Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 167

I have been away from the blog for a while and it is nice to be back.
Whilst I was away (in India) I did lots of self reflection as you can imagine and I realised just how busy my mind is and how I now endeavour to live my life with more calm. I am sure that will change swiftly with the return to the normal pace of life though.
These thoughts led me to my quote this week taken from Emma.
Emma is out shopping with Harriet and is led to the window as Harriet is "tempted by everything and swayed by half a word."

Emma is amused by what she sees and I like Jane Austen's observation of her mind:

"A mind lively and at ease, can do with seeing nothing, and can see nothing that does not answer."

I think that Emmas mind is always lively but less often at ease, but in standing watching the world she has found some calm and is content. However, sometimes it is just easier if we see nothing as this eliminates the pressure to process and contemplate what we see. I like the "can see nothing that does not answer" line as I think that this illustrates Emma's mental overactivity as she often has a habit of making something out of nothing - we see this throughout the whole novel.

It sure is tiring to have a lively mind. But also rather exciting.

Pic: Emma and Harriet

Tom Lefroy Quote – Week 10

We have left behind Tom Lefroy for a while, so it’s time to revisit some of Tom’s personal aspects: gardening. Taken from his son’s (i.e. Thomas Lefroy) note in the Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy page 51:

He had a great taste for gardening in early life, which induced him soon after his marriage to take a lot of ground in Leeson-street, (then on the outskirts of Dublin). On this lot he built the house which continued to be his town residence up to his death, enclosing a garden of about half an English acre; and here after he gave up going Circuit, he constantly spent a great part of his evenings during the spring and summer months in pruning his fruit trees and other garden work. I have still vividly before me our whole merry-hearted group – parents and children sallying forth into the garden after dinner, the youngest as well as the oldest taking share in the busy task of weeding borders, watering flowers, cutting shreds, or sitting at his side while he pruned the fruit-trees, and reading the pretty story book which he had bought on his way from Court in order that the evening might not pass without profit as well as pleasure.

Sigh…Beautiful… is it not? Reminding me that I must buy more flowers and shrubberies for my tiny weenie garden.

Pic: Camille Pissarro's The Gardener – Old Peasant with Cabbage

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 166

My apologies for the near-last-minute instalment of the quote this week. I’ve been inspired by Sense & Sensibility for a few days, hence the quote is from this dear book. The Dashwoods and Edward Ferrars were talking about what to do when they have more than enough money. Something that Mrs Dashwood and Elinor said rang true to me today. Page 91 (Chapter 17 Penguin 2003 edition):

“I should be puzzled to spend a large fortune myself,” said Mrs Dashwood, “if my children were all to be rich without my help.”

“You must begin your improvements on this house,” observed Elinor, “and your difficulties will soon vanish.”

I like Elinor’s tongue-in-cheek observation. However, was it possible to renovate a rented property back in those days? I would think so, no? I wonder whether the Dashwood eventually bought the Barton Cottage from Sir John Middleton. I don’t recall reading it, but I of course can be wrong. I did find that the last page of the book explained that Mrs Dashwood remained in Barton Cottage.

At any rate, methinks home improvement is a very exciting project. I haven’t got enough cash flow to buy some new furniture for my rented place, but I did some gardening today. Not a 'home improvement' in the sense of renovation, but certainly seeing those greeneries at my backyard improved my mood!

Pic: Janet McTeer as Mrs Dashwood in Sense & Sensibility 2008

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 165

This week's quote in honor of Jon Spence comes from "A Century of Wills from Jane Austen's Family 1705-1806" with introductions by Jon Spence.

From his introduction for Jane Leigh (born Walker) (1704-1768), Maternal grandmother of Jane Austen:

After Jane Walker's death [the maternal grandmother of our Jane Austen], her daughter Cassandra (by this time married to George Austen) [mother of our Jane Austen] purchased £3350 in South Sea Securities, which we may assume represents Cassandra's [our Jane Austen's mother] share of her mother's estate.

I have tried to simplify the complexity by adding information in brackets [] due to so many of the family having the same name.

