Part 40 (2/2)

I wrote to Mr Murray yesterday myself, and Henry wrote at the same time to Roworth[303] Before the notes were out of the house, I received three sheets and an apology from R We sent the notes, however, and I had a most civil one in reply from Mr M He is so very polite, indeed, that it is quite overco for paper--the blaives his word that I shall have no farther cause for dissatisfaction He has lent us _Miss Williams_[304] and _Scott_, and says that any book of his will always be at _my_ service In short, I am soothed and complimented into tolerable comfort

To-morrow Mr Haden is to dine with us There is happiness! We really grow so fond of Mr Haden that I do not knohat to expect He, and Mr

Tilson, and Mr Philips ht; fanny played, and he sat and listened and suggested improvements, till Richard ca for him at Captn Blake's'; and then he was off with a speed that you can iine He never does appear in the least above his profession, or out of humour with it, or I should think poor Captn

Blake, whoever he is, in a very bad way

Yours very affectionately, J AUSTEN

I have been listening to dreadful insanity It is Mr Haden's firm belief that a person _not_ musical is fit for every sort of wickedness I ventured to assert a little on the other side, but wished the cause in abler hands

Hans Place: Sunday [November 26, 1815]

I _did_ ht me a fine coood I do not know, but Henry thought it worth trying

The printers continue to supply me very well I am advanced in Vol III tothere is a et Anna's arrowroot I hope you have told Martha of ht_ dedicate, &c, for fear of being obliged to do it, and that she is thoroughly convinced ofbut the most mercenary ood manners and clever conversation From 7 to 8 the harp; at 8 Mrs L and Miss E arrived, and for the rest of the evening the drawing-rooed: on the sofa side the two ladies, Henry, andthe best of it; on the opposite side fanny and Mr Haden, in two chairs (I _believe_, at least, they had _two_ chairs), talking together uninterruptedly Fancy the scene!

And what is to be fancied next? Why, that Mr H

dines here again to- _Mansfield Park_ for the first time, and prefers it to _P and P_

fanny has heard all that I have said to you about herself and Mr H Thank you very ht of dearest Charles's letter to yourself How pleasantly and how naturally he writes! and how perfect a picture of his disposition and feelings his style conveys! Poor dear fellow! Not a present! I have a great mind to send him all the twelve copies which were to have been dispersed a with the P

R and ending with Countess Morley Adieu

Yours affectionately, J AUSTEN

Miss Austen

Saturday [December 2, 1815]

MY DEAR CassANDRA,--Henry caht have returned the day before if he had known as much in time

I had the co froood an account of his feelings as made me perfectly easy He met with the utmost care and attention at Hanwell, spent his two days there very quietly and pleasantly, and, being certainly in no respect the worse for going, we may believe that hehiala Mr Haden was secured for dinner I need not say that our evening was agreeable

But you seem to be under a mistake as to Mr H

You call him an apothecary He is no apothecary; he has never been an apothecary; there is not an apothecary in this neighbourhood--the only inconvenience of the situation perhaps--but so it is; we have not abut a Haden, a sort of wonderful nondescript creature on two legs, soel, but without the least spice of an apothecary He is, perhaps, the only person _not_ an apothecary hereabouts He has never sung to us He will not sing without a pianoforte acco, and aree with her _I_ enjoy it all over itudinally, perpendicularly, diagonally; and I cannot but selfishly hope we are to have it last till Christy weather

Yours affectionately, J A

It strikes , but ill take counsel upon the question