Jane Austen Quote of the Week 241

Icha has unfortunately been unable to post her quote today so I am posting it for her after just returning from seeing Sense and Sensibility at Nyman's National Trust property in West Sussex. The production was performed by the team at Chapterhouse and really was excellent. It is rather coincidental, but apt, that Icha has chosen a quote this week from Sense and Sensibility. Her email sent below: 

 

This week’s quote is a shortie due to my bad internet connection (and I might have to ask Rachel to post it for me…thanks Rachel!). It also reflects my current journey to places I’ve never been before in Sumatra. I have been traveling for six days, and I won’t be home before this coming Friday. It’s the longest non-stop trip I’ve ever done in like, forever, that I found myself trepidating and stressful before the journey began. But now that I’m in Day Six, and I have ‘only’ four days to go, I find myself getting relaxed. All will be well. There will be challenges, of course, but I believe help is always on the way, as I have encountered so far.

 

So, here’s Sense & Sensibility Chapter 6, first paragraph. The Dashwood ladies were traveling to Devonshire for the first time, and dare I say their journey was definitely not embraced pleasantly in the beginning. But as we know later, it was for a good cause that they moved to 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.”

I dedicate this quote for myself, and for anyone who is embarking on a totally new journey for the first time in your life. May you find your journey surprisingly pleasant, enriching, and help is always around.

thanks and have a nice weekend,
Icha

Pic: John Dashwood being introduced to Mrs Jennings

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 240

In the UK this week we have had excellent weather and an abundance of strawberries. I was making an Eton Mess this afternoon and thought I would use a quote from Chapter 42 of Emma which is uplifting and really makes me smile:

"Mrs. Elton, in all her apparatus of happiness, her large bonnet and her basket, was very ready to lead the way in gathering, accepting, or talking—strawberries, and only strawberries, could now be thought or spoken of.—"The best fruit in England—every body's favourite—always wholesome.—These the finest beds and finest sorts.—Delightful to gather for one's self—the only way of really enjoying them.—Morning decidedly the best time—never tired—every sort good—hautboy infinitely superior—no comparison—the others hardly eatable—hautboys very scarce—Chili preferred—white wood finest flavour of all—price of strawberries in London—abundance about Bristol—Maple Grove—cultivation-beds when to be renewed—gardeners thinking exactly different—no general rule—gardeners never to be put out of their way—delicious fruit—only too rich to be eaten much of—inferior to cherries—currants more refreshing—only objection to gathering strawberries the stooping—glaring sun—tired to death—could bear it no longer—must go and sit in the shade."

 

Pic 1:  Mrs Elton from Emma (1996)
Pic 2: Strawberries

Tom Lefroy Quote of the Week 31

 

Thomas Langlois Lefroy by George Engleheart

I wish to quote the next sentence after the one posted about Tom concerning his 'fatherly' attributes made in my last "Tom" quote.  It is in the first paragraph of the "Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy" by his son Thomas Lefroy.  As I said before you can read the Memoir HERE.  The sentence gives us a wonderful picture of his enduring character:

 

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.

 

Yrs aff'ly,

Linda the Librarian

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 239

Darcy & Elizabeth in argument (PP 2005)

My apologies of this week’s belated quote. I had some reflective moments on my own, and it took me some time to get the right quote for my reflections. I eventually ended up with the discourse between Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet in Chapter 11 of Pride and Prejudice. The following quote is taken from Pemberley.com, starting from Lizzy’s narrative:

``I am perfectly convinced by it that Mr. Darcy has no defect. He owns it himself without disguise.''

``No'' -- said Darcy, ``I have made no such pretension. I have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch for. -- It is I believe too little yielding -- certainly too little for the convenience of the world. I cannot forget the follies and vices of others so soon as I ought, nor their offences against myself. My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper would perhaps be called resentful. -- My good opinion once lost is lost for ever.''

``That is a failing indeed!'' -- cried Elizabeth. ``Implacable resentment is a shade in a character. But you have chosen your fault well. -- I really cannot laugh at it; you are safe from me.''

``There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil, a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome.''

``And your defect is a propensity to hate every body.''

``And yours,'' he replied with a smile, ``is wilfully to misunderstand them.''

I used to write a quote focusing on the famous ‘My good opinion once lost is lost for ever’. But now, I want to focus on the whole narrative above. Both Lizzy and Darcy have defects; Lizzy being wilfully misunderstanding people, while Darcy has the inclination to lose his good opinion forever. Everyone has defects. We try to live with them, we try to overcome them.

But one thing made me realise last night. One of the reasons of the different opinions or take on life between Darcy and Lizzy is because of their different personal histories. Certainly, Darcy being rich and Lizzy being a middle class woman owned to their different personal histories. But personal histories are made of much more than the money one has, or wealth one has not. Many things composed a person’s personal history. 

