the experience of reading in Britain, from 1450 to 1945...

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Anna Austen : [unpublished story]

'My dear Anna - I am very much obliged to you for sending your M.S. [a story by Anna Austen that remained unfinished and has never been published] It has entertained me extremely, all of us indeed. I read it aloud to your G[rand] M[other] & A[un]t C[assandra]. - and we were all very much pleased...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Manuscript: Sheet

Anna Austen : [unpublished story]

'We have just finished the 1st of the 3 Books I had the pleasure of receiving yesterday; I read it aloud - & we are all very much amused, & like the work quite as well as ever. - I depend on getting through another book before dinner, but there is really a great deal of respectable reading in your 48 pages. I was an hour about it. - I have no doubt that 6 will make a very good sized volume.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Manuscript: Sheet

Anna Austen : [unpublished story]

'Now we have finished the 2d book - or rather the 5th - I do think you had better omit Lady Helena's postscript; - to those who are acquainted with P. & P it will seem an imitation.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Manuscript: Sheet

Anna Austen : [unpublished story]

'We are reading the last book. - They must be two days going from Dawlish to Bath; They are nearly 100 miles apart'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Manuscript: Sheet

Anna Austen : [unpublished story]

'Thursday. We finished it last night, after our return from drinking tea at the Great House. - The last Chapter does not please us quite so well, we do not thoroughly like the Play; perhaps from having had too much of Plays in that way lately.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Manuscript: Sheet

Anna Austen : [unpublished story]

'We have been very much amused by your 3 books, but I have a good many criticisms to make - more than you will like [extensive criticism of the MS follows]... You are now collecting your People delightfully, getting them exactly into such a spot as is the delight of my life; - 3 or 4 families in a Country Village is the very thing to work on.' [further comment and criticism follows]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Manuscript: Sheet

Anna Austen : [unpublished story]

'My dear Anna, I hope you do not depend on having your book back again immediately. I keep it that your G:Mama may hear it - for it has not been possible yet to have any public reading. I have read it to your Aunt Cassandra however - in our own room at night, while we undressed - and with a great deal of pleasure.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Manuscript: Sheet

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