Jane Austen Quote of the Week 161

This week's quote is taken from Mansfield Park, which reflects what I feel right now about time.

Oh! Do not attack me with your watch. A watch is always too fast or too slow. I cannot be dictated to by a watch.

These weeks I feel like time just slips away from my fingers... like sand on my fingers... I feel like I'm grasping here and there for life support... and I barely make it. I hope it won't last long... I hope I will regain control of my life sooner than later. But at the moment, I feel that a watch is useless to measure time.

Oh, special thanks to the Jane Austen Quotes site for providing me with this quote.

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 160

My chosen quote this week is from the opening words of chapter 6 of Persuasion.
Anne is leaving Kellynch Hall and visiting Uppercross where the Musgroves live.

"Anne had not wanted this visit to Uppercross, to learn that a removal from one set of people to another, though at a distance of only three miles, will often include a total change of conversation, opinion, and idea. She had never been staying there before, without being struck by it, or without wishing that other Elliots could have her advantage in seeing how unknown, or unconsidered there, were the affairs which at Kellynch Hall were treated as of such general publicity and pervading interest; yet, with all this experience, she believed she must now submit to feel that another lesson, in the art of knowing our own nothingness beyond our own circle, was become necessary for her; for certainly, coming as she did, with a heart full of the subject which had been completely occupying both houses in Kellynch for many weeks, she had expected rather more curiosity and sympathy than she found..."

I have bolded the line of particular interest. I chose this quote in light of the media frenzy which has been going on in the last few weeks in relation to phone hacking and immoral journalism. 200 years ago communication was so limited in comparison to the society of today; opinions and ideas changed with movement of only 3 miles. Now we are all subject to influence and are fed with opinions that we later vocalise as our own- the overwhelming power that the many newspapers, internet and television holds over us is really scary. I dont know about you but I would like to be transported back 200 years to have tea with Jane and formulate my own opinions with less interference.

Pic: Austenprose

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 159

This quote is from No. 9 of James Austen's "The Loiterer". The letter included in this issue most people believe to be written by our own Jane Austen. I firmly believe that myself. It sounds so much like something she would have written. She begins her letter to the editor thusly:

I write this to inform you that you are very much out of my good graces, and that, if you do not mend your manners, I shall soon drop your acquaintance. You must know, Sir, I am a great reader, and not to mention some hundred volumes of Novels and Plays, have, in the last two summers, actually got through all the entertaining papers of our most celebrated periodical writers, from the Tatler and Spectator to the Microcosm and the Olla Podrida. Indeed I love a periodical work beyond any thing, especially those in which one meets with a great many stories, and where the papers are not too long. I assure you my heart beat with joy when I first heard of your publication, which I immediately sent for, and have taken in ever since.

She continues on and chastises the editor in no uncertain words. You may read the entire letter here

It is my pleasure to inform you that I am the guilty party that put the entire Loiterer on line. When I aspired to do that, the Loiterer was being quite neglected and I thought it merited its own place on the internet. Jane's brother, James, was quite knowledgeable and educated in my opinion and deserves his own place in the sun as well as our dear Jane.

Because of 'Sophia's" mention of those other periodicals, I was intrigued so much so that I investigated and got my own copies (those that I could find in book form) or found on line to read. I am amazed at the subjects covered and the intelligence that appeared 'way back then'. We never know what treasures await us.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: James Austen

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 158

This week's quote is taken from Sense and Sensibility, the first paragraphs of Chapter 6 when the Dashwoods moved to Barton Cottage in Devonshire.


THE first part of their journey was performed in too melancholy a disposition to be otherwise than tedious and unpleasant. But as they drew towards the end of it, their interest in the appearance of a country which they were to inhabit overcame their dejection, and a view of Barton Valley, as they entered it, gave them cheerfulness. It was a pleasant, fertile spot, well wooded, and rich in pasture. After winding along it for more than a mile, they reached their own house. A small green court was the whole of its demesne in front; and a neat wicket-gate admitted them into it. As a house, Barton Cottage, though small, was comfortable and compact; but as a cottage it was defective, for the building was regular, the roof was tiled, the window shutters were not painted green, nor were the walls covered with honeysuckles. A narrow passage led directly through the house into the garden behind. On each side of the entrance was a sitting room, about sixteen feet square; and beyond them were the offices and the stairs. Four bed-rooms and two garrets formed the rest of the house. It had not been built many years, and was in good repair. In comparison of Norland, it was poor and small indeed!- but the tears which recollection called forth as they entered the house were soon dried away. They were cheered by the joy of the servants on their arrival, and each for the sake of the others resolved to appear happy. It was very early in September; the season was fine; and from first seeing the place under the advantage of good weather, they received an impression in its favor which was of material service in recommending it to their lasting approbation.

The situation of the house was good. High hills rose immediately behind, and at no great distance on each side; some of which were open downs, the others cultivated and woody. The village of Barton was chiefly on one of these hills, and formed a pleasant view from the cottage windows. The prospect in front was more extensive; it commanded the whole of the valley, and reached into the country beyond. The hills which surrounded the cottage terminated the valley in that direction; under another name, and in another course, it branched out again between two of the steepest of them.

I had been looking for a house to rent the last two weeks. It's rather hard to find a decently priced house for rent in south Bali, everything seems to be excessively priced these days. I have started my work since 1 July, but I would not receive my salary until the end of the month (unfortunately, we don't have fortnight salary system in Indonesia). I have some savings for housing, but I cannot indulge on the more expensive options usually targeted for foreigners.

Having said that, I found a nice house just last Tuesday, situated by the paddy field. I have signed a contract last Saturday. It's every bit a scary adventure, for house renting in Indonesia is not protected by rigorous law. But the land lord and lady are a nice couple, so here's hoping that I will like my stay there. I signed the contract for two years, for I know how hard it is to get a good house in that price these days. Plus, I plan to start buying/building a house by the second half of 2012, so I definitely need a place to stay until then.

How about you, dear friends? Have any stories about house-renting (or house-buying) you can share with us?

Pic: Barton Cottage 1995

New header and desktop from Maria

Dearest friends, last month Maria sent me a very lovely collection of new header and desktop for Becoming Jane Fansite. I am ashamed to say that I have neglected her email because of my thesis and the business of moving back to Indonesia. Hence, this is a make up post, terribly and excessively late by any standard. For that, we extend our apologies, particularly to dearest Maria.

The download links are here:

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PS: Quote of the week is coming up.

"Emma" Production - Houston, Texas

If any of you live in Houston, Texas and know the A. D. Players Theatre.
they have an upcoming production of Emma from July 6th - August 28th 2011.

More information about the show is available here.

If any of you do get to see it then please do leave us a comment with your review.



Pic: Theatre website

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 157

My chosen quote is from Mansfield Park. Edmund is speaking about the possible negative consequences of abdicating your own responsibilities:

"Had I a place to new fashion, I should not put myself into the hands of an improver, I would rather have an inferior degree of beauty, of my own choice, and acquired progressively. I would rather abide by my own blunders than by his.”

I think that he is a particularly moral and conscientious character in the novel and although his view is perhaps idealistic, it is definitely admirable.

I think that this quote can translate to many aspects of life; work, relationships, families, therefore it relates to us all.

Pic: Austenonly-Edmund Bertram (TV 2007)

Jane Austen and Kate Middleton

Linda has directed us to an article written in the Daily Mail which suggests that the new Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, may be related to Jane Austen. They may well be 11th cousins, six times removed but being a fan of Kate Middleton, I think it makes sense.

You can read the article here






Pics: Daily Mail article