NEW Becoming Jane Header and Wallpaper

Thanks to Maria we have another fantastic Becoming Jane header.
You can use it on FBs new timeline coverimage aswell.

Download the header here:
http://www.4shared.com/photo/g-LoDPac/BJ_FB_cover.html

And the wallpaper:

1024x768: http://www.4shared.com/photo/lbAbArDb/BJ_wallpaper_1024x768.html

1680x1050: http://www.4shared.com/photo/TOsQLJhK/BJ_Wallpaper_1680x1050.html

 

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 193

For this week's quote I wanted to peruse James Austen's The Loiterer for a gem, and WOW, did I ever find one!

 

In the Number 2 issue, James is discussing "Truth" and how it was dead in all walks of life - and that was written 223 years ago.  The shame of it is I have to agree with him because I see the same thing in today's world!

 

 Here is the quote from the first paragraph:

 

Language has been commonly defined by Grammarians to be the Art of expressing our ideas. Nor was the definition a bad one, during those times when our rude ancestors were sufficiently uninformed in the Ars Rhetorica, to speak always what they really thought. But since we have wisely banished that absurd custom, I should humbly presume that the aforesaid definition might also be altered, and that from henceforward Language be entitled the Art of concealing our Ideas; and I will venture to assert it is used infinitely oftener for the latter purpose than the former, by all ranks and ages, and at all times and in all places. So totally indeed is a regard to veracity excluded from the system of modern ethics, that were it not for diseases, duns, and wives, who sometimes tell one disagreeable truths, one would imagine that Truth as well as Justice had left this degenerate world at the expiration of the Golden Age. And that I may not take an unfair advantage, I shall say nothing of the numerous tribes, whose situation authorizes and in some measure obliges them to a continual breach of veracity; (such as foreign ministers, ladies; maids, lawyers, an physicians; to which list I may also add lovers and their mistresses, who can claim so many precedents in favour of this practice, that they may be said to lie by prescriptive right) and only consider how little attention we all of us pay to truth in the common intercourse of life.

 

What is so hilarious is that he writes further on and gives examples from the perspective of several areas of life, such as the House of Commons, that are even true today.  Well, I believe it to be so at any rate.  You may read the entire issue here:  http://www.theloiterer.org/loiterer/no2.html

 

 

 

I am continually amazed how things haven't changed in all these years.

 

Yrs aff'ly,

Linda the Librarian

 

Pic: Jane Austen Reviews

Tom Lefroy Quote Week 19

Recently, I’ve been putting a new healthy habit of enjoying my weekend and doing a really minimum work (other than cleaning the house, baking, cooking, reading, and other things I love). So here’s a Tom Lefroy quote that reflects my current state of bliss… in the hope that you all also feel your personal bliss everywhere. The Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy page 85, an 1825 letter to his wife:

John Bennet’s, near Nenagh, Sunday evening.

Here I am, thank God, quietly enjoy a day of real rest and peace, - all  my labours and anxieties ended, and I have experienced nothing but unaffected kindness and respect throughout the whole of the Circuit.

Quietly enjoying a day of real rest and peace. How beautiful is that? I baked white cupcakes yesterday (Martha Stewart’s white cupcakes, heavenly light and fluffy!). I had lunch in a local Japanese restaurant with a book, and then strolled some shopping arcades.

How is your weekend so far, dear friends?

Pic: 'The Ladybugs Love Chocolate' by Janet Hill, my favourite Etsy artist.

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 192

A few weeks ago I made a visit to Devon, the South West of England. On my trip I went to a National Trust Georgian property called Saltram House. I was surprised to find out that The Countess of Morley, Frances Talbot (1782 - 1857) wrote to Jane Austen from Saltram House on 27th December 1815.
Jane Austen later replied on 31st December of the same year; at this time she would have been living in Chawton cottage, around 18 months before she died.

I have attached a copy of the photograph I took of their letter exchange but I will write it more clearly below.

