Jane Austen Quote Week 153

This week's quote is taken from Jane Austen's letter #22 (25 October 1800), written to Cassandra from Steventon:

The weather does not know how to be otherwise than fine.

Oh how I hope it shall be true for our friends in Midwestern USA where our dearest Linda lives. The weather there has been very terrible and it even cost life. Linda's town and her good self seem to be alright, but of course it is sad indeed to see the terrible news from that region, and from all around the world too (Iceland, for example).

I hope that we humans are wiser now and shall be more friendly towards our planet. I do believe that if we take care of the Earth, the Earth shall take care of us.

Picture: Emma (Romola Garai) in her umbrella

Anne Hathaway visited the JA Centre in Bath!

Thanks to Linda for the lovely news, we found that Anne Hathaway visited the Jane Austen Centre in Bath! Awww... reminds me of the old time of watching the movie and crying over Jane and Tom...

The May Newsletter
Well, what an exciting month it has been here! Firstly, we had Anne Hathaway unexpectedly visit us at the Centre. She was absolutely lovely and signed a book for us. Then of course we’ve had the Royal Wedding. Did you watch it? I was there on the Mall! Now, if only Prince Harry would marry Pippa Middleton we could have a real life ‘Pride & Prejudice’ moment . . .

Pic: Anne Hathaway as our dearest Jane Austen in 'Becoming Jane'

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 152

I have chosen a quote from Northanger Abbey.


"Catherine would make a sad, heedless young house-keeper to be sure," was her mother's foreboding remark; but quick was the consolation of there being nothing like practice."


This stood out for me personally this week - over the last month I have attended a few meditation classes as it is a skill that has always seemed impossible for me, I just cannot rest my busy mind. I know it would benefit me and enrich my life but I find it so hard to focus and this agitates me. I went again last night and I saw it in a different way, there is no pressure, I will find it easier with time and practice - there really is nothing like practice.

Pic: Catherine Morland, Northanger Abbey

Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy in Amazon

Following the announcement we made over a year ago (geez... that long?), we'd like to inform you gentle readers that the Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy is available in Amazon in a very lovely cover. It was published by Nabu Press in August 2010.

It's definitely a good price for an ancient book. And I cannot help thinking that our continuous discussions on Tom Lefroy has helped the publishing of this book. Perchance... the Radovici book might be reprinted as well one day?

Pic: Cover to the Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy from Amazon

Tom Lefroy Quote - Week 8

For our Tom quote this week, I have taken a small excerpt from a letter to his wife found in the "Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy." The letter begins on page 28 where we find this report of his studies while traveling by coach:

"I read over and compared most part of the Epistle to the Romans, with all those to the Galatians and the Ephesians, and part of those to the Corinthians; every time I read and compare them new light breaks in, and I am determined I will work on without note or comment endeavouring to make out the meaning for myself, which I should think may be done by patience and attention."
He then continues on to explain what all he discerned from those scriptures and it is quite beautiful. You may read the entire letter yourself here: Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy. The letter is found on pages 28 through 30. I can only imagine what this world would have gained if it had been possible for him to marry our dear Jane.

Yrs aff'ly,

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Tom and Jane, Becoming Jane

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 151

This week’s quote was taken from Pride and Prejudice Chapter 32 (Penguin edition 2003, p. 175), where Mr Darcy visited Elizabeth at Mr Collin’s place.

Mr Darcy drew his chair a little towards her, and said “You cannot have right to such very strong local attachment. You cannot have been always at Longbourn.”

It was funny that I found this quote when I was counting down the days I have left in Australia. I have to return to Indonesia in less than two months due to visa expiry, and may not return here for one (if I’m lucky) or two years. Before I arrived in this little town where I live now, I never thought that I would settle in a place other than Bali. When I first arrived in my little town here in 2003, I was definitely NOT impressed by it. But now, I love it, and I am sad that I have to leave her. But leave I must, to make ways for my returning here in two years (if it makes sense at all).

I guess my point is, you never know where your life would take you. Although I never anticipated it, I am now glad that I now have two spiritual homes in Indonesia and Australia. Like Longbourn to Lizzy, Indonesia will always be my first home. But I have found my own little ‘Pemberley’ in Australia which I call home, and I want to return back here soon.

Did you ever flinch at the idea of leaving your hometown or a place you love the most, only to find your second home as you walk the path?

Pic: the 1995 Pemberley

BJ Calendar for May from Maria!

Thanks ever so for Maria who is always excited to send us darling monthly Becoming Jane calendars! The May edition is this one, and can be downloaded from the links below.

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