“The flowers that bloom in the spring, tra la, Breathe promise of merry sunshine — As we merrily dance and we sing, tra-la We welcome the hope that they bring, tra-la Of a summer of roses and wine…” I’ve always loved that tongue-in-cheek tribute to springtime from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Mikado”, but as it …
It was not a very romantic wedding, despite the very great love the principals held for one another. Anne Elliot, at twenty, felt entire happiness and the certainty that she had been right, in accepting Captain Frederick Wentworth, despite her father’s indifference and Lady Russell’s concerns and persuasions. For his part, Captain Wentworth rejoiced in …
“He was, at that time, a remarkably fine young man, with a great deal of intelligence, spirit and brilliancy; and Anne an extremely pretty girl, with gentleness, modesty, taste, and feeling. Half the sum of attraction, on either side, might have been enough, for he had nothing to do, and she had hardly any body …
In honor of our Jane in January Scavenger Hunt, I present you with a Quiz, and a Story! Quiz first. Can you name the books from which these quotes about “Treasures” came from? (I prefer to use the word Treasure in this exercise, because Jane Austen never does seem to use the word Scavenger.) Some …
One of the most exciting events of my life took place during my trip to England last summer. Any trip to Chawton is an emotional and exciting experience for the Jane Austen lover, of course, whether you visit the Cottage museum on your own, attend a conference at the grandly restored Chawton House Library, or …
“They determined on walking round Beechen Cliff, that noble hill whose beautiful verdure and hanging coppice render it so striking an object from almost every opening in Bath.” – Northanger Abbey On a trip to Bath a couple of summers ago, I was fortunate to visit an old “friend in Jane,” another …
Is Caroline Bingley green with envy as she notices Mr. Darcy’s attentions to Elizabeth Bennet? Does Emma Woodhouse wish unspeakable horrors on Harriet Smith because of Harriet’s crush on Mr. Knightley? After Willoughby, does Marianne covet Elinor’s more sensible behaviour? We could go on for ages, but it’s only for this month so don’t miss …
Summer is here! Time for days at the beach with lots of sun, sand, and romance. Grab your sunblock and join your favourite Austen characters in their adventures at the sea. As we move toward midsummer, our thoughts may naturally turn toward the seaside, and to wonder what the seaside meant to Jane Austen, what …
On my recent trip to England, in May, my first order of business (or rather, pleasure!) was to spend a day with my friend Ron Dunning, who is not only a descendant of the Austen family (multiple great grandson of Francis Austen), but knows his Jane Austen well, and is possessed of an acute historical …
Welcome to All Things Austen in April! What did the month of April mean to Jane Austen? Something mercurial, as the month is ever famed to be. A month of declarations, of stormy emotion, of disappointment in love, and of activity of all kinds… “If your feelings are still what they were last April, …
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