Letter #10, Post #19

Sunday 20 May 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "[p. 4] I am quite angry with myself for not writing closer; why is my alphabet so much more sprawly than Yours?" - Jane Austen, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798

I found this interesting blog on the analysis of Jane Austen's handwriting.
http://strengthandsong.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/handwriting-analysis-of-jane-austen/

This is a very brief mention of what was said on this blog. She uses the letter below to explain how she came up with the handwriting traits on specific written letters. You should check this blog out.

She says of Jane Austen's personality that she had a:
1) "highly expressive nature. She shows her emotions, feels comfortable expressing herself and demonstrates compassion. She easily sympathizes with others."
2) had a "love for elegance, high art, fine dining, literature, and music."
3) her handwriting indicated "a high level of enthusiasm, especially with regards to her own interests. A common trait of very successful people."
4) shows independence, "prefers to get things done on their own... do not mind spending time alone."
5) Argumentativeness, "must argue for the fun of it and enjoy a good verbal banter."
6) Diplomacy, "ability to approach potentially sticky subjects with tact and grace... excellent social skills and good with people."

This interpretation sounds very much like the description of Jane Austen in A Memoir of Jane Austen by Her Nephew by James Edward Austen Leigh

Chapter 5
"As my memoir has now reached the period when I saw a great deal of my aunt, and was old enough to understand something of her value, I will here attempt a description of her person, mind, and habits. In person she was very attractive; her figure was rather tall and slender, her step light and firm, and her whole appearance expressive of health and animation. In complexion she was a clear brunette with a rich colour; she had full round cheeks, with mouth and nose small and well formed, bright hazel eyes, and brown hair forming natural curls close round her face. If not so regularly handsome as her sister, yet her countenance had a peculiar charm of its own to the eyes of most beholders. At the time of which I am now writing, she never was seen, either morning or evening, without a cap; I believe that she and her sister were generally thought to have taken to the garb of middle-age earlier than their years or their looks required; and that, though remarkably neat in their dress as in all their ways, they were scarcely sufficiently regardful of the fashionable, or the becoming.

"She was not highly accomplished according to the present standard. Her sister drew well; Jane herself was fond of music, and had a sweet voice, both in singing and in conversation; in her youth she had received some instruction on the pianoforte; and at Chawton she practised daily, chiefly before breakfast. I believe she did so partly that she might not disturb the rest of the party who were less fond of music. In the evening she would sometimes sing, to her own accompaniment, some simple old songs, the words and airs of which, now never heard, still linger in my memory...

  

"I have collected some of the bright qualities which shone, as it were, on the surface of Jane Austen's character, and attracted most notice; but underneath them there lay the strong foundations of sound sense and judgment, rectitude of principle, and delicacy of feeling, qualifying her equally to advise, assist, or amuse. She was, in fact, as ready to comfort the unhappy, or to nurse the sick, as she was to laugh and jest with the light-hearted. Two of her nieces were grown up, and one of them was married, before she was taken away from them. As their minds became more matured, they were admitted into closer intimacy with her, and learned more of her graver thoughts; they know what a sympathising friend and judicious adviser they found her to be in many little difficulties and doubts of early womanhood."

Wow, it's late, or early, depending. I hope you had a good day yesterday and I hope you have a great day today!

Terrie