Learn About Jane Austen part 9/12

Learn About Jane Austen part 9/12 Narrator: Although Jane Austen departed this house in 1817, it truly is justice it was in her day, giving the impression that she might well walk back in through a white washed door at any moment. There are reports of Jane Austen’s ghost walking through this house but the reasons for such a strong league to the past are far more tangible. There are many personal items here that belonged to the Austen family which have been returned to the museum. A lock of Jane’s hair still glimmers with traces of auburn and the topaz crosses given to Jane and Cassandra by their brother Charles are on display. The Hepplewhite bureau-bookcase belonged to the Reverend George Austen along with the accompanying chairs came from the rectory at Steventon. There is a patchwork quilt sewn by Mrs. Austen, Jane and Cassandra alongside a fine collection of Jane’s own books and first editions of her novels. However, price of place goes to the little writing table, set with writing paper and quill where all of her great novels were completed. Its one sure assigned that Jane’s spirits improved when she left Bath because she started to write again. For all her time in residence in the city, only a few letters exist from before she settled in Sidney place and just one from Lyme Regis in 1804. Her literary efforts were equally barren with no further manuscripts completed. By the time Jane reached to the peace and comfort of Chawton cottage, she was ready to take up her quill again in earnest. Life was simple for the Austen ladies of Chawton cottage with routine and order governing their lives. Cassandra had taken on the housekeeping responsibilities with Jane being responsible for making the breakfast of tea and toast. Jane loved to play the piano particularly when she was alone and would begin her day before the other residence rose at her music. These music books are Jane’s own handwritten manuscripts and they’ve been used in recent years to make authentic recordings of the kind of music Jane enjoyed and indeed make up the soundtrack of this program. Jane was delighted with Chawton not least because she could have a piano again as on leaving Steventon for Bath, her piano had been sold. Female: “Yes, yes we will have a pianoforte, as good as can be get for 30 guineas, and I will practice country dances, that we may have some amusement for our nephews and nieces, when we have the pleasure of their company”—Jane Austen Narrator: This 1810 Clementi piano that can be seen today in the museum is a perfect example of the type of instrument Jane would have purchased for her 30 guineas. After music and breakfast, Jane would have been free to take up her writing. Only her immediate family and friends knew of her novel writing as if call has arrived, she would carefully conceal her manuscripts. This door still creaks to this day and Jane would never allow it to be oiled as the tell-tale squeak would warn her of imminent disturbance allowing her vital seconds to hide her work away. The value of fresh air was also truly appreciated in the Austen household and although the ladies of Chawton weren’t able to afford to keep a carriage themselves, Brother Edward provided this now perfectly restored donkey carriage for the family to use. It meant that they could visit a fairly wide circle of acquaintance and of course the great house at Chawton when Edward and his family were in residence. The church here in Chawton is lovely and it's the place where ruined brother Henry served out his days as a poor country curate. Both Mrs. Austen and Cassandra are buried side-by-side in this beautifully kept little church yard and for anyone passing this way, its well worth a visit. When Jane Austen arrived at Chawton, it had been some years since she’d sold her manuscript Susan for publication. Once she knew that the move back to Hampshire was arranged, she wrote to the tardy publisher inquiring about its progress. Jane was rather affronted when he suggested she’d buy it back and took matters no further turning her attention instead to transforming Elinor and Marianne into Sense and Sensibility.