Your online source for Jane Austen and her legacy
ENDUREDÂ I danced with Mr. John Wood again, twice with a Mr. South, a lad from Winchester, who, I suppose, is as far from being related to the bishop of that diocese as it is possible to be, with G. Lefroy, and J. Harwood, who, I think, takes to me rather more than he used... Continue Reading →
ELEGANCEÂ I had great amusement among the pictures (Somerset House); and the driving about, the carriage being open, was very pleasant. I liked my solitary elegance very much, and was ready to laugh all the time at my being where I has. I could not but feel that I had a naturally small right to... Continue Reading →
EMOLUMENT I am very much flattered by your commendation of my last letter, for I write only for fame, and without any view to pecuniary emolument. Letter to Cassandra Austen, 16 January 1796, The Letters of Jane Austen Sometimes I take Jane Austen for granted. She is just there, - - like Starbucks and under-wire bras. But... Continue Reading →
MELANCHOLY At length the day is come on which I am to flirt my last with Tom Lefroy, and when you receive this it will be over. My tears flow as I write at the melancholy idea. Wm. Chute called here yesterday. I wonder what he means by being so civil. There is a report... Continue Reading →
GENIUS Expect a most agreeable letter, for not being overburdened with subject (having nothing at all to say), I shall have no check to my genius from beginning to end. Letter to Cassandra Austen, 21 January 1801 This excellent example of Jane Austen's style of applying tongue-in-cheek commentary on her talent is a side-ways complement to her own skills,... Continue Reading →
AGREEABLE "Miss Blackford is agreeable enough. I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal". Letter to Cassandra Austen, 24 December 1798 Do you know people who have adopted this philosophy? Civility is getting short shrift these days, and I fear that even though... Continue Reading →
DELICACY We have been both to the exhibition and Sir J. Reynolds'; and I am disappointed, for there was nothing like Mrs. D. at either. I can only imagine that Mr. D. prizes any picture of her too much to like it should be exposed to the public eye. I can imagine he would have... Continue Reading →