What is interesting is to learn that Jane's mother did have some income/property. I am beginning to think that they were not all that desperately poor. Another interesting fact to discover is what exactly are "South Sea Securities". If anyone can shed more light on this subject, please do.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Mrs Austen (Julie Walters) and Mr Austen (James Cromwell) in Becoming Jane (2007)

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 164

This week's quote is from "Jane Austen's Brother Abroad" edited by Jon Spence and in Jon's honor. It is from Jon's introduction where he says:

I have implied here that the Jane Austen Society of Australia has decided to publish Edward's journals because he was Jane Austen's brother and assumed that admirers of Jane Austen would be curious to know more about him. In annotating the journals this assumption has been my guide; Historians and social historians might find interest in who Edward met, what he ate, where he stayed, how he travelled; art historians in what works of art he saw (and liked) and where he saw them; scholars with a special interest in the Grand tour in all the details of his time abroad; economists in what he paid.

And Jon was quite correct. We are interested in all those things. That is a very good reason to be grateful for all his editing work to get the Grand Tour published. Thank you dear Jon.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Edward Austen Knight, from Jane Austen's World

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 163

In honor of Jon Spence, this week's quote is from "Becoming Jane Austen" in Chapter 4 where he is discussing Jane's story in her Juvenilia named "Evelyn":

'Evelyn' is dedicated to Mary Lloyd, who with her widowed mother and elder sister Martha had been living at Deane parsonage since 1789. The hyperbolic graciousness of the Webb family in the story seems to be Jane's unsentimental, satirical way of thanking the Lloyds for their kindness to her at Deane.

This passage is especially interesting to me for Jane's use of the surname 'Webb' because that happens to be my maiden name. Jane also uses that name in Pride and Prejudice when she write of the "Miss Webbs". Because Jon mentions the Webb family, I went in search of the story 'Evelyn' since it was not in the paperback I have of the juvenilia. I did find it on line here: Evelyn

This nugget of information illustrates to me that we can never be sure of what treasure awaits us in some book or other.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: cover to 'Becoming Jane Austen' by Jon Spence

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 162

Jon Hunter Spence born July 30, 1945, died June 20, 2011.

In tribute to Jon Spence, who wrote the biography "Becoming Jane Austen" we wish to dedicate our August quotes to him and his Jane Austen works. His book was the inspiration for the movie and this web site. We are saddened to learn of his passing and extend our condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed in the world of all things 'Jane Austen'.
You may read about him in the following two newspaper articles:

The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) and The Telegraph (London)

I was surprised and touched to learn that he and I are of almost the same age and are (US) Southerners which renders a feeling of 'kinship'. Also, he received an MA from Tulane University in New Orleans and I spent 4 years working in New Orleans many years ago. It's an awesome feeling to find that you have something in common with someone so accomplished.

May he rest in peace.

In honor of him, this week's quote is from "Becoming Jane Austen" in Chapter 4 where he is discussing Jane's story in her Juvenilia named "Evelyn":

'Evelyn' is dedicated to Mary Lloyd, who with her widowed mother and elder sister Martha had been living at Deane parsonage since 1789. The hyperbolic graciousness of the Webb family in the story seems to be Jane's unsentimental, satirical way of thanking the Lloyds for their kindness to her at Deane.

This passage is especially interesting to me for Jane's use of the surname 'Webb' because that happens to be my maiden name. Jane also uses that name in Pride and Prejudice when she write of the "Miss Webbs". Because Jon mentions the Webb family, I went in search of the story 'Evelyn' since it was not in the paperback I have of the juvenilia. I did find it on line here:

Evelyn

This nugget of information illustrates to me that we can never be sure of what treasure awaits us in some book or other.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Jane Austen Evelyn

Rest in Peace, Jon Spence...

I cannot believe my eyes when I read Linda's email (dated two days ago but I didn't read it until just now).

Jon Spence, author of 'Becoming Jane Austen', the basic literature source for Becoming Jane the movie, had died at the end of July 2011. Forgive us for not knowing this earlier.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/obituaries/austen-expert-the-best-of-company-20110729-1i4c1.html

The article stated that Mr Spence took his own life. While we will never know what actually happened, we thank Mr Spence for his ideas and thoughts that shaped our current knowledge about Jane Austen, and Tom Lefroy.

