JANE AUSTEN’S JUVENILIA

Joanne WilkesUniversity of Auckland

‘History of England’ (November 1791)

‘Love and Freindship’ (June 1790)

‘Jack and Alice’ (1790)

‘The Three Sisters’ (December 1792?)

One of those faeries who perch upon cradles must have taken her on a flight through the world directly she was born. When she was laid in the cradle again she knew not only what the world looked like, but she had already chosen her kingdom.

Virginia Woolf on Jane Austen, The Common Reader, 1925.

Edward IV

Mary, Queen of Scots

Elizabeth

…Truth being I think very excusable in an Historian, I am necessitated to say that in this reign the roman Catholics of England did not behave like Gentlemen to the protestants. Their Behaviour indeed to the Royal Family and both Houses of Parliament might justly be considered by them as very uncivil, and even Sir Henry Percy tho’ certainly the best bred Man of the party, had none of that general politeness which is so universally pleasing, as his Attentions were entirely confined to Lord Mounteagle.

James the 1st

Tho’ my Charms are now considerably softened and somewhat impaired by the Misfortunes I have undergone, I was once beautiful. But lovely as I was the Graces of my Person were the least of my Perfections. Of every accomplishment accustomary to my sex, I was Mistress. When in the Convent, my progress had always succeeded my instructions, my Acquirements had been wonderfull for my Age, and I had shortly surpassed my Masters.

Letter 3rd, Laura to Marianne

She was all Sensibility and Feeling. We flew into each others arms and after having exchanged vows of mutual Friendship for the rest of our Lives, instantly unfolded to each other the most inward Secrets of our Hearts.

Letter 8th Laura to Marianne

‘I look upon myself Sir to be a perfect Beauty – where would you see a finer figure or a more charming face. Then, sir I imagine my Manners and Address to be of the most polished kind; there is a certain elegance a peculiar sweetness in them that I never saw equalled and cannot describe. – Partiality aside, I am certainly more accomplished in every Language, every Science, any Art and every thing than any other person in Europe. My temper is even, my virtues innumerable, my self unparalelled.’

Chapter the Seventh