From Frances to Jane:
"Madam,
I have been most anxiously waiting for an introduction to 'Emma' and am infinitely obliged to you for your kind recollection of me, which will procure me the pleasure of her acquaintance some days sooner than I should otherwise have had it. I am already become intimate with the Woodhouse family, and feel that they will not amuse me or interest me less than the Bennetts, Bertrams, Norrises, and all their admirable predecessors.
I can give them no higher praise.
I am, Madam, your much obliged
F. MORLEY"

From Jane to Frances in response:
"Madam,
Accept my thanks for the honour of your note, and for your kind disposition in favour of 'Emma.' In my present state of doubt as to her reception in the world, it is particularly gratifying to me to receive so early an assurance of your Ladyship's approbation. It encourages me to depend on the same share of general good opinion which 'Emma's' predecessors have experienced and to believe that I have not yet, as almost every writer of fancy does sooner or later, overwritten myself.
I am, Madam, your obliged and faithful servt.
J.AUSTEN"

I was so excited when I saw this displayed in one of the rooms. I think it tells us so much about Jane's humble nature. I just love how they both comfortably refer to Emma as a real character, which of course all of us can relate to.

Pic: Jane Austen's World, the Austen family by Jane Odiwe

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 191

Here are my musings about our dear Jane, as I was pondering what to post.  I thought that she wrote some things other than her novels.    Then I remembered that I had on my shelf some Austen poetry books, namely:  "Jane Austen, Collected Poems and verse of the Austen Family", edited by David Selwyn and "Jane Austen, Poems and Favourite Poems" edited by Douglas Brooks-Davies.   Hm, there should be a list somewhere and wouldn't that be nice to have. Next I recollected that Henry Churchyard has a page at Pemberley which contains almost (if not all) all of her writings.  You can visit that site here:  http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/janeinfo.html

I will give you a sample of her verse by quoting this one titled "Song":

That Damon was in love with me

     I once thought & beleiv''d

But now that he is not I see,

     I fear I was deceiv'd.
 
Happy hunting among the aforementioned pages.  Another astounding fact I stumbled across is that I was amazed to see what a store house of quotes and information we have here at "Becoming Jane Fansite" since 2007.  We have covered a lot of subjects and had some adventures too.  Geez, how time flies when you are having fun.
 
Yrs aff'ly,
Linda the Librarian

Pix: Cover to 'The Poetry of Jane Austen and the Austen Family' from Amazon.com

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 190

I have been coughing since late February (!), on and off because of the weather and pollution where I live... so I've been irritating many people, and also am not happy with myself for not recovering quickly. So I can understand what Kitty Bennet would have gone through when her mother - dear old Mrs Bennet, that is - kept scolding her for coughing (Pride and Prejudice, Vol I Chapter 2):

"Don't keep coughing so, Kitty, for heaven's sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces.''

"Kitty has no discretion in her coughs,'' said her father; ``she times them ill.''

"I do not cough for my own amusement,'' replied Kitty fretfully.

Poor girl. I feel her now, for I have been distributing some virus to my friends and partner for some time now...I wonder how she got rid of her cold. She must have, for Mrs Bennet did not scold her forever in PP. I might just need her medicine too now...

Pic: Carey Mulligan as Kitty Bennet of PP 2005

Tom Lefroy Quote of the Week 18

This week I have chosen the quote from Tom Lefroy's memoirs, part 8, page 345.

He is writing this in the context of the christian religion but I dont think that we need to read it solely from that perspective.

"but let it be our business to walk in the appointed path, and not to endeavour to find a new or better way."

The key word highlighted is "appointed" - he believes that God has chosen our destiny and we are abiding by the path set forth for us. Everyone has very different views regarding destiny, whether it be from a traditional religious stand or whether it be a more eastern, spiritual interpretation of what we are destined to become. Some may have no religion or spiritual inclination and believe that we decide our own destiny and path, with no planning from a higher being. Not one of us can know the truth in this but it is such an interesting area to ponder.

The reason I chose this quote was because I think it gives us some indication to what he felt about how the situation with Jane, i surmise that he would have considered it 'not meant to be' and not a part of his and her determined path. I like the reference to a "new or better way" as he is acknowledging that sometimes we have to curb our desires for what we consider better things and be happy with what is mapped out for us.

Comments welcome ...

Pic: old fashioned charm blog

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 189

My favorite novel is Persuasion, so I wanted to dwell on that this week. What I found is a "passionate passage" amongst those I helped gather in the "Male Voices in Praise of Jane Austen" web site. It is found where Anne Elliot and Captain and Wentworth had just renewed their engagement near the end of the novel:

"... they exchanged again those feelings and those promises which had once before seemed to secure everything, but which had been followed by so many, many years of division and estrangement. There they returned again into the past, more exquisitely happy, perhaps, in their re-union, than when it had been first projected; more tender, more tried, more fixed in a knowledge of each other's character, truth, and attachment; more equal to act, more justified in acting. And there, as they slowly paced the gradual ascent, heedless of every group around them, seeing neither sauntering politicians, bustling housekeepers, flirting girls, nor nursery-maids and children, they could indulge in those retrospections and acknowledgements, and especially in those explanations of what had directly preceded the present moment, which were so poignant and so ceaseless in interest. All the little variations of the last week were gone through, and of yesterday and today there could scarcely be an end."

