nine Hundred they always kept in a Drawer in one of the Tables which stood in our common sitting Parlour, for the convenience of having it always at Hand. Whether it was from this circumstance, of its being easily taken, or from a wish of being independant, or from an excess of sensibility (for which we were always remarkable) I cannot now determine, but certain it is that when we had reached our 15th year, we took the nine Hundred Pounds and ran away. Having obtained this prize we were determined to manage it with eoconomy and not to spend it either with folly or Extravagance. To this purpose we therefore divided it into nine parcels, one of which we devoted to Victuals, the 2d to Drink, the 3d to Housekeeping, the 4th to Carriages, the 5th to Horses, the 6th to Servants, the 7th to Amusements, the 8th to Cloathes and the 9th to Silver Buckles. Having thus arranged our Expences for two months (for we expected to make the nine Hundred Pounds last as long) we hastened to London and had the good luck to spend it in 7 weeks and a Day which was 6 Days sooner than we had intended. As soon as we had thus happily disencumbered ourselves from the weight of so much money, we began to think of returning to our Mothers, but accidentally hearing that they were both starved to Death, we gave over the design and determined to engage ourselves to some strolling Company of Players, as we had always a turn for the Stage. Accordingly we offered our services to one and were accepted; our Company was indeed rather small, as it consisted only of the Manager his wife and ourselves, but there were fewer to pay and the only inconvenience attending it was the Scarcity of Plays which for want of People to fill the Characters, we could perform. We did not mind trifles however—. One of our most admired Performances was MACBETH, in which we were truly great. The Manager always played BANQUO himself, his Wife my LADY MACBETH. I did the THREE WITCHES and Philander acted ALL THE REST. To say the truth this tragedy was not only the Best, but the only Play that we ever performed; and after having acted it all over England, and Wales, we came to Scotland to exhibit it over the remainder of Great Britain. We happened to be quartered in that very Town, where you came and met your Grandfather—. We were in the Inn-yard when his Carriage entered and perceiving by the arms to whom it belonged, and knowing that Lord St Clair was our Grandfather, we agreed to endeavour to get something from him by discovering the Relationship—. You know how well it succeeded—. Having obtained the two Hundred Pounds, we instantly left the Town, leaving our Manager and his Wife to act MACBETH by themselves, and took the road to Sterling, where we spent our little fortune with great ECLAT. We are now returning to Edinburgh in order to get some preferment in the Acting way; and such my Dear Cousin is our History.”"

................................................................................................

"When we arrived at Edinburgh Sir Edward told me that as the Widow of his son, he desired I would accept from his Hands of four Hundred a year. I graciously promised that I would, but could not help observing that the unsimpathetic Baronet offered it more on account of my being the Widow of Edward than in being the refined and amiable Laura."

................................................................................................

................................................

August 12, 2021 - August 13, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 2 – Unfinished Novel in Letters

................................................................................................

• Lesley Castle

................................................................................................

Lesley Castle

................................................................................................

Another delightful treat from Austen, in the spirit of Love and Friendship!

................................................................................................

"Lesley is at present but five and twenty, and has already given himself up to melancholy and Despair; what a difference between him and his Father! Sir George is 57 and still remains the Beau, the flighty stripling, the gay Lad, and sprightly Youngster, that his Son was really about five years back, and that HE has affected to appear ever since my remembrance. While our father is fluttering about the streets of London, gay, dissipated, and Thoughtless at the age of 57, Matilda and I continue secluded from Mankind in our old and Mouldering Castle, which is situated two miles from Perth on a bold projecting Rock, and commands an extensive veiw of the Town and its delightful Environs. But tho’ retired from almost all the World, (for we visit no one but the M’Leods, The M’Kenzies, the M’Phersons, the M’Cartneys, the M’Donalds, The M’kinnons, the M’lellans, the M’kays, the Macbeths and the Macduffs) we are neither dull nor unhappy; on the contrary there never were two more lively, more agreable or more witty girls, than we are; not an hour in the Day hangs heavy on our Hands. We read, we work, we walk, and when fatigued with these Employments releive our spirits, either by a lively song, a graceful Dance, or by some smart bon-mot, and witty repartee. We are handsome my dear Charlotte, very handsome and the greatest of our Perfections is, that we are entirely insensible of them ourselves."

................................................................................................

"I have a thousand excuses to beg for having so long delayed thanking you my dear Peggy for your agreable Letter, which beleive me I should not have deferred doing, had not every moment of my time during the last five weeks been so fully employed in the necessary arrangements for my sisters wedding, as to allow me no time to devote either to you or myself. And now what provokes me more than anything else is that the Match is broke off, and all my Labour thrown away. Imagine how great the Dissapointment must be to me, when you consider that after having laboured both by Night and by Day, in order to get the Wedding dinner ready by the time appointed, after having roasted Beef, Broiled Mutton, and Stewed Soup enough to last the new-married Couple through the Honey-moon, I had the mortification of finding that I had been Roasting, Broiling and Stewing both the Meat and Myself to no purpose. Indeed my dear Freind, I never remember suffering any vexation equal to what I experienced on last Monday when my sister came running to me in the store-room with her face as White as a Whipt syllabub, and told me that Hervey had been thrown from his Horse, had fractured his Scull and was pronounced by his surgeon to be in the most emminent Danger. “Good God! (said I) you dont say so? Why what in the name of Heaven will become of all the Victuals! We shall never be able to eat it while it is good. However, we’ll call in the Surgeon to help us. I shall be able to manage the Sir-loin myself, my Mother will eat the soup, and You and the Doctor must finish the rest.” Here I was interrupted, by seeing my poor Sister fall down to appearance Lifeless upon one of the Chests, where we keep our Table linen. ... leaving her with my Mother I took down the remains of The Ham and Chicken, and sent William to ask how Henry did. He was not expected to live many Hours; he died the same day. We took all possible care to break the melancholy Event to Eloisa in the tenderest manner; yet in spite of every precaution, her sufferings on hearing it were too violent for her reason, and she continued for many hours in a high Delirium. ... And now my dear Margaret let me talk a little of your affairs; and in the first place I must inform you that it is confidently reported, your Father is going to be married; I am very unwilling to beleive so unpleasing a report, and at the same time cannot wholly discredit it. I have written to my freind Susan Fitzgerald, for information concerning it, which as she is at present in Town, she will be very able to give me. ... "

"P. S. I have this instant received an answer from my freind Susan, which I enclose to you, and on which you will make your own reflections.

"The enclosed LETTER

"My dear CHARLOTTE You could not have applied for information concerning the report of Sir George Lesleys Marriage, to any one better able to give it you than I am. Sir George is certainly married; I was myself present at the Ceremony, which you will not be surprised at when I subscribe myself your Affectionate

"Susan Lesley"

................................................................................................

" ... A brother of Mrs Marlowe, Mr Cleveland is with them at present; he is a good-looking young Man, and seems to have a good deal to say for himself. I tell Eloisa that she should set her cap at him, but she does not at all seem to relish the proposal. I should like to see the girl married and Cleveland has a very good estate. Perhaps you may wonder that I do not consider myself as well as my Sister in my matrimonial Projects; but to tell you the truth I never wish to act a more principal part at a Wedding than the superintending and directing the Dinner, and therefore while I can get any of my acquaintance to marry for me, I shall never think of doing it myself, as I very much suspect that I should not have so much time for dressing my own Wedding- dinner, as for dressing that of my freinds."

................................................................................................

" ... Her Ladyship perfectly answers the description you sent me of her, except that I do not think her so pretty as you seem to consider her. She has not a bad face, but there is something so extremely unmajestic in her little diminutive figure, as to render her in comparison with the elegant height of Matilda and Myself, an insignificant Dwarf. Her curiosity to see us (which must have been great to bring her more than four hundred miles) being now perfectly gratified, she already begins to mention their return to town, and has desired us to accompany her. We cannot refuse her request since it is seconded by the commands of our Father, and thirded by the entreaties of Mr. Fitzgerald who is certainly one of the most pleasing young Men, I ever beheld. It is not yet determined when we are to go, but when ever we do we shall certainly take our little Louisa with us. ... "

................................................................................................

