ss Ballards are said to be remarkably
well-informed; their manners are unaffected and
pleasing, but they do not talk quite freely enough
to be agreeable, nor can I discover any right they
had by taste or feeling to go their late tour.

We have got the second volume of _Espriella's
Letters_,[177] and I read it aloud by candlelight.
The man describes well, but is horribly
anti-English. He deserves to be the foreigner he
assumes.

The Marquis[178] has put off being cured for
another year; after waiting some weeks in vain for
the return of the vessel he had agreed for, he is
gone into Cornwall to order a vessel built for
himself by a famous man in that country, in which
he means to go abroad a twelvemonth hence.

With love to all,
Yours affectionately,
J. A.

Fanny Austen (afterwards Lady Knatchbull), Edward's eldest daughter, had
nearly completed her sixteenth year. She was admirably adapted for the
difficult position into which she was about to be thrown: that of
companion to her father, mistress of a large household, and adviser to
her younger brothers and sisters. She was sensible, even-tempered,
affectionate, and conscientious. She did indeed prove 'almost another
sister' to Jane, who, as Cassandra said afterwards, was perhaps better
known to her than to any other human being, except Cassandra herself.
Though this niece did not profess any special literary ability, her
Aunt always valued her sound judgment on each new book: and in return
she gave her, without fear of offending, advice[179] on the most
delicate subjects. The short extracts from Fanny's diary, which her
son, Lord Brabourne, gives us, show how constantly 'Aunt Jane' was
the object of her thoughts.

Castle Square: Friday [October 7, 1808].

MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--Your letter on Tuesday gave us
great pleasure, and we congratulate you all upon
Elizabeth's hitherto happy recovery; to-morrow, or
Sunday, I hope to hear of its advancing in the
same style. We are also very glad to know that you
are so well yourself, and pray you to continue so.

* * * * *

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