AUTHORSHIP AND CORRESPONDENCE
1796-1798
The appearance of Jane Austen's name among the list of subscribers to
Madame d'Arblay's _Camilla_, in 1796, marks the beginning of her
literary career. Her father must have paid the necessary subscription
for her: and he probably did so believing that his daughter's talent
deserved encouragement. Jane's cousins, the Cookes of Bookham, were some
of Madame d'Arblay's closest friends while the latter was living in that
neighbourhood, from 1793 to 1797, and it is quite likely that they were
active in getting subscribers. One likes to think that--as Miss Hill has
suggested[70]--Jane may have met Madame d'Arblay when paying a visit to
Bookham.
Jane was destined to have two periods of active authorship: periods of
unequal length, and divided from each other by eight or ten nearly
barren years. This unfruitful time has been accounted for in several
different ways: as arising from personal griefs, literary
disappointment, or want of a settled home. These disturbing causes all
existed, and it is probable that each contributed its share to her
unwillingness to write; but at present she enjoyed hope and happiness,
the vigour and cheerfulness of youth among congenial companions, and a
home as yet unvisited by any acute sorrows.
No precise date has been assigned to the writing of _Elinor and
Marianne_; but after the completion of that sketch her time has been
fully mapped out[71] as follows:--
_First Impressions_ (original of _Pride and Prejudice_), begun October
1796, ended August 1797.
_Sense and Sensibility_, begun November 1797.
_Northanger Abbey_ (probably called _Susan_), written in 1797 and 1798.
It has been usual to dwell on the precocity of intellect shown in the
composition of the first two of these works by a young and inexperienced
girl, and no doubt there is much justice in the observation; but we
venture to think that it is in _Northanger Abbey_ that we get the best
example of what she could produce at the age of three- or
four-and-twenty. In the two others, the revision they underwent before
publication was so complete that it is impossible now to separate the
earlier from the later work; whereas in _Northanger Abbey_, while there
is good evidence from the author's preface of a careful preparation for
the press before she sold it in 1803, there is no mention of any radical
alteration at a subsequent date. On the contrary, she apologises for
what may seem old-fashioned in the social arrangements of the story by
alleging the length of time that had elapsed since its completion. There
is internal evidence to the same effect: she has not quite shaken off
the tendency to satirise contemporary extravagances; and it is not until
several chapters are past that she settles herself down to any serious
creation of characters. The superiority also in interest and fun of the
first volume over the second, though no doubt inherent in the scheme of
the story, is a defect which she would hardly have tolerated at a later
date. Nevertheless, we think her admirers may be satisfied with this
example of her youthful style. The charm with which she manages to
invest a simple ingenuous girl like Catherine, the brightness of Henry
Tilney--even the shallowness of Isabella and the boorishness of John
Thorpe--are things we part from with regret. And in parting with our
friends at the end of one of her novels, we part with them for good and
all; they never re-appear in another shape elsewhere; even Mrs. Allen
and Lady Bertram are by no means the same.
It seems to have been only a happy accident (though no doubt an accident
very likely to occur) which prevented _First Impressions_ from appearing
in its immature shape.
George Austen was ready, and indeed anxious, that his daughter's work
should be published; and when she had finished the story in August 1797,
he took steps to find a publisher. Years afterwards (probably in 1836),
at the sale of the effects of Mr. Cadell, the famous London publisher,
the following letter was purchased by a connexion of the family:--
SIR,--I have in my possession a manuscript novel,
comprising 3 vols., about the length of Miss
Burney's _Evelina_. As I am well aware of what
consequence it is that a work of this sort sh^{d.}
make its first appearance under a respectable
name, I apply to you. I shall be much obliged,
therefore, if you will inform me whether you
choose to be concerned in it, what will be the
expense of publishing it at the author's risk,
and what you will venture to advance for the
property of it, if on perusal it is approved of.
Should you give any encouragement, I will send you
the work.
I am, Sir, your humble servant,
GEORGE AUSTEN.
Steventon, near Overton, Hants.:
November 1, 1797.
This proposal, we are told, was declined by return of post.
