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
THANK you, my dearest Cassandra, for the nice long letter I sent off
this morning. I hope you have had it by this time, and that it has found
you all well, and my mother no more in need of leeches. Whether this
will be delivered to you by Henry on Saturday evening, or by the postman
on Sunday morning, I know not, as he has lately recollected something of
an engagement for Saturday, which perhaps may delay his visit. He seems
determined to come to you soon, however.
I hope you will receive the gown to-morrow, and may be able with
tolerable honesty to say that you like the color. It was bought at
Grafton House, where, by going very early, we got immediate attendance
and went on very comfortably. I only forgot the one particular thing
which I had always resolved to buy there,--a white silk
handkerchief,--and was therefore obliged to give six shillings for one
at Crook and Besford's; which reminds me to say that the worsteds ought
also to be at Chawton to-morrow, and that I shall be very happy to hear
they are approved. I had not much time for deliberation.
We are now all four of us young ladies sitting round the circular table
in the inner room writing our letters, while the two brothers are
having a comfortable coze in the room adjoining. It is to be a quiet
evening, much to the satisfaction of four of the six. My eyes are quite
tired of dust and lamps.
The letter you forwarded from Edward, junr., has been duly received. He
has been shooting most prosperously at home, and dining at Chilham
Castle and with Mr. Scudamore.
My cap is come home, and I like it very much. Fanny has one also; hers
is white sarsenet and lace, of a different shape from mine, more fit for
morning carriage wear, which is what it is intended for, and is in shape
exceedingly like our own satin and lace of last winter; shaped round the
face exactly like it, with pipes and more fulness, and a round crown
inserted behind. My cap has a peak in front. Large full bows of very
narrow ribbon (old twopenny) are the thing. One over the right temple,
perhaps, and another at the left ear.
Henry is not quite well. His stomach is rather deranged. You must keep
him in rhubarb, and give him plenty of port and water. He caught his
cold farther back than I told you,--before he got to Matlock, somewhere
in his journey from the North; but the ill effects of that I hope are
nearly gone.
We returned from Grafton House only just in time for breakfast, and had
scarcely finished breakfast when the carriage came to the door. From
eleven to half-past three we were hard at it; we did contrive to get to
Hans Place for ten minutes. Mrs. T. was as affectionate and pleasing as
ever.
After our return Mr. Tilson walked up from the Compting House and called
upon us, and these have been all our visitings.
I have rejoiced more than once that I bought my writing-paper in the
country; we have not had a quarter of an hour to spare.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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