Letter #12, Post #2

Monday 6 August 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "She looks much as she used to do, is netting herself a gown in worsteds, and wears what Mrs Birch would call a pot hat. A short and compendious history of Miss Debary!" - Jane Austen, Sunday 25 November 1798

Sounds a bit like Mary Poppins! but, not liked quite as well.

                                        Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins

Mrs. Birch seems to be a remarkable woman whom Jane Austen seemed to like quite well. In letter number 90, written Monday 11-Tuesday 12 October 1813, Jane is writing to Cassandra from Godmersham Park in reference to Mrs. & Miss Milles, of whom she says, "I like the mother, 1st because she reminds me of Mrs. Birch & 2dly because she is chearful & grateful for what she is at the age of 90 & upwards."

The following information is from the back of Jane Austen's Letters by Deirdre Le Faye:
Mrs. Birch was the daughter of Thomas Newell of Henley Park, Henley, Oxon. She married George Birch on 22 December 1770. They had three sons. He was barrister of Middle Temple and St Leonard's Hill near Windson. Mrs. Birch later lived at Barton Lodge, Windsor. She died 29 March 1837 at the age of ninty-nine. "Up to five days before her death she was still writing letters that were 'most remarkable instances of clearness of intellect, vivacity of mind, and warmth and vividness of feeling and affection.'"

She was a girlhood friend of Mrs. George Austen and also knew the Cooper and Powys families.

In letter number 64 Jane was writing from Castle Square to Cassandra, who was at Godmersham Park, on Tuesday 10-Wednesday 11 January 1809 and she says, "To make you amends for being at Bookham, it is in contemplation to spend a few days at Barton Lodge in our way out of Kent.- The hint of such a visit is most affectionately welcomed by Mrs. Birch, in one of her odd, pleasant Letters lately, in which she speaks of us with the usual distinguished kindness; declaring that she shall not be at all satisfied unless a very handsome present is made us immediately, from one Quarter."

It sounds to me like Jane was joking with Cassandra by saying since you got to go to Bookham you should know I may be spending a few days at Barton Lodge. Mrs. Birch does sound like a very kind person does she not? And was it not to Barton Cottage that the Dashwood ladies took refuge?

                                  Barton Lodge, Windsor

Barton Lodge has it's own webpage. The pictures are pdf's so you will have to go to their page to see a more detailed account of Barton Lodge, but it is amazing and well worth your time.
http://img.findaproperty.com/savills/bourdon-street/m18406383.pdf?v=1

I hope you enjoyed your day today!
Terrie