The earliest of Jane's letters which have survived date from the year
1796. They begin at Steventon in the middle of their winter engagements,
and when Tom Lefroy was in the foreground.[72]
Steventon: Saturday [January 9, 1796].
In the first place, I hope you will live
twenty-three years longer. Mr. Tom Lefroy's
birthday was yesterday, so that you are very near
of an age.
After this necessary preamble I shall proceed to
inform you that we had an exceeding good ball last
night, and that I was very much disappointed at
not seeing Charles Fowle of the party, as I had
previously heard of his being invited.
* * * * *
We were so terrible good as to take James in our
carriage, though there were three of us before;
but indeed he deserves encouragement for the very
great improvement which has lately taken place in
his dancing. Miss Heathcote is pretty, but not
near so handsome as I expected.
* * * * *
Henry is still hankering after the Regulars, and
as his project of purchasing the adjutancy of the
Oxfordshire is now over, he has got a scheme in
his head about getting a lieutenancy and adjutancy
in the 86th, a new-raised regiment, which he
fancies will be ordered to the Cape of Good Hope.
I heartily hope that he will, as usual, be
disappointed in this scheme.
Steventon: Thursday [January 14, 1796].
I am very much flattered by your commendation of
my last letter, for I write only for fame, and
without any view to pecuniary emolument.
Tell Mary[73] that I make over Mr. Heartley and
all his estate to her for her sole use and benefit
in future, and not only him, but all my other
admirers into the bargain wherever she can find
them, even the kiss which C. Powlett wanted to
give me, as I mean to confine myself in future to
Mr. Tom Lefroy, for whom I don't care sixpence.
Assure her also as a last and indubitable proof of
Warren's indifference to me, that he actually drew
that gentleman's picture for me, and delivered it
to me without a sigh.
The next batch of letters date from a visit paid by Jane, in August
1796, to Rowling, the Kent home of her brother Edward. She seems to have
experienced a difficulty in finding an escort for her return journey.
Henry kept changing his plans; and Frank, the sailor, was liable to be
sent for at a day's notice. She had evidently been studying her copy of
_Camilla_.
Cork Street: Tuesday morn [August 1796].
MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--Here I am once more in this
scene of dissipation and vice, and I begin already
to find my morals corrupted. We reached Staines
yesterday, I do not [know] when, without suffering
so much from the heat as I had hoped to do. We set
off again this morning at seven o'clock, and had a
very pleasant drive, as the morning was cloudy and
perfectly cool. I came all the way in the chaise
from Hartford Bridge.
Edward and Frank are both gone out to seek their
fortunes; the latter is to return soon and help us
seek ours. The former we shall never see again. We
are to be at Astley's to-night, which I am glad
of. Edward has heard from Henry this morning. He
has not been at the races at all, unless his
driving Miss Pearson over to Rowling one day can
be so called. We shall find him there on Thursday.
I hope you are all alive after our melancholy
parting yesterday, and that you pursued your
intended avocation with success. God bless you! I
must leave off, for we are going out.
Yours very affectionately,
J. AUSTEN.
Everybody's love.
Rowling: Thursday [September 1, 1796].
MY DEAREST CASSANDRA,--The letter which I have
this moment received from you has diverted me
beyond moderation. I could die of laughter at it,
as they used to say at school. You are indeed the
finest comic writer of the present age.
* * * * *
I am sorry that you found such a conciseness in
the strains of my first letter. I must endeavour
to make you amends for it, when we meet, by some
elaborate details, which I shall shortly begin
composing.
Our men had but indifferent weather for their
visit to Godmersham, for it rained great part of
the way there and all the way back. They found
Mrs. Knight remarkably well and in very good
spirits. It is imagined that she will shortly be
married again. I have taken little George once in
my arms since I have been here, which I thought
very kind.
* * * * *
To-morrow I shall be just like Camilla in Mr.
Dubster's summer-house; for my Lionel will have
taken away the ladder by which I came here, or at
least by which I intended to get away, and here I
must stay till his return. My situation, however,
is somewhat preferable to hers, for I am very
happy here, though I should be glad to get home by
the end of the month. I have no idea that Miss
Pearson will return with me.
What a fine fellow Charles is, to deceive us into
writing two letters to him at Cork! I admire his
ingenuity extremely, especially as he is so great
a gainer by it.
