Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book Club
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Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book Club
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JASNA Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho ‘s Flat Jane Austen in Golden CO Nov 2, 2023
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Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book Club
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For Reading Addicts5d · I think I’d like to hear Darcy’s take.
Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book Club
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Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book Club
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Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book Club
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Historical Women of Letters
4d ·
Happy Women’s History Month!
“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”
Jane Austen
Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book Club
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Very British Problems 4d · Just a cheese sandwich for lunch today.
Strictly Jane Austen Tours
4d ·
2025 is Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary and here at Bath’s most Austen-tatious travel company, we are already positively aflutter with excitement planning guided tours, expert talks, Jane-themed tea parties and costumed balls. Why not follow us to keep up with the special experiences we will be offering?
#visitbath#visitengland#royalcrescent#bathpumprooms#holburnemuseum#sydneygardens#bathcity#Janeausten#georgians#janeaustenfan#janeaustensociety#Regency#walkingtour#guidedtour#janeaustenfestival#janeaustenbookclub#janeaustenbookstagram#janeaustenbooks
Jane Austen’s House is at Jane Austen’s House.
This International Women’s Day, join us for a whole host of events celebrating Jane Austen and the women she knew and loved!
Join an early morning Guided Tour, OBSTINATE HEADSTRONG GIRLS on Friday 8 March or a MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL on Sunday 10, exploring some of the remarkable women from Jane Austen’s life and works.
Can’t make it to the House? Zoom into one of our online IWD events from the comfort of your own home!
Share in a celebration of four female writers including Emily Carr, L.M. Montgomery and Elizabeth Gaskell on Wednesday 6 March for Women Writers – An International Conversation!
We’ll be looking at the influence of Female Friendship in Literary Lives on Thursday 7 March, in collaboration with Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, Bronte Parsonage Museum and Chawton House.
We hope to see you there!
BOOK YOUR SPOT: https://janeaustens.house/visit/whats-on/
#janeausten#janeaustenshouse#writingcommunity#literaturelover#bookstagram#prideandprejudice#literaryhouses#talesofthemoment#books#austenfan
Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book Club
Published by Kirk Companion · 4d ·
Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book Club
Published by Kirk Companion · 4d ·
Caroline Cartier5d · If only it was always this easy.
Strictly Jane Austen Tours
5d ·
It’s the first day of meteorological spring and to celebrate, our guest blogger Zoe Wheddon, author of Jane Austen Daddy’s Girl, The Life & Influence of The Revd. George Austen, looks at the role Jane’s father, the Reverend George Austen played in fostering his daughter’s ‘effusions of fancy’. Visit our Musings page to find out more https://bit.ly/3WIP6jt
Visit BathJane AustenJane Austen’s HouseJane Austen FansJane Austen Literacy FoundationThe Jane Austen Society London BranchJane Austen Festival, Bath, UK , Regency Society of Brighton and Hove#springJane Austen is My WonderlandMy Jane Austen Book ClubJane Austen Society Midlands Zoe Wheddon Gabrielle Malcolm
Bodleian Libraries
6d ·
Our new exhibition ‘Write Cut Rewrite’ opens today, with lots of fascinating insights into writing processes – such as this one from English author Jane Austen! (1775-1817)
The manuscripts of Austen’s published novels were not preserved, because it wasn’t then the custom of authors and publishers to retain drafts.
What did survive included abandoned materials such as the start of her novel ‘The Watsons’ (c. 1803).
In this section, the heroine, Emma Watson, is having an awkward conversation with the young Lord Osborne – he asks if she could teach him the art of paying compliments.
Austen later crossed out this scene and pinned a revision over it.
Come and see the exhibition at Weston Library, Oxford, featuring work from Tolkien, Mary Shelley, Samuel Beckett, John LeCarre, Ian Fleming, Jenny Joseph, Alice Oswald Kenneth Grahame and many more! It’s open until January 2025!
