Miss Jane Austen... In Real Life

Friday 18 March 2011
Letter #3, To Cassandra, From Cork Street, London
Tuesday 23 August 1796
"My dear Cassandra
Here I am once more in this Scene of Dissipation & vice, and I begin already to find my Morals corrupted. -" - Jane Austen, Tuesday 23 August 1796

Just a few words and so much to consider:
First, the address, Cork Street; Tom Lefroy's great-uncle, Benjamin Langlois lived on Cork Street. It is possible that the Austen's would have received an offer to stay with Mr. Langlois because of their family friendship with their neighbors, George and Anne Lefroy. Mr. George Lefroy was Mr. Langlois's nephew.

Tom Lefroy stayed with Mr. Langlois while he was pursuing his legal studies at Lincoln's Inn, London. I know people like to think that Jane and Tom saw each other during this time, but, according to Joan Klingel Ray in her essay, The One-Sided Romance of Jane Austen and Tom Lefroy, "Trinity term ended on June 15th and the next term, Michaelmas, would not start until November 6th. Irish students normally returned home to Ireland during the long break (Hutchings, 11 April 2006)." So, most likely, he was not there. Coupled with the fact that it was an over-night stay (they would be in Rowling by Thursday) and she was traveling with Edward and Frank and soon to catch-up with Henry, I do not believe her older brothers would take her into a situation that might possibly break her heart or even let her think that he would be there. I am sure they would know when the sessions would be in. So, no, I do not believe he was there and I am glad of it; less hurt for her. He had his chance and he blew it.
I will say, from the description of his character and from what he actually accomplished in his life, for Jane Austen to be writing through her tears at his leaving, she had a great ability to know a good man. Hence: Henry Tilney, Edward Ferrars, Mr. Darcy, Edmund Bertram, Mr. Knightly, and Captain Wentworth.

Okay, back to the address. There is a book out by Vera Quin titled Jane Austen Visits London , which is discussed in Jane Austen In Vermont. Here is a link:

http://janeausteninvermont.wordpress.com/2008/10/20/letter-no-3-scene-of-dissipation-and-vice/

In her book Vera Quin discusses Cork Street and states that Benjamin Langlois lived at 18 Cork Street. I have not been able to find an image of 18 Cork Street, (and trust me, if I lived in England I would try my darnedest to take one of my own), but I have found one of 19 and 20 Cork Street. They are both now galleries with great enterances.

http://www.browseanddarby.co.uk/default.aspx

19 Cork Street is Browse and Darby

20 Cork Street is the Redfern Gallery. The Redfern Gallery has a great history page on their site which states that the Fourth Earl of Sandwich lived at this address, a door down from Tom Lefroy's great-uncle. The Fourth Earl died in 1792 and Tom did not live on Cork Street until 1793, I believe; but, still, the Fourth Earl seemed to be quite a character. Check him out if you are interested.
http://www.redfern-gallery.com/pages/history.html

Second, she says she is "once more" in London. She has been there before and in her tone she seems happy to be there again; happy to be "in this scene of Dissipation and vice; happy to have her Morals corrupted." I am sure people who live in the country always consider the city a place to become tainted.