Part 41 (1/2)

Two more letters ritten by the author to her publisher while the as in his hands

On December 11, she writes:--

As I find that _Emma_ is advertised for publication as early as Saturday next, I think it best to lose no ti all that remains to be settled on the subject, and adopt thisthe se must be '_Eent' And it is my particular wish that one set should be completed and sent to HRH two or three days before the work is generally public It should be sent under cover to the Rev J S Clarke, Librarian, Carlton House I shall subjoin a list of those persons to whom I must trouble you to forward also a set each, when the work is out; all unbound with 'Froe[305]

I return also _Mansfield Park_ as ready for a second edition, I believe, as I can make it[306]

I am in Hans Place till the 16th; from that day inclusive, my direction will be Chawton, Alton, Hants[307]

On receipt of this, Mr Murray see if it really was Miss Austen's wish that the dedication should be placed on the title-page, for we find Jane writing again the saed by yours, and very happy to feel everything arranged to our e, it was arising fro never noticed the proper place for a dedication I thank you for putting ht Any deviation fro I should wish for I feel happy in having a friend to save me from the ill effect of my own blunder

On December 11, Jane resumed her correspondence with Mr Clarke:--

DEAR SIR,--My _Eht to assure you of otten your kind recommendation of an early copy for Carlton House, and that I have Mr

Murray's prohness, under cover to you, three days previous to the work being really out I must make use of this opportunity to thank you, dear Sir, for the very high praise you bestow on my other novels I am too vain to wish to convince you that you have praised thereatest anxiety at present is that this fourth work should not disgrace as good in the others But on this point I will do myself the justice to declare that, whatever ly haunted by the idea that to those readers who have preferred _Pride and Prejudice_ it will appear inferior in wit; and to those who have preferred _Mansfield Park_, very inferior in good sense Such as it is, however, I hope you will doa copy Mr Murray will have directions for sending one I a such a clergyave the sketch of in your note of November 16th But I assure you I aht be equal to, but not the good, the enthusiastic, the literary Such a man's conversation must at times be on subjects of science and philosophy, of which I know nothing; or at least occasionally abundant in quotations and allusions which a woue, and has read little in that, would be totally without the power of giving A classical education, or at any rate a very extensive acquaintance with English literature, ancient and modern, appears to me quite indispensable for the person ould do any justice to your clergyman; and I think I may boast myself to be, with all possible vanity, the most unlearned and uninformed female who ever dared to be an authoress

Believe ed and faithful hum{bl} Ser{t,} JANE AUSTEN

But Mr Clarke had not finished with his suggestions, for he replied in a few days:--

Carlton House: Thursday [Deceing as to do , was forwarded to stone, near Sevenoaks, I had been hidingspirits for a winter cath to stand the sharp knives which[_sic_] to cut more than a pound of flesh from my heart, on the appearance of _Jare been sounded as they ought to be--I shall then look in on the party at the Pavilion[309] for a couple of nights, and return to preach at Park Street Chapel, Green Street, on the Thanksgiving Day

You were very good to send one to the Prince Regent I have read only a few pages, which I very much admired--there is so much nature and excellent description of character in everything you describe Pray continue to write and make all your friends send sketches to help you--and _Memoires pour servir_, as the French teryman after your fancy--ood would be done if tythes were taken away entirely, and describe hih Priest of the Parish in which she died did not pay her reht to do I have never recovered the shock Carry your clergyuished naval character about a Court, you can then bring forward, like Le Sage,scenes of character and interest

But forgive enius, and I fear I cannot do that without trespassing on your patience and good nature

I have desired Mr Murray to procure, if he can, two little works I ventured to publish fro at sea--sermons which I wrote and preached on the ocean, and the edition which I published of Falconer's _shi+pwreck_[310]

Pray, dear Madam, remember that beside my cell at Carlton House, I have another which Dr Barne procured for me at No 37 Golden Square, where I often hide myself There is a small library there much at your service, and if you can make the cell render you any service as a sort of halfway house when you come to Town, I shall be most happy

There is a maid servant ofyou _James the Second_ when it reaches a second edition, as some few notes may possibly be then added

Yours, dear Madam, very sincerely, J S CLARKE

It is evident that what the writer of the above letter chiefly desired, was that Jane Austen should depict a clergyman who should resemble no one so ain in a further letter in which Mr Clarke expressed the somewhat tardy thanks of his Royal master

Pavilion: March 27, 1816

DEAR MISS AUSTEN,--I have to return you the thanks of His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent, for the handsome copy you sent him of your last excellent novel Pray, dear Madaain Lord St Helens andhere, paid you the just tribute of their praise

The Prince Regent has just left us for London; and having been pleased to appoint lish Secretary to the Prince of Cobourg, I rehness and a select party until the ain appear in print you may chuse to dedicate your volumes to Prince Leopold: any historical roust House of Cobourg, would just now be very interesting

Believe ed friend, J S CLARKE