"Ah! my dear Freind I every day more regret the serene and tranquil Pleasures of the Castle we have left, in exchange for the uncertain and unequal Amusements of this vaunted City. Not that I will pretend to assert that these uncertain and unequal Amusements are in the least Degree unpleasing to me; on the contrary I enjoy them extremely and should enjoy them even more, were I not certain that every appearance I make in Public but rivetts the Chains of those unhappy Beings whose Passion it is impossible not to pity, tho’ it is out of my power to return. In short my Dear Charlotte it is my sensibility for the sufferings of so many amiable young Men, my Dislike of the extreme admiration I meet with, and my aversion to being so celebrated both in Public, in Private, in Papers, and in Printshops, that are the reasons why I cannot more fully enjoy, the Amusements so various and pleasing of London. How often have I wished that I possessed as little Personal Beauty as you do; that my figure were as inelegant; my face as unlovely; and my appearance as unpleasing as yours! But ah! what little chance is there of so desirable an Event; I have had the small-pox, and must therefore submit to my unhappy fate."

"... We see more of Lady L. who always makes her appearance (highly rouged) at Dinner-time. Alas! what Delightful Jewels will she be decked in this evening at Lady Flambeau’s! Yet I wonder how she can herself delight in wearing them; surely she must be sensible of the ridiculous impropriety of loading her little diminutive figure with such superfluous ornaments; is it possible that she can not know how greatly superior an elegant simplicity is to the most studied apparel? Would she but Present them to Matilda and me, how greatly should we be obliged to her, How becoming would Diamonds be on our fine majestic figures! And how surprising it is that such an Idea should never have occurred to HER. I am sure if I have reflected in this manner once, I have fifty times. Whenever I see Lady Lesley dressed in them such reflections immediately come across me. My own Mother’s Jewels too! But I will say no more on so melancholy a subject—let me entertain you with something more pleasing—Matilda had a letter this morning from Lesley, by which we have the pleasure of finding that he is at Naples has turned Roman-Catholic, obtained one of the Pope’s Bulls for annulling his 1st Marriage and has since actually married a Neapolitan Lady of great Rank and Fortune. He tells us moreover that much the same sort of affair has befallen his first wife the worthless Louisa who is likewise at Naples had turned Roman-catholic, and is soon to be married to a Neapolitan Nobleman of great and Distinguished merit. He says, that they are at present very good Freinds, have quite forgiven all past errors and intend in future to be very good Neighbours. He invites Matilda and me to pay him a visit to Italy and to bring him his little Louisa whom both her Mother, Step-mother, and himself are equally desirous of beholding. As to our accepting his invitation, it is at Present very uncertain; Lady Lesley advises us to go without loss of time; Fitzgerald offers to escort us there, but Matilda has some doubts of the Propriety of such a scheme—she owns it would be very agreable. I am certain she likes the Fellow. My Father desires us not to be in a hurry, as perhaps if we wait a few months both he and Lady Lesley will do themselves the pleasure of attending us. Lady Lesley says no, that nothing will ever tempt her to forego the Amusements of Brighthelmstone for a Journey to Italy merely to see our Brother. “No (says the disagreable Woman) I have once in my life been fool enough to travel I dont know how many hundred Miles to see two of the Family, and I found it did not answer, so Deuce take me, if ever I am so foolish again.” So says her Ladyship, but Sir George still Perseveres in saying that perhaps in a month or two, they may accompany us."

................................................................................................

................................................
................................................

August 14, 2021 - August 14, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 2

................................................................................................

• The History of England

................................................................................................

The History of England, by Jane Austen.

................................................................................................

It promises right off the start to bring a smile.

"From the reign of Henry the 4th to the death of Charles the 1st

"by a partial, prejudiced, and ignorant historian.

"To Miss Austen, eldest daughter of the Rev. George Austen, this work is inscribed with all due respect by THE AUTHOR.

"N.B. There will be very few Dates in this History."

And the promise is promptly begun being fulfilled too!

"HENRY the 4th

"Henry the 4th ascended the throne of England much to his own satisfaction in the year 1399, after having prevailed on his cousin and predecessor Richard the 2nd, to resign it to him, and to retire for the rest of his life to Pomfret Castle, where he happened to be murdered. It is to be supposed that Henry was married, since he had certainly four sons, but it is not in my power to inform the Reader who was his wife. Be this as it may, he did not live for ever, but falling ill, his son the Prince of Wales came and took away the crown; whereupon the King made a long speech, for which I must refer the Reader to Shakespear’s Plays, and the Prince made a still longer. Things being thus settled between them the King died, and was succeeded by his son Henry who had previously beat Sir William Gascoigne.

"HENRY the 5th

"This Prince after he succeeded to the throne grew quite reformed and amiable, forsaking all his dissipated companions, and never thrashing Sir William again. During his reign, Lord Cobham was burnt alive, but I forget what for. His Majesty then turned his thoughts to France, where he went and fought the famous Battle of Agincourt. He afterwards married the King’s daughter Catherine, a very agreable woman by Shakespear’s account. In spite of all this however he died, and was succeeded by his son Henry."

And it continues, next with a brief mention of Joan of Arc.

"HENRY the 6th"

" ... It was in this reign that Joan of Arc lived and made such a ROW among the English. They should not have burnt her—but they did. ... "

One has to wonder, did Austen write this piece as a satire or spoof, just so she could get away with that one declaration without being tried for treason? What's more, did she do these small works of humour - Love and Freindship, Lesley Court, et al - just so this would the be the gem hidden hidden in a bouquet, in plain sight?

................................................................................................

"EDWARD the 4th

"This Monarch was famous only for his Beauty and his Courage, of which the Picture we have here given of him, and his undaunted Behaviour in marrying one Woman while he was engaged to another, are sufficient proofs. His Wife was Elizabeth Woodville, a Widow who, poor Woman! was afterwards confined in a Convent by that Monster of Iniquity and Avarice Henry the 7th. One of Edward’s Mistresses was Jane Shore, who has had a play written about her, but it is a tragedy and therefore not worth reading. Having performed all these noble actions, his Majesty died, and was succeeded by his son."

................................................................................................

Curious!

"HENRY the 7th

"This Monarch soon after his accession married the Princess Elizabeth of York, by which alliance he plainly proved that he thought his own right inferior to hers, tho’ he pretended to the contrary. By this Marriage he had two sons and two daughters, the elder of which Daughters was married to the King of Scotland and had the happiness of being grandmother to one of the first Characters in the World. But of HER, I shall have occasion to speak more at large in future. The youngest, Mary, married first the King of France and secondly the D. of Suffolk, by whom she had one daughter, afterwards the Mother of Lady Jane Grey, who tho’ inferior to her lovely Cousin the Queen of Scots, was yet an amiable young woman and famous for reading Greek while other people were hunting. ... His Majesty died and was succeeded by his son Henry whose only merit was his not being quite so bad as his daughter Elizabeth."

Why did Jane Austen dislike Queen Elizabeth I? Her existence is the only justification possible, of that of Henry the VIIth! Her summing up of his life, with a flat out assertion of defence of Ann Boleyn and her innocence, and more, good read!

................................................................................................

"EDWARD the 6th

"As this prince was only nine years old at the time of his Father’s death, he was considered by many people as too young to govern, and the late King happening to be of the same opinion, his mother’s Brother the Duke of Somerset was chosen Protector of the realm during his minority. ... He was beheaded, of which he might with reason have been proud, had he known that such was the death of Mary Queen of Scotland; but as it was impossible that he should be conscious of what had never happened, it does not appear that he felt particularly delighted with the manner of it. ... "

Mary Queen of Scots being beheaded "never happened"????

