Part 47 (1/2)

This is the last letter we possess dealing with Anna's story; and we can understand that the attention of either writer was soon diverted from it by more serious considerations: that of Anna by family cares, that of her aunt by Henry's illness and bankruptcy, and by her own publication of _Emma_ and subsequent failure of health The last history of the MS

was sad enough After the death of her kind critic, Anna could not induce herself to go on with the tale; the associations were tooafterwards, she took it out of its drawer, and, in a fit of despondency, threw it into the fire Her daughter, who tells us this, adds that she herself--a little girl--was sitting on the rug, and remembers that she watched the destruction, aedy written at a very early age by Anna's little sister Caroline, as her junior by about twelve years

Caroline believed it to be a necessary part of a tragedy that all the _dramatis personae_ should somehow meet their end, by violence or otherwise, in the last act; and this belief produced such a scene of carnage and woe as to cause fits of laughter a unsympathetic elders, and tears to the author, who threw the unfortunate tragedy into the fire on the spot

Caroline, however, continued to write stories; and some of them are alluded to in a series of little childish letters written to her by her Aunt Jane, which survive, carefully pieced together with silver paper and gu for the presence in them of love and playfulness, and the entire absence of condescension

December 6

MY DEAR CAROLINE,--I wish I could finish stories as fast as you can I aht of Olivia, and think you have done for her very well; but the good-for-nothing father, as the real author of all her faults and sufferings, should not escape unpunished I hope _he_ hung himself, or took the sur-name of _Bone_ or underwent some direful penance or other

Yours affectionately, J AUSTEN

Chawton: Monday, July 15

MY DEAR CAROLINE,--I have followed your directions and find your handwriting admirable If you continue to ied to shut my eyes at all half a year hence I have been very ed father; it lad to find you so much alive upon any topic of such absurdity, as the usual description of a heroine's father You have done it full justice, or, if anything be wanting, it is the infora father at twenty-two

I had an early opportunity of conveying your letter to Mary Jane, having only to throw it out ofat her as she was ro with your brother in the Back Court She thanks you for it, and answers your questions through me I am to tell you that she has passed her time at Chawton very pleasantly indeed, that she does not miss Cassy so much as she expected, and that as to _Diana Temple_, she is ashamed to say it has never been worked at since you went away

Edward's visit has been a great pleasure to us He has not lost one good quality or good look, and is only altered in being i so very near our own age, for _we_ do not grow older of course

Yours affectionately, J AUSTEN

Chawton: Wednesday, March 13 [1815]

MY DEAR CAROLINE,--I areeable little letter You sees towards Mme de Genlis I do not think I could even now, at my sedate tie It really is too bad! Not allowing theether when they _are_ married Don't talk of it, pray I have just lent your Aunt Frank the first volume of _Les Veillees du Chateau_, for Mary Jane to read It will be some time before she comes to the horror of Olympe

I had a very nice letter froo, and I a I aentlereat deal of fun lately with post-chaises stopping at the door; three tireeable visitors turn in unexpectedly--your Uncle Henry and Mr Tilson, Mrs Heathcote and Miss Bigg, your Uncle Henry and Mr Seymour Take notice it was the same Uncle Henry each time

I remain, my dear Caroline, Your affectionate Aunt, J AUSTEN

Hans Place: Monday night [October 30, 1815]

MY DEAR CAROLINE,--I have not felt quite equal to taking up your Manuscript, but think I shall soon, and I hope ives us great pleasure that you should be at Chawton I ahted to have you You will practise yourcare ofit be ill-used in any respect Do not allow anything to be put on it but what is very light I hope you will try to make out soot wet in your ride; now that you are become an Aunt[342] you are a person of soreat interest whatever you do I have always maintained the importance of Aunts asthe same now

Believe me, my dear Sister-Aunt, Yours affectionately, J AUSTEN

[January 23, 1817]

MY DEAR CAROLINE,--I a to me, and have now I believe two or three notes to thank you for; but whatever may be their number, I mean to have this letter accepted as a handsome return for all, for you see I have taken a complete, whole sheet of paper, which is to entitleletter whether I write much or little

We were quite happy to see Edward, it was an unexpected pleasure, and hein such a quiet coenerally thought grown since he was here last, and rather thinner, but in very good looksHe read his two chapters to us the first evening--both good, but especially the last in our opinion We think it has more of the spirit and entertainment of the early part of his work[343]