"P. & P. is sold."

Wednesday 28 November 2012

Sunday 29 November 1812 was a pretty big day in the world of Jane Austen. I am posting this today because of time zones. In some places it will already be the 29th.

On Sunday 29 November 1812, two hundred years ago, Jane Austen wrote a letter, number 77, to her friend, Martha Lloyd. The letter starts out thanking Martha for her letter, praising Martha for her good works, going on to discuss Martha's good health, the purchase of a cloak, imparts praises towards Martha from Sally (the maidservant at Chawton Cottage). Then on to page two... a little information about Edward and his choice of bedchamer, the pleasant visit they had with Edward and Lizzy, the favourable weather, the finalization of Edward's name being changed to Knight and the need to learn to make a better K, and the mention that their next visitor was likely to be William, Edward's fourth son. On to page three... The list for a dinner party they were to have on Tuesday evening, what seems to be an answer to a question about a poem Jane Austen sent to Martha about Miss Urania Wallop's engagement to Reverend Henry Wake...

And then, inserted amongst all this, "P. & P. is sold. - Egerton gives L110 for it. - I would rather have had L150, but we could not both be pleased, & I am not at all surprised that he should not chuse to hazard so much. - Its' being sold will I hope be a great saving of Trouble to Henry, & therefore must be welcome to me. - The money is to be paid at the end of the twelvemonth. -"

Then she goes on to suggest the gift of a shawl to Miss Benn, and etc.

This is a great example of Jane Austen's wit, is it not? The most exciting news, and the news she knew would thrill Martha Lloyd the most, inserted nonchalantly on page three! like it was not foremost on her mind, just another everyday occurrence.

Martha Lloyd loved the story, even back when it was First Impressions. Of Martha Lloyd, Jane Austen jokingly wrote to Cassandra in letter number 21, dated Tuesday 11 June 1799, "I would not let Martha read First Impressions again upon any account, & am very glad that I did not leave it in your power.-She is very cunning, but I see through her design;-she means to publish it from Memory, & one more perusal must enable her to do it."

Pride and Prejudice first appeared for sale on Thursday 28 January 1813. We should all plan to do something Pride and Prejudicey on that day... have a ball, watch Pride and Prejudice all day like we do A Christmas Story and It's A Wonderful Life, dress in Regency costume, take the day and read Pride and Prejudice (just one more time, maybe in your Regency costume, aloud to your Mr. Darcy or Miss Elizabeth), or... what else can you think of? Please leave a comment.

I remember the first time I read through Jane Austen's Letters, when I came upon this sentence it surprised me, and I admit it brought a tear to my eye. Here we are two hundred years later and still enchanted by Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth...

Well done Jane... well done indeed!

I hope you enjoy your day today!
Terrie