Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 92 by Linda

We find in Chapter 3 of “Emma” the description of Mrs. Bates and Miss Bates. This passage is about Miss Bates:

"Her youth had passed without distinction, and her middle of life was devoted to the care of a failing mother, and the endeavour to make a small income go as far as possible. And yet she was a happy woman, and a woman whom no one named without good-will. It was her own universal good-will and contented temper which worked such wonders. She loved every body, was interested in every body's happiness, quick-sighted to every body's merits; thought herself a most fortunate creature, and surrounded with blessings in such an excellent mother and so many good neighbours and friends, and a home that wanted for nothing. The simplicity and cheerfulness of her nature, her contented and grateful spirit, were a recommendation to every body and a mine of felicity to herself."

In this description we shall overlook the next sentence about her being a great talker. She is recommended to us mainly by her ‘love for every body’. Fortunately even in this day’s world we might even find a few of those types of persons. We should all be so. That’s my sermon for today.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: The 1996 Mrs. Bates and Miss Bates from lacegrl130