Jane Austen Quote of the Week 110

This time I also go with simple stuffs (particularly because I've been contemplating on heavy stuffs enough this week). We know hat bonnets and caps were very important to the ladies in Regency Era, including Jane Austen herself. And she was very particular with every details of her garments, from shoes to hats. She also took time to re-embellish or redecorate her bonnets to make it more fashionable. It was an act of saving perchance, but in this ecofriendly era, re-embellishing old garments is actually an ecofriendly act.

From JA's letter to Cassandra Austen, Tuesday 18 December 1798 (Deirdre le Faye 1995 edition, p 25-26):

I took the liberty a few days ago of asking your Black velvet Bonnet to lend me its cawl, which it very readily did, & by whic I have been enabled to give a considerable improvement of dignity to my Cap, which was before too nidgetty to please me. - I shall wear it on Thursday, but I hope you will not be offended with me for following your advice as to its ornaments only in part - I still venture to retain the narrow silver round it, put twice round without any bow, & instead of the black military feather shall put in the Coquelicot one, as being smarter; - & besides Coquelicot is to be all the fashion this winter. - After the Ball, I shall probably make it entirely black.

Wow, she was truly an expert in reembellishing her bonnets, Miss Austen...Now, I don't wear elaborate hats or fascinators often (not at my place at least, except during the Melbourne Cup...), but I am fascinated with (on cue) shoes, and guess what? I actually did re-embellish a pair of my shoes last night!

My re-embellished shoes were new red suede 2.5 inch pumps, just bought it on 60% sale because it was 'damaged', as in one pair had a very different leather strip than the other. Still on the exact place, but instead of a phyton-like leather pattern (as the right pair had), the left pair had almost very smooth leather surface. It was just a line of 7 mm leather strip across the vamp, and no one would see it unless they took a closer look, but I was still disturbed. But, I can't resist the colour and comfort of the shoes, nor the sale price. I then tried to find burgundy velvet ribbon to cover both strips. Couldn't find the exact red tone, so I opted for 7 mm black satin ribbons, and it worked like magic! Just have to make sure that the glue stays; I might have to use stronger superglue if it came off.

So, if any of you Ladies and Gents have any defective garment, do not throw it away. Try to re-embellish the piece of garment, and you will not only save yourself some money, but also be more ecofriendly!

For further information re: Regency bonnets, check Vic's excellent entry here. For practical ideas on how to re-embellish your modern shoes (including flip flops!), check Female Network , Love To Know and Squidoo.

Pic 1: Various Regency bonnets from Fashion Era

Pic 2: A pair of beautiful Regency slippers (sadly, not mine) from House of Nines Design

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 109

It's Sunday here in Australia, so wake up from the hang-over, Ladies!

Ooops. That might be a wrong thing to say. Do ladies who read Jane Austen have weekend hang-over? Well... if you do, do not fret. I think Jane Austen herself would have drunken too much wine now and then. Of course, drinking wine sounds cooler than drinking beer, but you ladies get what I mean...

Anyway, leading to this week's quote is the party-related statement from JA herself. From Deidre Le Faye's 'Jane Austen's Letter' p165, dated Tuesday 10 - Wednesday 11 January 1809, written in her brother Edward's Godmersham Park, Kent. Jane would be 34 years old by then, hardly old at all for our modern standard. But still, here's what she said in the PS section:

The Manydown Ball was a smaller thing than I expected, but it seems to have made Anna very happy. At her age it would not have done for me.-

It's funny... we often think of Jane Austen as an old spinster sitting in the rocking chair and reading highly intelligent books or poetries... which I think she did anyway during the dusk of her life... But we often forgot that JA was also a party animal.

Although I'm actually older than Jane by the time she wrote this letter, I also often forgot that the senior ladies I often saw in the bus or on the street were once party animals too... with high heels that clicked when they danced. I guess reading Sophie Kinsella's Twenties Girl and Alexandra Potter's Me and Mr Darcy changed my opinion about the classical image of elderly ladies now.

Elderly ladies would also have had wild parties before, and had some fun. It would be a different setting, shoes and dresses, but they still had a great time. One might cry because her partner deserted her, and - just like what I saw last night on the bus - her friend would try to cheer her up.

And I guess, the Regency setting is more of a good balance those days. We would still find elderly ladies standing at the sides, smiling as they watched (albeit chaperonically) their nieces/daughters/grand-daughters dancing with prospective partners. Sometimes, mothers would also dance with their husbands. It would be more of a balanced and healthy setting for the party spirit within the seniors, I think...

Pic: A quadrille dance during Regency Era, from the exquisite Jane Austen's World

The 2010 Jane Austen Festival UK and Awards

Dearest Linda provided me with this information on the 3rd Annual Jane Austen Awards and its survey and a very interesting (and difficult for me!) love quiz. Do fill in the survey and quiz and tell us your results!

Also coming up in September is the 10th Jane Austen Festival in Bath! Oh my dearest Rachel, how I envy thee...

A question: does anyone of you dear readers have any Regency costume? I wonder, because it might be a good investment, even just as a memorabilia...

Pic: Andrea Galer's regency costume from JA Centre UK. Is it not a beauty?

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 108 by Linda

In Emma, Chapter 8, we find Emma and Mr. Knightley discussing the fact that Harriet has refused Mr. Martin. Emma observes:

Oh! to be sure," cried Emma, "it is always incomprehensible to a man that a woman should ever refuse an offer of marriage. A man always imagines a woman to be ready for anybody who asks her."

"Nonsense! a man does not imagine any such thing. But what is the meaning of this? Harriet Smith refuse Robert Martin? madness, if it is so; but I hope you are mistaken."

Emma states a point of view that I happen to agree with, but then Mr. Knightley says it isn’t so! Whom am I to believe? Perhaps there is a bit of truth in both, depending on the individuals involved? Hmm. Miss Austen always gives us some ‘food for thought’.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Cover to Emma 1996 DVD (Beckinsale). Kate was so cute there!

Quote of the week - Week 107

I realised that we have not used a quote from Sense and Sensibility for a while so thought that I would base this weeks quote on Marianne Dashwood. I have personally always loved her; I feel a special connection with her character. I think it may be because Sense and Sensibility was the first Jane Austen novel I read when I was very young and impressionable - her sensibility just stuck with me.

This quote is from the closing pages of the novel in chapter 50 after Marianne and Colonel Brandon and Elinor and Edward have been brought together:

"Marianne Dashwood was born to an extraordinary fate. She was born to discover the falsehood of her own opinions, and to counteract by her conduct her most favorite maxims. She was born to overcome an affection formed so late in life as at seventeen, and with no sentiment superior to strong esteem and lively friendship, voluntarily to give her hand to another."

"Colonel Brandon was now as happy as all those who best loved him believed he deserved to be; -- in Marianne he was consoled for every past affliction; -- her regard and her society restored his mind to animation, and his spirits to cheerfulness; and that Marianne found her own happiness in forming his, was equally the persuasion and delight of each observing friend. Marianne could never love by halves; and her whole heart became, in time, as much devoted to her husband, as it had once been to Willoughby."

Firstly I like Jane's use of the word 'fate' - Marianne has the esteem and strength to finally become wiser after her experience of the hurt and betrayal of Willoughby. I love the second part of the quote, particularly the image of Marianne restoring animation in Colonel Brandon's life; what a wonderful ability! I think that the reason I love Marianne is because she never could love by halves and this liveliness and bravery makes her truly admirable in my opinion.

Pic: Marianne Dashwood- Kate Winslet

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 106

This week I shall pull a quote from Miss Austen’s letter to niece Fanny Knight on 13 March 1816. Since all my JA resources are either in Bali or Queensland (and I’m neither there), I count on Pemberley.com’s archives of Brabourne letter collection.

To you I shall say, as I have often said before, Do not be in a hurry, the right man will come at last; you will in the course of the next two or three years meet with somebody more generally unexceptionable than anyone you have yet known, who will love you as warmly as possible, and who will so completely attach you that you will feel you never really loved before.

This was a letter, not a novel, which surprised me because at the dusk of her life, Jane Austen was still a believer of love. Some people might think cynically that she was no longer a believer of love as she grew older, but I disagree. I think Jane was still very much a believer; which is a delight considering her plight as a spinster in those days.

I guess in many ways, I am also a believer of love. Otherwise, why would I (or Team Jane) rummage through JA’s collection every week and present something for us all? Even though love is often hidden or elusive, I believe it’s still here.

Oh, and I found the inspiration to use this letter after reading Alexandra Potter’s Me and Mr Darcy. A very funny chick-lit, one that finished satisfactorily (to me, at least), such that I hope I can do Ms Potter justice by writing a review about it soon enough. The trouble with going to another town to visit relatives and friends is… too many relatives and friends to visit, hence not much time for literacy delight…

Pic: Watercolour picture of Fanny Knight by Cassandra Austen, from JAcourses UK

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 105 By Linda

In Chapter 7 of Emma we find another tidbit of advice about marriage where Emma and Harriet are discussing the merits of Mr. Martin:

"Thank you, thank you, my own sweet little friend. We will not be parted. A woman may not marry a man merely because she is asked, or because he is attached to her, and can write a tolerable letter."

You may wish to look back at this previous quote to get the full picture: Quote of the week 97

In other words, there are several, meaning many, things to look into if you want a successful marriage. Sigh, wish I had known that!

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Austenprose

A Carriage Ride in Queen's Square - Piano Music & CD

From my latest edition of Jane Austen's Regency World, I have been made aware of a wonderful gift/present for yourself if you are lucky enough to demonstrate musical talent.

It is a book of piano pieces with cd related to Bath at the time when Jane Austen lived there. There are original compositions from the great-great-grandaughter of Jane Austen's niece, Fanny Knight.

For more information and details for ordering, see the link below:
http://giftshop.janeausten.co.uk/acatalog/info_565.html


Pic: Jane Austen Centre giftshop

Jane Austen Quote of the week - Week 104 - By Linda

Beauty versus Brains from Emma, Chapter 5:

Here we continue the conversation between Mr. Knightley and Mrs. Weston concerning Emma and Harriet where Mr. Knightley says:

But Harriet Smith -- I have not half done about Harriet Smith. I think her the very worst sort of companion that Emma could possibly have. She knows nothing herself, and looks upon Emma as knowing every thing. She is a flatterer in all her ways; and so much the worse, because undesigned. Her ignorance is hourly flattery. How can Emma imagine she has any thing to learn herself, while Harriet is presenting such a delightful inferiority? And as for Harriet, I will venture to say that she cannot gain by the acquaintance. Hartfield will only put her out of conceit with all the other places she belongs to. She will grow just refined enough to be uncomfortable with those among whom birth and circumstances have placed her home. I am much mistaken if Emma's doctrines give any strength of mind, or tend at all to make a girl adapt herself rationally to the varieties of her situation in life. They only give a little polish."

"I either depend more upon Emma's good sense than you do, or am more anxious for her present comfort; for I cannot lament the acquaintance. How well she looked last night!"

"Oh! you would rather talk of her person than her mind, would you? Very well; I shall not attempt to deny Emma's being pretty."

"Pretty! say beautiful rather. Can you imagine any thing nearer perfect beauty than Emma altogether -- face and figure?"

"I do not know what I could imagine, but I confess that I have seldom seen a face or figure more pleasing to me than her's. But I am a partial old friend."

This conversation leads us to believe that Miss Austen knew the value of womankind having ‘brains’ as well as ‘beauty’. In other words women should have brains in order to make a contribution to the world and not exist only to be a ‘trophy wife’ or a piece of ‘eye candy’.

This topic brings to mind the words of Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice when she declines Mr. Collins proposal:

Do not consider me now as an elegant female, intending to plague you, but as a rational creature, speaking the truth from her heart."

Shouldn’t we all be ‘rational creatures’?

Linda the Librarian

Pic 1: Emma and Harriet- Austenprose

Pic 2: Elizabeth and Mr Collins

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 103

As the sun has finally shown itself in the UK the last few days, I thought I would pick a quote from Chapter 9 of Mansfield Park. Edmund, Miss Crawford and Fanny are walking and Edmund comments that he believes Fanny is tired. She replies:

"I shall soon be rested," said Fanny; "to sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure, is the most perfect refreshment."

This is exactly how I feel at the moment. I think there is something very special about a bright spring or summers day. Its just so natural and uplifting. Life is blossoming and the air is fresh. It really is special.

Pic : Pemberley Website

Jane Austen Quote Week 102

Dearest freinds,

This week’s quote is taken from Mansfield Park, a very famous one I take it. Mansfield Park, Volume I Chapter 10:

Dinner was soon followed by tea and coffee, a ten miles' drive home allowed no waste of hours; and from the time of their sitting down to table, it was a quick succession of busy nothings till the carriage came to the door, and Mrs. Norris, having fidgeted about, and obtained a few pheasants' eggs and a cream cheese from the housekeeper, and made abundance of civil speeches to Mrs. Rushworth, was ready to lead the way.


Fanny Price (Frances O’Connor) also uttered the adapted version of this line in MP 1999 (my favourite so far):

Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings

Indeed, it was yesterday when I wrote my diary and realised it was April 2010 already! And of course – as many of you – I also felt like I was doing nothing. Where did the time go?

But take heart, ladies and gents. The best way to counter that wretched voice that says that you have not accomplished many (if not at all) is to list one by one your achievement this year, these three months, or whatever time frame you choose. It may only be 1-2 things, but if they are indeed of substances…that is encouraging, is it not?

For instance, the last three months since January, I’ve been doing a lot, and I mean truly and honestly aplenty dosage of contemplation and healing. I’ve uncovered many layers that I did not realise I had (have) until my inner digging. That’s one thing, but very important for me.

So go on now, take a piece of paper and make a counter-argument of your own belief that you have done nothing the last few [whatever time you choose]. It’s fun, and uplifting!

Pic: Johannes Vermeer’s famous Milkmaid

Jane Austen Festival of Australia!

My Lords, Ladies and Gents,

It is with a great pleasure I - very belatedly - announce the upcoming Jane Austen Festival in... yes... in Australia! April 15 to 19, 2010 that is... so any Jane Austen fans in Australia, be ready to depart to Canberra!

The delightful event of Jane Austen Festival Australia is orchestrated by Earthly Delights, yet alas I shall not be able to attend, for I am required elsewhere to conduct my field work...

But do deliver us some first hand reports of this exciting event. I shall be honoured to post them here in our dearest blog. Several events I would personally be interested in attending are:

Friday, 16 April 2010
Dressing Jane Austen Fashion Exhibition
Country Dances from Jane Austen's Day
Dances from Jane Austen Movies (dance workshop)
Friday Evening Formal Event, incl. Jane Austen's Music & the felicities of dance

Saturday, 17 April 2010
Dressing Jane Austen Fashion Exhibition
More Country Dances from Jane Austen's Day (dance workshop)
Quadrille Dances from Jane Austen's Day

Sunday, 18 April 2010
Dressing Jane Austen Fashion Exhibition
Costumed Promenade: starting at 10.30am
How to Talk Regency with William Steed
Regency Dance Manuals

I suppose I just have to arrange my own trip to Canberra sometime this year to have a crash course of Regency Dance...

Pic: Regency dancers, from Eartly Delights

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 101 by Linda

We have more from Emma in Chapter 5, still between Mr. Knightley and Mrs. Weston:

"Yes," said he, smiling. "You are better placed here; very fit for a wife, but not at all for a governess. But you were preparing yourself to be an excellent wife all the time you were at Hartfield. You might not give Emma such a complete education as your powers would seem to promise; but you were receiving a very good education from her, on the very material matrimonial point of submitting your own will, and doing as you were bid; and if Weston had asked me to recommend him a wife, I should certainly have named Miss Taylor."

It is so strange that this sentence in bold should arise just now, because I have been investigating these last few years the question as to what made me a ‘doormat’. Well, just lately I stumbled across this book titled “The Doormat Syndrome”. I read the blurb HERE and decided that I must read the entire book!

What is most remarkable is that, according to Mr. Knightley, a ‘doormat’ was what made a ‘good wife’ back then! Personally, I think there is more to the matter than that.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: cover to Emma, Wordsworth Classic edition

Comment moderation

Ladies and Gents... I have to make this short announcement. Unfortunately, our blog is also targeted by spams... and I had to spend the last 20 min deleting more than 10 spam comments from our blog. There are some more that I forgot to delete in the past, and I have to do that soon.

Hence, I'm now setting the comment moderation in our blog. I hate to do that, for it limits the willingness for some people to post comment, and also takes my time (or Rachel's), but that's the best thing to prevent these spamming. Unless some of you who are more adept in IT can tell me how to filter unwanted spams from blog messages.

Until further notice, I hope it doesn't stop you from dropping by and saying hi.

New banner!

I love this new banner from Maria (Sweden) so much! Thanks a lot Maria!


And I'm waiting for my Emma 2009 DVD... hope it comes soon... I can't always watch it on YT, and I want to support Austen/BBC...

Update 24 March 2010:

Maria also kindly made some wallpapers with the same beautiful theme (but different flower at the corner).


They can be downloaded here:

For 1680x1050px: http://www.4shared.com/file/247391634/a00b2430/BJ_WP_1680x1050.html

For 1280x800px: http://www.4shared.com/file/247391630/a766e029/BJ_WP_1280x800.html
For 1024x768px: http://www.4shared.com/file/247391292/b48ec153/BJ_WP_1024x768.html

Thanks ever so, Maria!

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 100

Wow! We're at our 100th quote! And two days ago I had my 36th birthday, so I was looking for something birthday-ish... but haven't found something suitable until 5 min ago (hence the almost belated installment for Australia and New Zealand...). Anyway. I've pulled out something from Emma, at the end of Chapter 31 after she talked to Harriet re: Mr. Elton's marriage. Here for the first time Emma realised how affectionate Harriet was.

"There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart," said she afterwards to herself. "There is nothing to be compared to it. Warmth and tenderness of heart, with an affectionate, open manner, will beat all the clearness of head in the world, for attraction, I am sure it will."

And it is true, ladies and gents. I had many things to do (work-wise) on my birthday, but I was surrounded by so many beautiful friends, online, offline and physical... that I felt so lucky and grateful for such a wonderful birthday. My office is still fragrant because of a bunch of pink lilies my office friends gave me. While I typed this, I was looking at beautiful bday cards my friends sent/gave me, and again, I can only thank their beautiful tender hearts for making me so happy.

The picture is a red orchid, mine, which currently resides at my friend's garden in Bali (for I can't take care of it here...). Another friend gave it to me six years ago, during my 30th birthday, a few days after I had a major surgery, and it always blossoms regularly since then. Last time it blossomed (probably still) was a few days ago. Very beautiful...

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 99 - by Linda

In Emma Chapter 5:

Mrs. Weston and Mr. Knightley are discussing the merits of Emma having Harriet as a friend. Mrs. Weston thought it was beneficial to Emma, but Mr. Knightley disagreed. Consequently, Mrs. Weston said:

"Mr. Weston would undoubtedly support me, if he were here, for he thinks exactly as I do on the subject. We were speaking of it only yesterday, and agreeing how fortunate it was for Emma, that there should be such a girl in Highbury for her to associate with. Mr. Knightley, I shall not allow you to be a fair judge in this case. You are so much used to live alone, that you do not know the value of a companion; and perhaps no man can be a good judge of the comfort a woman feels in the society of one of her own sex, after being used to it all her life. I can imagine your objection to Harriet Smith. She is not the superior young woman which Emma's friend ought to be. But on the other hand as Emma wants to see her better informed, it will be an inducement to her to read more herself. They will read together. She means it, I know."

The sentence in bold speaks volumes about Jane and Cassandra’s relationship. I cannot speak for our Gentlemen friends, but as a woman, I know the value of my close, personal, ‘lady’ friends and I would not like to be without their company. They are all as close as “sisters” could ever be. We can share our trials, as well as the good times. Each of us has an area of interest, and expertise that contribute to our mutual information, knowledge, and education which broadens our horizons. I am ever so grateful for them. We should remember to say “Thank You” more often.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Mrs. Weston (Greta Sacchi) and Emma (Gwyneth Palthrow) in Emma 1996, taken from Janitesonthejames

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 98

Rather than succumbing to the usual laziness of vaguely remembering quotes in my head and then researching on the internet for the full details, this week I thought I would dig out my copy of Love and Friendship (alternative spelling of Freindship) as it is work by Jane Austen's that we rarely speak about. Its hilarious. Upon reading it again whilst sitting on the train this week, I was laughing out loud. Its amazing to think that she wrote this when she was only 14 years old.

The short novel is a series of letters. One of the main characters, Laura, acts as narrator for the first part of the juvenilia piece.

Laura was married to Edward and through him met his friend Augustus and his wife Sophia. In a very short summary, Augustus is arrested for not paying his debts and Edward goes to town and never comes back. Laura and Sophia flee to Scotland to stay with some of Sophia's relatives. Here is where the passage I have chosen is spoken. They have been walking and take a rest at the side of the road next to a stream.

"Alas why are not Edward and Augustus here to enjoy its Beauties with us?"

"Ah! my beloved Laura (cried Sophia) for pity's sake forbear recalling to my remembrance the unhappy situation of my imprisoned Husband. Alas, what would I not give to learn the fate of my Augustus! to know if he is still in Newgate, or if he is yet hung. But never shall I be able so far to conquer my tender sensibility as to enquire after him. Oh! do not I beseech you ever let me again hear you repeat his beloved name--. It affects me too deeply --. I cannot bear to hear him mentioned it wounds my feelings."

"Excuse me my Sophia for having thus unwillingly offended you--" replied I--and then changing the conversation, desired her to admire the noble Grandeur of the Elms which sheltered us from the Eastern Zephyr. "Alas! my Laura (returned she) avoid so melancholy a subject, I intreat you. Do not again wound my Sensibility by observations on those elms. They remind me of Augustus. He was like them, tall, magestic--he possessed that noble grandeur which you admire in them."

I was silent, fearfull lest I might any more unwillingly distress her by fixing on any other subject of conversation which might again remind her of Augustus.

"Why do you not speak my Laura? (said she after a short pause) "I cannot support this silence you must not leave me to my own reflections; they ever recur to Augustus."

"What a beautifull sky! (said I) How charmingly is the azure varied by those delicate streaks of white!"
"Oh! my Laura (replied she hastily withdrawing her Eyes from a momentary glance at the sky) do not thus distress me by calling my Attention to an object which so cruelly reminds me of my Augustus's blue sattin waistcoat striped in white! In pity to your unhappy freind avoid a subject so distressing." What could I do? The feelings of Sophia were at that time so exquisite, and the tenderness she felt for Augustus so poignant that I had not power to start any other topic, justly fearing that it might in some unforseen manner again awaken all her sensibility by directing her thoughts to her Husband. Yet to be silent would be cruel; she had intreated me to talk.

From this Dilemma I was most fortunately releived by an accident truly apropos; it was the lucky overturning of a Gentleman's Phaeton, on the road which ran murmuring behind us. It was a most fortunate accident as it diverted the attention of Sophia from the melancholy reflections which she had been before indulging

."

It is an unusual humour but I love Jane's use of shear mockery.

Pic: Love and Freindship cover

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 97 by Linda

Team Jane has kindly agreed to allow me to post a series from Emma as I am now reading through it. I thought it may be fun to see how many ‘gems’ we can find. I am overwhelmed already and I have hardly begun. It was necessary to read our previous posts to make sure I didn’t repeat any, so please bear with me as I begin our journey. For this series I will start in Chapter 4 where we find Emma and Harriet discussing Mr. Martin and Emma says:


"Only four-and-twenty. That is too young to settle. His mother is perfectly right not to be in a hurry. They seem very comfortable as they are, and if she were to take any pains to marry him, she would probably repent it. Six years hence, if he could meet with a good sort of young woman in the same rank as his own, with a little money, it might be very desirable."

"Six years hence! dear Miss Woodhouse, he would be thirty years old!"

"Well, and that is as early as most men can afford to marry, who are not born to an independence. Mr. Martin, I imagine, has his fortune entirely to make -- cannot be at all beforehand with the world. Whatever money he might come into when his father died, whatever his share of the family property, it is, I dare say, all afloat, all employed in his stock, and so forth; and though, with diligence and good luck, he may be rich in time, it is next to impossible that he should have realised any thing yet."


What I find interesting about the conversation is the attention to the details of being able to afford being married, because when I was at that stage, money was hardly discussed. It was all about ‘being in love’. The one thing I do remember is my Mother asking me when I announced my engagement is this: “Can he support you?” And quite frankly, it had not crossed my mind. I think we had only worked out the immediate details as to where to live, but there was no discussion about the long term.

The only other memory I have about this subject is when I was in college, my ‘old maid’ French professor said, “Marry someone who is your equal in education, religion, and financial status.” Since she was older and still unmarried, I paid little heed to her advice. Now I wish I had paid attention. She has a point, though some inequality may be tolerated, it should be noticed.

The paragraphs before and after the quote above go into quite a bit about the conventions of that day concerning the ‘mixing’ of the social classes. It seems that we can find a lesson or two on every page.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Jefferson Hall as Robert Martin in Emma 2009, from Photobucket

Jane Austen Quote Week 96

This week’s quote is from Persuasion, Volume I Chapter X where Anne Elliot was struggling to get her nephew Little Walter off her back, and suddenly Captain Wentworth came out of nowhere (well, not really, but you get what I mean) to help her.

In another moment, however, she found herself in the state of being released from him; some one was taking him from her, though he had bent down her head so much, that his little sturdy hands were unfastened from around her neck, and he was resolutely borne away, before she knew that Captain Wentworth had done it.

Her sensations on the discovery made her perfectly speechless. She could not even thank him. She could only hang over little Charles, with most disordered feelings. His kindness in stepping forward to her relief, the manner, the silence in which it had passed, the little particulars of the circumstance, with the conviction soon forced on her by the noise he was studiously making with the child, that he meant to avoid hearing her thanks, and rather sought to testify that her conversation was the last of his wants, produced such a confusion of varying, but very painful agitation, as she could not recover from…

I can feel Anne’s fluttering heart here. I don’t know… but I guess because I love children and I want to have at least one of my own, I think, feel that mature men who are child-friendly are very… charming. Appealing. I bet Anne also felt that way too, in addition to her being extra nervous to be in such a close proximity with the Captain...

What do you think?

Pic: Anne and Captain Wentworth kissing, from Donjuantriumph' Photobucket.