" ... After his decease the Duke of Northumberland had the care of the King and the Kingdom, and performed his trust of both so well that the King died and the Kingdom was left to his daughter in law the Lady Jane Grey, who has been already mentioned as reading Greek. Whether she really understood that language or whether such a study proceeded only from an excess of vanity for which I beleive she was always rather remarkable, is uncertain. Whatever might be the cause, she preserved the same appearance of knowledge, and contempt of what was generally esteemed pleasure, during the whole of her life, for she declared herself displeased with being appointed Queen, and while conducting to the scaffold, she wrote a sentence in Latin and another in Greek on seeing the dead Body of her Husband accidentally passing that way."

Most instructive! And curious -

"MARY

"This woman had the good luck of being advanced to the throne of England, in spite of the superior pretensions, Merit, and Beauty of her Cousins Mary Queen of Scotland and Jane Grey. Nor can I pity the Kingdom for the misfortunes they experienced during her Reign, since they fully deserved them, for having allowed her to succeed her Brother—which was a double peice of folly, since they might have foreseen that as she died without children, she would be succeeded by that disgrace to humanity, that pest of society, Elizabeth. Many were the people who fell martyrs to the protestant Religion during her reign; I suppose not fewer than a dozen. She married Philip King of Spain who in her sister’s reign was famous for building Armadas. She died without issue, and then the dreadful moment came in which the destroyer of all comfort, the deceitful Betrayer of trust reposed in her, and the Murderess of her Cousin succeeded to the Throne.——"

Jane Austen really did hate Queen Elizabeth I??!!! And she cuts out the only epithet, presumably due to bloodshed during her reign, that Bloody Mary was known by, too! Was Austen catholic, secretly or otherwise?

................................................................................................

Jane Austen's wrath regarding Queen Elizabeth I finally explained - its about execution of her cousin, Mary Queens of Scots! Most of next piece, supposedly about - and titled - Queen Elizabeth I, goes on about Mary Queens of Scots.

" ... And yet could you Reader have beleived it possible that some hardened and zealous Protestants have even abused her for that steadfastness in the Catholic Religion which reflected on her so much credit? But this is a striking proof of THEIR narrow souls and prejudiced Judgements who accuse her. She was executed in the Great Hall at Fortheringay Castle (sacred Place!) on Wednesday the 8th of February 1586—to the everlasting Reproach of Elizabeth, her Ministers, and of England in general. ... "

Again, was Austen catholic, secretly or otherwise?

She goes on to mention herself next.

" ... It was about this time that Sir Francis Drake the first English Navigator who sailed round the World, lived, to be the ornament of his Country and his profession. Yet great as he was, and justly celebrated as a sailor, I cannot help foreseeing that he will be equalled in this or the next Century by one who tho’ now but young, already promises to answer all the ardent and sanguine expectations of his Relations and Freinds, amongst whom I may class the amiable Lady to whom this work is dedicated, and my no less amiable self."

................................................................................................

Austen admits the bias in the next piece, about James I -

" ... As I am myself partial to the roman catholic religion, it is with infinite regret that I am obliged to blame the Behaviour of any Member of it: yet Truth being I think very excusable in an Historian, I am necessitated to say that in this reign the roman Catholics of England did not behave like Gentlemen to the protestants. Their Behaviour indeed to the Royal Family and both Houses of Parliament might justly be considered by them as very uncivil, and even Sir Henry Percy tho’ certainly the best bred man of the party, had none of that general politeness which is so universally pleasing, as his attentions were entirely confined to Lord Mounteagle.

"Sir Walter Raleigh flourished in this and the preceeding reign, and is by many people held in great veneration and respect—But as he was an enemy of the noble Essex, I have nothing to say in praise of him, and must refer all those who may wish to be acquainted with the particulars of his life, to Mr Sheridan’s play of the Critic, where they will find many interesting anecdotes as well of him as of his friend Sir Christopher Hatton. ... ""

After she's blamed him, too, for death of Mary Queens of Scots.

................................................................................................

Austen explains the bias of the supposed writer of this piece next, as she ends it with Charles I -

" ... As therefore it is not my intention to give any particular account of the distresses into which this King was involved through the misconduct and Cruelty of his Parliament, I shall satisfy myself with vindicating him from the Reproach of Arbitrary and tyrannical Government with which he has often been charged. This, I feel, is not difficult to be done, for with one argument I am certain of satisfying every sensible and well disposed person whose opinions have been properly guided by a good Education—and this Argument is that he was a STUART."

................................................................................................

................................................

August 15, 2021 - August 15, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 2

................................................................................................

• A Collection of Letters

................................................................................................

A Collection of Letters,

by Jane Austen.

................................................................................................

Jane Austen continues the streak of satire and characters with various flaws along with outlandish coincidences and events that she has portrayed in her small works, Love and Freindship, and Lesley Castle, here the outrageous behaviour or expression of characters supplanting outlandish coincidences and events, through various letter from diverse characters to others of their acquaintance.

................................................................................................

"To Miss COOPER

"COUSIN

"Conscious of the Charming Character which in every Country, and every Clime in Christendom is Cried, Concerning you, with Caution and Care I Commend to your Charitable Criticism this Clever Collection of Curious Comments, which have been Carefully Culled, Collected and Classed by your Comical Cousin The Author."

................................................................................................

"“With such expectations and such intentions (cried I) I can have nothing to fear from you—and can chearfully conduct you to Mrs Cope’s without a fear of your being seduced by her Example, or contaminated by her Follies. Come, then my Children (added I) the Carriage is driving to the door, and I will not a moment delay the happiness you are so impatient to enjoy.” When we arrived at Warleigh, poor Augusta could scarcely breathe, while Margaret was all Life and Rapture. “The long- expected Moment is now arrived (said she) and we shall soon be in the World.”—In a few Moments we were in Mrs Cope’s parlour, where with her daughter she sate ready to receive us. I observed with delight the impression my Children made on them—. They were indeed two sweet, elegant-looking Girls, and tho’ somewhat abashed from the peculiarity of their situation, yet there was an ease in their Manners and address which could not fail of pleasing—. Imagine my dear Madam how delighted I must have been in beholding as I did, how attentively they observed every object they saw, how disgusted with some Things, how enchanted with others, how astonished at all! On the whole however they returned in raptures with the World, its Inhabitants, and Manners."

................................................................................................

"Why should this last disappointment hang so heavily on my spirits? Why should I feel it more, why should it wound me deeper than those I have experienced before? Can it be that I have a greater affection for Willoughby than I had for his amiable predecessors? Or is it that our feelings become more acute from being often wounded? I must suppose my dear Belle that this is the Case, since I am not conscious of being more sincerely attached to Willoughby than I was to Neville, Fitzowen, or either of the Crawfords, for all of whom I once felt the most lasting affection that ever warmed a Woman’s heart. Tell me then dear Belle why I still sigh when I think of the faithless Edward, or why I weep when I behold his Bride, for too surely this is the case—. My Freinds are all alarmed for me; They fear my declining health; they lament my want of spirits; they dread the effects of both. In hopes of releiving my melancholy, by directing my thoughts to other objects, they have invited several of their freinds to spend the Christmas with us. Lady Bridget Darkwood and her sister-in-law, Miss Jane are expected on Friday; and Colonel Seaton’s family will be with us next week. This is all most kindly meant by my Uncle and Cousins; but what can the presence of a dozen indefferent people do to me, but weary and distress me—. I will not finish my Letter till some of our Visitors are arrived."

