To Cassandra, from Steventon, "-Wednesday.- I have changed my mind, & changed the trimmings of my Cap this morning; they are now such as you suggested;- I felt as if I should not prosper if I strayed from your directions, & I think it makes me look more like Lady Conyngham now than it did before, which is all that one lives for now.-I believe I shall make my new gown like my robe, but the back of the latter is all in a peice with the tail, & will 7 yards enable me to copy it in that respect?" - Jane Austen, Wednesday 19 December 1798
This entry is very great evidence of the famous quote from Mrs. Austen, "if Cassandra’s head had been going to be cut off, Jane would have hers cut off too." Cassandra did have a great influence on her.
Lady Elizabeth Conyngham (
It is said, "she was considered vulgar, shrewd, greedy, and a voluptuous woman by aristocratic society, on account of her common background; however, she attracted lovers and admirers, including the Tsarevitch of Russia, the future Nicholas I."
And, Princess Dorothea Lieven, whose husband was the Russian Ambassador to London, dismissed her with contempt as having "not an idea in her head...not a word to say for herself, nothing but a hand to accept pearls and diamonds, and an enormous balcony to wear them on." Do you think she might not have been referring to a balcony with a view? (Sorry, I could not resist; a Mrs. Elton moment I think.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Conyngham,_Marchioness_Conyngham
This letter was written in December 1798. Lady Conyngham had become The Rt Hon. The Countess Conyngham on 27 December 1797 so that might be why Jane Austen would have made this sarcastic reference to her.
Can you imagine walking around in 7 yards of fabric all day?
Well, I hope you enjoy your day!
Terrie
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.