In all honesty, I don't think this site would exist without Jon spending his days and nights writing Becoming Jane Austen. In many ways, we owe him a lot.

Rest in peace, Jon...

Pic: Jon Spence, from the Sydney Morning Herald

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:

1024x768 px
1680x1050px

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

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 156 by Linda

I recently ran across a web site that prompted me to find out what our Jane Austen had to say on the subject of "defining a gentleman". Remembering that she used the word "gentlemanlike" quite a few times, I found this in Chapter 3 of Pride and Prejudice:

Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners. His sisters were fine women, with an air of decided fashion. His brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, merely looked the gentleman; but his friend Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report, which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend.

The name of the site I found is titled "The Art of Manliness" and it appears to be quite civil and covers a whole lot of information, more than I am able to absorb at the moment. You may read about the site here: The Art of Manliness.

What is so extra nice is that there is a Jane Austen group there also called: Jane Austen Forum where I found 2 friends from the Male Voices site that I keep on the web.

I invite you all to explore the site 'to see what you can see'. Have fun.

Yrs aff'ly,

Linda the Librarian

Pic: the 2005 Mr Bingley (Simon Woods) and Jane Bennet (Rosamund Pike) from fanpop

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 155

Still related to Father's Day, although not in the best of light compared to Rachel's thoughtful Tom Lefroy quote last week, I took a quote from a not-so-successful father figure in the Austen universe. From the first paragraph of Pride & Prejudice Vol III Chapter 8 (Chapter 30):


Mr. Bennet had very often wished, before this period of his life, that, instead of spending his whole income, he had laid by an annual sum, for the better provision of his children, and of his wife, if she survived him. He now wished it more than ever. Had he done his duty in that respect, Lydia need not have been indebted to her uncle, for whatever of honour or credit could now be purchased for her. The satisfaction of prevailing on one of the most worthless young men in Great Britain to be her husband, might then have rested in its proper place.


The bolded sentences are the focus here, while the rest of the paragraph are putting them in context. The main issue is Mr. Bennet's unpreparedness for secured funds, and that is I think something I need to work on now. I mean, I'm going to be 40 in three years, and I think it's time for me to lay an annual sum of money for - at least - my retirement fund, in addition to resume saving for my dream house that I've done so far. I have no child (yet), so I think at least I have to cover myself pretty well in the future. Perhaps some people see it silly that I start to think of retirement fund when I'm not even 40 yet, but my economist partner disagree. Retirement fund (we call it 'super-annuation' here in Australia) is very important and one must start as early as possible.

I will get a new job this July after (hopefully) submitting my PhD. As I get my first salary, I hope that I'm wise enough to save the greater proportion of it, instead of spending it for 'pretty but definitely can wait' items like (cough) dresses and shoes...

What about you Ladies and Gents? Any tips for retirement fund savings?

Pic: Benjamin Whitrow as Mr Bennet in the 1995 Pride & Prejudice

Bridget Jones’s Diary: A Classic Homage to Austen - by Laurie Viera Rigler

I don't know about you but I love the Bridget Jones's Diary books (by Helen Fielding) and films. Laurie Viera Rigler (author of Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict and Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict) has written a great short article for International Chick Lit Month about the parallels between Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones's Diary.





You can read it here.





Pic 1: Pride and Prejudice Mr Darcy and Lizzy Bennet
Pic 2: Bridget Jones's Diary Mark Darcy and Bridget Jones

Tom Lefroy Quote Week 9

Next sunday (19th June) in the UK it is Fathers Day so I thought I would chose a quote from a letter Tom wrote to his son taken from Tom Lefroy's memoir, page 33:

"I hope you are attentive to your business, and get your lessons, not merely so as to pass, but so as to understand them as perfectly as you can, and above all things, that you don’t loiter and waste time. When you play, - play, - but when you read, read and don’t play.
God bless you, my darling boy.
Your ever affectionate father,
T.L"


I thought that this was a lovely quote to demonstrate Tom's true affection for his son, and indeed all his children. I love the line "when you play, - play, - but when you read, read and don’t play." It is simple and direct but said with the authority of a father.

Pic: Father and son holding hands