"Lady Bridget came this morning, and with her, her sweet sister Miss Jane—. Although I have been acquainted with this charming Woman above fifteen Years, yet I never before observed how lovely she is. She is now about 35, and in spite of sickness, sorrow and Time is more blooming than I ever saw a Girl of 17. I was delighted with her, the moment she entered the house, and she appeared equally pleased with me, attaching herself to me during the remainder of the day. There is something so sweet, so mild in her Countenance, that she seems more than Mortal. Her Conversation is as bewitching as her appearance; I could not help telling her how much she engaged my admiration—. “Oh! Miss Jane (said I)—and stopped from an inability at the moment of expressing myself as I could wish—Oh! Miss Jane—(I repeated)—I could not think of words to suit my feelings—She seemed waiting for my speech—. I was confused—distressed—my thoughts were bewildered—and I could only add—“How do you do?” She saw and felt for my Embarrassment and with admirable presence of mind releived me from it by saying—“My dear Sophia be not uneasy at having exposed yourself—I will turn the Conversation without appearing to notice it.” ... "

................................................................................................

"“ ... Have you got a new Gown on?”

"“Yes Ma’am.” replied I with as much indifference as I could assume.

"“Aye, and a fine one too I think—(feeling it, as by her permission I seated myself by her) I dare say it is all very smart—But I must own, for you know I always speak my mind, that I think it was quite a needless piece of expence—Why could not you have worn your old striped one? It is not my way to find fault with People because they are poor, for I always think that they are more to be despised and pitied than blamed for it, especially if they cannot help it, but at the same time I must say that in my opinion your old striped Gown would have been quite fine enough for its Wearer—for to tell you the truth (I always speak my mind) I am very much afraid that one half of the people in the room will not know whether you have a Gown on or not—But I suppose you intend to make your fortune to night—. Well, the sooner the better; and I wish you success.”

"“Indeed Ma’am I have no such intention—”

"“Who ever heard a young Lady own that she was a Fortune-hunter?” Miss Greville laughed but I am sure Ellen felt for me.

"“Was your Mother gone to bed before you left her?” said her Ladyship.

"“Dear Ma’am, said Ellen it is but nine o’clock.”

"“True Ellen, but Candles cost money, and Mrs Williams is too wise to be extravagant.”

"“She was just sitting down to supper Ma’am.” “And what had she got for supper?” “I did not observe.” “Bread and Cheese I suppose.” “I should never wish for a better supper.” said Ellen. “You have never any reason replied her Mother, as a better is always provided for you.” Miss Greville laughed excessively, as she constantly does at her Mother’s wit."

"The next day while we were at dinner Lady Greville’s Coach stopped at the door, for that is the time of day she generally contrives it should. She sent in a message by the servant to say that “she should not get out but that Miss Maria must come to the Coach-door, as she wanted to speak to her, and that she must make haste and come immediately—” “What an impertinent Message Mama!” said I—“Go Maria—” replied she—Accordingly I went and was obliged to stand there at her Ladyships pleasure though the Wind was extremely high and very cold.

"“Why I think Miss Maria you are not quite so smart as you were last night—But I did not come to examine your dress, but to tell you that you may dine with us the day after tomorrow—Not tomorrow, remember, do not come tomorrow, for we expect Lord and Lady Clermont and Sir Thomas Stanley’s family—There will be no occasion for your being very fine for I shant send the Carriage—If it rains you may take an umbrella—” I could hardly help laughing at hearing her give me leave to keep myself dry—“And pray remember to be in time, for I shant wait—I hate my Victuals over-done—But you need not come before the time—How does your Mother do? She is at dinner is not she?” “Yes Ma’am we were in the middle of dinner when your Ladyship came.” “I am afraid you find it very cold Maria.” said Ellen. “Yes, it is an horrible East wind—said her Mother—I assure you I can hardly bear the window down—But you are used to be blown about by the wind Miss Maria and that is what has made your Complexion so rudely and coarse. You young Ladies who cannot often ride in a Carriage never mind what weather you trudge in, or how the wind shews your legs. I would not have my Girls stand out of doors as you do in such a day as this. But some sort of people have no feelings either of cold or Delicacy—Well, remember that we shall expect you on Thursday at 5 o’clock—You must tell your Maid to come for you at night—There will be no Moon—and you will have an horrid walk home—My compts to Your Mother—I am afraid your dinner will be cold—Drive on—” And away she went, leaving me in a great passion with her as she always does."

................................................................................................

"From a YOUNG LADY very much in love to her Freind

"My Uncle gets more stingy, my Aunt more particular, and I more in love every day. What shall we all be at this rate by the end of the year! I had this morning the happiness of receiving the following Letter from my dear Musgrove."

" ...The sight of you was like the sight of a wonderful fine Thing. I started—I gazed at her with admiration—She appeared every moment more Charming, and the unfortunate Musgrove became a captive to your Charms before I had time to look about me. Yes Madam, I had the happiness of adoring you, an happiness for which I cannot be too grateful. “What said he to himself is Musgrove allowed to die for Henrietta? Enviable Mortal! and may he pine for her who is the object of universal admiration, who is adored by a Colonel, and toasted by a Baronet! Adorable Henrietta how beautiful you are! ... Angelic Miss Henrietta Heaven is my witness how ardently I do hope for the death of your villanous Uncle and his abandoned Wife, since my fair one will not consent to be mine till their decease has placed her in affluence above what my fortune can procure—. Though it is an improvable Estate—. Cruel Henrietta to persist in such a resolution! I am at Present with my sister where I mean to continue till my own house which tho’ an excellent one is at Present somewhat out of repair, is ready to receive me."

" ... How shall we manage to see one another? for we are so much in love that we cannot live asunder. Oh! my dear Musgrove you cannot think how impatiently I wait for the death of my Uncle and Aunt—If they will not Die soon, I beleive I shall run mad, for I get more in love with you every day of my Life."

................................................................................................

" ... She was proceeding to illustrate this doctrine by examples from the Lives of great Men when the Carriage came to the Door and the amiable Moralist with her Father and Sister was obliged to depart; but not without a promise of spending five or six months with us on their return. We of course mentioned you, and I assure you that ample Justice was done to your Merits by all. “Louisa Clarke (said I) is in general a very pleasant Girl, yet sometimes her good humour is clouded by Peevishness, Envy and Spite. She neither wants Understanding or is without some pretensions to Beauty, but these are so very trifling, that the value she sets on her personal charms, and the adoration she expects them to be offered are at once a striking example of her vanity, her pride, and her folly.” So said I, and to my opinion everyone added weight by the concurrence of their own."

................................................................................................

................................................

August 16, 2021 - August 16, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 2

................................................................................................

• Scraps

................................................................................................

Scraps

................................................................................................

Jane Austen's streak of humour continues. Delightful!

................................................................................................

"To Miss FANNY CATHERINE AUSTEN

"MY Dear Neice As I am prevented by the great distance between Rowling and Steventon from superintending your Education myself, the care of which will probably on that account devolve on your Father and Mother, I think it is my particular Duty to Prevent your feeling as much as possible the want of my personal instructions, by addressing to you on paper my Opinions and Admonitions on the conduct of Young Women, which you will find expressed in the following pages.—I am my dear Neice

"Your affectionate Aunt

"The Author.

................................................................................................

Contents

The Female Philosopher

The First Act of a Comedy

A Letter from a Young Lady

A Tour Through Wales A Tale

................................................................................................

THE FEMALE PHILOSOPHER

A LETTER

................................................................................................

The First Act of a Comedy

................................................................................................

That's all of the comedy, the first act, and half thereof is quoted here.

................................................................................................

"SCENE CHANGES TO THE MOON, and discovers Popgun and Pistoletta.

"Pistoletta) Pray papa how far is it to London?

"Popgun) My Girl, my Darling, my favourite of all my Children, who art the picture of thy poor Mother who died two months ago, with whom I am going to Town to marry to Strephon, and to whom I mean to bequeath my whole Estate, it wants seven Miles.

