Part 26 (1/2)

That you are for ever in our thoughts you will not doubt I see yourcircuure to loom: the efforts to talk, the frequent summons to melancholy orders and cares, and poor Edward, restless infrom one room to another, and perhaps not seldom upstairs, to see all that re between October 15 and October 24, containing Jane's first coe at Chawton, rief--perhaps, in consequence of his loss--he wished to bind his ave them a choice between a house near Godmersham, and one at Chawton; but the mother and sisters hat Jane afterwards called 'Ha to their county The offer was particularly opportune, for Mrs Austen was already hesitating between Kent and Hampshi+re as a place of residence

The attractions of a horeater the h it was held to be necessary to consult the Frank Austens, who, no doubt was entertained as to their answer

Castle Square: Monday [October 24, 1808]

MY DEAR CassANDRA,--Edward and George came to us soon after seven on Saturday, very well, but very cold, having by choice travelled on the outside, and with no great coat but what Mr Wise, the coachood-naturedly spared them of his, as they sat by his side They were so much chilled when they arrived, that I was afraid they must have taken cold; but it does not see better

_They behave extre as one wishes to see, and on every occasion speaking of their father with the liveliest affection His letter was read over by each of thee sobbed aloud, Edward's tears do not flow so easily; but as far as I can judge they are both very properly impressed by what has happened Miss Lloyd, who is a ly pleased with thee is almost a new acquaintance toas Edward_

We do not want aable, spillikins, paper shi+ps, riddles, conundru the flow and ebb of the river, and now and then a stroll out, keep us well employed; and we mean to avail ourselves of our kind papa's consideration, by not returning to Winchester till quite the evening of Wednesday

The _St Albans_, I find, sailed on the very day ofYarmouth, so that we must not expect an answer[184] at present; we scarcely feel, however, to be in suspense, or only enough to keep our plans to ourselves We have been obliged to explain the visitors, in consequence of fanny's letter, but we have not yet mentioned them to Steventon We are all quite familiarised to the idea ourselves; o out at Midsuarden is there? Mrs J A

expresses her fear of our settling in Kent, and, till this proposal was an to look forward to it here;of a house at Wye It will be best, however, as it is

I hope your sorrowing party were at church yesterday, and have no longer _that_ to dread

Martha was kept at home by a _cold, but I ith my two nephews, and I saas much affected by the sermon, which, indeed, I could have supposed purposely addressed_ to the afflicted, if the text had not naturally come in the course of Dr Mant's[185] observations on the Litany: 'All that are in danger, necessity, or tribulation,' was the subject of it The weather did not allow us afterwards to get farther than the quay, where George was very happy as long as we could stay, flying about fro on board a collier i we had the Psalms and Lessons, and a sermon at home, to which they were very attentive; but you will not expect to hear that they did not return to conundrue ispaper shi+ps, at which he afterwards shoots with horse-chestnuts, brought from Steventon on purpose; and Edward equally intent over the _Lake of Killarney_, twisting hireat chairs

_Tuesday_--The day began cheerfully, but it is not likely to continue what it should, for them or for us _We had a little water party_ yesterday; I and my two nepheent from the Itchen Ferry up to Northam, where we landed, looked into the 74, and walked home, and it was so much enjoyed that I had intended to take the immediately after moonshi+ne,[186] but I aet so far, however, we o round fro more than cross the Itchen yesterday, but it proved so pleasant, and so much to the satisfaction of all, that e reached the reed to be rowed up the river; both the boys rowed great part of the way, and their questions and ree's enquiries were endless, and his eagerness in everything re was equally agreeable in its way: I introduced _speculation_,[187] and it was so much approved that we hardly kne to leave off

Of Chawton I think I can have nothingyou say about it in the letter now before me will, I am sure, as soon as I am able to read it to her, make my mother consider the plan with more and more pleasure

Sunday [Novees me to write immediately, that you , if possible, to go to Godmersham exactly at the time now fixed for your visit to Goodnestone

Your news of Edward Bridges[188] was _quite_ news, for I have had no letter from Wrotham I wish him happy with allto his own expectations, and beyond those of his fareat improver, and in a similar situation Harriet may be as amiable as Eleanor As to money, that will come, you may be sure, because they cannot do without it When you see hiratulations and best wishes This

There are six bedchambers at Chawton; Henry wrote to my mother the other day, and luckily mentioned the number, which is just anted to be assured of He speaks also of garrets for store places, one of which she i up for Edward's man servant; and now perhaps it must be for our own; for she is already quite reconciled to our keeping one The difficulty of doing without one had been thought of before His nah business is concluded, but it was not till yesterday that h the news had reached us on Monday evening by way of Steventon

Our brother[189] we may perhaps see in the course of a few days, and we ht to the play Martha ought to see the inside of the theatre once while she lives in Southampton, and I think she will hardly wish to take a second view

How could you have a wet day on Thursday? With us it was a prince of days, the ht, with a brisk wind fro, and Martha and I did not kno to turn back On Friday evening we had so weather--from 6 to 9, I think we never heard it worse, even here And one night we had so ain into the store closet, and though the evil was co, I had so parcels, &c I have now moved still more out of the way