A Memoir of Jane Austen

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Appendix 185
3. Copy of a letter from Caroline Austen to JEAL (NPG,
RWC/HH, fos. 4–7).
April 1 st . [1869?]
My dear Edward
I have lost no time in getting ready all the helps I have to offer
for our Aunt’s ‘Life’––I wish they were more. Memory is treacherous,
but I cannot be mistaken in saying that Sense and
Sensibility was first written in letters–– & so read to her family.
Northanger Abbey, under a different name I beleive, was the first
actually prepared for publication & was sold for (I think 20£) to
a publisher–– who declared that he had lost the copy–– refused to
have the loss supplied, and was contented to remain minus his
20£. Afterwards the copyright was purchased back again and it
was left, as you know ready for publication at the time of her
death–– I enclose a copy of Mr. Austen’s letter to Cadell°–– I do
not know which novel he would have sent–– The letter does not do
much credit to the tact or courtesy of our good Grandfather for
Cadell was a great man in his day, and it is not surprising that he
should have refused the favor so offered from an unknown–– but
the circumstance may be worth noting, especially as we have so
few incidents to produce. At a sale of Cadell’s papers &c Tom
Lefroy picked up the original letter–– and Jemima copied it for
me––
My Aunt was very sorry to leave her native home, as I have heard
my Mother relate–– My Aunts had been away a little while, and
were met in the Hall ˆon their returnˆ by their Mother who told
them it was all settled, and they were going to live at Bath. My
Mother who was present.[sic] said my Aunt Jane was greatly
distressed–– All things were done in a hurry by Mr. Austen &
of course this is not a fact to be written and printed–– but you
have authority for saying she did mind it–– if you think it worth
while––
As to the ‘stuffing’ of the projected volume, I have already
said that I expect little from letters–– but some of her light
nonsensical verses might take–– such as ‘In measured verse I
now rehearse, The charms of lovely Anna’, & perhaps some