MS Eng. e. 3764. Purchased by the Bodleian Libraries in 2011 with the generous support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Friends of the National Libraries, the Friends of the Bodleian, Jane Austen’s House Museum @Jane Austen’s House (Jane Austen Memorial Trust) and other supporters.
https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/cut
Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book Club
Published by Kirk Companion · 6d ·
JASNA Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho ‘s Flat Jane Austen and “friend”?
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Hazel MillsJane Austen daily
6d ·
New post Leap Year Day
On this day, 29th February 1860, Jane Austen’s brother, Frank, mades a second Codicil to his Will in which he stipulated that his son, Commander Herbert Grey Austen, is to be a third executor. The witnesses were H. Bloxam, surgeon, Portsmouth and Maria Sound, his housekeeper.
Frank had originally written his will in October 1857a t his home, Portsdown Lodge. He bequeathed to his son, or eldest heir male at the time of his decease, the articles of silver plate presented to him by certain public bodies, plus his medals, to be kept as heirlooms – these are four silver candlesticks presented by eight East India Captains, four silver dishes with covers presented by thirteen East India Captains and a silver vase from Lloyds Patriotic Fund commemorating battle of San Domingo, 6 February 1806. His eldest son and heir, Francis William Junior was alive at the time of the will being written, but he died just over a year later. Second son Henry Edgar had already died in 1854, meaning that it would be third son, the Reverend George Heathcote who would inherit the silver and medals.
It would appear that these passed through the descendants of Frank until June 1990 when Sotheby’s held a sale of arms, armour, militaria, orders, medals and decorations. Lot 287 in this sale comprised a group of medals and orders awarded to Frank which included the sash badge and breast star of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (gold, silver and enamels); the breast star of Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (gold, silver and enamels); a naval gold medal for the Battle of St. Domingo 1806 and a naval general service medal. The lot fetched £27,000.
These then went up for sale again in 1997 at the medal specialists, Dix, Noonan and Webb, put them up for auction with an estimate of £25,000-£30,000. The Times optimistically predicted a hammer price of £35,000 but they failed to sell.
Frank would go on to write two more codicils to his will to include the cutting out of one of his grandchildren. The reason will be revealed in a future post. The witnesses to his fourth were again Frank’s housekeeper, Maria Sound (written Lound in the 1861 census) and the surgeon, H. Bloxam.
H. Bloxam turns out to be Henry Bloxam, a member of the Royal College of Surgeons who lived and practised from the quite illustrious address of 1, Grand Parade, Portsmouth. He is to be found in directories and censuses as both a General Practitioner and a Surgeon.
However a search for Henry in the newspaper archives produces a phenomenal number of articles, almost all of them in connection with his giving evidence to courts and coroners. He was also, in effect, a pathologist and seems to have been called upon frequently in assault, manslaughter and murder cases, such as an infant who received a fatal injury after his father had thrown a plate at him.
It is quite surprising how explicit his descriptions of post-mortems were when reported in the newspapers. I often transcribe articles here but on this occasion I have not as I know so many of you read these posts over breakfast or morning coffee!
The “Hampshire Telegraph” of Wednesday 7th December 1870 carried the following:
“DEATH OF MR. BLOXAM, SURGEON. We regret to announce the death of Mr. Henry Bloxam, surgeon, late of the Grand-parade, Portsmouth, which took place at Spring-grove, Isleworth, Surrey, on Sunday last. The deceased, who was 65 years of age, was the son of Dr. Bloxam, of Newport, Isle of Wight, and the brother of Dr. Bloxam, of Ryde. He was in practice in Portsmouth about 30 years, during which time he was much respected for his gentlemanly and honourable conduct to those with whom he came into contact. A short time ago he relinquished his Portsmouth practice to Mr. Murrell, surgeon, and went to London, and subsequently to Isleworth. About three months ago the deceased was seized with an incurable internal disorder, from the effects of which he died.”
It would appear that Frank chose a good man in Henry Bloxam as witness to his codicils.
UPDATE
There has been a request to see some of Bloxham’s post mortem reports so I will add some in the comments. If you are a bit squeemish, you might prefer to not read them and scroll on..
