Austen at Large: Jane Reads Pride and Prejudice to Miss Benn – the luckiest woman in the world

Jane Austen’s letters offer a rich repository of her life and Regency times. Austen at Large reporter Virginia Claire shares her thoughts on Jane Austen’s reading of Pride and Prejudice to her neighbor Miss Benn.

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Jane Austen’s Letters: What a bit of pewter will supply

Jane Austen’s letters are rich repository of her life and Regency times. In this letter to her sister Cassandra, Jane is in London visiting her brother Henry Austen while her fourth novel Emma is to be published by John Murray. She also talks of shopping and running errands for her family, friends and herself. Even though she has book royalties coming in from her three previous publications, she still is keenly aware of how much a shilling is worth, concerned over her recent purchase of 4 silk stockings!

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Sarah Chauncey Woolsey an admirer of Jane Austen

It would have excited in her an amused incredulity, no doubt, had any one predicted that two generations after her death the real recognition of her powers was to come. Time, which like desert sands has effaced the footprints of so many promising authors, has, with her, served as the desert wind, to blow aside [...]

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Jane Austen and the Modesty of Genius

I would not let Martha read First Impressions again upon any account, and am very glad that I did not leave it in your power. She is very cunning, but I saw through her design; she means to publish it from memory, and one more perusal must enable her to do it. Letter to Cassandra [...]

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Jane Austen and The Battle of Waterloo

Allied troops entering Paris after the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte
“the little bit (two inches wide) of ivory on which I work with so fine a brush, as produces so little effect after so much labour” Letter to Edward Austen, 16 December 1816, The Letters of Jane Austen
Today marks the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, [...]

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Breaking News: Tornado Tom Lefroy Hits Austenland

“At length the day is come on which I am to flirt my last with Tom Lefroy … My tears flow as I write at the melancholy idea” Jane Austen Letter to Cassandra Austen, 16 January 1796, The Letters of Jane Austen
My Dear Miss Austen,  
Our tears flow too dear Jane. A tornado has hit the gentle [...]

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Jane Austen’s Dearest Friendship with Miss Sharp Still Resonates Today

You would have held the memory of your friend Jane too in tender regret I am sure. – But the Providence of God has restored me – & may I be more fit to appear before him when I am summoned, than I sh’d have been now! – Sick or Well, beleive me ever your [...]

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My Personal Austen: Does Reading Jane Austen Make Me a Better Person?

If anyone out there has ever wondered where I get my inspiration to write continually about one subject – Jane Austen – for six months and counting, you might be amused at what from time-to-time inspires those brain cells into action. Many times, I will be Googling along and happen upon something that I was not [...]

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Buying Austen Books a Disagreeable Duty? Never!

Since I wrote last, my 2nd edition (Sense and Sensibility) has stared me in the face. Mary tells me that Eliza means to buy it. I wish she may. It can hardly depend upon any more Fyfield Estates. I cannot help hoping that many will feel themselves obliged to buy it. I shall not mind [...]

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Austen’s Regretted Mischance to See Mrs. Siddons

“I have no chance of seeing Mrs. Siddons.  – She did act on Monday, but Henry was told by the Boxkeeper that he did not think she would, the places, & all thought of it, were given up. I should have particularly liked to see her in Constance, & could swear at her with little [...]

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See Jane Sell, – and sell, and sell…

PROFIT
Walter Scott has no business to write novels, especially good ones. It is not fair. He has fame and profit enough as a poet, and should not be taking the bread out of the mouths of other people. Letter to Cassandra Austen, The Letters of Jane Austen, 28 September 1814
Newsflash from the book trenches! Jane [...]

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Fanny Knight: Jane Austen’s Niece, without affection?

AFFECTION
“And now, my dear Fanny, having written so much on one side of the question, I shall turn round and entreat you not to commit yourself farther, and not to think of accepting him unless you really do like him. Anything is to be preferred or endured rather than marrying without affection.” Letter to her [...]

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