en the small bone
of his leg, is so good as to be going on very
well. It would be really too much to have three
people to care for.

You distress me cruelly by your request about
books. I cannot think of any to bring with me,
nor have I any idea of our wanting them. I come
to you to be talked to, not to read or hear
reading; I can do that at home; and indeed I am
now laying in a stock of intelligence to pour out
on you as my share of the conversation. I am
reading Henry's _History of England_, which I will
repeat to you in any manner you may prefer, either
in a loose, desultory, unconnected stream, or
dividing my recital, as the historian divides it
himself, into seven parts:--The Civil and
Military: Religion: Constitution: Learning and
Learned Men: Arts and Sciences: Commerce, Coins,
and Shipping: and Manners. So that for every
evening in the week there will be a different
subject. The Friday's lot--Commerce, Coins, and
Shipping--you will find the least entertaining;
but the next evening's portion will make amends.
With such a provision on my part, if you will do
yours by repeating the French Grammar, and Mrs.
Stent[114] will now and then ejaculate some wonder
about the cocks and hens, what can we want?
Farewell for a short time. We all unite in best
love, and I am your very affectionate

J. A.

The Hurstbourne ball took place on November 19, and was graced by the
presence of Lieutenant Charles Austen. He had distinguished himself on
the _Endymion_, especially in the capture of the _Scipio_ in a heavy
gale. His ship was now at Portsmouth waiting for orders.

Steventon: Thursday [November 20, 1800].

MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--Your letter took me quite by
surprise this morning; you are very welcome,
however, and I am very much obliged to you. I
believe I drank too much wine last night at
Hurstbourne; I know not how else to account for
the shaking of my hand to-day. You will kindly
make allowance therefore for any indistinctness
of writing, by attributing it to this venial
err