To Cassandra, London, 5 March 1814

Henrietta Street: Saturday (March 5)

MY DEAR CASSANDRA,

Do not be angry with me for beginning another letter to you. I have read the ’ Corsair,’ mended my petticoat, and have nothing else to do. Getting out is impossible It is a nasty day for everybody. Edward’s spirits will be wanting sunshine, and here is nothing but thickness and sleet; and though these two rooms are delightfully warm, I fancy it is very cold abroad.

Young Wyndham accepts the invitation. He is such a nice, gentlemanlike, unaffected sort of young man, that I think he may do for Fanny; has a sensible, quiet look, which one likes. Our fate with Mrs. L. and Miss E. is fixed for this day se’nnight. A civil note is come from Miss H. Moore,

to apologise for not returning my visit to-day, and ask us to join a small party this evening. Thank ye, but we shall be better engaged.

I was speaking to Mde. B. this morning about a boiled loaf, when it appeared that her master has no raspberry jam; she has some, which of course she is determined he shall have; but cannot you bring him a pot when you come?

Sunday. — I find a little time before breakfast for writing. It was considerably past four when they arrived yesterday, the roads were so very bad! As it was, they had four horses from Cranford Bridge. Fanny was miserably cold at first, but they both seem well.

No possibility of Edwd.’s writing. His opinion, however, inclines against a second prosecution; he thinks it would be a vindictive measure. He might think differently, perhaps, on the spot. But things must take their chance.1

We were quite satisfied with Kean. I cannot imagine better acting, but the part was too short; and, excepting him and Miss Smith, and she did not quite answer my expectation, the parts were ill filled and the play heavy. We were too much tired to stay for the whole of ’ Illusion ’ (’ Nour-jahad ’),

•which has three acts; tlmv i> a great deal of finery and dancing in it, but I think little merit. Ellistonwas ’Nour-jahad,’ but it is a solemn sort of part, not at all calculated for his powers. There was nothing of the bext Ellistmt about him. I might not have known him but for his voice.

A grand thought Jias struck me as to our gowns. This six weeks’ mourning makes so great a difference that I shall not go to Miss Hare till you can come and help choose yourself, unless you particularly wish the contrary. It may lu> hardly worth while perhaps to have the gowns so expensively made up. We may buy a cap or a veil instead; but we can talk more of this together.

Henry is just come down; he seems well, hi> cold does cot increase. I expected to have found Edward seated at a table writing to Louisa, but I was first. Fanny I left fast asleep. She was doing about last night when
went to sleep, a little after one. I am most happy to find there were but five shirts. She thanks you for your note, and reproaches herself for not having written to you, but I assure her there was no occasion.

The accounts are not capital of Lady B. Upon the whole, I believe, Fanny liked Bath very well. They were only out three evenings, to one play

and each of the rooms. Walked about a good deal, and saw a good deal of the Harrisons and Wildmans. All the Bridgeses are likely to come away together, and Louisa will probably turn off’ at Dartford to go to Harriot. Edward is quite (MS. torn).

Now we are come from church, and all going to write. Almost everybody was in mourning last night, but my brown gown did very well. Genl. Chowne was introduced to me; he has not much remains of Frederick. This young Wyndham does not come after all; a very long and very civil note of excuse is arrived. It makes one moralise upon the tips and downs of this life.

I have determined to trim my lilac sarsenet with black satin ribbon just as my China crape is, 6d. width at the bottom, 3d. or ±d. at top. Ribbon trimmings are all the fashion at Bath, and I dare say the fashions of the two places are alike enough in that point to content me. With this addition it will be a very useful gown, happy to go anywhere.

Henry has this moment said that he likes my M. P.1 better and better; he is in the third volume. I believe now he has changed his mind as to

foreseeing the end; he said yesterday, at least, that he defied anybody to say whether H. C.1 would be reformed, or would forget Fanny in a fortnight.

I shall like to see Kean again excessively, and to see him with you too-. It appeared to me as if there were no fault in him anywhere; and in his scene with i Tubal ’ there was exquisite acting.

