Jane Austen Quote of the Week 139
This week's quote is taken from Jane Austen's Letters (Le Fay 1995), p. 305.
Letter 132(D). To James Stanier Clarke
Monday 11 December 1815
Dec: 11.
Dear Sir
My Emma is now so near publication that I feel it right to assure You of my not having forgotten your kind recommendation of an early Copy for Cn H.-& that I have Mr Murray's promise of its being sent to HRH. under cover to You, three days previous to the Work being really out.-
I must make use of this opportunity to thank you dear Sir, for the very high praise you bestow on my other Novels - I am too vain to wish to convince you that you have praised them beyond their Merit.-
I am glad I found this letter, for it reminds me that every step of our success has been made with the help of others. Case in the point: I am to have my pre completion seminar for my postgraduate degree in a few days' time. While I was preparing my powerpoint slides yesterday, I realised that none of these would happen, I would have not been there to write my slides, had my respondents not allowed me to interview them. Had I not have amazing volunteers to help me, amazing supervisors to guide me, caring friends to comfort me... and my partner to catch me when I fell.
I realise now that when I stand to present my findings next Friday, I actually can only do so in the kindness of others. And for that, I sincerely thank them all. And I thank you all, dear friends, for accompanying us Team Jane this far.
Pic: My favourite Emma cover from Wordsworth edition
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2 comments:
While it may be true that we are born alone and we die alone..it's the in between that always counts. If we choose to go thru this world alone and not allow anyone to be there for us, then we are very sad indeed. But, when you let others in and let them help, it's amazing what happens! I think that Jane's father was it for her. How he trused and believed in her and her writing, I think, helped her mature into the writer she became. And look, over 200 years later and we're still talking about her because she's revelant. What she thought was revelant. What she felt was revelant. And it all started with her Father buying her paper. I'll bet she never thought she would STAY revelant. You just never know, when you let someone else help, what the outcome is going to be.
Good luck with your presentation and once again, thank all of you for keeping this site going. It's been a treasure.
Lis
it's the in between that always counts. If we choose to go thru this world alone and not allow anyone to be there for us, then we are very sad indeed. But, when you let others in and let them help, it's amazing what happens!
Thank you Lis for reminding me again. I've been so stressed these days with my presentation preparation, I often forgot to be grateful for others.
It's weird how we often become too proud to ask for help, and yet it is actually not the sign of weakness. Asking for help when you do need it I think takes a courage to do.
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