Monday, July 19, 2010

Jane Austen and Her Writing Desk

Yesterday we made it finally to the British Library. We had tried to go five years ago, but it was closed because of the London bombings.

I have been wanting to see Jane Austen's writing desk.  Along with the desk were her penned copies of Persuasion and Catherine. I can not begin to tell you how happy I was to see them!


The desk is a small sloping box that she would place on a table and was easily carried along for travel. Opened, it held paper, ink and writing instruments.




Jane Austen wrote to her sister, Cassandra, on Wednesday, 24 October 1798, from the Bull and George at Dartford:
I should have begun my letter soon after our arrival but for a
   little adventure which prevented me. After we had been here a
   quarter of an hour it was discovered that my writing and dressing
   boxes had been by accident put into a chaise which was just packing
   off as we came in, and were driven away towards Gravesend in their
   way to the West Indies. No part of nay property could have been
   such a prize before, for in my writing-box was all my worldly
   wealth, 7l.... Mr Nottley immediately despatched a man and horse
   after the chaise, and in half an hour's time I had the pleasure of
   being as rich as ever; they were got about two or three miles off.

3 comments:

Mindy said...

Oh My. I am so excited for you. I know you loved that!!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you had such a wonderful day. Our weekend was so very nice ,too. Dinner at Jodie and Tom's with the Weavers was awesome. Then out to lunch after church with Mary Nell and Ralph. Tomorrow we go to Anne H's for homemade ice cream. Your friends are so wonderful. Have a great day tomorrow. Love to you, Mom.

Carrie Sparks McClain said...

Hello, I'm a friend of Mindy and I love your blog. I just wanted to say thank you for posting these pictures. I've been a Jane Austen fan since I was a little girl and this is a great story. I hope you have a wonderful, safe trip.