#OTD 29th February
Le Faye, Deirdre. A Chronology of Jane Austen and her Family: 1600–2000 (p. 679). Cambridge University Press. Kindle Edition.
Jane Austen Society Reports
Photo credit!: Portsdown Lodge – https://donnafletchercrow.com/…/Jane-Austen-to-Appear…
Jane Austen’s House is at Jane Austen’s House.
We’re excited to share our new display ‘OBSTINATE HEADSTRONG GIRLS’!
Curated by our Creative Engagement Officer Ellora Sutton and created in honour of Women’s History Month, this display celebrates some of the unruly women that Jane Austen knew, loved, and was inspired by!
Free with House entry.
Online version also available
FIND OUT MORE: http://tinyurl.com/ymear44k
BOOK TICKETS: http://tinyurl.com/2xf8ee96
#janeausten#janeaustenshouse#janeaustenfan#museum#bookstagram#prideandprejudice#talesofthemoment#literaturequotes
Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book Club
Published by Kirk Companion · 6d ·
Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book Club updated her cover photo.
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Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book ClubNovember 27, 2022 · Cheshire Public LibraryNovember 26, 2022 · #happycaturdayAusten In Boston: A Jane Austen Book ClubNovember 9, 2022 · Jane Austen – TexanNovember 8, 2022 · Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book ClubOctober 4, 2022 · It’s Always Time for TeaOctober 3, 2022 · PostsFiltersManage postsList viewGrid viewAusten In Boston: A Jane Austen Book ClubPublished by Kirk Companion · 6d · Hazel MillsJane Austen daily6d · New post Leap Year DayOn this day, 29th February 1860, Jane Austen’s brother, Frank, mades a second Codicil to his Will in which he stipulated that his son, Commander Herbert Grey Austen, is to be a third executor. The witnesses were H. Bloxam, surgeon, Portsmouth and Maria Sound, his housekeeper.Frank had originally written his will in October 1857a t his home, Portsdown Lodge. He bequeathed to his son, or eldest heir male at the time of his decease, the articles of silver plate presented to him by certain public bodies, plus his medals, to be kept as heirlooms – these are four silver candlesticks presented by eight East India Captains, four silver dishes with covers presented by thirteen East India Captains and a silver vase from Lloyds Patriotic Fund commemorating battle of San Domingo, 6 February 1806. His eldest son and heir, Francis William Junior was alive at the time of the will being written, but he died just over a year later. Second son Henry Edgar had already died in 1854, meaning that it would be third son, the Reverend George Heathcote who would inherit the silver and medals.It would appear that these passed through the descendants of Frank until June 1990 when Sotheby’s held a sale of arms, armour, militaria, orders, medals and decorations. Lot 287 in this sale comprised a group of medals and orders awarded to Frank which included the sash badge and breast star of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (gold, silver and enamels); the breast star of Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (gold, silver and enamels); a naval gold medal for the Battle of St. Domingo 1806 and a naval general service medal. The lot fetched £27,000.These then went up for sale again in 1997 at the medal specialists, Dix, Noonan and Webb, put them up for auction with an estimate of £25,000-£30,000. The Times optimistically predicted a hammer price of £35,000 but they failed to sell.Frank would go on to write two more codicils to his will to include the cutting out of one of his grandchildren. The reason will be revealed in a future post. The witnesses to his fourth were again Frank’s housekeeper, Maria Sound (written Lound in the 1861 census) and the surgeon, H. Bloxam.H. Bloxam turns out to be Henry Bloxam, a member of the Royal College of Surgeons who lived and practised from the quite illustrious address of 1, Grand Parade, Portsmouth. He is to be found in directories and censuses as both a General Practitioner and a Surgeon.However a search for Henry in the newspaper archives produces a phenomenal number of articles, almost all of them in connection with his giving evidence to courts and coroners. He was also, in effect, a pathologist and seems to have been called upon frequently in assault, manslaughter and murder cases, such as an infant who received a fatal injury after his father had thrown a plate at him.It is quite surprising how explicit his descriptions of post-mortems were when reported in the newspapers. I often transcribe articles here but on this occasion I have not as I know so many of you read these posts over breakfast or morning coffee!The “Hampshire Telegraph” of Wednesday 7th December 1870 carried the following:“DEATH OF MR. BLOXAM, SURGEON. We regret to announce the death of Mr. Henry Bloxam, surgeon, late of the Grand-parade, Portsmouth, which took place at Spring-grove, Isleworth, Surrey, on Sunday last. The deceased, who was 65 years of age, was the son of Dr. Bloxam, of Newport, Isle of Wight, and the brother of Dr. Bloxam, of Ryde. He was in practice in Portsmouth about 30 years, during which time he was much respected for his gentlemanly and honourable conduct to those with whom he came into contact. A short time ago he relinquished his Portsmouth practice to Mr. Murrell, surgeon, and went to London, and subsequently to Isleworth. About three months ago the deceased was seized with an incurable internal disorder, from the effects of which he died.”It would appear that Frank chose a good man in Henry Bloxam as witness to his codicils.