What caught my attention is the description of their "new" feelings for each other. It is a clue that we should pick up on and put to use ourselves in our relationship with the opposite sex. My oh my, the things we can learn from Jane Austen, the spinster!

If you care to read the entire group of "passionate passages" you will find them here starting with Persuasion:

http://www.theloiterer.org/ashton/year00/passion2.html

Yours aff'ly,

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds for Persuasion 1995

Tom Lefroy Quote Week 17

Please forgive the late instalment of this weekend. I was trying to find something from the Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy, and – with my busy mind – it has proven difficult. But then, there it was. Page 196 just popped out for me; a letter to his wife, Mary Paul in July 1833.

“I have now been five successive nights keeping watch for our Church till near daylight. All that could be done has been and will be done. The Duke has worked nobly and is the most devoted friend to Ireland that I have found here; he has constantly spent three or four hours over the Bill in the mornings, and afterwards worked in the House for several hours. I spent nearly four hours to-day, completing the amendments to which we got the Government to accede last week, as they are to be all introduced in form on Monday, and on Wednesday the Bill will pass, improved in a great many respects, but with many mischievous provisions still left.”

By no means I try to imitate a Chief Justice’s schedule, nor I shall be that busy. But last week was very busy as well for me. I had a full week’s ofmeetings (ones that ended after the sunset) and – since I will have another big meeting in a few days – I was hoping that I did not have to work this weekend. But apparently I did, a few hours of meeting last night and another couple of hours this afternoon.

Forgive me, my dear friends. I didn’t mean to complain… I’m certain many of you have had busier weeks than mine last week. But sometimes I wish that I could have a healthier working pattern. It’s fine to be busy sometime… but being busy all the time is not healthy for body, mind and soul.

But. My holiday is coming soon in less than two weeks. I’m so looking forward for that, and I hope it will be a rejuvenating holiday for me.

How was your week last week, my dear friends? Busy? Or healthily steady? Any holidays to look forward soon? God bless you all.

Pic: Tom Lefroy, circa 1855

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 188

Sorry this is early but I will be unable to post this weekend.

This quote is in honour of strong, "rational" women. It was our dear Icha's birthday this week so this quote is for her.

From chapter 8 of Persuasion, Frederick Wentworth is having a discussion with his sister Sophia (and her husband the Admiral) about whether women should travel alone on board a ship.


He begins:

"But, if I know myself,' said he, 'this is from no want of gallantry towards them. It is rather from feeling how impossible it is, with all one's efforts, and all one's sacrifices, to make the accommodations on board such as women ought to have. There can be no want of gallantry, Admiral, in rating the claims of women to every personal comfort high, and this is what I do. I hate to hear of women on board, or to see them on board; and no ship under my command shall ever convey a family of ladies anywhere, if I can help it.'

Later on she retorts:

'But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman, and as if women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. We none of us expect to be in smooth water all our days."

Yes I think that some choppy waters can be the spice of life!



Happy Birthday Icha.


Pic: JASNA

Austen film Memorabilia For Sale!

The Jane Austen Centre newsletter has made us aware of an exclusive auction now on ebay of original costumes from some of Jane Austen's film adaptations. They were chosen to host the eBay auction for the celebrated BAFTA and EMMY award winning costume designer, Andrea Galer.

The auction began a few days ago and ends next Sunday 25th March. Worldwide postage is available!

Included are costumes from Persuasion and Miss Austen Regrets, plus two 'Mr Darcy' (Matthew MacFadyen) waistcoats.

View the auction here

Pic: from the ebay auction

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 187

I have been bombarding myself with ‘Downton Abbey’ lately, including the basic circumstances that required Lord Grantham to invite Matthew Crawley to Downton (because his previous heir died during the Titanic accident, God bless their souls). I then remembered how similar things still were in 1912 with early 19^th century when Jane Austen wrote Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice. Just take a look at a paragraph from SS Chapter 1 Volume 1:

The old Gentleman died; his will was read, and like almost every other will, gave as much disappointment as pleasure. He was neither so unjust, nor so ungrateful, as to leave his estate from his nephew; - but he left it to him on such terms as destroyed half the value of the bequest. Mr Dashwood had wished for it more for the sake of his wife and daughters than for himself or his son:- but to his son, and his son’s son, a child of four years old, it was secured, in such a way, as to leave to himself no power of providing for those who were most dear to him, and who most needed a provision, by any division of the estate, or by any sale of its valuable woods.

