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"I do not know whether it ought to be so, but certainly silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way. Wickedness is always wickedness, but folly is not always folly." Emma Woodhouse, Emma, Chapter 26 Â Jane Austen's World: The life and times of England's... Continue Reading →
"This present from the Campbells," said she -- "This pianofortĂ© is very kindly given." "Yes," he replied, and without the smallest apparent embarrassment. "But they would have done better had they given her notice of it. Surprizes are foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable. I should have expected... Continue Reading →
"Four years you have been engaged?" said she with a firm voice. "Yes; and Heaven knows how much longer we may have to wait. Poor Edward! It puts him quite out of heart." Then taking a small miniature from her pocket, she added, "To prevent the possibility of mistake, be so good as to look... Continue Reading →
"I shall divide every moment between music and reading. I have formed my plan, and am determined to enter on a course of serious study. Our own library is too well known to me, to be resorted to for anything beyond mere amusement. But there are many works well worth reading, at the Park; and... Continue Reading →
"I, and only I, knew your heart and its sorrows; yet, to what did it influence me? -- not to any compassion that could benefit you or myself. -- Your example was before me: but to what avail? -- Was I more considerate of you and your comfort? Did I imitate your forbearance, or lessen... Continue Reading →
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: 18th and 19th century primogeniture and marriage laws in England were very complicated, even for those who lived in the era. Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility is fueled by legal issues that are puzzling to our 21st-century sensibilities. It was a serious business however, impacting many lives. When... Continue Reading →
"You are mistaken, Elinor," said she warmly, "in supposing I know very little of Willoughby. I have not known him long indeed, but I am much better acquainted with him, than I am with any other creature in the world, except yourself and mama. It is not time or opportunity that is to determine intimacy:... Continue Reading →
 Marianne began now to perceive that the desperation which had seized her at sixteen and a half, of ever seeing a man who could satisfy her ideas of perfection, had been rash and unjustifiable. Willoughby was all that her fancy had delineated in that unhappy hour and in every brighter period, as capable of... Continue Reading →
"I am afraid," replied Elinor, "that the pleasantness of an employment does not always evince its propriety."Â "On the contrary, nothing can be a stronger proof of it, Elinor; for if there had been any real impropriety in what I did, I should have been sensible of it at the time, for we always know... Continue Reading →
  ACCOMPLISHED "Oh! certainly," cried his faithful assistant, "no one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something... Continue Reading →
   INFORMED  Emma wants to see her better informed; it will be an inducement to her to read more herself. They will read together. She means it, I know." Mrs. Weston, Emma, Chapter 5  I hope that you all enjoyed Emma, staring Kate Beckinsale, Sunday on PBS. This movie version is my favorite... Continue Reading →
"Emma," said Mr. Knightley presently, "I have a piece of news for you. You like news -- and I heard an article in my way hither that I think will interest you." "News! Oh! yes, I always like news. What is it? Why do you smile so? Where did you hear it? Mr. Knightly &... Continue Reading →