UPDATE
There has been a request to see some of Bloxham’s post mortem reports so I will add some in the comments. If you are a bit squeemish, you might prefer to not read them and scroll on..#OTD 29th FebruaryLe Faye, Deirdre. A Chronology of Jane Austen and her Family: 1600–2000 (p. 679). Cambridge University Press. Kindle Edition.Jane Austen Society ReportsAncestry UKPhoto credit!: Portsdown Lodge – https://donnafletchercrow.com/…/Jane-Austen-to-Appear…https://search.lma.gov.uk/LMA_DOC/ACC_1395.PDFNo insights to showBoost a postAll reactions:22LikeCommentShare
Write a comment…Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book ClubPublished by Kirk Companion · 6d · Jane Austen’s House is at Jane Austen’s House.6d · Alton, United Kingdom · We’re excited to share our new display ‘OBSTINATE HEADSTRONG GIRLS’! Curated by our Creative Engagement Officer Ellora Sutton and created in honour of Women’s History Month, this display celebrates some of the unruly women that Jane Austen knew, loved, and was inspired by! Free with House entry. Online version also available FIND OUT MORE: http://tinyurl.com/ymear44kBOOK TICKETS: http://tinyurl.com/2xf8ee96#janeausten#janeaustenshouse#janeaustenfan#museum#bookstagram#prideandprejudice#talesofthemoment#literaturequotesNo insights to showBoost a postAll reactions:4Barrow Bookstore and 3 othersLikeCommentShare
Write a comment…Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book ClubPublished by Kirk Companion · 6d · See insights and adsBoost postAll reactions:19Barrow Bookstore and 18 others1LikeCommentShareDarlene HewittChallenge accepted!6dHahaReplySend messageHide
Write a comment…Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book Club updated her cover photo.Published by Kirk Companion · 6d · Shared with PublicNo insights to showCreate adAll reactions:1111LikeCommentShare
Write a comment…Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book ClubPublished by Kirk Companion · February 28 at 11:49 AM · See insights and adsBoost postAll reactions:7Barrow Bookstore and 6 others
Hazel MillsJane Austen daily
Completely new post
On this day, 27th February 1817, Jane Austen’s brother, Charles, whilst living with his in-laws in Keppel Street, London, wrote in his pocket book:
“a very high NW & cold walked out with Mrs P to buy flannel for the Child. Mr. Drew put leeches on her in the afternoon she seemed a little better. Henry Austen H. Knight & Tom Fowle called. Flannel 6/3, Cakes & Toys 1s.”
So not only would Charles have been worried about his sister’s failing health in Hampshire, his own daughter Harriet was seriously ill. I have written before about Harriet’s illness.
Mr Drew was a surgeon and apothecary that Charles used. The child was also under the care of the eminent surgeon, Sir Everard Home but it was Mr Drew that came to apply the leeches.