* * * * *
I am glad to hear so good an account of Mr.
Charde, and only fear that my long absence may
occasion his relapse. I practise every day as much
as I can--I wish it were more for his sake. . . .
Frank has turned a very nice little butter-churn
for Fanny. I do not believe that any of the party
were aware of the valuables they had left behind;
nor can I hear anything of Anna's gloves. Indeed I
have not enquired at all about them hitherto.
We are very busy making Edward's shirts, and I am
proud to say that I am the neatest worker of the
party.
Rowling: Monday [September 5, 1796].
MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--I shall be extremely anxious
to hear the event of your ball, and shall hope to
receive so long and minute an account of every
particular that I shall be tired of reading it. . . .
I hope John Lovett's accident will not prevent his
attending the ball, as you will otherwise be
obliged to dance with Mr. Tincton the whole
evening. Let me know how J. Harwood deports
himself without the Miss Biggs, and which of the
Marys will carry the day with my brother James.
_We_ were at a ball on Saturday, I assure you. We
dined at Goodnestone, and in the evening danced
two country-dances and the Boulangeries. I opened
the ball with Edward Bridges[74]; the other
couples were Lewis Cage and Harriet, Frank and
Louisa, Fanny and George. Elizabeth played one
country-dance, Lady Bridges the other, which she
made Henry dance with her, and Miss Finch played
the Boulangeries.
In reading over the last three or four lines, I am
aware of my having expressed myself in so doubtful
a manner that, if I did not tell you to the
contrary, you might imagine it was Lady Bridges
who made Henry dance with her at the same time
that she was playing, which, if not impossible,
must appear a very improbable event to you. But it
was Elizabeth who danced. We supped there and
walked home at night under the shade of two
umbrellas.
* * * * *
We have just got some venison from Godmersham,
which the two Mr. Harveys are to devour to-morrow,
and on Friday or Saturday the Goodnestone people
are to finish their scraps. Henry went away on
Friday, as he purposed, _without fayl_. You will
hear from him soon, I imagine, as he talked of
writing to Steventon shortly. Mr. Richard Harvey
is going to be married; but as it is a great
secret, and only known to half the neighbourhood,
you must not mention it. The lady's name is
Musgrave.
* * * * *
Pray remember me to everybody who does not enquire
after me; those who do, remember me without
bidding. Give my love to Mary Harrison, and tell
her I wish, whenever she is attached to a young
man, some _respectable_ Dr. Marchmont may keep
them apart for five volumes.
Rowling: Thursday [September 15, 1796].
At Nackington we met Lady Sondes' picture over the
mantelpiece in the dining-room, and the pictures
of her three children in an ante-room, besides Mr.
Scott, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Toke, Mr. J. Toke, and
the Archdeacon Lynch. Miss Fletcher and I were
very thick, but I am the thinnest of the two. She
wore her purple muslin, which is pretty enough,
though it does not become her complexion. There
are two traits in her character which are
pleasing--namely, she admires _Camilla_, and
drinks no cream in her tea. If you should ever see
Lucy, you may tell her that I scolded Miss
Fletcher for her negligence in writing, as she
desired me to do, but without being able to bring
her to any proper sense of shame--that Miss
Fletcher says in her defence, that as everybody
whom Lucy knew when she was in Canterbury has now
left it, she has nothing at all to write to her
about. By _everybody_, I suppose Miss Fletcher
means that a new set of officers have arrived
there. But this is a note of my own.
* * * * *
His Royal Highness Sir Thomas Williams has at
length sailed; the papers say 'on a cruise.' But I
hope they are gone to Cork, or I shall have
written in vain. Give my love to Jane, as she
arrived at Steventon yesterday, I dare say.
* * * * *
Edward and Frank went out yesterday very early in
a couple of shooting jackets, and came home like a
couple of bad shots, for they killed nothing at
all. They are out again to-day, and are not yet
returned. Delightful sport! They are just come
home, Edward with his two brace, Frank with his
two and a half. What amiable young men!
Rowling: Sunday [September 18, 1796].