"SCENE CHANGES TO THE SUN— ENTER Chloe and a chorus of ploughboys.

"Chloe) Where am I? At Hounslow.—Where go I? To London—. What to do? To be married—. Unto whom? Unto Strephon. Who is he? A Youth. Then I will sing a song.

"SONG

"I go to Town And when I come down, I shall be married to Streephon. And that to me will be fun."

................................................................................................

"SCENE CHANGES TO THE INSIDE OF THE LION.

"Enter Strephon and Postilion.

"Streph:) You drove me from Staines to this place, from whence I mean to go to Town to marry Chloe. How much is your due?

"Post:) Eighteen pence.

"Streph:) Alas, my freind, I have but a bad guinea with which I mean to support myself in Town. But I will pawn to you an undirected Letter that I received from Chloe.

"Post:) Sir, I accept your offer."

................................................................................................

A Letter from a Young Lady

................................................................................................

"A LETTER from a YOUNG LADY, whose feelings being too strong for her Judgement led her into the commission of Errors which her Heart disapproved."

"Many have been the cares and vicissitudes of my past life, my beloved Ellinor, and the only consolation I feel for their bitterness is that on a close examination of my conduct, I am convinced that I have strictly deserved them. I murdered my father at a very early period of my Life, I have since murdered my Mother, and I am now going to murder my Sister. I have changed my religion so often that at present I have not an idea of any left. I have been a perjured witness in every public tryal for these last twelve years; and I have forged my own Will. In short there is scarcely a crime that I have not committed—But I am now going to reform. Colonel Martin of the Horse guards has paid his Addresses to me, and we are to be married in a few days. As there is something singular in our Courtship, I will give you an account of it. Colonel Martin is the second son of the late Sir John Martin who died immensely rich, but bequeathing only one hundred thousand pound apeice to his three younger Children, left the bulk of his fortune, about eight Million to the present Sir Thomas. Upon his small pittance the Colonel lived tolerably contented for nearly four months when he took it into his head to determine on getting the whole of his eldest Brother’s Estate. A new will was forged and the Colonel produced it in Court—but nobody would swear to it’s being the right will except himself, and he had sworn so much that Nobody beleived him. At that moment I happened to be passing by the door of the Court, and was beckoned in by the Judge who told the Colonel that I was a Lady ready to witness anything for the cause of Justice, and advised him to apply to me. In short the Affair was soon adjusted. The Colonel and I swore to its’ being the right will, and Sir Thomas has been obliged to resign all his illgotten wealth. The Colonel in gratitude waited on me the next day with an offer of his hand—. I am now going to murder my Sister.

"Yours Ever,

Anna Parker."

................................................................................................

A Tour Through Wales A Tale

................................................................................................

A TOUR THROUGH WALES—

in a LETTER from a YOUNG LADY—

................................................................................................

"My Dear Clara

"I have been so long on the ramble that I have not till now had it in my power to thank you for your Letter—. We left our dear home on last Monday month; and proceeded on our tour through Wales, which is a principality contiguous to England and gives the title to the Prince of Wales. We travelled on horseback by preference. My Mother rode upon our little poney and Fanny and I walked by her side or rather ran, for my Mother is so fond of riding fast that she galloped all the way. You may be sure that we were in a fine perspiration when we came to our place of resting. Fanny has taken a great many Drawings of the Country, which are very beautiful, tho’ perhaps not such exact resemblances as might be wished, from their being taken as she ran along. It would astonish you to see all the Shoes we wore out in our Tour. We determined to take a good Stock with us and therefore each took a pair of our own besides those we set off in. However we were obliged to have them both capped and heelpeiced at Carmarthen, and at last when they were quite gone, Mama was so kind as to lend us a pair of blue Sattin Slippers, of which we each took one and hopped home from Hereford delightfully—-

"I am your ever affectionate

"Elizabeth Johnson."

................................................................................................

A TALE

................................................................................................

"A Gentleman whose family name I shall conceal, bought a small Cottage in Pembrokeshire about two years ago. This daring Action was suggested to him by his elder Brother who promised to furnish two rooms and a Closet for him, provided he would take a small house near the borders of an extensive Forest, and about three Miles from the Sea. Wilhelminus gladly accepted the offer and continued for some time searching after such a retreat when he was one morning agreably releived from his suspence by reading this advertisement in a Newspaper.

"TO BE LETT

"A Neat Cottage on the borders of an extensive forest and about three Miles from the Sea. It is ready furnished except two rooms and a Closet.

"The delighted Wilhelminus posted away immediately to his brother, and shewed him the advertisement. Robertus congratulated him and sent him in his Carriage to take possession of the Cottage. After travelling for three days and six nights without stopping, they arrived at the Forest and following a track which led by it’s side down a steep Hill over which ten Rivulets meandered, they reached the Cottage in half an hour. Wilhelminus alighted, and after knocking for some time without receiving any answer or hearing any one stir within, he opened the door which was fastened only by a wooden latch and entered a small room, which he immediately perceived to be one of the two that were unfurnished—From thence he proceeded into a Closet equally bare. A pair of stairs that went out of it led him into a room above, no less destitute, and these apartments he found composed the whole of the House. He was by no means displeased with this discovery, as he had the comfort of reflecting that he should not be obliged to lay out anything on furniture himself—. He returned immediately to his Brother, who took him the next day to every Shop in Town, and bought what ever was requisite to furnish the two rooms and the Closet, In a few days everything was completed, and Wilhelminus returned to take possession of his Cottage. Robertus accompanied him, with his Lady the amiable Cecilia and her two lovely Sisters Arabella and Marina to whom Wilhelminus was tenderly attached, and a large number of Attendants.—An ordinary Genius might probably have been embarrassed, in endeavouring to accomodate so large a party, but Wilhelminus with admirable presence of mind gave orders for the immediate erection of two noble Tents in an open spot in the Forest adjoining to the house. Their Construction was both simple and elegant—A couple of old blankets, each supported by four sticks, gave a striking proof of that taste for architecture and that happy ease in overcoming difficulties which were some of Wilhelminus’s most striking Virtues."

................................................................................................

................................................

August 16, 2021 - August 16, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 3

................................................................................................

• Evelyn

................................................................................................
................................................................................................

................................................................................................

EVELYN by Jane Austen

................................................................................................

Jane Austen continues with the satire, or outrageous humour, however deceptively the piece begins, with a stranger enquiring if he can find a suitable house to let in the village of Evelyn in Sussex.

................................................................................................

"To Miss Mary Lloyd,

"The following novel is by permission dedicated,

"By her obedient humble servant,

"The Author"

................................................................................................

"Mr Gower rang — the door was soon opened.

"'Are Mr and Mrs Webb at home?'

"'My good sir, they are' — replied the servant; and leading the way, conducted Mr Gower upstairs into a very elegant dressing room, where a lady rising from her seat, welcomed him with all the generosity which Mrs Willis had attributed to the family.

"'Welcome best of men — welcome to this house, and to everything it contains. William, tell your master of the happiness I enjoy — invite him to partake of it —. Bring up some chocolate immediately; spread a cloth in the dining parlour, and carry in the venison pasty —. In the meantime let the gentleman have some sandwiches, and bring in a basket of fruit — send up some ices and a basin of soup, and do not forget some jellies and cakes.' Then turning to Mr Gower, and taking out her purse, 'Accept this, my good sir. Believe me you are welcome to everything that is in my power to bestow. — I wish my purse were weightier, but Mr Webb must make up my deficiencies —. I know he has cash in the house to the amount of a hundred pounds, which he shall bring you immediately.' Mr Gower felt overpowered by her generosity as he put the purse in his pocket, and from the excess of his gratitude, could scarcely express himself intelligibly when he accepted her offer of the hundred pounds. Mr Webb soon entered the room, and repeated every protestation of friendship and cordiality which his lady had already made. The chocolate, the sandwiches, the jellies, the cakes, the ice, and the soup soon made their appearance, and Mr Gower having tasted something of all, and pocketed the rest, was conducted into the dining parlour, where he ate a most excellent dinner and partook of the most exquisite wines, while Mr and Mrs Webb stood by him still pressing him to eat and drink a little more.