Thus Mrs Dashwood and the girls had to leave Norland, but thankfully not without meeting Edward Ferrars first (at least for Elinor’s sake).

And of course, in PP, we have Mr Collins, who, as Mr Bennet said in Chapter 13 Volume 1, “…when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases” to which his dear wife replied with “Oh! my dear…I cannot bear to hear that mentioned. Pray do not talk of that odious man. I do think it is the hardest thing in the world that your estate should be entailed away from your own children; and I am sure if I had been you, I should have tried long ago to do something or other about it.”

All of these conversations gave me a very strong desire to understand why the entail had to be designed as such to put women in such a disadvantage situation. I think it has been enacted since early 13^th century. Pemberley has a link about an entail, including a very complicated Male Primogeniture Succession that explained that any entailed properties were inherited by the nearest male-line descendant (instead of female line).

My primary question is, is it still happening? If not, when did it cease? If it is, I cannot believe it. England is a modern country after all, now. But… even in Indonesia, inheritance is given to the eldest son, not daughter, until now. So why am I still surprised?

Rachel &c, care to explain it to me?

Pic: Norland Estate, from Jane Austen's World

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 186

My quote for Jane will be a melancholy remembrance because a very dear Aunt of mine passed away two days ago. I go to attend her funeral on Saturday, the 10th. I wanted to find something that affected Jane to reflect the way I am feeling now. So, in her letter dated Monday, January 21, 1805 she wrote the following to her brother Francis Austen:

"I have melancholy news to relate, & sincerely feel for your feelings under the shock of it. I wish I could better prepare you for it. But having said so much, your mind will already forestall the sort of event which I have to communicate. Our dear Father has closed his virtuous & happy life, in a death almost as free from suffering as his Children could have wished. ....... Heavy as is the blow, we can already feel that a thousand comforts remain to us to soften it. Next to that of the consciousness of his worth & constant preparation for another World, is the remembrance of his having suffered, comparatively speaking, nothing. Being quite insensible of his own state, he was spared all the pain of separation, & he went off almost in his Sleep. My Mother bears the Shock as well as possible; she was quite prepared for it, & feels all the blessing of his being spared a long Illness."

Jane's words also apply to my dear Aunt, which brings me some comfort. Also, please note the date, January 21, 1805 and remember that Jane had also lost a dear friend, Mrs. Anne Lefroy in December, 1804. My heart goes out to her.

Yrs aff'ly,
Linda the Librarian

Pic: George Austen, Jane's father

"Jane Austen"

One of our blog readers has emailed us wanting to share her fantastic song about Jane.

Holly Christina dedicates her song to Jane Austen fans everywhere. It is available on iTunes also.

See it here

Pic: Elizabeth and Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 185

When in doubt of what to chose for a quote to post I always turn to Sense and Sensibility for inspiration. The relationship between Elinor and Marianne has always been a fascinating connection for me. I dont have any brothers or sisters so I suppose it always led me to wonder what it would have been like to have a sister.

Anyway I have chosen a quote from the part in the novel when Marianne has found out about Elinor's love and near-heartbreak for Edward.

From chapter 37:

"How long has this been known to you, Elinor? has he written to you?"
"I have known it these four months. When Lucy first came to Barton Park last November, she told me in confidence of her engagement."
At these words, Marianne's eyes expressed the astonishment which her lips could not utter. After a pause of wonder, she exclaimed -
"Four months! - Have you known of this four months?"
Elinor confirmed it.
"What! while attending me in all my misery, has this been on your heart? and I have reproached you for being happy!"
"It was not fit that you should then know how much I was the reverse."

Elinor makes a habit of concealing her feelings and no one knows what she is really feeling, not even her closest confidants. As Marianne was showing her devastation over losing Willoughby, Elinor was helping her feel better and tending to her every need. This important conversation marks a turning point in the story when finally both sisters have confided in each other and their problems begin to slowly get better.

Have you ever had to be the strong one in a relationship, listening to anothers sorrow whilst you are crying inside?
Or perhaps you have confided your emotions with a close friend or family member without really having any idea of what they are going through themselves?

I think that we may all have been either Marianne or Elinor at some point.

Pic: Marianne and Elinor Dashwood