This morning has been spent in doubt and
deliberation, in forming plans and removing
difficulties, for it ushered in the day with an
event which I had not intended should take place
so soon by a week. Frank has received his
appointment on board the _Captain John Gore_
commanded by the Triton[75] and will therefore be
obliged to be in town on Wednesday; and though I
have every disposition in the world to accompany
him on that day, I cannot go on the uncertainty of
the Pearsons being at home, as I should not have a
place to go to in case they were from home.
My father will be so good as to fetch home his
prodigal daughter from town, I hope, unless he
wishes me to walk the hospitals, enter at the
Temple, or mount guard at St. James'. It will
hardly be in Frank's power to take me home--nay,
it certainly will not. I shall write again as soon
as I get to Greenwich.
* * * * *
I am very glad that the idea of returning with
Frank occurred to me; for as to Henry's coming
into Kent again, the time of its taking place is
so very uncertain that I should be waiting for
_dead men's shoes_. I had once determined to go
with Frank to-morrow and take my chance, &c., but
they dissuaded me from so rash a step, as I really
think on consideration it would have been; for if
the Pearsons were not at home, I should inevitably
fall a sacrifice to the arts of some fat woman who
would make me drunk with small beer.
In some way or other, Jane managed to reach Steventon, and at once set
to work on _First Impressions_. From that point the letters cease for
two years--namely, till October 1798. Several family events occurred
during the interval. In January 1797 came the wedding of James Austen
and Mary Lloyd. Owing to the friendship which had long existed between
the Austens and the Lloyds, this marriage gave great pleasure at
Steventon, and Eliza de Feuillide remarks on it as follows:--
James has chosen a second wife in the person of
Miss Mary Lloyd, who is not either rich or
handsome, but very sensible and good humoured. . . .
Jane seems much pleased with the match, and it is
natural she should, having long known and liked
the lady.
Not long after this happy event, the rectory at Steventon was plunged
into deep grief, for news came that Cassandra's intended husband,
Thomas Fowle, who was expected home from St. Domingo in a few weeks,
had died in February of yellow fever. Our chief informant is again Eliza
de Feuillide, who writes on May 3:--
This is a very severe stroke to the whole family,
and particularly to poor Cassandra, for whom I
feel more than I can express. Indeed I am most
sincerely grieved at this event, and the pain
which it must occasion our worthy relations. Jane
says that her sister behaves with a degree of
resolution and propriety which no common mind
could evince in so trying a situation.
His kinsman, Lord Craven, who had taken him out as chaplain to his
regiment, said afterwards that, had he known of his engagement, he would
not have allowed him to go to so dangerous a climate.
* * * * *
After such a blow as this, Jane was hardly likely to leave Cassandra,
and the absence of letters at this time is easily understood. In
November of this same year, Mrs. Austen, whose health was not good
determined to go to Bath with her daughters. The route from Steventon
was by Andover and Devizes, one night being usually spent at the latter
place. Mrs. Austen's brother, Mr. Leigh Perrot, was a regular visitor to
Bath, and there is every reason to suppose that Jane had already visited
the Leigh Perrots or the Coopers, or both, at this still fashionable
resort, whose place was only gradually being usurped by Brighton. Owing
to the absence of contemporary letters our knowledge of her stay there
in 1797 is chiefly derived from reminiscences in later correspondence.
Thus in May 1799, when visiting Bath again, Jane remarks that it rained
almost all the way from Devizes; 'and our first view of Bath has been
just as gloomy as it was last November twelve-month.' We may therefore
imagine them 'entering Bath on a wet afternoon'--like Lady Russell, in
_Persuasion_--'and driving through the long course of streets . . . amidst
the dash of other carriages, the heavy rumble of carts and drays, the
bawling of newsmen, muffin-men and milkmen, and the ceaseless clink of
pattens.' The Austens probably stayed with the Perrots at their house,
No. 1 Paragon Buildings.
