Letter Fifteen, Post One

To Cassandra, From Steventon, Monday Night Dec:r 24th,
"My dear Cassandra,
      I have got some Pleasant news for you, which I am eager to communicate, & therefore begin my letter sooner, tho' I shall not send it sooner than usual. - Admiral Gambier in reply to my father's application writes as follows.-'As it is usual to keep young officers in small vessels, it being most proper on account of their inexperience, & it being also a situation where they are more in the way of learning their Duty, Your Son has been continued in the Scorpion; but I have mentioned to the Board of Admiralty his wish to be in a Frigate, and when a proper opportunity offers & it is judged that he has taken his Turn in a small Ship, I hope he will be removed.-With regard to your Son now in the London, I am glad I can give you the assurance that his promotion is likely to take place very soon, as Lord Spencer has been so good as to say he would include him in an arrangement that he proposes making in a short time relative to some promotions in that quarter.'-There! I may now finish my letter, & go hang myself for I am sure I can neither write nor do anything which will not appear insipid to you after this.-Now I really think he will soon be made, & only wish we could communicate our fore-knowledge of the Event, to him whom it principally concerns.-My father has written to Daysh to desire that he will inform us if he can, when the Commission is sent.-Your chief wish is now ready to be accomplished; & could Lord Spencer give happiness to Martha at the same time, what a joyful heart he would make of Yours!-I have sent the same extract of the sweets of Gambier to Charles, who poor fellow! tho' he sinks into nothing but an humble attendant on the Hero of the piece, will I hope be contented with the prospect held out to him.-By what the Admiral [p.2] says it appears as if he had been designedly kept in the Scorpion-. But I will not torment myself with Conjectures and suppositions; Facts shall satisfy me." - Jane Austen, Monday 24-Wednesday 26 December 1798

Whew, that was along entry and with no paragraphs! Let's see, where to begin... Admiral Gambier, (1756-1833), he was Admiral and first Baron; one the Lords of the Admiralty. For more information on him check Letter Fourteen, Post Three.


Now for Lord Spencer,

George John Spencer, (1758-1834), 2nd Earl and First Lord of the Admiralty 1794-1801. He served under William Pitt the Younger and Lord Grenville. It seems that the Austen's had some pretty influential connections.


Mr. George Daysh was a clerk in the Ticket Office, Navy Office, London, 1778-1821. He must have somehow been an acquaintance with Mr. Austen since Mr. Austen felt comfortable enough with him to make such a request.

Frank was the older brother on the London at this time. It seems that Jane and Cassandra were playing matchmaker between Frank and Martha Lloyd which is why Jane was hoping to make Martha happy with the news of Frank's promotion as well as Cassandra. There efforts did not work right away, Frank married Mary Gibson 24 July 1806. They had six sons and five daughters, but Mary died 15 July 1823. Frank did end up marrying Martha but not until 24 July 1828, some thirty years later. It is interesting that he married both ladies on 24 July.

I hope you enjoy your day today!
Terrie