The last Steventon performances of which we have any knowledge took place in January 1790, when a farce called _The Sultan_[50] was acted. The leading lady on this last occasion was Miss Cooper, who spoke the epilogue in the character of Roxalana, Henry Austen playing the title-role. On the same occasion Townley's farce, _High Life below Stairs_, was also given. Of Jane's own part in these performances there is no record, for she was only just fourteen when the last took place. But even if she took no more share than Fanny Price, she must have acquired a considerable acquaintance with the language of the theatre--knowledge that she was to turn to good account in _Mansfield Park_. She was an early observer, and it might reasonably be supposed that some of the incidents and feelings which are so vividly painted in the _Mansfield Park_ theatricals are due to her recollections of these entertainments. The talent and liveliness which she would show, if ever she had an opportunity of acting herself, may be imagined. The late Sir William Heathcote is said to have remembered being with her at a Twelfth Night party when he was a little boy, on which occasion she, having drawn the part of Mrs. Candour, acted it with appreciation and spirit. FOOTNOTES: [33] W. R. O'Byrne's _Naval Biographical Dictionary_, 1849. [34] Pp. 16-20. [35] We again make use of the words of the _Memoir_ (pp. 15-17) in the description of the family party, &c. [36] We are told that Jane was one of the least exclusive of the family. [37] _Memoir_, pp. 22, 23. [38] The carriage was given up in 1798. See letter of November 17 in that year in _Brabourne_, vol. i. p. 165. [39] _Memoir_, p. 42. [40] _Memoir_, p. 45. [41] See p. 201. [42] _Supra_, p. 43. [43] A reproduction of this picture appears also as a frontispiece to the first volume of Dent's illustrated edition of the novels (1892). [44] _Dictionary of National Biography_, s.v. [45] By Dr. Thomas Francklin; but said to be almost a translation of Voltaire's _Duc de Foix_. [46] A comedy by Mrs. Cowley. [47] _Bon Ton, or High Life above Stairs_, a comedy by David Garrick. [48] _The Wonder: a Woman keeps a Secret_, a comedy by Mrs. Centlivre. [49] Probably Garrick's version of Fletcher's comedy. [50] _The Sultan: or a Peep into the Seraglio_, by I. Bickerstaffe. CHAPTER V GROWTH AND CHANGE 1792-1796 Though it may hardly be likely that the Austens could rival Mrs. Bennet of _Pride and Prejudice_ by professing to dine with four-and-twenty families, there was, nevertheless (for a quiet country neighbourhood), a very fair amount of society to be had around Steventon.