"'And now my good sir,' said Mr Webb, when Mr Gower's repast was concluded, 'what else can we do to contribute to your happiness and express the affection we bear you. Tell us what you wish more to receive, and depend upon our gratitude for the communication of your wishes.'

"'Give me then your house and grounds; I ask for nothing else.'

"'It is yours!' exclaimed both at once; 'From this moment it is yours.' The agreement concluded on and the present accepted by Mr Gower, Mr Webb rang to have the carriage ordered, telling William at the same time to call the young ladies.

"'Best of men,' said Mrs Webb, 'we will not long intrude upon your time.'

"'Make no apologies, dear Madam,' replied Mr Gower, 'you are welcome to stay this half hour if you like it.'

"They both burst forth into raptures of admiration at his politeness, which they agreed served only to make their conduct appear more inexcusable in trespassing on his time."

................................................................................................

"'Give me leave to assure you, Sir,' said Miss Webb, 'that I am highly sensible of your kindness in this respect, which from the shortness of my father's and mother's acquaintance with you, is more than usually flattering.'

"Mr Gower bowed — 'You are too obliging, Ma’am — I assure you that I like the house extremely — and if they would complete their generosity by giving me their eldest daughter in marriage with a handsome portion, I should have nothing more to wish for.' This compliment brought a blush into the cheeks of the lovely Miss Webb, who seemed however to refer herself to her father and mother. They looked delighted at each other. — At length Mrs Webb breaking silence, said, —

"'We bend under a weight of obligations to you which we can never repay. Take our girl, take our Maria, and on her must the difficult task fall, of endeavouring to make some return to so much beneficence.' Mr Webb added, 'Her fortune is but ten thousand pounds, which is almost too small a sum to be offered.' This objection however being instantly removed by the generosity of Mr Gower, who declared himself satisfied with the sum mentioned, ... "

................................................................................................

Austen continues in the outlandish strain, with no sensible explanations.

................................................................................................

................................................

August 18, 2021 - August 18, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

JUVENILIA Volume 3 – Unfinished novel

................................................................................................

• Catharine

................................................................................................

Catharine

................................................................................................

Austen begins, seemingly, with the humour, right off the bat, in dedication. But the story itself is not the outlandish humour that pervades most of Juvenilia. It's more like the work of Austen that her readers are used to, before one begins on the Juvenilia, except here she's still not quite yet changing paragraph when she changes topic.

This book, too, like Sanditon and Three Sisters, finishes abruptly, leaving one wish she'd had time to write it to its completion.

................................................................................................

"To Miss Austen

"Madam

"Encouraged by your warm patronage of The Beautiful Cassandra, and The History of England, which through your generous support, have obtained a place in every library in the kingdom, and run through threescore editions, I take the liberty of begging the same exertions in favour of the following novel, which I humbly flatter myself, possesses merit beyond any already published, or any that will ever in future appear, except such as may proceed from the pen of,

"Your most grateful Humble servant

"The Author"

................................................................................................

" ... Her personal attractions had gained her a husband as soon as she had arrived at Bengal, and she had now been married nearly a twelve month. Splendidly, yet unhappily married. United to a man of double her own age, whose disposition was not amiable, and whose manners were unpleasing, though his character was respectable. Kitty had heard twice from her friend since her marriage, but her letters were always unsatisfactory, and though she did not openly avow her feelings, yet every line proved her to be unhappy. She spoke with pleasure of nothing, but of those amusements which they had shared together and which could return no more, and seemed to have no happiness in view but that of returning to England again. Her sister had been taken by another relation the Dowager Lady Halifax as a companion to her daughters, and had accompanied her family into Scotland about the same time of Cecilia's leaving England. From Mary therefore, Kitty had the power of hearing more frequently, but her letters were scarcely more comfortable —. There was not indeed that hopelessness of sorrow in her situation as in her sister's she was not married, and could yet look forward to a change in her circumstances, but situated for the present without any immediate hope of it, in a family where, tho' all were her relations she had no friend, she wrote usually in depressed spirits, which her separation from her sister and her sister's marriage had greatly contributed to make so. ... "

................................................................................................

" ... The living of Chetwynde was now in the possession of a Mr Dudley, whose family unlike the Wynnes were productive only of vexation and trouble to Mrs Percival and her niece. Mr Dudley, who was the younger son of a very noble family, of a family more famed for their pride than their opulence, tenacious of his dignity, and jealous of his rights, was forever quarrelling, if not with Mrs Percival herself, with her steward and tenants concerning tithes, and with the principal neighbours themselves concerning the respect and parade, he exacted. His wife, an ill-educated, untaught woman of ancient family, was proud of that family almost without knowing why, and like him too was haughty and quarrelsome, without considering for what. Their only daughter, who inherited the ignorance, the insolence, and pride of her parents, was from that beauty of which she was unreasonably vain, considered by them as an irresistible creature, and looked up to as the future restorer, by a splendid marriage, of the dignity which their reduced situation and Mr Dudley's being obliged to take orders for a country living had so much lessened. They at once despised the Percivals as people of mean family, and envied them as people of fortune. They were jealous of their being more respected than themselves and while they affected to consider them as of no consequence, were continually seeking to lessen them in the opinion of the neighbourhood by scandalous and malicious reports. Such a family as this, was ill-calculated to console Kitty for the loss of the Wynnes, or to fill up by their society, those occasionally irksome hours which in so retired a situation would sometimes occur for want of a companion. Her aunt was most excessively fond of her, and miserable if she saw her for a moment out of spirits; yet she lived in such constant apprehension of her marrying imprudently if she were allowed the opportunity of choosing, and was so dissatisfied with her behaviour when she saw her with young men, for it was, from her natural disposition remarkably open and unreserved, that though she frequently wished for her niece's sake, that the neighbourhood were larger, and that she had used herself to mix more with it, yet the recollection of there being young men in almost every family in it, always conquered the wish. The same fears that prevented Mrs Percival's joining much in the society of her neighbours, led her equally to avoid inviting her relations to spend any time in her house; — she had therefore constantly regretted the annual attempt of a distant relation to visit her at Chetwynde, as there was a young man in the family of whom she had heard many traits that alarmed her. This son was however now on his travels, and the repeated solicitations of Kitty, joined to a consciousness of having declined with too little ceremony the frequent overtures of her friends to be admitted, and a real wish to see them herself, easily prevailed on her to press with great earnestness the pleasure of a visit from them during the summer. Mr and Mrs Stanley were accordingly to come, and Catharine, in having an object to look forward to, a something to expect that must inevitably relieve the dullness of a constant tête à tête with her aunt, was so delighted, and her spirits so elevated, that for the three or four days immediately preceding their arrival, she could scarcely fix herself to any employment. ... "

................................................................................................

" ... Mr and Mrs Stanley were people of large fortune and high fashion. He was a member of the House of Commons, and they were therefore most agreeably necessitated to reside half the year in town where Miss Stanley had been attended by the most capital masters from the time of her being six years old to the last spring, which comprehending a period of twelve years had been dedicated to the acquirement of accomplishments which were now to be displayed and in a few years entirely neglected. She was elegant in her appearance, rather handsome, and naturally not deficient in abilities; but those years which ought to have been spent in the attainment of useful knowledge and mental improvement, had been all bestowed in learning drawing, Italian and music, more especially the latter, and she now united to these accomplishments, an understanding unimproved by reading and a mind totally devoid either of taste or judgement. Her temper was by nature good, but unassisted by reflection, she had neither patience under disappointment, nor could sacrifice her own inclinations to promote the happiness of others. All her ideas were towards the elegance of her appearance, the fashion of her dress, and the admiration she wished them to excite. She professed a love of books without reading, was lively without wit, and generally good humoured without merit. Such was Camilla Stanley; and Catharine, who was prejudiced by her appearance, and who from her solitary situation was ready to like anyone, tho' her understanding and judgement would not otherwise have been easily satisfied, felt almost convinced when she saw her, that Miss Stanley would be the very companion she wanted, and in some degree make amends for the loss of Cecilia and Mary Wynne. ... "

................................................................................................

