A Memoir of Jane Austen

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Appendix
few rimes or charades–– & I have thought that the story, I
beleive in your possession, all nonsense, might be used. I don’t
mean Kitty’s Bower, but the other–– of the gentleman who
wanders forth and is put in possession of a stranger’s house,
and married to his daughter Maria.° I have always thought it
remarkable that the early workings of her mind should have
been in burlesque, and comic exaggeration, setting at nought
all rules of probable or possible–– when of all her finished and
later writings, the exact contrary is the characteristic. The story
I mean is clever nonsense but one knows not how it might be
taken by the public, tho’ something must ever be risked. What I
should deprecate is publishing any of the ‘betweenities’ when
the nonsense was passing away, and before her wonderful talent
had found it’s proper channel. Lady Knatchbull has a whole
short story they were wishing years ago to make public–– but
were discouraged by others–– & I hope the desire has passed
away.
I think I need not warn you against raking up that old story of
the still living ‘Chief Justice’°–– That there was something in it, is
true–– but nothing out of the common way–– (as I beleive.) Nothing
to call ill usage, & no very serious sorrow endured. The York
Lefroys got up a very strong version of it all, & spread their own
notions in the family–– but they were for years very angry with
their Kinsman, & rather delighted in a proof as they thought, of
his early heartlessness. I have my story from my Mother, who was
near at the time–– It was a disappointment, but Mrs. Lefroy sent
the gentleman off at the end of a very few weeks, that no more
mischief might be done. If his love had continued a few more
years, he might have sought her out again–– as he was then making
enough to marry on–– but who can wonder that he did not? He
was settled in Ireland, and he married an Irish lady–– who certainly
had the convenience of money–– there was no engagement,
& never had been.
I am very glad dear Edward that you have applied your-self to
the settlement of this vexed question between the Austens and
the Public. I am sure you will do justice to what there is–– but I
feel it must be a difficult task to dig up the materials, so carefully