Jane Eyre, Elizabeth Bennet, Catherine Earnshaw – The Literary Heroines
2d ·
“The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!”
~ Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen
The Regency Library: Researching the Regency & Georgian Eras
3d ·
Evening Dress November 1813
Ackermann’s Repository at 300-301
A round robe of blossom-coloured crape, with demi-train,worn over a white satin slip, gathered frock back, and stomacher front: the sleeve unusually short, and back and bosom uncommonly (not to say unbecomingly) exposed. The sleeves and neck of the robe ornamented with puckered white satin and a fancy border round the bottom, composed of white satin and crape, the same as the dress; belt of the same round the bottom of the waist, confined with a pearl or other appropriate clasp, in front. The hair in irregular curls, divided in front, and confined on the crown of the head with white beads and blended with autumnal flowers of various hues. Necklace, a single row of pearl, or the satin bead; a small elastic chain of Oriental gold, from which is suspended a large convent cross of diamonds. Ear-rings and bracelets of pearl, with diamond studs. French kid gloves, below the elbow. Slippers of white satin, decorated round the instep with silver fringe. Indian fan of carved ivory.
Jane Austen – Her Works and Her World
7h ·
“That is a grand pianoforté, and he might think it too large for Mrs. Bates’s house.”
“You may say what you chuse—but your countenance testifies that your thoughts on this subject are very much like mine.”
“I do not know. I rather believe you are giving me more credit for acuteness than I deserve. I smile because you smile, and shall probably suspect whatever I find you suspect; but at present I do not see what there is to question. If Col. Campbell is not the person, who can be?”
“What do you say to Mrs. Dixon?”
“Mrs. Dixon! very true indeed. I had not thought of Mrs. Dixon. She must know as well as her father, how acceptable an instrument would be; and perhaps the mode of it, the mystery, the surprize, is more like a young woman’s scheme than an elderly man’s. It is Mrs. Dixon, I dare say. I told you that your suspicions would guide mine.”
“If so, you must extend your suspicions and comprehend Mr. Dixon in them.”
“Mr. Dixon.—Very well. Yes, I immediately perceive that it must be the joint present of Mr. and Mrs. Dixon. We were speaking the other day, you know, of his being so warm an admirer of her performance.”
Emma by Jane Austen
Volume 2, Chapter 8
Jane Eyre, Elizabeth Bennet, Catherine Earnshaw – The Literary Heroines
14h ·
She was humbled, she was grieved; she repented, though she hardly knew of what. She became jealous of his esteem, when she could no longer hope to be benefited by it. She wanted to hear of him, when there seemed the least chance of gaining intelligence. She was convinced that she could have been happy with him, when it was no longer likely they should meet.
~Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Joan Dynes ReynoldsJane Austen Society of North America – Vancouver Region
1d ·
Heads Up, JASNA members, a link to download the 2024 AGM Preview will soon be sent to all members who opted in to receive AGM updates. The Preview provides an overview of the sessions and activities being planned for the Cleveland AGM and includes a first look at speakers, tours, and the schedule. It also highlights what’s special about this AGM and the host city.
Reservations for hotel rooms at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown are scheduled to open at noon Eastern time on January 31. Details will be included in the Preview and will soon be posted on the JASNA AGM Hotel webpage. So keep an eye out for the email coming soon!
Jane Eyre, Elizabeth Bennet, Catherine Earnshaw – The Literary Heroines
1d ·
She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older: the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.
~ Persuasion, Jane Austen
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Jane Austen. *Also on twitter @AusteninBoston*. Reading, Drinking Tea, Walking, Music, Dancing, Trav
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Jane Austen – Her Works and Her World
2d ·
“I declare, I do not know when I have heard any thing that has given me more satisfaction!—It always has quite hurt me that Jane Fairfax, who plays so delightfully, should not have an instrument. It seemed quite a shame, especially considering how many houses there are where fine instruments are absolutely thrown away. This is like giving ourselves a slap, to be sure! and it was but yesterday I was telling Mr. Cole, I really was ashamed to look at our new grand pianoforté in the drawing-room, while I do not know one note from another, and our little girls, who are but just beginning, perhaps may never make any thing of it; and there is poor Jane Fairfax, who is mistress of music, has not any thing of the nature of an instrument, not even the pitifullest old spinet in the world, to amuse herself with.—I was saying this to Mr. Cole but yesterday, and he quite agreed with me; only he is so particularly fond of music that he could not help indulging himself in the purchase, hoping that some of our good neighbours might be so obliging occasionally to put it to a better use than we can; and that really is the reason why the instrument was bought—or else I am sure we ought to be ashamed of it.—We are in great hopes that Miss Woodhouse may be prevailed with to try it this evening.”
