After a lapse of several days, we have two letters to delight us, or parts of letters – each to a niece of Jane Austen, and each offering brief remarks of writing critique for efforts they’d shared with her.
The first from mid-July 1814 is to Anna, a few months before her wedding. Jane Austen does not mention the upcoming marriage — she spends her ink in offering writing advice! — but the bulk of the letter (much of which is missing) was written by Mrs George Austen and she makes mention of her granddaughter becoming a Bride. (Anna married Ben Lefroy in November of 1814)
The second note is from Jane Austen to her niece Caroline on 15th July 1816. The post’s title quote today comes from this letter. For so short a one, I could have chosen several lines with which to open the post for the letter’s light, teasing tone, but I liked that both the letters on this date (1814 and 1816) to nieces were united by that thread of proffering stories to their aunt.
But I must share one other quote as it tickles me every time I read it: “[Cassy] is very glad that you found Fanny again.– I suppose you had worn her in your stays without knowing it, & if she tickled you, thought it only a flea.”