" ... She could scarcely resolve what to think of her new acquaintance; she appeared to be shamefully ignorant as to the geography of England, if she had understood her right, and equally devoid of taste and information. Kitty was however unwilling to decide hastily; she was at once desirous of doing Miss Stanley justice, and of having her own wishes in her answered; she determined therefore to suspend all judgement for some time. After supper, the conversation turning on the state of affairs in the political world, Mrs Percival, who was firmly of opinion that the whole race of mankind were degenerating, said that for her part, everything she believed was going to rack and ruin, all order was destroyed over the face of the world, the House of Commons she heard did not break up sometimes till five in the morning, and depravity never was so general before; concluding with a wish that she might live to see the manners of the people in Queen Elizabeth's reign, restored again."

" ... She found no variety in her conversation; she received no information from her but in fashions, and no amusement but in her performance on the harpsichord; and after repeated endeavours to find her what she wished, she was obliged to give up the attempt and to consider it as fruitless. There had occasionally appeared a something like humour in Camilla which had inspired her with hopes, that she might at least have a natural genius, tho' not an improved one, but these sparklings of wit happened so seldom, and were so ill-supported that she was at last convinced of their being merely accidental. All her stock of knowledge was exhausted in a very few days, and when Kitty had learnt from her, how large their house in town was, when the fashionable amusements began, who were the celebrated beauties and who the best milliner, Camilla had nothing further to teach, except the characters of any of her acquaintance as they occurred in conversation, which was done with equal ease and brevity, by saying that the person was either the sweetest creature in the world, and one of whom she was dotingly fond, or horrid, shocking and not fit to be seen.

"As Catharine was very desirous of gaining every possible information as to the characters of the Halifax family, and concluded that Miss Stanley must be acquainted with them, as she seemed to be so with everyone of any consequence, she took an opportunity as Camilla was one day enumerating all the people of rank that her mother visited, of asking her whether Lady Halifax were among the number."

" ... But I was going to ask you whether you have ever seen a Miss Wynne with them?'

"'I know who you mean perfectly — she wears a blue hat —. I have frequently seen her in Brook Street, when I have been at Lady Halifax's balls — she gives one every month during the winter —. But only think how good it is in her to take care of Miss Wynne, for she is a very distant relation, and so poor that, as Miss Halifax told me, her mother was obliged to find her in clothes. Is not it shameful?'

"'That she should be so poor? It is indeed, with such wealthy connexions as the family have.'

"'Oh! no; I mean, was not it shameful in Mr Wynne to leave his children so distressed, when he had actually the living of Chetwynde and two or three curacies, and only four children to provide for —. What would he have done if he had had ten, as many people have?'

"'He would have given them all a good education and have left them all equally poor.'

"'Well I do think there never was so lucky a family. Sir George Fitzgibbon you know sent the eldest girl to India entirely at his own expense, where they say she is most nobly married and the happiest creature in the world — Lady Halifax you see has taken care of the youngest and treats her as if she were her daughter; she does not go out into public with her to be sure; but then she is always present when her ladyship gives her balls, and nothing can be kinder to her than Lady Halifax is; she would have taken her to Cheltenham last year, if there had been room enough at the lodgings, and therefore I do not think that she can have anything to complain of. Then there are the two sons; one of them the Bishop of M—— has got into the army as a lieutenant I suppose; and the other is extremely well off I know, for I have a notion that somebody puts him to school somewhere in Wales. ... "

................................................................................................

"'For my own part, Catharine' said Mrs Percival 'I have not a doubt but that you caught this toothache by sitting so much in that arbour, for it is always damp. I know it has ruined your constitution entirely; and indeed I do not believe it has been of much service to mine; I sat down in it last May to rest myself, and I have never been quite well since —. I shall order John to pull it all down I assure you.'

"'I know you will not do that, Ma’am,' said Kitty, 'as you must be convinced how unhappy it would make me.'

"'You talk very ridiculously Child; it is all whim and nonsense. Why cannot you fancy this room an arbour!'"

................................................................................................

"' ... I hope he may not go abroad again.'

"'Do you think he will not?'

"'Oh! dear, to be sure he must, but I wish he may not with all my heart —. You cannot think how fond I am of him! By the bye are not you in love with him yourself?'

"'To be sure I am,' replied Kitty laughing, 'I am in love with every handsome man I see.'

"'That is just like me — I am always in love with every handsome man in the world.'

"'There you out do me,' replied Catharine 'for I am only in love with those I do see.'

"Mrs Percival who was sitting on the other side of her, and who began now to distinguish the words, love and handsome man, turned hastily towards them and said 'What are you talking of, Catharine?' To which Catharine immediately answered with the simple artifice of a child,

"'Nothing, Ma’am.' She had already received a very severe lecture from her aunt on the imprudence of her behaviour during the whole evening; she blamed her for coming to the ball, for coming in the same carriage with Edward Stanley, and still more for entering the room with him. For the last-mentioned offence Catharine knew not what apology to give, and tho' she longed in answer to the second to say that she had not thought it would be civil to make Mr Stanley walk, she dared not so to trifle with her aunt, who would have been but the more offended by it. The first accusation however she considered as very unreasonable, as she thought herself perfectly justified in coming. This conversation continued till Edward Stanley entering the room came instantly towards her, and telling her that everyone waited for her to begin the next dance led her to the top of the room, for Kitty, impatient to escape from so unpleasant a companion, without the least hesitation, or one civil scruple at being so distinguished, immediately gave him her hand, and joyfully left her seat. This conduct however was highly resented by several young ladies present, and among the rest by Miss Stanley whose regard for her brother tho' excessive, and whose affection for Kitty tho' prodigious, were not proof against such an injury to her importance and her peace. Edward had however only consulted his own inclinations in desiring Miss Percival to begin the dance, nor had he any reason to know that it was either wished or expected by anyone else in the party. As an heiress she was certainly of consequence, but her birth gave her no other claim to it, for her father had been a merchant. It was this very circumstance which rendered this unfortunate affair so offensive to Camilla, for tho' she would sometimes boast in the pride of her heart, and her eagerness to be admired that she did not know who her grandfather had been, and was as ignorant of everything relative to genealogy as to astronomy, (and she might have added, geography) yet she was really proud of her family and connexions, and easily offended if they were treated with neglect."

"Kitty in the meantime remained insensible of having given anyone offence, and therefore unable either to offer an apology, or make a reparation; her whole attention was occupied by the happiness she enjoyed in dancing with the most elegant young man in the room, and everyone else was equally unregarded. The evening indeed to her, passed off delightfully; he was her partner during the greatest part of it, and the united attractions that he possessed of person, address and vivacity, had easily gained that preference from Kitty which they seldom fail of obtaining from everyone. She was too happy to care either for her aunt's ill humour which she could not help remarking, or for the alteration in Camilla's behaviour which forced itself at last on her observations. Her spirits were elevated above the influence of displeasure in anyone, and she was equally indifferent as to the cause of Camilla's, or the continuance of her aunt's. ... "

................................................................................................