Emma by Jane Austen
Volume 2, Chapter 8
No insights to show
Jane Austen – Her Works and Her World
Cut off from his family’s fortune because he refuses to marry the woman his father has selected for him, Fitzwilliam Darcy takes up the only employment he deems tolerable, that of bookseller. Darcy is determined to support himself and to marry for love, but his powerful relations use their clout to keep customers and fashionable young ladies away. Worse, Darcy’s absence from Pemberley allows treachery to flourish.
Determined to see her older sister marry as well as possible, Elizabeth Bennet orchestrates their removal to London. Elizabeth isn’t searching for a husband of her own, but she is always looking for a good book. At a pleasant little bookshop in Cheapside, she finds plenty to read, and so much more. But should she give her heart to a bookseller and leave the life of a gently bred lady behind?
Mr. Darcy’s Bookshop asks what would happen if George Darcy and Sir Lewis de Bourgh had lived, and taken up their deceased wives’ quest to see Darcy and Anne wed. This is a lighthearted variation with laughter, love, a touch of villainy, and a happily ever after for our dear couple.
The Regency Library: Researching the Regency & Georgian Eras
5d ·
Mirror of Fashion September 1813
Lady’s Monthly Museum
Morning Dress.–A spencer of bright yellow satin, open at the neck, with turbanned hat of the same materials; white feather, tipt with yellow; white gloves, and half boots.
Evening Dress of white muslin, made rather low in the neck, and showing much of the ar; white gloves and shoes. The shawl of India or English manufacture, is much used by our elegantes; lace veils an scarfs are also predominant.
The hair is dressed much as usual; many of your young fashionables still sport the love-lock on the shoulder; but the hair, if curling without the aid of much art, is generally preferred in a state of nature,
The Mount
“How I miss that beautiful white silence that enclosed us at the Mount, & enabled me to possess my soul!” –Edith Wharton to Sara Norton, 1904 
–
From her townhouse in New York City, in the winter of 1904, Wharton was feverishly trying to finish The House of Mirth to meet the new serialization schedule for Scribner’s. Lily Bart’s slow social decline in the same city certainly occupied Wharton’s mind in a much different way than the calm and wintery serenity of Lenox.
–
What is your favorite place to experience the “beautiful white silence” that winter brings? Where are some of your favorite wintery views?
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(For more Mount Writes, visit edithwharton.org/the-mount-writes/)
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#TheMounnt#edithwharton#themountwrites#winter#snow#visitMA#lovelenox#intheBerkshires
Jane Austen – Her Works and Her World
1798-1800: High carat gold ring, containing a virtuoso micro-ivory carving of warships engaged in battle, with cannons blazing. The vessels are set on a cobalt blue glass ground, in an octagonal glazed compartment, within a seed pearl surround.
Jane Austen Society of North America, Greater Chicago Region
“I am very much flatterd by your commendation of my last letter, for I write only for Fame, and without any view to pecuniary Emolument.”
Letter to Cassandra
January 14-15,1796
Jane Austen – Her Works and Her World
With Tuesday came the agreeable prospect of seeing him again, and for a longer time than hitherto; of judging of his general manners, and by inference, of the meaning of his manners towards herself; of guessing how soon it might be necessary for her to throw coldness into her air; and of fancying what the observations of all those might be, who were now seeing them together for the first time.
She meant to be very happy, in spite of the scene being laid at Mr. Cole’s; and without being able to forget that among the failings of Mr. Elton, even in the days of his favour, none had disturbed her more than his propensity to dine with Mr. Cole.
Emma by Jane Austen
Volume 2, Chapter 8
Jane Austen – Her Works and Her World
https://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-timeline.php
Jane Austen – Her Works and Her World
She followed another carriage to Mr. Cole’s door; and was pleased to see that it was Mr. Knightley’s; for Mr. Knightley keeping no horses, having little spare money and a great deal of health, activity, and independence, was too apt, in Emma’s opinion, to get about as he could, and not use his carriage so often as became the owner of Donwell Abbey. She had an opportunity now of speaking her approbation while warm from her heart, for he stopped to hand her out.
