Letter #12, Post #8

Monday 27 August 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "You must tell Edward that my father gives 25s. a piece to Seward for his last lot of sheep, and, in return for this news, my father wishes to receive some of Edward's pigs." - Jane Austen, Sunday 25 November 1798

Edward would be interested in this because Mr. Bridger Seward was Edward's farm bailiff at Chawton. He and his wife lived in the cottage at Chawton. After he died in 1808 Edward refurbished the Cottage for his mother, Cassandra, and Jane, and later Martha Lloyd.

                                   Chawton Cottage, Mrs. George Austen, Cassandra and Jane's House

I think Edward sometimes gets a bad rap for waiting so long after his father's death to provide a stable home for his mother and sisters, but, perhaps his hands were tied. The Seward's still lived at Chawton and Edward does not seem like the type to just kick them out. He must have been an amiable person; there was a reason the Knight's liked him well enough to adopt him when he had a perfectly good family at home;)

    

                                    Chawton House, Edward's House

Edward's House is now a library. How awesome is that!

I hope you had a great day today!
Terrie

Letter #12, Post #7

Wednesday 22 August 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "We have got 'Fitz-Albini'; my father has bought it against my private wishes, for it does not quite satisfy my feelings that we should purchase the only one of Egerton's works of which his family are ashamed. That these scruples, however, do not at all interfere with my reading it, you will easily believe. We have neither of us yet finished the first volume. My father is disappointed-I am not, for I expected nothing better. Never did any book carry more internal evidence of its author. Every sentiment is completely Egerton's. There is very little story, and what there is told in a strange, unconnected way. There are many characters introduced, apparently merely to be delineated. We have not been able to recognise any of them hitherto, except Dr and Mrs Hey and Mr Oxenden, who is not very tenderly treated." - Jane Austen, Sunday  25 November 1798

This is not a great review for this book is it. I would be curious to peruse it just because it sounds so bad, or at least check it out of the library.

There is a Revd Dr Thomas Hey in the Biographical Index at the back of the Jane Austen's Letters book. he was the Rector of Wickhambreux, vicar of Eastchurch, and Prebendary of Rochester, and the Oxenden family, who were baronets of Deane Park, Wingham, and Broome House, Kent. They must be who she is referring to here as characters in the book, "merely to delineated."

Here is a little peak into Jane Austen's personality, "my father has bought it against my private wishes, for it does not quite satisfy my feelings that we should purchase the only one of Egerton's works of which his family are ashamed. That these scruples, however, do not at all interfere with my reading it, you will easily believe." (I think I should not, but... I cannot resist.) And that Cassandra would easily believe it says a lot also. How amusing... and charming of her to admit it.

I hope you are having a good day today!
Terrie

Letter #12, Post #6

Monday 20 August 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "The Overton Scotchman has been kind enough to rid me of some of my money, in exchange for six shifts and four pair of stockings. The Irish is not so fine as I should like it; but as I gave as much money for it as I intended, I have no reason to complain. It cost me 3s. 6d. per yard. It is rather finer, however, than our last, and not so harsh a cloth." - Jane Austen, Sunday 25 November 1798

                                        This sweet shift is from history.org

This definition of a shift is from history.org:
The shift was the undermost garment worn by children and women. It served the same purpose as the man's shirt. Made from various qualities of white linen, it had either a drawstring or plain neck, as well as drawstrings or cuffs at the elbows. It could be plain or lace trimmed.

The Irish would have been the Irish linen. I wonder if you can still get Irish linen like that. It looks to be thin. I work at a fabric store, but we cater more to quilter's, so we do not carry linen. I should check the internet. I am sure if it is still being made it will be offered somewhere on-line. I know linen is available for cross stitch.

The Overton Scotsman was a door-to-door peddler who did not necessarily have to be Scotch. It seems to me he would have been to Jane Austen, like the Fed-ex man who delivers our ever-anticipated internet orders, right?