"'I do not speak, Sir,' she continued, 'out of any disrespect to you, but I could not answer it to myself to allow of his stay; there is no knowing what might be the consequence of it, if he were to continue here, for girls nowadays will always give a handsome young man the preference before any other, tho' for why, I never could discover, for what after all is youth and beauty! It is but a poor substitute for real worth and merit; believe me Cousin that, whatever people may say to the contrary, there is certainly nothing like virtue for making us what we ought to be, and as to a young man's being young and handsome and having an agreeable person, it is nothing at all to the purpose for he had much better be respectable. I always did think so, and I always shall, and therefore you will oblige me very much by desiring your son to leave Chetwynde, or I cannot be answerable for what may happen between him and my niece. You will be surprised to hear me say it,' she continued, lowering her voice, ‘but truth will out, and I must own that Kitty is one of the most impudent girls that ever existed. I assure you Sir, that I have seen her sit and laugh and whisper with a young man whom she has not seen above half a dozen times. Her behaviour indeed is scandalous, and therefore I beg you will send your son away immediately, or everything will be at sixes and sevens.'"

" ... Mr Stanley went immediately to Edward, to whom he repeated the conversation that had passed between Mrs Percival and himself, and strongly pointed out the necessity of his leaving Chetwynde the next day, since his world was already engaged for it. His son however appeared struck only by the ridiculous apprehensions of Mrs Percival; and highly delighted at having occasioned them himself, seemed engrossed alone in thinking how he might increase them, without attending to any other part of his father's conversation. Mr Stanley could get no determinate answer from him, and tho' he still hoped for the best, they parted almost in anger on his side.

"His son though by no means disposed to marry, or any otherwise attached to Miss Percival than as a good natured lively girl who seemed pleased with him, took infinite pleasure in alarming the jealous fears of her aunt by his attentions to her, without considering what effect they might have on the lady herself. He would always sit by her when she was in the room, appear dissatisfied if she left it, and was the first to enquire whether she meant soon to return. He was delighted with her drawings, and enchanted with her performance on the harpsichord; everything that she said, appeared to interest him; his conversation was addressed to her alone, and she seemed to be the sole object of his attention. That such efforts should succeed with one so tremblingly alive to every alarm of the kind as Mrs Percival, is by no means unnatural, and that they should have equal influence with her niece whose imagination was lively, and whose disposition romantic, who was already extremely pleased with him, and of course desirous that he might be so with her, is as little to be wondered at. Every moment as it added to the conviction of his liking her, made him still more pleasing, and strengthened in her mind a wish of knowing him better. As for Mrs Percival, she was in tortures the whole day; nothing that she had ever felt before on a similar occasion was to be compared to the sensations which then distracted her; her fears had never been so strongly, or indeed so reasonably excited. — Her dislike of Stanley, her anger at her niece, her impatience to have them separated conquered every idea of propriety and good breeding, and though he had never mentioned any intention of leaving them the next day, she could not help asking him after dinner, in her eagerness to have him gone, at what time he meant to set out.

"'Oh! Ma’am,' replied he, 'if I am off by twelve at night, you may think yourself lucky; and if I am not, you can only blame yourself for having left so much as the hour of my departure to my own disposal.' Mrs Percival coloured very highly at this speech, and without addressing herself to anyone in particular, immediately began a long harangue on the shocking behaviour of modern young men, and the wonderful alteration that had taken place in them, since her time, which she illustrated with many instructive anecdotes of the decorum and modesty which had marked the characters of those whom she had known, when she had been young. This however did not prevent his walking in the garden with her niece, without any other companion for nearly an hour in the course of the evening. They had left the room for that purpose with Camilla at a time when Mrs Percival had been out of it, nor was it for some time after her return to it, that she could discover where they were. Camilla had taken two or three turns with them in the walk which led to the arbour, but soon growing tired of listening to a conversation in which she was seldom invited to join, and from its turning occasionally on books, very little able to do it, she left them together in the arbour, to wander alone to some other part of the garden, to eat the fruit, and examine Mrs Percival's greenhouse. Her absence was so far from being regretted, that it was scarcely noticed by them, and they continued conversing together on almost every subject, for Stanley seldom dwelt long on any, and had something to say on all, till they were interrupted by her aunt."

" ... They had continued therefore for some time conversing in this manner on the character of Richard the Third, which he was warmly defending when he suddenly seized hold of her hand, and exclaiming with great emotion, 'Upon my honour you are entirely mistaken,' pressed it passionately to his lips, and ran out of the arbour. Astonished at this behaviour, for which she was wholly unable to account, she continued for a few moments motionless on the seat where he had left her, and was then on the point of following him up the narrow walk through which he had passed, when on looking up the one that lay immediately before the arbour, she saw her aunt walking towards her with more than her usual quickness. This explained at once the reason for his leaving her, but his leaving her in such manner was rendered still more inexplicable by it. ... "

................................................................................................

"Edward and his sister soon came in, and Kitty had no difficulty in gaining an explanation of his conduct from him, for he was too warm on the subject himself, and too eager to learn its success, to refrain from making immediate enquiries about it; and she could not help feeling both surprised and offended at the ease and indifference with which he owned that all his intentions had been to frighten her aunt by pretending an affection for her, a design so very incompatible with that partiality which she had at one time been almost convinced of his feeling for her. It is true that she had not yet seen enough of him to be actually in love with him, yet she felt greatly disappointed that so handsome, so elegant, so lively a young man should be so perfectly free from any such sentiment as to make it his principal sport. There was a novelty in his character which to her was extremely pleasing; his person was uncommonly fine, his spirits and vivacity suited to her own, and his manners at once so animated and insinuating, that she thought it must be impossible for him to be otherwise than amiable, and was ready to give him credit for being perfectly so. He knew the powers of them himself; to them he had often been indebted for his father's forgiveness of faults which had he been awkward and inelegant would have appeared very serious; to them, even more than to his person or his fortune, he owed the regard which almost everyone was disposed to feel for him, and which young women in particular were inclined to entertain.

"Their influence was acknowledged on the present occasion by Kitty, whose anger they entirely dispelled, and whose cheerfulness they had power not only to restore, but to raise —. The evening passed off as agreeably as the one that had preceded it; they continued talking to each other, during the chief part of it, and such was the power of his address, and the brilliancy of his eyes, that when they parted for the night, tho' Catharine had but a few hours before totally given up the idea, yet she felt almost convinced again that he was really in love with her. ... She was convinced of his being naturally very clever and very well disposed, and that his thoughtlessness and negligence, which tho' they appeared to her as very becoming in him, she was aware would by many people be considered as defects in his character, merely proceeded from a vivacity always pleasing in young men, and were far from testifying a weak or vacant understanding. Having settled this point within herself, and being perfectly convinced by her own arguments of its truth, she went to bed in high spirits; determined to study his character, and watch his behaviour still more the next day."

................................................................................................

"The Grove, for so was the mansion of Mrs Percival at Chetwynde denominated, was situated within five miles from Exeter, but though that lady possessed a carriage and horses of her own, it was seldom that Catharine could prevail on her to visit that town for the purpose of shopping, on account of the many officers perpetually quartered there and who infested the principal streets —. A company of strolling players on their way from some neighbouring races having opened a temporary theatre there, Mrs Percival was prevailed on by her niece to indulge her by attending the performance once during their stay — Mrs Percival insisted on paying Miss Dudley the compliment of inviting her to join the party, when a new difficulty arose, from the necessity of having some gentleman to attend them —

"FINIS"

................................................................................................

................................................

August 19, 2021 - August 19, 2021.

................................................

................................................................................................

................................................

August 12, 2021 - August 19, 2021.

Kindle Edition

Published June 7th 2018 by JA

(first published 1793)

Original TitleJuvenilia

ASIN:- B07DM89Z5Q

................................................

................................................................................................

Reviews - Books I Read - DRJG

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

The Juvenilia of Jane Austen, (Juvenilia #1-3); by Jane Austen.

Light Explodes Across Heavens

Blog Archive

Serene, Reflecting

Contributors

Followers

My Shelfari Bookshelf