“This is coming as you should do,” said she; “like a gentleman.—I am quite glad to see you.”
Emma by Jane Austen
Volume 2, Chapter 8
Hazel MillsJane Austen daily
New post
On this day, 16th January 1812, Jane Austen’s brother, Frank, sent a letter to the London Gazette, which is later quoted in the Gentleman’s Magazine. The letter was regarding his capture of the privateer Swordfish. It was then copied into other newspapers. It read:
“Sir, Be pleased to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that his Majesty’s ship under my command, in company with the Hermes, this morning captured, in latitude 38 deg. 40 min. N. and longitude 39 deg. 45 min. W. the American schooner privateer Sword Fish, of Gloucester, John Evans, Master, out sixteen days from Boston, and had made no capture. She is 156 tons burthen, not six months off the stocks, copper fastened, mounted twelve six pounders (ten of which were thrown overboard during the chase), manned with 82 men, and appears to sail very fast, having run us upwards of 100 miles, in a chase of eleven hours, although not four miles, a-head of us at the commencement of it. I have the honour to be, &e.
FRAS. WM. AUSTEN.”
Jane would have been able to read about this in her local paper, the “Hampshire Telegraph” on the 18th January. (See image)
“Jane Austen’s Sailor Brothers” by gives us the record in the log of the capture of an American privateer, the Swordfish.
“December 27.—At two, saw a strange sail bearing W. by N. Made the signal to the Hermes with a gun. Made all sail in chace. At sunset,[Pg 228] chace distant two miles. The chace had all the appearance of an armed vessel.
“28.—Fired several shots at the chace. At five minutes to two perceived her hoist two lights and bring to. At two shortened sail, hove to, boarded, and took possession of the chace, which proved to be the American schooner privateer Swordfish, out sixteen days from Boston, armed with twelve six-pounders and eighty-two men. During the chace ten of her guns and several spars were thrown overboard.”
The fate of the sailors on board the captured privateers varied, some would be put into prisons whereas others could be “impressed” into the Royal Navy. However not all were willing to be impressed. Prisoners could be returned in a “cartel”, basically a prisoner exchange. This was the outcome for the surgeon aboard the Swordfish.
“A History Of American Privateers” by Edgar Stanton Maclay tells us more:
“When the surgeon of the Swordfish was returned to the United States in a cartel, he reported that when he was in Portsmouth the 74- gun ship of the line Cornwall arrived there from a foreign port, having on board ‘thirty impressed American seamen; that a part of them requested to be considered as prisoners of war, and refused to do duty; that in consequence they were put in irons and ordered to be fed on bread and water. The British officer, suspecting that they had been advised to this step by the surgeon of the Swordfish, ordered him between decks; nor was he again permitted his usual liberty till he embarked in the cartel.’”
We do not know on which cartel the surgeon sailed but we do know of the fate of one of Swordfish’s sailors. The Maryland Archives tell us:
“On the same day the Swordfish arrived in England, Merriday was received at Portsmouth Prison . . . Merriday spent two months at Portsmouth until he was discharged on March 11, 1813 to Chatham via H.M.S. Alundance. He arrived at Chatham five days later, and remained there for about four months until he was discharged on July 24, 1813 to the Hoffnung Cartel. After half a year in captivity, Merriday returned to America. On August 13, 1813, the Hoffnung Cartel sailed from Plymouth to New Bedford with 450 prisoners.”
One has to remember that for a cartel to work there has to be prisoners to exchange on both sides. It brings home the fact that Jane’s brothers, Frank and Charles, were in constant peril, not just from the dangers of a life aboard a ship but also the threat of capture.
#OTD 16th January
Le Faye, Deirdre. A Chronology of Jane Austen and her Family: 1600–2000 (p. 436). Cambridge University Press. Kindle Edition.
Hubback, J. H.; Hubback, E. C.. Jane Austen’s Sailor Brothers: Being the Adventures of Sir Francis Austen, Admiral of the Fleet and Rear-Admiral Charles Austen . Kindle Edition.
Heathcliff, Mr. Darcy, Rochester – The Literary Heroes
Colonel Brandon was now as happy, as all those who best loved him, believed he deserved to be; – in Marianne he was consoled for every past affliction, and his spirits to cheerfulness.
~ Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen
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