Now I realise that when I interact with someone, I don’t only interact with that person. There’s a big chance that I will interact with his or her personal history, as she/he will interact with my personal history. My take on a topic can be different from this person’s take on a topic because we have different journeys that took us to this point in life.

Darcy and Lizzy had different journeys that took them to that point in life in Pemberley. All of us do. And that’s where the term ‘I understand where you’re coming from’ came from. Not that you came from a rich family or poor, from Europe, USA, Asia or Africa... not just that. The entire history of a person is encapsulated in that person. At times, we will interact not just with that person; but also with that person’s history. 

And that’s where clashes can emerge. Because we often don’t realise that our different takes on a topic can be the result of our different personal histories. 

It happened to me last night. I was having a conversation with a friend, and then things went south because she wondered why I reacted so strongly to a topic, while to her it’s not really a big deal. I then said something which actually referred to the possibility that we had different takes on this topic because of our different personal histories/backgrounds. That time, she was the one who misunderstood me. 

I am sorry that I had an argument with my friend. I will write to her expressing my regret; explaining that we indeed can see things differently because of different things that had happened in our lives prior to this moment. And it’s okay to agree to disagree, without diminishing one’s own feelings or opinions about a certain topic. 

I hope I can patch things up with her. 

And this is why I’m writing you this now. Because, at times, we forget that our arguments and differences are because of the different journeys that have taken us to this point in life. And it’s okay to own them, while at the same time striving to overcome them as well.

Jane Austen to be the new face on the £10 note!

In the United Kingdom, there has been many reports suggesting that Jane Austen is to become the new face on the £10 notes.

There has been recent concern as Elizabeth Fry (social reformer) will be removed from the current £5 note. This has caused much controversy, including protest from Caroline Criado-Perez, a women’s rights campaigner, who has launched an online petition to keep a woman on British banknotes.

Sir Mervyn King (Economist and Governor of the Bank of England) has stated “Whenever we launch a new note, we always have two notes running in parallel – the figure we are using and a reserve figure in case there are any technical issues ... The figure we have been working with for two years [on the £10 bank note], I have said before is a woman and I can tell you today it’s Jane Austen. The Jane Austen note has been up and running internally for the last two years.”

How fantastic! Great news for us Jane fans and for famous females!

Pic 1: Daily Mail Charles Darwin on £10 note

Pic 2: Huffington Post Jane Austen on note

Information taken from Telegraph article

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 238

Icha has contacted me to say that she is suffering from fever and headache so I decided to pick an apt quote for her today. From Sense and Sensibility, chapter 43, Marianne is showing signs of fever and deteriorating sickness.

"A very restless and feverish night, however, disappointed the expectation of both; and when Marianne, after persisting in rising, confessed herself unable to sit up, and returned voluntarily to her bed, Elinor was very ready to adopt Mrs. Jennings's advice, of sending for the Palmers' apothecary."

And later ...

"Elinor could not be cheerful. Her joy was of a different kind, and led to anything rather than to gaiety. Marianne restored to life, health, friends, and to her doating mother, was an idea to fill her heart with sensations of exquisite comfort, and expand it in fervent gratitude; -- but it led to no outward demonstrations of joy, no words, no smiles. All within Elinor's breast was satisfaction, silent and strong."

Get well soon Icha x

Pic: imdb Marianne and Elinor

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 237

My quote for this week is taken from chapter 11 of Emma.

"Mr. Elton must now be left to himself. It was no longer in Emma's power to superintend his happiness or quicken his measures. The coming of her sister's family was so very near at hand, that first in anticipation, and then in reality, it became henceforth her prime object of interest; and during the ten days of their stay at Hartfield it was not to be expected--she did not herself expect-- that any thing beyond occasional, fortuitous assistance could be afforded by her to the lovers. They might advance rapidly if they would, however; they must advance somehow or other whether they would or no. She hardly wished to have more leisure for them. There are people, who the more you do for them, the less they will do for themselves."

My job at the moment involves mentoring and supporting young people and this quote always sticks in my mind but particularly at this time in the work that I am doing - Jane Austen's words are just so wise. We must provide people with the tools and advice to enable them to help themselves rather than simply act to do these things for them.

I hope you all have a lovely week.

Pic: Mr Elton and Harriet- costumedramas

Tom Lefroy Quote of the Week 30

A bust statue of the older Tom Lefroy

This weekend on June 16, 2013 we have Father's Day once again here in the U.S., so I thought it would be nice to quote something "fatherly" about Tom.

 

This quote is taken from the "Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy" by his son, Thomas Lefroy, M.A., Q.C.  You can read the Memoir online HERE.    Here is the first sentence of the Memoir written by his son, Thomas, himself:

 

The following Memoir of the Right Honourable Thomas Langlois Lefroy, late 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.

