A Memoir of Jane Austen

More oxford books @ www.OxfordeBook.com
Fore more urdu books visit www.4Urdu.com
194
Appendix
10. Letters to Caroline Austen, 1815–75 (HRO, MS 23M93/
66/2). A copy in Caroline’s hand of an extract from a letter sent
by the Revd F. W. Fowle, dated Jan. 9 1870, acknowledging
receipt of the Memoir. It reads:
Extract from a letter received from the Rev d . F. W. Fowle of
Amesbury acknowledging a Copy of The Memoir of Jane Austen
‘I have read it with the greatest interest–– nothing has so vividly
brought back to me the vision of my early days & of all the dear
friends whom in the interim I have lost–– I was better acquainted
with Steventon Parsonage & its talented inmates, or those who
had been it’s inmates, until the turmoil of life had scattered them,
than probably you think for’
Then follow his recollections of each individual of the family
till he comes down to the subject of The Memoir–– & he thus
continues. ‘Your “dear Aunt Jane” I can testify to as being the
attractive animated delightful person her biographer has represented
her. I well remember her singing–– & “The yellow haired
Laddie” made an impression ˆupˆon me, which more than half a
century has had no power to efface–– Boscho / or some such
name / (Bochsa?) a celebrated Italian harpist whom I heard at
Salisbury once introduced in a ˆbeautifulˆ medley of English &
Scotch tunes, that touching air–– & Jane Austen, whom I had
come to know at last as a distinguished Authoress, rose up before
me!–– The last time I ever saw her, was at Steventon when she
was on a visit to your Mother–– I think M rs Craven was there––
She was a very sweet reader–– She had finished the 1 st Canto of
Marmion,° & I was reading the 2 nd –– when M r W. Digweed was
announced. It was like the interruption of some pleasing dream
the illusions of which suddenly vanish–– Strange to say it was the
last moment of my knowing any thing of “Jane Austen” excepting
from recollections’––
Dated. Amesbury Jan y –– 9 th 1870