To Cassandra, Godmersham, 30 June 1808

Godmersham: Thursday (June 20)

My dear Cassaxdra,

I give you all joy of Frank’s return, which happens in the true sailor way, just after our being told not to expect him for some weeks. The wind has been very much against him, but I suppose he must be in our neighbourhood by this time Fanny is in hourly expectation of him here.

Mary’s visit in the island is probably shortened by this event. Make our kind love and congratulations to her.

What cold disagreeable weather, ever since Sunday! I dare say you have fires every day. My kerseymere spencer is quite the comfort of our evening walks.

Mary thanks Anna for her letter, and wishes her to buy enough of her new coloured frock to make a shirt handkerchief. I am glad to hear of her Aunt Maitland’s kind present. We want you to send us Anna’s height, that we may know whether she is as tall as Fanny; and pray can you tell me of any little thing that would be probably acceptable to Mrs. F. A.? I wish to bring her something: has she a silver knife, or would you recommend a brooch? I shall not spend more than half a guinea about it.

Our Tuesday’s engagement went off very pleasantly; we called first on Mrs. Knight, and found her very well; and at dinner had only the Milles’ of Nackington, in addition to Goodnestone and Godmersham, and Mrs. Moore. Lady Bridges looked very well, and would have been very agreeable, I am sure, had there been time enough for her to talk to me; but as it was, she could only

be kind and amiable, give one good-humoured smiles, and make friendly enquiries. Her son Edward was also looking very well, and with manners as un altered as hers. In the evening came Mr. Moore, Mr. Toke, Dr. and Mrs. Walsby, and others. One card-table was formed, the rest of us sat and talked, and at half after nine we came away.

Yesterday my two brothers went to Canterbury^ and J. Bridges left us for London in his way to Cambridge, where he is to take his master’s degree.

Edward and Caroline and their mamma have all had the Godmersham cold, the former with sore-throat and fever, which his looks are still suffering from. He is very happy here, however, but I believe the little girl will be glad to go home; her cousins are too much for her. We are to have Edward, I find, at Southampton, while his mother is in Berkshire for the races, and are very likely to have his father too. If circumstances are favourable, that will be a good time for our scheme to Beaulieu.

Lady E. Hatton called here a few mornings ago, her daughter Elizth. with her, who says as little as ever, but holds up her head and smiles.

and is to be at the races. Annamaria was there with Mrs. Hope, but we are to see her here tomorrow.

So much was written before breakfast; it is now half-past twelve, and, having heard Lizzy read, I am moved down into the library for the sake of fire, which agreeably surprised us when we assembled at ten, and here in warm and happy solitude proceed to acknowledge this day’s letter.

We give you credit for your spirited voyage, and are very glad it was accomplished so pleasantly, and that Anna enjoyed it so much. I hope you are not the worse for the fatigue; but to embark at four you must have got up at three, and most likely had no sleep at all. Mary’s not choosing to be at home occasions a general small surprise. As to Martha, she has not the least chance in the world of hearing from me again, and I wonder at her impudence in proposing it. I assure you I am as tired of writing long letters as you can be. What a pity that one should still be so fond of receiving them!

Fanny Austen’s match is quite news, and I am sorry she has behaved so ill. There is some comfort to us in her misconduct, that we have not a congratulatory letter to write.

VOL. I. BB

James and Edward are gone to Sandling today— a nice scheme for James, as it will show him a new and fine country. Edward certainly excels in doing the honours to his visitors, and providing for their amusement. They come back this evening.

EHzabeth talks of going with her three girls to Wrotham while her husband is in Hampshire; she is improved in looks since we first came, and, excepting a cold, does not seem at all unwell. She is considered, indeed, as more than usually active for her situation and size. I have tried to give James pleasure by telling him of his daughter’s taste, but if he felt he did not express it. I rejoice in it very sincerely.

Henry talks, or rather writes, of going to the Downes, if the ’ St. Albans ’ contmues there, but I hope it will be settled otherwise. I had everybody’s congratulations on her arrival at Canterbury. It is pleasant to be among people avIio know one’s connections and care about them, and it amuses me to hear John Bridges talk of ’ Frank/ I have thought a little of writing to the Downs, but I shall not, it is so very certain that he would be somewhere else when my letter got there.

Mr. Tho. Leigh is again in town, or was very

lately. Henry met with him last Sunday in St. James’s Church. He owned being come up unexpectedly on business, which we of course think can be only one business, and he came post from Adlestrop in one day, which, if it could be doubted before, convinces Henry that he will live for ever.

Mrs. Knight is kindly anxious for our good, and thinks Mr. L. P.^ must be desirous for A/.v family’s sake to have everything settled. Indeed I do not know where we are to gfet our legfacy, but we will keep a sharp look-out. Lady B. was all in prosperous black the other day.

A letter from Jenny Smalbone to her daughter brings intelligence which is to be forwarded to my mother — the calving of a cow at Steventon. I anj also to give her mamma’s love to Anna, and say that as her papa talks of writing her a letter of comfort she will not write, because she knows it would certainly prevent his doing so.

When are calculations ever right? I could have sworn that Mary must have heard of the ’ St. Albans’ ’ return, and would have been wild to come home or to be doing something. Nobody ever feels or acts, suffers or enjoys, as one expects.

’ Leio-li Perrot.

I do not at all regard Martha’s disappointment in the island; she will like it the better in the end. I cannot help thinking and re-thinking of your going to the island so heroically. It puts me in mind of Mrs. Hastings’ voyage down the Ganges, and, if we had but a room to retire into to pat our fruit, we would have a picture of it himg there.

Friday July 1. — The weather is mended, which I attribute to my writing about it; and I ain in hopes, as you make no complaint, though on the water and at four in the morning, that it has not been so cold with you.

It will be two years to-morrow since we left Bath for Clifton, with what happy feelings of escape!

This post has brought me a few lines from the amiable Frank, but he gives us no hope of seeing him here. We are not unlikely to have a peep at Henry, who, unless the ’ St. Albans ’ moves quickly, will be going to the Downs, and who will not be able to be in Kent without giving a day or two to Godmersham.

James has heard this morning from Mrs. Cooke, in reply to his offer of taking Bookham in his way ]iome, which is kindly accepted; and Edwd. has had a less agreeable answer from Dr. Goddard,

who actually refuses the petition. Being once fool enough to make a rule of never letting a boy go away an hour before the breaking-up hour, he is now fool enough to keep it. We are all disappointed. His letter brings a double disappointment, for he has no room for George this summer.

My brothers returned last night at ten, having spent a very agreeable day in the usual routine. They found Mrs. J) at home, and Mr. D. returned from business abroad to dinner. James admires the place very much, and thinks the two eldest girls handsome, but Mary’s beauty has the preference. The number of children struck him a good deal, for not only are their own eleven all at home, but the three little Bridgeses are also with them.

James means to go once more to Canty, to see his friend Dr. Marlowe, who is coming about this time.
shall hardly have another opportunity of going there. In another week I shall be at home, and there, my having been at Godmersham will seem like a dream, as my visit at Brompton seems already.

The orange wine will want our care soon. But in the meantime, for elegance and ease and luxury,

^ Deedes.

the Hattons and Milles’ dine here to-day, and I shall eat ice and drink French wine, and be above vulgar economy. Luckily the pleasures of friendship, of unreserved conversation, of similarity of taste and opinions, will make good amends for orange wine.

Little Edwd. is quite well again.

Yours affectionately, with love from all,

J. A.

Miss Austen, Castle Square, Southampton.

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.