                                    The Peddler's Wares by Felix Schlesinger (1833-1910)

                                      The Pedlar's Visit by Thomas Creswick (1811-1869)

I hope you enjoyed your day today!
Terrie

Letter #12, Post #5

Monday 14 August 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "The ball on Thursday was a very small one indeed, hardly so large as an Oxford smack. There were but seven couples, and only twenty-seven people in the room." - Jane Austen, Sunday 25 November 1798

This would have been the ball at Basingstoke that she mentioned in letter number eleven.
http://allthings-jane-austen.blogspot.com/2012/06/letter-11-post-6.html

The Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary gives a definition of the word smack as: a small quantity. James and Henry both attended Oxford. Maybe this was a term she had heard from them and knew Cassandra would know what she was referring to.

The balls at Baskingstoke were held in the upper rooms of the Town Hall in the Market Place. This is a drawing of what the Town Hall would have looked like in Jane Austen's time.

I hope you enjoyed your day today.
Terrie

Letter #12, Post #4

Sunday 12 August 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "Amusing enough! Our family affairs are rather deranged at present, for Nanny has kept her bed these three or four days, with a pain in her side and fever, and we are forced to have two charwomen, which is not very comfortable. She is considerably better now, but it must still be some time, I suppose, before she is able to do anything. You and Edward will be amused, I think, when you know that Nanny Littlewart dresses my hair." - Jane Austen, Sunday 25 November 1798


Nanny, Mrs. Hilliard, the maidservant at Steventon rectory, should have felt safe in her employment, job security, as it took two charwomen (hired house cleaners) to fill her shoes.

We discussed Nanny Littlewart in letter #10, post #7. This was amusing because Nanny (Anne) Littlewart was either the cook or the dairymaid. She was also the woman who took care of the Austen babies after they were born, until they were able to walk and such.

I read somewhere that Reverend Austen made over six hundred pounds a year between the rectories, his farm, and teaching. That does not sound like very much, but they were able to have at least Mr. and Mrs. Hilliard, and, Mrs. Littlewart as their servants. It seems like these people worked for the Austen's more than that they lived with and were supported by the Austen's, such as the servants at large estates like Pemberley and Downton Abbey.

This is such a sweet painting, possibly, of a servant and a child. I actually bought a copy of it at an estate sale. It is The Pantry (The Cellar Room) by Pieter De Hooch, painted in 1658. This painting deals with illumination, the "light is pale gold by reflection and the composition is warmed with the sensation that though it may be comparatively dark in the cellar room, there is sunshine outside."

It is another extremely hot day here today, 106 degrees right now. In comparison, it is currently 62 degrees in Hampshire and 63 degrees in Kent! Of course it is ten o'clock at night there, but still...

I hope you enjoy your day today!

Terrie

Letter #12, Post #3

Friday 10 August 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "I suppose you have heard from Henry himself that his affairs are happily settled. We do not know who furnishes the qualification. Mr. Mowell would have readily given it, had not all his Oxfordshire property been engaged for a similar purpose to the Colonel. - Jane Austen, Sunday 25 November 1798

At this time Henry had been married to his cousin Eliza, previously de Feuillide, for almost a year. They were married 31 December 1797. He had joined the Oxfordshire militia in 1793 and "by now had become Captain, Paymaster, and Adjutant. The qualification was that of creditworthiness-Paymasters had to provide financial guarantees, both personally and from two other sureties, to a total of at least 2,000 pounds, as a safeguard against misappropriation of regimental funds."

Deirdre Le Faye also says Mr. Mowell may have been a misreading for Mr. Morrell. Mr. Morrell was Mr. James Morrell of 1 St Giles, oxford. His son, Deacon Morrell (1775-1854) may have been one of Reverend Austen's students.

                                           This photograph was taken in September 1995 by Brush Veteran.

In 1782 Mr. James Morrell and Mr. Mark Morrell became partners with Mr. Richard Tawney in the Morrell   Brewing Company. This company remanded in business until 1998 when it was forced to close due to a bitter family dispute.

The colonel was William Gore-Langton, (1760-1847). He was sometimes MP for Somerset between 1795 and 1847, Lt.-Colonel of the Oxfordshire Militia in 1782 and became Colonel on 4 October 1798; so, Mr. Morrell had tied up some of his finances in this man's qualifications.

Pretty cool that the Austen's knew Mr. James Morrell well enough to ask him to help with Henry's qualification.

I hope you enjoy your day today! It is too, too hot here and they say 114 degrees tomorrow, too hot to do anything but stay inside.

Terrie

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