Edward has had a correspondence with Mr. Wickham on the Baigent business, and has been showing me some letters enclosed by Mr. W. from a friend of his, a lawyer, whom he had consulted about it, and whose opinion is for the prosecution for assault, supposing the boy is acquitted on the first, which he rather expects. Excellent letters; and I am sure he must be an excellent man. They are such thinking, clear, considerate letters as Frank might have written. I long to know who he is, but the name is always torn off. He was consulted only as a friend. When Edwd. gave me hit* opinions against the second prosecution lie had not read this letter, which was waiting for him here. Mr. W. is to be on the grand jury. This business must hasten an intimacy between his family and my brothers.

Fanny cannot answer your question about button-holes till she gets home.

I have never told you, but soon after Henry and I began our journey he said, talking of yours, that he should desire you to come post at his expense, and added something of the carriage meeting you at Kingston. He has said nothing about it since.

Now I have just read Mr. Wickham’s letter, by which it appears that the letters of his friend were sent to my brother quite confidentially, therefore don’t tell. By his expression, this friend must be one of the judges.

A cold day, but bright and clear. I am afraid your planting can hardly have begun. I am sorry to hear that there has been a rise in tea. I do not mean to pay Twining till later in the day, when we may order a fresh supply. I long to know something of the mead, and how you are off for a cook.

Monday. — Here’s a day! The ground covered with snow! What is to become of us? We were to have walked out early to near shops, and had the carriage for the more distant. Mr. Richard Snow is dreadfully fond of us. I dare say he has stretched himself out at Chawton too.

Fanny and I went into the park yesterday and drove about, and were very much entertained; and our dinner and evening went off very well. Messrs. J. Plumptre and J. Wildman called while We were out, and we had a glimpse of them both, and of G. Ilatton too, in the park,
could not produce a single acquaintance.

By a little convenient listening, I now know that Henry wishes to go to Gm. for a few days before Easter, and has indeed promised to do it. This being the case, there can be no time for your remaining in London after your return from Adlestrop. You must not put off your coming therefore; and it occurs to me that, instead of my coining here again from Streatham, it will be better for you to join me there. It is a great comfort to have got at the truth. Henry finds he cannot set off for Oxfordshire before the Wednesday, which will be the 23rd; but we shall not have too many days together here previously. I shall write to Catherine very soon.

Well, we have been out as far as Coventry St.; Edwd. escorted us there and back to Newton’s, where he left us, and I brought Fanny safe home. It was snowing the whole time. We have given up all idea of the carriage. Edward and Fanny stay another day, and both seem very

well pleased to do so. Our visit to the Spencers is, of course, put off.

Edwd. heard from Louisa this morning. Her mother does not get better, and Dr. Parry talks of her beginning the waters again; this will be keeping them longer in Bath, and of course is not palatable

You cannot think how much my ermine tippet is admired both by father and daughter. It was a noble gift.

Perhaps you have not heard that Edward has a good chance of escaping his lawsuit. His opponent ’ knocks under.’ The terms of agreement are not quite settled.

We are to see ’ The Devil to Pay’ to-night. I expect to be very much amused. Excepting Mass Stephens, I daresay ’ Artaxerxes’ will be very tiresome.

A great many pretty caps in the windows of Cranbourn Alley. I hope when you come we shall both be tempted. I have been ruining myself in black satin ribbon with a proper pearl edge, and now I am trying to draw it up into kind of roses instead of putting it in plain double plaits.

Tuesday. — My dearest Cassandra, — In ever so many hurries I acknowledge the receipt of your letter last night, just before we set off for Covent

Garden. I have no mourning come, but it does not signify. This very moment has Eiclid. put it on the table. I have torn it open and read your note. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Edwd. is amazed at tlje sixty-four trees. He desires his love, and gives you notice of the arrival of a study table for himself. It ought to be at Chawton this week. He begs you to be so good as to have it enquired for and fetched by the cart, but wishes it not to be unpacked till he is on the spot himself. It may be put in the hall.

Well, Mr. Hampson dined here, and all that. I was very tired of ’ Artaxerxes,’ highly amused with the farce, and, in an inferior way, with the pantomime that followed. Mr. J. Plumptre joined in the latter part of the evening, walked home with us, ate some soup, and is very earnest for our going to Covent Garden again to-night to see Miss Stephens in the ’ Farmer’s Wife.’ He is to try for a box. I do not particularly wish him to succeed. I have had enough for the present. Henry dines to-day with Mr. Spencer.

Yours very affectionately, J. AVSTKN.

Miss Austen, Chawton. Uy favour of Mr. Gray.