Letter #7, Post #6

Friday 16 March 2012
To Cassandra, from Rowling, "I had once determined to go with Frank tomorrow & take my chance &cr; 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-" - Jane Austen, Sunday 18 September 1796

"Some fat Woman who would make me drunk with Small Beer-" refers to a set of prints by Hogarth, The Harlot's Progress.


This link has good information about The Harlot's Progress and the events of the days they were drawn in.
http://hogarth.chez-alice.fr/gallery01.htm

After looking at these prints again I think you really need to check this link to understand what is going on and to understand the progress.

This first print would be the one Jane Austen was referring to, an innocent girl being greeted, as she enters London, by a woman who is working for the two gentlemen behind her. In the following prints you see she is lead down a path to her demise.

These prints were done in 1730. I am surprised Jane Austen would have known about them. She was really well read.

I hope you have a good day!

Terrie