Charles had previously mentioned Mr Drew in an entry in his pocket book on January 20th 1817 when he himself was unwell:
“a fine day My face kept me awake all night Mr. Drew called & recommended my consulting Dr. Bateman who came prescribed & found a name for my complaint. Dr. Bateman £1.1s.0d.”
He had already been ill for a week with pains in his face accompanied by blotches. Sadly we do not know what name Dr. Bateman gave his complaint. On February 13th, Mr Drew sent Charles his bill, but sadly, for a man who usually recorded most of his expenses, he does not enlighten us to how much the apothecary’s attendance cost.
Jane was obviously aware of little Harriet’s illness as she wrote in a letter to niece Caroline Austen on the 26th February:
“We have but a poor account of your Uncle Charles 2nd girl; there is an idea now of her having Water in her head.”
The final time Mr Drew attended her seems to be in March when she was better. (I will write more about Harriet next month.
However, this is not the last time Charles would consult Mr Drew as on 17th August 1825 he was in attendance again for the illness of little Jane Austen, the daughter of Charles and his second wife, Harriet Palmer. This time the apothecary could do nothing to help and poor little Jane died the following day.
So who was Mr Drew? He was in fact Walter Drew, a member of the Royal College of Surgeons and the Associated Apothecaries and Surgeon Apothecaries of England and Wales, being a committee member for the latter.
The “London Medical Register” of 1846 carried an obituary of him:
“Walter Drew, M.R.C.S., of England, was born at Drogheda, in the north of Ireland, and after passing through the customary studies in London, became a Member of the College of Surgeons, and of the Apothecaries Society.
He at first established himself for a few years in Carburton-street, near the Portland-road, and, about the year 1801, removed thence to 79, Gower-street, where he continued in practice until his decease in September, 1845, which was sudden and unexpected, having suffered for about three months from acute rheumatism, from which he was then convalescent.
His uniform attention and kindness to patients rendered him much esteemed; and his general character was such, that few men have died more regretted by a wide circle of friends.”
Drew’s address of 79, Gower Street in London (now a hotel) is likely to be a clue for Charles’ choice of apothecary as this address is only about a four minute walk from the Palmer address at 22, Keppel Street (now the site of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine).
Walter Drew also knew the heartache of losing a child, both his eldest and youngest children died, namesake Walter at just a year old in 1800 and Herbert aged 16 in 1830. According to the “Morning Herald (London)” of Saturday 27th February 1830, the latter died “after a severe indisposition of seven years, which he bore with exemplary patience and fortitude.”
#OTD 27th February
Le Faye, Deirdre. A Chronology of Jane Austen and her Family: 1600–2000 (p. 558). Cambridge University Press. Kindle Edition.
Morning Herald (London) – Wednesday 20 June 1821
Public domain
National Library of Scotland
London – London VII.53 Revised: 1894, Published: 1895.
My Jane Austen Book Club
I think [Harriet Smith] the very worst sort of companion that Emma could possibly have. She knows nothing herself, and looks upon Emma as knowing every thing. She is a flatterer in all her ways; and so much the worse, because undesigned. Her ignorance is hourly flattery. How can Emma imagine she has any thing to learn herself, while Harriet is presenting such a delightful inferiority? And as for Harriet, I will venture to say that she cannot gain by the acquaintance. Hartfield will only put her out of conceit with all the other places she belongs to. She will grow just refined enough to be uncomfortable with those among whom birth and circumstances have placed her home. I am much mistaken if Emma’s doctrines give any strength of mind, or tend at all to make a girl adapt herself rationally to the varieties of her situation in life.—They only give a little polish. ~ Mr Knightley in Jane Austen’s Emma
(
Mark Strong as Mr Knightley, Kate Beckinsale as Emma Woodhouse and Samantha Morton as Harriet Smith, 
Emma 1996)
Austen In Boston: A Jane Austen Book Club
Published by Kirk Companion · February 26 at 11:30 AM ·
Austen in Boston 