Writing in April 1805, Jane describes a visit to a riding-school, and
says: 'Seven years and four months ago we went to the same riding-house
to see Miss Lefroy's performance. What a different set are we now moving
in!' It would be interesting to know in what way the set differed,
whether in kind or only in the individuals composing it. In this earlier
visit Jane was likely to have seen plenty of company, as the Leigh
Perrots had a large acquaintance.[76] The Austens stayed at Bath into
December, for Elizabeth de Feuillide mentions, on December 11, that she
had heard very lately from Jane, 'who is still at Bath with her mother
and sister. Mr. Hampson, whom I saw yesterday . . . told me he had heard
Cassandra was going to be married, but Jane says not a word of it.' When
we think of Jane's silence, and still more of Cassandra's recent grief,
we may safely discredit this extremely improbable rumour.
On returning home for Christmas, they received a piece of news which,
even if it did not come entirely as a surprise, can hardly have given
unmixed pleasure. This was the engagement of Henry Austen to his cousin,
Eliza de Feuillide--his senior by some ten years. Intended originally
for the Church, Henry Austen had abandoned the idea of taking Orders,
and had joined the Oxford Militia as lieutenant, in 1793, becoming
adjutant and captain four years later. Though he was endowed with many
attractive gifts there was a certain infirmity of purpose in his
character that was hardly likely to be remedied by a marriage to his
very pleasure-loving cousin.
In default of Eliza's letter on the occasion to her uncle, we may quote
that which she wrote to Warren Hastings:--
DEAR SIR,--As I flatter myself you still take an
interest in my welfare, I think it incumbent on me
to acquaint you with a circumstance by which it
must be materially influenced. I have consented to
an Union with my Cousin, Captain Austen, who has
the honour of being known to you. He has been for
some time in Possession of a comfortable income,
and the excellence of his Heart, Temper and
Understanding, together with steady attachment to
me, his Affection for my little Boy, and
disinterested concurrence in the disposal of my
Property in favour of this latter, have at length
induced me to an acquiescence which I have
withheld for more than two years. Need I say, my
dear Sir, that I most earnestly wish for your
approbation on this occasion, and that it is with
the sincerest attachment I shall ever remain
Your much obliged
and affectionate God-daughter,
ELIZABETH DE FEUILLIDE.
I beg leave to present my affectionate compliments
to Mrs. Hastings.
December 26, 1797.
Neither side wished for a long engagement, and they were married on
December 31. Henry continued with the Militia regiment probably till the
Peace of 1802. By 1804 he had joined a brother Militia officer of the
name of Maunde, and set up as banker and army agent, with offices in
Albany, Piccadilly; removing in or before 1808 to 10 Henrietta Street,
Covent Garden. Poor little Hastings de Feuillide became subject to
epilepsy, and died on October 9, 1801, while the Henry Austens were
living in Upper Berkeley Street.[77]
During the first half of 1798, Jane, fresh from her late visit to Bath,
was able to devote some happy months of unbroken leisure to writing the
first draft of the book known to us as _Northanger Abbey_; but her
comedy was once more interrupted by one of the tragedies of real life.
On August 9 occurred the death of her cousin, Lady Williams (Jane
Cooper): while she was driving herself in a whiskey, a dray-horse ran
away and drove against the chaise. She was thrown out and killed on the
spot: 'never spoke again,' so Mrs. Lybbe Powys records the news on
August 14. Jane Williams had been married from Steventon Rectory, and
had been, both before and after that event, so frequent a visitor there
that her death must have been severely felt by the Austens--especially
by the daughters of the family, her friends and contemporaries.
FOOTNOTES:
[70] _Juniper Hall_, p. 223.
[71] In a memorandum written by Cassandra.
[72] Other portions of these two letters are quoted in Chapter VI.
[73] Cassandra was now staying with the Fowles at Kintbury, and 'Mary'
was no doubt Eliza Fowle's sister, Mary Lloyd; not yet engaged to James
Austen.
[74] Edward Bridges was brother, and Harriet and Louisa were sisters, of
Elizabeth Austen; Lady Bridges being their mother. Harriet was
afterwards married to the son of Archbishop Moore.
[75] A playful inversion on Jane's part.
[76] Mrs. Lybbe Powys records in her diary under April 26, 1799: 'To a
party at Mr. Leigh Perrot's; eight tables, ninety people' (_Passages
from the Diaries of Mrs. Philip Lybbe Powys_, 1756-1808).
[77] _Gentleman's Magazine_, vol. lxxi. p. 965; see also p. 1049.