The Letters of Jane Austen: Selected from the compilation of her great nephew, Edward, Lord BradbourneAusten, Jane
General
The Letters of Jane Austen: Selected from the compilation of her great nephew, Edward, Lord Bradbourne
Austen, Jane
Austen, Cassandra, 1773-1845; Austen, Jane, 1775-1817 -- Correspondence; Novelists, English -- 19th century -- Correspondence
Edward Bridges and his friend did not forget to arrive. The friend is a
Mr. Wigram, one of the three-and-twenty children of a great rich
mercantile, Sir Robert Wigram, an old acquaintance of the Footes, but
very recently known to Edward B. The history of his coming here is,
that, intending to go from Ramsgate to Brighton, Edw. B. persuaded him
to take Lenham on his way, which gave him the convenience of Mr. W.'s
gig, and the comfort of not being alone there; but, probably thinking a
few days of Gm. would be the cheapest and pleasantest way of
entertaining his friend and himself, offered a visit here, and here they
stay till to-morrow.
Mr. W. is about five or six-and-twenty, not ill-looking, and not
agreeable. He is certainly no addition. A sort of cool, gentlemanlike
manner, but very silent. They say his name is Henry, a proof how
unequally the gifts of fortune are bestowed. I have seen many a John and
Thomas much more agreeable.
We have got rid of Mr. R. Mascall, however. I did not like him, either.
He talks too much, and is conceited, besides having a vulgarly shaped
mouth. He slept here on Tuesday, so that yesterday Fanny and I sat down
to breakfast with six gentlemen to admire us.
We did not go to the ball. It was left to her to decide, and at last she
determined against it. She knew that it would be a sacrifice on the part
of her father and brothers if they went, and I hope it will prove that
she has not sacrificed much. It is not likely that there should have
been anybody there whom she would care for. I was very glad to be spared
the trouble of dressing and going, and being weary before it was half
over; so my gown and my cap are still unworn. It will appear at last,
perhaps, that I might have done without either. I produced my brown
bombazine yesterday, and it was very much admired indeed, and I like it
better than ever.
You have given many particulars of the state of Chawton House, but still
we want more. Edward wants to be expressly told that all the round
tower, etc., is entirely down, and the door from the best room stopped
up; he does not know enough of the appearance of things in that quarter.
He heard from Bath yesterday. Lady B. continues very well, and Dr.
Parry's opinion is, that while the water agrees with her she ought to
remain there, which throws their coming away at a greater uncertainty
than we had supposed. It will end, perhaps, in a fit of the gout, which
may prevent her coming away. Louisa thinks her mother's being so well
may be quite as much owing to her being so much out of doors as to the
water. Lady B. is going to try the hot pump, the Cross bath being about
to be painted. Louisa is particularly well herself, and thinks the water
has been of use to her. She mentioned our inquiries, etc., to Mr. and
Mrs. Alex. Evelyn, and had their best compliments and thanks to give in
return. Dr. Parry does not expect Mr. E. to last much longer.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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