 

Yrs aff'ly,

Linda the Librarian

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 236

A painting by R Sharples

I have had the subject of "Ladies Fashions" on my mind for a few years now and it hit me that I should do some 'fashion' research on Jane Austen.  Well, what I found knocked my socks off.

 

I discovered a page on my own web site written by my late friend, Ashton Dennis, concerning fashion in the Regency period (I almost fainted for I had forgotten about it).  Here is a quote from his page titled "Women Writers and Other Influences In Jane Austen's Time -  A Male Voices Web Page" and the first section is titled "Fashion in the Regency Period":

 

The time of Jane Austen was an historical period in which English fashion moved away, for a time, from the more restrictive undergarments.  Such things were worn before and after this period, but less so during.

 

I heartily recommend the entire page for your reading since he covers so much of the influences for Jane.  You may find the page HERE.

 

Yrs aff'ly,

Linda the Librarian

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 235

I have reached a stage in my life where I am wondering how my life will pan out - I now don't have the naïve security of being young but also don't have the wisdom and experience of many years.
I have found myself re-reading Persuasion as I suppose I feel a personal relevance at the moment and perhaps subconsciously I am striving for my own Frederick Wentworth but not sure where to find him!

This quote is taken from the early part of chapter 1 and is talking about Elizabeth Elliot, the elder sister of Anne - now although I have selected this quote it is not because I see myself as anything like Elizabeth nor in a conflict with my religious views. Overall I regard Elizabeth as rather selfish, it is just that these words stood out for me and if I am honest I suppose some of the feelings were familiar.

"she had the consciousness of being nine-and-twenty, to give her some regrets and some apprehensions. She was fully satisfied of being still quite handsome as ever; but she felt her approach to the years of danger, and would have rejoiced to be certain of being properly solicited by baronet-blood within the next twelve-month or two. Then might she again take up the book of books with as much enjoyment as in her early youth; but now she liked it not. Always to be presented with the date of her own birth and see no marriage follow but that of a younger sister, made the book an evil; and more than once, when her father had left it open on the table near her, had she closed it, with averted eyes, and pushed it away."

I chose to be like Anne, in search of something special yet remaining independent and passionate.

Pic: Persuasion

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 234

It is indeed a fine wall of books, is it not?

 

Because I have a granddaughter who loves to read as I did when I was her age, it brings to mind the Jane Austen saying about being a "great reader".  So I went looking in The Loiterer for a quote and found this in the No. 9 issue, supposedly written by Jane herself.

 

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.

 

I love the part where she lists the other Periodicals of the time which I have in recent years been collecting.  I am amazed at the amount of knowledge that was displayed in them that is so pertinent today.  What a challenge she has given us to at least try to keep up with her reading abilities.

 

You may read the entire Issue No. 9 HERE.  Enjoy.

 

Yrs aff'ly,

Linda the Librarian

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 233

My apologies for the late instalment this week (well, last weekend for most of the world now). I have internet problem at home, and I have to do the quote now at the office (shuuussshhh...).

Emma (Romola Garai) and Knightley (Jonny L. Miller) 2009

Anyway, I love the relationship between Mr Knightley and Emma in ‘Emma’. To me, Mr Knightley is the most realistic gentleman you can have for our current era. He does apply to the Regency era as well, of course. His chemistry with Emma is apparent through their banters.

However, I do have a dose of complain to Mr Knightley, and very critical gentlemen like him. They don’t know how to do romance at all! I mean, take a look at this passage from Chapter 1:

Mr. Knightley, in fact, was one of the few people who could see faults in Emma Woodhouse, and the only one who ever told her of them: and though this was not particularly agreeable to Emma herself, she knew it would be so much less so to her father, that she would not have him really suspect such a circumstance as her not being thought perfect by every body.

"Emma knows I never flatter her," said Mr. Knightley, "but I meant no reflection on any body. Miss Taylor has been used to have two persons to please; she will now have but one. The chances are that she must be a gainer."

Point taken, Knightley. And it’s actually admirable that you can say those things unrestrained to Emma; God knows the girl needs it. But now and then, Knightley, it’s okay to say something romantic to Emma. And of course when he does, Emma melts right away.

But I take it, a Knightley-type of person will only reserve his romantic comments or gestures just for very special occasions. And for girls, those occasions can be too far in between. People like Knightley need to balance their objective remarks with romantic gestures every now and then. And I don’t mean once in a blue moon or once in a year. It should be more often than that.

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 232

I apologise for being far less organised recently and thank Linda for coming up with a great quote to use today. I believe that it is Mothers Day in the US today so Happy Mother's Day to all mothers from us here at the Becoming Jane blog.

Since this Sunday, May 12, is Mother's Day over here in the U.S., I thought it would be appropriate to see what Jane had to say about Mothers. I found this thoughtful mention in Persuasion, Chapter 17:

While Sir Walter and Elizabeth were assiduously pushing their good fortune in Laura Place, Anne was renewing an acquaintance of a very different description.

She had called on her former governess, and had heard from her of there being an old school-fellow in Bath, who had the two strong claims on her attention of past kindness and present suffering. Miss Hamilton, now Mrs. Smith, had shewn her kindness in one of those periods of her life when it had been most valuable. Anne had gone unhappy to school, grieving for the loss of a mother whom she had dearly loved, feeling her separation from home, and suffering as a girl of fourteen, of strong sensibility and not high spirits, must suffer at such a time; and Miss Hamilton, three years older than herself, but still, from the want of near relations and a settled home, remaining another year at school, had been useful and good to her in a way which had considerably lessened her misery, and could never be remembered with indifference.

As you can see it is very nice to 'remember' our Mothers whilst we have them. I do wish everyone reading this a very Happy Mother's Day.

Yrs aff'ly,

Linda the Librarian

 

Pic: Jane Austen and Mrs Austen

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 231

Surprise!  You get two quotes this week.  I stumbled across the following quote by Edward Thompson (1810-1870) an American Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  It meant something to me because my daughter and I had just been discussing "trials".

 

Great trials seem to be a necessary preparation for great duties.  It would seem that the more importand the enterprise, the more severe the trial to which the agent is subjected in his preparation.

 

Now this is what Jane has to say about some "trials" which I found in Chapter 38 of Sense and Sensibility:

 

Elinor and Lucy Steel (Sense & Sensibility 2005)

 

 

The next morning brought Elinor a letter by the two-penny post, from Lucy herself.  It was as follows: --

 

Bartlett's Buildings, March.  I hope my dear Miss Dashwood will excuse the liberty I take of writing to her; but I know your friendship for me will make you pleased to hear such a good account of myself and my dear Edward, after all the troubles we have went  through lately, therefore will make no more apologies, but proceed to say that, thank God! though we have suffered dreadfully, we are both quite well now, and as happy s we must always be in one anothers love.  We have had great trials, and great persecutions, but however, at the same time, gratelfully acknowledge many friends, yourself not the least among them, whose great kindness I shall always thankfully remember, as will Edward too, who I have told of it.

 

 

Jane seems to be aware that though we have "great trials" that those trials, though not necessarily preparing us for "great duties," but may possibly have  a 'happy ending'.

 

I found the first quote above by Edward Thompson in a book titled "A Gift of Love" by Perry Tanksley which appears to be quite intriguing due to the subtitle and I can hardly wait to read it in its entirely.  The subtitle for the book is "A Volume of Verse for Young and Old and for All Who have Suffered Adversity."  This is particularly intriguing because my daughter and I were discussing our own personal "trials".  So I leave you with the glad expectation that our 'great trials' will prepare us for our 'great duties'.

 

Yrs aff'ly,

Linda the Librarian

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 230

I have recently started a new job and although the following quote does not match how I feel some of the time, it is definitely how I wish to be all of the time.

In chapter 31 of Pride and Prejudice Colonel Fitzwilliam reminds Elizabeth that she has promised to play the piano. She begins to play and after a short time Lady Catherine begins speaking to her nephew. Mr Darcy moves towards the piano and positions himself so he can view Elizabeth playing.  She says:

“You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear me? But I will not be alarmed though your sister does play so well. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me.”

I wonder whether Jane saw herself in Elizabeth - a courageos, independent woman - or infact she also was insecure at times and had a real desire to be strong with every hint of intimidation.

Pic: Elizabeth Bennet's courage

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 229

Since my Jane Austen quote of the Week No. 224, I have done some more research on the subject of the slave trade, mainly due to a friend mentioning Sir Thomas of Mansfield Park.

I found this in Chapter 3:

 

Fanny Price (Frances O'Connor) and Sir Thomas Bertram (Harold Pinter), MP 1999

 

 

These opinions had been hardly canvassed a year before another event arose of such importance in the family, as might fairly claim some place in the thoughts and conversation of the ladies. Sir Thomas found it expedient to go to Antigua himself, for the better arrangement of his affairs, and he took his eldest son with him, in the hope of detaching him from some bad connexions at home. They left England with the probability of being nearly a twelvemonth absent.

 

My friend told us about a new book titled "Sugar in the Blood" that got my interest. So thereafter I searched the Pemberley site for information and found a treasure trove that is so extensive that I will be studying for years to come. I shall have to complete my education. It amazes me how much I didn't know. So happy hunting everyone.

 

Yrs aff'ly,

Linda the Librarian