To Cassandra, from Steventon, "I took care to tell Mrs Lefroy of your calling on her Mother, & she seemed pleased with it.-" - Jane Austen, Tuesday 18-Wednesday 19 December 1798
The Lefroy's were neighbors to the Austen's. They lived at Ashe Rectory. Jane Austen liked Mrs. Lefroy and I wonder if she did not memorialize her in Persuasion in the character of Lady Russell, who always had Anne Elliot's best interest at heart, but gave her terrible advice. As one might think Mrs. Lefroy may have done when, as it is said, she separated Jane and Mr. Tom Lefroy.
Mrs. Lefroy's mother, was Mrs. Jemima Egerton Brydges of Wootton Court, Kent. She was the widow of Edward Brydges "'and a lively, witty person who surrounded herself with merry company and became known in Kent for her brilliant though modest salon'".
This is very cool,
a picture of Wooton Court, Kent on a mug! and available from Amazon!
Someone has the beginnings of a good idea here, don't you think? A set of mugs with places relevant to Jane Austen and her families.
I hope you enjoy your weekend!
Terrie
