Part 11 (1/2)

[73] Cassandra was now staying with the Fowles at Kintbury, and 'Mary'

was no doubt Eliza Fowle's sister, Mary Lloyd; not yet engaged to Jaes was brother, and Harriet and Louisa were sisters, of Elizabeth Austen; Lady Bridges being their mother Harriet was afterwards married to the son of Archbishop Moore

[75] A playful inversion on Jane's part

[76] Mrs Lybbe Powys records in her diary under April 26, 1799: 'To a party at Mr Leigh Perrot's; eight tables, ninety people' (_Passages from the Diaries of Mrs Philip Lybbe Powys_, 1756-1808)

[77] _Gentleazine_, vol lxxi p 965; see also p 1049

CHAPTER VIII

GodMERSHAM AND STEVENTON

1798-1799

Soe after this shock must have been desirable; and at the end of the same month Mr and Mrs Austen, with Cassandra and Jane, started on a visit to the Edward Austens--no longer at Rowling but at Godht, was now become their residence

Edould naturally wish for a visit from his parents and sisters in his new and beautiful hos there, except that she attended a ball at Ashford; but, on her parting fro to Steventon with her father and mother, we find ourselves fortunately in the company of the letters once more Mrs Austen was at this time in poor health, and Jane evidently felt the responsibility of taking charge of her in Cassandra's absence

'Bull and George,' Dartford: Wednesday [October 24, 1798]

MY DEAR CassANDRA,--You have already heard from Daniel, I conclude, in what excellent tibourne, and how very well my mother bore her journey thither I aood account of her She was very little fatigued on her arrival at this place, has been refreshed by a comfortable dinner, and now seems quite stout It wanted five bourne, from whence we had a famous pair of horses, which took us to Rochester in an hour and a quarter; the postboy seemed determined to show my mother that Kentish drivers were not always tedious, and really drove as fast as _Cax_

Our next stage was not quite so expeditiously performed; the load was heavy and our horses very indifferent However, ere in such good time, and my mother bore her journey so well, that expedition was of little importance to us; and as it ere very littlehither, and it was scarcely past four e stopped at the inn

I should have begun my letter soon after our arrival but for a little adventure which prevented me After we had been here a quarter of an hour it was discovered thatboxes had been by accident put into a chaise which was just packing off as we came in, and were driven away towards Gravesend in their way to the West Indies No part of my property could have been such a prize before, for inbox was all my worldly wealth, 7, and my dear Harry's deputation[78] Mr Nottley immediately despatched a man and horse after the chaise, and in half an hour's tiot about two or three miles off

My day's journey has been pleasanter in every respect than I expected I have been very little crowded and by no ard to the weather on our accounts was very kind and very effectual We had one heavy shower on leaving Sittingbourne, but afterwards the clouds cleared away, and we had a very bright _chrystal_ afternoon

My father is now reading the _Midnight Bell_[79]

which he has got fro by the fire Our route to-morrow is not determined We have none of us ive us leave, I think we shall go to Staines through Croydon and Kingston, which will be much pleasanter than any other way; but he is decidedly for Clapham and Battersea God bless you all!

Yours affectionately, J A

I flatter et me at least under a week Kiss him for me

Steventon: Saturday [October 27, 1798]