Monthly Archives: December 2014

This Letter is to be dedicated entirely to Good News.

The letter today from 1798 is, in fact, very short!  Yet Good News for the family Austen it does indeed deliver, from the commonplace to the profound!  Jane Austen herself remarks on closing it that though she hasn’t time to … Continue reading

Posted in Jane Austen's Letters | Leave a comment

I consider everybody as having a right to marry once in their Lives for Love, if they can

What a newsy letter we have to read today from 27th December 1808 (and continued on 28th December 1808 for which the link is also included here) written from Southampton.  Plans are afoot for a move to Chawton in the … Continue reading

Posted in Jane Austen's Letters, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

I wish you a merry Christmas…

Jane Austen mentions Christmas a few times in passing in her letters, but would likely be astonished (and have some choice things to say) if she were to see the entire industry around it today — this simple quote (post … Continue reading

Posted in Jane Austen's Letters | Leave a comment

Your letter came quite as soon as I expected, and so your letters will always do, because I have made it a rule not to expect them till they come

Thankfully, Cassandra Austen’s letters did come often, so that we have her sister’s replies to enjoy!  This letter, written over two days on 18th and 19th December 1798 primarily offers Austen family updates, but also gives glimpses of their friends, … Continue reading

Posted in Jane Austen's Letters | Leave a comment

I thought it all over — & inspite of the shame of being so much older, felt with thankfulness that I was quite as happy now as then.—

HAPPY BIRTHDAY today, to Jane Austen — my favorite author, a woman of talent, wit, great understanding — and longevity!!!  Though today’s post title quotation was not made in reference to its being her birthday (it was written to her … Continue reading

Posted in Jane Austen's Letters, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

P. &. P. is sold. Egerton gives £110 for it.– I would rather have had £150, but we could not both be pleased

Lots of letters this week to please us, though – December was a good month for corresponding, and it’s only just begun! We wave goodbye to November with some letters to Jane Austen’s nieces (that spill over in small bits to … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment