Jane Austen Quote of the Week 137 by Linda

For our Christmas quote this year, I searched Pride and Prejudice for a mention of Christmas. What I was particularly looking for was something that resembled what we do during the season in today's world. In Chapter 25 I found this instance where Mrs. Bennet's brother and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, are introduced:

On the following Monday Mrs. Bennet had the pleasure of receiving her brother and his wife, who came as usual to spend the Christmas at Longbourn...

The first part of Mrs. Gardiner's business on her arrival was to distribute her presents and describe the newest fashions...

Here we see two customs mentioned, namely, the family gathering and the giving of presents. As a matter of fact, that is what my family does even today.

"Christmas" is alluded to 5 times in P&P to indicate the time of year when something else occurred. So now I am happy that times haven't changed so very much in all these years.

We, here at the Becoming Jane Fansite, wish to take this opportunity to wish you all the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years!! Blessings to all.

Yrs affectionately,
Linda the Librarian

Pic: Regency family Christmas scene from Allposter.com

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 136

This week was meant to be Tom's turn but considering it was Jane's 235th birthday yesterday we thought that Tom would not mind if we recognised Jane instead!

I was looking for a quote that would link in nicely with Jane's birthday celebrations but I have found one which instead links in nicely with this time of year and the weather situation in the UK at the moment! As readers from the UK will know we have had our fair share of snow these past few weeks. I have heard alot of moaning and there is more due to arrive this weekend - I have found this lovely quote taken from a letter written by Jane to her sister Cassandra which echoes these views. The letter was written on December 2nd 1815 (two weeks before her birthday) at Hans Place (Henry Austen's home in London).


"I am sorry my mother has been suffering, and am afraid this exquisite weather is too good to agree with her. I enjoy it all over me, from top to toe, from right to left, longitudinally, perpendicularly, diagonally; and I cannot but selfishly hope we are to have it last till Christmas -- nice, unwholesome, unseasonable, relaxing, close, muggy weather."

I love the sense we get of her wanting to wrap herself up in the warm weather. She seems happy and I love the excitement in her tone. Such great use of adjectives in only two sentences. I am going to try to mimic the same excitement when I go out today in my coat, scarf, gloves and hat!

Happy Birthday Jane.

Pic: thesecretunderstandingofthehearts blog

Eliza de Feuillide at Jane Austen Centre UK!

Our deep gratitude once more to Laura Boyle of the Jane Austen Centre UK for using one of Becoming Jane Fansite articles in their prestigious website. This time, Eliza de Feuillide nee Hancock is the Christmas feature of the year. JA Centre has taken this article, excellently written by Rachel in July 2007 (dear Lord, that long ago?!).

Once again, thanks to Laura for the adaptation and Rachel for the article!

Pic: Eliza (Lucy Cohu) and Henry (Joe Anderson) in 'Becoming Jane' (2007)

Happy Birthday Jane!

Roxana reminded me that yesterday (Australian time) was Jane Austen's 235th birthday (thanks Roxana!). Since it's still 16 December in U.S., I can still safely wish Jane a very happy birthday without being ashamed of being late.

And Maria provided me with a Google picture of what looks like Jane Austen and Tom Lefroy here, so thanks to Maria as well!

More Austen dresses

Nicole from Etsy gave me this link to a very pretty dress (right side) that might be desirable for some of us. It's not truly faithful to Regency style, but still has a high empire waist and overall Regency look. For $10, it's a big bargain!

There are some more dresses in Etsy (search for 'Austen dress' or 'Regency dress'), but this blue velvety one also attracts me (left side). It's too hot for my city and I'm not fond of long sleeves, but who knows it fits Austenites in Northern hemisphere?

A beautiful painting of Austen dresses

I should stop visiting Etsy; but in my defense, if I didn't visit that place, I wouldn't find my Austen dress. There was another item I found a few days ago that I'd like to share: A very beautiful painting of Austen Dresses by Janet Hill. She's a very talented artist and I wish I have enough money to buy the original oil painting of this print; but I am certain another lucky soul has snatched it up to adorn her/his abode...

Oh how I wish I have those dresses... and opportunities to wear them!

Pic: 'Austen Dresses' by Janet Hill

The Jane Austen Made Me Do It Short Story Contest

In conjunction with the publication of the new anthology Jane Austen Made Me Do It, Ballantine Books, Austenprose.com, and The Republic of Pemberley are pleased to announce an online short story contest. Enter for a chance to win the Grand Prize: publication of your entry in the anthology – a collection of original short stories inspired by the life and works of popular English novelist Jane Austen (1775-1817). Hosted by the Jane Austen web site The Republic of Pemberley, the contest begins on January 1, 2011. Publication of Jane Austen Made Me Do It is tentatively scheduled for publication by Ballantine in Fall 2011.

Contest Highlights

· Eligibility: Previously unpublished U.S. residents over the age of 18
· Entries must be approximately 5,000 words in length
· Manuscript submission January 1 – February 13, 2011
· Voting for the Top Ten finalists February 14 - 28, 2011
· Top Ten finalists announced on March 1, 2011
· One Grand Prize winner receives $500.00 and a contract for publication in the anthology Jane Austen Made Me Do It
· Grand Prize winner announced Fall 2011 in conjunction with the official release by Ballantine Books (Random House, Inc.) of Jane Austen Made Me Do It

Jane Austen Made Me Do It contains more than twenty best-selling and popular authors who have contributed short stories inspired by Jane Austen, her novels and her philosophies of life and love. From historical continuations of her plots and characters to contemporary spinoffs and comedies, the stories encapsulate what we love about our favorite author: romance, social satire and witty humor. Contributing to the line-up are best-selling authors Karen Joy Fowler (The Jane Austen Book Club), Adriana Trigiani (Brava, Valentine), Lauren Willig (The Pink Carnation series), Laurie Viera Rigler (The Jane Austen Addict series), Syrie James (The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen), Stephanie Barron (Being A Jane Austen Mystery series), and the husband and wife writing team of Frank Delaney (Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show) and Diane Meier (The Season of Second Chances). Many Austenesque authors and others from related genres have also contributed stories to the project. One spot in the anthology remains open for the lucky Grand Prize winner.

The anthology’s editor, Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose.com, is very excited at the prospect of discovering the next star in the burgeoning sub-genre of Jane Austen sequels and inspired books. “Jane Austen has been inspiring writers for close to two hundred years. It seems quite fitting that she should be the witty muse of our anthology and short story contest. Encouraging writing and discovering new talent is in spirit with her true legacy. I am ‘all anticipation’ of what will develop, and am honored to be part of the selection team.”

Visit the official Jane Austen Made Me Do It Short Story Contest web page for official contest rules and eligibility requirements. Best of luck to all entrants.

“[S]uppose as much as you chuse; give a loose to your fancy, indulge your imagination in every possible flight which the subject will afford.” Elizabeth Bennet, Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 60

Another Austen dress for sale!

Oh, I found another Austen dress for sale in Etsy! Click here for the said Etsy shop. I bought mine from the same shop. This green dress looks stunning, particularly with the mock buttons (authentic Regency dresses have real buttons at the back), but this lady has promised to shop no more, hence this lovely green Regency dress can be another lady's companion. Besides, green is not really my colour...

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 135

Actually, it is my turn to do a Tom quote this week but having re-watched Pride and Prejudice (both 1995 and 2005) this week, I want to do a PP quote. I hope dearest Rachel will cover a Tom quote for us next week.

This PP quote was taken from Volume III Chapter I (Chapter 43), directly taken from Pemberley.com. Elizabeth and the Gardiners were visiting Pemberley for the first time. They were very impressed by the sight of the great house and the following was her first thought:

"And of this place,'' thought she, "I might have been mistress! With these rooms I might now have been familiarly acquainted! Instead of viewing them as a stranger, I might have rejoiced in them as my own, and welcomed to them as visitors my uncle and aunt. -- But no,'' -- recollecting herself, -- "that could never be: my uncle and aunt would have been lost to me: I should not have been allowed to invite them.'' This was a lucky recollection -- it saved her from something like regret.

Then, we fast forward to after Lizzy and Darcy confessed their love to each other. That night, Jane asked Lizzy when she knew that she loved Mr Darcy (Volume III Chapter 17/Chapter 59).

"My dearest sister, now be serious. I want to talk very seriously. Let me know every thing that I am to know, without delay. Will you tell me how long you have loved him?''

"It has been coming on so gradually, that I hardly know when it began. But I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley.''

Another intreaty that she would be serious, however, produced the desired effect; and she soon satisfied Jane by her solemn assurances of attachment. When convinced on that article, Miss Bennet had nothing farther to wish.

"Now I am quite happy,'' said she, "for you will be as happy as myself. I always had a value for him. Were it for nothing but his love of you, I must always have esteemed him; but now, as Bingley's friend and your husband, there can be only Bingley and yourself more dear to me. But Lizzy, you have been very sly, very reserved with me. How little did you tell me of what passed at Pemberley and Lambton! I owe all that I know of it to another, not to you.''

I have no doubt that Lizzy loved Darcy instead of his money. But there is another question here: Did the grandeur of Pemberley add to her increased acceptance of Darcy? Bearing in mind that it wouldn’t hurt to marry well as long as she loved him first and foremost?

Or at least, did Jane Austen herself tease us here? She was never in a good financial situation, but she wouldn’t marry if not for love. Hence it was natural for her to make her heroines marrying for love… with another benefit: rich and prospective husbands.

Pic: Pemberley in PP 1995

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 134

This week's quote was provided by Linda. It is a Jane quote, but it is heavily related to Tom Lefroy. Enjoy!

JA Letter to Cassandra, Saturday 9 - Sunday 10 January 1796:

" . . . I am almost afraid to tell you how my Irish friend and I behaved. Imagine to yourself everything most profligate and shocking in the way of dancing and sitting down together."

Using the Memoir as a reference, I hope to point to some information contained therein, but not as a quoted passage as we have been doing here. This information answers a question that has been on my mind for quite a while.

Jane Austen has been quoted as calling Tom "her Irish friend". I accepted that without question until one day it hit me that his uncle and aunt Lefroy were in England thereby making them "English". That led me to do some digging for their 'roots' to find out just who they were.

In chapter 1 of the Memoir we find this place named: Cambray, Netherlands and Flanders. So I tried looking that up on a map, as a matter of fact several maps, only to find that the area changed nationality several times. Then Tom's father ended up in Ireland in the army where he chose to remain until his death. Now Tom's mother was from Ireland which makes our Tom at least half Irish. So deducting from all that information, since Tom was born in Ireland, lived in Ireland, and his mother was an Irish native of Doonass in the County of Clare, we might get away with calling him "Irish" also.

I guess my problem is that I was looking for a truly Irish persona and now I discover that he is only half 'Irish'. This is of interest to me since I became interested in discovering my own roots. Needless to say I was surprised to find out that this "American" is "English" with one "German" thrown in for good measure. So what does that make me? Your guess is as good as mine.

One other item that the Memoir is sure to shed some light on is the financial situation of Tom's family. I shall be taking notes on that subject also as I read, mainly because all those bios of Jane want to claim that he was too 'poor' to marry Jane. I believe there is more to the story than that. So this group of posts is 'to be continued' as we look into 'Tom'.

Yrs aff'ly,
Linda the Librarian

Pic: Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy) and Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway), 'Becoming Jane'

Crack myself on a Jane Austen dress!

Forgive my indulgence Ladies and Gents... but I have a story to tell. I know this humble Jane Austen fan who could not help herself when she saw a beautiful 1960s empire dress that resembled a Regency dress being sold on an online shop called Etsy (weird shopping habits, these creatures of the 21st CE!). She must have it, although not at any cost (what with being a student), and after much deliberation (which lasted only a few minutes actually), she bought it!

In her defense, she had been searching for a decent Austen dress which would not make her ample bosoms look larger and would still fit her rather uhm... healthy frame. Several talented dress makers in Ebay (that is another online site, weird 21st CE citizens, very accessible through the famous Google Avenue!) have tempted her in the past, only to have her deterred by the excessive price (of over $100!). In recollection, it is only fair that we must forgive this rather reckless young lady, for indeed she had done her homework of researching better prices in the past, to no avail of course. Also we must consider her plan to visit a certain dear Miss Kingston in Surrey en route visiting Chawton and Bath, and what dress more proper to wear than this (old but) new blue 60s dress?


Do forgive her, Ladies and Gents... for she promises that she would publish the weekly quote in time this week (after one dear Mrs Fern supplies her one). And she solemnly promises not to be so impulsive in purchasing any other Regency artifacts next time, lest she would not have the means to visit the aforementioned Miss Kingston!

Jane Austen Quote of the week - Week 133

I have chosen a quote from a conversation between Catherine and Henry in chapter 16 of Northanger Abbey.

“With you, it is not, How is such a one likely to be influenced, What is the inducement most likely to act upon such a person’s feelings, age, situation, and probable habits of life considered — but, How should I be influenced, What would be my inducement in acting so and so?”

“I do not understand you.”

“Then we are on very unequal terms, for I understand you perfectly well.”

“Me? Yes; I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.”

I chose this quote as I have recently been in the company of too many people who think it clever to over complicate language with the aim of making themselves seem more superior. I love Catherine's retort here and I think it highlights how sometimes intentions can be expressed alot clearer when put simply. I think that the world is filled with overcomplications.

Pic: Henry and Catherine

Tom Lefroy Quote Week 2

For the second quote of Tom Lefroy this weekend, I chose the opening paragraph from a letter he wrote to his eldest daughter Jane Christmas Lefroy. From the Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy p. 31, noting that Thomas Lefroy (TLL’s son) only disclosed the initial of Jane’s Christian name instead of her full name. The date was not clear either; but perhaps because I read the digital version. I shall peruse the print out copy tomorrow at the office and recheck the correct date. It must be around 1810 though, for Tom Lefroy alluded that Jane Christmas was still very young (she was born in 1802) and in the early stage of learning how to write a letter.

Limerick, Monday.

MY DARLING J---, Your letter gave me great pleasure; it was fairly written, well worded and no mistakes in the spelling; and I hope, by employing your time regularly between this and the next time I leave home, you’ll be able to correspond with me on subjects of more importance. Believe me, my darling girl, there is no progress to be made in anything without steady and continued application, which, besides the advantages it brings in the way of improvement, makes labour pleasant from habit instead of being irksome, as it always is to the idle and irresolute. A saunterer when young, continues a saunterer through life.

I particularly love the two last sentences, although I enjoyed the affection Tom Lefroy clearly had for his eldest daughter. A saunterer when young, continues a saunterer through life. He certainly knew how to motivate a child for the better…

Pic: 'Snow Child' by Hilda Boswell

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 133

I have chosen a quote from chapter 21 of Persuasion. Anne and Mrs Smith are discussing Mr Elliot and his desire to marry a woman solely for her wealth. Mrs Smith explains that her husband was good friends with him and tells Anne how Mr Elliot ruined her husband. My particular quote is taken from the part where Anne is learning why Mr Elliot knew so much about her (she learns it was from discussions with Mrs Smith):

What wild imaginations one forms where dear self is concerned! How sure to be mistaken!

I found that this quote resonated well with me. I am frequently told that I think too much and analyse every situation rather unnecessarily. I do think it is natural to formulate wild imaginations when concerning self, particularly when holding a measure of insecurity, and this may be exaggerated in some more than others. Often these imaginings are not a true reflection of the situation and we find ourselves mistaken. I like that Jane has once again made an accurate observation of human behaviour.

Pic: Anne Elliot

Tom Lefroy Quote of the Week 1

This week I wish to return to our study of dear Tom Lefroy by looking in the Memoir for a bit. I do think more attention is deserved to some particular details that were possibly overlooked by others (and I won't mention any "lit critters" by name).

Let us begin at the beginning – namely the first paragraph of the Preface found in the "Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy", by his son, Thomas Lefroy, M.A., Q.C., Published 1871.

The following Memoir of the Right Honourable Thomas Langlois Lefroy, late Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, has been written, not so much as a record of his public career as of those traits of character which, in private life, endeared him to all who had the privilege of enjoying his society; and in the hope that the bright example he has left behind, in the unswerving consistency of his political principles, the simplicity of his Christian faith, and his deep humility, may be blessed to many who knew him not while here. To those who did know him it will be interesting to retrace some of the steps of one who, through all the arduous duties of professional, political, and judicial life, seemed to live in constant communion with Him who was the source of that singularly unruffled peace of mind which characterized his whole career.
I particularly wanted to quote this in order to set the tone for further insight to the "real" Tom Lefroy. Yes, I know that one is supposed to speak (or write) nice things about those who have passed on, but I wish to believe that the above is true in all aspects as our future searches and quotes will bear witness. So stay tuned!

You may see a reference to the Memoir on amazon Here. Other Lefroy sources include a book titled "Notes and documents relating to the family of Loffroy" by a cadet [J.H. Lefroy] which is online HERE. Geez, are there any more that would shed light on our dear Tom and the Life and Times of those days? Do let us know.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Thomas Langlois Lefroy by George Engleheart

Icha's note:
Starting from this week, we start coding the Tom Lefroy quotes separately. This week is Week One of Tom Lefroy Quote. We will alternate with Jane Austen quotes every other week or so; the next Jane Austen Quote will be JA Quote of the Week 133.

Lovely Becoming Jane wallpapers

I found two elegant BJ wallpapers from fanpop.com here and here, and thought that I'd like to share them with you. Click the two links for higher resolutions.


I'm not sure who created them, but I thank him/her nonetheless. So poetic. Methinks I shall watch an Austen DVD tonight...

'Pride and Prejudice' fetches 140,000 pounds at auction

From the Times of India (Nov 1, 2010, 01.35am IST):

LONDON: A copy of the first edition of Jane Austen's romantic novel " Pride and Prejudice" has fetched 139,250 pounds at an auction in Britain, more than 150,000 times its original price.

The book, when first published in three volumes in 1813, cost 18 shillings - just 90 pence in today's money. The masterpiece, in which the heroine Elizabeth Bennet falls for the dashing Fitzwilliam Darcy, has since sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, according to the Daily Mail.

The book was among 149 volumes sold by London-based auction house Sotheby's for an anonymous 75-year-old collector, raising more than 3.1 million pounds.

The auction also included a signed first edition of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, which went for 181,250 pounds.

An 1847 first edition of Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" fetched 163,250 pounds, more than double its estimated price.

A collection of poems by William Shakespeare published in 1640 sold for 135,250 pounds and Charles Darwin's "On The Origin Of The Species" fetched 127,250 pounds.

A 1922 edition of "Ulysses" by James Joyce went for 121,250 pounds and Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" from 1818 fetched 115,250 pounds, the report said.

Sotheby's Peter Selley said it took the wealthy collector 45 years to amass his "extraordinary library". "The quality drew bids from around the world," he was quoted as saying.

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 132

I chose a quote about friendship today, from Pride and Prejudice Volume I Chapter 23. It was after Lizzy and Charlotte had an argument about Charlotte’s decision to marry Mr Collins. The quotes were directly taken from Pemberley.

Between Elizabeth and Charlotte there was a restraint which kept them mutually silent on the subject; and Elizabeth felt persuaded that no real confidence could ever subsist between them again. Her disappointment in Charlotte made her turn with fonder regard to her sister, of whose rectitude and delicacy she was sure her opinion could never be shaken, and for whose happiness she grew daily more anxious, as Bingley had now been gone a week, and nothing was heard of his return.


It was a while before Lizzy’s friendship with Charlotte was restored; a few months after Charlotte’s wedding when Lizzy eventually visited her friend in Kent. There and then, the restrain was lessened and the two women became friends again.

I have a very different situation at the moment, but somehow it got me into thinking of Charlotte and Lizzy. I have a dear friend, who recently has not been in communication with me (although we live in the same town). Just today I realised that she perhaps truly started to separate her life from mine, for we hardly ever shared girl stuffs anymore, let alone friendly secrets.

I’m sad about it. I tried to think of my mistakes that forced her to distance herself from me. I'm sure there were mistakes, it takes two to tango, but I only saw them as misunderstanding. However, upon a careful consultation with another friend, I realised that people also change. Perchance, she does not see that her intimate friendship with me as nourishing her anymore. Things happen I guess; she’s busy with her own life, I’m with mine… and although I missed our girl talks, I must accept that she might have chosen a different path now. One that doesn’t necessarily include me.

I hope one day our friendship can be restored, or at least getting better. I hope I am shown my mistakes and shall never repeat it in the future, and vice versa for her. But if we have cleared the deck and we still cannot find common grounds anymore, I hope that I am receptive enough to let her go to live her new life, knowing that I shall always help her if it is within my capabilities.

Pic: Charlotte Lucas and Mr Collins talking to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, from Pemberley

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 131 by Linda

In Emma, Chapter 12, there is a mystery lurking for me. Maybe someone can shed some light on it for me. It seems that Emma is interjecting something to change the subject in the course of conversation. Here is the quote:

"I did not thoroughly understand what you were telling your brother," cried Emma, "about your friend Mr. Graham's intending to have a bailiff from Scotland, to look after his new estate. But will it answer? Will not the old prejudice be too strong?"

I am in the dark about the meaning of “the old prejudice be too strong”. The only thing I can think of is that the English harbor a prejudice of some kind against the Scottish. I get the sense that this must be the case, but is this really true? And if so, what is the nature of it?

Speaking of prejudices, I grew up with a certain prejudice which I overcame in my later years. What I discovered is that there is some good in the worst of us and some bad in the best of us. Also, wherever I travelled it seems that each group carried a prejudice against another group in the area. I learned to take each person on their own merit instead of simply lumping them all together. That’s my philosophy and I’m sticking to it!

I had to do a bit of research to discover what Emma meant by using the term ‘bailiff’. Wikepedia included this definition which I suspect comes closest to what she was speaking of. “Under the manorial system a bailiff was in charge of superintending the cultivation of the manor.”

So, if anyone can shed some light on this topic, I would be most grateful. And by the way, I am mostly English with one ancestor of Scottish origin and another one of German origin. No wonder I am always fighting with myself. ;-)

Yrs aff’ly,
Linda the Librarian

Pic: Kate Beckinsale's Emma

Becoming Jane fanfic section in Fanfiction.net

I just found out that Fanfiction.net actually has a section for Becoming Jane the movie alone. It's here, and it has 26 stories there. Our Maria from Sweden is one the most prolific authoresses (if not THE most prolific one), I beleive, with 44 chapters (I Remember Love) and 303 reviews! Well done, Maria!

I think what I want to say is that it's been more than 3.5 years since I saw the movie in April 2007, but the movie still has followers and inspires many writers. Good job, Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy! And good job for Jane Austen and Tom Lefroy as well, in that sense.